Thoughts From a Random Mind

            I think we all know the attraction of temptation. It is either something that we’ve done in the past that we enjoyed or something we hadn’t done before that looks inviting. Perhaps it’s something we’ve never done that we’re feeling the pull to do. Whenever this takes place within our heart and mind we must learn to play out the eventual scenario to its end. In reality, the pay off is far more damaging than any benefit that comes with it. The benefit is always temporal, while the damage is perpetual. It is critical that we avoid sin by emulating Christ in our daily life. Our focus must be on the things of the Lord and not what we feel our own needs may seem to be. Trust me when I tell you that no matter how wonderful that thing looks in the beginning it ends up being a very dark and lonely road in the end. rlkeller

Taking a Look at 1 John

“I am writing to you who are God’s children

    because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.I am writing to you who are mature in the faith    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.I am writing to you who are young in the faith    because you have won your battle with the evil one.
I have written to you who are God’s children    because you know the Father.I have written to you who are mature in the faith    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.I have written to you who are young in the faith    because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,    and you have won your battle with the evil one.

1 John 2:12-14 New Living Translation

            In the above verses John uses repetition to make his point. The 1^st3 statements are in the present tense … “I am writing to you… “.  The following 3 statements are in the past tense … “I have written to you…”. He is making essentially the same point in each line. The 1^st sentence declares that his readers are children of God because their sins HAVE BEEN _{(past tense)} forgiven thru Jesus. The 4^th sentence says they are God’s children because they know the Father. So John here lists 2 solid reasons why his readers are children of the Almighty. Their sins are forgiven and they know him. This type of knowing is much deeper than the peripheral relationship many have with God. It is a personal, profound, intimate knowing, that alters your appreciation for what Christ has done. The 2^nd and 5^th sentences proclaim the same sentiment … that his readers are mature in their faith because they know Christ. The 3^rdstatement speaks to those who are young in the faith, for they have won their battle against the devil and his demons. The 6^th statement is expressed in 2 sentences, the 1^st repeating the 3^rd and the final sentence showing the reason why they are strong. It’s not just their faith, but also the fact that the word of God lives in their hearts. Satan cannot defeat a believer that is well versed in Scripture. 

            This letter applies to us believers of scripture today. We must allow ourselves to mature in Christ as we stand strong against the temptations of the world and the wiles of the enemy. Feed your spirit man daily to strengthen your walk. Let folks around you notice a difference based on your words and your actions. Be a reflection of the light that is God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

rlkeller

Resourse: The Life Application Study Bible

Thoughts From a Random Mind

          Why do babies suffer and die? Why do good people suffer and die? It is a nearly impossible question to answer, because God doesn’t explain his actions. People walk away from God because they cannot wrap their mind around the ‘why’ of it. At the risk of being trite I hold my tongue. I can regurgitate the typical reasons that are vomited out to a hurting public, but I refrain because I truly don’t know. I don’t have all the answers and God isn’t interested at this time in providing them. It seems to fall under the category of either, “I will talk, says the Lord, and you will listen” or “I will ask the questions and you will answer.”  God was like that with Job. There are times in scripture when apparently the one asking the questions either has no right to ask or can ask but will not receive an answer. None of this has anything to do with having faith. Believing doesn’t necessarily require understanding; neither does it need facts to substantiate our faith. Call it blind faith if you want, but it is what it is. We cannot change events in time, nor can we solve all the world’s problems. All we can do is trust God at his word. Sometimes that is much easier than it seems. rlkeller

Taking a Look at 1 John

“If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”-1 John 2:9-11 New Living Translation

            Hate is such an ugly word. One definition is, “To feel strong dislike for or hostility toward”. That, in and of itself, is so contrary to God’s way. God hates sin, but doesn’t hate the sinner. We, however, take it upon ourselves to hate a variety of people. Those we encounter daily, those we don’t even know, those in the family of God, those in our earthly family and those who our outside the faith. We hate because of what someone says or does. We hate because they don’t agree with us. We hate just because we feel we can. This is wrong behavior for anyone, but it is especially wrong for those who consider themselves ambassadors of Christ. 

