Is Forgiveness Automatic?

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin! For I am conscious of my transgressions, and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.” – Psalm 51:1-4 Amplified Bible

There is no forgiveness without repentance. We need to acknowledge our sin and seek forgiveness from our Heavenly Father.  King David, in Psalm 51, knows full well that he is a sinner, for he admits to his many transgressions. We know when we’ve sinned, and we must understand that God doesn’t automatically forgive us.  Having said that, He wants to forgive you, but you must acknowledge your guilt and seek forgiveness, with the understanding that you will then make every effort with the Spirits help to alter your behavior regarding that thing in the future. Now some things are difficult to cease doing. They are deeply embedded in our subconscious, and we need to exercise self-control to defeat it; therefore, our ideal response should be to learn from our mistake(s) and improve our behavior going forward. 

            Receiving Christ and relinquishing our worldly lifestyle is very serious business. It takes earnest determination to achieve true Christian living which is based on scripture. God knows our heart, so we cannot fool or deceive Him. To believe you can is a foolhardy endeavor, which is a product of sheer ignorance regarding the characteristics of our God. To know God is to know His Word. You can only know His Word by sitting down and reading it. It requires concentration; in other words, do it at a time and in a place where distractions are either limited or non-existent. I personally have very poor concentration; in that I am distracted by the least little thing. Yet the Lord enables me to focus far better than I can on my own. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit within. 

            To know God is to begin to scratch the surface regarding deepening your personal relationship with Him. Since God has so many layers to understand, it is doubtful we can truly know Him, but to know Him even a little bit can be a very rewarding experience. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries  

Time

             Our physical world has four known space-time dimensions of length, width, height (or depth) and time. However, God dwells in a different realm—the spirit realm—beyond the perception of our physical senses. It’s not that God isn’t real; it’s a matter of His not being limited by the physical laws and dimensions that govern our world (Isaiah 57:15). Knowing that “God is spirit” (John 4:24), what is His relationship to time?

In Psalm 90:4, Moses used a simple yet profound analogy in describing the timelessness of God: “To you, a thousand years is like the passing of a day or like a few hours in the night.” (NCV) The eternity of God is contrasted with the temporality of man. Our lives are but short and frail, but God does not weaken or fail with the passage of time.

Though we cannot possibly comprehend this idea of eternity or the timelessness of God, we in our finite minds try to confine an infinite God to our time schedule. Those who foolishly demand that God operate according to their time frame ignore the fact that He is the “High and Lofty One . . . who lives forever” (Isaiah 57:15).

Again, because of our finite minds, we can only grasp the concept of God’s timeless existence in part. And in so doing, we describe Him as a God without a beginning or end, eternal, infinite, everlasting, etc. Psalm 90:2 declares, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (see also Psalm 93:2). He always was and always will be.

 

Our understanding of time itself or in relation to Almighty God, becomes far too nebulous to grasp. In other words, it is “vague” ... “Lacking definite form or limits”.

 

What are some famous quotes regarding “time” ... 

 

“The only reason for time is so everything doesn’t happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

 

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you can’t get more time.” - Jim Rohn

 

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” - Michael Altshuler

 

                  Is time something real or is it in actuality something that is inexplicable. We know that whatever time is, it never stops, in that the hands on the proverbial clock never stop moving. “Time (& Tide) waits for no man.” (Saint Mahler, AD 1225) We’ve been conditioned, based on what we’ve been taught, that we are allotted 24 hours in a unit of time referred to as ‘one day’. An hour is comprised of 60 whole minutes. Unless we are in prison or have an incurable disease, for example, we can spend our ‘time’ as we please. People are traditionally prone to wasting time as realized with statements such as, “where did all the time go?”Some folks are organized, even regimented in the way they attack any given day; but then there are the folks that lead rather serendipitous lives, unaware of time and not caring. 

I suppose it all depends on what you’ve been taught growing up and what you end up believing. Time is a commodity that can only be spent once, so spend it wisely or it will be gone. Time. 

 

In His Name and for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: www.biblegateway.com; https://grammarbrain.com/time-waits-for-no-man/; & https://www.gotquestions.org/God-time.html

(NCV - New Century Version)                

                  

Is Your Heart Empty?

Your heart has a hole in it, there's a vacuum that cannot be filled, its empty of love and joy...perpetually unsatisfied. But that’s really only a partial answer. To go a step further, for the spiritually minded, our heart and soul are intimately intertwined. Your heart is a feeler. So when your heart aches, your soul is crying out in despair. Your soul will be filled whether you like it or not. It will either filled with the love and happiness you place and safeguard in your heart, or it will be heavy laden with sorrow, misery, anger, and regret, or worst of all - hate.  Be sure to fill your heart with the good stuff, otherwise an empty heart will fill itself with whatever spirits find it empty and unguarded. Do not watch your life flash before your eyes with hate in your heart, it’s an eternal curse there is no remedy for.

 

Meaning of Empty Heart

 

Based on search results, having an “empty heart” can have multiple interpretations. Here’s a summary:

 

1.     It may refer to a lack of emotional connection or empathy towards others, characterized by being self-centered and unable to reciprocate kindness or compassion.

2.     It can signify a life without meaning or purpose, where individuals strive for achievements but ultimately feel unfulfilled.

3.     In some cases, it may describe a state of emotional numbness or emptiness, often accompanied by feelings of loneliness, confusion, or lack of motivation.

4.     For others, an “empty heart” might imply a sense of emotional exhaustion or depletion, potentially resulting from excessive physical and emotional energy expenditure.

5.     In a spiritual context, an empty heart can represent a vacuum or a lack of love, joy, and fulfillment, leaving one perpetually unsatisfied.

 

Overall, having an “empty heart” can encompass various meanings, including emotional detachment, lack of purpose, emotional exhaustion, or spiritual emptiness. Don’t let that happen to you. Hold on to the Lord like the life preserver that He is, for without Him there is no lasting hope or peace. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

RESOURCE: WWW.QUORA.COM; WWW.URBANDICTIONARY.COM

Individuals that Pretend to Be Christians

Based on my search results, the following describes groups or individuals that can be identified as ‘pretend’ Christians:

People who attend church services regularly but do not genuinely practice Christianity. They may do so for social or reputational reasons, rather than out of a genuine desire to follow Jesus Christ. They claim to be Christian but do not demonstrate Christian behavior or values in their daily lives. They may use religious language, but their actions contradict their professed faith. They may pretend to be a Christian for personal gain, or social acceptance. They also may not even genuinely believe in Christianity or its teachings at all.

It is essential to note that these groups or individuals do not represent authentic Christianity, as defined by the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Authentic Christianity is characterized by a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrated through love, compassion, and service to others.

 

Key characteristics of groups that pretend to be Christian:

 

1. Lack of genuine faith or spiritual transformation.

2. Focus on external appearances rather than internal transformation.

3. Prioritization of social status, reputation, or personal gain over biblical values.

4. Inconsistent or contradictory behavior with Christian teachings.

5. Exclusionary or discriminatory attitudes towards others based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

 

Contrast with authentic Christianity:

 

1. Emphasis on personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Focus on internal transformation and spiritual growth.

3. Prioritization of biblical values such as love, compassion, and service to others.

4. Inclusive and welcoming attitude towards all people, regardless of background or characteristics.

5. Consistent behavior with Christian teachings and values.

 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Purpose & Theme of the Book of Proverbs

 “...for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;...”- Proverbs 1:3

            When someone presents you with a gift, you would receive it, open it, and use it for what it is intended to be used for. The instruction we receive from the Lord is, in a manner of speaking, a gift. We should apply it to our lives, for it’s not useless talk. The sayings in Proverbs are jewels of wisdom that flow from the very mouth of God thru His servant Solomon. 

            The ‘instruction’ we receive is designed to lead us to a ‘prudent’ way of handling ourselves. A prudent man would be “a man who is careful and wise in handling practical matters; one who exercises good judgment and/or common sense.” ⁽¹⁾ He would be a sensible man.

            A prudent man, we are told, is a man who does what is right, just and fair in God’s sight. God’s fairness doesn’t always line up with the fairness of this world; however, fairness in a Godly sense is equitable for all parties involved. The world’s view of fairness typically favors one side or the other. 

            Godly justice involves man conforming to the will and standard of God. There is a fine line between doing God’s will and insisting on your own will. This implies that God doesn’t know what is best for you. That thought is ludicrous when you compare His achievements to ours. Living according to God’s standards is the only way to achieve peace for today and hope for tomorrow. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.          

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: NIV Bible Study Notes; MacArthur Study Bible; Reformation Study Bible. 

⁽¹⁾ thefreedictionary.com

Who Does God Use?

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not —to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

          There are those in this life who consider themselves wise, yet their wisdom pales in comparison to the wisdom of the One who made them. Others spend countless hours in fitness centers pumping iron to get strong only to strut their stuff in public as a means of showing off their newfound muscles. Their so-called strength is nothing compared to the power of Almighty God. God has chosen to use the things considered weak and foolish to advance the kingdom. He has chosen to use those that society has cast off as less desirable to proclaim His goodness. Perhaps it is because they are the most pliable, the most easily molded into what He seeks to use. Those who see themselves as wise or strong do so to their own discredit. Their conceit is their undoing. They take credit for things that they haven’t done and therefore diminish the role of God. God shares His glory with no one ^{(Isaiah 48:8 & 11)}. 

          It should be made clear that we are not talking about literal fools and weaklings, but rather those that are perceived by society to be so. God can use what and whom He so chooses to get a point across. Humbleness and humility are two traits’ Christians are to have. Those who think themselves wise or strong are hardly who God is looking for to complete His mission, for their wisdom and strength are self-proclaimed and therefore of little use to Him. It is the meek, the humble, the passed over who God delights in using. They think little of themselves and doubt their own abilities regularly. God can lift them up and speak through them. Moses was a murderer with a speech impediment, David was an adulterer and also a murderer, Noah was a drunk, Jacob was a liar, Rehab was a prostitute, Jonah ran from God, Peter had a quick temper – they have one thing in common: they were all used mightily by God. 

          As already stated, God shares His glory with no one. Those whom He chooses to use are flawed, fault filled people who, as a result, seek no glory for themselves. They seem to understand who God is in the grand scheme of things and realize that they are incapable of anything without His guidance and assistance. We need to be humble. It’s truly an honor to be used by God. He could have chosen anyone in creation, and He has chosen you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What is Your Worth?

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” - Luke 12:6-7

             What do you think you’re worth? Did you know you’re of incalculable worth to the God who created you? Think about how insignificant five sparrows would be. Let’s take a brief look at the sparrow. There are five species of sparrow in the world today. The largest species group is referred to as True Sparrows. There are 27 different types of True Sparrows flitting about the earth. Sparrows are small, plump, brown-grey birds with short tails and stubby, powerful beaks. The different species can weigh anywhere from a 1/2 oz to 1-1/2 oz.. Sparrows, which are primarily seed eating birds, have an extra bone in their tongues to help stiffen it giving them the innate ability to hold their seed firmly in their mouth.

             The first thing that could be said is regarding the intricacy of the bird’s skeletal structure, especially the extra bone in its tongue to aid in eating. Do you seriously think that just happened? I choose to believe that it was by grand design and the designer was Almighty God.

             It’s like the mustard seed, which was said to be the tiniest seed in Bible times. It is the perfect example for the amount of faith that is required to believe, just as one of the tiniest birds is a perfect example of one’s value or worth. If God, in all His power and wisdom, values the sparrow and doesn’t neglect them in any way, how much more does He value you? Luke makes a good point in saying that every single hair on your head is numbered. He knows how many hairs you have on your head!! With that in mind I would venture to say that God also knows the number of grains of sand there are on the earth’s beaches. It is meant to show that God cares and not just in a casual way. He cares for you intimately. He cares about everything that matters to you. He loves you and wants you to know it. 

You may be down and out and have nothing positive going in your life, but God still loves you. If you seek His face and trust in Him, He will never fail you. We have nothing to fear. We are not worth more to God than one sparrow, but rather many sparrows. If He takes good care of the little birds of creation, He will most assuredly take good care of you, but you must have faith - you must believe. You must place your complete trust in Him. It is easier if you know Him and to know Him comes from reading the Bible. In it we find promises of His never-ending love and the fact that He will never leave or forsake us. God cares deeply for you as an individual. Never forget that. Call out to Him regardless of your situation. He’s there waiting to hear from you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries