Thoughts from a Random Mind

            Do you understand that God wants ALL OF YOU? He doesn’t want the small portion of your life that you feel comfortable letting go of, He wants the whole megillah*.

            Comfort zones stunt your spiritual growth. We must venture outside our comfort zones to be as effective for Christ as He knows we can be. I say this understanding that it is a human reaction to seek to be comfortable in whatever setting we happen to be in, but we need to dare to branch out. You’ll never know what you’re capable of it you don’t. Actually, you’ll never know what God can make you capable of if you don’t. I say THAT because it is NOT about us. It never has been and it never should be. It is about God and His desire to lovingly use us to minister on His behalf. 

            St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel at all times & if necessary, use words.” In other words, it is imperative that we strive to LIVE THE GOSPEL among the masses. The old adage “Actions speak louder than words”^[1] comes into play here.

            We must fully grasp with two hands the concept that we cannot walk with Christ without His assistance. We must accept the idea that we are a flawed, broken people with help for us readily available. Like salvation itself, living for Christ is very much like a gift that is offered, yet too many avoid taking it for themselves. 

            While determination is needed to follow thru with our faith, we must also be prepared to surrender to the will of the Lord once we are aware of just what it is. It’s different for everyone, for He has a path and plan for each one of us to be successful in the kingdom. Being successful in this world is optional when it comes to serving God. If God is our provider then why should we strive so hard to achieve wealth. There’s nothing wrong with having wealth. As I’ve said several times before; it’s not wrong to have wealth, it IS however important HOW we acquired it and WHAT we do with it. Having great wealth happens to be inconsequential when it comes to our walk with the Lord. 

            So give your time and efforts to the Lord freely and do not fret about the outcome. God WANTS you to succeed in His name, not for your benefit, but for the benefit of all those who interact with you. Then give God all the glory, praise and honor.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*the whole megillah an informal expression for something in its entirety…The phrase, which is Yiddish & alludes to the length of the Megillah**

**Megillah can also refer to a complicated sequence of events, or it can be used as a synonym of “ball of wax” meaning “everything involved in what is under consideration.”.

^[1] The earliest known version of the saying comes from John Pym in 1628, emphasizing the value of actions over words. Thomas Manton’s 1693 sermon introduced the idea of actions "speaking louder" than words. The phrase in its current form first appeared in 1736 in The Melancholy State of Province.

The Attributes of God

Love and Goodness

            The following group of scriptures from both the Old & New Testaments shine a light on the love and goodness of Almighty God. All these verses speak loudly to His unchanging, unconditional love for His creation. Read each one and soak in the truth that is representative of our God.

 

1 John 4:16 - "God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

 

Psalm 145:9 - "The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." 

 

Psalm 103:8–10 – “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

This verse captures both God’s mercy and unfailing love, emphasizing His character as patient and gracious. 

 

Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

These verses highlight the unending, renewing nature of God’s goodness and love, offering fresh hope daily. 

 

Psalm 23:6 – “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

This verse affirms God’s goodness is persistent and personal, pursuing believers throughout life. 

 

Isaiah 54:10 – “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed.”

This verse emphasizes the eternal, unshakable nature of God’s love which is more enduring than creation itself. 

 

James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

This verse affirms that all goodness originates in God, who is unchanging and reliable. 

 

1 John 4:10 – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

This final verse defines love as God’s initiative—not based on human merit, but on His grace. 

These verses collectively reveal a God whose love is eternal, sacrificial, and active, and whose goodness is steadfast, trustworthy, and life-giving. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.openthebible.org

The Attributes of God

Mercy & Grace 

            I believe mercy & grace go hand in hand. God’s mercy is an outcropping of His love for us. His grace is the undeserved favor He shows us all when we become “saved”. He offers us mercy because of His gracious nature. This is available to anyone who has chosen to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord. 

            “As sinners, we deserve punishment ^{(Romans 3:23)}. God’s righteousness requires punishment for sin—He wouldn’t be holy otherwise. Since God does love us and is merciful, He sent His Son ^{(John 3:16)}. The fullness of His mercy is seen in Matthew 27. Jesus is brutally beaten and murdered on our behalf; Jesus received our just condemnation, and we received God’s mercy.” ^[1]

Exodus 34:6 - "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." 

Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." 

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  www.gotquestions.org

The Attributes of God

Unchanging

 

“Unchanging” is following the same principles or course of action over time. Almighty God never changes for to change could lead to wavering on decisions or just plain regretting them.  Since He doesn’t change, does God have any regrets?

“God does not have regrets in the way humans do. When the Bible says God "regretted" making humanity (Genesis 6:6) or appointing Saul as king (1 Samuel 15:11), it uses anthropomorphic* language—describing God in human terms to help us grasp His relational response.  This does not mean God made a mistake or changed His mind due to new information. 

God’s "regret" reflects His deep sorrow and grief over human sin and disobedience, not a failure in His perfect plan.  He knew humanity would fall and Saul would rebel, yet He allowed these events to fulfill His sovereign purposes, including the eventual coming of the Messiah. His actions are consistent with His unchanging nature—He does not lie, repent, or change His mind (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29). Thus, while God feels sorrow over sin, He does not regret His decisions because they were always part of His eternal plan. His grief is not weakness, but a reflection of His holiness and love.” ^[1]

 

Psalm 90:2 - "From everlasting to everlasting, you are God." 

 

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

 

Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Psalm 102:27 – “But You are the same, and Your years shall have no end.”

Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

1 Samuel 15:29 – “The Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for He is not a man, that He should have regret.”

 

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

In His Name & for His Glory

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries
* Describing non-human things as if they have human traits—such as thinking, speaking, feeling, or acting like people.

^[1]www.wearefaith.org

The Attributes of God

Omniscience

 

A simple definition of ‘omniscience’ that I like to use is that “God knows all that can be known”.  His omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all by nature omniscient.
              God knows everything. He knows not only the minutest details of our lives, but those of everything around us, for He mentions even knowing when a sparrow falls or when we lose a single hair. Not only does God know everything that will occur until the end of history itself, but He also knows our very thoughts, even before we think them. He knows our hearts motivation; He even saw us in the womb. Solomon expresses this truth perfectly when he says, “For only you know the hearts of all the children of mankind”. 

 

Psalm 139:1-6 NIV

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

 

1 John 3:20 NIV

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

 

1 Kings 8:39   NIV

“You deal with everyone according to all they do, for you alone know every human heart ...”

 

            Since God knows all that can be known, we cannot put anything past Him; in other words, we cannot fool Him. We cannot trick God or schmooze Him. All our greatest thoughts and lowliest endeavors are an open book to the Lord. Nothing escapes His watchful eye. What is not possible for man is possible for Almighty God. While the unsaved should quake in fear with regards to God’s omniscience, the believer can find relief in knowing that He knows all about the situation you’re in right now. He is mindful of it and will provide encouragement, support, and if a negative situation, a way of escape. Those who have a godly mindset have nothing to fear. Those who are without regard to the magnificence & glory of the King, have much to fear, for their ignorance and arrogance will not wear well in the long run. Beware the wrath of the Lord, for it is coming to all those who disregard or mock His mighty name.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Attributes of God

Omnipresence

 

The prefix ‘omni’- originates in Latin and means “all.” So, to say that God is omnipresent is to say that God is present everywhere. In many religions, God is regarded as omnipresent, whereas in both Judaism and Christianity, this view is further subdivided into the transcendence ^[1] and immanence ^[2] of God. Although God is not totally immersed in the fabric of creation (pantheism ^[3]), He is present everywhere at all times.

 

Jeremiah 23:24 - “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord?”

 

Psalm 139:7 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?" 

 

Proverbs 15:3 - “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

 

Hebrews 4:13 - “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

 

            There is nowhere that God is not. Does that mean He is in hell? The way it has been explained in my research is that His spirit is there with regards to space, but not relationally.

In other words, His spirit is in that space, but there is no communication or relationship with those in hell. They have permanently forfeited their right to the favor of God and must suffer the consequences of their rejection of Him. Without Christ’s blood removing their sin, they are under the wrath of God. THAT is a major difference between those who are saved and those who are not. Christian’s are under His grace and forever shall reside in His presence. Non-believers are NOT under His grace and shall NEVER reside in His presence for all eternity. Eternal separation apart from Almighty God. That was the unsaved person’s choice, and hell was the consequences of that choice. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] Transcendence is the state of being free from the constraints of the material world, as in the case of a deity.

^[2] Immanence is the concept of the presence of deity in and throughout the real world; the idea that God is everywhere and in everything.

^[3] Pantheism is the idea that God and the universe are one and the same; there is no distinction between the divine and the material world. Adherence to Pantheism do not believe God to be a personal God, but impersonal, being interwoven into His creation as in the supposed fact that God is in a rock or tree or water, etc.

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

The Attributes of God

Omnipotence 

 

            To say Almighty God is Omnipotent is to say that He has UNLIMITED POWER. Nothing or no one is more powerful than He is. What that should mean to you is that He has more than enough power to accomplish whatever you may need to have done. It just needs to be within the parameters of His will for you. You see, HE knows you better than you know yourself AND HE knows exactly what you will need. We usually have NO IDEA what we need or want when it comes to life’s essentials, but our Heavenly Father knows.

 

Here are a few scripture verses that speak to God’s unlimited power.

 

Colossians 1:16-17

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." 

 

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

 

Genesis 1:1–3

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

 

Hebrews 1:3

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

 

Luke 1:37  

"For nothing will be impossible with God." 

 

            I feel it’s far more important to show you in scripture what it says about the power of God than have me simply regurgitate things I read or happen to know. So during this special look at God’s personal attributes, that is what I’ll be doing. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: The translation used for the above verses is the English Standard Version (ESV).

Resource: www.crossway.org

Quote Contemplations

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.” – Leo Tolstoy

            A majority of supporters doesn’t make a sin no longer sinful. If it flies in the face of God’s standard for living, then it is wrong and shouldn’t be done. There are obvious things that are wrong, but there are also subtle things that should be considered wrong that aren’t just because “everyone is doing it”.  Let’s take adultery for example. When you’re confronted with a compromising set of circumstances, you should walk the other way, because nobody wins in situations like that and any benefit from it is extremely short lived. But a good friend says to you, “Hey, ya know, everybody’s doing it, so what’s the harm in sticking your toe in the water?” He or she is NOT your friend if they would give you that sort of slanted advice. God’s rule stands when all else falls. Do that which you in your heart knows is right and walk away.

Say you’re dead broke and an opportunity arises where could take some money that would help you take care of yourself and your family for a very long time. You should walk away without even considering it, but maybe you don’t because the temptation is too great. That, my friend, is a losing proposition. 

There is a fairly common phrase that has been around the block for a while and it’s, “Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win.” As a believer, it is never right to do wrong and never wrong to do right. You can’t ask God to bless a sinful endeavor. It will never happen. You have short circuited your relationship with the Lord. Whether it ends us being temporary or permanent is up to you. Doing the wrong thing is like unplugging a lamp and still expecting it to work. 

Something that is wrong in the Lord’s eyes will always be wrong, no matter how many support it’s being done. No one will ever outwit God, or fool Him in any way. And if you are a true follower of Christ you will know that which is wrong and that which is right. If you aren’t sure, ask the Lord with an open mind and don’t imagine that He is approving that thing just because you want to do it. He will let you go off on a tangent (free will) and will be there when you crash and burn. 

God loves you unconditionally, but do not test Him by skirting the right or wrongness of something. Galatians 6:7 ^{Amplified Bible} “Do not be deceived, God will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.”

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: Leo Tolstoy, Russian author (1828–1910).

Quote Contemplations

“We will always find ourselves in trouble when we get comfortable with things as they are.” – Francis Chan

 

            Getting comfortable with our life could be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on our point of focus. But as a follower of Christ should we ever really be comfortable? We need to be at the top of our game spiritually speaking as much as possible with the help of the Holy Spirit within. The things we ought to be comfortable with are reading the scriptures daily, praying regularly, seeking to tap into the wisdom of God thru a variety of trusted and reliable sources, and so on. Being comfortable engaging in such endeavors will help stabilize your faith and trust in God and will lead to spiritual growth.

