Thoughts from a Random Mind

A Commitment is Needed

            The unsaved want the benefits of being a Christian without paying for it. Christ paid the price, but the unsaved balk at making any commitment to the One who paid. Make no mistake about it, salvation IS NOT FREE. It came with a cost attached. No one on this earth is able to pay that cost. It’s like having a debt that was SO BIG that you couldn’t ever pay it off in this lifetime. Knowing that, God sent the One person who alone could pay off EVERYONE’S debt with one lone action. Blood was required. Jesus gave His unto death. He did that for all of mankind, whom He created. That is love, unmatched by anyone else in all of creation. So, when you say you are a Christian, please understand the price paid for freedom from your sin and commit to knowing the One a little more each day. He alone is the Ohe who paid the debt we owed but couldn’t pay. Those who are truly His followers will make a greater  commitment to serve Him. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What Does It Mean? - 'God is my portion'

            King David referred to God as his portion in Psalm 16:5: "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." He echoed the same sentiment in Psalm 142:5. Asaph wrote that "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" in Psalm 73:26. Lamentations 3:24 says, "'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" So, what does it mean that "God is my portion"? Sometimes the word "portion" is translated as "inheritance."Saying that God is your portion is another way of saying that He is your inheritance, your allotment in life. When we say that God is our portion, we are saying that He is our all-sufficient One, the source of all we could ever need. 

In the Old Testament, each Israelite tribe, minus the priestly tribe of Levi (Deuteronomy 10:9), received an allotment of land upon arrival in the Promised Land (Numbers 26:52–56; Joshua 14:1–5). This land was their family inheritance and was passed on from one generation to the next (Numbers 36:7). As was indicated with the tribe of Levi, another side to the concept of inheritance is that God Himself can be the inheritance of His people (see Jeremiah 10:16). "Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance" (Deuteronomy 10:9). 

The New Testament furthers this by describing believers as co-heirs with Christ, the Son of God, for we have been grafted into the family of God. Through Jesus' redeeming work, we can become adopted as sons and daughters of God (John 1:12; Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7). The presence of the Holy Spirit within our lives is the guarantee of this "eternal inheritance" we have received (Ephesians 1:14; Hebrews 9:15). 

The Bible makes it clear that all people have the opportunity to become children of God and recipients of the same inheritance (Ephesians 3:6; John 3:16–18). What is the inheritance? The kingdom of God both now and forever (Matthew 25:34; Romans 8:17–23; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58; 1 Peter 1:3–4). This doesn't mean that the life of a believer in Christ is easy; it means we have the grace of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us as we journey through life, and we have the promise of eternity with Christ. God is the source of our sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5). Jesus says: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is what it looks like to choose to make the Lord your portion. 

By saying, "God is my portion," the biblical writers, and now us, are affirming that God is our source of all that is good. He is our portion in the life that is now (Psalm 142:5) and the life that is to come. He is the only inheritance that matters. Relationships, riches, jobs, health, and all other things in our lives may fail, but we can say with confidence that "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26, NASB). When God is our portion, we lack nothing for we have a never-ending supply of hope (Lamentations 3:24). 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.compellingtruth.org

Currency in a Bankrupt World

           Let’s face it. At one time or another we all face some sort of catastrophic event in our life. Whether it is literally catastrophic or just feels that way to us, there is hope left in a bankrupt world. That hope comes in the form of a man who walked the earth over 2000 years ago. Hard to believe, then you haven’t met Jesus.

            Whether you have a personal relationship with Almighty God or not, hope is universal because God loves everyone in His creation and He loves them unconditionally. It doesn’t matter what has befallen you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and trust me when I tell you it is NOT an oncoming train. That light is God’s glory beckoning you to come to Him. 

            Some of us commit some terrible sins which we’re sure God will never forgive, but you are wrong. NOTHING can separate us from His undying and unwavering love for us all. ^[1] Our hope comes when we release our white knuckled clench on our own life and let God take the wheel. Our hope comes when we begin to realize that we CANNOT live this life alone. We need a Savior, who shall also be Lord of our life.

            This world is indeed bankrupt in every sense of the word. While it may not be bankrupt in a financial sense just yet, it IS bankrupt morally, ethically, and spiritually. The soul remedy that can save mankind is being Born Again of the Spirit of God. ^[2] It’s a decision that every man, woman, and child must make at some point in their life. There IS currency of a Godly nature in this bankrupt world. Cash in on it now.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] “...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love... nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ^{[Romans 8:38a, 39b]}

^[2] “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” ⁵ Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’ ^{[John 3:3-7 Amp]}

            

What is Your Motivation?

            “In religion, we try to obey the divine standards out of fear. We believe that if we don’t obey we are going to lose God’s blessing in this world and the next. In the gospel, the motivation is one of gratitude for the blessing we have already received because of Christ. While the moralist is forced into obedience, motivated by fear of rejection, a Christian rushes into obedience, motivated by a desire to please and resemble the one who gave his life for us.” ^[1]

                  Do you serve God because you feel you have to, or do you serve Him because you want to? “Religion” is going to church because you feel you must. Following the prescribed liturgy, singing the songs, paying your obligatory offering, then leaving to enjoy the rest of the day. The Gospel, whose base line is a personal, intimate relationship with Almighty God, causes your desire to become altered from “have to” to “want to”. We go to a building to worship our Lord, praise His name, become charged with a bible based message, stay around after to fellowship with the brethren. Do not mistake this fact: YOU are the church. The edifice is nothing more than a building. YOU make it alive. It’s not because we MUST do these things, but just as Christ willingly went to the cross for us, we WILLINGLY go to show our God that we are extremely grateful for all that has been done for us.  What is your motivation? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] Taken from The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

Not For Sale

          You cannot buy your way into God’s heaven, nor can you work your way in. No matter how good of a salesman you may happen to be, there is nothing you can say that will cause God to let you into His heaven. THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO GAIN ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN but receive Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior. Too many people seem to think that if they are just a good enough person they just might be able to get into heaven, but it doesn’t work that way. You can’t GET into heaven; you have to be invited in and your ticket for entrance rests in your full acceptance of Christ’s death on a criminal’s cross. You see it’s all about the blood. His blood. He shed His own blood willingly for that blood was required as payment for all of mankind’s sins & indiscretions.

            Perhaps you are what could be classified as a “Christian in name only”. That would be a person who refers to themselves as Christian, yet doesn’t live a life that exhibits any of the recognizable behavioral traits that the Bible lays out. In other words, they don’t practice what the title implies. That being said, this post is for you as well. Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t necessarily mean you are one. It’s not about you. It has never been about you. It’s about Almighty God and His plan of salvation. We are invited to begin an intimate, personal relationship with the creator of the world and everything in it. Perhaps you didn’t realize that, but how else would you truly know God without spending time with Him. What type of relationship would you have with your spouse if you lived separately, thousands miles apart? I dare say not a very good one. Why wouldn’t the same criteria apply to a relationship with God? 

            God loves you more than you will ever know. There is no love on this earth that would be comparable to His. Sell out to Almighty God. The benefits vastly outweigh the negatives; especially since the negatives are an illusion concocted by Satan and are not real. This relationship with God isn’t something receive by osmosis and you aren’t born with it. It takes your consent and a “want to” regarding the effort you pour into it. 

            “Matthew 7:23 contains Jesus’ solemn warning: ‘Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'" “Jesus is not rejecting genuine believers, but exposing hypocrisy. Many will claim to know Him—prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles—but their actions reveal a heart not truly aligned with God.  The phrase "I never knew you" means Jesus never recognized them as His true followers...  because they never truly knew Him through faith and obedience.” ^[1]

            Shed your façade and get real with yourself. Jesus is the only way. Surrender to the will of Almighty God and be free of the bondage of sin. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblestudytools.com

Quote Contemplations 6

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

            Whenever things are not going well and then take a turn for the worse, what should a believer in Christ do? Pray! AND never forget that God is STILL ON HIS THRONE!! He will never not be on His throne. He is the “yea & amen”.He is the Alpha & Omega; the beginning & the end. He shall never lose His ultimate authority, nor shall He ever surrender it to another. THAT is what should come to mind whenever the road gets rocky & the hill becomes too steep. 