            Jesus displayed anger towards the moneychangers in the temple courtyard and towards the religious leaders of his time, but he never displayed anger towards the unsaved or his disciples. They either didn’t yet know the truth or were still learning what it meant to be a follower of Christ. The Pharisees and Sadducees were learned men who should have known better. They aimed their anger and hatred at God in the flesh, although they didn’t recognize him.

            And what about us today? We hate too. The chorus goes, “They shall know we are Christians by our love”… for one another; not They shall know we are Christians by the way we judge others. Loving others is how we will win individuals to Christ. Love translates into any language. Passivity isn’t weakness, but rather strength thru self-control. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  rlkeller

Resources: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language; www.biblegateway.comand The Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1 John

“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.  Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.”– 1 John 2:7-8 NLT

            Loving others is not a new concept, it shows up in the Book of Leviticus 19:18 _(NLT). It says: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” When Jesus came on the scene the commandment was not negated, but renewed. It was expanded upon. How was this done you may ask? Jesus came and fulfilled the Mosaic Law by living it out in front of the Israeli people. It was no longer simply a commandment, but it now had taken on life. 

            Some folks, of whom I am one, are visual learners. We learn lessons much more completely when we see them presented to us in visual form. So when Jesus lived out the Ten Commandments in front of his disciples and the rest of the Hebrew people, the lessons were bound to stick in the memories of the listeners. 

            Love isn’t only shown thru respect, but also thru self-sacrifice and servant hood. If we truly wish to imitate Christ, we must go beyond our friends to our enemies and those who persecute us. This is found in Matthew 5:43-48: “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible, NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1 John

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”-                1 John 2:3-6 _NLT

         There are those who take the verse "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household", _{(Acts 16:31 NLT)} quite literally. This leads to people say: “Well, I believe in Jesus, so I must be going to heaven.”  Paul’s letter to the Roman brethren carries it a step further by saying: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” _{(Romans 10:9 NLT)}  Salvation isn’t just about going to heaven; it’s about having an inner transformation based on living as Christ prescribed in scripture. We prove we are his by being faithful to God’s covenant with man, which involves obeying his commands, especially the most important command to love one another. Obedience is part of knowing God.

            If you obey the Lord you are showing both him and the world you live in that you love him. If you do not obey his word, yet say you are his you are nothing more than a liar … the truth is not in you.  Those who are confident that they live in God should live as Jesus did. When confronted with decisions that need to be made we must step back and ask ourselves the question, how would Jesus handle this? That would he say, what action would he take? That is being a believer in Christ; look at each situation life lies at your feet and based on your knowledge of the Bible, deciding with the assistance of the Holy Spirit what the correct course of action is. To quote an old children’s chorus, “They will know we are Christians by our love” … and our obedience to God’s word. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources: www.biblegateway.com; The Life Application Study Bible.

Thoughts From a Random Mind

            Over the last few years I have encountered more and more people with the apparent mindset that it is easier to get forgiveness then to get permission. They do whatever, knowing it is not morally or ethically acceptable and when they are found out they simply say they are ‘sorry’. Those who do such things out of total ignorance will tend to not only say they are ‘sorry’ and that ‘it won’t happen again’. Those trying to get away with doing what they want will not state such intentions. It’s a curious thing. The discerning mind picks up on this fairly quickly. I can’t believe it would be pleasing to the Lord because in matters of the heart and its motivation their intention is hazy at best. With Christ as our example, I cannot imagine any scenario where Jesus would act in such a way. You can be sure Jesus Christ would have never used diversionary tactics to get what he wanted. Ethics and morals are two columns of integrity that must be honored and exercised to establish a general trustworthiness among the brethren and those outside the faith. Once you are not trusted you have lost ground to the enemy that will be very difficult to regain. Keep your motives pure and your actions unmistakable so your faith is never questioned. While some will scrutinize, looking for any reason to discredit you, at least you have not given them a reason gift wrapped and on a silver platter.Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Taking a Look at 1 John

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”- 1 John 2:1-2 New Living Translation

            John begins chapter 2 by addressing his readers as dear children. That greeting is not meant to be as one looking down on another, but rather as a father would address his children. Remember, John is very old at this time and many of his readers were more than likely brought to faith in Christ by John. Everything he has said up to this point was meant to keep the brethren from sinning, but if they do sin, there is someone who will stand up for them. That person is Jesus Christ. So whenever we sin and yes, believers will sin although it shouldn’t be a reflection of their new lifestyle, Christ acts as a defense attorney on our behalf. 

            We must understand that those outside the faith always have a chance to be redeemed because no one is beyond forgiveness as long as the final trump hasn’t blown. Also, those in God’s family may always come once again to our Heavenly Father no matter what we may have done because while none of us are beyond sinning, we too are never beyond God’s forgiveness either. It is obviously much better that we do not sin, but due to our human condition and the fact that sanctification is progressive; we will slip up and sin from time to time. The sooner we confess to the Lord the sooner forgiveness shall be ours.

            Christ’s death was the only payment necessary to restore fellowship with Almighty God. That payment is available to everyone in creation, but not all partake of it and not everyone will, no matter how much time they are given. So know this and always remember that God made a way for you to live with him forever. It’s just a matter of turning from sin, asking for and receiving forgiveness and committing your life to the Lord.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1 John

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” -          1 John 1:8-10 New Living Translation

            All of mankind has sinned at one time or another. Without a guideline to follow it is a foregone conclusion that we will sin. To say we have no sin is both arrogant and ignorant. The apostle Paul says in his letter to the Romans believers “… all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, … “_{(Romans 3:23 Amplified Bible)}. So if anyone honestly believes they are free from sin they are only fooling themselves.

            John makes sure his readers understand that confession is key to the removal of sin from our lives. It’s the same as with the alcoholic, drug user or chronic gambler, you must first admit you have a problem. Sin is a big, life altering, eternal problem. To not recognize that you have a sin problem is to not know the difference between right and wrong or good and evil. We don’t get to set up those rules. God does, because only God can set up rules that apply to all and are equally fair and just.  Confessing the existence of sin in our lives opens the door to a spiritual cleansing of magnificent proportions.

            Those who insist they are not riddled with sin are calling God a liar, impugning his character and his very nature. It proves that the word of God has no place in their life. Some day we will all stand before God. There will be no debates. No pleading. No negotiations. The creation has nothing to offer the Creator by silence. Once face to face with the Almighty, we will know without one word being said that we are totally unworthy to be in his presence; that we are indeed sinful and in need of a cleansing. May we all realize this before the White Throne Judgment when it will be too late. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1stJohn

“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” – 
1 John 1:5-7 New Living Translation

                  Light stands for all that is good, pure, true and holy.  Darkness stands for all that is sinful and evil. John’s gospel teaches us in John 3:19 _{(New Living Translation)}, that“God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” God is perfect and holy and sin cannot exist in his presence. Think of a pitch-black room. What happens when you turn on a light? The darkness ceases to exist, because light pierces the darkness.

            We simply cannot tell the world we know and love God and continue to live in sin. That is a major contradiction. It makes us the hypocrites unbelievers say we are. It destroys our testimony. Christ didn’t cleanse us of our sins for us to continue on as if nothing had happened. That is called trampling on God’s grace. Verse 6 is John’s challenge to the false teaching that you can have fellowship with God and still go on living a sinful lifestyle. We see that today in many walks of life, where many don’t believe God would hold their choice of lifestyle against them because the Bible says, “God is love” _{(1 John 4:8).} You cannot pick and choose which verses of the Bible you will believe and cast the rest aside because they don’t line up with your way of thinking.

            Those that wish to follow the Lord must place what they have believed up against scripture. They need to find a spiritual mentor … a pastor, or strong believer, to help steer them in the right direction so that they will walk in the light with God. Speaking of light, Psalm 119:105 reveals to us that “(God’s) word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path”… another reference to light in the form of a lamp. Never underestimate the cost Christ paid to cleanse you of all your sins.  Until next time, walk with the King and  be a blessing! rlkeller

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1stJohn

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.” – 1 John 1:1 NLT

            The apostle John was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. The first few verses establish the fact that John and his fellow disciples experienced Jesus Christ in a very intimate way. They saw him do miracles, heard him teach, and learned at his side. Jesus chose them as he has chosen us all. Just as they were, so are we his representatives on earth. God desires to live thru us. We must allow that to take place. God doesn’t force his will on anyone. He desires willing servants, not people who feel obligated to serve. Since we believe scripture when it tells us Jesus was and is God, as well as God’s Son, when we fellowship with God we are fellowshipping with Jesus as well. We mustn’t leave out the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as a gift to teach, lead and guide us thru this life. These 3 entities make up the Trinity, aka, the Triune God.

            John is sharing how well he and his fellow disciples knew Jesus as a means of making their testimony completely believable and wholly acceptable. It is always easier to believe something when you have the opportunity to meet and speak with someone who rubbed elbows with a person of renown.  Jesus was that person of renown, even though there were those who were always attempting to diminish him in the eyes of believers. It happened in Bible times and is still happening today. Since no one alive today was alive 2000 years ago, believing in God hasto be by faith. No eyewitnesses exist … no facts exist either. Just faith based belief. 

            In this letter, John is attempting to show the difference between ‘light and darkness’, which represent ‘truth and error’. All things in God’s economy require faith because they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Those who see things thru spiritual eyes have accepted those things by faith as the truth. “The truth”, as scripture states in John 8:32, “will set you free.”Cling to the truth of scripture and allow it to help you be Jesus to those around you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources; www.biblegateway.com, The Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Look at 1-3 John

PURPOSE: To reassure Christians in their faith & to challenge false teachings.

AUTHOR: The apostle John

DATE WRITTEN: Probably between 85-90 A.D. from Ephesus.

            Today we will begin to look into the apostle John’s 3 pastoral letters to several Gentile congregations. John is older at this time and may be the only surviving apostle at the time of this writing. It was definitely prior to his banishment to the island of Patmos. If we put John’s gospel and these letters side by side we can see many similarities. John is called the ‘apostle of love’ in that love is mentioned throughout his writings.

            “First John was written to dispel doubts and to build assurance by presenting a clear picture of Christ. Entering history, Jesus was and is God in the flesh and God in focus – seen, heard and touched by the author of this letter, John the apostle. John walked and talked with Jesus, saw him heal, heard him teach, watched him die, met him arisen and saw him ascend. John knew God – he had lived with him and had seen him work. And John enjoyed fellowship with the Father and the Son all the days of his life.”¹

            Starting tomorrow we will dive into John’s first letter to see how he goes about bolstering believers faith and countering the false teachings that existed at that time. Even today many will say Jesus was either simply a good man or a crazed egomaniacal lunatic, but those who had the faith to believe knew him as Almighty God in the flesh. Let’s embark on this interesting study together. I hope I can do it justice. May God’s will be done. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

¹The Life Application Study Bible introductory notes for 1 John; page 2805; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; New Living Translation.

Our Priceless Christ

“… everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”– Philippians 3:8a _NLT

            The Apostle Paul had accomplished a lot in his life and yet he was willing to cast it all aside in favor of knowing Christ. Knowing Christ is one thing, but what about knowing him better? We must first come to accept the idea that Christ is more important than anything else we know or possess. It may mean rearranging our way of thinking or areas of our lifestyle. 

            Being different than the world makes you stand out. Believers don’t think the way non-believers think. We don’t act or react the way they do. We shun that which appears on the surface to be innocent fun in favor of those things that bring lasting peace and satisfaction thru a life with God. Believers may appear to be odd by the world’s standards, but that is only because the unsaved individual is comparing the believer to him or herself. This would mean they would consider the believer to be skewed in their thinking. This is a tainted viewpoint based on prejudicial thinking. Man has an inner need to be right, so they see themselves as normal and everyone else in their sphere of influence less than normal. 

