SYMBOLISM IN SCRIPTURE

 

Matthew 3:16-17_{(GOD’S WORD Translation)} “After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down as a dove to him. Then a voice from heaven said, “‘This is my Son, whom I love—my Son with whom I am pleased.’”

            Here we see our Heavenly Father proclaiming that Jesus is His Son. The dove coming down from the heavens to Him is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. In our day, the dove is used most in non-Christian circles as a symbol of peace, often with an olive branch in its mouth. While Jesus is the embodiment of peace, it is the Holy Spirit that is paramount in this case and not the ever elusive ‘peace’. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a guide and advocate. He is always readily available to us and resides within us if we have received salvation. The gift of the Spirit is secondary to salvation of course, but He is most necessary in our walk with Christ. Going it alone in this life is like going out of your house without clothing. It’s like going into battle without a weapon. We certainly wouldn’t do either of those things, so why do we go about our business without a second thought given to our greatest helper?

            There is a second lesson in these two verses for us and that is the issue of baptism. It is a public proclamation of the change that has taken place in our life. We are to follow Jesus’ example in baptism, which is symbolic of the old nature dying and the new nature rising up from a watering grave to live on. It’s done in the name of the Triune God; the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Obedience is sought by our God. It’s the least we can do in response to what has been done for us. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13b-15 “…God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”

            We live in perilous times, with Satanic activity all around us. Corruption has run amok within big business, social media, and the government. True believers are under attack worldwide. But fear not, for their day is rapidly coming to an end. God has declared it to be so, and it shall be so when the time for their removal has come. We need not fear, but only stand firm in our faith and remain prepared. There are those who have rejected the loving forgiveness of the Lord in favor of other lies that are being presented as the truth. They’ve been given multiple chances to embrace freedom from sin and eternal life thru the Father but have turned away. I have told you in the past that God sends no one to hell, they send themselves by their own decision to embrace a lie that seems much for palatable to them then the truth. No matter what trials come your way, never think God has abandoned you. He knows all that is taking place and is patiently waiting in the hope that they turn toward the light. 

                  Paul says in his second letter to the church in Thessalonica to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings that had been passed on to them. Nothing that has taken place in this world cannot be reversed. God is infinitely more powerful than Satan, who is a created being. Just when Satan thinks he has turned the tide against the truth, Christ will return and overpower the enemy with the mere power of his breath. It will be such an abrupt end to evil that it will be like a man boxing with one who is without arms.

                  We have nothing to fear, for God is in ultimate and total control of all things that transpire in this world. When you hear news that causes you to be concerned, lay those concerns at the feet of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There is nothing that can be done to us of any lasting consequence. The enemy can take everything from us, but they cannot ever take our soul from us. We belong to God, now and forevermore. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

SEEKING THE THINGS OF GOD

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” - Psalm 25:4-5 

            King David is seeking the instruction and guidance of the Lord. His relationship with His God is strong, despite his failings. We all have failings; none of us is perfect. Once we realize and accept that we can begin to let God do His work in us. Just like David, we need to ask and ask often for God to reveal His truths to us. It comes from the reading of His word and praying.  It comes from cultivating a spiritual awareness of the Holy Spirit’s leading. We can do it, but it doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time. Frankly, it takes your whole life. 

            Acknowledging God as his Savior, David shows the reader that he knows where his salvation comes from. There is nowhere else in scripture that would say or even indicate that David found salvation in anything or anyone else. God is the saving factor. Christ’s death purchased our souls, redeeming us from hell. God desires to be our all in all. 

            David shows in these two verses that his reliance is on God and not himself. He derives hope from the truth God lays out before him. We too can find hope in His guidance and instruction. We allow ourselves to become so easily entangled in that which would bind us, rather than shrug ourselves loose and stand tall in the truth of God. Life as a Christian is rewarding and filled with joy, yet our enemy tells us otherwise. It is in truly getting to know God intimately that we experience all the blessings His has for us. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

REMAIN TRUE TO YOUR FAITH

2 Timothy 2:11-13 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him,
we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.”  

            Paul’s two letters to Timothy were written to encourage, urge and command him as a trusted brother in the faith to remain faithful to his calling and endure in the face of any hardship.  Timothy had accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary trips and was left in Ephesus as the apostle’s representative.  

Here Paul lays out for Timothy the crux of his mission.  It needs to resonate with us as well for it remains true to this very day.  If we join in Christ’s death by confessing our need for God’s forgiveness, we will live for all eternity with Him.  If we endure any and all hardships for His sake, we will reign with Him forever.  We are cautioned that if we fall victim to apostasy¹, God too will disown us and lastly, even if our faith fails us God will remain faithful.  This last statement is a testimony to the unchanging character of God.  He is the one true constant in a sea of inconsistency.

The hardships spoken of above are not financial or physical hardships in and of themselves, but rather hardships suffered for the sake of Christ.  God will never abandon us regardless of what state of commitment we are in.  Our faith tends to ebb and flow as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.  It’s as we learn to trust Him more that our faith becomes stronger.  Each life event gives us an opportunity to utilize our faith in a bigger way.  Will we trust God to work things out for His ultimate glory or will we shrink away from each challenge, having our spiritual growth become stunted. We mustn’t allow this to take place.  It’s our choice.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

¹ Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.

Rejoicing In Spite of Trials

 

Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

             The prophet Habakkuk is praying to Jehovah God in the third chapter as he sees Him trample his enemies underfoot. Habakkuk is awestruck by the power displayed and the vengeance brought against his enemies. In the end of the prayer Habakkuk is resolute as he states that no matter what may happen to him, he will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk sees the ferocious way that God repays evil done against His children and recognizes that only God can deliver him from his calamity. He humbly acknowledges that God is the one who is over all and shall provide for and sustain him.

                If we were in the same situation, how would we act? No food, no job, no money to pay bills … what’s going on? God was mindful of Habakkuk, and He is mindful of us as well. We are not in danger of anything other than the discomfort of having our routine disrupted. Habakkuk, being a prophet, was targeted and in danger of death from enemies that rose up against the people of God continually throughout the Old Testament. In all three chapters of Habakkuk, the overriding theme is that the just shall live by faith. It is faith that leads to trust and as believers we need to know we can trust God. It is a conscious decision we must make; do we trust God or not? If we do, then we should understand that nothing is impossible for God and His timing rarely syncs up to ours. The perfect job is coming your way; financial relief is coming as well. 

Your prayers shall be answered. Seek His will for your life and then praise God from whom all blessings flow. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

NO PLACE TO HIDE

“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”- Jeremiah 23:24 

            Folks do things that are wrong all the time. They think they are so cunning, that they have actually gotten away with something. All the while they are acting out in full view of God, whether they happen to believe that or not. Christians can take comfort in the fact that there are no places that He does not see us; non-Christians cannot. There is no place on this planet that is hidden from Him. Like a home designer who knows every nook and cranny of a house he drew up, so God knows even the most remote place in His creation. If a Christian has a misstep, there is a need to own up to it, seek forgiveness and move on. God knows all about it, so denying it, acting as if it never happened, is fruitless. Take solace in the fact that God is patient. This isn’t a single elimination reality show; God wants us to succeed, to thrive and be at peace.

            Since God is omnipresent, there is literally no place that He is not. His spirit can be found everywhere. The self-absorbed man sees nothing but themselves and what they are doing; the spiritual man can see God’s presence all around him. Take the time to marvel at the creation of God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Another of God’s Promises: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

NEVER ALONE

 

Psalm 121:7-8

 

“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  

A person’s life is not their own if they have committed their way to the Lord.  This is not a problem for the believer, for God can be trusted to keep you from all harm & danger.  We know this because His word says so.  “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." _{(Deuteronomy 31:8)} This verse points out that the Lord will essentially have you surrounded with His mercy & grace.  He doesn’t take coffee breaks, nor does He ever go on vacation.  As a result of our God watching over us continuously, day and night, therefore, we truly have no reason to be discouraged or afraid.  Fear is a natural human emotion.  It’s a mental thing.  We especially fear the unknown.  It isn’t always so easy to rid ourselves of fear, but as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord we will slowly begin to elevate our trust.  As we trust the Lord more we should give in to our fears less.   

In Joshua 1:9, Moses speaks to Joshua saying “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

“That God always keeps watch for us’ is deeply rooted in our hearts; so that, depending upon his guardianship alone, we may bid farewell to all the vain confidences of the world.” ^[1] There is absolutely nothing in this world that we can unhesitatingly place our trust in because even the person closest to us will eventually let us down.  God never will.  If scripture tells us God is with us wherever we go, you can bank on that.  Just in case you think the Lord might handle things differently in this day and age, read Hebrews 13:8 which proclaims, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  Until Christ returns, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

[1] The Treasury of David; Charles H. Spurgeon.

LOVING GOD'S WAY

 

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” - 1 John 4:20-21

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” - _{John 13:34-35}

 

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” - _{Matthew 5:23-24}          

          These three portions of scripture paint a vivid picture of just how we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. First off, we cannot hate anyone and have it be alright with God. The Jews sent His only Son to the cross to be crucified and God didn’t hate them, yet some of us work up a good hate for just about anyone who wrongs us. Scripture tells us to be wise a serpents, yet gentle as doves ^{(Matthew 10:16)}. In other words, we are not to allow others to walk all over us, but we are also not supposed to trample others underfoot either. Love, but in the process of loving be wary of those whom you sense cannot be trusted. Extend a hand of friendship if so led; however, do not allow yourself to be taken advantage of. 

If you say you love God, you must love your brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is how the world knows we are disciples and ambassadors of Christ. How else would they know? If we speak and act like the world, how could anyone in the world possibly know we are walking with God? What about us would tip them off? Our love for one another. I might also say that our peace in difficult situations, no matter what the magnitude, would speak loudly as well. 

           The Bible is very clear regarding having an issue with a brother or sister in Christ. The world says the one that is wrong is to initiate the reconciliation; however, the Bible says just the opposite: you who have been wronged, you go to the guilty party and make amends. That shows the offender love and a spirit of reconciliation which should cause him or her to soften their heart towards the offended party and agree to a harmonious settlement. It is then that you can both present your gifts at the altar. Love breeds forgiveness. Forgiveness reveals love. God is the definition of love. It flows from His character. It is out of His love for us that forgiveness is possible. Genuine love is easy to spot. It shows in ones’ eyes and in the selfless acts that one does. True love is love that seeks nothing in return. Those who receive unconditional love feel compelled to return it of their own volition. We are to love our brothers and sisters the same way we love our God. The Bible calls us liars if we do not. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Life Lesson 7

Disappointment 

“Unhappiness caused by the failure of one's hopes, desires, or expectations.” *

Does a Christian have the right to be disappointed?    

Life’s filled with disappointments. We have hopes, desires and dreams. Though they may be unrealistic we have them all the same. Media outlets of all types fill us with unreasonable expectations based on our basic materialistic desires for comfort and pleasure. Do we as Christians have the right to be disappointed with anything in life? Well, not really. It all depends on our expectations and whether they are reasonable and/or God driven. We get caught up being disappointed because things don’t turn out the way we had hoped, not realizing at the time that God has something much more valuable in store for us.

 

Disappointment is tied to patience.  

How long are you willing to wait for God’s will to be manifest in your life, as long as it takes? Many folks say that but show they don’t mean it by their actions. Look at Abraham and Sarah – God promised a son, but because 20 years had passed, and they were old Sarah told Abraham to lie with her Egyptian servant Hagar. He did and she gave birth to Ismael, but he was not the son God promised. Impatience caused disobedience. Sarah became angry and jealous and cast Hagar out of her presence. The enemy will use any delay to discourage us to the point of distraction allowing doubt to creep into our soul. Don’t set your expectations too high. Let God set your expectations based on his promises from scripture.

    

Disappointment is tied to happiness 

They say, ‘being happy is a decision’. Should our happiness be tied to life’s disappointments? It often times is, but should it be? It depends on the driving force in your life. Are you running with a worldly engine or a heavenly inspired one? Do you seek God for wisdom and guidance or comb the Internet for inspiration? I believe it really is a decision we make each day to be happy or unhappy. Each day we must communicate with our Heavenly Father in an effort to feed our spirit man. Perhaps it’s thru the lyrics of a song, a devotional or scripture verse we read or an email from a brother or sister in the Lord telling us what a blessing we are. These small things elevate our faith and drive out unhappiness and disappointment. Just reading a Psalm per day can rev up your spiritual engine.

            Below you will find scriptures dealing with disappointment: Don’t wait to be spoon fed … dig deep into the richness of God’s soil and feed on the truth of his word. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Bible verses dealing with disappointment:

Jeremiah 29:11

Isaiah 55:8-9

Romans 8:28

Psalm 55:22

Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew 6:6

Psalms 27:14

Isaiah 40:28-31

Philippians 4:13

*The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Life Lesson 6

 

Depression 

 

“A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness or inability to experience pleasure 

combined with other symptoms including poor concentration, indecisiveness, sleep problems, changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness.”

 

Should a Christian ever get depressed?

                  If we were perfect in every way and not prone to stress, disappointment, and heartache I’d say we would have a chance. But since we are subject to emotional highs and lows, it stands to reason that we would indeed become depressed at one point or another. God can defeat depression, but we must first let go of the things that drag us down. As it is with most issues we encounter, it becomes a matter of focus or more specifically, what or who we are focused on. In the end it’s nothing more than a mental thing, but it is still very real to those who are experiencing it. Occupy your mind with godly things. Refocus.

 

Conquering depression … 

                  It is imperative that we place our sights squarely on that which can alleviate our depression. In this case it’s all about God. He’s provided everything we need to combat and be victorious over depression. I say this from personal experience because I have dealt with bouts of depression from time to time. It can be debilitating if we let it be. If our focus is on that which is causing us anxiety that can lead to depression. Below are listed powerful Bible verses to help you defeat depression. Reading Bible verses can alter your disposition which is an excellent place to start. You want to trust the Lord, but when you become depressed there are times you can barely hold your head up. Negativity festers and drags us deeper into the abyss. It’s like being stuck in quicksand. The more you move the faster you go down.

 

Scripture has the answer … 

                  Take the time to read thru the following scripture verses as a means of solidifying your faith foundation. Strengthening your faith puts you in the proper position to stand upright and move forward, leaving your depression behind. Sometimes all you can do is cry out for help or ask someone else to pray for you. That’s okay. God understands and wants to help you grow to a place where you can pull yourself out of your funk using the scriptures the Lord has placed before you. 

Make the time to feast on the wondrous word of God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Here are some Bible verses to DEFEAT Anxiety / Depression:

Philippians 4:8

Deuteronomy 31:8

Psalm 34:17

Psalm 40:1-3

Psalm 3:3

Psalm 32:10

Psalm 42:11

1 Peter 5:6-7

John 16:33

Romans 8:38-39

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

1 Peter 4:12-13

Psalm 37:23-24

Isaiah 41:10

Life Lesson 5

                  Patience is a virtue. Patience without kindness is wasted in that you must have a proper disposition when you are waiting for this or that to take place. Being patient while being bitter or irritable at the same time reveals a negative picture. Your foul disposition overshadows the patience you are attempting to display. The world is in need of kindness and goodness, not another example of an impatient temperament.

            Biblical patience must be willing to wait as long as it takes for our request to come to fruition. Along with kindness should come peace, for waiting any length of time can become an arduous endeavor. Humans can be as a whole very impatient. This instant society we live in doesn’t help the situation. As you’re waiting have you ever considered that delays may keep you from an unfortunate situation that could potentially change your life forever, say a car accident or being robbed. Learn not to question delays but understand that delays can be part of the deal. God’s economy doesn’t have built in instant gratification. The answer to the question becomes manifest to us when God knows the best time for the answer to come and not a moment sooner. Our problems arise when we misread God’s sign and push thru to an end result that was not intended.

            Displaying kindness will speak volumes regarding being a positive testimony for Christ. As a believer, to not be kind paints an incorrect picture of Jesus and how He intends us to live. If you find it hard to be kind in any situation ask the Lord for his help in the form of the Holy Spirit who is our guide and mentor. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Life Lesson 4

         This morning, on my way to work, I caught myself lamenting past mistakes, consequences, disappointments, and injustices. There was no profit in that, so I slowly refocused on the present. You cannot go back in time and change history. You can however learn from the past, so it doesn’t end up repeating itself. I think you will agree, you take what is of value and let the rest go. 

            Life can be very hard, and sadness comes far too often, but there is a lighthouse for our soul that shines out brightly in the darkness of those desperate times. Tears of bitterness can turn to tears of contentment and a heavy heart can once again become lighter than air. It depends on your focal point. What do you spend the most time focusing on, the negative aspects of life or the positive? Focusing on the wrong thing can wear you down and steal your hope. As believers in Christ we have much to find hope in. Just the very fact that Christ is returning for us should chase away any clouds of sadness from your heart. This life, with all its troubles, will not last forever, life with the Lord will.

            You can’t plow a straight row looking back, nor can you move forward when you are mired in the past. Reflect on your past if you feel the need to, but only to learn how to correct past irregular behavior and not to wallow in self-pity. Our history should be a learning tool for our future and nothing else. We can’t change it so let us revel in the fact that it is in the past and brighter days are on the horizon. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.  

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries 

Life Lesson 3

                  Although God is perfect, we are not intended to be perfect at all. We are part of a learning curve with more experienced believers knowing more, having experienced more and are more aware of their spiritual gifts. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be. I try to live my life as Christ would have me but unfortunately I fail more times than I succeed or at least it seems that way.  Because of this I ascribe to the theory of the blind squirrel, which goes like this: even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. I see myself as the blind squirrel. Fortunately God loves blind squirrels too. 

            I’m very hard on myself. I demand perfection when I know in my heart perfection from an imperfect person is impossible. There was only one perfect individual in the entire history of mankind and that was and is Jesus Christ. I think I’m a lot more selfish than I should be, so even if there were such a thing as a perfect man besides Jesus I would not be that person. I am famous for overthinking things. Thinking too much tends to allow procrastination to set in. My uncertainty many times causes me not proceed at all, instead of proceeding with caution. God doesn’t require perfection from us. He knows that we are from dust* and to dust we shall return at the end of our life. He gives us tools and guidance, which we often times don’t recognize as coming from him. We need to realize that everything the Lord does for us is for our benefit and ultimate good.

            I revealed this side of myself believing that there are others somewhere in the world that are like me. Take heart brethren, God’s unconditional love embraces us all with the warm support we need to go thru this life with more successes than we will ever realize. Not perfection, but success. Success in God’s eyes is far different than success in this world. As we place one foot in front of the other and proceed forward we will gain confidence and slowly grow into exactly what God has intended us to be all along. We are all different, not one of us is exactly the same, but we are all expected to try.  The person I will become isn’t like anyone else in creation. In that respect we are all unique - one of a kind. Don’t beat yourself up, see yourself as God sees you and allow him to untap the immense potential that exists in you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Psalm 103:13,14 - “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.”

Life Lesson 2

            Here’s a life lesson for you. It is my contention that Christians are partially responsible for some people to turn away from God. Here’s a real life example that just took place at my job the other day. 

            Guy #1, who does not know the Lord, was told by a “religious” person, we’ll call him guy #2, that guy #1 shouldn’t be cursing, especially on that day, because it was Good Friday. Then guy #2 proceeded to drop an F bomb himself less than 5 minutes later. That would make guy #2 a hypocrite and that’s exactly how guy #1 saw it. 

            Point #1 – Chances are guy #1 may know very little to nothing about that holiday season. Point #2 – His cussing is not going to send him to hell, his rejection of Christ will. Point #3 – Guy #1 doesn’t know any better. Point #4 - Guy #2 DOES know better. Point #5 – Guy #2 was judging Guy #1 for doing something that he does as well.

             There are too many people like Guy #2 who pass judgment with their words of indictment, and they need to stop that. Once a person receives Christ the Holy Spirit will deal with the profanity issue. Sometimes we clean up our language only to have it reemerge sometime down the road. Let me repeat was I said in Point #3 above … people who don’t have a relationship with God don’t think anything of cussing and that is understandable. It doesn’t make it all right, but it is not our place to instruct him regarding what may be perceived as our regimented list of Do’s & Don’ts. Some of us need to get off our high horse before we make a fool of ourselves in front of others. We must humble ourselves. We are better than no one. We aren’t to compare ourselves to others, but rather to God. This will put us in the place where we belong, beneath the Lord and equal with everyone else. Salvation doesn’t elevate you in status; it forgives you of your sins. That makes you different in that one respect; otherwise, we are really no different than those who are unsaved. No matter how hard you try, even your best efforts will fall short in your quest to be just like Christ. In spite of that, continue striving to be a living example of our Lord, because as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

 

Life Lessons

            Life is like a book with many chapters. The story begins and at an undetermined time the first chapter ends, and the second chapter begins. During one of the chapters you are introduced to the Lord, and he becomes a regular part of the story. There’s a chapter for childhood, one for the teenage years and a special chapter focusing on schooling, one chapter has a fixed climax when graduation occurs. There’s a chapter for college, chapter for courtship, chapter for marriage and a chapter for having babies. Some chapters are light; some are dark depending on the subject. People come into your life either in the midst of a chapter or at the start or conclusion of another. 

