What Does It Mean? 

Integrity

 

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

 

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”    

 

John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach and devout Christian. He believed in LIVING HIS FAITH. The first quote by him above defines INTEGRITY to a tee. One’s integrity is their personal character. Their adherence to a moral and ethical code. The moral / ethical code a believer in Christ follows lies in the pages of God’s Word.

If you’re confronted with a situation where no one would see what you did, what would you do? Would you follow what you believe or attempt to take advantage of the situation by doing something out of character? Proverbs 5:21 says, “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” Proverbs 15:3 states clearly that God sees everything: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." We should act as if Jesus were there with us in bodily form every second of everyday. You wouldn’t break a law in front of a police officer, so why would you think it was alright to do something questionable when God sees all?

Who you are as a person tells others everything they need to know about you. In that case, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 Amp) 

Take your walk with the Lord seriously. You are an AMBASSADOR for Christ, so those you encounter each day are opportunities to be a blessing. You reputation means nothing when everything revolves around you. Some folks in high places are concerned about their LEGACY. What will they be remembered for. For me, I’d rather NO ONE remember me at all, as long as they found Jesus thru something I said or wrote. My existence in relation to the world is INCONSEQUENTIAL. All I seek is to hear those majestic words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23 NIV). That alone will be reward enough for me. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean? 

“Ephemeral”

 

            Ephemeral means “lasting for a very short time.” Our lives last for a certain sum of years, but in reality, when compared to eternity our life is ephemeral. We have no clue how long we have on this earth. God knows, but we do not and never will. Birth is easy to predict because of the changing of the women’s physical appearance while carrying the fetus, but not so with death. 

            God is not associated with the word ephemeral in any way, shape, or form. He is timeless. Scripture tells us in Psalm 90:4, “For (God), a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” And 2 Peter 3:8 which says, “...with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Astoundingly enough we are told that He has NO BEGINNING and NO END. He just IS. Now that boggles the mind. Yet just because it cannot be explained doesn’t make it a lie. I believe that Almighty God is mind numbingly superior to anyone or anything even Hollywood could invent. There is NOTHING to compare Him to. 

            What are some other things in life that are “ephemeral”? Ill-gotten gain. Selfish behavior. Adultery. Pretty much anything that benefits you, but harms someone else is unhealthy and unnecessary – it’s positive impact is non-existent, and what you gain from it is gone before you know it. Any benefit you gain only lasts for a very short time. Ephemeral.

            Straying from God’s plan can have bad results for you and all you care about. A middle aged man I know was engaged to a lady of the same approximate age. He did something unfortunate that caused a breaking of the engagement. When I spoke with him I said very plaining, “well buddy, you’ve done things your way and failed, why not try doing things God’s way?” No response. No reaction. He’s still pursuing that which caused the problem compounding the consequences of his initial mistake.  This man’s indiscretion nearly ruined his life, yet he keeps rumbling down his own personal path of sin. Without salvation he is doomed to end up where he never intended to go. And the gain he experienced was “ephemeral” in nature. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

What Does It Mean?

Emissary   

 

An emissary is “a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.” Christians are “emissaries” for Christ. We’ve been commissioned to carry the gospel message wherever we go and to peoples we encounter.

            As an emissary for Christ, we are His representative EVERYWHERE we go. Whether you wear Christian sayings on your clothes or not matters little, because we are to love others and love is an action word. People would like to see Christianity lived out in front of them instead of hearing someone talk about it. Now there are certainly times when talking about your faith is very important, but not always. I’ve latched onto an insightful quote from St. Francis of Assisi... “Preach the gospel at all times & if necessary, use words.” In other words, we are to LIVE OUT the gospel message for all to see so others can see that you know Jesus in a real way. 

            There should be nothing fake or phony about having a legitimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe. We MUST spend time with the Lord. He desires our company and wishes us to desire His company just as much. Fool the entire world if you feel you must, but know that you cannot fool God. He knows something your fellow man cannot know and that is a person’s heart motivation. 

            If you’ve accepted the gauntlet of earnest discipleship with the Lord, then keep pushing to become like Christ in all that you think, say, and do. God is watching it all, not to grade your efforts, but to lead and guide you down the path of righteousness. God is patien with us and, as it is said, His love is never-ending and has no conditions placed upon it.

            So don’t place undue pressure on yourself regarding your walk. Stay focused on the Lord and continue to alter your behavior slowly as you attempt to replicate the traits of Christ. It’s a lifelong pursuit. Avoid tangents along the way that take you off course. Don’t allow yourself to be pushed off course. Nothing this side of heaven is more important than knowing Christ in a personal way. NOTHING. So strive to be the best “emissary” you can be with God’s help and remember that Christ is coming back for you at an undisclosed day and hour. Be ready.

            Until next time, walk with the King & seek to be selfless to all.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

What Does It Mean? 

Doubt

            Let’s face it, it can be very easy to doubt things we cannot see. You fall back on what you know to be true. With God there isn’t anything that we KNOW to be true, just things that we have chosen to believe by faith. That is the very nature of faith itself. Belief in things that cannot be seen as if they can be. That may not be a very technical or clinical definition, but it is what faith is at its core; belief in the unseen.

            That which you can see can strike fear in your heart. Things that you can’t see cause your imagination to kick in. Then the potential for an adversarial situation may begin to loom large in your mind. Fear is crippling. Doubt can facilitate fear by feeding it with ‘suppose n’s’... suppose this and suppose that. ‘Suppose n’s’ are never based on fact, but rather on conjecture.

            Once a child of God, doubts should begin to dissipate. The more we begin to know about our Heavenly Father the more our faith and trust should grow. The Lord WILL NOT harm those who are His. Trials are not punishments. They are lessons to be learned as a means of strengthening faith in our Creator.  Scripture is clear, we have NOTHING to fear.

 

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 

Psalm 46:1-3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

 

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

Isaiah 41:13

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

 

Hebrews 13:6

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean? 

“Flicker”

 

As a verb, it means to shine with a wavering or fluctuating light, or to move rapidly back and forth. But as a noun, it describes a brief flash of light. It is the word “flicker” as a NOUN that I’d like to focus on. 

As a follower of Christ have you ever felt like you didn’t belong here? Like your real home is somewhere else, like let’s say “heaven”. Does the Bible actually say we’re not of this earth as believers, but once saved our citizenship is in heaven with the Lord? Yes, it does.

Let’s look at Philippians 3:20-21 ^{[Amplified Bible]} ... “[we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious, resurrected body. 

            There shall be a “catching away” of all true believers that believers refer to as the “Rapture of the Saints”. We have no idea when that will be, but if we make it a point to stay ready then is really doesn’t matter when it takes place. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says the following: “Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!”

            1 Corinthians 15:52 says the following: “...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].”

            Now THIS is where the word “flicker” comes into play. We will leave this earth at an undisclosed day and time like a “brief flash of light” and we will be gone. Here one moment & gone the next. There will be many unsaved folks who at that moment will realize that what they’ve been told was absolutely true. Oh, there will no doubt be some who will be grateful that all the Christians are gone, not understanding what has happened. But the things of God are irreversible. If you’re truly saved with a personal relationship with the King, then you will go to be with Christ in the end. If you reject God and Christ and everything they stand for then you have purchased yourself a ticket to exile island (hell) where you will be apart from God FOREVER.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 

 

            “Forgiveness is described as setting a prisoner free and discovering that the prisoner was you.” ^[1]

            Forgiving others just as Christ forgave you is one of the cornerstones of Christianity. To forgive another saves you the emotional burden that comes from resentment, anger, and bitterness. That person you are directing all that at probably doesn’t know you’re mad at them and loses no sleep regarding the situation. All the teeth grinding anger that results on your end is self-inflicted pain that need not take place. Reflect instead on Christ and all He forgave you of and you may just feel pretty silly harboring the anger towards someone else at all.

            “Forgiveness is framed as a choice to release the right to revenge and trust in divine justice, mirroring how believers have been forgiven by God.” ^[1] Forgiveness is meant to detach you from the harm that comes from NOT forgiving. When you do not forgive more is at stake than just your spiritual health, but your physical and mental health as well. Unforgiveness can become a burden that elevates your stress level and causes your blood pressure to rise; two things that will not help you maintain a blessed life going forward. Lay that burden DOWN. You were never meant to carry it in the first place. Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.impactus.org

Quote Contemplations

 

“It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.”
― Leo Buscaglia

Living without doing it for a purpose, is just existing. Are you looking to make ANY sort of impact on those around you and the world at large or are you simply living for yourself and your own interests? True love is stepping outside your comfort zone and doing that which the Lord God has commissioned you to do. And what would that commission be? Sharing the gospel. Living out God’s principles. Imitating our Lord in word and deed. THAT is at least in part our commission as believers in Christ.

            I have often admired the simple truths that Leo Buscaglia brought to the table. Though no longer with us (died 1998), his thoughtful advice shall pass the test of time. Today’s quote is a basic truth. It’s telling us that simply living for the sake of living is just spinning your wheels. While there are many worthwhile endeavors to get involved with in this life, the highest honor is to surrender your own personal will and agenda over to your Heavenly Father and live for Him. 

            Now of course you must believe that God exists and accept the entirety of the Gospel message as true. Acceptance in His word and will can take you to places where the gifts He has endowed you with can shine, having a pronounced effect on all whom they touch. Without the Lord at the helm of your ship, I can’t imagine that any purpose for your life could be anything but egocentric. A sign of true love is to become selfless regarding doing for others. THAT is a noble purpose. If you believe the Lord has only the best intentions for your life than do what you do for Him in Jesus name and feel the power of truth and love emanating from your efforts. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries