Do You Use Your Time Effectively?

            There is a saying that TIME is a commodity you can only spend ONCE. My question is for the follower of Christ: Are you burning time indiscriminately or utilizing your time responsibly as a representative of Christ? 

            Do you realize that by being an ambassador for Christ you represent Him with your words and actions each day of your post redemptive life? This is why the once popular 1990’s catch phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” (aka, WWJD) was and is a valid question for any believer to ask themselves any time of the day or night, 24/7, 365 days out of any given year.

            We have a New Year bearing down on us and now is as good a time as any to look at the way we use our time. Are we productive with our use of time or are we unabashed time wasters? Take a hard look at yourself in the mirror and answer that question honestly. I know I need work regarding the wasting of time. Although I don’t think I waste a lot of time, it happens. Plus I have a tendency to procrastinate, thinking the task is much more difficult than it really is. 

            Going into 2026, try to be more conscious of your use of time. You can only use each minute once and it is gone forever. Take stock of your life for the Lord. Are you allowing the Lord to mold you into the absolute best version of yourself in Christ? If not, what’s holding you back. Let go and let God transform you into all HE knows you can be for the Kingdom.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Have We Become?

            We’ve become as a society very self-indulgent people.  It’s all about me... me... me. Whatever strikes our fancy. Whatever whim we can think of; whatever we want we can have at a price. And we should have it; we deserve it. 

            Now I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t buy material things. It seems to be what makes the world go ‘round. But being obsessive-compulsive about it isn’t cool. Especially during the Holiday Season. Whatever happened to the hospitable concept of “it’s better to give than to receive”. The apostle Paul attributed that phrase to Jesus Christ. 

There is a certain level of joy, peace, and satisfaction in blessing someone else instead of yourself. As Christians we are to come to the realization that God is our provider, not the government, or our parents. It’s the Lord. This is why the Jewish people refer to God as Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. 

It seems to me that in a culture that is increasingly anti-God, the true meaning of the Christmas holiday has been lost under a huge pile of material wants. Is it nice to receive a gift? Of course it is. I’m no Grinch, that’s for sure, but celebrating the true meaning of the holiday brings joy, especially when you shift your focus from what you want and do not have to being grateful for what you do have. Giving joy, peace, and hope to others should be paramount in our minds every day, not just at certain times out of the year. Keep that in mind as you start each day. Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Experiencing Love

 

“For those who haven't experienced this love, the good news is that it's available to all. John 1:12 promises, ‘But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.’ This love isn't earned – it's freely given to all who receive Christ in faith.” *

                  Those who HAVE experienced God’s love, we understand that we were created to be loved by Almighty God. All He asks is that we love Him in return. We're called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to let that love overflow to others around us.

            The sad part about all this is that though is love is available to all, so few seek it out. It’s as if it seems too good to be true. It’s seems so farfetched that some are simply not willing to believe it. Life has mesmerized them into thinking that their life is what it has become and nothing aside from a miracle can change their situation. The equally sad part to that is that the miracle they seek is in the form of money... lots and lots of money. They say money makes the world go round. They also say regarding money; easy come, easy go. People can burn thru money faster than a Formula One race car running in the Indy 500. I know, I’ve had money before. The more money you have the more you are tempted to spend. 

            The Love of God is special because no conditions are placed upon it and nothing can ever chase it away. No matter what you think, say, or do, it cannot cause God to stop loving you. I believe we can disappoint God with our actions at times, but that’s just my opinion and not a hard, cold bible based fact. Once saved you are His child and though plenty of earthly parents treat their children poorly, it’s not at all like that with God. He can be trusted to take care of any one of us, not because I want Him to, or just because I say so; because the Bible is littered with statements from either God Himself, or His messengers, the prophets telling us about His undying, unwavering, unconditional love for His creation. Find me a Bible verse that disproves this. You will not find any. They do not exist. God’s love for us is “yea and amen”. "Yea" signifies a resounding "yes," affirming that God's promises are certain and will be fulfilled. "Amen" means "so be it", serving as an expression of agreement and affirmation, confirming the truth and reliability of God's Word. 

            More than nearly anything else, you can rely on God’s love for you. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 the following: ^“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” That is exactly the way God treats us all.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·      The portion in red at the top is from a sermon called “The True Meaning of Christmas: A Love That Transforms”, December 22nd, 2024, by Pastor Paul Boekell.   

My Letter to Non-Believers ...

“Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.  It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.”- 1 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT

            It’s become pretty apparent that you want to come up with your own plan of salvation, which can be completely understood and acceptable to you. The Gospel message is too far out, too mysterious, too otherworldly. You can’t possibly grasp the message in all its simplicity. You must have to do something to earn it. There must be something spectacular that needs to take place. In reality what must be done is to lay your own life down and take second stage to an unseen deity. It boggles the mind. So what if this unseen deity isn’t real? Apparently you have to be able to experience it with your senses for it to be real. The fact is that either there is a God or there is not. To believe or not believe is a choice each individual must make. To not make a choice is to make one. By avoiding the topic you have made a choice. But are you willing to stake your own personal afterlife on it? There are two ways this can go. You will die and be either buried or cremated and that will be your last conscious thought forever. Or your spirit will be resurrected on the last day to face God’s judgment. It’s either one way or the other. Man thinks there has to be other options. There simply has to be. To be placed in the same category as rapists and murderers just because you reject the reality of Jesus Christ and his blood bought forgiveness from all sin simply isn’t fair. You reason that you’ve been a good person for the most part; however, God’s response to that is, “You were good by who’s standard, your own? No one is good except God.” The world has a myriad of questions, but faith isn’t based on facts or even answers to questions, because once answered there is always another question. As with God’s conversation with Job, God says to us, “Now I will speak, and you will listen.” Why? Because we simply do not know … anything. The information we have amassed is useless in the face of eternity.  So to you I say, let down your guard and accept the possibility that there truly is a God and that he loves you more than you could ever imagine. His desire is that you willingly serve him so you can enter into a peaceful existence that will last throughout eternity. Just do it. You will try anything else to find something, even though you don’t even know what that ‘thing’ is. You just want to be happy, at peace. You are either willing to release control and submit to a God who knows you better than you know yourself or you aren’t. Let go. For once in your life trust something that makes no logical, human sense. One word from God can change your situation forever. He means you no harm, only good. It starts with a simple step taken, an acceptance that you might be wrong about this whole God thing. Won’t you consider receiving Christ into your heart and life today? A choice must be made one way or the other. You will have to live with your choices, make them good, sound choices not based on what you think you know but what you place your faith and hope in the future in. Do as you must, but know that this decision will have eternal ramifications. May God’s perfect will for your life be done. 

In His Name & for His Glory.

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Why Do We Celebrate Christ’s Birth on December 25^th?

 

Galatians 4:4-5 teaches, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

When was Jesus born? The truth of the matter is that we have no idea what the exact date of Jesus’ birth was. No clue. Sure, there are hypotheses, conjecture, theories, but no actual hard cold facts based on actual evidence that shows when Jesus was born. 

Historically speaking December 25^th coincided with a pagan festival celebrating the Roman god Saturn and the winter solstice. The church at that time offered believers a Christian alternative to the pagan festivities; so although the date of Christ’s birth isn’t found in the Bible, it’s not wrong for us to remember Christ’s birth on December 25th. The fact that he was born is far more important than the exact day it took place.

December 25 has become more and more acceptable as the birth date of Jesus. However, some argue that the birth occurred in some other season, such as in the fall. Followers of this theory claim that the Judean winters were too cold for shepherds to be watching their flocks by night. In the end, the timing of any of this is pretty impossible to prove, yet ultimately, it doesn’t matter.

Theological scholars believe Christ’s birth could have been somewhere between 6 & 4 BC. One thing is clear: if God felt it was important for us to know the exact date of the Savior’s birth, He certainly would have told us in His Word. The Gospel of Luke gives very specific details about the event, even down to what the baby was wearing– “swaddling clothes”—and where He slept— “in a manger” (Luke 2:12). These details are important because they speak of His nature and character, meek and lowly. But the exact date of His birth has no significance whatsoever, which may be why God chose not to mention it.

The fact is that He was born, He came into the world to atone for our sins, He was resurrected to eternal life, and He’s alive today. This is what we should celebrate, as we are told in the Old Testament in such passages as Zechariah 2:10: “‘Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the LORD.” Further, the angel that announced the birth to the shepherds brought “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Surely here is the cause for celebration every day, not just once a year.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: Billy Graham Ministries; www.gotquestions.org

 

My Christmas Message to you...

 

I have no problem mentioning Christ at Christmas time.  To me it is not Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings … it is Merry CHRISTmas!!

So MERRY CHRISTMAS and may God bless you with every blessing He has apportioned for you.

And may you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in the Biblical sense … that you prosper even as your soul prospers.  For without the grace, mercy, peace, wisdom and guidance of Christ in our lives, where would we be?  I shudder to think of how my life would have turned out if I hadn’t heeded the call of God’s Holy Spirit over 40 years ago.  Reflect on how your life has been blessed.  Don’t focus on anything that you didn’t get or that didn’t happen. Focus on the things that God had a hand in and realize that He is your provider and sustainer.  Without Him we are nothing.  And to think the story all began for us gentiles with a heaven sent baby who grew up obeying his parents and his Heavenly Father. He freely ministered to those in need around him and brought healing indiscriminately. When the time was right, preordained by the Father, the little baby, now fully grown and in his 30’s willingly suffered the horrors of a crucifixion to pay a price we could never afford.  His birth, life and death were God’s plan to save us all.  Do you trust Him today?  Notice, I am not asking if you are a Christian, I am asking you … are you trusting Him in your life?  

Our gracious Heavenly Father, help us to refocus our spiritual eyes on that which is important to us … You.  Let us quiet ourselves regularly and follow the leading of Your Spirit. Fill us with Your peace and let us truly be salt and light to those around us who do not know You.  We know You are our Provider and Sustainer, so we ask nothing material for ourselves, simply that our lives are a blessing to You.  Help us understand that it is NOT about us.  Gifts are nice, but let us never lose sight of Your gift of salvation, for it is truly more valuable than anything on this earth.  We ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus, who is without hesitation the reason for the season … amen.

God bless and WALK WITH THE KING EACH DAY AND BE A BLESSING!!!

RL Keller

Advent Season – Love 4

 

“... we were made to be loved by God and to love Him in return. We're called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to let that love overflow to others around us.” *

As we approach this Christmas Day, let's challenge ourselves to look beyond the surface-level celebrations and contemplate the true "why" behind it all. Let's take time to ponder God's love, to worship in response to that love, and to allow it to transform us from the inside out.

Understanding all that God is and what He has done for mankind, in spite of our indifference and lack of respect, makes the Advent Season mean a whole lot more to us as individuals. We each have our own thoughts, desires, hopes and dreams. Do they involve a relationship with our Creator? Do we look both inward and upward to find our full potential as believers in Christ? We should be doing that because our life becomes somewhat meaningless without Christ at the center of all we think, say, and do. As Christians we are to become a reflection of God’s love, kindness, and mercy as we go about our day. He should be interwoven into the fabric of our life so much so that people can see something in us that inspires them to become a better version of themselves. We can make an impact on those we encounter each day by attempting to replicate Christ’s behavior. Sure, we’ll fail, but that is no reason to stop trying. The Holy Spirit will help you if you listen for His inner voice that wants to lead you.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. It comes quickly and is over in a flash. The celebratory nature of the holiday makes it a fun family oriented time for most folks. But then there are those who have broken homes, those who suffer abuse, some debilitating illness, or severe depression at this time of year. What about them? Do you know someone like that? Have you reached out and touched them with the love of Christ? Have you offered or sought out forgiveness for something said or done either to you or by you? Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to BE JESUS to someone. It’s not all about you. It never has been and it never will be. It’s about God and what we do with Him. It’s about forgiveness offered and accepted. It’s about eternal life with your Creator God. And it all started 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing. Look for my special Christmas message tomorrow and enjoy your holiday! Glory to God in the highest, and peace and good will to all men.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       The portion in red at the top is from a sermon called “The True Meaning of Christmas: A Love That Transforms”, December 22nd, 2024, by Pastor Paul Boekell.   

Advent Season – Love 3

 

1 John 4:19 reminds us, "We love because he first loved us." When we truly experience God's love, it changes us. It casts out fear and replaces it with love – love for God and love for others. This is how people recognize true disciples of Jesus, not by their doctrine or good deeds, but by their love for one another (John 13:34-35). *

            Once again I tap into the sermon of Pastor Boekell. Let’s take a look at John 13:34-35 (NLT) and expound on it, shall we? 

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

In a world where hate is on the rise, love wins out. Love always wins out. Loving acts are far more impactful than hateful acts. Hate breeds resentment, anger, and retaliatory thoughts and actions. Love, on the other hand, quells anger and defuses resentment. Even when hate appears on the surface to win over love, the power of love enters into the hateful mindset and changes it eventually to see thru loving eyes. It may not always happen that way, but considering where the very nature of love comes from, it stands to reason that love is far more powerful than hate. The visual results of hate are plain to see as it destroys that which surrounds it; however, love constructs positive, lasting feelings of peace and contentment. That is something hate can never do.

Hate stems from a level of fear, but love blossoms from a root of divinity, in that it originates with God. God IS love. His very nature is based on a foundation of love. Love isn’t something that He created, it’s something that He IS. It’s not an easy thing to comprehend, but it IS something you can feel. True love is found in God, yet millions of people, hell bent on disrupting God’s plan for mankind, seeks to destroy all vestiges of true love.

History cannot be changed. What happened 2000 years ago cannot be erased. Christ was born, lived, and died for you and no amount of hate can ever change that. Do you believe that this Advent Season? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       The portion in red at the top is from a sermon called “The True Meaning of Christmas: A Love That Transforms”, December 22nd, 2024, by Pastor Paul Boekell.   

Advent Season – Love 2

 

1 John 3:16 tells us, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us." In Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, we see the fullest expression of God's love – a love so great that no cost was too high. *

            How do you recognize love in people? Is it not in the way they treat others? It seems to me that being a loving person can be seen by the way others act. Words are cheap, but actions tell a person’s true story. 

            God revealed His love for us by putting it on display for all to see. That is how to ensure that the love is seen with ones own eyes. Telling someone you love them is all well and good, but showing them makes it real. 

            Making promises is great, but following thru on those promises establishes a base line by which people can know you in a personal way. God can be trusted because everything that He promises in scripture has come to pass up to this point in time, therefore the base line established is that He can be trusted. So if He says He loves you, and He has, all you have to do and look to Christ to see the evidence regarding that love.

            During this Advent Season, make sure your focus is on the love of God and how He feels about you, rather than becoming fixated those things we receive or the things we do not yet have. God sent His only Son to live among us and die in our place; the ultimate act of love. Never lose sight of that.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       The portion in red at the top is from a sermon called “The True Meaning of Christmas: A Love That Transforms”, December 22nd, 2024, by Pastor Paul Boekell.   

Advent Season – Love 1

 

“Christmas love is fundamentally understood as God's self-sacrificial, unconditional, and transformative love, demonstrated through the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not merely a seasonal sentiment or human affection, but a divine initiative where God, out of deep compassion, sent His Son to reconcile humanity to Himself. This love is described as steadfast and loyal, going beyond mere emotion to involve tangible actions, culminating in Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world. The true meaning of Christmas centers on this love, which is freely given and available to all who receive it in faith, transforming lives and inspiring believers to love others in return.

Christmas love is rooted in God's initiative: ‘We love because he first loved us’. The season invites individuals to slow down, ponder God's love, and live it out through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and generosity.” ^[1]

This sentiment is from the pastor at Mercy Village Church in West Virginia. I like what he has to say here. Love is transforming. No matter how difficult your life has become, real love can make things seem different. The burdens of life don’t seem so heavy. Your troubles seem to evaporate, like steam rising from a boiling pot of water. Love forces you to reevaluate yourself and your situation. God’s love is even more powerful a force than human love, though human love is a wonderful place to start.

At this time of year, when finances are tapped and hope seems fleeting, God wishes to remind us that all is not lost, nor will it ever be extinguished. Hope came in the form of an infant child; Almighty God in the flesh. The second person of the Triune God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What Christ did for mankind is the clearest illustration of real love that shall ever exist. Would you die for another person? Knowing your death would be horrific and traumatic. Knowing that the pain you would feel would be greater than any you’ve ever felt. Would you willingly do it? Christ was born to die for us all. That speaks loudly of hope, peace, joy and love so much so that it cannot be denied. Feel God’s love this Advent Season. Bask in it and rejoice. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.mercyvillagechurch.com

 

Advent Season – Joy 5

 

            The Christmas season is filled with all sorts of happy times based on family traditions. A tree to decorate, gifts to wrap, eggnog, special cookies, time spent that builds memories. For a follower of Christ these times are extra special simply because of the reason we place on the season. It is a joyous time, as it should be. It’s a time for reflection, a time for forgiveness, a time to humbly thank God for His grace. It all makes it an exciting, yet reflective time.

            Some believers suck the life out of the holiday by being pharisaical in their approach to it. They erroneously wish to ban the tree and sap the celebratory nature of the season, replacing it with nothing by quiet, almost monk like reverence toward God and the season. Now don’t get me wrong, time for quiet reflection and reverence toward God is never wrong, unless it is mandated to the exclusion of all else. 

            We need to realize that joy isn’t just an emotion, but rather something that has its roots in the divine. True joy is realized once we embrace the true sentiment behind the celebration. It can be a very pleasant time of year where problems, while they don’t disappear, seem somehow less important. To the person who has established an intimate relationship with their God, it can be a very profitable spiritual time for them.

            Knowing you are celebrating the holiday by living in alignment with your beliefs brings a certain level of joy and contentment, because after all, isn’t that what we’d like; to be content with our lives because we know they align with the standards our Father in Heaven has set forth. Reflect on your celebration at this time of year and see if it is all it can be unto the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Advent Season – Joy 4

 

Comparing earthly joy with celestial joy...

 

Earthly joy refers to temporary and imperfect pleasures derived from material and worldly experiences, which are ultimately fleeting and unreliable sources of contentment. It is often associated with external circumstances, such as success, possessions, or sensory pleasures, and can be easily lost or diminished when those conditions change. While earthly joy may provide happiness, it lacks lasting fulfillment and can distract believers from their spiritual focus, as it is contrasted with the eternal rewards of heaven. It is sometimes described as superficial, lying on the outside like dew on a leaf, and is not deeply rooted in the heart.

In contrast, celestial joy—also referred to as heavenly or divine joy—is a profound, spiritual fulfillment that transcends earthly experiences. It is not dependent on external circumstances and remains constant even in suffering, as it is rooted in a relationship with God and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Celestial joy is described as inward, pure, and enduring, like a spring of water running underground, hidden from the world’s view. It is a gift from God, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and is characterized by deep satisfaction, inner peace, and a lasting sweetness that surpasses all earthly delights. Unlike fleeting earthly joys, celestial joy is abiding and eternal, symbolizing a foretaste of the everlasting pleasures found in God’s presence. It is associated with spiritual fulfillment, divine approval, and the ultimate hope of believers for eternal life.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource:  www.goarch.org

Advent Season – Joy 3

 

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.’” – Luke 2:9-10

 

            Imagine you are a shepherd watching your flock of sheep in the middle of the night. It’s dark except for the light of a multitude of the stars that filled the skies. Perhaps you’ve never seen such a multitude of stars in the night sky because of the massive amount of light pollution that is all around many of us. I have and it is an unbelievable sight.

            So here are some shepherds, at night, alone with their sheep and there appeared before them an angel of the Lord whose glory filled the night. Having never seen anything like this before the shepherds were petrified. We know they were afraid because the angel first said to them, “Don’t be afraid”. Put yourself in their situation. How would you have reacted? The news the angel brought was good & would provide great joy to ALL people. Who is salvation available to? ALL people. Whosoever will...

            As if a lone angel wasn’t shocking enough, soon a “vast host – the armies of the Lord” appeared to give praises to God. Now THAT must have been a sight to see.  Isn’t it interesting that though the shepherds had never had this type of experience before, their fear obviously left them. It would appear that their fear was replaced by a response rooted in faith, awe, and purpose, for when the host of angels returned to heaven they decided to go to Bethlehem to seek out the baby that was described to them. There was written in scripture no explanation for the sudden change in emotion. This transition reflects the broader theme that God’s message of peace and salvation is meant to inspire faith and action, not ongoing fear.

Whenever the Lord is involved, there is always reason for joy. Mixed in with the joy is hope and peace. Mortal man’s joy, hope, and peace are placed in temporal things and therefore cannot last. It is with joy that we celebrate the birth of Christ the Messiah, Savior of men’s souls.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Advent Season – Joy 2

 

The Joy of Salvation

 

“The joy of salvation is a profound, lasting happiness rooted in the knowledge of being forgiven, redeemed, and eternally secure in God’s grace through Jesus Christ. It is not dependent on circumstances but arises from a deep understanding of God’s unchanging love and the fulfillment of His promises, as seen in Scripture where believers are called to rejoice always. This joy is described as "unspeakable and full of glory”, a result of the transformative experience of salvation that brings reconciliation with God, the removal of sin’s burden, and the hope of eternal life.”^[1]

 

Our greatest reason to be joyful is that God wants to save us and spend eternity with us. 

 

Luke 15:7 NLT: “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

All heaven is joyful when a person accepts God’s provision of salvation.

 

Acts 8:8: The people of Samaria were joyful as they heard the gospel and saw God’s power in healing the sick.

 

Acts 13:52; 15:3: Jewish believers rejoiced when they heard of the work of the Holy Spirit in saving Gentiles.

 

            Once a person realizes they have a debt that they are unable to pay, having that debt paid by another party would be reason enough to exude feelings of joy. A celebratory flood of emotions should ensue. That is EXACTLY what our Lord did by virtue of His death on the cross. His spilt blood in effect has washed away the sin debt of every person who sought forgiveness. When one submits to the will of God, they become a NEW CREATURE in Christ. 

            If that describes you, then rejoice, for Christ was born to save the world from itself. There is no greater gift this side of heaven then salvation from sin. It is the only gift that is completely free for the asking. It is the only path you can take that clears your way to eternal life with our Father in heaven. What glorious news!! 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  www.christianitytoday.com

Advent Season – Joy 1

 

“The Greek word for joy is "chara", a noun derived from the verb "chairo", meaning "to rejoice". It is used 59 times in the New Testament and is defined as cheerfulness or calm delight, representing a deep, inner gladness that is not dependent on external circumstances. This joy is understood as a spiritual reality, rooted in the redemptive work of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than a fleeting emotional state tied to favorable situations. The term is closely related to other Greek words like "charis" (grace) and "eucharisteo" (to give thanks), highlighting that biblical joy is a response to God's grace and gifts, and is often expressed as a sustained, soul-satisfying state given by God. It is a fruit of the Spirit, appearing alongside love, peace, and other virtues in Christian character.” ^[1]

 

Whenever God is at work, typically, the natural reaction is one of joy. It is produced and brought out in individuals in several different ways. 

 

One is the “Joy of Deliverance”.  “The concept of deliverance is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing God's intervention to rescue His people from peril, sin, and oppression. The joy that accompanies deliverance is a profound expression of gratitude and worship, reflecting the believer's recognition of God's power and mercy.” ^[2]

 

When God sets someone free, rejoicing is in order. Here is an example in scripture of joy found in 1^st Samuel & the Book of Acts.

 

1 Samuel 2:1: Hannah was filled with joy at her deliverance from her enemies.

 

Acts 12:14: The servant girl was so overjoyed that God had rescued Peter from prison that she forgot to let Peter in the house.

                  Joy, especially at this time of year, creates a festive atmosphere. We, as followers of Christ have much to be both grateful & joyful about. Being grateful starts on Thanksgiving, and it ushers in the joyous season of Christ’s birth. Are you joyful during this Advent Season?

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.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/chara.html

^[2]  www.Wikipedia.com