Always Remember / Never Forget

“In the Bible, honor is defined as the esteem, respect, and reverence given to individuals, God, or principles, derived from the Hebrew word kavod (meaning "weightiness" or "glory") and the Greek word timē (meaning "value" or "price").  It is not merely an internal attitude but a multifaceted action that involves recognizing inherent worth, showing deference, and often accompanying respect with obedience or appropriate attention.” ^[1]

                  In life we honor those who risk their lives protecting others. Law enforcement, military, fire fighters, etc. In this day and age there are many factions who attempt to discredit those who lay their lives down for another. While the reasons are not clear to me why anyone would do that, I shall always honor and respect those who have done that which I was unable to do. 

            It doesn’t seem all that different to me than the honor we are to have for Almighty God, whom I respect and revere because of who He is and what He has done for me. The “heroes” that exist today are special and are to be honored by remembering their acts of supreme bravery in the face of adversity. Thank you Lord for these brave souls both living and dead, who neither seek nor require any accolades, but for me have earned them, nonetheless. Let us remember our fallen heroes this day and every day for without their bravery and self-sacrifice our world would not be the same. Bless and honor their memory always. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblehub.com; www.biblestudytools.com

My Imperfections / My Prayer

I’m far from being perfect. The things I’ve said and done throughout my life would make a blind man blush. There are times when I would wonder if I had gone too far for God to forgive me, then I remember when Moses was forgiven for killing an Egyptian man. I remember when David slept with Bathsheba and though there were harsh consequences for his actions, he was still referred to by God as the apple of His eye & a man after God’s own heart.

How can that be? I know God doesn’t wink at sin, but I also know He doesn’t hold our transgressions against us once we seek forgiveness. He knows the sincerity of a person’s heart and that makes all the difference. All that encourages me, but I still end up wondering if God might wash His hands of me because of my continued wayward thoughts and innocent but hurtful words and actions. Perhaps I am harder on myself than the Lord is with me. I guess that’s because I have felt like I haven’t pleased a whole lot of people in this life by just being me and I want so desperately to feel the warm embrace of my Lord when all is said and done. I don’t want to be spit out of His mouth for being lukewarm.  

Please continue to be patient with me Lord. I’m trying to be the best version of myself with the Spirit’s help. Don’t leave me to my own devices. While my faith and trust in you doesn’t waver, my behavior does from time to time. Without You I am nothing more than a shipwreck of a man. Humble me and lead me down the pathway You have laid before me. I love you Lord and I want to be with You throughout eternity. Help me overcome my poor tendencies and become more like Your Son a little more each day. Thank you.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: This spilled out of me recently & I thought maybe some folks out there may relate to all this. It isn’t staged, but rather how I truly feel in my heart. Does this resonate with you? Have you ever felt this way? rlk

God’s “If-Then” Clauses

            An “if-then” clause is a conditional statement that lays out a condition that when fulfilled provides a certain expressed result. Example:  If we repent of our sins & believe in Jesus Christ, then we shall receive salvation. The fact of the matter lies with Jesus final words spoken while He hung on the cross. In John 19:30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” In other words, there is nothing else that needs to be done to cleanse one of their sins. Once He says His final words the “If-Then” clause is activated. 

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God says, “If my people … shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God’s “if-then”clauses are very specific. There is no mistaking their meaning. Conforming to God’s way is imperative for it is the only plan of redemption provided by our creator. We MUST do something or abstain from doing something to make these clauses become valid and useful. Taking this whole Christianity thing seriously is the key to receiving total and complete forgiveness for everything we’ve done both knowingly and/or UNknowingly.  

This isn’t a matter of doing something to MAKE God provide a positive result. The purpose of the conditional clause is to let you know that God has chosen of His own free will and out of His deep, abiding love for His creation to provide a certain position outcome as a result of your obedience and submission to His condition. THAT is what God’s “if-then” or conditional clause is. Pay attention when you read scripture, because ... “The Bible contains approximately 1,600 to 1,637 instances of the word "if," which functions as a conditional conjunction.  This count is divided into roughly 993 occurrences in the Old Testament and 602 to 608 occurrences in the New Testament, with nearly half of the New Testament instances appearing in the four Gospels.” ^[1]

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  https://www.ogchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/the-biblical-word-if/ & https://moreofhimministries.org/if-then-but/

PUBLIC ENEMY

          The way things are going in the world today being a follower of Christ could just make you a “Public Enemy”. I fear that persecution is coming to the homeland, if it isn’t already here. The Christian is the only threat to Satan’s reign over this world. God allows what takes place and persecution may be on the docket for the not too distant future. Stay strong. Stand tall. Fear nothing. Trust God. Perhaps it will not touch you and those you love personally, but pray for peace and the reality of man’s need for salvation. God wins in the end.

