Thoughts from a Random Mind

            “Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events that occur in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, to the future.”^[1] It is comprised of seconds, which are the base unit. Everything builds off that. 60 seconds equals 1 minute, 60 minutes equals 1 hour & 24 hours equals 1 day. 365 days equals 1 calendar year. Time is fleeting. “Time & tide wait for no man.”^[2]

                  As we stand at the doorway leading into a new calendar year we must reflect on our use of time. I confess I end up wasting far too much time on frivolous things. It reminds me of a line from Pink Floyd’s song “Time”. “Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day. Fritter & waste the hours in an offhand way.”^[3] Any day as a Christian should never be dull, but we often find ourselves frittering & wasting far too many hours in an offhand way. There is so much we can be doing for the Lord and while everyone needs some ‘chill’ time every once in a while, too many of us tend to see the need to ‘chill’ every chance we get. I am writing this to ME as much as anyone else.

                  Scripture is very clear regarding time and man’s use of it. I am not good at using my time wisely. It readily escapes me. What about you? We’ve been given a second chance to live our lives righteously according to the Word of God. We all must do better with our time management. Before you know it the trumpet will sound and time will be no more. All the things we planned to do will be blown away like dust in the wind. We all must see to it that we place God first every day in all we do. He is the one who controls time. Now read these scripture regarding time. Take them to heart & apply them to your life with the Holy Spirit’s help.

2 Peter 3:8 – “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… .”

Ephesians 5:16 – “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

James 4:14 - “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Psalm 31:14 – “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand… .”

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources:

^[1] – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time

^[2] – Unknown origin; predates modern English. 

[3] – Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd; March 1,1973; Capitol Records.

Taking a Look at Isaiah

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

            Chapter 55 speaks very directly to an invitation of eternal value. It is an invitation to the Lord’s Salvation. Statements like “Is anyone thirsty, come and drink – even if you have no money! … it’s all free!” and “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.” It speaks of salvation, of the complete forgiveness of all one’s sins. It is prophetic. It has taken place and will continue to take place until the final trumpet sounds. Forgiveness for the asking, resulting in a changed life.  

            The above verse 6 tells men to seek God while he may be found, while he is near. It isn’t the Lord who moves away, but man who often moves away from him by erecting barriers of sin between God and us. These words in chapter 55 encourage all men to make things right with the Creator of all things before he comes to judge the earth. Then it will be too late. 

            No one can know the mind of God unless he reveals his thoughts to you. The Jews foolishly thought they knew what the Lord was thinking and planning and as a result stubbed its collective toe regularly. No one can squeeze God into his or her own mold. His ways are mysterious and do not line up with our own way of thinking. What we must do is strive to fit into his plans. His plans are meant to prosper all his children even as their soul prospers ^{(3 John 1:2)}. 

            For those who reject the existence of one true God, they will one day face the harsh reality of their mistake. The truth is that if there is no God man will die never having another conscious thought, so he will never know if there is no God. However, if there IS one true God and Creator of all things, man will know it for all eternity because he will not stay dead but rise up to face the White Throne Judgment of Almighty God. My understanding is that is for all who do not know Christ. Those who are children of the Most High God will stand before the Bema or Mercy Seat of Christ where they will give an account of all they have done on behalf of the Lord. Take advantage of God’s forgiveness while it is still available to you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

“The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ.” - https://www.gotquestions.org/judgment-seat-Christ.html

* The study of the final judgments is for another time.

Taking a Look at Isaiah

After a month’s holiday hiatus from the study of Isaiah we are back, taking another look at Isaiah 53.

“When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”- Isaiah 53:11

            Last time we visited the brutal way in which Christ died. Now let’s focus on what that single act of obedience brought to fruition. Can you imagine how many souls were saved from everlasting damnation because Christ allowed his life to be taken from him? He in no way resisted what he knew he must endure. Think of the deep pain he must have felt being separated from his father even for a short time.  This torturous punishment was meant for you and me, yet he willingly took it on so we wouldn’t have to.

            We truly have no idea how many souls stand as righteous in God’s sight because of Christ’s substitutionary death. Are you among the souls counted as righteous? Have you shed your old life as a snake sheds its dead skin? If your answer is yes, then what are you doing with the knowledge that you are getting a do over?  Are you seeking to please the Lord with your life or are you simply continuing down the same path you travelled before?

            Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, is satisfied by the huge volume of sinners who have turned from their old life to face the challenge of a new life guided by the Holy Spirit. God spoke thru Isaiah to let all the people know what had been preordained. It provided hope for mortal man. Life without hope is not much of a life, but hope realized causes our faith is rise up and our trust in God to expand. Christ is coming again for all those who have turned their life and allegiance over to the one true King of Kings. We don’t know when, but as we remain active for the kingdom the time will soon enough arrive. Christ enabled us to live eternally with our Creator God and so we live with great anticipation, expecting his return when God knows the time is right. Meditate on all Christ went thru for you. I am thoroughly convinced that because of the loving nature of Almighty God, he would have enacted his salvation plan even if there were only a handful of souls to be saved. I encourage you to think on Christ’s actions and apply them to your heart. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible.

IF CHRIST HAD NEVER COME

NOTE: Mrs. Charles Cowman compiled a devotional titled ‘Streams in the Desert’. It is a wonderful book. In it there is a devotional for Christmas Day entitled “If Christ Had Never Come”. This is my attempt at writing on the same topic.

          What if Christ had never come to this earth! Have you ever given that any thought? Do we truly comprehend the impact He has made on this world that He created? Over two thousand years ago God chose to have His Son be born on this earth as a conduit to our salvation. He was to be our deliverer. He would deliver us the sin that has so easily entangled us throughout the ages. What if He never came to earth? What if God, as a consequence of our separation from Him due to our disobedience decided to let us cook in our own juices, so to speak? Think of it … No churches dotting the landscape, so there would be no church bells tolling on the hour, every hour. No steeples rising to the heavens. No crosses to remind us of Christ and all He willingly accomplished on our behalf. No mention of God or Jesus. There would be no manger, no wise men, no shepherds. No story of Mary & Joseph. There would be nothing of any value or consistency to place our faith in. There would be no standard for living. There would be no angels, no miracles, no example of unconditional love. We would be on our own; left to our own devices and our own wisdom. If Christ had never come there would be no hope.

          Fortunately for us Christ DID come. Many shun Him, many try to remove Him from our collective conscience, but He is here. We should thank God daily for the coming of His Son for without Christ there is no forgiveness. Instead we can say with one voice rising up to the heavens – Glory to God in the Highest for His sent His Son to save us from our sin. Salvation has come to us all. Merry CHRISTmas!! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

May the true meaning of Christmas fill your hearts with joy, peace and love during this special time of the year. 

Another Pre-Christmas Thought from a Random Mind

How St. Nicholas became Santa Claus

“In the 16th Century in northern Europe, after the reformation, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became unpopular. But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the UK, particularly in England, he became 'Father Christmas' or 'Old Man Christmas', an old character from stories plays during the middle ages in the UK and parts of northern Europe. In France, he was then known as 'Père Nöel'.

            In some countries including parts of Austria and Germany, the present giver became the 'Christkind' a golden-haired baby, with wings, who symbolizes the new born baby Jesus. Early on in America his name was 'Kris Kringle'.  Later, Dutch settlers in America took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle and St Nicholas became 'Sinterklaas' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'!

            Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas' Day on 6th December. In The Netherlands and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out on the 5th December (St. Nicholas Eve) to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets. St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories. In 1823 the famous poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' or 'T'was the Night before Christmas', was published initiating Santa Claus coming down the chimney and having 8 reindeer.” 

            Santa Claus himself isn’t a bad symbol for giving help to those less fortunate in the form of money or small gifts, especially for the children. These are all innocent endeavors, but should never serve as a replacement for Christ. As the often seen sign says: “Keep Christ in Christmas”. For without Christ we have nothing and the celebration of Christmas is nothing more than a series of lifeless gestures based on the perpetual goodness of man, which is sporadic and often times conditional. rlkeller

From www.whychristmas.com

Another Pre-Christmas Thought from a Random Mind

 

Who was St. Nicholas?

“The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Those knew Bishop Nicholas throughout the land for his generosity toward those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas’ feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops’ begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.” From https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas

Another Pre-Christmas Thought from a Random Mind

As Christians we believe Christmas is the celebration of the birth of man’s redeemer, Jesus Christ. He was God’s only Son. He was sent to die in our place. An infant cannot know of such things and the parents, Mary & Joseph, were unaware of the reason for his birth. They knew God sent him. They knew the Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant, yet there was so much they didn’t know. This is no doubt why Mary wept so bitterly when he hung on a criminal’s cross for no reason other than man’s arrogance & impudence. Men who should have known better … religious men. The spiritual leaders of the Jews. With all the hate that existed then and still exists now, was Christ’s death worth it. Millions shall be saved because of his one selfless act. Yes, it was well worth it. 

Christmas has morphed into something materialistic, something to go into debt for. Our focus has shifted off the Giver of life onto the giver of laptops & PlayStations … nothing intrinsically wrong with that other than these things that surround us have begun to consume us. We are forgetting the reason for the season. We are ignoring the true meaning of the holiday in favor of temporal things. Gifts are wonderful and it is fun to exchange, but it should never be to the exclusion of honoring Christ, the one who bled and died for our disobedience … our sin.

If we ignored our wives the way we ignore the Lord we’d be divorced. As believers in Christ we must keep our priorities straight and our focus sharp. The Creator of the Universe and man’s first breath shouldn’t take a back seat to celebratory festivities, especially when the festivities focus on happiness, love and family alone. You see, those are honorable things to focus on but only with the inclusion of God, not his exclusion, He must be preeminent in each of our lives. Without Almighty God we would be lost in a very literal sense. Respect & revere the Lord for he is very much worth it. rlkeller