            It’s getting comfortable NOT doing such things that can become a dangerous proposition for us. We then become what Pink Floyd lyrically referred to as being “comfortably numb”. Things don’t seem to matter to us as much anymore. We begin to become oblivious to our surroundings, thus making us an easy target for the enemy. Being comfortably numb is like leaving your foxhole in a war zone without your weapon and just standing out in the open with no protection. Oh, make no mistake about it; you HAVE protection in the armor of God, but you are failing to utilize it. 

            Living on the edge of the ledge has the large possibility of bringing about BAD JUJU. *

We must accept the fact that we cannot do this life on our own. The only true help we have at our disposal is the Creator of the Universe. If you take the time to think about that, it’s a pretty impressive thing. 

            Don’t allow yourself to become comfortably numb in your walk with Christ. Stay on the razor’s edge and be aware of what is taking place all about you. Always be prepared to take a stand regarding the joy and peace that exists in you because of God’s spirit that dwells within you. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Bad juju refers to negative energy.

Quote Contemplations

“Above all, do not lie to yourself.” - Fyodor Dostoevsky*

 

This is a profound statement regarding moral responsibility, self-honesty, and the dangers of self-deception. This could apply to all peoples because many of us tend to become self-deluded regarding our goodness. We make the crucial mistake of seeing ourselves as compared to a variety of other people, thus proving to ourselves that we are more good than those others. That delusion ends up stunting our growth. For the Christian it stunts our spiritual growth. We see ourselves as needing nothing to initiate change; some sort of behavioral alteration that is not needed. In that, we fail to realize the reality of our woeful state. We are sinners. Every last one of us. There is truly nothing good about us. We all tend to be selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed in one way or another. 

It’s very difficult to face our flaws, but when you compare yourself to the only perfect example of righteousness, holiness, and purity, you then realize you come up wanting. We cannot save ourselves and we cannot find our own way out of the abyss we invariably find ourselves in. We NEED a Savior to lift us out of our perpetual dilemmas and place us on a path lined with forgiveness, love, and hope for tomorrow. 

So do not bother lying to yourself about the state of your being. Face the stark reality that we are nothing without the Creator of the Universe handling our affairs. Surrender to the Almighty One and live in truth and harmony with yourself and those around you.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821 – 1881) was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and journalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in world literature.

Quote Contemplations

“I don’t belong here, I’m just a weary traveler, here for a flicker of a moment and then I’m gone.” – “As the World Bleeds” (Theocracy)*               

 

Philippians 3:20 states: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This verse emphasizes that believers' true identity and allegiance belong to God's eternal kingdom, not to any earthly nation. 

As citizens of heaven, Christians are "resident aliens" on earth—living here temporarily while being spiritually aligned with heaven’s values, laws, and ultimate hope. This citizenship shapes how they live, prioritize, and serve, even while remaining in the world. It calls for a life of holiness, hope, and service, grounded in the expectation of Christ’s return. Believers are to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8), reflecting heaven’s character on earth. 

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will transform believers’ mortal bodies into glorious, resurrected ones (Philippians 3:21), fulfilling the promise of eternal life. 

Paul contrasts earthly citizens—focused on fleshly desires—with heavenly citizens—whose minds are set on eternal things (Philippians 3:19–20). This dual citizenship (earthly and heavenly) demands loyalty to Christ above all else. This truth is not just about the afterlife—it's a present reality that transforms daily living, worship, and mission. Remember, a moment in time is NOTHING to Almighty God. Therefore, when the undisclosed date of the Rapture of the Church is here, we will vanish “in a flicker of a moment”. Here one moment and then....

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       Theocracy is a Christian Rock group that has biblically based songs that, based on their sound, come across on many songs as theatrical in their vocals and delivery.

Quote Contemplations

“As a Christian, we always fail because we can’t become Christ, but I can try to at least emulate the best qualities, even if I may fall short.” – Kelsey Grammar

 

            Almighty God has known from the beginning of time those who would turn to Him and those who would choose to turn away. His wish for those who have chosen to believe is to use His Son, Jesus as their primary role model. See Paul’s statement from his letter to Roman believers: ^“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” ^{(Romans 8:29 NIV)}

            We all could use a role model, but one that is positive, edifying, kind, and loving. We get to choose our role models in life. Parents can be role models. Older siblings can be. To follow the path of righteousness is challenging for sure, but if we rely on God’s leading thru the Holy Spirit, and pay close attention to what is being relayed to us, we can find our way thru any difficulties. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Actor Kelsey Grammar (sit-com ‘Frazer’) believes that a large part of his faith is in trying to live the best way he can using Jesus Christ as a role model.

Quote Contemplations

"If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me." – John Wooden

            After someone I had witnessed to told me they had no idea I was a Christian, my world started crumbling around me (in my mind). I seriously questioned my walk with the Lord. Then I saw this quote from the legendary college basketball coach John Wooden and I began to wonder. If I WERE indicted for being a Christian, would I have put forth enough in the name of God to lead to my conviction? Makes one think, doesn’t it?

            I’d like to think I have, but only the Lord knows for sure. A lot of the time I feel like Paul when he writes in his letter to the Christians in Rome. In Chapter 7, verses 15, 18-21 he confesses to struggling with sin. I guess I’m in good company.  Am I really all that different from the world? I’d like to think so, but am I? Are you?

            I think we make our journey with the Lord a lot more difficult than it has to be. There is NO ONE on the face of this earth that matches the love and understanding God has for us. I think about how much we love our kids, even when they act unlovely toward us. We never stop loving them, do we? No matter what they say or do. Isn’t that true? I think it definitely is. So really think about this. How much greater is God that He would never turn against us, never NOT love us, never NOT forgive, never NOT show mercy, never pull His grace from us? 

            Pleasing God with our life is so incredibly important. We already know He loves us. In fact, He loved us prior to our knowing Him. Parents love their babies prior to their being born. See the comparison? God gives us comparative examples to help us understand how great His love actually IS toward us. So yes, I have no doubt that if push came to shove and we were arrested for being a follower of Christ, even if we hadn’t spoken up about our faith all that much up to that point, I betcha we’d do it then. Don’t keep your faith a secret. Speak it as readily as you breathing in air. Let it come naturally. I’m thinking that while upsetting, it would be a distinct honor to be taken into custody for my faith. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach for UCLA, known for being a staunch Christian.

Thoughts from a Random Mind

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy. *

            What an immensely profound statement. The problems in the world today will not be fixed simply by talking, but rather by being people of action. I am not insinuating that physical violence is the answer to change. I’m thinking more along the lines of changing your attitude, your thought process, your capacity to love. These things can only be found in the heart of Almighty God. 

            It is my humble opinion that God is the answer to all of mankind’s problems. Surrendering to His will for your life is a crucial start to your journey toward changing yourself for the better. You’ve heard of becoming the best version of yourself, well wouldn’t you want to become all that the One who created you knows you can be? I sure would. It’s not a cake walk though. The enemy doesn’t want you to become all you can be in Christ. He wants to cripple you spiritually thru temptation and difficult trials. Some believers have walked away from their faith because it seems too hard to deal with. Were they truly redeemed in the first place? It is not for us to say, for only God knows reality from fiction. 

            Changing yourself with limited resources is like trying to mow your lawn with a weed whacker. You’ll get the job done eventually, but it won’t look very good. The total resources of God are readily available to those whom He calls His children. Are you sold out for Christ, or hitching a ride on the soul train with the thought of jumping off at any time. 

            We aren’t perfect and never will be this side of heaven; however, as we strive for perfection we will grow and mature spiritually speaking and slowly begin to change from the inside out. It’s a daily process; one that isn’t always easy, but perseverance will always win the day. Dogged determination is one of the keys to success in this life and walking forward hand in hand with the Lord guarantees success from an eternal perspective. Don’t just desire to change the world. Start by looking into your own heart and seek to change yourself. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) is considered a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. His best-known novels are “War and Peace” (1865–69) and “Anna Karenina” (1875–77).