            Our lives will never be the same if we dedicate our hearts and lives to following Christ, for he is infinitely superior to anything we could ever even imagine. We must see things with the eye of the Spirit within us and seek to draw closer to Christ each and every day. After what Christ did for us, I think it’s the very least we can do. Until next time walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

Thoughts From a Random Mind

          I’m not sure if I am the only one who thinks this way, but have you ever considered the idea that because we know what we know and not what others know, we are inclined to make assumptions about another person’s faith and/or walk with God. I have had a tendency to discount someone’s faith in God because they smoke or go to bars. That’s arrogant of me because I don’t know exactly where they stand with Christ. Maybe they are brand new believers. Maybe they are believers only have multiple weaknesses that they are struggling with. Our job is not to judge. Everyone is at a different stage in his or her spiritual maturation. We do not … we cannot know the condition of a persons heart. Only God can. This is why HE is the judge and not us. He judges based on what we cannot know. At times we don’t even know our own heart and mind re: matters, so how could we ever fairly judge the matters of someone else’s heart and mind? For those believers struggling with detrimental habits, addictions or compulsions, we are to offer comfort, consolation, encouragement, mercy and prayer. Edify … don’t eat them alive. Never forget where you came from and what you came out of. We don’t know everyone’s back-story. Be Christ to others by offering hope thru love. rlkeller

Word for the Day

THOUGHTS FROM A RANDOM MIND

                  The cultural diversity at my job has opened up interested facts to me re: what they believe. I found out thru my lead, Laura, what she grew up believing in her native Cuba. I was chatting with her about God and if she believed in his existence. She said her entire family is atheist. I said I assumed that was because of “Castro’s dictatorship”. She said “yes”. She has no feelings about it one-way or the other. I have found that it is very difficult to reason with people about what you believe to be true if they have no background to draw from. It like, “Why believe in a god when my life is just fine”. 

            I also found that some of the people who believe in the South American countries have Catholic roots, yet it appears their roots do not go deep at all. It seems to be a very shallow, surface belief not based on any type of personal relationship with the Lord at all. The women seem a bit more spiritual than the men, which could be said of a lot of cultures, even the U.S. The men I am exposed to at work seem much more interested in playing the macho man. Measuring their biceps, primping in front of the work bathroom mirror, go to the gym after work to build themselves up. Sounds like another practice common to other cultures. I see rather sophomoric behavior on a daily basis.

            We also have working for us a Nigerian pastor, A.K., who is very devout in his beliefs. There was a brother in Christ who was a missionary for the Dominican Republic who went back to D.R. to preach and teach to whoever would listen from his native country. There may be others, but I am unaware of them. 

            I’ve also noticed that some of the South American believers (we have a couple here) are very rigid in their beliefs. Life is short and people will do what they will do with or without belief in God. I try to live out my faith and share the gospel when the door opens. I treat everyone the same, whether black or white, gay or straight, young or old, male or female. I try to be the best example of Christ’s love that I can with the Spirit’s continual help. I’ve been there 5 years in August and am well respected, largely perhaps because I pray for and with people quite frequently. People welcome it and appreciate. It’s one way to show people you work with that God cares. God will provide openings to whom he so wills. He doesn’t need us to bust down any doors. Love must win the day. That combined with peace, mercy, compassion and hope. God will handle the rest. Rlkeller

This is strictly an observation piece. I find the topic to be relevant and interesting. Not everyone thinks the way Americans do about God, but that’s okay. God’s at work as people all over the world are working out their salvation. Lord, use each one of us to be a light in their disturbing world of darkness. rlkeller 

A PRAYER OF PRAISE

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”- Psalm 90:2,4 _NIV

            This Psalm is a prayer to God, which begins, as most prayers should, with praise to the Lord for who he is and what he has done. The line regarding “a thousand years”has always been an eye opener for me. It shows us that time is absolutely irrelevant to our God. That fact has repercussions through much of God’s economy. It has everything to do with prayer and when they are answered. When we pray we have no idea if the answer will be yes, no or not yet. We are required to exercise our faith, which can become excruciating at times. 

            Think about what God has done. He created the mountains, hills and valleys along with the lakes, streams, rivers, seas and oceans. He created the stars in the night sky. He created every living creature, including man and woman. Is there anything that is impossible for God? Yes, as a matter of fact there is. God cannot lie and it’s impossible for him to make a mistake, to name a couple. 

            We need to praise and worship our God for who he is, understanding who we are IN him. Think about where you would be right now were it not for God. I shudder to think about it. To not take the time to seek God’s guidance leaves us vulnerable to making a poor choice.  Without God the path you choose could take you to a place you do not want to be. Staying close to the Lord daily is critical, for we are then led to the places God intended us to go. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible;www.biblegateway.com

Word for the Day

GOD SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN 

AND 

LISTENS TO THOSE WHO TAKE THE TIME TO PRAY.

Thoughts From a Random Mind

                 There are constant temptations that attempt to infiltrate our minds and steer us off course on our walk with the Lord. There are times when it seems like everywhere we look there is some sort of temptation staring us right in the eye. And don’t you know the devil, who is the author of all temptation, knows exactly where we are most vulnerable. He will keep banging away that the weak link in our chain until we either strengthen that area or it breaks. This is why we must feed our spirit man and not our flesh. We need God’s counsel because as Solomon says in Proverbs, “There is a way that seems right to a man, whose way leads to destruction.”It doesn’t have to be that way. Starve your old man and feed your spirit man. The result will be the peace found from a clear conscience. 

            Guilt is a hard taskmaster. It gnaws at your subconscious mind day and night. It can create paranoia. Your peace is buried under a bevy of fiery darts that keep you off balance, all because you gave in to temptation. The enemy uses your slip up against you continuously. You must forge a new, stronger chain that will not break. What you need to accomplish is found in the Bible and from the Holy Spirit within you.  

            It’s a curious thing this reference to chains. There are the chains that bind us up due to sin, chains forged in the hardships of life that weigh us down, chains that bind us together with bands of love and harmony and chains that represent spiritual fortitude.  Which chains are you forging?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

TRIALS vs. TEMPTATIONS

Did you know there is a clear distinction between a trial and temptation?

Trials are either sent or allowed by God to bring about spiritual growth.

Temptations are sent by the enemy in an effort to trip up believers in Christ.

Always remember, a temptation isn’t a sin until it is acted upon.

            Ephesians 4:17-24  “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

            2 Timothy 1:7  “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

            Titus 1:8 “Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”

            Romans 12:1-2  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

            Having Godly self-control is something to prayerfully seek. God wishes you to be successful in this regard because to not have self-control opens the door to ungodliness. Trials may be painful but the difference between trials and temptations is that God watches over our trials orchestrating them so we achieve the greatest benefit. Turn and run from temptation, especially sexual temptation, for any fun or satisfaction gleaned from such temptations will be short lived and will damage your personal integrity. Without positive integrity you will lose the trust of your peers and loved ones. Integrity lost is extremely difficult to earn back.  Pray the Lord’s will for your life is manifest a little more each day. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Psalm 23:1-6

A Psalm of David

“Jehovah is my shepherd, I do not lack, in pastures of tender grass He causes me to lie down, by quiet waters He does lead me. My soul he refreshes, he leads me in paths of righteousness, for his name's sake, Also -- when I walk in a valley of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff -- they comfort me. You arrange before me a table, over or against my adversaries, you have anointed with oil my head, my cup is full! Only -- goodness and kindness pursue me, all the days of my life and my dwelling is in the house of Jehovah, for a length of days!”- Young's Literal Translation

            In this Psalm King David used the title of Shepherdas a metaphor to compare that role with the role of God in a believer’s life. David would have intimate knowledge of such things because he spent many of his younger years tending to his father’s flocks. Sheep are completely dependent on the Shepherd as their provider, guide and protector. The New Testament refers to Jesus as the Good Shepherdbecause he provides, guides and protects all those who have placed their faith and trust in him by his Holy Spirit.

            The setting provided in this Psalm is comforting and serene. I’ve taken many a walk in the woods near my home so this scene is familiar to me. When we follow our God contentment follows. If we choose sin and go our own way we have no one to blame but ourselves. Our Lord offers us green meadows and peaceful streams to restore us when the trials of life wear us down. To rebel against the Shepherd’s leading is to rebel against our own best interests. It should be no surprise to any of us that we are unable to work things out on our own. Our human resources only take us so far.

            The last verses of this Psalm spell out a promise to all those who are his. The Lord will not only guide and protect us in the here and now, but promises to guide and protect us forever, even into the age to come where we shall live with him for eternity. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources:www.biblegateway.comand The Life Application Study Bible.  

THOUGHTS FROM A RANDOM MIND

What is the correct approach?

                  Satan has been working overtime to minimize God in the lives of people today. People take the Lord’s name in vain regularly seeing it as normal. All around me at work people say “O my God!” as a regular exclamation of surprise or upset. They have even shortened it to “OMG!” thinking nothing of it. They curse and lie as if it were completely acceptable behavior. These things in and of themselves don’t make them bad people, just ignorant and ill informed. 

            I’ve heard some believers say to those taking the Lord’s name in vain “please don’t take the name of my Lord and Savior in vain.” While I don’t object to that response, I wonder what they think they are accomplishing? Those words more than likely will never bring about a conversion. Those guilty parties bristle at the rebuke and think various negative thoughts about the offended party. 

            One thing I have come to understand and accept is that those in the world say and do what comes natural to them. They do not have a regenerated spirit and soul, so their first inclination is to say what they’ve always said. They don’t know any better. Did we prior to our conversion? Not really, but it should be different once we’re redeemed. We should feel the sting of guilt and shame if we ever take the Lord’s name in vain or act inappropriately. 

            There is something very poignant in Jesus words on the cross when he says “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” We must love those who don’t know what they are saying or doing and pray for them to see the light of salvation in their lifetime. Don’t come off as prideful or arrogant in your belief of Christ. Show mercy and grace, just as Christ has shown it to you. rlkeller

Words Have Power

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”-Proverbs 15:1 _NLT

            There are examples throughout the ages of a kind word deflecting anger. The people of Ephraim were angry with Gideon for his actions, but Gideon spoke calmly regarding those actions, explaining the ‘why’ of it and they were satisfied. _{Judges 8:1-3 NLT}Solomon speaks of how we handle words several times in chapter 15 of Proverbs. Verse 2 says: “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.” Verse 7 says: “The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.” Verse 18 says: “A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.” And finally, verse 23 says: “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.” 

            Words are very powerful. They can build up or destroy depending on how they are used.  It is generally understood that gentle, tender, considerate words will tend to pacify a situation leading to peace. Harsh words, filled with anger, just make things worse.  How did Jesus handle situations of this nature? With the moneychangers in the Temple area as the lone exception, Jesus displayed no anger. He spoke no harsh words against anyone that would incite trouble in and of themselves. People seeking to stir things up, so to speak, will read certain unsavory things in comments or statements made, but that is to their detriment. 

            Always seek to build up and encourage others. Never speak out of turn or allow others to defeat you with their negativism. Turn it aside and make it into a positive moment. There is no reason to incite anger with words. Speak with passivity, creating a greater opportunity of peace. Allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit and not by your own thoughts and feelings, for they will often betray you. Lean on the Lord when you feel you’re losing your grip on a given situation. The Lord wants you to succeed more than you do. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources: NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible; NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible; Reformation Study Bible; The Life Application Study Bible and www.biblegateway.com