            Did you realize that we are HATED by some segments of society. That’s right, literally hated!! They don’t take the time required to understand what we stand for or what we believe, they react emotionally based on what “important” people have said or are saying. Satan fuels the hate; you can be sure of that. 

            It is imperative that believers lock in on their beliefs and not let them fade over time.

Don’t be distracted by worldly endeavors that take important time away from either God OR family. The devil will find that weak link in your chain and fire away at it until you either rebuke his efforts or succumb to them. Become keenly aware of that which is taking please all around you. Unfortunately, we are human; clay in the master potters hands. We can break very easily if not handled properly. The Holy Spirit is the person that holds things all together, unless we venture down a tangent path against his warnings. Submit to the true Master of the Universe; our Creator God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is Christianity considered a philosophy?

        Christianity is considered a religion with elements of philosophy; however, it’s not solely a philosophical way and thinking and living. It has been influential in religious thoughts throughout the ages. From reading my posts you should know that I do NOT consider true Christianity a religion as much as it is a persnal relationship with Almighty God. 

            By definition religion is “an organized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices” and while that is primarily true, I see it as something that is far more intimate and personal. Something that is more individualized.

            First of all, Christianity is centered on the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It involves faith and trust in the same. Philosophy looks at questions about God Himself, human nature, morals, ethics, and the nature of reality. The Christian theologians thru the years have put together systematic theologies to attempt to answer life’s challenging questions regarding religion.

            Secondly, in Christianity, the human condition is defined as a state of being created in the image of God but currently existing as a fallen, sinful creature separated from Him.

Christianity provides a template to understand morality, man’s purpose, and the human condition. Philosophy provides a set of circumstances related to our existence, our limitations, and our shared experiences, all which constitute human existence, such as, birth, growth, emotion, aspiration, conflict, ethics and mortality.

            The key difference between the two is that while philosophy seeks knowledge and understanding thru human reason, Christianity involves both faith and revelation. In other words, Christianity is more than simply a philosophy, though it does incorporate philosophical thoughts, ideas, and methods. It’s a school of thought that has a rich history of philosophical thoughts, ideas, and reflection.

            To tie it all together Christianity is not a philosophy, yet does have elements of philosophical thought in it. Our main tool for knowledge and reflection is the Word of God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Permission Needed

“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Legion,’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him.  And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” [Luke 8:30-33 NIV]

 

We get a clear picture of the hierarchy of God in the Book of Job when Satan came into the throne room of God to seek permission to come against Job. The above account of Christ’s dealing with the demon possessed man brings into focus that which we already know. God, and by association, Jesus, is far superior in every way to Satan. Hence the demons in the man HAD TO BEG Jesus (repeatedly) not to be thrown into the abyss. Now why would anyone beg another for anything unless they were subservient to them in some capacity. Jesus granted the demons PERMISSION to do that which they requested. They entered the swine and they plummeted over a nearby cliff to their death. They sought permission from the Son of God, which essentially was the same as seeking permission from God directly.

This event shines a light on God’s power and authority over all in His creation, even the author of evil. When it comes to God’s children, nothing can happen that isn’t either caused or allowed for His greater purpose. Those type of trials are nothing more than lessons in faith. Do you trust the Lord today to protect you from the evil one? You should because the Lord is our ultimate weapon against evil. The forces of darkness can do nothing to a bonafide believer in Christ unless He allows it. Remember that. The devil is a toothless lion [1 Peter 3:8].

1 John 3:8b says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” The devil’s activities are what he seeks to do to destroy everything associated with Almighty God. That following is a list of his diabolical deeds: sin, rebellion, temptation, ruling the world, persecution & accusation of the saints, instigation of false teachers, and the power of death. These acts cannot infiltrate the life of the believer unless they open the door to it.

In spite of 1 John 3:8b stating destroying the devils works is “the reason” He came, there are other reasons as well, primarily to restore the sinless condition to the heart of man.

Remain focused on the One who saves your soul and not the loud one who seeks to disrupt and bring chaos. He truly has no hold on any of God’s children. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The MacArthur Study Bible; The Life Application Study Bible.

I Have a Question

What is True Happiness?

 

Happiness is an emotion arising from a sense of well-being, joy, and/or contentment. Everyone wants to be happy, but happiness, as our ultimate goal, can be elusive. People may make decisions based on what they think will make them happy, then experience despair when happiness never comes. People who assume that God wants them to be happy may justify activities clearly prohibited in the Bible by arguing that such choices are necessary for happiness. But is our personal happiness God’s ultimate goal for us? 

We were created by God in His image, and we know happiness is possible because God is happy. When God created the first man and woman, He placed them in a garden and filled it with everything they needed to be happy (Genesis 1:29–30; 2:8–9). But they fell for the lie that happiness is contingent upon having everything they wanted (Genesis 3:1–6). Their failure to acknowledge God as their Source of happiness led to sin and banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23–24). From that day on, humanity has struggled to regain the sense of happiness that Adam and Eve experienced in the presence of God.

God wants us to be happy but not at any cost. His goals for us are higher, broader, and more lasting than fleeting happiness (Isaiah 55:9). In fact, the pursuit of happiness is not spoken of in the New Testament. Instead, we find repeated commands to deny self (Mark 8:34), take up a cross (Luke 9:23), and consider oneself dead to sin (Romans 6:6–7). These instructions may appear contradictory to the idea that God wants us to be happy. How can we be happy when we must choose the opposite of what we desire?

God’s path to happiness goes a different direction from the path we would naturally choose. Sinful actions can usually be traced to one foundational lie: that we will be happier if we do this thing. But God says, “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!” (Psalm 1:1, CSB). God delights in confounding the wise by using foolish things to accomplish His purposes, weak things to shame the strong, and lowly and despised things to magnify His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27–28). The psalmist says that we are happiest when we are delighting in God’s promises and commandments (Psalm 112:1).

God wants us to be happy, but the temporary thrill sin provides is not true happiness. Sin can produce feelings of happiness as long as we are getting what we want. 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 truth is there is a “God-shaped vacuum” in the heart of every person, and that void can only be filled by God through Christ, not by any created thing. Happiness is a gift from God that can be fully known only in proper relationship with Him.

God does want us to be happy, and He has provided all we need for life and godliness through Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:2). He has designed the human heart to experience its greatest ecstasy in worship, its deepest satisfaction in serving, and its greatest love through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are living in fellowship with Him, we can expect to be happy regardless of our temporary circumstances (Philippians 4:11–13). Our goal is the prize awaiting us in eternity, so we can endure earthly difficulties while remaining full of hope (2 Corinthians 4:17). When our joy and hope are based on that which cannot be taken away, we have found true happiness, and God is pleased. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

Is Anyone Worthy of Redemption?

 

“Are Jews better off than Gentiles? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews & all Gentiles are under the control of sin & subject to its power. As it forever remains written, “There is none that meets God’s standard, not even one. There are none who understand; none who seek after God. All mankind has turned aside, & become useless; there is none who does good, no, not one. There is no fear of God & His awesome power by man. 

Now we know that whatever the Law of Moses says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that the excuses of every mouth may be silenced from protesting & that all the world may be held accountable to God & subject to His judgment. For no person will be freed of guilt & declared righteous in His sight by trying to do the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin knowing this directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin.”

The above verses from Romans 3 reveal that NO ONE lives by God’s moral & ethical standards laid out in scripture. No one seeks the Almighty One on their own. It also highlights that the Law doesn’t provide a solution for man’s sin problem. An offering of blood, pure from a spotless “lamb” is the only offering that cleanses a man of their sin. That “lamb” mentioned is symbolic of Jesus, who in scripture is referred to as the “Lamb of God” [John 1:29; John 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19 NLT].

Back in Jesus day the religious leaders definitely felt superior to all non-jews; however, God didn’t provide salvation for Jews alone, but for their supposed “inferior” neighbors, the Gentiles. This didn’t sit well with the Jewish religious leaders. They rebelled, but their rebellion wasn’t toward Jesus & His teachings alone. Jesus ministry challenged the 1000’s of restrictive extra oral traditions that they added to the Mosaic Law. Jesus was causing questions to be raised that threatened the hold the leaders had on their people.

When grace is understood it far surpasses anything the Law provides as far as redemption is concerned. The forgiveness Christ provides in the Age of Grace removes one’s sin once for all time, not a yearly sacrifice to cover one’s sins.  No, no one is worthy of redemption by themselves, but if they are willing to surrender themselves to a God whose love surpasses anything known to man then redemption is freely available and attainable. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

What is the “unforgivable sin”?

According to the Bible, the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This refers to a persistent, willful rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony about Jesus Christ, ultimately hardening one’s heart against repentance. It is not a single, mistaken word, but a sustained defiance. 

 

Matthew 12:31-32 ^{[Amplified Bible]} “Therefore I say to you, every evil sin & abusive blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

 

Mark 3:28-30 ^{[Amplified Bible]}  “I assure you & most solemnly say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, & all the abusive and blasphemous things they say; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit & His power [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin [a sin which is unforgivable in this present age as well as in the age to come]”— [Jesus said this] because the scribes and Pharisees were [attributing His miracles to Satan by] saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

 

In this day & age the unforgivable sin involves consistently rejecting the Spirit’s conviction of sin & refusing to repent. Why is it unforgivable? It’s not that God refuses to forgive, but that the person constantly rejects the only mechanism (the Spirit) that draws them to repentance & faith, making forgiveness impossible.

            What the unforgivable sin IS NOT is a fleeting thought, a single sinful act, or a moment of doubt, but a state of hardened, unforgiven rebellion. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.thenivbible.com

I Have a Question

What is a Theocracy?

 

In a nutshell, a Theocracy is a government set up and run by religious leaders. America is NOT a Theocracy, but rather a place where any individual has the opportunity to establish a Theocracy WITHIN themselves. That is Christianity. A life that is orchestrated and led by Almighty God. That doesn’t make us robots due to the “free will” that is allowed us. We seek to establish this relationship based on who God is and who we are WITHOUT Him. Without God’s influence in our life we are like a rudderless ship, prone to being tossed about by every wind of change that comes our way. But WITH God we not only HAVE a rudder, but a moral compass that tells us the right and wrong of things. 

It may sound like tyranny, but in fact it is simply an otherworldly approach to life. The spiritual side of things. We believe in a lot of things throughout our lives and as long as we feel we are in control we are alright with what transpires; however, without a loving Heavenly Father to guide and direct us we shall be forever prone to making wrong decisions based on what we think we know. Sadly, it is what we DO NOT know that can trigger success in a manner of speaking. Instead of looking for reasons NOT to seek out God, we should learn to submit to the higher power of the Lord to achieve eternal life thru Christ, by His blood. 

Is it so wrong to exhibit love over hate, or peace and hope over chaos? Does it make us weak? By the worlds standards, yes, but the world has an all-consuming distaste for religion in general. The world is ‘into’ self-empowerment and being a good person. But what is “good”? We have limited resources to draw from, while the Lord has infinite resources. 

It is curious to me that man does as he pleases then blames God, whom he may not even believe in, for letting things go off the rails. “How could God do this to me?” But what did God do other than allow you to exercise your free will. The outcome isn’t God’s fault. There are reasons for everything that transpires in this life. Instead of blaming God, look for the lesson in the results. God is looking to teach us how to live in peace and harmony. Don’t seek the easy path, seek the path God has set aside for you. He loves you and wishes for you to succeed. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

 

I Have a Question

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true?

 

Scripture presents conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ was in fact resurrected from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is recorded in Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; and John 20:1–21:25. The resurrected Christ also appeared in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). From these passages you can gain several “proofs” of Christ’s resurrection. First is the dramatic change in the disciples. They went from a group of men frightened and in hiding to strong, courageous witnesses sharing the gospel throughout the world. What else could explain this dramatic change other than the risen Christ appearing to them?

Second is the life of the apostle Paul. What changed him from being a persecutor of the church into an apostle for the church? It was when the risen Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6). A third convincing proof is the empty tomb. If Christ were not raised, then where is His body? The disciples and others saw the tomb where He was buried. When they returned, His body was not there. Angels declared that He had been raised from the dead as He had promised (Matthew 28:5-7). Fourth, additional evidence of His resurrection is the many people He appeared to (Matthew 28:5, 9, 16-17; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:13-35; John 20:19, 24, 26-29, 21:1-14; Acts 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7).

Another proof of the resurrection of Jesus is the great amount of weight the apostles gave to Jesus’ resurrection. A key passage on Christ’s resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15. In this chapter, the apostle Paul explains why it is crucial to understand and believe in Christ’s resurrection. The resurrection is important for the following reasons: 1) If Christ was not raised from the dead, believers will not be either (1 Corinthians 15:12-15). 2) If Christ was not raised from the dead, His sacrifice for sin was not sufficient (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). Jesus’ resurrection proved that His death was accepted by God as the atonement for our sins. If He had simply died and stayed dead, that would indicate His sacrifice was not sufficient. As a result, believers would not be forgiven for their sins, and they would remain dead after they die (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). There would be no such thing as eternal life (John 3:16). “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NAS).

Finally, Scripture is clear that all those who believe in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life just as He was (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). First Corinthians 15 goes on to describe how Christ’s resurrection proves His victory over sin and provides us the power to live victoriously over sin (1 Corinthians 15:24-34). It describes the glorious nature of the resurrection body we will receive (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). It proclaims that, as a result of Christ’s resurrection, all who believe in Him have ultimate victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

What a glorious truth the resurrection of Christ is! “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). According to the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is most definitely true. The Bible records Christ’s resurrection, records that over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Christ, and proceeds to build crucial Christian doctrine on the historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

I Have a Question

Do I have to involve God in my decisions?

 

As a follower of Christ, when you make a life changing decision, who do you consult? Do you do research? Do you speak to God about your situation; tap into His database, so to speak, to get a read on what He KNOWS is best for you? Seeking the Lord for guidance regarding lives challenges should be the way it goes for believers, but based on my own failures, I’d say not everyone involves God in their decision-making. So to answer the question directly, NO, you do not HAVE to involve God in ANYTHING. It’s your choice (free will).

                  Let’s review God’s attributes for a moment, okay? The one that I think is most pertinent to our above question is His being omniscient. In other words, Almighty God KNOWS ALL THAT CAN BE KNOWN. If that is the case, and I believe it is, then why wouldn’t a person want to tap into God’s foreknowledge regarding what would be to your greatest benefit. Let’s say you plan to go to college, or take a new job, or date someone. These are potentially life altering decisions. As a believer in Christ you can and should seek council from your parents, your Pastor, another Christian adult family member... and why would you do that? Proverbs 12:15 ^{Amplified Bible}, ^“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

            There are many verses in scripture that speak to receiving wise council. Unless it is unavoidable, I would avoid snap decisions. Unless it’s a life threatening situation, I highly doubt a snap decision would be warranted, unless it is the serendipitous variety, like a spontaneous day trip, or going to the movies at the last moment. Buying a new car or a home is a decision that, I would think, would require prayer and advice. Trust me, if they want to sell their commodity, they will still talk to you tomorrow or next week. Don’t be bullied or cajoled into making a decision you don’t feel comfortable making at that particular time.  Isn’t it amazing how adept some folks are at spending YOUR money. 

            God is in the business of helping you make good, sound decisions. He has a stellar track record and has never let anyone down yet. Because He is perfect in every way He never will. Until next time, walk with the King & be kind to others.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does it Mean?

Justification

 

The catch phrase “Just as if I’d never sinned”, while revealing a level of truth, does NOT tell the entire story. It actually sells what Christ did for us on the cross way too short.

Justification is the instantaneous and irreversible divine declaration of the unrighteous as positionally righteous, based upon the merit of Christ’s obedience, applied by grace and received through faith (Rom. 3.24-28; 4.1-5; 5.1-2). God declares the unjust to be just based upon Christ’s work on their behalf.

Justification by faith alone is the declarative act by God (the sole judge) that we are forever covered by the everlasting righteousness of Christ! His record is now your record. His merit is yours. God treats you as righteous because he treated Christ as unrighteous for our sake (2 Cor. 5:21).

Our justification has absolutely NOTHING to do with us or whatever we may have done to gain favor with God. We are completely absolved of all sin based on the actions of another. That will NEVER change. We cannot become justified on our own, just like we cannot forgive ourselves of our accumulative sins. We are to graciously and gratefully accept God’s gift of justification by virtue of Christ’s actions. What a blessing! We need God, as well as Jesus, to survive this life and be with them for all eternity. Our words and actions outside of our acceptance of God and Christ’s work, are quite inconsequential. Only what we say and do on Christ’s behalf will ever matter. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.thegospelcoalition.org

What Does It Mean?

Integrity

 

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

 

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”    

 

John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach and devout Christian. He believed in LIVING HIS FAITH. The first quote by him above defines INTEGRITY to a tee. One’s integrity is their personal character. Their adherence to a moral and ethical code. The moral / ethical code a believer in Christ follows lies in the pages of God’s Word.

If you’re confronted with a situation where no one would see what you did, what would you do? Would you follow what you believe or attempt to take advantage of the situation by doing something out of character? Proverbs 5:21 says, “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” Proverbs 15:3 states clearly that God sees everything: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." We should act as if Jesus were there with us in bodily form every second of everyday. You wouldn’t break a law in front of a police officer, so why would you think it was alright to do something questionable when God sees all?

Who you are as a person tells others everything they need to know about you. In that case, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 Amp) 

Take your walk with the Lord seriously. You are an AMBASSADOR for Christ, so those you encounter each day are opportunities to be a blessing. You reputation means nothing when everything revolves around you. Some folks in high places are concerned about their LEGACY. What will they be remembered for. For me, I’d rather NO ONE remember me at all, as long as they found Jesus thru something I said or wrote. My existence in relation to the world is INCONSEQUENTIAL. All I seek is to hear those majestic words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23 NIV). That alone will be reward enough for me. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean?

“Ephemeral”

 

            Ephemeral means “lasting for a very short time.” Our lives last for a certain sum of years, but in reality, when compared to eternity our life is ephemeral. We have no clue how long we have on this earth. God knows, but we do not and never will. Birth is easy to predict because of the changing of the women’s physical appearance while carrying the fetus, but not so with death. 

            God is not associated with the word ephemeral in any way, shape, or form. He is timeless. Scripture tells us in Psalm 90:4, “For (God), a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” And 2 Peter 3:8 which says, “...with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Astoundingly enough we are told that He has NO BEGINNING and NO END. He just IS. Now that boggles the mind. Yet just because it cannot be explained doesn’t make it a lie. I believe that Almighty God is mind numbingly superior to anyone or anything even Hollywood could invent. There is NOTHING to compare Him to. 

            What are some other things in life that are “ephemeral”? Ill-gotten gain. Selfish behavior. Adultery. Pretty much anything that benefits you, but harms someone else is unhealthy and unnecessary – it’s positive impact is non-existent, and what you gain from it is gone before you know it. Any benefit you gain only lasts for a very short time. Ephemeral.

            Straying from God’s plan can have bad results for you and all you care about. A middle aged man I know was engaged to a lady of the same approximate age. He did something unfortunate that caused a breaking of the engagement. When I spoke with him I said very plaining, “well buddy, you’ve done things your way and failed, why not try doing things God’s way?” No response. No reaction. He’s still pursuing that which caused the problem compounding the consequences of his initial mistake.  This man’s indiscretion nearly ruined his life, yet he keeps rumbling down his own personal path of sin. Without salvation he is doomed to end up where he never intended to go. And the gain he experienced was “ephemeral” in nature. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

What Does It Mean?

Emissary   

 

An emissary is “a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.” Christians are “emissaries” for Christ. We’ve been commissioned to carry the gospel message wherever we go and to peoples we encounter.

            As an emissary for Christ, we are His representative EVERYWHERE we go. Whether you wear Christian sayings on your clothes or not matters little, because we are to love others and love is an action word. People would like to see Christianity lived out in front of them instead of hearing someone talk about it. Now there are certainly times when talking about your faith is very important, but not always. I’ve latched onto an insightful quote from St. Francis of Assisi... “Preach the gospel at all times & if necessary, use words.” In other words, we are to LIVE OUT the gospel message for all to see so others can see that you know Jesus in a real way. 

            There should be nothing fake or phony about having a legitimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe. We MUST spend time with the Lord. He desires our company and wishes us to desire His company just as much. Fool the entire world if you feel you must, but know that you cannot fool God. He knows something your fellow man cannot know and that is a person’s heart motivation. 

            If you’ve accepted the gauntlet of earnest discipleship with the Lord, then keep pushing to become like Christ in all that you think, say, and do. God is watching it all, not to grade your efforts, but to lead and guide you down the path of righteousness. God is patien with us and, as it is said, His love is never-ending and has no conditions placed upon it.

            So don’t place undue pressure on yourself regarding your walk. Stay focused on the Lord and continue to alter your behavior slowly as you attempt to replicate the traits of Christ. It’s a lifelong pursuit. Avoid tangents along the way that take you off course. Don’t allow yourself to be pushed off course. Nothing this side of heaven is more important than knowing Christ in a personal way. NOTHING. So strive to be the best “emissary” you can be with God’s help and remember that Christ is coming back for you at an undisclosed day and hour. Be ready.

            Until next time, walk with the King & seek to be selfless to all.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

What Does It Mean?

Doubt

            Let’s face it, it can be very easy to doubt things we cannot see. You fall back on what you know to be true. With God there isn’t anything that we KNOW to be true, just things that we have chosen to believe by faith. That is the very nature of faith itself. Belief in things that cannot be seen as if they can be. That may not be a very technical or clinical definition, but it is what faith is at its core; belief in the unseen.

            That which you can see can strike fear in your heart. Things that you can’t see cause your imagination to kick in. Then the potential for an adversarial situation may begin to loom large in your mind. Fear is crippling. Doubt can facilitate fear by feeding it with ‘suppose n’s’... suppose this and suppose that. ‘Suppose n’s’ are never based on fact, but rather on conjecture.

            Once a child of God, doubts should begin to dissipate. The more we begin to know about our Heavenly Father the more our faith and trust should grow. The Lord WILL NOT harm those who are His. Trials are not punishments. They are lessons to be learned as a means of strengthening faith in our Creator.  Scripture is clear, we have NOTHING to fear.

 

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 

Psalm 46:1-3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

 

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

Isaiah 41:13

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

 

Hebrews 13:6

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean?

“Flicker”

 

As a verb, it means to shine with a wavering or fluctuating light, or to move rapidly back and forth. But as a noun, it describes a brief flash of light. It is the word “flicker” as a NOUN that I’d like to focus on. 

As a follower of Christ have you ever felt like you didn’t belong here? Like your real home is somewhere else, like let’s say “heaven”. Does the Bible actually say we’re not of this earth as believers, but once saved our citizenship is in heaven with the Lord? Yes, it does.

Let’s look at Philippians 3:20-21 ^{[Amplified Bible]} ... “[we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious, resurrected body. 

            There shall be a “catching away” of all true believers that believers refer to as the “Rapture of the Saints”. We have no idea when that will be, but if we make it a point to stay ready then is really doesn’t matter when it takes place. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says the following: “Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!”

            1 Corinthians 15:52 says the following: “...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].”

            Now THIS is where the word “flicker” comes into play. We will leave this earth at an undisclosed day and time like a “brief flash of light” and we will be gone. Here one moment & gone the next. There will be many unsaved folks who at that moment will realize that what they’ve been told was absolutely true. Oh, there will no doubt be some who will be grateful that all the Christians are gone, not understanding what has happened. But the things of God are irreversible. If you’re truly saved with a personal relationship with the King, then you will go to be with Christ in the end. If you reject God and Christ and everything they stand for then you have purchased yourself a ticket to exile island (hell) where you will be apart from God FOREVER.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations

           “Forgiveness is described as setting a prisoner free and discovering that the prisoner was you.” ^[1]

            Forgiving others just as Christ forgave you is one of the cornerstones of Christianity. To forgive another saves you the emotional burden that comes from resentment, anger, and bitterness. That person you are directing all that at probably doesn’t know you’re mad at them and loses no sleep regarding the situation. All the teeth grinding anger that results on your end is self-inflicted pain that need not take place. Reflect instead on Christ and all He forgave you of and you may just feel pretty silly harboring the anger towards someone else at all.

            “Forgiveness is framed as a choice to release the right to revenge and trust in divine justice, mirroring how believers have been forgiven by God.” ^[1] Forgiveness is meant to detach you from the harm that comes from NOT forgiving. When you do not forgive more is at stake than just your spiritual health, but your physical and mental health as well. Unforgiveness can become a burden that elevates your stress level and causes your blood pressure to rise; two things that will not help you maintain a blessed life going forward. Lay that burden DOWN. You were never meant to carry it in the first place. Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.impactus.org

Quote Contemplations

“It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.”

― Leo Buscaglia

Living without doing it for a purpose, is just existing. Are you looking to make ANY sort of impact on those around you and the world at large or are you simply living for yourself and your own interests? True love is stepping outside your comfort zone and doing that which the Lord God has commissioned you to do. And what would that commission be? Sharing the gospel. Living out God’s principles. Imitating our Lord in word and deed. THAT is at least in part our commission as believers in Christ.

            I have often admired the simple truths that Leo Buscaglia brought to the table. Though no longer with us (died 1998), his thoughtful advice shall pass the test of time. Today’s quote is a basic truth. It’s telling us that simply living for the sake of living is just spinning your wheels. While there are many worthwhile endeavors to get involved with in this life, the highest honor is to surrender your own personal will and agenda over to your Heavenly Father and live for Him. 

            Now of course you must believe that God exists and accept the entirety of the Gospel message as true. Acceptance in His word and will can take you to places where the gifts He has endowed you with can shine, having a pronounced effect on all whom they touch. Without the Lord at the helm of your ship, I can’t imagine that any purpose for your life could be anything but egocentric. A sign of true love is to become selfless regarding doing for others. THAT is a noble purpose. If you believe the Lord has only the best intentions for your life than do what you do for Him in Jesus name and feel the power of truth and love emanating from your efforts. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo Buscaglia*

 

While our mission on behalf of the Lord is to share the gospel, there are many behavioral traits that can empower those you encounter each day. Leo Buscaglia sums that up with his quote at the top of the post. You’d be amazed how a simple act of kindness can lift a fallen spirit or encourage someone to keep going when they feel they cannot take another step. Our ministry doesn’t always have to be verbal; it can be simply a hug or taking someone’s hand in yours. It provides comfort, support... perhaps exactly what was needed by the hurting person at that particular moment. 

A historical illustration is when British Statesman Winston Churchill was on his death bed and his good friend US General Dwight D. Eisenhower visited him in his hospital room. No words were exchanged. Eisenhower simply held his hand in silence. His presence was enough. 

It’s important to know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. The above actions can easily be orchestrated by the Lord. It’s a simple way to bless others by showing love, concern, and/or support. You need to be able to read the signals. What is appropriate and what isn’t. God knows and we don’t always know.  Trust God and your words and/or actions will be a blessing. Until next time, walk with the King & treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* American motivational speaker and writer (1924–1998). A man who incorporates Christian themes in his books and talks was raised as a Roman Catholic.

 

Quote Contemplations

“Loneliness does not come from having no people about you, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you or from holding certain views which other find inadmissible.” - Paul Jung 

            I equate this quote with the loneliness a believer can sometimes feel when he or she is labeled as a “Christian”. Some folks hear that you’re a Christian and every bad experience they’ve ever had with Christianity or Christians themselves comes to mind, making you some sort of pariah (outcast) in their mind.

            Christianity is considered to be something that sucks the fun out of life, by those who assume things that are simply not true. Ignorance is no excuse since research is so easy to come by. But their ignorance can spell loneliness for the believer.  You may even actually be nervous regarding sharing your faith for fear of rejection or ridicule. Something believers need to understand and accept is that the rejection is toward God, not them.

            “Talk is cheap”, & “Actions speak way louder than words” are two catch phrases that 

reveal what should be effective as a means of sharing one’s faith. Live it and try not to be too wrapped up in your acceptance by those outside the faith. Technically, we are never alone, as the Holy Spirit dwells within us since our conversion. Focus on that truth instead of wallowing in self-pity regarding how lonely you think you are. Love God and serve Him faithfully. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note:  Paul Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist, & thinker. The founder of the school of analytical psychology.