            The Lord has a plan in place for each one of His children. He distributes gifts with the idea that the recipient will discover them and use them with the help of the indwelt Holy Spirit. I’ll use myself as an example. The gifts I believe the Lord has blessed me with are writing, public speaking, serving others, and encouragement. I think that’s it. I try my best to represent Christ using those gifts as I attempt to “make a difference one person at a time”.  I believe God gave me that tag line for my ministry and I think it’s absolutely fitting because THAT is the way I feel about my faith and my ministry. Trying to make a difference in a sin sick world. The second tag line is “feeding the need for Spiritual growth”. So with those gifts and the armor of God I move forward, ever so slowly so as not to make a wrong move. 

            So when things seem out of control, have your mind shift away from the obstacles in front of you to the gifts you’ve been given, and even more importantly, make that shift focus squarely on Almighty God, maker of the heavens and the earth. Nothing will ever happen to you that God hasn’t either caused or allowed for you greatest benefit and His greatest glory.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Ministries

Quote Contemplations 5

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." - Christian author and theologian Lewis B Smedes

                  What Brother Smedes is saying here is that we become the prisoners of our own disposition when we decide NOT to forgive someone. Forgiveness is something Almighty God gives out freely when asked. We, on the other hand, use it as a power ‘thing’ ... a weapon of sorts, to hold others at bay. That type of attitude has more of a negative effect on you than the one the angst is aimed at. The other person may not even know you have an issue with them. In that case that individual just may be living rent free in your head. They aren’t fazed, but you end up thinking about it a lot. Like most negative events, thoughts, and/or words, it doesn’t have to end up that way. It was YOUR decision to withhold forgiveness. Granted, it can be difficult to broach the subject with the one you have the issue with, but in that case, let it go. It’s not worth chew it on it over and over and over again. That can effect an untold amount of time that ends up being wasted. Don’t be a time waster.

            Think about how Christ willingly and without hesitation went to a criminals cross for all of mankind to pay our sin debt. His actions initiated the period of grace where, by virtue of that death, forgiveness became readily available to whom so ever will seek it out. So if God’s Son can freely forgive those who ravaged and tortured Him because of trumped up charges that weren’t even close to being true, then who are we not to forgive someone who has wronged us. Think long and hard about that. Set yourself free from the self-inflicted chains you’ve allowed to bind you. Do it today. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 4

“As a rule, men worry more about what they can’t see than about what they can.” – Julius Caesar

            It’s the unknown factor. If you can’t see something you give way to wondering. You wonder if it’s benevolent or dangerous. You wonder if you will be in danger or not. You burn a lot of energy wondering. The unknown can rob you of peace, contentment, and joy, among other things. Julius Caesar obviously had much to worry about, especially since Marcus Junius Brutus, who was a Roman senator and a close associate of Julius Caesar, allowed their relationship to devolve from one of friendship and trust to one of betrayal and conflict. You see, Brutus involved himself in a plot to assassinate his friend. His actions prompted Caesar’s famous words, “Et tu, Brute?” (You too, Brutus?)

            When you are a follower of Christ, you truly have nothing to worry about in this life. That doesn’t keep us from worrying, sadly because we are painfully human and prone to fretting about far too many things we have no control over. Scripture tells us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ^{[Matthew 6:34]} Yet still we worry. 

            We are taught thru God’s Word to trust in His provisions for us. The Jewish people refer to God as Jehovah Jireh, “the God who provides”. It’s a lesson that most of us need to learn by experience. Once God provides for us we begin to see that our concern was ill founded, yet even after the Lord takes care of us we still have the tendency to worry. Feed your spirit man regularly and you will grow spiritually. It’s an incremental thing. The more we delve into the things of the spirit, the quicker we will become the reflection of Christ that we strive for.

            Find your peace and confidence in the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations 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