Thoughts from a Random Mind

It’s Not Me!

            I’m not a prophet, nor am I a preacher … I am a writer. I use words to convey thoughts to those who would read what I have written. I’m no one special. I am to God and I am to my wife, but I’m nobody of any consequence. Yet God has chosen me to present a message to those who need to hear it. Everything I write isn’t awesome or inspiring or even encouraging, but I believe it’s what I’ve been called to do. So I write … words … one after the other until I feel I am finished saying what I feel led to say.

            Some days I have nothing to say. Some days I feel what I have written is blah. That is usually the day someone emails me to say it was just what they needed to hear at that particular moment. 

            My message is pretty basic … love God, read his word, commit to serve him and do everything in your power to imitate Christ each day. I say this because it’s NOT all about you and it’s not about me. It’s about God IN you and me. It’s about letting him take the wheel. It’s about being Christ to others. It’s about steering the accolades for anything you might do that blesses another directly to God. I’ve said this before in my life and I say it again now: Anything anyone ever sees in me that is good, kind, generous, loving, selfless isn’t me at all. Left to my own devices I would be a wretch of the worst sort. No, it’s not me; it’s my Lord at work in me. Is he working in you? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!   

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean?

Apostasy

                  There is a Christian Rock band whose name is "Seventh Day Slumber"*. Their name is derived from Genesis 2:2, referring to the seventh day when God rested after creating the universe. It symbolizes a period of rest, referencing the biblical Sabbath; however metaphorically, it refers to a call to wake up from spiritual inactivity or lethargy. It suggests breaking free from "spiritual slumber," which is described as a state of being inattentive to one's walk with God, lazy in spiritual development, or lax in discipline.

            That all makes me think of the great apostasy foretold in the New Testament. I will break down the Great Apostasy sometime soon, but suffice it to say, it is when professing believers do an about face and renounce their faith in God. It will be a terrible time around the entire globe as the devil will for a short time have his way. Scholars who believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church feel this shall take place prior to the Great Apostasy. That would mean those professing Christ were never saved to begin with.

            It is imperative that believers remain faithful to the call that God placed upon them when they gave their heart and life over to Christ. Those who dabble in the deconstructing of their faith are playing with hell fire. Their interest in deconstructing God and His Word will result in their adjusting doctrinal and scriptural meaning to suit their own feelings about the issue. Is that the precursor to the Great Apostasy? Perhaps... so GUARD YOUR HEART against  the wiles of the enemy. Do not fall asleep. Be alert to your surroundings and be strong and unflinching in your faith and trust of the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 *Seventh Day Slumber has been making music since 1996, when the band was formed in Dallas, Texas, by frontman Joseph Rojas.  As of today, the band has been active for 30 years. 

What Does It Mean? 

 

Insidious - proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.

 

Insidious is a word that describes a Christian’s enemy. There are a lot of insidious goings on around the globe. It’s the devil weaving his evil into the very fabric of humanity. Christian’s must gird themselves with the armor of God to defend themselves against his hideous plans for man. There are many folks who are unknowing pawns in his evil schemes. They fall victim to his tricks that are nothing more than illusions, yet appear to the untrained eye to be real. This is exactly why a follower of Christ must stay in the Word of God and then utilize the godly artillery that is available to us. Prayer in Jesus’ name is a powerful tool to thwart the enemy. It goes to the root of the problem and shuts it down. 

                  It’s important to understand that God’s timetable is NOT anything like ours. We are ruled by time, but God is the supreme ruler of time itself. That is why 2 Peter 3:8 tells us, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Time is meaningless to God.

            So be mindful of that which is transpiring at home and abroad and pray each day for God’s will to be done. Since He causes or allows everything that takes place throughout the universe, and knows all that can be known, He would absolutely know what needs to take place. It is His plan that is playing out, not man’s and not the devils. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does That Mean? 

 

“GOOD”

 

                  How should the word “good” be defined from a biblical perspective? You may think you’re a good person, but my question to you is “compared to who?” Exactly who would you like to compare yourself to so you can feel like you are a good person? Adolph Hitler? The “unpleasant guy” around the corner from you? The “provocative woman” at work? How would YOU define “being good”? A definition for good must be universally accepted, not accepted just by you. Perhaps this is why in the gospel of Mark 10:18 (NIV), Jesus Himself says the following: “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

            According to the Bible, God defines "good" as morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, of high quality, and beneficial. Goodness is not merely a human standard but is rooted in God's own nature, which is perfectly good and holy. God's goodness is revealed in His creation, where He declared everything He made to be good, culminating in the summary that creation was "very good". This goodness is consistent across Scripture, with God being described as the ultimate standard of all that is good.

God's goodness is demonstrated in His actions, including His law, which is holy, righteous, and good. It is also seen in His self-giving, other-centered love, exemplified in Jesus Christ, who laid down His life as the ultimate expression of goodness. The Bible teaches that God is the source of every good and perfect gift, and His nature is such that He cannot do evil or even desire to do wrong, as it would contradict His inherent goodness.

Furthermore, the concept of good in the biblical sense is tied to moral excellence and right behavior, involving kindness, justice, righteousness, holiness, and purity. Goodness is not just about avoiding evil but actively pursuing what is right and beneficial.  Ultimately, God's definition of good is inseparable from His character—He is the source, standard, and embodiment of all that is truly good. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.christianitytoday.com

 

 

What Does It Mean? – Eternal Rewards

 

God will give rewards in heaven at the bema, or judgment seat of Christ, based on our faithfulness in service to Him... “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” ^{(2 Corinthians 5:10)}. The reward Christ receives is shared with all of us: “If we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” ^{(Romans 8:17)}

Our rewards in heaven depend on the goodness and power of God. Through Christ’s resurrection we gain an inheritance in heaven; on earth our faith is tested and results in praise and glory and honor when Christ is revealed... “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead....” ^{(1 Peter 1:3–9)}  The things we do in this life are only permanent (that is, carried with us into heaven) if they are built on the foundation, which is Christ... “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” ^{(1 Corinthians 3:11–15)}

The rewards we gain in heaven are not like the rewards we earn here on earth. We tend to think in material terms; mansions, jewels, money, etc. But we aren’t to do things in the name of the Lord for the sole purpose of gaining rewards. We must learn to be selfless in this regard. We represent Christ out of gratitude solely because of what He has done for us. Any rewards or honor we gain in heaven should be precious to us because they carry the weight and meaning of our relationship with God, and because they remind us of what He did through us on earth.

In this way, rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, and peace, as we consider God’s work in and through us. The closer we were to God during this life, the more centered on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate. Rewards in heaven are the completion of our earthly story, and those rewards will be eternally satisfying... “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” ^{(Psalm 16:11)} 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

 

What Does It Mean? – 

Consistency: Being constant - Unchanging in nature, value, or extent; persistent

The Bible clearly expresses the immutability of God—His unchanging, consistent nature—in numerous passages. James communicates it like this: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” ^{(James 1:17, NKJV)}.

Immutability is the state of being unchangeable. God is many things; He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere at the same time. He is also immutable. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Since Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God, then each person of the Holy Trinity has all the same attributes as God the Father. Each person is unchanging of the Trinity does not ever change.

Consistency in everything you think, say & do is critical to having an effective Christian walk. In contrast, living in the wake of constant ups & downs, highs & lows will keep you off balance in life. The example Christ presented to us is highly consistent. What you see is what you get, in a manner of speaking. No smoke & mirrors, just true honesty & transparency. If you follow Christ’s example for living what you get is a consistent life which is highly effective as you display, along with your humanness, a straightforward, honest portrayal of Christian living as God intends it to be. 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

What Does it Mean? 

Abiding in Christ

“Abiding in Christ” means you are living a close, intimate, sustainable relationship with Jesus Christ. The evidence of it is thru your faith in God, obedience to His Word, and continuous trust in Him for life and strength. This should not be a “here today, gone tomorrow” type of relationship. It should become a way of life for the believer.

“Abiding in Christ” is synonymous with being saved and being "in Christ".  It entails keeping Christ’s commandments; which is a way that we abide in His love. It also means allowing God's Word to shape your mind, will, thoughts and actions. It is recognizing daily that Jesus is your source of life and strength, rather than a part of the whole. 

Christ and the believer abide in each other, which is a sign of a close, intimate relationship. As a branch on a vine would bear fruit, believers who ‘abide’ in Christ will also bear fruit in their lives.  Knowing Christ in a personal way is shown by the trust and belief that should be on full display daily.

When you “abide in Christ” you will gladly spend time in prayer, communicating with God. Notice I said, “with God”. Communicating “to God” is what a lot of us do, but God more than likely has something to say to you as well. That’s why listening with a discerning ear is so important. 

When you “abide in Christ” you pray regularly and ponder over His word. What does a passage mean to you? How does it speak to you? Just reading it to say you read it is a supreme waste of time, for typically you’ll get NOTHING out of it.

Self-Reflection is a practice that Christians should practice regularly, for the enemy is relentless in his efforts to cause your faith to stagnate. Assess your walk with the Lord with the purpose of adjusting and thus, strengthening it from the inside out. That is a formula for success in your relationship 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

Quote Contemplations 

 

“Don’t shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see him.” – C.S. Lewis

This quote emphasizes humility and becoming a reflection of our Lord rather than our own personal recognition.  It means that Christians should not live in a way that draws attention to themselves or seeks admiration. Instead, their lives should be so filled with Christ’s love, peace, and goodness—like a lamp shining in darkness—that others are naturally drawn to see and recognize Jesus through their actions and character. 

The core idea is that our light is not our own; it is the reflected light of Christ. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the sun’s light, believers shine by reflecting God’s glory. The goal is not self-promotion, but pointing others toward God. As Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The quote aligns itself with the biblical call urging spiritual authenticity thru selfless humility. It’s tied into a person’s integrity. A believer must be above reproach, morally and ethically consistent, and fully transparent. In spite of your beliefs, if you damage someone’s trust in you, you have single handedly shot a massive hole in your testimony. The problem is that the unsaved seem to think Christians are or at least should be perfect. Nothing could be further from the truth. Believers in Christ are no different than the unsaved with the exception that they are forgiven by Almighty God and in right standing with Him, while the unsaved are not. 

So if you’re a follower of Christ, guard your witness and make sure to shine your light heavenward, rather than on yourself, because frankly speaking, we are nothing without the Lord. I mean that in the broadest spiritual sense. Obviously we ARE something, but when you are not a child of God you are a spiritual orphan with no direction. The greatest navigation system cannot take you where God wishes you to go.  Without Him you don’t have the slightest clue.  Follow the light that IS God and reveal Him to the unredeemed masses. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.ibelieve.com/christianliving

 

Quote Contemplations 

 

“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” – Anne Frank *

 

            It is amazing to me that this child, a teenager (she was only 16 when she was killed in the concentration camp), learned something very important. You cannot change history, but you can keep from doing the same mistake all over again.

Whatever happens even 1 minute ago is relegated to history. It is past and cannot be retrieved. Whatever you’ve said or done is over, never to be reversed. An evil act cannot be atoned for and saying you’re sorry is a poor substitute for not doing it at all, for what’s done is done. 

            There’s a common saying from the past that says: “There’s no sense crying over spilt milk.” An addendum to that statement should be, “Just be careful to not let it happen again.” That is essentially the sentiment Miss Frank was conveying. 

            We serve a merciful God; “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” ^{(Jonah 4:2)}

Psalm 85:15 echoes that sentiment: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

            Mistakes... errors in judgment, they happen all the time. Forgiveness sought from a sincerely contrite heart is readily available. So if you happen to do something that ends up being a mistake, seek forgiveness, and with God’s help don’t allow yourself to do it again.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Annelies Marie Frank (1929 –1945) was a German-born Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim.

Quote Contemplations 

 

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius *   

            What is happiness? Happiness has many philosophical aspects to it, but generally speaking it is feeling content with your overall life. It is also experiencing more positive emotions than negative ones. And it can stem from your minimizing chronic stress, anxiety, or sadness. Can we do this on our own. My answer to that is that while it may be possible to achieve a certain level of happiness on our own, it appears to be temporal in nature. Belief in Almighty God can help you in achieving a more permanent state of happiness based on who God is, who you are in Him, and what Christ achieved on our behalf. That should not only flood you with happiness, but gratitude as well.

            I dare say you would be far more likely to achieve happiness and remain happy if you devote your thoughts to that which is positive and uplifting. This can be achieved thru reading the Word of God, fellowshipping with like-minded believers, and hearing the Word preached. That’s a great starting point. Cultivating a personal relationship with our Lord can become difficult, but that’s on us, because God is in the business of providing, and sustaining us. We are the ones that are making it difficult by straining at the leash like an unruly dog. We want things to go the way we think they should. That’s simply spiritual immaturity. It takes time, patience and determination to reach the level of faith and trust God is attempting to lead you to. 

            In the end, all your thoughts are the result of what you feed into your mind. Godly input results in Godly output. Negativism breeds doubt, fear, and a general uneasiness, all things that bring about an unhappy disposition. So focus on feeding your mind that which is pleasing to the Lord and you will become content and the resulting happiness will be rooted in the Words of Life. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 A.D. – 180 A.D.) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher.

Note: Stoicism - It is a practical philosophy centered on cultivating virtue as the only true good and the path to a flourishing, meaningful life marked by inner peace and resilience. 

Quote Contemplations 

 

“Care about what other people think & you will always be their prisoner.” – Legendary Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu

 

            I face a conundrum quite often. I both want to be liked by my peers, yet also don’t care what people think of me. Huh? You may ask... Yeah, I know. It doesn’t make much sense to me either. I’m certainly not one to be concerned about my legacy either as a person or as a Christian. I truly do feel that to know Jesus is far more important than to know me. I know my place in God’s universe. I try hard not to think too highly of myself and conversely, try not to beat myself up over mistakes. I want to please the Lord more than anything in my life, yet find my mind wandering away from Him from time to time. Not a lack of faith or trust in the Lord, just easily distracted by life. (I have horrifying concentration unless I’m writing. Then I seem to be able to focus on what I’m doing without too much trouble... must be a God thing.) 

            The quote above speaks truth to my soul. When you are striving to be the best version of yourself with the Holy Spirits help, then does it really matter what others think of you. Perhaps that is why I allow compliments to roll off me like rain drops on a water resistant coat. Oddly enough, I go out of my way to compliment others as a means of encouraging and supporting them. I suppose I don’t really know a whole lot of folks who take compliments well. Be it embarrassment or disinterest in being praised, most people I know tend to fluff it off.

            Don’t be a prisoner to the likes and dislikes of other people. Care what they think to a certain extent, but not to the point that is causes you consternation. Learn what you can from what others think, and discard that which is not helpful. Everyone has opinions. One is no more valid or important than another. So keep your focus on the One who always thinks highly of you and loves you without reservation or regret.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 13

 

 “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde *

 

            This could easily go hand in hand with a sweatshirt I have that says: “You Be You, the World Will Adjust”. We probably wouldn’t be very good trying to be someone else. We are who God made us to be. Though born with a sin nature, or having the propensity to do the wrong thing instead of the right, we are in need of a makeover from the word ‘go’. Until we receive Christ, we are fighting a losing battle character wise. Many questions come into play. Who are our initial influences? Are our parents followers of Christ or are they secular in their beliefs and lifestyle. I don’t say that as if the unsaved are hopelessly corrupt and on a fast track to hell. I just know that those NOT living in a bible believing home are at a distinct disadvantage regarding spiritual things. What they do with the right type of upbringing is up to them, but at least the foundation is being established.

            As we become teenagers and young adults, we begin to emulate those things that we think will make us popular, and well-liked by our peers. Being yourself is the furthest thing from our mind. We feel we NEED to be accepted and at times go to great lengths to achieve that acceptance. At times we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of just to fit in. Just be yourself, not someone you think will be popular. Those who truly appreciate you for who you are will show up. God will see to it. 

            I often refer to myself as someone who is “an acquired taste”. I’m admittedly not for everyone. I can be a little “out there”. I just don’t think like other folks. Since I’ve (cough cough) matured in Christ, I’ve ratcheted that back a bit. It’s fun to be me. There’s no one else just like me. God created snowflakes so that no two are exactly alike. He did the same thing with man. No two of us are alike. Even identical twins are not alike in every nuance of their being. Could be a freckle, or birth mark, something minor that most would never notice. We are all unique, made by God’s own hand. You are one of a kind. Revel in it. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Oscar Wilde (1854 –1900) was an Irish author, poet and playwright known for his great wit. 

Quote Contemplations

 

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion- it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon

            Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) was a British preacher, author, pastor and evangelist. He was well known and highly respected as a preacher of God’s Word.  Above is a very poignant declaration. Salvation isn’t a one and done experience. Yes, we’ve become Born Again of the Spirit of God. Yes, all our transgressions have been wiped clean, like an eraser wipes a chalk board filled with writing clean. Yes, we are eternally forgiven for past iniquities, but it does not end there. If truly “saved” our desires should begin to change. We start to desire to read God’s Word. We begin to learn how to pray. We find a church to attend to receive our spiritual food (sermons) and fellowship with like minded believers. However, we are then commissioned to become like Christ in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Now there are cultural and regional differences from bible times that cannot be replicated very easily, but I am talking about mostly replicating His behavior.  At that point it would be completely appropriate to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” or “How would Jesus act or react? or “How would He respond to a difficult question?” We can find those type of answers in God’s Word. 

            How do we know we are expected to imitate our Lord? The bible tells us... 1 John 2:6

^{(Amplified Bible)} “...whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.” And Galatians 2:20^{(Amplified Bible)} “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” 

            Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ. It means we have become His ambassador wherever we go. Are you representative of His great love, compassion, mercy, and grace? We may fail at this daily; I know I do. But that is no reason not to try and no reason to stop trying daily. Christianity is serious business. Once born again, we hold the key to forgiveness and eternal life for everyone in our sphere of influence. What are we doing about that? We plant the seeds of the gospel and rely on the Lord and His Holy Spirit to do the watering. If we are standing still in our spiritual progression we are going to stagnate spiritually. We mustn’t allow ourselves to regress. Push forward to the glory of God and His Kingdom. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

 

No one has to be a Christian just like me or anybody else. You are unique… you be you.

I have encountered believers who believed a certain way; for example, that you aren’t born again until you’ve been water baptized by emersion. I didn’t agree with the person and our relationship became very cold going forward, from his end, not mine.

            There are certain doctrines that we should all agree on; such as the divinity of Jesus Christ, the fact that you must be born again of the spirit, plus all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, to name just a few (there are more for sure).

            The peripheral topics, like speaking in tongues, healings, miracles, to name a few, are not what I refer to as “heaven or hell” issues. Whether you believe these things or not will have no impact on where your eternal destination will be. But some folks don’t even agree with that idea. Some are very judgmental regarding biblical doctrines that has no eternal value. I believe that may have something to do with why people despise Christians so much. Like most people with different beliefs, they are often times grossly misunderstood. That is exactly what the enemy desires, for people of this world to be at each other’s throats.

            The fact of the matter is that as followers of Christ we are never to compare ourselves to ANYONE else this side of heaven... ever. The one we must compare ourselves to is Almighty God. HE has set the standard that we are to live by. HE is the One who can forgive sins. HE is the One who can punch our ticket to glory land. No one else has that ability and they certainly don’t have the authority. The Lord offers peace and contentment in exchange for obedience.  My question is this:  Would you rather do your own thing, beholden to no one, or would you rather follow His perfect plan and gain eternity with Him? Christ didn’t die a gruesome death on a cross for no reason. It was God’s plan from the beginning of time to save that which was lost, and Jesus Christ was the appointed cornerstone that would bring that about. 

            There is no disgrace admitting that you can’t make it on your own. God loves you and His desire is for you to enjoy the blessings that come from knowing Him. Eternity is the byproduct of knowing Him intimately and living a life that is pleasing to Him. There is no future for those who attempt to go it alone. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries  

Thoughts from a Random Mind

Focus – To concentrate all your attention or energy on something; to concentrate. It can be said you are “drawing a bead on” something or “zeroing in on” something. It is the “center” of your attention. 

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

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

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

Focusing on your surroundings incites worry & doubt, even anxiety at times. Yet our help is in us all along. As a believer & follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit of God has moved in and is always ready to lead and guide us, especially when we need help the most. Asking for help is only a prayer away. You are never bothering God... ever. He loves you and is more than willing to teach and guide you. All you have to do is be open to His call, and respond in the affirmative.  What is your focus locked in on today?

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

 

The real question is how can God loves us in spite of the ugly, ungodly things we think, say & do. Grace is a mysterious thing. It makes no logical sense, but frankly, there’s nothing logical about the Gospel & Christ’s sacrifice. Let’s not kid ourselves. We know, albeit deep inside, that we are undeserving of anything even close to God’s grace, but that’s the only plan He has for the salvation of man. A pardon for millions, yet a reckoning or settling of accounts for those who reject God & His Son. It should be an easy choice to surrender to Christ, but the forces of darkness are hard a work to make it seem like a fantasy… pie in the sky. The proverbial “surely God didn’t say...” moment that can change your path from narrow to as wide as you’d like it to be. Taking the wide, easy path may be pleasing now, but is it worth the pain & suffering that will await you once you die?

Okay, so you bank on the fact that God’s existence is bogus & there is no heaven or hell, and we simply die and rot in the ground. You’re in a bad place and probably don’t even know it. Going thru this life without God is like driving down a winding mountain road at night with your headlights off. You can’t see where you are going. It’s a deadly game you are playing with your eternal soul. 

If you don’t believe God exists, do yourself a favor and ask this God that doesn’t exist to reveal Himself to you in a real, and powerful way. Have an open mind. Be ready for anything. God knows your heart and already knows whether you will be receptive or not. Don’t gamble away your soul for autonomy. We cannot save ourselves. God is our only hope.

Reach out and expect the unexpected. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Thoughts From a Random Mind

 

            Is the way a Christian behaves important regarding how an unbelieving world sees Christ? Yes. The unbeliever sees Christians with a jaundiced eye to begin with, so when they see what to them seems hypocritical, they are massively turned off. We are supposed to be a reflection of Christ, not a reflection of the world we live in. 

Now we’re not perfect... never will be, so if they have a mind to look at us with distain then nothing we could ever say or do will change their mind. Still, we are to try, with the help of the Holy Spirit within us to behave as God has intended us to regardless of how we’re received.

            The Bible mentions hypocrisy many times. A prime example in scripture is the Pharisees. Jesus says in Matthew 23:4 of the Pharisees, "They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger". 

            Because of our behavior, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24) As Christians, we often think of ourselves as “a guide to the blind” or “a light to those who are in darkness” and if we share with them the gospel then we are. But if we give them nothing but our own prideful opinions, while disobeying scripture, is it any wonder unbelievers make fun of us, and make fun of Jesus Christ?

Believers don’t get into heaven by the things we do; in other words, we don’t get into God’s good favor thru our good conduct. If our conduct reveals whether or not we truly believe what we say, what we say may come across as nothing more than lip service. The only way for any of us to be saved is by God’s gift of redemption to us thru Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we don’t speak or act any different than the world, then why would unbelievers believe in our God? Why should they follow and obey Him?

How many of us live according to the principle: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:13–14). As Paul said to the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5). Do you practice righteousness, or do we practice sinning? (1 John 2:29, 3:4–8). Christian conduct is vitally important regarding how the unbelieving world sees Christ. That should be of paramount importance to us all, because it tells us something very important about ourselves.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.compellingtruth.org

Thoughts from a Random Mind

            Christ is the hand that pulls you back into the boat before you drown. He is the great “I AM THAT I AM”. He is the rescuer of life, soul & spirit that has lost its way. He is the One who has kept you from calamitous events.

He is the rescuer of mankind, yet mankind is oblivious to His presence. Their spiritual eyesight has been blinded by this world, yet God’s glory is the light that shatters all darkness. Still they announce their own prowess to all who would listen. Mankind is doomed to relive mistakes, never learning lessons from them.

            God rescues us all who have a mind to submit to his loving grace. Forgiveness – I love the sound of that word. It’s like having millions of dollars in financial debt expunged. Clean slate. In essence, a ‘do over’. How much should we all appreciate that? That is love, front and center. That is a rescue. You were due for execution, but you received a last minute reprieve. How grateful are you? Living for God; being His ambassador to the world? That is one of the things that He expects from us who have partaken of the ‘new wine’ of Christ’s teachings and incorporated them into your daily life.

           There is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is thru Christ’s blood. The blood He willingly shed for you and me. Think about that. Blood shed for you. FOR YOU!!! He had no regrets, no hesitation... it was personal. He knew what HAD to be done. It was for you. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

                  Did you realize that as the creation of God we have NO legitimate right to judge anyone else? The key to this thought is that only God is able to judge a person’s heart. In our heart lies our motivation for that which we do or don’t do. It is prideful and presumptuous to assume we would have the right to judge anything or anyone, for if it’s a person, we have no idea what the individual is dealing with in their life. In other words, we don’t know any person’s “back story”.  We’re all sinners against God, but some are former sinners who have been redeemed and now walk a straighter path. That doesn’t make Christians better than anyone else, not at all. We still trip up and sin; however, we now have an advocate that is with us always. Jesus represents us to the Father. Plus we don’t or at least shouldn’t make a habit of sinning any longer. We’re imperfect in every sense of the word and need help to get by in this life. For those who feel they can go it alone without any assistance, they are making it much harder on themselves then it needs to be. Submission is the key.

                  Some folks have this attitude “No one is ever going to ‘get over’ on me.” That is short-sighted thinking. For the men it might be considered ‘macho’ thinking. ‘I can handle my own business’, type of thinking, but why? It may have something to do with their upbringing, and/or their circle of influence. Think for yourself. Compare yourself to God and no one else. 

Judging others is allowing the enemy to manipulate your mind, making you think you’re better than others around you, but we are all the same inside. We all have a body, soul, & spirit. Can we get ourselves to heaven? No. Do we even have a desire to go to heaven, or are you of the mindset that we are born, we live, we die, and we rot in the ground... end of story. What if that weren’t true?

What if there IS a God? What if there were a devil? What if there is a heaven and hell? What then? How do you think your life will turn out if you keep the status quo, without trying to process this as either reality or fiction? Don’t pass up the offer of a lifetime. Seek forgiveness from Almighty God and watch what happens. Oh it may not be instantaneous, but just submitting to the will of God for your life will change your trajectory in life. You’ll be on the upward path, rather than scrambling on a hamsters wheel for all of your days. Think about it.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations

 

“Sometimes God’s refusals are His mercies.” – Elisabeth Elliot *

 

How many of you have prayed for someone, only to see your prayers go unanswered? How many have prayed and end up giving up because of how long it’s taking for an answer to come. Trust me when I tell you that God hears our prayers and will respond, but He will do so in His timing and within the parameters of His will for you. We mustn’t become deflated or discouraged. We need to believe that God WILL answer when the time is right, and only HE can know that.

            Prayer is the most precious way of communicating with our Heavenly Father; yet, when we pray or speak to Him there are times when He seems not to answer. We must understand and accept that God does indeed answer every prayer with either a “yes,” a “no,” or a “not yet.” In every case, though, Scripture suggests that our prayers ARE being dealt with and our patience is required.

It should be understood that sometimes, but not always, prayer is unanswered because of unconfessed sin. You know what it is, yet try to hide it from the divine entity who sees and knows all things. No one is able to mock or deceive God for He is omniscient, in that He knows all that CAN BE KNOWN (Psalm 139:1-4). If we harbor enmity in our hearts toward a brother or sister in Christ then we are asking for things with the wrong motives (such as from selfish desires), and our prayers can be negatively impacted (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 66:18; James 4:3). Sin hinders our ability to be in fellowship with God, and it hinders our prayers. Unbelief (Proverbs 15:8) and hypocrisy (Mark 12:40) also negatively impact our prayers.

Another reason why prayers seems to go unanswered is that the Lord is attempting to draw out of our faith a deeper reliance and trust in Him. That should bring out of us a deeper sense of gratitude, love and humility. In turn, this causes us to benefit spiritually, for He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34). 

God may seem silent to us, but even if prayer has not been answered, we must rely upon God to do so when He knows the time is best. Even the exercise of prayer is a blessing to us. Our faith stirs us to persist in prayer. It’s our faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), for He hears our cries in earnest for help. Our persistence is the key.  Let us hunger for the things that are after God’s heart and let us walk in His ways and not our own. If we are faithful to pray without ceasing, then we are living in the will of God, and that can never be wrong (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Elisabeth Elliot (December 21, 1926 – June 15, 2015) was an American Christian missionary, author, and speaker.

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

Quote Contemplations

 

“God uses valleys to mold our character.” – Lee Stroble *

            Trials promote growth. How could our faith and trust in God ever be cultivated if we never experience troubles. God allows troubles to come our way because they are character builders. They test our faith. They raise doubts in our mind about the nature of God and why certain things happen to us. God never minds being doubted or questioned, because such situations enable us to dig deeper into the mind of God thru His Word.

            It’s the people who feel that once they become “saved” life’s problems vanish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once saved you are under God’s umbrella of grace, but with that comes a target that is not only affixed to your back, but your front as well. You have now become an enemy of the devil, who had been your master, unbeknownst to you. 

            It is the enemy of your soul who will now continuously take pot shots at you as you struggle to cling onto your faith and trust in the Lord. THAT is the reason why we are to invest our time spending it in God’s Word and in prayer, so we build an arsenal of weapons to ward off God’s greatest nemesis as he attacks our faith. 

            If you are serious about your faith in God, strive to grow your relationship with Him a little more each and every day.  No one’s going to do it for you. It’s up to you to take on the challenge of seeking your own spiritual maturation. God wants you to succeed in this battle. Do you? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Lee Strobel (born January 25, 1952) is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist.