What sin will God not forgive?

 

“According to the Bible, the unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is not a single act, but rather a state of a hardened heart that repeatedly rejects God's grace and refuses to repent. It is seen as a deliberate and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's conviction, a choice to remain unforgiven.” ^[1]

            So you see there IS something that God will not forgive. If a person is bound and determined to reject the existence of God and live his or her life on their own terms, then in the end that is considered by God to be unforgiveable. Now you may have a hard time excepting that there is something God will not forgive, but it is true. As quoted above, it is blaspheming the Holy Spirit of God. God doesn’t wish that any individuals would go to hell. Hell wasn’t created for them; it was created for Lucifer / Satan and his minions (the fallen angels cast out of heaven with Lucifer by God). While Satan has been given dominion over the earth, he is not nearly as powerful as Almighty God. He is stronger than humans though, so he does have power, but is controlled by God. We see reference to this control in the opening chapter of Job*in the Old Testament.

            The free will that God allows all men and women can be a blessing, but can also become a curse in that the decisions that one makes on his or her own they will own and must deal with the corresponding consequences that result from said decision. Even WITH God’s assistance we can still choose the wrong path by misinterpreting scripture or some word they feel had come from the Holy Spirit. That’s why I have been saying that being close to the Lord consistently and continuously is extremely important for a believer.  You wouldn’t have much of a relationship with your wife if you avoided her, or always had something else to do rather than spend time with her. Why would you think your relationship with God would be any different? Is it because you can’t experience Him with any of your 5 senses?

Seek to get spiritually in tune with your God. You can and should so you can know what comes from the Lord and what does not. That way falling away from faith in God should become more remote. Enhance your relationship with Almighty God by spending more time with Him. I’m not suggesting that you spend ALL your time with Him, but I believe He should always be on your mind. Don’t you think that’s the least you can do for someone who purchased for you your freedom from the clutches of sin? 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] “AI” generated response to the title question.

*Job 1:6-12 

Worship

Is it true that we were created to worship God? It would appear that the answer is “Yes”, since major religions (for example, Christianity, Judaism, & Islam), teach that humans were created to worship God. Humans were created in God's image to have a relationship with Him, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever, according to biblical teachings.  Not everyone believes there is a God; therefore, if a person isn’t focused on God, then will likely worship other things that have no connection to God; such as athletes, stars from the entertainment industry to name a couple.

According to the Bible and the Quran, the purpose of human creation is to know, love, and worship God. However, since people are separated from God through sin, they naturally seek other things to fulfill this need for worship, which can lead to focusing on things like money, power, or self. 

Some sources suggest that when people turn away from God, they may worship their own ego, material possessions, or sensual desires. Other potential "false gods" include political power, the natural world, or other things that receive the highest priority in a person's life. Ultimately, any worship that is not directed to God is seen as worshiping the "created" rather than the "Creator". 

            It’s simply a matter of what your focus in life is. Is it God and the relationship you have with Him, or is it something else that is much less important? I say that because in the eternal scheme of things nothing is more important than knowing and worshipping the One who created you. To not agree with that only means that your life is on a different trajectory than those who know the Lord. 

Once redeemed worshipping God should become fairly natural to you. Once you realize who God is and what He has done for His creation, it ends up being normal to want to lift up His name in praise. No other person or object that man might worship cannot save your soul. Without salvation, heaven is out of your reach. There is no other way to go to heaven but thru the cross of Christ. That news is worth praising forever.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Time

            Time is a currency we can only spend once. How do you spend your time? Are you selfish with your time, only doing for yourself, and not for others? Or do you only use your time for others when you receive a benefit from it.

            If you’re a Christian how much time do you spend with God? If you’re not a Christian it makes much more sense to be selfish with your time. For the believer, you must know how much God wants to fellowship with you, so why don’t you spend time with Him? Seriously, what could possibly be more important than communing with the Creator of the Universe? 

            Now please don’t misunderstand me; we all have responsibilities in this life. I’m fully aware of that, because I too have responsibilities. So I’m not suggesting that we never do anything but spend time with God, but He should be He pretty much always on your mind or at least in the back of your mind? We need to make our relationship with the Lord what drives our decision making in this life.

Now I’m not perfect. No way, no how. I’m broken just like everyone else; however, I am trying every day to be a little more like Christ and I’m trying to incorporate God in as much of my life as possible because that’s what I believe God would like us to do. Do I fail in my attempt? You betcha, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.

He loves us so much, yet many of us seem to keep Him at an arm’s length. If you’re a parent, how would you feel if a child of yours treated your relationship that way? If you don’t have kids, then plug in wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend... whatever you like. The important thing is that you grasp my point here. We get one crack at this life. Once saved we’ve accomplished the most important part... forgiveness for our sins. But what comes next? 

