Our Redeemer Lives

 

“I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” ^{Job 19:25}
                  After all Job had been through in his life; the loss of family, property and material goods, he could still look up and say “I know that my redeemer lives …” Isn’t it amazing how little some of us are required, by life’s inevitable trials and tribulations, to endure and yet we lose faith so easily? Is not God the same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Did He not say that He was “no respecter of persons” ^[1], that what He has done for one generation, he would do now? So why do we doubt? Why do we tremble in fear at times over circumstances that come our way? We didn’t ask for it. We do not require it, yet it comes upon us all the same.
                  I have learned that ‘everything happens for a reason’ … and I really believe that.  Almighty God orchestrates everything, and it lends itself to our own maturation process. It behooves us to be aware of that which is taking place around us. The Lord wishes to bless us, but we end up missing his blessings because we aren’t paying the proper attention. 
                  In all of the hustle and bustle of this crazy life in which we live, we would do well to always remember not only that our Redeemer lives, but also that he has defeated death; therefore, we who believe in Christ and all that He stands for shall not taste the sting of death. While we may taste the temporal death of these fleshly tents we live in, we will never partake in the 2^nd death that is the death of our soul. We will live forever with the Lord.
                  When Christ returns, all wrongs will be righted; all injustices will be dealt with; the evil one shall be punished; the righteous shall be rewarded with an eternity in the midst of God’s heavenly glory. Job believed this. Abraham believed this. King David believed this. Paul believed this. All these men were far from perfect. They doubted, lied, committed murder and adultery and still, when redemption came to them, they embraced it with both arms and did not release it until they were with God in the heavens. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

[1] Peter said: “Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing] - Acts 10:34 Amplified Bible

 

No One is Good

                  With few exceptions the vast majority of people feel they are good. This thought begs a very important question. Who decides what’s ‘good’? It has to be a universal definition that can easily apply to everyone on the planet, one that cuts thru language and cultural barriers. Who on this earth could accomplish this? What’s ‘good’ for you may not be ‘good’ for me and so on. There has to be a standard.

                  ‘Good’ is a relative term used far too loosely. Like the word ‘normal’, I would venture to say that everyone has his or her own personal definition of ‘good’. I believe most would admit they weren’t choirboys, but they haven’t robbed a bank or committed murder so they feel they are good people. They hope they have been good enough to go to heaven when they die.  If they are not the least bit “religious” I suppose they would hope there really is no God.  I have a shocking revelation for you; Jesus himself says no one is good accept Father God. JESUS said that even HE wasn’t good. If Jesus isn’t good than what hope do any of us have to being ‘good’?

                  Goodness comes from God. That along with peace, patience, mercy, compassion, love, wisdom, guidance and so on. God is all we will ever need to make it in this life and the one that follows. With God we are children of the Most High King. With God we are forgiven. We are proclaimed holy and righteous in his sight. 

                  There is no such thing as ‘religion’. The word doesn’t even appear in scripture. The thing I’M speaking about is a relationship of the most personal kind with the Creator of the entire universe and man’s first breath. I’ve walked with the King since March of 1979. I just had my 46^th spiritual birthday. The only bumps in the road have been of my own doing, but then God never promised a problem free life. I’m not good, but I am a treasure in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. And so are you if you’ve entered into that relationship with him too. We’re not good and we’re not at all normal and I don’t care. I am who God made me and I’m proud of who I am and whose I am. You should be too. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Jesus as the Cornerstone

Cornerstone - 

1. a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

2. a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date.

3. something that is essential or basic.

4. the foundation on which something is constructed or developed. ^[1]

Capstone -

The final stone placed at the top of a finished building or monument. The crowning achievement or final stroke. ^[2]

 

            “The Bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone that His church would be built upon. He is foundational. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment.” ^[3]      

            Jesus as the cornerstone is spoken of prophetically in Isaiah - “So this is what the sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line’”. ^{(Isaiah 28:16–17)}        

The apostle Paul gets specific - “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chiefcornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” ^{(Ephesians 2:19– 21)}

                  Without Christ to stabilize the building, as in His kingdom and your life, it will collapse. Our faith must be built on the strength of the cornerstone, which is designed to be the strongest stone in the entire building. Jesus is matchless with regards to strength, and power. He is the first and the last, the alpha and omega. Nothing can overcome Him, and no one can remove Him from His throne. He is the One we must turn to, because He is the only One we need. Salvation comes in no other. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. (2010).

^[2] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011).

^{[3]  www.gotquestions.org}

The Great Exchange

 ^“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin (or to become sin itself), so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” ^{2 Corinthians 5:21}

            This monumental event in history could be titled “The Great Exchange”.  God became man and dwelled among His creation for a time that He might ultimately and quite literally become sin to pay for all our sins. His blood satisfied the sin debt of all humanity. He took our beating and allowed Himself to be nailed to a wooden cross in our place. 

Some don’t like to focus on the bloody gore of that event, but without the blood there is no forgiveness. He took the 39 lashes for us so we wouldn’t have to. He staggered down the “Via Dolorosa” (literally “the sorrowful way”) carrying His own cross so we wouldn’t have to. His wrists and ankles were pierced with square Roman spikes that were on average 7-9 inches long so we wouldn’t have to have that done to us. Jesus Christ, Son of God, endured the pain and the shame of the cross, a cross reserved for criminals, so we wouldn’t have to. In reality, even if there were no spikes holding Him to the cross, His unconditional, undying love for all mankind would have. Our sin was washed away by the blood of someone we didn’t even know. Christ died for all of us because that was God’s plan.  Christ would have done it even if there was only one sinner that needed saving and He would do it again if it were necessary, but it will never be necessary again. 

We typically look at the crucifixion of Jesus at Easter, but isn’t it something that should stay fresh in our minds. The greatest exchange known to man.

 

1 Peter 3:18a “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.”

Romans 6:10 “When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory 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

NOTE: The translation used for this post was The New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishing, copyright 1996, 2004 and 2007.

Let Us Remember ... and Never Forget

                  Today is Memorial Day.  A federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a day for visiting cemeteries & memorials to remember those who died in the line of duty. Individuals often place American flags on the graves of fallen military personnel and some churches fill their front yard with flags to remember the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.

The holiday was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, as proclaimed by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Memorial Day is distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all who have served in the U.S. military, living and dead, while Memorial Day specifically recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We Honor Your Memory

 

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 a sketchy origin. It’s origin is by conjecture only and not as a known fact. 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 died. 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. Okay, but Jesus Himself said He was God’s Son (Mark 14:61-62).

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 the selfless act that provided 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). I believe the other schools of religious thought are false. I choose to embrace that which I have believed. Whether you agree or not is completely up to you. Choose wisely. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Mark 14:61-62 ... “But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’  Jesus said, ‘I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

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.”

Questioning God

 

To question God is perfectly fine, but to renounce your faith saying simply that you don’t believe in God anymore seems a little weak. My question is “How diligently did you try to find Him? Or did you feel you might be missing out on something by being a believer?” I’m not judging people who renounce their faith, I’d just like to know how seriously they took being a Christian in the first place? Did they just grow up in a Christian home feeling they had to believe because their parents did? What things influenced them in their life? Do they realize that they, just like all mankind, have a propensity to sin that started with the Fall in the Garden of Eden? 

Questioning God as a true believer is not a problem either. However, don’t be surprised if you end up in His Word to find your answer. Perhaps there IS no immediate answer to your question or perhaps God’s answer is coming, but just not yet. The more we study the Bible and seek reliable sources for answers to our questions, the less questions we are likely to have. 

Familiarizing ourselves with the main tenets of faith will give us a sense of understanding. Feed your mind with ungodly information and you may wind up in trouble. Life isn’t perfect. Even for the Christian life isn’t perfect.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

NOTE: If you’d like the title of two (2) relatively inexpensive sets of books that can help with questions regarding your faith, seek out the following:

1 – “Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions” by Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge, published by Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Company.

2 – “The New Answers Book, Vol. 1-4”, by Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge, published by Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Company.

God Is Our Refuge

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 NLT

 

REFUGE - a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

 

            Whenever we feel like we are in danger, remember that our God is all around us and in us by His Holy Spirit. Remember, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” ^{(Psalm 18:2 NLT)}

                  We are told not to worry and not to be afraid, because our Lord protects us from harm and danger and that’s because we are His children.  “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread ..., for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” ^{(Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV)}

                  These are worrisome times. Evil seems to have the upper hand. But God sees all and knows all and is allowing what is taking place for His own purposes. Purposes for ultimate peace, restoration, and the total eradication of evil from the face of the earth. Those who trust in God have nothing to fear. Having said that, we are human. We tend to overreact to that which only appears to be problem. Many times the perceived problem is really nothing more than an obstacle to climb over or go around. Evil will not win. LOVE always wins!! The foundation that evil is built on is already beginning to crumble and will collapse under the weight of itself.

                  Don’t give in to worry and fear. It’s one of Satan’s greatest weapons against us. If we succumb to it we will needlessly stress over nothing. God is far greater than any weapon formed against us. When something bad happens to us, trust God. There is a reason for it. Don’t question it. Trust God. Has He ever let you down thus far? Trust Him. It’s part of having faith. God loved us enough to die in our place and offer us eternal life in exchange for submission to His will for us.  Trust Him with your life. He is our refuge and strength.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

GOD HEARS US

 

“I have heard your prayer ….”^{2 Chronicles 7:12 (NIV)}

Nothing on this earth could ever compare to Almighty God. No matter how hard we try to emulate God we fail miserably because we are terminally imperfect. God is the only perfect entity, which is why He is the ‘prototype’, so to speak. The ‘standard’ that should be followed.

Having said all that, what does it mean to us when we read the words “I have heard your prayer …”? If God is ethereal and therefore not of this earth, then how does He hear us? So many of us, and I can tend to be one of them, over think certain things. Rather than focusing on the fact that He hears us, I want to know how He hears us. I am telling you now, the confirmation in scripture that your Heavenly Father actually HEARS YOU when you pray to Him is infinitely more important than HOW He hears you.

How many of you understand that there is a significant difference between listening and hearing? We can listen to someone all day long and not truly hear anything they’ve said. What a comfort to find that our Heavenly Father can be trusted to HEAR our prayers and not just listen to them.

In the movie, BRUCE ALMIGHTY**, God, played by Morgan Freeman, takes a vacation, giving all His powers to Bruce (Jim Carrey). In one scene, Bruce is on his computer, and he starts receiving hundreds, even thousands of prayer requests almost instantaneously. He can’t answer them all individually, because he has determined that it would be too time consuming, so he decides to just give an affirmative answer to all the prayer requests. This of course doesn’t work out so well. Isn’t it a good thing that God not only hears us as an individual, but takes the time to say either ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ from time to time when He knows to rubber stamp our request will lead to negative consequences. We truly do not know what is good for us and normally want the easy way into or out of a given situation. However, it is in the waiting that some of our most important lessons are learned … as long as WE have decided to hear and not just listen. So know that God hears all your prayers and will answer them when the right time for an answer has come. This involves trust and patience. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

*Prototype – An original type, form or instance serving as a basis or standard.

** Bruce Almighty – released in theatres May 14^th, 2003, by Universal Pictures.

Note: I just read a few months ago that Jim Carrey had given his life to Christ. I rejoice in that, for another lost soul has found his way to God. Thank you Lord for wooing him with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

The Depths of God

 

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”- Romans 11:33 _(NIV)

                  If you lack wisdom or knowledge, dip into the deep resources of God. You may not receive an immediate answer, but the answer you need is an answer worth waiting for. The conventional wisdom of this world cannot compare to the wisdom of God. He is the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge. His essence is truth. He IS so everything about Him is eternal and everlasting. Nothing else on this earth can be spoken of in such a manner. All of creation is finite … the Creator is not. It is impossible to comprehend that He was and is and always will be. How does a finite mind grasp that concept? It doesn’t. It ‘s not possible. The knowledge and wisdom of God far surpasses anything that can be understood by mortal man.  

God’s wisdom and knowledge doesn’t merely exist, it flows on endlessly. I believe it flows because it is uncontainable. I believe, just like God Himself, His wisdom and knowledge is living, breathing and never ending. I do not pretend to understand a whole lot in this life, but one thing that I believe I DO understand is that God cannot be contained. He cannot be limited. There are no boundaries when it comes to what God is capable of doing. I believe it to be literally true that no matter what situation you find yourself in at this very moment in time, one word from Almighty God and your situation can CHANGE in an instant, a mere Nano-second. Faster than a blink of the eye. As quickly as Christ will appear in the sky when He returns for His church. In the twinkling of an eye, as scripture puts it. 

                  There isn’t anything this side of heaven that makes any sense at all when it comes to God and all the riches He has at His disposal. So, rest in God … rest in the knowledge of knowing that you cannot figure it out. As terrifying as being in a free fall may seem to you, imagine that you are doing just that. You are in a free fall through time and space and yet are seen by a God Who will not allow anything to harm you … those things that take place are pre-ordained or mapped out by the Creator of the Universe. You are safe in His arms, even while you are falling. Instead of stressing about the landing, allow yourself to reside in the peace of God and enjoy the ride. God will never fail you. He will never abandon you. He will never let you down. What you must endure in this life God is aware of and has either prepared you for it or will sustain you through it. Seek His face and reach deep into the richness that is God for His wisdom and knowledge. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries 

What are you missing?

                Invariably there comes a time when people feel they may be missing out on something. My dog is like that. He could be lying down resting, but if he hears a noise either inside or outside, he UP and checking it out. He doesn’t want to miss anything that’s going on. I wonder what goes thru their minds at a time like that? People can be like that also. At times those who called themselves Christians may feel THEY are missing something by not being OF THE WORLD. (At least we’re cautioned in scripture not to be.)

                What is so attractive about the things of the world? They speak to the baser side of the human mind. They attempt to draw you in and then lock you up. Once you’re hooked you will need to struggle twice as hard to get out. The seedy side of life can appear attractive from a certain point of view, but it will always leave you wanting something more. That is the way Satan’s web of lies and deceit works. Satan is the “prince of the power of the air”. God kicked him out of heaven for insubordination. He was cast down to earth where he has done his level best to disrupt the natural order of things. While God causes or allows whatever transpires in this life, Satan was given rule & reign over earth. Hence the proliferation of evil that takes place EVERY DAY.

                To live according to worldly standards is to play in Satan’s sandbox. Most folks would never consider that reality, but if the Bible is true, and I believe it is, then that is exactly what we’re dealing with each day. The devil’s toys. The devil’s venue. God gives us all the self-control we will ever need to avoid the pitfalls that arise in this sin-sick, dark, evil world, but we must SEEK IT. It doesn’t happen automatically.

                I got saved at the age of 24. I lived my youth in the world. I found no major attraction in the world that captivated my imagination. Nothing. I followed sports and played basketball or baseball whenever the opportunity presented itself. I grew up in a lifeless denominational church that growing up seemed more like a requirement than something I sought to do on my own. I went because my mom went. Dad stayed home. Nothing really drew me in. If I ever had the occasion to look thru a Penthouse or Playboy magazine as a youth, I quickly considered it something unattainable and dismissed it. I never got hooked on anything of that nature. Nothing in this world was alluring to me. I lived my life and did what I was told to do growing up. I suppose I was one of the fortunate ones. 

                How you look at things as an adult has a lot to do with how you were raised. If your parents were heavy drinkers, you probably will continue the cycle that may go on thru multiple generations until someone or something puts stop to it. If all your friends are addicted to gambling you may fall into the same trap. There isn’t much that is worth the time it takes to involve yourself from a secular perspective, and there isn’t ANYTHING that is worth your time from a spiritual and eternal point of view. 

                  God isn’t some cruel task master who wants to rob you of all your pleasure. What it comes down to is the fact that He knows us better than we know ourselves and has presented us with a blueprint for living a life that can be rewarding, generally peaceful and filled with hope for the future. Try not to dwell on what you feel you may be missing and tap into God’s way of living. Dwelling on negatives gets you nowhere. Shed the negativism and seek the joy of the Lord, which is available by asking God for it. Converse with the Lord regularly to maintain a line of communication. By doing so you can experience the presence of the Lord.  

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Abiding in Christ

 

To "abide in Christ" means to live in a close, sustained relationship with Jesus Christ, characterized by faith, obedience, and a continuous dependence on Him for life and strength. It's not a temporary state but a way of life for believers. 

Abiding in Christ is synonymous with being saved and being "in Christ". Keeping Christ's commandments, including loving God and neighbor, is a way to abide in His love. Allowing God's Word to shape your mind, will, and affections is essential for abiding in Christ. Recognizing Jesus as your source of life and strength, rather than a supplement. Both Christ and the believer are described as abiding in each other, signifying a close and intimate relationship. Abiding is not a one-time event but a daily practice of remaining connected to Jesus. As a branch on a vine, believers who abide in Christ bear fruit in their lives. Abiding in Christ is also described as "knowing" Him intimately. Continuously trusting in Jesus and His love. Following Jesus' teachings and commandments. Regularly praying and communicating with God. Meditating on God's Word and letting it shape your life. Engaging in fellowship with other believers and cultivating a close relationship with God. Regularly evaluating your relationship with Christ and identifying areas in need of growth.

That’s pretty much abiding in Christ in a nutshell. His death on the cross presented us with a challenge. That challenge is to accept Him for who He says He is, and leave your old life behind. That may not be so easy for some folks, but you will be the winner if you do. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

“The Mark of the Beast"

The main passage in the Bible that mentions the “mark of the beast” is Revelation 13:15-18. Other references can be found in Revelation 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, and 20:4. This mark acts as a seal for the followers of Antichrist and the false prophet (the spokesperson for the Antichrist). The false prophet (the second beast) is the one who causes people to take this mark. The mark is literally placed in the hand or forehead and is not simply a card someone carries.

The recent breakthroughs in medical implant chip and RFID technologies have increased interest in the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation chapter 13. It is possible that the technology we are seeing today represents the beginning stages of what may eventually be used as the mark of the beast. It is important to realize that a medical implant chip is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be something given only to those who worship the Antichrist. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be an end-times identification required by the Antichrist in order to buy or sell, and it will be given only to those who worship the Antichrist.

Many good expositors of Revelation differ widely as to the exact nature of the mark of the beast. Besides the implanted chip view, other speculations include an ID card, a microchip, a barcode that is tattooed into the skin, or simply a mark that identifies someone as being faithful to the Antichrist's kingdom. This last view requires the least speculation, since it does not add any more information to what the Bible gives us. In other words, any of these things are possible, but at the same time they are all speculations. We should not spend a lot of time speculating on the precise details.

The meaning of 666 is a mystery as well. Some speculated that there was a connection to June 6, 2006—06/06/06. However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666 identifies a person, not a date. Revelation 13:18 tells us, “This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.” Somehow, the number 666 will identify the Antichrist. For centuries Bible interpreters have been trying to identify certain individuals with 666. Nothing is conclusive. That is why Revelation 13:18 says the number requires wisdom. When the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), it will be clear who he is and how the number 666 identifies him. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/mark-beast.html

 

GOT QUESTIONS.ORG is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, conservative, evangelical, fundamental, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.

Are You a Disciple of Christ?

 

An apostle is a “messenger”, but a disciple is a “student”. The twelve men who followed Jesus were His disciples because they were supposed to learn from the teacher. Little did they realize at the time that they were being taught by a member of the Trinity, God’s son. That’s pretty wild. 

                  To be a disciple of Christ you MUST cultivate a personal relationship with the master teacher, in this case, Jesus. Discipleship involves imitating the life, values, teachings, and behavior. We mustn’t allow ourselves to stagnate, like a still pond with no fresh water feeding into it.

                  Discipleship is a lifelong process that involves living in a way that pleases Almighty God. It should become our way of life.  Therefore, to review, ‘discipleship’ is a spiritual journey of growth that involves learning from a master teacher, imitating their life, and living in accordance with their teachings. In Christianity, a ‘disciple’ is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ who strives to live more like him.

                  I am a big fan of making a regular spiritual assessment regarding where I stand with the Lord. I ask the Lord what I could be doing better and what I should not be doing at all. I seek His help and guidance as provided by the Spirit within. Finally, we all must have a teachable spirit, open to hearing from the Lord and doing what is being revealed to us. That is essentially what discipleship is all about. Do you consider yourself a disciple of Christ? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & fort His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The “God-Shaped Hole” 

            Does everyone have a God-Shaped Hole inside them? This theory states that each person throughout creation has a void in their soul, spirit and life that can only be filled by one thing and that one thing is God. Yes, God - that unprovable deified entity that millions of people around the globe recognize as supreme over all life forms. This whole idea suggests that we all have an innate longing for something outside ourselves. Something or someone greater than ourselves. 

                  God created man for His own eternal purpose, and it is only God who can fulfill this desire to connect with Him. Isn’t all religion really just our effort to connect with our maker? So therein lies the theory of the “God-Shaped Hole”.

                  The problem arises when man seeks to take on this challenge by themselves, ignoring the “Hole” altogether or attempting to fill that hole with all sorts of things instead of God. The prophet Jeremiah (17:9) describes the condition of a man’s heart by stating: “The heart is deceitful above all thing & beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Solomon repeats the same thought in Ecclesiastes 9:3: “The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live....” The New Testament agrees: “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:7) Romans 1:18-22 describes humanity ignoring what can be known about God, including presumably the “God-Shaped Hole”, instead giving worship to anything and everything other than God.

                  It is a sad thing to see when people spend their lives looking for something or someone to fill their search for meaning other than God. Those who pursue ungodly things that have no eternal value leave them unfulfilled as they wonder why they never seem satisfied with their life. Don’t misunderstand me, there is a sense of fulfillment initially, but it fades with time. Happiness without God at the helm of your life is fleeting; in the profound words of Solomon, it is a “chasing after the wind”. Whatever man tries to accomplish outside of God will ultimately fail to bring lasting satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 12:13 concludes the matter according to Solomon: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole (duty) of man.”

                  Just like a square peg can never fill a round hole, neither can the “God-Shaped Hole” inside each of us be filled with anything or anyone other than Almighty God. It is only thru a personal, intimate relationship with our maker thru faith in Jesus Christ can the “God-Shaped Hole” be filled satisfactorily and our desire for eternity be fulfilled. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

Standing Still

                  If you stand still, you are not progressing, you are falling behind. Think of it as you standing on a busy sidewalk. You can either walk forward, walk backward, or stand stock still. Only one represents progression, the other two represent regression. You are regressing when you stand still because you’re now being passed by others.

                  This is what is being spoken of in Hebrews when Paul talks about apostasy. Apostasy is a falling away from your faith and speaks directly to the problem of regressing in your faith. Now for clarities sake, we’re not talking about standing still for a moment to collect your bearings, we’re talking about stopping in your tracks and staying there due to confusion or doubt. When some folks are finished entertaining the whole God is real and Jesus died for you deal, they revert to their true feelings on the matter. Autonomy is a tough sensation to break away from. Unless you are ALL IN regarding your faith, chances are you will end up as a casualty of apostasy by forsaking your beliefs in favor of something that seems much more palatable.

                  This is how Paul describes apostasy to his readers: “For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace.” ^{[Hebrews 6:4-6 Amplified Bible]}

                  Now I’m in NO WAY a judge; with my history I’m certainly not qualified to pass judgment on ANYONE. All I really trying to do here is cast a warning out to my readers. Is your faith rock solid or does it waver when things don’t make sense. I’m not aware of anywhere in scripture where it says we must understand all that God has said, for honestly, at times we struggle with the why and the wherefore. We aren’t asked to understand, but rather to simply trust God. Some might refer to that as BLIND FAITH and maybe it is, but I’d rather blindly trust a flawless, loving, truth telling Almighty God, then anyone else and I certainly wouldn’t trust myself to make the right choice regarding important matters on my own. Our faith and trust in God will lead us in the right direction every time if we’re committed to following. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Wisdom thinks before it acts

“Wise people think before they act, fools don’t - and even brag about their foolishness.”- Proverbs 13:16^NLT

Proverbs 3:7 says, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Many people have acquired knowledge over the years and have believed of themselves that they have become wise. But a wise person need not label themselves wise. If a person is truly wise, they will intrinsically know that about themselves. However, a truly wise person is humble, not boasting about their accumulated knowledge and/or wisdom, for they know it is inappropriate behavior. Also, a truly wise person will know it is a gift from God to be used to advise and bless others. 

Solomon was considered the wisest man of all time. He didn’t acquire his wisdom from book learning, but rather thru prayer. In meeting with the Lord one evening, it came about that God told Solomon he could ask for anything, and it would be given to him. He could have asked for great wealth, a long life, or the death of all his enemies, but instead he asked for the following: “…give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” God was so impressed with his selfless request that he gave him not only what he asked for, but also what he didn’t ask for.  Solomon was exhibiting wisdom.

Remember this: Without God there is no one who is good or wise or righteous or holy. Only God is all those things. If you seek to live within God’s will for your life you will attain all that he has set aside for you in this life and the life after. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Holy Trinity: Meaning of One God in Three Persons 

                  The general idea of the Trinity is that there is only ONE God, who is fully described in the scriptures. He is an eternal entity that exists in three persons. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three make up ONE God. They are co-equal & co-eternal with the exact same nature and attributes. All three are therefore worthy of the same worship, trust, and obedience. In other words, we should have every confidence that all the things we know about God and trust Him for would apply to Jesus & the Spirit. Simply put, they are all described equally in Scripture and have the same power and holiness as the Creator.

                  Here are two examples from the Bible that address the plurality of God: Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"; while Genesis 1:26 illuminates their working together by saying, "And God said, ‘Let us make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness...’."

Admittedly, the concept of the Trinity isn’t the easiest thing to explain in simple terms. 

Historical Background - The idea of the Trinity has been in existence since the first days of Christianity. The name Trinity was conceived by Latin theologian Tertullian in the early 3^rd century. The explanation of the term came from the early Church Fathers in response to a wide variety of heresies and misunderstandings about God’s nature. 

                  The word Trinity itself does not appear in the Bible; however, it’s concept is clearly present. The verse from Matthew up above reveals the true triune nature of Almighty God. The interaction between the Father, Son and Spirit is shown throughout the NT.

                  Hopefully this brief look at our Triune God was helpful in your understanding of this entity.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/god-in-three-persons-a-doctrine-we-barely-understand-11634405.html#google_vignette

Is Forgiveness Automatic?

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

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

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

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries  

TIME

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

In His Name and for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

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

(NCV - New Century Version)