Quote Contemplations

“Care about what other people think & you will always be their prisoner.” – Legendary Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu

 

            I face a conundrum quite often. I both want to be liked by my peers, yet also don’t care what people think of me. Huh? You may ask... Yeah, I know. It doesn’t make much sense to me either. I’m certainly not one to be concerned about my legacy either as a person or as a Christian. I truly do feel that to know Jesus is far more important than to know me. I know my place in God’s universe. I try hard not to think too highly of myself and conversely, try not to beat myself up over mistakes. I want to please the Lord more than anything in my life, yet find my mind wandering away from Him from time to time. Not a lack of faith or trust in the Lord, just easily distracted by life. (I have horrifying concentration unless I’m writing. Then I seem to be able to focus on what I’m doing without too much trouble... must be a God thing.) 

            The quote above speaks truth to my soul. When you are striving to be the best version of yourself with the Holy Spirits help, then does it really matter what others think of you. Perhaps that is why I allow compliments to roll off me like rain drops on a water resistant coat. Oddly enough, I go out of my way to compliment others as a means of encouraging and supporting them. I suppose I don’t really know a whole lot of folks who take compliments well. Be it embarrassment or disinterest in being praised, most people I know tend to fluff it off.

            Don’t be a prisoner to the likes and dislikes of other people. Care what they think to a certain extent, but not to the point that is causes you consternation. Learn what you can from what others think, and discard that which is not helpful. Everyone has opinions. One is no more valid or important than another. So keep your focus on the One who always thinks highly of you and loves you without reservation or regret.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Quote Contemplations

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde *

 

            This could easily go hand in hand with a sweatshirt I have that says: “You Be You, the World Will Adjust”. We probably wouldn’t be very good trying to be someone else. We are who God made us to be. Though born with a sin nature, or having the propensity to do the wrong thing instead of the right, we are in need of a makeover from the word ‘go’. Until we receive Christ, we are fighting a losing battle character wise. Many questions come into play. Who are our initial influences? Are our parents followers of Christ or are they secular in their beliefs and lifestyle. I don’t say that as if the unsaved are hopelessly corrupt and on a fast track to hell. I just know that those NOT living in a bible believing home are at a distinct disadvantage regarding spiritual things. What they do with the right type of upbringing is up to them, but at least the foundation is being established.

            As we become teenagers and young adults, we begin to emulate those things that we think will make us popular, and well-liked by our peers. Being yourself is the furthest thing from our mind. We feel we NEED to be accepted and at times go to great lengths to achieve that acceptance. At times we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of just to fit in. Just be yourself, not someone you think will be popular. Those who truly appreciate you for who you are will show up. God will see to it. 

            I often refer to myself as someone who is “an acquired taste”. I’m admittedly not for everyone. I can be a little “out there”. I just don’t think like other folks. Since I’ve (cough cough) matured in Christ, I’ve ratcheted that back a bit. It’s fun to be me. There’s no one else just like me. God created snowflakes so that no two are exactly alike. He did the same thing with man. No two of us are alike. Even identical twins are not alike in every nuance of their being. Could be a freckle, or birth mark, something minor that most would never notice. We are all unique, made by God’s own hand. You are one of a kind. Revel in it. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Oscar Wilde (1854 –1900) was an Irish author, poet and playwright known for his great wit. 

Quote Contemplations

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion- it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon

            Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) was a British preacher, author, pastor and evangelist. He was well known and highly respected as a preacher of God’s Word.  Above is a very poignant declaration. Salvation isn’t a one and done experience. Yes, we’ve become Born Again of the Spirit of God. Yes, all our transgressions have been wiped clean, like an eraser wipes a chalk board filled with writing clean. Yes, we are eternally forgiven for past iniquities, but it does not end there. If truly “saved” our desires should begin to change. We start to desire to read God’s Word. We begin to learn how to pray. We find a church to attend to receive our spiritual food (sermons) and fellowship with like minded believers. However, we are then commissioned to become like Christ in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Now there are cultural and regional differences from bible times that cannot be replicated very easily, but I am talking about mostly replicating His behavior.  At that point it would be completely appropriate to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” or “How would Jesus act or react? or “How would He respond to a difficult question?” We can find those type of answers in God’s Word. 

            How do we know we are expected to imitate our Lord? The bible tells us... 1 John 2:6

^{(Amplified Bible)} “...whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.” And Galatians 2:20^{(Amplified Bible)} “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” 

            Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ. It means we have become His ambassador wherever we go. Are you representative of His great love, compassion, mercy, and grace? We may fail at this daily; I know I do. But that is no reason not to try and no reason to stop trying daily. Christianity is serious business. Once born again, we hold the key to forgiveness and eternal life for everyone in our sphere of influence. What are we doing about that? We plant the seeds of the gospel and rely on the Lord and His Holy Spirit to do the watering. If we are standing still in our spiritual progression we are going to stagnate spiritually. We mustn’t allow ourselves to regress. Push forward to the glory of God and His Kingdom. 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

                            No one has to be a Christian just like me or anybody else. You are unique… you be you.

I have encountered believers who believed a certain way; for example, that you aren’t born again until you’ve been water baptized by emersion. I didn’t agree with the person and our relationship became very cold going forward, from his end, not mine.

            There are certain doctrines that we should all agree on; such as the divinity of Jesus Christ, the fact that you must be born again of the spirit, plus all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, to name just a few (there are more for sure).

            The peripheral topics, like speaking in tongues, healings, miracles, to name a few, are not what I refer to as “heaven or hell” issues. Whether you believe these things or not will have no impact on where your eternal destination will be. But some folks don’t even agree with that idea. Some are very judgmental regarding biblical doctrines that has no eternal value. I believe that may have something to do with why people despise Christians so much. Like most people with different beliefs, they are often times grossly misunderstood. That is exactly what the enemy desires, for people of this world to be at each other’s throats.

            The fact of the matter is that as followers of Christ we are never to compare ourselves to ANYONE else this side of heaven... ever. The one we must compare ourselves to is Almighty God. HE has set the standard that we are to live by. HE is the One who can forgive sins. HE is the One who can punch our ticket to glory land. No one else has that ability and they certainly don’t have the authority. The Lord offers peace and contentment in exchange for obedience.  My question is this:  Would you rather do your own thing, beholden to no one, or would you rather follow His perfect plan and gain eternity with Him? Christ didn’t die a gruesome death on a cross for no reason. It was God’s plan from the beginning of time to save that which was lost, and Jesus Christ was the appointed cornerstone that would bring that about. 

            There is no disgrace admitting that you can’t make it on your own. God loves you and His desire is for you to enjoy the blessings that come from knowing Him. Eternity is the byproduct of knowing Him intimately and living a life that is pleasing to Him. There is no future for those who attempt to go it alone. 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

Focus – To concentrate all your attention or energy on something; to concentrate. It can be said you are “drawing a bead on” something or “zeroing in on” something. It is the “center” of your attention. 

We tend to fix our focus on many different things throughout life and God isn’t always one of them. We largely focus on problematic circumstances. Even though we are instructed to worry about nothing we focus on and over think our problems and the fixing of them. 

Why do we lose sight of God when we need him the most. He hasn’t gone anywhere. We’re the ones who moved from Faith Lane to Doubt Drive. Our focus becomes blurred. Our troubles look more like insurmountable mountains instead of what they truly are, mere obstacles to be overcome … with the help of God. 

Focusing on your surroundings incites worry & doubt, even anxiety at times. Yet our help is in us all along. As a believer & follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit of God has moved in and is always ready to lead and guide us, especially when we need help the most. Asking for help is only a prayer away. You are never bothering God... ever. He loves you and is more than willing to teach and guide you. All you have to do is be open to His call, and respond in the affirmative.  What is your focus locked in on today?

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

           The real question is how can God loves us in spite of the ugly, ungodly things we think, say & do. Grace is a mysterious thing. It makes no logical sense, but frankly, there’s nothing logical about the Gospel & Christ’s sacrifice. Let’s not kid ourselves. We know, albeit deep inside, that we are undeserving of anything even close to God’s grace, but that’s the only plan He has for the salvation of man. A pardon for millions, yet a reckoning or settling of accounts for those who reject God & His Son. It should be an easy choice to surrender to Christ, but the forces of darkness are hard a work to make it seem like a fantasy… pie in the sky. The proverbial “surely God didn’t say...” moment that can change your path from narrow to as wide as you’d like it to be. Taking the wide, easy path may be pleasing now, but is it worth the pain & suffering that will await you once you die?

Okay, so you bank on the fact that God’s existence is bogus & there is no heaven or hell, and we simply die and rot in the ground. You’re in a bad place and probably don’t even know it. Going thru this life without God is like driving down a winding mountain road at night with your headlights off. You can’t see where you are going. It’s a deadly game you are playing with your eternal soul. 

If you don’t believe God exists, do yourself a favor and ask this God that doesn’t exist to reveal Himself to you in a real, and powerful way. Have an open mind. Be ready for anything. God knows your heart and already knows whether you will be receptive or not. Don’t gamble away your soul for autonomy. We cannot save ourselves. God is our only hope.

Reach out and expect the unexpected. 

            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

           Is the way a Christian behaves important regarding how an unbelieving world sees Christ? Yes. The unbeliever sees Christians with a jaundiced eye to begin with, so when they see what to them seems hypocritical, they are massively turned off. We are supposed to be a reflection of Christ, not a reflection of the world we live in. 

Now we’re not perfect... never will be, so if they have a mind to look at us with distain then nothing we could ever say or do will change their mind. Still, we are to try, with the help of the Holy Spirit within us to behave as God has intended us to regardless of how we’re received.

            The Bible mentions hypocrisy many times. A prime example in scripture is the Pharisees. Jesus says in Matthew 23:4 of the Pharisees, "They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger". 

            Because of our behavior, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24) As Christians, we often think of ourselves as “a guide to the blind” or “a light to those who are in darkness” and if we share with them the gospel then we are. But if we give them nothing but our own prideful opinions, while disobeying scripture, is it any wonder unbelievers make fun of us, and make fun of Jesus Christ?

Believers don’t get into heaven by the things we do; in other words, we don’t get into God’s good favor thru our good conduct. If our conduct reveals whether or not we truly believe what we say, what we say may come across as nothing more than lip service. The only way for any of us to be saved is by God’s gift of redemption to us thru Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we don’t speak or act any different than the world, then why would unbelievers believe in our God? Why should they follow and obey Him?

How many of us live according to the principle: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:13–14). As Paul said to the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5). Do you practice righteousness, or do we practice sinning? (1 John 2:29, 3:4–8). Christian conduct is vitally important regarding how the unbelieving world sees Christ. That should be of paramount importance to us all, because it tells us something very important about ourselves.

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