            Having said all that, I tend to believe that some people are only in our lives for a brief time. When they move, switch jobs, or churches or simply pass away, a chapter ends and another one begins. We mourn the loss and move on. There is a chapter regarding the re-emergence of a person from your past where you discuss how much each of you had changed. Depending on how the chapters play out will determine whether you end up single, married, divorced, remarried or alone. All the while we try to figure out the meaning of this life and why it seems to be so complicated. For a large part of our life I believe we think way too hard about a lot of things and the more we think the more we become confused. Worry begets stress, which is kin to tension, which can do very bad things to your physical body. We take prescription drugs to regulate our heart, our head, our blood flow, and our nerves. 

            Some books, like their corresponding lives, are long and drawn out, others are short and definitively to the point.  Some make a big splash based on the character of the subject. Some just exist without much to say or do. Those with Christ in their lives will nearly always be more interesting. 

            It is said that our lives will be the only Bible others will ever read. I believe that is true, therefore, we should let our lives be true to what the author intended. Let your life be a worshipful symphony of truth and faith and hope and peace. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory.

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 20

“You, therefore, pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven! May your Name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us the food we need today. Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us. And do not lead us into hard testing but keep us safe from the Evil One. For kingship, power and glory are yours forever.’ Amen.’” – Matthew 6:9-13 ^{Complete Jewish Bible}

                  Here we have Jesus’ example of how to pray. It’s a model that may be recited verbatim if you so desire or can be treated as a sort of guide to follow. Let’s break it down.

                  First, it establishes that we have a Father who resides in heaven. This obviously would make us his children. Secondly, it states that we should keep his name holy even as he is holy by virtue of his stature as the eternal King and Lord, judge, and Savior. In our prayers we should acknowledge his holy nature. This is, in effect praising him for who he is. Next it asks that God’s Kingdom may come quickly according to his will, which has already been set since the foundations of the earth. His kingdom on earth will be established once all evil on the earth is destroyed. Even though God could eradicate all evil with the snap of a finger, wouldn’t it be interesting if he used believers to rise up with the purpose of destroying evil on the earth in his name?

                  Our need for sustenance is addressed in the direct request for the food needed for the day. This acknowledges that God is our provider and sustainer in this life. We may think we provide for our needs ourselves, but if you really think about it, God already knows what we need and meets that need each day.

Forgiveness is spoken of in verse 12. Verses 14 and 15* reveal the danger of not offering forgiveness to those who have committed sins against us. This falls under the category underlined in Matthew 7:12 where it says to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ You forgive others because Christ forgave you … with no indecision, no remorse, and no hesitation. You forgive sins against you, or God will not forgive your sins. This doesn’t mean your salvation is revoked, but rather, your lack of forgiveness blocks your connection to God as a blockage in your throat would impede your ability to swallow something. It’s not forever … only until you see the error of your ways and repent. 

                  Verse 13 looks at temptation, which we all battle regularly throughout our life on this earth. This version that is shown at the top of the post refers to temptation as “hard testing”. Sometimes we are tested to see how much we have grown. God is monitoring the situation and gives us a way of escape when the time is right. All temptation comes from the enemy. God just allows some as a means of spiritual growth. So, we pray for protection from temptation and safety from the enemy of our soul. 

                  The latter half of verse 13 is not found in the oldest manuscripts, but the Complete Jewish Bible does have it shown. It is simply ending the model prayer by acknowledging once again that Almighty Jehovah God is the one true King of all creation, whose power and glory emanates from his majestic being. The ending is the classic use of the word “Amen” which means either “so be it” or “let it be so”. 

                  So, we start with the acknowledgement of who God is; we praise him for who he is and what he has done; we ask for our daily sustenance; we seek forgiveness, making sure we’ve forgiven others; we seek his help avoiding temptation and circle around to the finish by once again acknowledging his kingship, power, and majestic glory. May it be so. For those who are unsure how to pray or what to say, Jesus provided an outline or blueprint explaining just how to pray. Now go pray with a purpose. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Matthew 6:14-15 - “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

 

Taking a Look at Prayer 19

“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.”- Psalm 66:19

                  I had, in a previous posting, referenced James 5:16 (“The prayers of a righteous man accomplish much”). I stated that we are righteous because God declares we are righteous. He knows our heart and our deep-seated motivation which enables us to live righteous, obedient lives in the name of Christ, our Savior. Christ’s death cleansed us, making us righteous in God’s sight. The fact that God listened to the Psalmist’s prayer shows that the requester had no iniquity in his heart. The same would apply to us today. This proves to the Lord that the Psalmist doesn’t love sin and therefore is in good standing with God.

                  It needs to be noted that prayer, or talking to God, isn’t simply for the things we may need or desire. It is very much about creating and establishing an intimate relationship with the Lord which is built on faith and trust in him. God knows the desires of our heart way before we even think to ask, however, he still loves to hear from us. It doesn’t matter whether we are asking for guidance and thanking him for something, because it creates a significant and lasting bond that draws you closer to your maker. Therefore, if we have established anything throughout this Prayer Project, it’s that God hears the righteous voice and honors their prayers to the extent of providing an answer. The caveat in this is that the answer may not be what we are looking for or expecting. Our trust in God must allow us to accept that God knows the future from the past and exactly what we need, not to mention when the best time is to provide that answer. Trust is the key to all of this. We must trust God and the fact that we are making a request of him does reveal some level of trust. Don’t just pray to God when you are in need, talk to him whenever you so desire. God is always there and is always listening. 

Don’t make the mistake of placing human characteristics on God. While scripture does this to illuminate God’s nature and behavior, he is not like us at all. Statements like ‘God’s eye is always on his child’ or ‘God’s holy hand smote his enemies’ are used to clarify the meaning of the text. We are asked to believe in an unseen God who loves us. He is trustworthy and will never let any of us who call on him down. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Taking a Look at Prayer 18

“… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- 

2 Chronicles 7:14

                     If there were ever a verse of scripture that was tailor-made for the United States, it’s this one. It is a promise that no matter how evil things become in our country, we have an option that can heal our land. Things are super evil at this time in America. It’s as if the Holy Spirit had left. Unbridled sin is rampant everywhere you look. From gender-bending to child porn to mass shootings, multitudes of our country’s inhabitants are heading to hell at warp speed. But there is hope … as long as the final trumpet has not sounded there is always hope.  

                  If we look at the verse closely, we see that this option God has presented to us is no small order. Humbling yourself before God can be a tremendous challenge for many folks. It goes against the grain for a lot of us. The world pushes a different agenda then the Lord. The enemy wants to enslave you with lies and deception that look like precious jewels. God, however, seeks to make you the best version of yourself, but you must participate in this transformation. As the verse declares, YOU must seek the face of God and pray. YOU must also make a 180, meaning you must turn and go in the opposite direction from your current position and continue in that direction … God’s direction for you.

                  God will hear the cries of those who have humbled themselves and sought his face.  Justice is coming for the evil doers of this world, but the Lord offers grace and mercy. What a gift he has provided for us. Eternal life with him. What could this world possibly offer that could compare with that?  Do you know someone who is lost? Are you lost yourself? Heed the voice of the Lord and submit to a love that is precious and never-ending.  If you are already saved, pray for those who are lost. Make it a matter of daily prayer that the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the unsaved. It’s our duty and responsibility as ambassadors of Christ to do so. Until next time, walk with the king and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

 

Taking a Look at Prayer 17

“For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator* between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…”- 1 Timothy 2:5 _{Amplified Bible}

While some seem to think there are many ways to God, the fact remains that there is only ONE way to God and ONE who reconciles God with his creation. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, is the only way to heaven. It is thru his unselfish act of allowing himself to be beaten bloody and nailed to a wooden cross that we are reconciled. What does this have to do with prayer? Who do we pray to? Only to Jesus. We have a direct line of communication to the Father thru the Son. This was proven by the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Temple being torn down the middle from the TOP TO THE BOTTOM. ^{[Matthew 27:51]} This was symbolic, meaning all now had access to God and the mediator between God and man was the lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. 

It is THAT mediator to whom we pray. We need not pray to anyone else, because it is only Jesus who now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for the saints. ^{[Romans 8:34 NIV]} Consider if Christ were a bridge. There is a chasm that needs to be crossed. You speculate as to how many ways there might be to cross the chasm, but in reality, only one is available to us. The chasm is sin, and the bridge is Jesus Christ. He alone can bridge the gap caused by our sin. For he is the only one who willingly came and died for that sin. This is to whom we pray. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Matthew 27:51 - “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Romans 8:34 - “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

*Mediator - One that reconciles differences between two parties.