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Monday, January 27, 2025

Value Others Over Yourself

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

         Paul knew that the two greatest enemies to unification among God’s people is “selfish ambition and / or conceit”.These characteristics are self-centered, which is the opposite of what is being stated.  When someone “looks out for number one”, that is un-Christlike and displeasing to our Lord. That type of person may outwardly believe in congregational unity, but his actions speak far louder than his words. Selfish people tend to gather a group around themselves to promote their own interests. That can be a recipe that could produce seeds of contention and strife. Steer clear of all of that.

                  Being selfless is a totally foreign concept to the human mind. We cannot imitate Christ on our own … it’s not possible. It’s only when a believer allows the indwelt Holy Spirit to empower them that we can begin to resemble the Lord in words and actions. 

                  I would venture to say that we all have quite a number of people around us that know us pretty well. I think it’s safe to say that they would notice if your behavior changed significantly. Valuing others above your own interests is supposed to be a primary function of the true believer.

It’s not easy to sidestep your own interests in favor of the interests of others, but it is something we need to work on because it is how God wishes us to behave. We must seek these things from the Lord and adhere to that which the Holy Spirit reveals to us. Selfless behavior is a product of a humble spirit. Humility was modeled by Jesus especially when he went before Pontius Pilate, was beaten and nailed to a wooden cross. He didn’t fight back but knowing the importance of these actions that led to his death, he willingly allowed his life to be taken from him so that all of mankind could be forgiven of their sin. That was selfless humility on full display. Imitate that. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Believer’s Bible Commentary

Saturday, January 25, 2025

FAITH REPLACES THE LAW

Galatians 3:23-25 “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So, the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” 

 

          The Galatians had fallen back into living by the Law of Moses and not by the faith they had originally embraced. Paul is not overly pleased with them. In the beginning of chapter three he first calls them “foolish”, then asks them who had “bewitched” them into clinging once again to the Law over faith. Paul likens living under the Law as being held in custody of a guardian. This was necessary in God’s economy until faith in Christ was introduced to man. (As a side note, when I refer to God’s economy, I am referring to anything and everything that falls under the control of Almighty God, which would happen to be all of creation.)

          Justification came in the form of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of a virgin, lived among us and died a criminal’s death in our place. That death erased our sins, not just covered them as the Old Testament blood sacrifices did each year. Christ’s death cleansed us once for all time. Do we still sin? Yes! Is forgiveness still available to the contrite heart? Yes!! Are we living under the guardianship of the Mosaic Law? No, we are not. Christ’s death freed us from the Law forever. This is seen in the tearing of the veil that separates the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place in the Jewish Temple (Matthew 27:51). That represented our open access to God. No longer were we required to go through a High Priest, but rather could approach God ourselves due to the death of Christ on Calvary’s cross. We are now able to have a personal relationship with God directly. This fact may mean more to a Jew who receives Christ as their Messiah, then a gentile who never had the Law to live by, however, we can still embrace this gift of freedom by making ourselves aware of what the Jews were required to do previously. Many Jews still live by the Mosaic Law to this day, not realizing that their Messiah had come. 

          A relationship with God, which may have once seemed impossible, was made possible by a single death. God dwelling within us in the form of His Holy Spirit, made possible by a single act of love. Christ’s death on a wooden cross shall stand for all time as the most selfless act of love and mercy known to man and yet millions reject that act each day. There is no other hope of redemption. Without forgiveness, sin goes unpaid, and all hope vanishes. Living for God gives life, freedom, and hope for all our tomorrows. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Value Others Over Yourself

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

         Paul knew that the two greatest enemies to unification among God’s people is “selfish ambition and / or conceit”.These characteristics are self-centered, which is the opposite of what is being stated.  When someone “looks out for number one”, that is un-Christlike and displeasing to our Lord. That type of person may outwardly believe in congregational unity, but his actions speak far louder than his words. Selfish people tend to gather a group around themselves to promote their own interests. That can be a recipe that could produce seeds of contention and strife. Steer clear of all of that.

                  Being selfless is a totally foreign concept to the human mind. We cannot imitate Christ on our own … it’s not possible. It’s only when a believer allows the indwelt Holy Spirit to empower them that we can begin to resemble the Lord in words and actions. 

                  I would venture to say that we all have quite a number of people around us that know us pretty well. I think it’s safe to say that they would notice if your behavior changed significantly. Valuing others above your own interests is supposed to be a primary function of the true believer.

It’s not easy to sidestep your own interests in favor of the interests of others, but it is something we need to work on because it is how God wishes us to behave. We must seek these things from the Lord and adhere to that which the Holy Spirit reveals to us. Selfless behavior is a product of a humble spirit. Humility was modeled by Jesus especially when he went before Pontius Pilate, was beaten and nailed to a wooden cross. He didn’t fight back but knowing the importance of these actions that led to his death, he willingly allowed his life to be taken from him so that all of mankind could be forgiven of their sin. That was selfless humility on full display. Imitate that. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Believer’s Bible Commentary

Thursday, January 23, 2025

THE DEATH OF LAZARUS

John 11:25 “Jesus said to (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 
               This is the accounting of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Mary, the one who put perfume on the feet of Jesus on another occasion and her sister Martha had sent word to the Lord that their brother, Lazarus was sick. Take note that Jesus did not say in response that Lazarus would not die. “When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’” (John 11:4) Jesus loved all three very much yet stayed where he was two more days. If He had come directly Lazarus might have still been alive and the purposes of God would not have been fulfilled. This is a perfect example of how God knows, and we do not. God says in Isaiah 55:8 “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.” God always knows what He’s doing and always knows what is best. The word ‘always’ is an absolute word. It means that God knows each and every time, making no mistakes. God never has to ponder His plans or question Himself. How does He know? He knows because He is omniscient, the knower of all things that can be known. There is never a time when God is lost or confused. We are the ones who stumble and fall on our face, not God.  
                Jesus is the source of everlasting life. It is only through Him that we can reach our eternal destination. There is nothing we can do to achieve this on our own. All we must do is believe in Christ; however, it’s a little more detailed than that for even the devil and his demons believe in Jesus and shudder in terror at the mention of His name. (James 2:19) We must surrender our will to the one true living God. If we do so we will never truly die. Oh, we will die physically, but not spiritually. Our physical tent, which houses our soul and spirit, will turn to dust in the ground, but our soul and spirit shall live on in heaven with God for all eternity.  
                Jesus purposely waited so that Lazarus would die. This way He could reveal the miraculous power of God in the resurrection of His friend. This is what Christ meant when He said what He did in verse 4 listed above. God always knows exactly what He’s doing; therefore, we can absolutely and positively trust Him in all things all the time. Do you believe this? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

HAVING A HUMBLE SPIRIT

 

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; He crowns the humble with victory.”

 

          Arrogance* is an unattractive characteristic that many people display. They think they are above it all and see themselves as superior in either intellect or economic status (or both). They do not mingle with those they deem lesser then themselves by choice. Because of arrogance, people become judge and jury over the socioeconomic status of all who are around them. They determine who is worthy of their association and who is not. It is an unseemly trait that is all too common in society today. God doesn’t honor such an attitude, nor does it please Him. Seeing themselves as higher than most of society, they wouldn’t waste their time believing in an unseen god, since they would see no need for him. That is frighteningly sad, for their own attitude is the affliction that will take them down. They cannot see that their thoughts, words, and deeds are self-centered. They have reached the pinnacle of self-absorption and yet are unaware that from this lofty position can come a mighty fall and it will come. Why are people like this? Is it insecurity? Is it being spoiled at a young age? Is it a borderline mental illness? Perhaps a little of all that, but nonetheless, it is displeasing to the Lord and needs to be purged.

          A humble** spirit is quite the opposite. Humble folks are not at all arrogant, but rather submissive to another, in the Christian’s case, God. The humble person seeks to please and places others before themselves. Since faith is required to please God (Hebrews 11:6), we must first believe and place our trust in the unseen deity, namely, Almighty God. Once we learn how to live for Christ, we slowly develop a spirit of humbleness and humility. 

Arrogant people view those that are humble as weak and on occasion will take advantage of them. Arrogance doesn’t consider the feelings of anyone but themselves, while those that are humble consider the feelings of others before themselves. It is the humble individual who pleases God and not the arrogant for it is not all about ME, but rather about God and others. If we believe that God provides and sustains those whom He loves, then we should have no concerns and submission ought to come fairly easy. The arrogant person believes that he alone provides and sustains for himself without any outside assistance. What a shock they will receive on the last day when they will be required to bow before Almighty God and profess Him as Lord. Do for others with a spirit of humbleness and humility and God will crown you with victory. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*ar•ro•gant 1: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner; 2: showing an offensive attitude of superiority: proceeding from or characterized by arrogance.

**hum•ble 1: not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive; 2: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission. 

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Be Steadfast

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” 

 

In a world that is filled with chaos, we read these comforting words. Because we have placed our faith in God, it stands to reason that we will trust Him as well. If we trust God, then we can be at peace. Why, you may ask? God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our tendencies and in knowing that God knows that we are prone to worry about things that we can either do nothing about or won’t even happen. Steadfast is to firmly fix something in place; therefore, if we firmly fix our minds on the Lord and His Word, He shall keep us at peace. Nothing can come against us that is not either caused or allowed by God. So, if He is in control of everything in creation, He must be in control of all the things that affect us. The logical conclusion to all this is to stay close to the Lord and allow His Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits so that we remain at peace in all situations. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Monday, January 20, 2025

What is Your Worth?

Luke 12:6-7 “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.” 

 

             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 ozs. 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