Quote Contemplations 3

“The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others.” – Erik Erikson, founder of Psychosocial Development Theory.

 

            To me this has a lot to do with our inability to avoid judging others by their externals. In most cases we don’t know them, so we judge them by their physical appearance, the way they act, the way they carry themselves, the way they interact with others, the way they speak, (as in the language they use) and that tends to be the tip of the iceberg so to speak. We also have a tendency to compare them to ourselves. How incredibly insensitive and conceited we all can be at times. Don’t we know we should never compare ourselves to any other person in creation? 

            We need to work at being much more introspective. We need to look at ourselves, especially our inner selves and compare it to the one true and perfect role model and that is Almighty God and Jesus Christ. THAT is what we should be emulating. We need to be a reflection of their virtue and behavior. What would Jesus do is NOT simply a catch phrase, but a question that we need to ask ourselves frequently whenever confronted with any situation.

            The greater we KNOW ourselves, the more we will appreciate others and while not knowing most folks back story, give them the grace to exist without being critiqued. We need to cut people the slack we would like to have from them. God loves us, but He loves others as well just the same way He loves us. Let’s point the finger at ourselves and make the necessary alterations so as to become the best version of ourselves in Jesus name. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 2

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.” – Epicurus, Greek philosopher.

            Too many folks are desirous of material things. While nothing is intrinsically wrong with wanting material things, it has become an addiction for some. Many people lament over what they don’t have rather than being grateful for all that they do have. It truly doesn’t matter if you have a multitude of amenities, as long as you have a roof over your head, food to eat, and enough money to pay your bills. But many folks don’t see things that way.

            By virtue of the vast number of lottery tickets sold each day, we know that people in general believe that a vast amount of cash will answer all their problems and fulfill all their wishes. Not true. The more you have the bigger your bills & the more you spend.. I have no doubt that it would amaze the average person how fast one can spend a million dollars. Spending money can be addictive. Next thing you know you’re broke. If you doubt what I’m saying, go to YouTube and look up lottery winners nightmares. Money is nice and necessary, but even the Bible alerts mortal man that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.” ^{[1 Timothy 6:10 Amp Bible]} Sadly, some must learn that lesson the hard way, by experiencing it for themselves.

            Enjoy what you have without pining for that which you don’t have, for that will make a wonderful life into a hateful thing. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 1

“Wise men speak when they have something to say, fools speak because they have to say something.” – Aristotle, Greek philosopher

            Have you ever noticed that some folks simply HAVE to say something no matter whether it is helpful or not. Is it a sickness? Is it arrogance? Is it pride? Is it truly necessary, is the question that needs to be asked. Some folks just want to make their presence known. They want to be heard. The reason why is sometimes a mystery. 

            I have been known to act the fool in group settings because I think I’m funny. I can be very quirky and kind of “out there” with what I say. Nothing off color, just silly. I have learned to ratchet that back quite a bit. It had become somewhat apparent to me that some folks are very self-absorbed and have no interest in anything someone else is either saying or doing. So I now tend to limit my comments to ones meant to inspire, empathize or compliment. I strive to encourage & edify, rather than entertain. It takes a certain type of person to appreciate my humor. Being silly is part of my mental makeup, so I didn’t shelve it, I just came to realize that it wasn’t always necessary or appreciated. 

            I have come to realize over time that life is far too short to whittle away time playing the fool. Souls are on a straight line into the abyss and are very much unaware of it. Talk needs to become more meaningful and less eccentric. If I am known for anything, I’d like to be known as a man who loves God and lives to please Him by showing kindness and compassion to whosoever needs it. Having said that I don’t seek to come across as a grandiose person who has an over inflated sense of importance. I do not require a legacy. If no one ever knows who I am or who I was, that is fine with me, as long as they come to know Jesus Christ thru something I’ve said or done.

            I am learning to speak when I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to do so and share that which He has laid on my heart. Sharing Christ or something related to Him is far more important than anything else I could ever say. So in conclusion I say, love God with all your being and live for Him alone. THAT is worth saying. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What is “good”?

            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 “jerk” around the corner from you? The “nervy 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

 

 

Thoughts from a Random Mind

            I’ve said in the past that “once born we die a little bit each day”, but I was thinking just yesterday, is that literally true? I found this regarding that.

“The saying "once we're born we die a little bit each day" is not a scientific fact but a philosophical reflection on the nature of life and mortality. While our bodies grow and thrive for decades after birth, the process of aging and eventual decay is an inevitable part of the human life cycle.” ^[1]

            What it actually is is more of a reminder of our own mortality, if you want to be honest about it. Since death is inevitable for everyone, if shines a spotlight on the fact that our time on this earth is limited. With that in mind we should remember to cherish each moment we are above ground and live life to the fullest every day.

            Now there IS the thought from a religious perspective that we are to “die daily” as we practice self-control and surrender our will to a higher power. It means we are to cast aside selfish desires and strive instead to live a more spiritual life devoted to God.

            An interesting point is that scientifically speaking our bodies from birth are in a constant state of cellular regeneration. New cells are born and replace the older, dying ones, and this takes place every single day we are alive. For example, we don’t have the same skin cells we had a decade ago, a year ago, even a month ago. Constant regeneration.

            As we age there is a slow, gradual decline, which counters the thought that we die a little each day we are alive. So the entire concept of dying each day compared to life itself is more symbolic, rather than literal. As we understand this it should cause us to focus on the present and recognize the finite nature of life as a motivational tool that can encourage us to seize the day, appreciate each moment, rather than dwell on the end of your life.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] This was an AI reflection on the topic discussed.

Thoughts from a Random Mind

                               “The phrase “the devil’s in the details” means small, often overlooked elements in a plan, project, or situation can contain hidden problems or complications that threaten its overall success. It serves as a cautionary reminder that seemingly insignificant particulars can have a major negative impact if not carefully examined.” ^[1]

            The earliest citation of the phrase is from around the 1880’s by German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900).  We know from scripture that the devil is a devious liar who is in direct opposition to Almighty God. He wreaks havoc whenever possible in his attempt to foil God’s plans. His efforts only succeed temporarily because God allows it, but His long term success against the children of God is limited as long as we stay close to our Heavenly Father and trust Him.

            Whenever plans are made careful attention must be paid to every detail, for to not do so can cause a mistake that has the potential to cause your entire situation to become mired in quicksand or worse. The devil is no friend to the righteous ones at all. He does all he can daily to trip us all up. God allows these trip ups as a means of training us to exercise our faith and trust in Him. He has a plan for each one of us to prosper us spiritually and bless us abundantly. The devil is out to short circuit those plans. 

            If our focus is on the Lord and not the problem then we will avoid the pitfalls that can arise from focusing on something other than the Lord. The devil may be in the details; however, God is also in the details and can easily circumvent the plans of the enemy.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] http://www.grammarist.com

Thoughts from a Random Mind

           Why would someone die for me? Would I do the same? Would my resolve be to replicate another’s actions even if I didn’t know them? I think that is highly doubtful. So why? Why would the Son of God come down to the earth He created to purposely suffer and die for His creation, knowing that millions would ignore His actions and even deny that it even happened? The answer to that question is fairly simple. It comes down to love.

            As humans we really have no concept of what true love is. We think we know, but what we get for an answer translates into physical love, rather than emotional love. Sexual satisfaction rather than comfort, and compassion. Personal entitlement instead of lasting, deep abiding, intimate, never fading affection that can last a lifetime. Divorce destroys true love for it is based on selfish desires. Breaking vows are too commonplace and thus are barely taken serious anymore.

            Jesus came to set us free from ourselves; our frail, sinful, broken selves, that we may know what it means to truly live a life filled with joy, peace, contentment, and love. He is our example of what love should look like. He is the template. He is the one perfect example that is to be replicated. His willingness to take a horrific beating on our behalf and knowing full well what the outcome would be, allowed Himself to be spiked to a wooden cross like a common criminal for all world to see. 

He died in our place. How do you feel about that? How should you feel about that? Are you grateful? He saved our lives, but if we walk away the same as we came than His death doesn’t apply to us. Embrace the love. Live with a spirit of gratitude. God could have let us all die in our sins, but His love was so great, so never-ending, that He could not allow that to happen. Shun Him if you want, but the door to freedom and eternity is currently wide open. One day it will close, never to be open again. Loving and serving God is the only path to heaven. There is no other way, regardless of what man may say. In the end, when time is no more, it will be too late. Decide now whom you shall serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Absolution Day

            “An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense.”

            Your Absolution Day is the day you receive Christ as your personal Lord & Savior. Mine was March 21, 1979, in the kitchen of the Chi Alpha leader’s apartment in Montclair, NJ. I was 24 years old. My life has had its ups & downs, but it has all been worth it. The downs were admittedly my doing. The ups were when I actually listened to the Lord and followed thru with His plan for my life. 

            Life can become mundane, but it doesn’t have to. It all depends on where your focus lies. If it lies on the things you see as problems then depression could enter in. We should place our focus on the great problem solver, Almighty God. Now the problems don’t always disappear right away, but if your trust matches your faith & belief in God then you may begin to see those problems as opportunities to grow rather than what you have been seeing them as; blockades to your happiness. Being happy is definitely a choice. If your focus is aimed directly at your problems, then happiness will not be found. But life is much more than just being happy. It’s about learning and growing. For the follower of Christ that learning and growing comes from your relationship to Him.  It takes a certain level of commitment and a “want to”. Do you WANT to know the Lord better? Do you sincerely desire to enhance your relationship with Him? It takes work. It takes determination. It takes a “stick to it” attitude despite any trials that may come. 

            Absolution Day is a day of victory! It is a day when freedom has come to you. Understand what it means and embrace it. You are free, not to do your own thing, but to commit your way to God and all He has for you. He knows you better than you know yourself and causes and/or allows everything that happens in your life for a specific purpose, so rejoice, for the Lord loves you without conditions placed upon that love and He always will. What He did for you thru His Son Jesus Christ makes Him more than worthy of ALL our praise. 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

            Actions speak louder than words. Perhaps you’ve heard this before. St. Anthony of Padua (c. 1195–1231) has had an early version of this phrase attributed to him. He said in a 13th-century sermon, "Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak". But what does it mean?

            Its’ meaning would seem to be rather straight forward. I take this quote to mean that you can speak volumes regarding God and your relationship to Him without saying a word, by putting scripture into practice. Robert T. Kiyosaki ^[1] is quoted a saying, "Talk is cheap. Learn to listen with your eyes. Actions do speak louder than words". A person can say just about anything, yet never follow thru on what he or she has said, but follow your words with action and now you’ve done something that cannot be countered very easily for the evidence is front and center. 

            I close with this quote from St. Francis of Assisi, who said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Let us minister the word of God thru our actions and not only by our words. Anyone can talk a good game, but if you do not follow it with corresponding action, you are wasting your time.  Actions do indeed speak much louder than words ever could and ever will.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] Robert T. Kiyosaki is an American investor, entrepreneur, educator, and author best known for his international bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad, which has sold over 27 million copies worldwide and is recognized as the longest-running bestseller on multiple major lists, including The New York Times, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Thoughts from a Random Mind

           What sort of people should a Christian spend time with?  Only those who believe the way they do? No. That would make you somewhat of an isolationist in the respect that you want to isolate yourself from the outside world and live in a bubble. It is important to have Christian influences in your life, but not to the exclusion of those who are in need of Christ as their Savior.

Should you mingle only with the unsaved? Sometimes that’s the way your life ends up. You work with them, go to school with them, live near them... That makes it all the more important to have contact with other believers to counterbalance worldly influences. 

What about if your best friends are either unsaved or claim to be Christians yet exhibit no spiritual fruit. What if you vent to those same friends about all your problems and they either commiserate with you or advise you from their secular perspective? How would you grow spiritually? You love the Lord, but seem to serve Him under YOUR terms rather than His. You don’t like to go to church because either the sermons are too long or they are always asking for money (or both). You don’t feed your spirit man or woman, so you are susceptible to having your faith wilt. 

In my humble opinion, spending most of your time with unsaved people when your own walk with the Lord is weak presents a dilemma that is easy to fix, but you have to be willing to have it fixed. We are told in scripture to be ambassadors of Christ; His representatives in a sin-sick world. What good are you to the Lord if your focus is on the wrong thing? 

This world will pass away at some point in time, and all our material possessions will rot and blow away.  What we have done for Christ will last for all eternity. Now I am not for one second saying we should shun the unsaved. Never. We just need to try to have a healthy balance of folks who we can interact with, whether liberal or conservative, Christian or not. Rely on the Lord for advice and/or a trusted brother or sister in Christ. Be mindful of your relationship with the Lord. He loves you and desires your company. Don’t think for a moment that just because He cannot be seen that that is nonsense. It should be the closest, most intimate relationship we have, with our spouses, and families being right behind a close second. Use your relationship with your unsaved friends to share your faith with the end result potentially being their receiving Christ. 

We need to take our relationship with Christ seriously, while not allowing ourselves to become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. A healthy balance. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What is Godly Wisdom?

        Godly wisdom is the ability to discern & act according to God's perspective, reflecting His character which leads to a life aligned with His will. It’s a divine gift received through faith, prayer, and a close relationship with Jesus, distinct from worldly wisdom which prioritizes self-interest and immediate gains. This wisdom is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, humility, mercy, impartiality, sincerity, and the production of good fruit. It enables believers to make spiritually informed decisions, resist deception, and live with grace and integrity.

Godly wisdom originates from God and is obtained by asking for it with faith, as promised in James 1:5. It is cultivated through studying Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. It’s fundamentally different from worldly wisdom, which is driven by selfish ambition, envy, and a desire for personal success which often leads to disorder and harmful actions.

The characteristics of godly wisdom, as outlined in James 3:17, include being pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit.  It’s being impartial, and sincere. This type of wisdom brings about a life of eternal perspective, contentment, and love for others, including enemies. It’s also essential for spiritual growth and making decisions that honor God.

As emphasized in scripture, true wisdom surpasses human strength and power, providing lasting benefits, deeper self-understanding, and a profound connection with God. Godly wisdom can be achieved thru dedication to your beliefs and sincere dedication to becoming more like Christ throughout your life. 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

HEARTBREAK

This is for all those out there who are hurting & don’t know where to turn...

 

HEARTBREAK

Behold the Beloved*

 

Your heart beats faster every time I get close

You raise up the walls that keep you enclosed

You run and hide, n' fortify, don't tell me your fine

Cause I can see the ruins burning deep in your eyes

Don't push me away

Take me to your heartbreak, your darkest days

The skeletons you hide away

I'll meet you in your struggle, your downfall

You're not alone

Show me all your pain

I'll show you all my grace

Take me to your heartbreak

Tell me everything, give it to me

 

There's nothing you have done that I can't redeem

So face your fear, I'm right here, I know you're scared

But I'll pick up the pieces if you just lay them bare

Don't push me away

Take me to your heartbreak, your darkest days

The skeletons you hide away

I'll meet you in your struggle, your downfall

You're not alone

Show me all your pain

I'll show you all my grace

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord

Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing

So that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope

Nothing can tear me away

I will not leave you ashamed

Nothing can tear me away

I will not leave you ashamed

Take me to your heartbreak

 

*Behold The Beloved is a 5 member Christian Rock band from Manheim, PA. “Our main focus is to bring hope and encouragement to the listener, as well as help further the kingdom of God through music. We desire to bring glory and honor to The One who deserves all, Jesus Christ.”

The Choices We Make

            Our life is filled with choices. Some are easy, some difficult, but they must be made, nonetheless. Whatever our core beliefs are; the things we’ve come to accept and believe become a foundation for us. It becomes a launching point for things that we think, say and do each day. 

            If you’re miserable, at some point you chose to be miserable based on something that happened, or something that was said or done to you. It doesn’t have to be that way. What IS your foundation based on, your own thoughts and ideas or that of a higher power who cares for and loves you. 

            Almighty God is there for us to lean on and incorporate into our daily lives. He came in the human form of Jesus to provide a way to escape from our sinful lives. He knew we would be courted by Satan and if unchecked live out events that would be contrary the standard He set up for us in scripture. 

            The enemy of our soul works overtime, along with his demons, to destroy anything God has set up. Satan knows his future, for it is already set. He will spend eternity in a burning lake of fire with no way of escape. He lies to mortal man, just as he did in the Garden of Eden, telling him that God isn’t what He says He is and cannot do for you what He says He can. That fact was established in the Garden when he uttered the words, “Surely God didn’t say...”. Scripture calls Satan a liar and the father of all lies. That is one of many reasons NOT to trust him. Our main weapons against our enemy is listed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians when he speaks of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

            So choices made are very critical to our wellbeing and our future. If you decide that God isn’t real and the Bible (God’s Word) is nothing more than a collection of fairy tales that are interesting, but not to be taken seriously, you are unknowingly choosing to align yourself with the enemy. You are either for God or against Him. There is no middle ground. 

            Every choice you make in this life will have repercussions or consequences that effect your life either in a positive or negative way. You must make wise choices based on what God already knows will be best for you. Your future depends on it. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

“Attitude is a choice.

Happiness is a choice.

Optimism is a choice.

Kindness is a choice.

Giving is a choice.

Respect is a choice.

Whatever choice you make makes you.

Choose wisely.”

·       Rev. T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Deconstructing One’s Faith

                It’s a really fancy word for examining your faith and figuring out which parts are helpful and loving and worth keeping, and which are not. As if anyone would actually know that. For me this is the enemy’s latest ploy to stick a dagger into the heart of Christianity.

                  “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’ ‘Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,’ the woman replied. ‘It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.’ God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ‘You won’t die!’ the serpent replied to the woman. ‘God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.’” – Genesis 3:1-4 NLT

                  Now why did I bring this portion of scripture up? Satan lies. He compromises God’s word by questioning it, though he doesn’t have the authority to challenge God. If Satan, who is more powerful than mortal man, doesn’t have the authority to challenge anything about God; His word, His power, His position, etc., then what on earth gives mortal man the idea that He can challenge the meaning of anything in scripture? 

                  To challenge anything in scripture is certainly permissible without question, but to do that without facts to back you up is a fools errand. To challenge based on the fact that you simply don’t agree with something written in the Bible is unfortunate because we are picking apart your own faith based on your likes and dislikes. That which makes you uncomfortable isn’t a reason to toss it out as illegitimate. Christianity IS NOT all about us. It never has been. It is about God and His plan to save His own creation from themselves. 

                  Deconstruct your faith at your own peril. The fact that you would even entertain doing that shines a spotlight on the fact that you DO NOT trust God. You want to place your faith in something that makes sense to you, not something you have to work at understanding with the chance that understanding it may not be possible depending on your level of faith. Open up to the Word with an open mind and a trusting heart, rather than looking at the Bible with a non-committal, distrust that can only lead to weakening or even losing your faith altogether. 

                  Just because you think it isn’t fair that people go to hell, doesn’t make it so. God provides two options regarding eternity. You can willingly receive Christ, and all that association provides or you can choose not to do that. The latter decision isn’t God sending you to hell, it’s you, by virtue of your rejection of Christ or your noncommittal response that sends you to hell. God honestly had nothing to do with your decision. Just because you don’t believe all that doesn’t make it go away, like closing your eyes so as not to see that which is bothersome to you. Scripture tells us that God doesn’t wish that ANYONE would go to hell. 

^“Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”^{[2 Peter 3:8-10 Amplified Bible]}

Readjust your focus so that you can see Christ and not some made up controversy to place doubts in your mind about your personal beliefs. Trust God and commit to knowing Him more. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Why is the Cross Offensive Today?

                 The cross remains offensive today because it confronts humanity with the reality of sin and the necessity of repentance, challenging the world’s self-perception and moral standards. It serves as a condemnation of human pride, immorality, greed, and self-indulgence, exposing the darkness in human hearts that people often prefer to keep hidden. The cross declares that all are sinners in need of salvation, a message that contradicts the world’s desire to see itself as good or deserving. This confrontation is why the cross is described as a "stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles",and why it provokes offense even in modern times.

The offense stems from the cross’s central claim: that salvation is not earned through human effort, good works, or moral striving, but is a free gift of grace through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This undermines the idea of human self-sufficiency and the belief that people can achieve righteousness on their own, which is why the cross is seen as repugnant to those who rely on their own merit. In fact, the cross is offensive because it demands a complete surrender of personal autonomy and a willingness to deny oneself and take up one’s cross daily, a call that many find uncomfortable or unacceptable.

Furthermore, the cross has been sanitized and commercialized in contemporary culture, often worn as a fashion accessory or decorative symbol without acknowledging its original meaning as a brutal and humiliating form of execution. This trivialization removes its power and transforms it into something comfortable and non-offensive, which contradicts its true nature as a symbol of suffering, sacrifice, and divine judgment. The cross was historically reserved for the worst criminals and was considered so disgraceful that even Roman citizens were not supposed to speak of it. Today, its offensive power is diminished when it is reduced to a sentimental or aesthetic object rather than a call to discipleship and repentance.

The cross also continues to provoke offense because it exposes hypocrisy and unrepentant sin in individuals and systems, just as it did in the time of Jesus. It condemns not only overt sins but also the hidden pride, fear, and moral compromise that characterize many lives. As Billy Graham noted, the cross brings a "search light" on evil deeds, which people often avoid because they do not want to face their own guilt before God. Ultimately, the cross remains offensive because it stands as a perpetual challenge to human pride and a declaration of God’s justice and love, demanding a response of faith and surrender that many are unwilling to make.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: http://www.thecrossunveiled.com/the-offense-of-the-cross.html

Thoughts From a Random Mind

This is for those who are Christians in Name Only.

         A Christian isn’t someone who goes to church whenever the doors are open. A Christian isn’t someone who gives money to the church. A Christian isn’t someone to volunteers for every class and committee. Those are things a Christian DOES, but it isn’t what a Christian IS. For those who say they are a Christian yet don’t feed themselves spiritually by reading the Bible, praying for others, seek to be more like Christ (for starters), you’re missing out on the adventure of a lifetime. God knows the vast potential you hold inside, yet many have shuddered the windows and doors keeping His spirit out of your life.   

Without Christ all our efforts will burn and only ashes will remain. Those things that seem to mean the most to us are temporal attempts to find happiness and satisfaction. They never last and even if they did they would have no intrinsic value. Not believing in the existence of a god is just a convenient way for mortal man to sidestep the inevitable conclusion that comes to us all eventually. We make our choices, for life is full of essential choices that must be made. Does God mean anything to you? Does Christ’s death mean anything to you? Are you avoiding that which our Lord has asked us to do? Do we realize the inevitable result of a life lived without God? Do we also realize the inevitable result of a life lived on Christ’s behalf? Did the Christmas holiday mean anything to you besides receiving gifts, or is your focus on the birth of God’s Son and all that stands for? Shift your focus OFF yourself and your endeavors for one moment and dedicate a little time to reminding yourself that God loves you and has a plan for your life. Don’t forget about your Creator as you would an old worn shoe; have a heartfelt conversation with the God who sees all yet is unseen. Our lives hang in the balance between life and death, good and evil, salvation and damnation. Don’t waste your life deconstructing your faith. Bolster your faith thru trust in Almighty God.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

We Get a Do Over

Do you understand that God’s plans for us many times do not jive with our own plans? We strain to comprehend the Lord’s reasoning to no avail. We come to the place where we will either trust God or not trust Him. Followers of Christ should by this time realize that God’s plans for us are always for our betterment. No harm will come to us if we adhere to His plan. We do not need to understand the “why” of His plans, we simply need to trust Him. Does that mean we are to do nothing? Not at all. We are to work at being tuned in to His Spirit so we can be led down the path He desires us to go down. Don’t try to figure out the “why” or “what” of any of God’s plans, because you’ll be wasting your time. God only reveals to us what we need to know when we need to know it.

Trusting God is like walking into a pitch dark room without knowing where the light switch is. The unknown is daunting because you don’t know what’s coming next. That’s why some folks are terrified of dying because death is the ultimate unknown. You can avoid going into a pitch black room if you so desire, but no one escapes death. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (KJV) Even the thought of being judged is daunting. Without Christ that too can be terrifying. We all like to know what is coming next, don’t we? I know I do.

You should consider this new year a fresh start in a way. Sure, things pick up right where they left off the day before, but I prefer to look at it as a clean slate to alter how I respond to the daily challenges of life. With Christ it will be a successful year, one day at a time because of who is in control, and thankfully it’s not me. Reassess your life in Christ. Are you living in such a way that you are pleasing to the Lord?  Have you been selfish or selfless? I am a firm believer in taking the time regularly to take an inventory of your behavior as it lines up with the behavior of Jesus. HE is the template we are to copy. Make this new year something special and may all of God’s blessings be yours in 2026 and beyond. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!