Happy 4th!!

 

Thoughts from a Random Mind

            Why do babies suffer and die? Why do good people suffer and die? It is a nearly impossible question to answer, because God doesn’t explain his actions. People walk away from God because they cannot wrap their mind around the ‘why’ of it. At the risk of being trite I hold my tongue. I can repeat the typical reasons that are spit out to a hurting public, but I refrain because I truly don’t know. I don’t have all the answers and God isn’t interested at this time in providing them. It seems to fall under the category of either, “I will talk, says the Lord, and you will listen” or “I will ask the questions, and you will answer.” God was like that with Job. 

Believing doesn’t necessarily require understanding; neither does it need facts to substantiate our faith. Call it blind faith if you want, but it is what it is. We cannot change events in time, nor can we solve all the world’s problems. All we can do is trust God at his word. Sometimes that is much easier said than done. 

For example, I can see why some would say that God is mean to allow little children to contract a disease, but we live in a fallen world where EVERYONE is a sinner. Perfection was the plan in the beginning, but allowing free will to do as we please shines a spotlight on man’s tendency to serve himself at the expense of others. Eve fell for Satan’s deception, and Adam followed right along, and that gave birth to man’s sinful nature.

Some make the argument that babies and toddlers couldn’t have sinned. But once they can walk, who teaches them to get into things they’re not supposed to get into? Once they speak, who teaches them to lie? Every man, woman, and child is born with a sinful nature. The only cure is the blood of Christ.

God does exactly what He knows is the best thing to do for all parties concerned. He knows infinitely more than we do, so although we may never understand, He has His reasons. Just because we don’t agree doesn’t make God wrong. It’s a matter of trust.

Until next time, walk with the King & be kind to others.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

Sometimes I don’t understand myself. I’m gripey and moody and just in an overall foul mood. While I try to blame it on someone else’s words or actions towards me that would be an incorrect approach. I, and I alone am the commander of my ship. I have failed to use self-control. I have allowed the darker side of me take control and I don’t like that. I am a work in progress… have been under construction since the day I gave my heart to Christ. March 21, 1979… my spiritual birthday.

I know the Lord loves me because when I feel the most unlovable He blesses me with a scripture, or a song, or a message online or in a book and I know He and I are alright. I still hate myself for acting the way I do or when I cuss out of shear frustration. That, I suppose, is the old me clawing to come out, but is it the real me? Is THAT the real me that is being altered or is what I am becoming a little bit more each day the real me? I honestly don’t know. 

I am grateful for God’s patience with me. I know who I am in reality. A seriously broken version of what the Lord created 71 years ago. I’m trying to be what God knows I can be, but at times my mind gets tangled up in the craziness this world has become. I want to please the Lord more than anything and I am grateful that He knows my heart. I am a different person than I was prior to my conversion, and I feel that and know that. The enemy puts up so many roadblocks to trip us up and if we aren’t paying close attention we will go flying and end of doing a face plant on the ground. 

So if you’re like me, try your best with the Lord’s help to not be too hard on yourself. Feed your spirit regularly and DO NOT entertain yourself with questionable things. The Lord wants the best for all of us, but that is hard for us to attain when we continue to step full body into the sinkholes of life. Focus on Christ. Razor sharp focus. Know that God loves each one of us. Don’t doubt it because of your behavior, simply accept it and embrace it. You’ll be better off for it in the end. 

I love you all and appreciate the time you take to read my ramblings. It means God is still using me. Lord, richly bless all my readers with blessings that will take them to the next level in their walk with You. Amen. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing, and always remember, it costs nothing to be kind.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

What standard for living do you follow? One of your own making? Based on what? How you’re feeling? Is it universally applicable? Almighty God has a plan all mapped out for you. We’re all made different, unique unto ourselves; so God would have a separate plan specifically designed for each one of His children. If you’d like to know it you need to establish a personal relationship with Him and listen to what He says in His Word to find it out. 

It feels like most folks outside of the family of God have a broken moral compass. They don’t seem to know anymore what is good and what is bad; what is right and what is wrong.  I think societal disfunction has a lot to do with that. The fact that mankind strives to achieve complete autonomy; the ability to rule themselves, contributes to the problem. Over stimulation of our senses can contribute to mental chaos, which can also keep folks from seeing reality. Their vision has become blurred, and they’ve become spiritually blind as well. 

The enemy of our souls presents to all of us, both Christian and non-Christian alike, contradictory information that breeds confusion. Our ship is listing and as a result, and we are taking on water. Only a strong relationship with the “author and finisher of our faith” can right the ship. Only the Lord can bail us out. Only the Lord is readily available to assist us and feed us the truth we need to thwart the disruptive plans of the enemy.

Don’t fight it. Surrender to the supernatural plan that has been designed with you in mind. No, it won’t make everything perfect, but it will take you to a place where things will begin to make sense from a godly point of view. We cannot DO this thing called life on our own, as many times as the enemy encourages us to do just that. The master planner (God) can and will see you through life’s maze. 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

“Why do You use me to make Yourself known… I’m a poor reflection of Your love & mercy.  At times my thoughts are so far from Your own. Lift me up & rescue me from myself.”  *

 

            A lyrical thought that feels like it’s something a lot of us could be saying to God. Why do you bother using me when I am fragile and broken, seemingly beyond repair.  Your love for me, while undeniable, seems way too good to be true. With no example of it this side of heaven, it is nearly impossible to fathom.

            I am indeed a very poor reflection of your love, mercy, compassion, peace... I wish I knew if others saw even a flicker of your light from my words and/or actions, but I have no assurance of that. 

            At times I feel like Paul when he wrote to the Roman believers regard how he does what he knows not to do, and doesn’t do that which he knows he should be doing. My thoughts can tend to be everywhere except where they should be at times; that being on You. 

            I need rescuing from myself. How about you? I love the Lord with all my heart, but I feel I fail Him regularly either by being lazy or apathetic. I know walking with You is where I need to be and am determined to allow you to lead me on into my future with no fear or hesitation. 

You are always with me, even when I don’t sense Your presence. Thank you for saving my soul... thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for Your grace. Thank you for your patience with me.

If you question your own walk with Christ, understand this: just the fact that you care enough to feel that way means there is hope for your spiritual resuscitation. It’s a spiritually healthy endeavor to assess your commitment to Christ and make sure you’re not fading away slowly. If this is you, don’t focus on how bad you think you are as a believer, but rather focus on the Lord and everything that HE IS. He is what’s important. Focus on Him & not yourself. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Bone Prophet is a Christian hard rock/metal band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 2009.  The band’s name is inspired by Ezekiel 37:1–14, the biblical vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing spiritual resurrection and the mission to "speak life" into the spiritually dead.  Their music blends 80s and 90s hard rock and metal influences with modern production, aiming to deliver powerful, uplifting messages rooted in faith while appealing to both traditional metal fans and contemporary rock listeners.

Thoughts from a Random Mind

It seems that as the years go by marriage has become more difficult to maintain an even keel. Experts say marriage is a 50-50 proposition, but I disagree. I believe it MUST be a 100-100 proposition. Both parties MUST be ALL IN, or it will be less likely to succeed. That is only my opinion, but I personally believe it bears merit. You’ve made a commitment to another individual who just may be different than you in a multitude of ways. For me, taking an inventory of what you like and don’t like about your partner may help. Then you can sit down and discuss it like mature adults.

Prior to marriage you are attempting to align yourself with someone whom you may happen to “click” with. However, marriage is for the long haul, not just a pit stop. Open communication is vital in any relationship. Frustration arises when one party disregards the others discontent. Life’s not easy and marriage tends to complicate it somewhat. Life can come at you very hard at times.

             When you marry someone you’ve made a commitment before Almighty God, though I doubt many couples actually have that in mind when they exchange their vows. Annoyances arise once the honeymoon is over and reality sets in. Communication, as stated earlier, has to be an integral part of any relationship. It simply HAS TO BE. A lack of communication can lead to assumptions regarding how someone is feeling. Talk things out CALMLY. No yelling, no cussing… a calm, mature discussion… an “airing it out” session. Perhaps even a “gripe” session.

            There is a sad fact that has been emerging and that is that many folks are choosing to NOT marry in a church setting. I attended a ceremony last summer where there wasn’t a mention of God at all. The institution of marriage is in shambles due to peoples definition of love and happiness. Prenuptial agreements are a thing, have been for a little while now. Does anyone even marry their soulmate anymore, or is it just a bunch of meaningless words. We seem to have lost our moral compass.

             Remind each other what you love about them. Even though it seems like most people dismiss compliments given to them, give them anyway, because despite their initial reaction, it sinks into their subconscious and brings edification to that person. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations

“Sometimes God works secretly & behind the scenes; but He will                                                   reveal his work to us when the time is right.” ^[1]

            We see throughout the gospels that there were certain events that couldn’t take place because as it stated, “the time was not right” or “his time had not yet come”. God is a master choreographer, with every movement done precisely when He wants them to. It requires patience on our part to endure the waiting. God knows what He’s doing to the moment, but we come from a NOW culture that is in such a hurry to achieve each moment right away with no waiting required. At times it can be an arduous task waiting for ANYTHING.

            The above quote captures the essence of God’s orchestrations as He accomplishes His will in His way, His time, out of sight, and unknown to a soul. Faith and trust play a key role in this dance as we eagerly await the manifestation of God’s work. Throughout scripture there has never been a time when Almighty God has failed at anything. Man failed and still fails regularly, which is why Jesus needed to come and die for us. Without His sacrificial death we would die still mired in our sins with no hope of redemption. But that is not the case, is it? 

            When the time was right Jesus was arrested, beaten, verbally harassed, flogged to within an inch of His life by a metal encrusted scourge and nailed to a wooden cross WILLINGLY to pay for all of our sins. EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!! Do you understand the magnitude of such an event. Do you understand the timing of everything that had to take place. Do you see how God the Father orchestrated each movement in this life altering play. Nothing would ever be the same after God’s plan was performed. No mistakes were made. No regrets were had. Do you see how it HAD TO BE THIS WAY?

            God always knows what He’s doing. No mistakes. No mismanagement of time. Everything was executed perfectly to allow this redemptive act to play out. God’s timing is always purposeful and right on time. His mercy was and is so remarkable that one can barely fathom the depth of it. God does what He does with precise purpose to an end that is exactly what He intended to take place all along. Trust God always. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.christianquotesforyou.tumbler.com