Thoughts from a Random Mind

I find that I enjoy the company of unsaved people more so than believers. You may not agree with everything they happen to believe or say, but with some you can at least agree to disagree and leave it at that. No irate bursts. No hate. With Christians I’ve gotten various responses from them. Some seem to want to have an impromptu Bible quiz to show off what they know. Some are silent and don’t even know how to talk about the things of the Lord. Some are judgmental to the max, thinking that they’ve cornered the market on Christian doctrine, and you simply MUST agree with them, or you’re wrong.

             Now I tend to look at my faith the following way. I am NOT a judge re: anyone else’s lifestyle or beliefs. God alone is the judge. If you disagree with me on any topic I’m fine with that. Maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe not. Either way I wish to be friends and sidestep the controversial stuff. I believe I know what is right and what is wrong in God’s eyes, but I never force it on anyone else. I would pray for the opportunity to share what I believe, but do not require anyone to believe like me. I try to plant a seed of faith when the opportunity presents itself and they can if they feel the wooing of the Spirit, become Born Again as Jesus had said. I absolutely DO NOT live a perfect life, but I’m trying to be the best version of myself with the much needed help of the Holy Spirit within me.

              I pretty much have no one to discuss doctrine with. You aren’t able to do it with unbelievers, and in many cases you cannot do it with believers either. It can be frustrating at times. I write. I write a lot. I write a Blog re: Christ. I’ve written 3 books, with a 4th one in the wings. Aside from the normal sports banter that most guys engage in, doctrinal talk is scarce. I do find myself precariously close to falling into the trap of wanting everyone to like me, but with a few exceptions, I feel just the opposite is true. I’ve come to believe that I annoy people. I’m quirky, but have been referred to as strange, weird, crazy… the fact of the matter is that I’m just different than other folks, and that’s alright. We judge others by externals, while side stepping the reality that we DO NOT know them. We do not know their back story. We don’t know their heart. Who are we anyway? How are we living out the gospel to an unbelieving world? Are we so self-absorbed that we are singularly focused on ourselves and nothing else? 

I believe it is better for Christians to interact with the unsaved regularly, without following their behavior. How else can we reach the masses? Staying in our little conclaves, wishing to avoid the front line in the battle for men’s souls, we invent ways to keep the reprobates from dirtying us. Jesus mingled with those in need of redemption on a daily basis. Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing. Just because someone isn’t part of your church or your faith doesn’t make them reprehensible. They require that which we have already obtained... forgiveness. 

            Think of it this way: If a raging fire broke out in your home and you didn’t know because you were sound asleep, would you want someone to come, wake you up and help you escape? Of course you would. So why is that any different than sharing salvation with a person destined for hell? It isn’t is it? Think about that and then ask God for opportunities to be a seed planter of the gospel.  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

As believers get older all the aches and pains become amplified. Sickness & disease encroaches our lives at various times and all this becomes a challenge to our faith. We cling to the promise that “by His stripes we are healed”little realizing that the healing being spoken of is spiritual and not physical. We accept our plight as things become slowly worse health wise. Will God heal us?

             As near as I can tell from scripture reading and some research, God heals at His own discretion and does not heal every person who asks Him to be healed. Understanding that death could potentially be the best answer to our prayer for healing helps us deal with the loss of a loved one, but it doesn’t replace the loss and the feelings of loneliness. Death is a blessing in some cases, depending on how much pain the person happens to be having to endure.

              God isn’t like some genie in a bottle who magically grants wishes. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it, and we must trust that He knows what is best for us. We must trust Him with our well-being; aches, pains, and everything else that comes our way. We must trust that God knows what He’s doing. Man is weak, frail, and destined to die. Life isn’t like, as the old ‘40s tune says, “a bowl of cherries”. It can be more like, “if life is like a bowl of cherries, why do I always get the pits?” A negative way of looking at things for sure, but it certainly CAN be the way we feel at times, nonetheless. Trust God with your everything. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries