Worry Not …

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 ^{New Living Translation}

                  Unfortunately, worrying has become an integral part of each person’s life. We have worries on the job, in our homes, at school and yet Paul tells us not to worry about anything. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? We’re all prone to worry, but Paul says to turn our worries into prayer. Essentially, he is saying the more we pray the less we will worry. 

            Jesus says in Matthew 6:25, “…do not worry about your life…” and says in verse 27, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life.” We need to train ourselves to not worry. That is most assuredly easier said than done, but it is possible, for anything is possible with God. 

            There is a definitive difference between worrying and being concerned. “Worry immobilizes you; concern moves you to action.” ⁽¹⁾ Worrying can have an ill effect on your health, make you unproductive, cause you to treat others in an ugly manner and negatively affect your trust in God. Notice nothing positive comes from worrying. Concern leads us to God and prayer as we seek an answer to the problem at hand.  

            There are many things going on in our country and around the world to be concerned about, but God is in control of all of it. So because of that truth, we truly have nothing to be worried about. Our concern should help us move in a positive direction in an effort to help others seize the day and right the many wrongs that exist in society today. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

⁽¹⁾ Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation, footnote on pg. 2012.

Sometimes the Good Die Young

Isaiah 57:1-2 New Living Translation

“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.”

         Sin promotes great evil. We are seeing this with our own eyes today. God knows the future and it stands to reason that he may desire to save certain ones of his children from the excessive evil that is coming. Perhaps the rapture of the church will rescue us all from this, in the meantime, we are to live godly lives according to the instructions given in God’s Word. 

            I’m sure we all know someone, whether it be man, woman, or child, that has died prematurely. It becomes a heavy weight on our heart as we utter the ‘why’ question. Why did they have to die? Why them? Why not a drug lord, pedophile, or adulterer? There are so many evil people who do horrible things just because they feel they can. Why not one of them? 

God mourns the loss of those of his children who have met death prematurely. We are allowed to question God. He’s not afraid of our doubts or questions at all. He also may not give us the answers we seek. The Christian walk can be treacherous, but in the end is rewarding. Those who die before their time will enjoy the glories of heaven sooner than we will and that’s a wonderful blessing. Our heartache comes from the fact that they are no longer with us. Death is part of the circle of life. Everyone dies at one time or another. God has his reasons why some die before others. 

I experienced this type of situation prior to my conversion when my mother’s mother had to attend my mom’s wake. My mother died of pancreatic cancer at 57 years of age. I wasn’t yet a believer, so as you can imagine I was filled with the ‘why’ question … a tragedy that caught me off guard … by surprise. I wasn’t expecting it. My grandmother broke down and sobbed. The thought of outliving her daughter was too much grief for her to bear. She was inconsolable. So was I. I didn’t know what to think or do. It was hard, so I know even those who know the peace of Christ still struggle with premature death. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Proverbs 30:5

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)

                  Whatever you read in scripture is perfect and without mistake. The foot notes, commentary comments or interpretive inclusions are not, for they are written by man. There are not many gods, there is only one God. He stands alone. No one can rival Him. There’s no one who can replace God and anyone who tries fails.  You see it is God who is flawless, not any mere mortal. It is God in whom we can take refuge and not any of the Superheroes who have graced the cinematic screen. Who else can raise the dead, heal the sick and forgive every sin you’ve ever committed? No one but God Himself. 

            What cinematic Superheroes do for us is put a face and body to an entity that is good and righteous and wholesome and capable of defeating evil. All this and special CGI effects to boot. But alas, it is fiction, as in not real. Even the actors and actresses who play the Superheroes are in need of what God offers to all. And even if the characters they played WERE real and COULD do all the things they can do in movies, they would STILL need the forgiveness God offers, because they cannot save themselves. No one ever could. So, go forth today knowing that the Word of God is true and that HE is the shield that protects you from all that the enemy dispenses against you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Concern Validates Salvation

        When you are concerned that you are not living your life for Christ the best you are able you should rejoice. The fact that you care at all is testament to your relationship with God. The Spirit gently convicts and reveals to us areas that need cleaning up. It’s our responsibility to listen for him, listen to him and act accordingly. Too many believers think things are just fine and do not ever take a spiritual inventory of themselves. Those folks are foolish, for one day we will stand before the White Throne of God to give an account of the life we lived for him. If you are continuously conscience of your thoughts, words and actions you are on the right path that leads to heaven. So rejoice for you are greatly favored by God. rlkeller

 

HOW'S YOUR FOCUS?

Focus – To concentrate all your attention or energy on something; to concentrate.

It can be said you are “drawing a bead on” something or “zeroing in on” something.

It is the “center” of your attention. 

 

We tend to fix our focus on many different things throughout life and God isn’t always one of them. 

We largely focus on problematic circumstances. Even though we are instructed to worry about nothing we focus on and over think our problems and the fixing of them. 

 

Why do we lose sight of God when we need him the most. He hasn’t gone anywhere. We’re the ones who moved, from Faith Lane to Doubt Drive. Our focus becomes blurred. Our troubles look more like insurmountable mountains instead of what they truly are, mere obstacles to be overcome … with the help of God. 

 

What is your focus locked in on?

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

WHAT IS THE FOCAL POINT OF YOUR LIFE?

IS IT YOUR WIFE, YOUR KIDS, YOUR PETS, THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE, YOUR JOB, YOUR SPORTS TEAMS, CHURCH? WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS YOUR FOCAL POINT?

SHOULDN’T IT BE ALMIGHTY GOD?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FEAR?

The Bible mentions two specific types of fear. The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is a reverential awe of God, a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes.

Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding (Psalm 111:10). Only fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). Furthermore, fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). It is the fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27) and provides a security and a place of safety for us (Proverbs 14:26). 

Thus, one can see how fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV). A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.

However, sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God completely. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). No one is perfect, and God knows this. That is why He has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing throughout the book of Revelation, God reminds us to “Fear not.”

For example, Isaiah 41:10 encourages us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Often we fear the future and what will become of us. But Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air, so how much more will He provide for His children? “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). Just these few verses cover many different types of fear. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, and of lacking physical necessities. These admonishments continue throughout the Bible, covering the many different aspects of the “spirit of fear.”

In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15 NKJV).

Once we have learned to put our trust in God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us. We will be like the psalmist who said with confidence “…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11)

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fear.html

Christianity isn’t a Religion …

There are key differences between Christianity and the other major world religions. The Hindus believe all roads lead to heaven. In other words, there are a variety of paths you can take to get to heaven. Is that true? First, we must understand that Hinduism is a world religion that has no origin. No one seems to know when it started or who started it. Buddhism at least has a beginning and a person to point to that started the religion, however, their beliefs are not based on ‘good vs. evil’. No sin, no God, no need for salvation. Islam claims that Christ never really died but rather was sitting at the right hand of God while He only made it appear to the human eye that Christ really died. According to Islam he never really died at all.  So the Bible would then be full of lies and deceit. I don’t believe that for a second, but I suppose that’s the only way they can legitimize their beliefs. To the Islamists Christ was simply another prophet/teacher like Mohammed.

Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship, personal in nature, intimate at its core. It is the only belief system that offers forgiveness for sin and a singular person who performed a selfless act to provide that forgiveness. If any and all paths lead to heaven, then why did Jesus have to die? The notion of there being many ways to achieve heaven minimizes what Christ did for all mankind on the cross. With regard to intimacy, scripture tells us the closer we draw near to God, the closer He draws near to us (James 4:8a). One day we will know even as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12). Dismiss other schools of religious thought as false and embrace that which you have believed. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

James 4:7-8a … “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 … “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Can a Christian lose their salvation?

                   Basically, it would seem that there are those who are truly saved and are attempting to please God with their lifestyle and those who simply SAY they are a Christian, but exhibit ZERO fruit. Oh, they go to church every time the doors are open and belt out the songs with the best of them. They even become deacons or elders. They say all the appropriate things giving the perception that they are a devoted follower of Jesus. But deep inside their heart of hearts, where only God can see, they are not committed as much as it would appear that they are. Many other worldly endeavors crowd out true commitment until they slowly fade away. Call it “flash in the pan” Christianity. Call it whatever you want, but what the Bible calls it “apostasy” … 

a falling away. 

                  So that would tell me that the “elect” the Bible speaks of would actually seek forgiveness and exhibit gratitude for the forgiveness they receive. They are those true, hardcore, followers of God’s Word. The ones who seek to grow spiritually continuously with the help of the Holy Spirit within.  To be honest, Christians are not always ON their game. At times they stumble and slip up. Make no mistake about it, Christians fall into sin, but it isn’t a habitual thing. Our humanness just happens to get in the way of God’s plan for us.

                  So CAN a Christian lose their salvation?  The answer to the question above is YES, CINOs or ‘Christians In Name Only’, can indeed lose their salvation, due to the fact that they more than likely never made the initial commitment to Christ and truly got saved to begin with.  Therefore, technically, they cannot lose what they may have never had.  They declare that they are believers and let it be enough. They hang their hat on the statement that all a person needs to do is “believe”. While that is true, that belief must lead you deeper into the truth of God. Imposters have NO intent to grow. They just ride the Jesus train as long as it suits them.

The answer to the question is also NO. Those who are TRUE Christians are sealed at salvation for eternity by the Holy Spirit and cannot lose their salvation. You see, the Lord must be preeminent in your life. He must be your all in all. He must mean more to you than life itself, because He is the giver of life. Sure, as I said earlier, even true believers, being human just the same as unbelievers, will sin from time to time, but with them it will be the exception rather than the rule.

Trust God with your everything and strive to know Him more each day by reading His Word and praying continuously.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries