Quote Contemplations 9

 

“I do not always feel His presence, but God’s promises do not depend upon my feelings, they rest upon His integrity.” – R.C. Sproul *

 

            Have you ever prayed and felt your prayers simply bounced off the ceiling in your room? Are there times when you feel like God is a million miles away instead of right next to you as He promised? The standard follow-up question is, “Who moved?” To clarify, God is ubiquitous, as in everywhere at the same time. He is a Spirit being. While God interacts with the physical world, He Himself is not bound by physical limitations. 

            Almighty God is the epitome of integrity. He is the apex; the pinnacle of all love and righteousness. Believing in the living God is the beginning. Accepting the Bible as God’s inherent word is another initial step. Believing in His Son, Jesus Christ is vital. Accepting your need to have all your transgressions erased is necessary. In the midst of all this transpiring, you must develop a basic trust in God, that is to be combined with your faith in Him. Trusting someone with a HIGH level of integrity, or moral / ethical correctness allows you to realize that though YOU may not feel His presence, He is indeed there with you based on His immutable word, which declares in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." And in Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

            So in conclusion, if you don’t feel God’s presence, remember what He has said in His Word to us all. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU!!  Whether you feel His presence or not, He is there. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Robert Charles Sproul (February 13, 1939 – December 14, 2017) was an American Reformed theologian, Christian apologist, and Presbyterian pastor.

Quote Contemplations 8

 

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” – Francis Chan*

 

            This statement emphasizes the importance of meaningful success over superficial achievement.  It suggests that the real danger isn’t failing to achieve a goal, but instead succeeding in pursuits that lack lasting value, personal fulfillment, or spiritual significance.  It challenges conventional views of success and failure, urging a deeper reflection on purpose and priorities.

The quote is often linked to Chan’s book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, where he challenges individuals and churches to focus on what truly matters—aligning their lives with deeper purpose, values, and divine calling rather than chasing worldly recognition or empty accomplishments.  The book explains that failure is not the worst outcome—it can be a teacher and a step toward growth. 

Meaningless success is far more dangerous: achieving goals that bring status, wealth, or recognition but lack eternal or moral significance. Pursuits that don’t truly matter often lack alignment with your core values and fail to contribute to a deeper sense of purpose.  They tend to be driven by external validation, societal expectations, or short-term pleasure rather than lasting meaning. For example, someone might climb the corporate ladder, earn wealth, and gain praise, yet neglect their family, health, or moral convictions—ultimately feeling empty despite outward success.

Ultimately, meaningful success feels sustainable and deeply personal—it’s not about achieving a socially prescribed standard, but about feeling aligned, fulfilled, and at peace with the life you're building each day. Spiritual principles that guide purposeful living are rooted in meaning, ethical conduct, and connection to something greater than oneself.  These principles help align actions with deeper values, fostering a life of significance over superficial success.

So to summarize, true success is measured not by external achievements, but by alignment with deeper values, such as love, service, integrity, and spiritual purpose.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: www.goodreads.com, www.reddit.com, www.allauthors.com

*Francis Chan (born August 31, 1967) is an American Protestant author, teacher, & preacher.

Quote Contemplations 7

 

“While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn’t surrendered his authority.” – A.W. Tozer

         Do you understand that because God is sovereign, as in One that exercises supreme, permanent authority, He either causes or allows all that transpires in His world? That sovereignty involves both His direct action and / or His permission. David says in his 24^th Psalm, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” The gospel of Matthew tells us this about God: “...not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” There is nothing He isn’t aware of. 

            Now this being the case both good and evil events are included in all that. God actively wills certain things, such as creation and salvation, and permits other things, such as human sin, suffering, and evil, though He isn’t the author or originator of evil. 

            The Lord has given each person a free will to choose that which they think, say, and do, meaning that some can and will make decisions that are harmful to themselves and to others. While these events are within God’s overall control, He doesn’t cause them to take place. The Lord allows evil forces, led by Satan, to operate in the earthly realm, which he has been given dominion over.

            “'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 a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11. First of all, this verse lets us know that God knew you in the past, He knows you now and also where you’re headed and what you’ll be involved in. For the believer, the Lord has filled you with His presence in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can lead and guide you where the Lord knows you will prosper the most. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that the word “prosper” means God will make you rich. You may become wealthy, but that is NOT necessarily in God’s plan for you. His desire is that you prosper SPIRITUALLY.  So you see, while God doesn’t CAUSE suffering, He is able to use it for your ultimate good. I understand that must be hard to see and understand, but you must TRUST Him. If you refuse to trust Him in the tough times, why trust Him at all?

            Here are two examples of evil that appeared to triumph, yet good came out of it. Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Joseph’s brother betrayed him by selling him to slave merchants. The above verse is Joseph speaking to his brothers after the entire ordeal was over. In Acts 2:23, Peter speaks to a crowd and reveals the following – “...God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.”

            While God doesn’t cause evil things to take place, His overall authority over His creation allows events to unfold and brings good from them. That is a viable demonstration of His POWER, WISDOM, and LOVE. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries