Advent Season – Hope 2

                         The Bible has quite a lot to say about hope. Biblical hope has as its foundation faith in God. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. For instance, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” In addition, the word hope is often followed by the word ‘so’. This is the answer that some may give when asked if they think that they will go to heaven when they die. They say, “I hope so.” However, that is not the meaning of the words usually translated “hope” in the Bible.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for hope has the meaning of confidence, security, and being without care; therefore, the concept of doubt is not part of this word. In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope in Greek again reveals no doubt attached to this word. Therefore, biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full confidence. In other words, “There is no doubt about it!”

One of the verses in which we find the word hope is Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse at the beginning of the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) carries with it all of the confidence that comes with knowing for sure, with no question, what we have been promised by God in His Word. Our faith is confident assurance, for it is founded upon the Rock of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the actions of the heroes of the faith recorded in Hebrews 11 were made possible because they had this faith based in their confident assurance or hope in God. 

Therefore, biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises. Hope or confident assurance can be ours when we trust the words, “He who believes on Me has everlasting life” ^{(John 6:47, NKJV).} Accepting that gift of eternal life means our hope is no longer filled with doubt but, rather, has at its sure foundation the whole of God’s Word, the entirety of God’s character, and the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

Advent Season – Hope 1

Hope is “to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or be true.”_{(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)}

 

“Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future — it expects it to happen.”- _{John Piper}

 

“Wherever there is full assurance of hope, there is faith. Faith is the full assurance of hope.”- _{John Piper}

 

         In God’s economy there is no such thing as being “hopeless”, for God is ever-present and loves His entire creation with an everlasting love. Therefore, IN God there is ALWAYS hope. Frankly speaking, it has everything to do with your point of reference. What you focus on. Peter focused on his horrific surroundings, namely the winds and waves that flared up constantly on the Galilean Sea. The result was that he began to sink. He was saved by the mighty right hand of Jesus. What are you focused on and why? Do you not yet know that all lasting and eternal hope comes from God?

            While worldly resources are limited to the extent of man’s intellect, God Himself is infinite, making all His resources infinite as well. Therefore, hope is ALWAYS readily available when you have a personal relationship with the Almighty One. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: John Piper is a Christian Teacher, Pastor, & Author of more than 50 books.

Advent – What is it?

The Advent season is a four-week period in the Christian calendar that prepares people for Jesus Christ’s birth at Christmas, while also pointing ahead to his promised return. Each Sunday of the season traditionally spotlights a key theme—like hope, peace, joy, or love—to invite reflection, prayer, and expectant celebration.

The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus”, which is about a “coming” or an “arrival.” The Latin translation of the New Testament uses adventus to describe God the Son arriving on Earth, born as Jesus of Nazareth during the 1st century A.D. ^{(see Acts 7:52)}. Still, throughout Church history, Advent has more traditionally referred to Jesus’ future arrival, when he comes to complete his work of restoring all creation ^{(see Matt. 24:27; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 3:13)}.

The Advent season leads to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also emphasizes his future arrival. It’s a season that includes practices like prayer, giving to those in need, and worship ^{(plus more, depending on the tradition).} And it reminds us that we’re living during the time between Jesus’ first and second advents, leading us to lament the hardships we experience in a still-broken world, while also forming us into people who wait with longing for the renewed world to come. 

Celebrating Advent also means living it by practicing a generous way of love and care for our neighbors as we partner with Jesus to bring peace on Earth. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://bibleproject.com/guides/advent/

The Four Weeks of Advent

          In most Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week season of celebration and observation prior to Christmas, each week often focusing on a particular biblical theme. These are some themes commonly explored during Advent. 

 

Week 1: Hope

Week 2: Peace

Week 3: Joy

Week 4: Love    

 

For the next four weeks up until Christmas Day I will address each topic during that particular week. As you can see the first week of December will address Hope.

 

Christmas is a very special time of year for all those who celebrate it. There are many traditions, some bible-based, others purely personal & family oriented. It is a season that is meant to bring all the themes listed up above out in those who celebrate the season.  

Advent itself has, down thru the ages celebrated the arrival of the divine child; God in human form. The anticipation of His arrival becomes electric as the day approaches. His arrival had come at its prescribed time, and the world was better for it. Those who dismiss His arrival as a children’s fairytale are missing out regarding something that is outside themselves and is waiting to bless them.  

The four topics from up above are attainable in the real world, yet they are not the lasting versions of them. Hope, peace, joy, & love can be had outside of knowing God, but they are of the temporal variety, and not eternal, as they are from knowing God.

The spiritual realm exists in part to enhance our experience knowing God. The hope, peace, joy, & love that exists as it radiates from Almighty God is eternal in nature and attainable by merely asking. God is the embodiment of these four traits that place our lives on a path to supreme and everlasting peace, contentment, and fulfillment. These things are attainable only thru God and no one or nothing else. So enjoy the next four weeks of Advent as I attempt to educate, encourage, & edify you all. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Signs of a Healthy Church

The church is the body of Christ and, as such, is charged to carry out His work in the world. Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave the disciples the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19—20). A healthy local church will be actively fulfilling the Great Commission, and the Bible provides specific guidelines of what the signs of a healthy church are. 

First, it's important to mention that a large church is not a foolproof sign of a healthy church. Growing in numbers can be a sign that a church is healthy (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 16:5), but it's not an automatic guarantee of health. Spiritual growth and biblical soundness, not numbers, are how we measure the healthiness of a church. What are the key things to look for? 

The Bible should be the center of all teaching, and the doctrine should be sound (Titus 1:9; 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:3–4; 2 Timothy 2:2). Sound doctrine will be reaffirmed throughout the Bible and is generally not based on a single verse or passage. Rather, it's a message we see repeated throughout the Scriptures. As Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16—17). Ungodliness prevails when doctrine is not sound. When we hear and apply sound doctrine, the result is godly living (1 Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13—14). 

A healthy church will have godly leadership who exemplify a life of obedience to Christ and a heart of service for others. Their lives will be marked by faithfulness and righteous living (Titus 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7). Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and while no pastor is perfect, it should be evident that they are working to become more like Jesus every day (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 20:25–28; John 13:12–17). Godly leaders will be good stewards of the resources, talents, and ministry that God has entrusted to them (1 Corinthians 4:1–3; 9:17; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11–16). As Jesus spent time with the disciples, training them in the ways of the Lord, godly leaders will train and cultivate others into spiritual leadership, as well (Acts 6:1–7). 

When a church has sound doctrine and godly leadership, discipleship and subsequent spiritual fruit will be evident within the congregation. Faithful leaders produce faithful followers who love the Lord and seek to live according to His Word (John 8:31–32; 14:15; 1 John 2:3–6). Believers who are being discipled will build solid relationships with others (Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Hebrews 10:24–15), be involved in the church—using their gifts to serve others (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7), and will be bearing fruit as they grow in their own sanctification (John 15:5–8; Galatians 5:22–25; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

Finally, a healthy church will be recognized by its outreach. It will be evangelistic, spreading the gospel. And it will be compassionate and generous with its resources for the sake of others. Evangelism occurs within a wide spectrum of experience, ranging from our day-to-day lives and interactions with others to local community efforts and world missions. We have this incredible gift of forgiveness and salvation, and because of this, as the church, we are called to be: "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15–16). The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is not something to hoard—it should be shared near and far, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19—20). This good news brings forgiveness, salvation, light to darkness, and peace to chaos. A healthy church can be recognized by its passion to get the word out to those in need. 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source:  www.gotquestions.org

What Does Being a “New Man” in Christ Mean?

        We know from scripture (John 3:3) that Jesus told Nicodemus he must be “born again of the spirit”. That’s not a remodeling job, but rather a starting over. We are told by the apostle Paul in 2^nd Corinthians 5:15 & 17, the following: “And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. . .. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Using the illustration of birth has been done for a specific reason; because when saved we are made completely new from the inside out. Your spirit has become alive, where prior to our conversion we were spiritually dead. Hence the phrase “dead man walking”.

Prior to receiving Christ, we essentially lived for ourselves. We were number one in our lives, and though we may have given our heart to another, at our core we were selfish, and self-centered.  Our former self was dead in sin, but thru salvation we were brought back to life. We were like the proverbial dead men walking. We thought we were happy, but at some point, in the quiet of a lonely evening, didn’t we wonder if that was all there is to life.

There is a belief that every person has a “God shaped hole” inside them. “The concept of a "God-shaped hole"in every person is most commonly attributed to Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and theologian, who stated that there is a "God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man". This idea has been echoed and elaborated upon by various religious and philosophical figures throughout history. For instance, St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions that "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you". John Calvin, the Protestant reformer, referred to a "sense of divinity" as a natural instinct within humans. The idea has also been discussed by C.S. Lewis, Rick Warren, and even acknowledged by the atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell, who described a “deep, unfulfillable longing in human existence”. While Pascal is the most frequently cited originator, the concept reflects a broader philosophical and theological theme about the human search for meaning and transcendence.” ^[1]

            Once you become a follower of Christ you are righteous, justified, & sanctified in God’s eyes. All that is because of what Christ did on the cross for all of mankind. You are to yield to the spirit within you and slowly become more like Christ. God changes our desires, outlook, and focus as we turn from self-worship to God-worship.

            At salvation, the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts and inflates the spirit inside us so that we can now communicate with God. Whereas a person was formerly directed by the sin nature, he or she can now be directed by the Holy Spirit who works to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

            We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and renew our minds so that we begin to think as God thinks (Romans 12:1–2). As we focus on knowing God, reading His Word, and surrendering ourselves daily to the control of the Holy Spirit, our choices change, along with our priorities. A person was formerly directed by the sin nature, but now can be directed by the Holy Spirit who works to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Therefore, we are becoming a “new man”.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thanksgiving Thoughts from a Random Mind

            Everyday should be Thanksgiving for the Christian. That’s because every day you can ask yourself “What am I thankful for?” and come up with pretty much the same answer. I’m thankful for the fact that Christ died for me. Salvation has changed the entire trajectory of my life. I get to know the Creator of the Universe a little better every day. 

            So in this world that is becoming more hateful and chaotic every single day, I get to love others and reach out with the love of Christ. No hate, no violence, no ugliness... just a calm spirit, and a will to do the right thing in the eyes of Almighty God. 

            Am I perfect? Not even close, but I strive for perfection by trying to be a reflection of Jesus in this sin-sick, violent, hateful world. Does it seem irrational to strive for something you can never obtain this side of heaven? I personally don’t think so. I mean, what are your alternatives. You go on social media and lately all you see is name calling and ugly rhetoric that depresses your soul. Christ uplifts my soul every time I think of Him. 

            So on this Thanksgiving Day 2025, I am grateful for life, liberty, & forgiveness. I am thankful for all the folks I know. I’m thankful for my lovely wife, Kathy. I’m thankful for the life I’ve lived, with all its peaks & valleys, for that is where growth takes place. I am a better man today because Christ is in my life and I will continue to be a better version of myself every day that I serve the King. How about you?

            I hope this finds you in good spirits & may the Lord bless both you & yours on this beautiful day.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!  

 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

The Purpose of the Church

                    God established the church as a community of believers united under Christ to fulfill a multifaceted purpose rooted in His eternal plan. The primary purpose is to bring glory to God through worship, discipleship, and evangelism, while also serving as a spiritual family that equips believers for service and fosters unity in faith and knowledge of Christ. This involves both internal growth—through teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper—and external mission, including making disciples of all nations and proclaiming the gospel to the world.

The church is the body of Christ, a group of people called out from the world to represent and reflect Him, unified by faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Its purpose includes spiritual maturity, where believers are equipped for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until all reach unity in faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature in Christ.

The church is tasked with the Great Commission to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Christ’s commands, ensuring the message of salvation is shared globally.

It serves as a light to the world, pointing people to God through its character and actions, and is called to care for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows, while remaining unstained by the world.

Ultimately, the church exists to prepare a people for the coming Kingdom of God, where believers will reign with Christ as a kingdom of priests, reflecting God’s eternal purpose of gathering all things in Christ.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source:  www.compellingtruth.org

Revisiting the God-Shaped Hole & its Tie to Happiness

In 1670, Blaise Pascal published Pensées*, which was a defense of the Christian religion. In that book, he has a quote:

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”

- Blaise Pascal, Pensées VII (425)

Augustine of Hippo rightly stated in his fourth-century book Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”

The phrase "God-shaped hole," has taken on a life of its own and has been found throughout many Christian circles. Therefore, it is accepted, at least by believers, that true, lasting happiness, peace, & contentment are a direct result of Almighty God being an integral part of our lives. Without God happiness is fleeting. Like a whisper in the wind.

This concept of a God-Shaped Hole in relation to one’s happiness is not biblical per se, although there is biblical support for such a concept.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/2746/where-does-the-concept-of-a-god-shaped-hole-originate

*This book was published after Pascal’s death in 1662.

Have you ever wondered how God’s sees you?

          I know what the Bible says regarding how God both views us & feels about us, but with the strange things that we all say and do from time to time, it begs the question: “Lord, how can you love me now?” According to scripture, there is nothing we could ever think, say or do that would ever turn Him against any of us. No matter how terrible you may think the thing you have thought, said or done is. 

 

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

 

“For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.” Psalm 94:14.

 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39.

            Hopefully these verses, and there are plenty more, have convinced you that no matter what you could ever think, say or do, you will NEVER drive a wedge between yourself and God’s love for you. 

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Sola Gratia

                       Sola gratia is a Latin phrase that means "grace alone." It means that salvation from sin and death is provided by God's unmerited favor alone, and we can do nothing to earn it. The concept is expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9 which reads, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." 

Sola gratia is one of the five "solas" of the Protestant Reformation. The others are: 

 

1) Sola scriptura: Scripture alone; God gave us His Word through Scripture, not papal authority or sacred tradition

 

2) Sola fide: Faith alone; salvation is by grace, through faith, not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

3) Solo Christo: Christ alone; Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6)

 

4) Sola Deo Gloria: glory of God alone; everything we do should be for God's glory (Colossians 3:17) 

 

These were foundational beliefs during the development of the Protestant Reformation, and continue to be vital today.

 

Why is it essential to believe and teach that salvation is provided by grace alone (sola gratia)? First, Scripture is clear that no person seeks God of his or her own initiative: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God" (Romans 3:10-11). Instead, God must reach out to sinful humanity (Romans 3:23). Christ died for us while we were still ungodly (Romans 5:8). Further, Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He actively pursues sinners, calling us to faith in His name.

When a person does accept Christ by grace through faith, Jesus is the One who gives eternal life (John 3:16) and makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Once we have become a believer in Christ, God's Spirit provides the power to live for Him and keeps us in the love of God (Roman 8:37-39). Ultimately, Christ also gives us assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Salvation is by God's grace alone because He is the One who created us, provided a way of salvation for us, seeks us, gives us faith, changes us when we do believe in Him, empowers us to live for Him, keeps us in His love, and will take us to be with Him for eternity. At no point do our good works provide salvation. This is why sola gratia was not only an important belief during the Protestant Reformation, but remains essential to Christian faith and living today.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org

Sin - Remedy

What is sin? “Transgressions against a divinely appointed moral code.” Sin effects our standing with Almighty God, since sin cannot abide in His presence. But what if, as many non-believers say, there IS no God?

“From a Christian theological perspective, if there is no God, evil does not have a coherent origin or definition, as it is understood as the absence of good, which itself is grounded in God. Without God, there is no objective standard for good or evil, making morality subjective and based solely on individual or societal opinion. In this view, evil is not a created entity but a privation or lack of good, similar to how darkness is the absence of light. Therefore, if God does not exist, the very concept of evil as a moral wrong ceases to have a foundation, and what might be labeled as evil would merely be a human interpretation of actions or conditions without an ultimate moral reference point. Some argue that evil arises from the absence of God's presence and the resulting moral disorder, suggesting that without God, the framework for distinguishing right from wrong collapses.” ^[1]

So for the sake of this blog post, let’s say there IS a God. That would, in a spiritual respect, mean there WAS sin. What would the remedy for sin be?  First, what is a remedy? It’s something that is “meant to correct an evil, fault, or error. It is meant to set something right.” THAT is exactly what Christ’s substitutionary death accomplished. We sinned; He corrected the problem with His blood. Christ’s death was the remedy for our sin.

                  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: Definitions come from the American Heritage Dictionary.

^{[1]  www.timeofgrace.org}

Regarding Faith...

Martin Luther King, Jr said the following about faith: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” I rather see faith as taking a jump into a black abyss. In that case we give up all control. When walking up a staircase when you cannot see it in its entirety you still have control – the control to stop going up it and return to the bottom. Faith in God is submitting to something or someone that you HAVE TO trust. Otherwise, you would be terrified of that which you cannot see. With faith you are essentially giving up control to an unseen power that in fact is holding you in the palm of His hand. 

            An enemy of faith is fear. Fear is defined thusly: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. Did you know that there’s another definition that has to do with God. In the beginning of Proverbs, we are told that “the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord”. Now in this case the word fear means something far different than the previous definition. It doesn’t mean we should be afraid of God, but rather, we should revere Him with awe and respect. 

            To have your faith well-grounded in scripture makes it a formidable weapon against fear. As I have often said, an outcropping of faith is trust. According to the Bible’s description of Almighty God we have absolutely no reason to not trust Him. The Lord will train you regarding how you should live with the help of His Holy Spirit. This is yet another reason for us to cultivate our walk with the Lord as if it were a garden. Stay alert. Keep your head on a swivel and be ready to defend your faith at all times.

            Everyone places their faith in either someone or something. I’m asking you, if you are still not a believer in Christ, to seriously consider what it’s all about. God loves us all, but will only admit into His heaven those who have turned their life over to Christ. Autonomy, like Socialism, seems like something wonderful, but in the end things will not turn out the way you thought or at least hoped they would. God allows you to choose; His way or your own way. He is willing to forgive your sins; you are unable to save yourself. To not choose Christ seems a little self-destructive to me. But regardless, you choose... your soul is at stake.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is There Such a Thing as “Necessary Evil”?

       The phrase “necessary evil” is often used in parallel with sayings such as “the ends justify the means”, “for the greater good”, or “the lesser of two evils”. The expression implies certain immoralities are warranted by the situation. Taken at face value, the expression necessary evil is unbiblical: if something is truly evil, then it is never necessary or morally acceptable. That said, the phrase “necessary evil” can have some validity, depending on how it is understood. The difference hinges on how one defines the terms involved.

Scripture uses the term ‘evil’ in two distinct ways. The most common meaning implies ‘moral wickedness’,meaning ‘sin’ (Matthew 12:35; Judges 3:12; Proverbs 8:13; 3 John 1:11). In common English, this is how the word evil is most often understood. However, Hebrew is a highly contextual language. Old Testament terms referencing moral evil are closely connected to those implying disaster, catastrophe, ugliness, or tragedy (Genesis 50:20; Amos 3:6). 

Moral evil is sin: something contrary to the nature of God. Moral evil is never necessary. No matter the situation, God offers a resolution that does not require evil (1 Corinthians 10:13). That which is explicitly forbidden by God’s moral law is neither justified nor excused by any situation. Committing a sin may be “necessary to keep my wealth,” “necessary to keep my power,” or even “necessary to keep my life,” but it is never “necessary in the eyes of God.” The concept of a “necessary evil,” taken literally, is clearly unbiblical. 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is there demonic activity in the world today?

Undoubtedly there is demonic activity in the world today. The goal of demonic activity is to draw people away from God either by keeping unbelievers from coming to Christ or by leading believers to sin so much their spiritual walk becomes more of a hindrance than an encouragement to others (1 John 5:16). Not every hardship with health, well-being, relationships, and government are demonic in nature, but those that are, are designed to pull us from God. We resist demonic activity when we resolve to follow Christ no matter the distractions.

The Bible does not blame all misfortune on demonic activity. Someone who is plagued by fear does not necessarily have a "spirit of fear." Someone who can't manage money is not necessarily being harassed by a "spirit of poverty." Someone who can't find a spouse is not necessarily being tormented by a "spirit of rejection." While it's possible that a person could be subjected to particular attention by demons, the Bible does not indicate that every hardship is a direct result of spiritual warfare. Our world is broken, and we should expect to experience some of that brokenness in our lives. On a worldwide scale, while it is possible that demons are guiding human institutions to wreak havoc across the globe, the Bible doesn't indicate that Christians should concentrate on stopping those efforts.

We are not to concern ourselves with how to perform exorcisms or expel demons from places. Instead, we are commanded not to allow demonic activity to influence us to reject God's authority over our lives. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This doesn't refer to a spiritual attack that causes earthly harm, but to temptation to sin. Job, again, is our model for this—"In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:22). We can't control the spiritual forces; we can only pray for protection and resist the temptation to sin.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org

 

How Do I Gain Spiritual Maturity?

Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ. After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent to become spiritually mature. According to the apostle Paul, it’s an ongoing process that will never end in this life. In Philippians 3:12–14, speaking of full knowledge of Christ, he tells his readers that he himself has not “already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Like Paul, we have to press continually toward deeper knowledge of God in Christ.

Christian maturity requires a radical reordering of one’s priorities, changing over from pleasing self to pleasing God and learning to obey God. The key to maturity is consistency, perseverance in doing those things we know will bring us closer to God. These practices are referred to as the spiritual disciplines and include things such as Bible reading/study, prayer, fellowship, service, and stewardship. No matter how hard we might work on those things, however, none of this is possible without the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us. Galatians 5:16 tells us that we’re to “walk by the Spirit.” The Greek word used here for “walk” actually means “to walk with a purpose in view.” Later in the same chapter, Paul tells us again that we’re to “walk by the Spirit.” Here, the word translated “walk” has the idea of taking things “step by step, one step at a time.” It is learning to walk under the instruction of another—the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit means we walk under the Spirit’s control. As we submit more and more to the Spirit’s control, we will also see an increase in the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). This is characteristic of spiritual maturity.

When we become Christians, we are given all we need for spiritual maturity. Peter tells us that “[God’s] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). God alone is our resource, and all growth comes by grace through Him, but we are responsible to make the choice to obey. Peter again helps us in this area: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5–8). Being effective and fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus is the essence of spiritual maturity.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

Faith vs. Fear

Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It is the belief that, although we cannot tangibly see God, we know that He is present & working in our lives. Unbelief can cause fear to take hold of our lives & emotions, & fear cannot exist in the same space as faith. Faith can deliver us from fear & worry because faith is the opposite of unbelief. Faith does not come from us, but is a gift (Ephesians 2:8–9), and is a characteristic that is manifested in our lives through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). 

The more we learn about God, the more our faith continues to grow as we grow in our understanding of God. Faith, as a Christian, means assurance that God loves us & deeply cares about our thoughts & needs. God desires for our faith to grow. We are instructed through the Scriptures on how to develop a faith that conquers fears. Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, & hearing through the word of Christ." Studying the Word of God is paramount in building strong faith. To know Him & rely on His direction in our lives, we must seek to understand Scripture. 

Time with God in prayer & quiet worship also builds a relationship with God & opens our hearts to Him. David experienced fear & wrote to God in response, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you" (Psalm 56:3). The Psalms are a great instruction to those who wish to learn how to cast out their fear with faith. Psalm 119 has excellent examples of how David communicated with God & valued His Word: "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!" (v. 10); "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (v. 11); "I will meditate on your precepts & fix my eyes on your ways" (v. 15); "Your word is a lamp to my feet & a light to my path" (v. 105).  We are meant to meditate on these words.

Without trials, faith does not mature or strengthen. God understands our weaknesses & fears, but He also commands us to use trials as opportunities to grow our faith. In Scripture, we see many examples of people who experience adversity & lean on God. Each one of us will experience fearful situations that God is able to walk through with us (John 16:33; Romans 8:31–39). We can learn to allow God's Word to saturate our thoughts & use trials as stepping-stones to build greater faith that God is good & will take care of us. 

As children of God, we are capable of taking hold of the promises that God describes in the Scriptures. There are verses for every kind of fear! When we face anxiety about the future: God will "instruct you & teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8). When we face financial trouble: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). When we experience physical ailments or hardships: "… suffering produces endurance & endurance produces character, & character produces hope, & hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:3–5). 

Fear is our human reaction to the trials that we will face in this life, but God promises us that we can experience peace in every situation. His peace "surpasses all understanding" & "will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org

 

 

Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

The short answer is “yes”; because God is sovereign, there are no random, out-of-control happenings. God’s purposes may be hidden from us, but we can be assured that every event has a reason behind it.

There was a reason for the blindness of the man in John 9, although the disciples misidentified the reason (John 9:1–3). There was a reason for Joseph’s mistreatment, although his brothers’ purpose in what they did to him was very different from God’s purpose in allowing it (Genesis 50:20). There was a reason for Jesus’ death—the authorities in Jerusalem had their reasons, based on evil intent, and God had His, based on righteousness. God’s sovereignty extends even to the lowliest of creatures: “Not one [sparrow] falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” (Matthew 10:29, NET).

Several factors help us know that everything happens for a reason: the law of cause and effect, the doctrine of original sin, and the providence of God. All these demonstrate that everything does happen for a reason, not just by happenstance or by random chance.

First, there is the natural law of cause and effect, also known as the law of sowing and reaping. Paul says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7–8). This means that in every action we take or word we utter, whether good or evil, there are certain inevitable results that follow (Colossians 3:23–25). Someone may ask, “Why am I in jail? Is there a reason for this?” and the answer may be, “Because you robbed your neighbor’s house and got caught.” That’s cause and effect.

All that we do is either an investment in the flesh or an investment in the Spirit. We shall reap whatever we have sown, and we shall reap in proportion to how we have sown. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). The believer who walks in the Spirit and “sows” in the Spirit is going to reap a spiritual harvest. If his sowing has been generous, the harvest will be bountiful, if not in this life, certainly in the life to come. Conversely, those who “sow” to the flesh are going to reap a life without the full blessings of God, both in this life and the life to come (Jeremiah 18:10; 2 Peter 2:10–12).

The reason some things happen can often be traced back to original sin in the Garden of Eden. The Bible is clear that the world is under a curse (Genesis 3:17), which has resulted in infirmities, diseases, natural disasters, and death. All these things, although under God’s ultimate control, are sometimes used by Satan to inflict misery upon people (see Job 1–2; Luke 9:37–42; 13:16). Someone may ask, “Why did I contract this illness? Is there a reason for it?” and the answer may be one or more of the following: 1) “Because you live in a fallen world, and we are all subject to illness”; 2) “Because God is testing you and strengthening your faith”; or 3) “Because, in love, God is disciplining you according to Hebrews 12:7–13 and 1 Corinthians 11:29–30.”

Then we have what is called the providence of God. The doctrine of providence holds that God quietly and invisibly works through the natural world to manage events. God, in His providence, works out His purposes through natural processes in the physical and social universe. Every effect can be traced back to a natural cause, and there is no hint of the miraculous. The best that man can do to explain the reason why things happen in the course of natural events is to point to “coincidence.”

Believers proclaim that God arranges the coincidences. The unbeliever derides such ideas because he believes natural causes can fully explain each event without reference to God. Yet followers of Christ are wholly assured of this profound truth: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

God is always at work in the lives of His people, and in His goodness will bring them to a good end (see Philippians 1:6). The events that define our lives are not simply products of natural causes or random chance. They are ordained by God and are intended for our good. We often fail to sense God’s hidden guidance or protection as events in our lives unfold. But, when we look back at past events, we are able to see His hand more clearly, even in times of tragedy.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

Being an Effective Witness for Christ

An effective witness for Christ could be defined as a person whose life bears fruit for the gospel. Ultimately, when a person is saved, it is by God's power (1 Peter 1:3-5), not ours, and as we speak the truth to unbelievers, it is important to remember that their salvation does not hinge on our speaking abilities or the strength of our faith, or how well we know how to explain things. Even in cases where we speak the truth very clearly and with conviction, it may not result in the salvation of the hearer. In the end, each person bears the responsibility for his own choices (Galatians 6:4-5). This should not be a deterrent, however. We are called to do everything in our power to witness to the lost, and to aim for effectiveness. Here are a few basic guidelines to being an effective witness for Christ. 

An effective witness is humble. We cannot judge who will or will not accept the message of the cross, so we should be impartial and unprejudiced about whom we approach with the good news, remembering that our own need for salvation is just as great as the need of every person yet to be saved (Romans 3:19-20). An effective witness will approach unbelievers with kindness and patience, rather than an arrogant, quarrelsome attitude (2 Timothy 2:23-26). 

An effective witness represents the Scripture. God has chosen to reveal Himself to the world in part through a book, the Bible. Regardless of whether this makes perfect sense to us, it is the way He chose to do things. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador for a nation speaks only what he hears his king or President speak—no more, no less. When we invent new gospels or bend the truth in an effort to make God's message more palatable or easier to accept, we are being unfaithful, and if people are converted, they are converting to a false gospel. The truth will always be fragrant to the one who desires salvation, and powerful to effect that salvation (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). We should not be ashamed of it (Romans 1:16). 

An effective witness represents the Savior. Just as we are faithful to accurately speak His Word, we should be faithful to accurately portray His character. The world has an image of Jesus that is often incorrect, and we should strive to make His true nature known to them. Jesus Christ was not always nice. He rejected the hypocritical religious leaders of His day, pronouncing woes on them (Matthew 23:1-36). He spoke the truth with conviction (John 3:1-15). He confirmed the existence of eternal separation from God (Matthew 7:21-23). At the same time, He accepted the outcasts of society and forgave them freely (Luke 19:1-10). Nobody who wanted to be with Him was rejected. His focus was to save them, rather than to judge their sin (John 3:16-18). An effective witness for Christ will be intimately acquainted with Christ's character and attempt to emulate Him. 

An effective witness is honest. Not every mystery in the Bible can be explained or understood, even by the wisest theologian or the most studied scholar. If an unbeliever asks a question we cannot answer, we should not be afraid to say, "I don't know." Honesty, and acceptance of our inability to fathom God, is not a sign of weakness, but rather a trust in God that is unfathomable (Hebrews 11:1-3). How can we hope to fully understand a God whose mind is so far above ours? But we are not called to fully understand, but simply to trust (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org

 

 

Why is the name of Jesus used as a cuss word?

          “How interesting it is that no other religious leader has his name taken in vain! It does not matter if we are talking about a cult, an Eastern religion, or a religion associated with a certain area in the world. Only the name of Jesus Christ is blasphemed. Why is that?

I suggest the oddity is that only Jesus Christ is real as the Savior and Son of God. Only Jesus made it possible for believers to enter into the throne room of God with their prayers. Only Jesus has the historical and scientific proof that he rose from the dead.

Jesus taught love. He taught about freedom. He made it possible for people to be released from demons that bound them. Anyone who is willing to examine the evidence and verify that Jesus is the fulfillment of many prophecies, some of which were thousands of years old, should logically know that Jesus is special.

It is evident that Satan wants to use unbelievers to blaspheme the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is such a shame that those who take the name of Jesus in vain are lining themselves with the hatred of Satan. The devil tried to defeat Christ when he was on earth and failed. Now he is using people to malign the Son of God.

If you are one of those persons who swears using the name of Jesus, think twice. Ask yourself what you are doing. You are breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Realize that you are offending Christians and more importantly you are offending God.”

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

NOTE: This is a brief article published by James Bradfield, who served God and country as a chaplain Lt Col in the Air Force retiring after 22 years. He has owned & operated a mental health practice. His current work is writing & teaching from scripture.