            Let the opening statement roll around your mind a while. You can only spend time once; what will you do with it? Time.... 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

“It will ABSOLUTELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!”

            Is it just me or is anyone else noticing how much attention is being paid to one’s bodily appearance. I mean it been that way, seems like forever; however, it seems more than ever lately.  All the commercials for this makeup or that weight loss product. And jewelry? Look no further than the HOME SHOPPING NETWORK. They’ll even give you an account on credit for those spontaneous, ‘gotta haves’ (and that, my friends, is how you slowly build a mountain of debt.).

            Trust me, none of the “things” advertised on TV or the Internet will NOT change your life. Will they have some immediate positive impact on your life, perhaps, but like a child who tires within hours of receiving that toy he simply HAD to have, the impact fades rather quickly. The Lord provides a lasting impact on your life that changes it permanently, as in for all eternity.

            All the ABSOLUTES in the buying world are nothing more than a money grab. You honestly don’t need whatever they’re selling. The sales folks know exactly what to say to make people feel like they must have what is being sold. It’s a trap that when repeated endlessly can ruin your life and the lives of those who depend on you. Salvation is the ONLY thing you must have to exist beyond the grave and have your sins forgiven. Everything else is temporary and not worth what you pay for it. 

            Please understand, I’m not advocating buying nothing for yourself. Not at all. What I’m actually trying to pinpoint the fact that these trained professionals know how to take advantage of listeners / watchers so that they buy things they never needed. It’s fine to buy something you just want, just be mindful of the traps. I’m no expert on this subject other than the fact that I wrestle with unpaid debt like so many other folks. So you could say I speak from personal experience. Seek the face of God for guidance and direction in all things and listen attentively for the answer.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

God’s Work in You

 

Philippians 1:6 “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

When you give your life to Christ a “good work” has begun. First of all, you are forgiven of every sin you have ever committed. The proverbial slate has been wiped clean. You have begun to think differently. You have begun to act differently. People start to notice that something is different about you. Your conscience is clear. You have been justified … “just as if I’d never sinned”.But maintaining that initial freshness of salvation requires work on your part. Life can be a cruel task master. Your senses become bombarded with things from all directions.  The enemy of your soul knows your weak spots and isn’t afraid to head straight for them. So here is a question for you. Do you think once you give your life to Christ He is going to leave you to your own devices?           

That “good work” that Christ began in you the day you received Him is still going on. Every day new challenges come your way. How are you supposed to act? What do you say? What would the Lord do in this situation? Or perhaps you don’t consider any of those things and just wing it based on “what you know” from your life experience. Understand that God doesn’t go anywhere. Scripture tells us that He “neither slumbers, nor does He sleep”. He is constantly mindful of all things that concern you. And He will never let you go wandering off unless that is what you really decide you want. Even then He is there, watching. He knows how everything turns out. He is in the past, He is in the present, and He is in the future. He is walking with you where you are right now, and He is standing at the end of the road. He is working this “good work” in you all the time. 

In past writings I have shared that God knows everything about you so utterly and completely that no one could ever know you any better. Like a mechanic who works on something he has built from scratch, He knows His creation inside and out. He knows what you need and is adding things to your character as time goes by. Be assured that God has no intention of giving up on you. He will never drop you off by the side of the road. If you end up on the side of the road it has been by your own choosing. If you dedicate your life to being all God wants you to be then you will realize all that God has for you.

According to our verse today, He will never stop applying layers until Christ returns. If God does not seem to be near, you have to ask the question “where did I go?” because God is all around us and hasn’t gone anywhere. He IS and WILL complete the work He has begun in you. Don’t fight it. Succumb to it. Allow Him to make you everything He knows you can be in Christ.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Are You Corruptible?

            Corruptible means you or a thing can be corrupted or can decay. Our bodies are corruptible, because they break down and decay over time. But what about our soul or our spirit? Can they be corrupted? We, as frail, broken creatures, can be bribed or corrupted morally and / or ethically fairly easily, especially if we are not a child of God. The enemy of our souls is a master corrupter. He makes that which is corrupt look just fine to the naked eye. But it is with the spiritual eye that we see things for what they truly are.

            The closer to the Lord we become, the less likely we will be corrupted. We all have spiritually weak moments; however, if our dedication to the Lord is important to us we will be on the look out for corruptible moments. We must avoid the corrupt things of this life for they are a product of the who seeks to destroy and breed chaos.

            As sons and daughters of the Most High God we are to strive earnestly to become incorruptible. That has everything to do with one’s integrity. Are we trustworthy by biblical standards? Do we lie when it is convenient to do so, or do we refuse to lie in any and all circumstances*. We must become bastions of truth. People who do not waver in the face of challenges. We must be steady in our resolve. Our testimony is at stake. We are representatives of Almighty God. That should mean something to us. It should also humble us. Do people see Christ when they look at you? Be incorruptible.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*There are certain situations as I see it where lying is acceptable. For instance, if a husband and wife have a terrible car accident and one of them dies, but the other is hanging on to life, in my opinion it is fine to tell the one living that the one who died is still alive. The physical ramifications of telling the living one the truth may just cause he or she to lose the will to live.

What does the Bible say about grudges?

 

We all have reasons to hold grudges. People wrong us. Situations hurt us. Even God does not always do what we think He should do, so we get angry. We hold offenses against those who have wronged us, and often against God who we think should have done things differently. A grudge is nothing more than a refusal to forgive. So, since this tendency is inherent in all of us and seemingly unavoidable, what does the Bible say about it?

God has such a strong concern about grudges that He included a specific command about them when He gave the Law to the Israelites. Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” It is interesting that God concluded this particular command with the words “I am the Lord.” In doing so, God reminded us that He is the Lord, not us. To hold a grudge is to set ourselves up as judge and jury—to determine that one person’s wrong should not be forgiven. No human being has the right or authority to do that. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Misunderstanding forgiveness often keeps us in bondage to grudges. We think that to forgive is to excuse sin or pretend the offense did not matter. Neither is true. Forgiveness is not about the other person. Forgiveness is God’s gift to us to release us from the control of someone who has hurt us. When we retain a grudge, we give someone we don’t like power over our emotions. Without forgiveness, just the thought of an offender can irritate us far more than it needs to.  In essence, we give them control over us (Deuteronomy 32:39). But when we forgive, we release to God any right to vengeance or restitution. Forgiveness puts our relationship with God back in proper alignment. We acknowledge that He is the Judge, not us, and that He has the right to bring about any resolution He chooses. Forgiveness is the choice to trust God rather than ourselves with the outcome of the offense.

We often hold on to grudges because we feel we have the responsibility to see that justice is done or that others know how badly we were hurt. But when we release the situation to God, along with the right to dictate the ending, we free the Lord to work as He sees fit without our anger getting in the way (Matthew 18:21–22).

It’s important to remember that forgiveness and reconciliation are not synonymous. Forgiveness is a matter of the heart. It is an act of surrender to God’s will and is primarily between us and God. We release to Him our right to hang on to anger (Psalm 115:11). However, reconciliation depends on the true repentance and proven trustworthiness of the offender. For example, in the case of spousal abuse, the victim must forgive as part of her ongoing healing. She can release her anger to God. But, at the same time, she must keep protective boundaries in place until the abuser has proven over time that he is worthy of her trust (see Proverbs 26:24–25).

“The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). We do God no favors by trying to “help” Him right a bad situation through our vengeance. He does not need our anger. He needs our cooperation as we submit to doing things His way (Proverbs 3:5–6). And God’s way is always to forgive as He has forgiven us (Matthew 18:35; Ephesians 4:32).

We can release a grudge with a simple act of our will, by offering the whole situation to God and letting go of it. Forgiveness brings healing to our souls and allows God to build His strength and character into our lives as we allow Him to reign as our God (Romans 8:29).

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

Hatred

 

According to Merriam-Webster, "hate" is defined as “intense hostility & aversion that often comes from fear, anger, or injury. It can also mean extreme dislike or disgust,” …. As a verb, it means “to feel intense dislike or extreme aversion for someone or something.”

 

            Hate is an ugly word and an even uglier emotion. When you say you either hate someone or something you are defining that person or thing as unworthy of love. God hates sin, but hates none of His creation, no matter how they act or what they do. Nothing can cause Him to hate you… nothing. Having said that it should be pointed out that when someone whom God loves insists on going his or her own way they are pushing God’s love to the side, making it a nonessential thing in their life. Without a relationship with God you will never be able to be in His presence and reap the benefits of knowing Him. Now we don’t DO things to gain blessings, we DO things because they are the right thing to do; like being kind to another, or treating others the way you’d like to be treated. That’s Biblical and just a couple of things that are the right thing to do. Is it pleasing to the Lord? Absolutely. Why? Because it is taught in His scriptures which means it comes from His heart.

            We should feel compelled to live in peace with a spirit of kindness instead of cultivating hate that leads us nowhere. Sure, people get on our nerves, even make us mad, but to hate someone or something is taking our feelings to another level; a level that simmers and ultimately burns all that is around both you and the party it is aimed at. With hate there are no winners, only hurt feelings and a compromised disposition. For the Christian the word hate should not ever be found in our vocabulary. Only regarding sin, nothing else. We shouldn’t hate those who disagree with us, but if we know we are right, pray for them. Pray that either they will become open minded to the proposed truth or that you would realize your own error and alter your way of thinking or your approach.

            People don’t seem to want to calmly discuss anything anymore. We seem to live in a “I’m right, you’re wrong”society where tolerance is wearing very thin. Don’t respond with hate. That is ALWAYS the wrong approach. Always. Seek a spirit of calmness from the Lord if you are saved. If you are a non-Christian, you’re basically on your own with no resources to draw from but a Psychology website. Even then hateful people aren’t likely to venture to any sites that may help them. They are too hellbent on despising the supposed opposition. Love conquers all. Hate conquers nothing. It raises your blood pressure, and is generally not at all healthy for you as a person. An unhealthy heart can kill you. Living in peace can bring rest to your body, soul, & spirit. You choose your own path. Hate is unnecessary, but love is essential. Love doesn’t reveal weakness of character; love reveals strength of character because we will ourselves to do that which may not come naturally to us. It’s much easier to allow your emotions to run free, which constitutes running amok. It’s more difficult to pull back on the reins and take it easy. Self-Control is also essential and is listed in scripture as a healthy attribute. Take in the positive, discard the negative and learn to be content is all circumstances.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Good Is It...      

            What good is it if we tell people we are a Christian, yet act no different than the world? The Bible teaches us how we should live, but if we don’t read it then how can we know? Our lives are supposed to be a reflection of Christ, but how can we know what is expected of us if we spend little to no time with the Lord? 

We are not of this world. We live here but we are citizens of heaven once we receive Christ. We then realize that we’re just passing thru on our way to heaven. Living here is one thing, but emulating this world’s moral & ethical values defeats the purpose of being forgiven. It’s like a pig getting cleaned up, then going and rolling in the mud all over again. We have to take heed regarding what Paul is saying when he tells the Corinthian brethren that they can do whatever they please, but not all things are helpful or beneficial for us. 

            There is a path that the Lord leads us to and then lays before us. We’ll be tried and tested on this path as the enemy attempts to lure us onto tangent paths that lead to a place we had not intended to go. 

            It is much easier to follow the wide path of the world then it is to follow the narrow path of God. Once you’ve been forgiven, it is imperative that you stay close to the Lord, especially when newly saved.

            As humans even the best of us are frail and broken from the toils and tragedies of this life. No one is perfect except God, so even once saved you will make mistakes. That’s not so horrible as long as you seek forgiveness and determine not to make that same mistake again. 

Christian’s sin, they just don’t make a habit of it. We sin due to ignorance, temptation, or frustration. Those who are secular in nature don’t consider what they do as sin. Following a creed, such as the Apostles’ Creed is much more difficult than following your own creed, based on wants and desires rather than needs. 

So be conscious of your thoughts, words, and actions and allow the Holy Spirit within to guide and direct you thru life each day. Everything in the world isn’t taboo, but if you check in with your Spiritual guide you’ll begin to recognize that which is okay and that which would not be okay. Discernment is key. Focus is paramount. It can be a daily struggle, but if we rely on the Lord we will make it thru. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Loneliness

Being alone and being lonely are two different things. One can be alone without being lonely, and one can be lonely in a crowded room. Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotion brought on by feelings of separation from other human beings. The sense of isolation is very deeply felt by those who are lonely. The Hebrew word translated “desolate” or “lonely” in the Old Testament means “one alone, only; one who is solitary, forsaken, wretched.” There is no deeper sadness that ever comes over the mind than the idea that we are alone in the world, that we do not have a friend, that no one cares for us, that no one is concerned about anything that might happen to us, that no one would care if we were to die or shed a tear over our grave.

No one felt loneliness more keenly than David. In a series of earnest, heartfelt appeals to God, David cried out in his loneliness and despair. His own son had risen up against him, the men of Israel went after him, and he was forced to flee from the city, and leave his house and family. Lonely and afflicted (Psalm 25:16), his only recourse was to turn to God and plead for mercy and God’s intervention (Psalm 25:21) because his only hope was in God. It is interesting to note that the word “lonely” is never used in the New Testament to describe people. In the New Testament, the word “lonely”only occurs twice and both times refers to desolate places (Mark 1:45; Luke 5:16), where Jesus moved off into the wilderness to be alone.

Whatever the cause of loneliness, for the Christian the cure is always the same—the comforting fellowship of Christ. That loving relationship with our Master has reassured and encouraged countless thousands who languished in prisons and even went to their deaths for His sake. He is the friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). We can take comfort in the words of the old hymn that says it best: “Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He is with me to the end. Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

Thoughts from a Random Mind

            If people could see you the way God sees you what would they see?  Would they see a living example of Christ’s love, patience, and kindness? Or would they see someone who in no way resembles the Lord? 

            We ARE human; however, as followers of Christ we are to be a reflection of our Lord as much as it is possible, in spite of our humanness. We have two mighty weapons in our arsenal. One is prayer, and the other is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us since the day we received salvation. That is the key to becoming a reflection of Christ. That and feeding your spirit thru reading scripture, listening to teachings and sermons, and taking a deep dive into the Bible as often as you can. Don’t forget contemporary Christian music, whose lyrics can at times be a sermon in itself. These things need to become priorities in our life. 

            Are you bearing fruit? Do you resemble your Heavenly Father at all? Are you learning your lessons regarding how you, as a Christian, should act and react in any given situation? Are you taking a tip from the apostle Paul and learning to be content in all circumstances? Some of these traits do not come naturally, therefore they do not come easily. It takes determination and a willingness to change. God has plans for all of us, but if we resist change then His plan will fail, by no fault of His own. 

            After considering what I’ve said here, let me ask you again: If people could see you the way God sees you, what would they see? Ponder that as a start of some self-assessment regarding your walk with the Lord.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Seek & Follow

“Seek the Lord & follow his commands (not suggestions, commands) ... Seek to do what is right and live humbly.” ^{(Zephaniah 2:3 Amp)}

The OT prophets announced news of destruction, but also offered the only means of escape and protection turning from sin and walking with God.

Micah 6:6-8... “What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Frankly, the only way to accomplish what Micah is saying above is to draw close to God and learn from Him that which is required of you as His child. The Holy Spirit is the One who resides within us and will guide and direct us if we will learn to be attuned to what He is saying to our spirit. It requires trust. Trust in Almighty God. Without proof that He even exists, we need to allow our faith to kick in, followed by trust, believing that our God always has our best interests at heart.

Without God, we are a rudderless ship with no ability to navigate the rough seas or shallow waters. Chances are we would either be broken up and sink or run aground. Faith and trust in the Lord enables us to strap ourselves to the mast and ride out any storm. We must seek out a spirit of calmness in the midst of calamity so as to properly navigate thru our troubles. Do as we know we ought to do according to God and His Word and our life will be pleasing to the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Monergism vs. Synergism

            Big words that will mean nothing to most of you, I’m guessing. Well, Monergism happens to be what most of us believe; that God is solely responsible for the salvation of ones soul. Synergism shows that while God is involved in salvation, yet must work in tandem with His creation to achieve redemption. 

            The essence of the Monergistic argument is that God is in the business of actually saving people and not merely making them “savable.” Monergism starts with an enemy of God, seemingly unsavable, and, by the grace of God, brings that spiritually dead person into saving faith and union with Christ. Synergism starts with a person who has at least a spark of spiritual life. This person has the natural ability to take a step toward God apart from grace and thus meet God in the middle. God may do most of the saving work, but He must somehow also depend on the work of the individual being saved. This concept is found nowhere in scripture, but Monergism is.

 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” ^{(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)}

“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is — free and undeserved.” ^{(Romans 11:6 NLT)}

            It is solely God’s doing to save us. We can do nothing in and of ourselves to achieve forgiveness, heaven or even come into God’s good graces on our own. While atonement is available to all, only those who are drawn to Him can receive God’s redemptive work. In other words, man is not ever inclined to come to God on his own, although it may on the surface appear that way. It’s a spiritual encounter that our spirit recognizes and latches onto. 

            So believing in the biblical rendering that God alone is responsible for the salvation of man would make you Monergistic in your beliefs. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

John 6:29 _{(Amplified Bible)}

Jesus answered, “This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.”

 

            There was a problem back in Jesus day that still exists today. “Many are seeking to earn their way to heaven by good works. But before they can do good works for God, they must first believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Good works do not precede salvation; they follow it. The only good work a sinner can do is to confess his sins and receive Christ as Lord and Savior.” ^[1]

            Isn’t it interesting that Jesus is having to explain what the work of God is even after the miracle of the loaves and fish. The number 5000 didn’t include the women and children, so there were more than twice that number in attendance. Feeding all those people as much as they wanted from 5 loaves and 2 fish. I don’t know about you but that seems like a mega miracle to me. Yet they still sought ways to please God thru what they did.

            “The crowd misunderstood what Jesus was saying in v.27 [“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of God will give to you, ....”], which prompted Jesus to remind them that an exclusive focus on material blessings is wrong. The only “work” God desired was faith and trust in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.” ^[2]

            Doing good, while admirable, means nothing without the acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. You cannot EARN your way into heaven. A wholesale change needs to take place on the inside. Without that you are just spinning your wheels. Not to mention the fact that God knows every motivation for why you are doing what you’re doing. All glory should go to God and Him alone. Not you, not me, not anyone other than Almighty God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] The Believer’s Bible Commentary

^[2] The MacArthur Study Bible

 

Isaiah 53:4-6... We Are Healed

 

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” ^{(Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV)}

            What is the reason Christ went to the cross? Was it to heal our sicknesses and diseases? Where exactly does it say that? Verse 5, “... by his wounds we are healed.”? Is there only one type of healing? Could it refer to the healing of our souls that were bound for an everlasting hell because of our propensity to sin. Again I ask, why did Jesus have to go to the cross? The answer is simple, but has nothing to do with physical healing.

            The answer is that Jesus had to go to the cross, bleed, and die to provide a living sacrifice for the entirety of sins committed by us all. Being sick or having a terminal disease aren’t classified as sins. But a lifestyle that contradicts what God had intended for us is sinful. Why? Because Romans 3:23 tells us “we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” No matter how good you may think you are, without Christ you are a sinner, just like everyone else. Christian’s are just sinners saved by grace.

            Nothing in Isaiah 53 would lead us to believe that His death on a cross would insure our physical healing. Would that mean no one would ever die? If every time we were ill, no matter how mild or how critical, God would touch us, and we would become well? That sounds a little absurd to me. We all die eventually, but God does heal according to His will for us as individuals. He chooses not to heal at times, and though I don’t entirely understand why, it’s okay with me because I’ve learned to trust Him with my life. There are many examples of believers who were struck by tragedy, and while God chose not to heal them, He did use them mightily for His Kingdom.

            Life this side of heaven was never intended to be perfect. Evil exists in this world because of the one who has control over it; Lucifer, aka, Satan. We can live within a sin sick, evil world because Christ lives and is our protector.

            To conclude, let me ask you one more question. Would you rather be healed of some terminal disease or be forgiven for all your sins? Mind you, it’s one or the other. It cannot be both. A terminal death would just usher me into His presence that much sooner. Do you love the Lord? Are you disillusioned by the fact that not all sicknesses are healed by God? Don’t be. Scripture is very clear; Jer 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.” That’s why I trust the Lord. How about you? 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is It Ever Okay to Lie?

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” ^{(Proverbs 12:22 NLT)}

            The Bible nowhere presents an instance where lying is considered to be the right thing to do. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” as two of the seven abominations to the Lord. Love “rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). There are many examples of liars in Scripture, from Jacob’s deceit in Genesis 27 to the pretense of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Time after time, we see that falsehood leads to misery, loss, and judgment.

There are at least two instances in the Bible where lying produced a favorable result. For example, the lie the Hebrew midwives tell Pharaoh seems to result in the Lord’s blessing on them (Exodus 1:15-21), and it probably saved the lives of many Hebrew babies. Another example is Rahab’s lie to protect the Israelite spies in Joshua 2:5. It is important to note, however, that God never condones these lies. Despite the positive outcome of these lies, the Bible nowhere praises the lies themselves. The Bible nowhere states that there are instances where lying is the right thing to do. At the same time, the Bible does not declare that there is any possible instance in which lying is an acceptable option.

The question then remains: is there ever a time when lying is the right thing to do? The most common illustration of this dilemma comes from the life of Corrie ten Boom in Nazi-occupied Holland. Essentially, the story is this: Corrie ten Boom is hiding Jews in her home to protect them from the Nazis. Nazi soldiers come to her home and ask her if she knows where any Jews are hiding. What is she to do? Should she tell the truth and allow the Nazis to capture the Jews she was trying to protect? Or should she lie and deny that she knows anything about them?

In an instance such as this, where lying may be the only possible way to prevent a horrible evil, perhaps lying would be the best of the available options. Such an instance would be somewhat similar to the lies of the Hebrew midwives and Rahab. In an evil world, and in a desperate situation, it may be the right thing to commit a lesser evil, lying, in order to prevent a much greater evil. However, it must be noted that such instances are extremely rare. And, even in those situations, lying would still be a sin, because it would still be violating the character of the God of truth (Hebrews 6:18). The vast majority of lies are due to people seeking to protect themselves, promote themselves, or harm someone else. That is why the Bible so clearly, strongly, and consistently condemns lying as a sin.  

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

SOURCE: www.gotquestions.org

NOTE: For other Scriptures that speak negatively of lying, see Psalm 119:29, 163; 120:2; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; and Revelation 21:8.

“I Have to See Evidence of God’s Existence.”

 

Behind this seemingly humble and reasonable request there is actually a vast amount of pride. The trouble is that the person making this claim assumes they are in the position of being able to judge the evidence. They assume they have the neutrality, intelligence, and ability to assess whether there is a God or not. They have, in effect, positioned themselves as the judge of The Judge. So the first question we should ask anyone who demands evidence, is why they think they have the capacity to judge any such evidence? You cannot see God without humility. It is only when we kneel at the cross, rather than flying over it at drone height, that we are able to see where love and mercy meet.

Very often, the person who demands evidence has already made a pre-judgement that there can be no such evidence. Some have found that if you answer a particular problem, or provide a particular piece of evidence, the person you are answering immediately turns to something else just to avoid the issue. In order to overcome this prejudice and to avoid wasting a vast amount of time arguing about such vital issues as whether Noah walked to Australia to get kangaroos, simply suggest the following: ask anyone who demands evidence, what evidence is it that they would accept for God? Honest atheists like Richard Dawkins admit that there is almost nothing that would convince them of God. If a giant finger was to write in the sky, “I exist”, they would find some alternative way of explaining it. Anything other than believing in an almighty personal Creator. 

When the Big Bang was proven and it became clear that the universe did indeed have a beginning, as the Bible stated, some atheists were so desperate to avoid the obvious implications that they refused at first to accept it (and afterwards quickly ran off to place their faith in the unproven multiverse theory). Their philosophy is what I call ABG-ism (Anything But God). It is not so much that they believe there is no evidence for God, but they are emotionally driven by their desire that there should be no evidence for God.

                  In the end believing in God is a choice. He created a belief system and the right to either abide by it or not abide by it. He calls it “free will”. There IS no solid, tangible evidence that there either IS a God or ISN’T a God. To potentially complicate the issue even more, just because atheists say there IS no God, doesn’t mean they are right.

            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.solas-cpc.org/what-to-say-when-someone-asks-for-proof-of-gods-existence/

 

Contentment

 

“I have learned to be content in all circumstances.” - Philippians 4:11

            Just the fact that the apostle Paul said he had “learned” to be content, tells me it didn’t come naturally. I can get a little amped up with regards to certain situations that arise in my life. Being content in those situations usually doesn’t cross my mind. I also have had a tendency to overreact to some things as they occur. Being content then is typically the furthest thing from my mind. So, like Paul, I must learn to be content. 

            The Holy Spirit is the teacher who shows us how to be content in all circumstances, but we have to be spiritually tuned in to hear the lesson He is attempting to share with us. That requires quiet, meditative time alone. It doesn’t much matter where we find solitude, what matters is that we do it. I am easily distracted; therefore, I seek out a place with few or no distractions. Then I have to quiet my usually busy mind. I have to rein it in and focus on Christ instead of every other thing around me.

            This may be easy for some, but it is hard for me, and I know I’m not the only person who struggles with quieting their mind. It all hinges the closeness of our walk with the Lord. God desires our company. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” ^{(Phil 2:13 NLT)} Doing what pleases the Lord is one excellent way to become content in all circumstances. How can we know what pleases God if we don’t cultivate our relationship with Him. He’s not hiding. He’s EVERYWHERE!! And He lives IN US in the person of the Holy Spirit. 

            The only way to find personal peace, which is essentially what contentment is, is to work at your relationship with the One who created you. It is a never-ending endeavor which will reap dividends in the end. The reward for seeking contentment this side of heaven is an eternity of peace and contentment with the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Is God a Dictator?

 

            The premise that you either serve God or go to hell, is incorrect. While in a technical sense the above premise is true, there’s a little more to it than that.

“God doesn't arbitrarily make rules and punishes you for breaking them. God gives recommendations on what results in your well-being. You can choose to follow these recommendations or choose not to follow them.

Think of it this way: A doctor recommends you take medication. You can choose to take the medication, which will result in your well-being, or you can choose not to take it, which will result in your not being well. God doesn't force you to do anything. If you don't want to be with him, he doesn't make you. You're free to choose....” ^[1]

                  While I agree in principle with the above quote, I disagree with the word this person uses: “recommendations”.  We are given laws to abide by. While Jesus coming fulfilled the law, ushering in the Age of Grace, the OT law still stood as a guideline to follow. “Many scriptures in the New Testament show that Jesus and the apostles upheld the 10 Commandments, ...  not as ‘ceremonial legalism’ or a way to ‘earn’ salvation, but as essential laws to govern a Christian’s life. Many scriptures show that every one of the 10 Commandments is reinforced in the New Testament.” ^[2]

                  So is God a dictator? “A dictator is someone who has a position of leadership obtained by force. It is someone who rules with absolute authority without always having a person’s best interest in mind. It can be in a cruel or brutal way of leading.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us God’s intent regarding those who choose to follow Him ... “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

God is not a dictator. He is Sovereign, as in having the Highest Power and the King of Kings, but within His great mysterious plan for us, he has given us a choice. He first gave us choice in Genesis 2:15-17, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die*.’” 

This is the first choice that God gave to Adam: to obey or not to obey. From Adam to us today, every day we all have choices, to follow self, which is our natural inclination, or to follow the Word of God. Each have consequences.” ^[3]

God allows His creation a moral/ethical free will in which mankind can think, say & do as they like. They don’t have to acknowledge God in any way; however, as with any decision that is made, consequences shall follow. That isn’t a biblical principle, but rather a universal law. ANY decision made results in some sort of consequence; which is: something that logically or naturally follows from an action taken. Everything God does is designed to benefit those who abide by His statutes. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] An anonymous statement on Reddit (www.reddit.com) in response to that premise that ‘God must be served, or you will go to hell’.

^[2] https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-commandments/10-commandments-new-testament/

* This refers to our spiritual death & not our physical death.

^[3] https://anchorsaway.org/do-christians-have-a-choice-or-is-god-a-dictator/

God as Teacher & Guide

“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isreal: ‘I AM the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.’” – Isaiah 48:17 NLT

            What can we learn from this statement? God is like a Father to us. He wishes to teach and guide us each day. When we listen to Him and obey His words, peace & hope will come to us. It’s God’s wish to bless His children and not hurt us.  If we refuse to listen to the instruction(s) of Almighty God, we invite disruption, and chaos into our lives. It may not be immediate, but it will come because we have decided that we know better than God how to run our own lives. In all honesty, we are incapable of doing ANYTHING of any eternal value without Him.

            What do you think you could learn from someone who knows all that can be known? I’d say a bunch, but you have to pay close attention in order to correctly decipher the information that is being disseminated.

            We all should know that there are any number of tools we can use to find out how to get from one place to another; MapQuest & Google Maps are just two. But those tools will never clue you in regarding where God wishes you to go. Using spiritual discernment will. 

To achieve that level of understanding it helps to remain quiet before the Lord; having your mind focused on Him. The definition of discernment is “to have keen perception & judgment”. ^[1] While it is possible for a person to have discerning abilities, to grasp the deeper meaning of God’s Word we definitely need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual discernment needs spiritual representation; namely God’s involvement.

Always remember 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." If God didn’t love and care for you, then why would He say that His plans for us are “to prosper us and not harm us”. This isn’t a promise to prosper us in a monetary way, but rather to have us prosper in a spiritual way. Money tends to disappear faster than an ice cube in the hot sun, but prospering spiritually will be with you for all eternity. Weigh your options carefully so you make wise choices.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] The Common English Dictionary.

Trusting God

When you don’t understand something, you don’t suddenly stop believing in it, or at least you shouldn’t. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t automatically make it untrue. People are lazy when it comes to researching something. I know because I can at times be a little lazy in that regard as well. Just because something doesn’t seem correct or fair doesn’t mean it’s not so. It would seem to me that we all have underestimated just who God is and what He is able to do. Just because He heals some and not all doesn’t discount His existence, and it doesn’t make Him mean. Like the owner of a company can run it the way He’d like, so God, the creator of the universe and man’s first breath, can do as He so pleases as well and that is simply the way it is. If you think that’s unfair, then you don’t understand the basic concept of ownership.

If I own something, anything really, I can do with it whatever I want. God is essentially the same way though that is admittedly a gross oversimplification. Something we need to understand about God is that He is more powerful than anything in His created world. He also is able to be everywhere at the same time by His spirit. And finally, there is absolutely NOTHING that can be known that He does not know. On top of all that He loves His creation, flaws and all. He will never stop loving any of us. Some folks blow that off as a myth or fairytale. They refuse to exercise their mind and think thru the immense spiritual and as a result, eternal ramifications. It’s as if they don’t want to think about anything regarding God, Jesus, the devil, heaven, hell, sin, eternity ... none of it. It’s as if they can make it all become surreal in their own mind, so they don’t feel bad or wrong casting it aside. 

Face it. Some folks simply do not want to know Jesus. You can’t force it down their throats. And you don’t want to have them agree with you just to make you go away. If they are hell bent on side stepping the whole issue, then we must let them, for Christ seeks willing followers, not those who feel pressured into converting to something they have no desire for. 

In closing, if you are seeking to find the truth, then ask God to reveal both Himself and the truth from His Word to you. Then have your eyes and ears open, for we will never learn anything new if we are doing the talking. Pray in Jesus name for clarity and understanding. God wants you to know the truth more than you do. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries