Quote Contemplations

“Sometimes God’s refusals are His mercies.” – Elisabeth Elliot *

 

How many of you have prayed for someone, only to see your prayers go unanswered? How many have prayed and end up giving up because of how long it’s taking for an answer to come. Trust me when I tell you that God hears our prayers and will respond, but He will do so in His timing and within the parameters of His will for you. We mustn’t become deflated or discouraged. We need to believe that God WILL answer when the time is right, and only HE can know that.

            Prayer is the most precious way of communicating with our Heavenly Father; yet, when we pray or speak to Him there are times when He seems not to answer. We must understand and accept that God does indeed answer every prayer with either a “yes,” a “no,” or a “not yet.” In every case, though, Scripture suggests that our prayers ARE being dealt with and our patience is required.

It should be understood that sometimes, but not always, prayer is unanswered because of unconfessed sin. You know what it is, yet try to hide it from the divine entity who sees and knows all things. No one is able to mock or deceive God for He is omniscient, in that He knows all that CAN BE KNOWN (Psalm 139:1-4). If we harbor enmity in our hearts toward a brother or sister in Christ then we are asking for things with the wrong motives (such as from selfish desires), and our prayers can be negatively impacted (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 66:18; James 4:3). Sin hinders our ability to be in fellowship with God, and it hinders our prayers. Unbelief (Proverbs 15:8) and hypocrisy (Mark 12:40) also negatively impact our prayers.

Another reason why prayers seems to go unanswered is that the Lord is attempting to draw out of our faith a deeper reliance and trust in Him. That should bring out of us a deeper sense of gratitude, love and humility. In turn, this causes us to benefit spiritually, for He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34). 

God may seem silent to us, but even if prayer has not been answered, we must rely upon God to do so when He knows the time is best. Even the exercise of prayer is a blessing to us. Our faith stirs us to persist in prayer. It’s our faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), for He hears our cries in earnest for help. Our persistence is the key.  Let us hunger for the things that are after God’s heart and let us walk in His ways and not our own. If we are faithful to pray without ceasing, then we are living in the will of God, and that can never be wrong (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Elisabeth Elliot (December 21, 1926 – June 15, 2015) was an American Christian missionary, author, and speaker.

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

Quote Contemplations

“God uses valleys to mold our character.” – Lee Strobel *

            Trials promote growth. How could our faith and trust in God ever be cultivated if we never experience troubles. God allows troubles to come our way because they are character builders. They test our faith. They raise doubts in our mind about the nature of God and why certain things happen to us. God never minds being doubted or questioned, because such situations enable us to dig deeper into the mind of God thru His Word.

            It’s the people who feel that once they become “saved” life’s problems vanish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once saved you are under God’s umbrella of grace, but with that comes a target that is not only affixed to your back, but your front as well. You have now become an enemy of the devil, who had been your master, unbeknownst to you. 

            It is the enemy of your soul who will now continuously take pot shots at you as you struggle to cling onto your faith and trust in the Lord. THAT is the reason why we are to invest our time spending it in God’s Word and in prayer, so we build an arsenal of weapons to ward off God’s greatest nemesis as he attacks our faith. 

            If you are serious about your faith in God, strive to grow your relationship with Him a little more each and every day.  No one’s going to do it for you. It’s up to you to take on the challenge of seeking your own spiritual maturation. God wants you to succeed in this battle. Do you? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Lee Strobel (born January 25, 1952) is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist.

Quote Contemplations

“The way to conquer sin is not by working hard to change our deeds, but by trusting Jesus to change our desires.” – David Platt *

            It stands to reason that if Christ can erase your sins, then He can alter your desires.  All you need to do is be discerning and compliant. Yield yourself to the leading of the Spirit within you. Seek assistance regarding those sinful practices that you happen to struggle with. God is more than happy to oblige.

            The same people who feel they have to step up their personal efforts may possibly be the people who believe that they can work their way to heaven. Just sayin’... Since you CAN’T work your way into heaven, what would ever make you believe that you can work yourself into a place where you could defeat sin in your life without God’s help. Do you understand that the enemy of your soul is working overtime to trip you up, thus making you less effective for the Lord. God is infinitely more powerful than Satan, but we are no match for the devil. We NEED the Lord’s help to be successful in our spiritual quest to share and spread the gospel. How do I know this? In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” He’s talking about your spiritual progression. Oh, you can function as a human being, but you will be unable to do anything of any significance spiritually speaking. 

            Since Christ’s death erased all your sins, He is more than capable of altering your desires, so they become pleasing to the Lord. It’s all part of the faith/trust connection. You have faith in God and therefore trust Him to do that which He has declared in scripture He will do. Never lose your faith and trust in the Almighty, for He is the only entity who is entirely perfect in every way and never changes. He only does that which He knows will be best for you. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*David Platt (born July 11, 1978) is an American evangelical Baptist pastor.

Quote Contemplations 9

“I do not always feel His presence, but God’s promises do not depend upon my feelings, they rest upon His integrity.” – R.C. Sproul *

 

            Have you ever prayed and felt your prayers simply bounced off the ceiling in your room? Are there times when you feel like God is a million miles away instead of right next to you as He promised? The standard follow-up question is, “Who moved?” To clarify, God is ubiquitous, as in everywhere at the same time. He is a Spirit being. While God interacts with the physical world, He Himself is not bound by physical limitations. 

            Almighty God is the epitome of integrity. He is the apex; the pinnacle of all love and righteousness. Believing in the living God is the beginning. Accepting the Bible as God’s inherent word is another initial step. Believing in His Son, Jesus Christ is vital. Accepting your need to have all your transgressions erased is necessary. In the midst of all this transpiring, you must develop a basic trust in God, that is to be combined with your faith in Him. Trusting someone with a HIGH level of integrity, or moral / ethical correctness allows you to realize that though YOU may not feel His presence, He is indeed there with you based on His immutable word, which declares in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." And in Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

            So in conclusion, if you don’t feel God’s presence, remember what He has said in His Word to us all. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU!!  Whether you feel His presence or not, He is there. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Robert Charles Sproul (February 13, 1939 – December 14, 2017) was an American Reformed theologian, Christian apologist, and Presbyterian pastor.

Quote Contemplations 8

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” – Francis Chan*

 

            This statement emphasizes the importance of meaningful success over superficial achievement.  It suggests that the real danger isn’t failing to achieve a goal, but instead succeeding in pursuits that lack lasting value, personal fulfillment, or spiritual significance.  It challenges conventional views of success and failure, urging a deeper reflection on purpose and priorities.

The quote is often linked to Chan’s book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, where he challenges individuals and churches to focus on what truly matters—aligning their lives with deeper purpose, values, and divine calling rather than chasing worldly recognition or empty accomplishments.  The book explains that failure is not the worst outcome—it can be a teacher and a step toward growth. 

Meaningless success is far more dangerous: achieving goals that bring status, wealth, or recognition but lack eternal or moral significance. Pursuits that don’t truly matter often lack alignment with your core values and fail to contribute to a deeper sense of purpose.  They tend to be driven by external validation, societal expectations, or short-term pleasure rather than lasting meaning. For example, someone might climb the corporate ladder, earn wealth, and gain praise, yet neglect their family, health, or moral convictions—ultimately feeling empty despite outward success.

Ultimately, meaningful success feels sustainable and deeply personal—it’s not about achieving a socially prescribed standard, but about feeling aligned, fulfilled, and at peace with the life you're building each day. Spiritual principles that guide purposeful living are rooted in meaning, ethical conduct, and connection to something greater than oneself.  These principles help align actions with deeper values, fostering a life of significance over superficial success.

So to summarize, true success is measured not by external achievements, but by alignment with deeper values, such as love, service, integrity, and spiritual purpose.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: www.goodreads.com, www.reddit.com, www.allauthors.com

*Francis Chan (born August 31, 1967) is an American Protestant author, teacher, & preacher.

Quote Contemplations 7

“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

         Do you understand that because God is sovereign, as in One that exercises supreme, permanent authority, He either causes or allows all that transpires in His world? That sovereignty involves both His direct action and / or His permission. David says in his 24^th Psalm, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” The gospel of Matthew tells us this about God: “...not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” There is nothing He isn’t aware of. 

            Now this being the case both good and evil events are included in all that. God actively wills certain things, such as creation and salvation, and permits other things, such as human sin, suffering, and evil, though He isn’t the author or originator of evil. 

            The Lord has given each person a free will to choose that which they think, say, and do, meaning that some can and will make decisions that are harmful to themselves and to others. While these events are within God’s overall control, He doesn’t cause them to take place. The Lord allows evil forces, led by Satan, to operate in the earthly realm, which he has been given dominion over.

            “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11. First of all, this verse lets us know that God knew you in the past, He knows you now and also where you’re headed and what you’ll be involved in. For the believer, the Lord has filled you with His presence in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can lead and guide you where the Lord knows you will prosper the most. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that the word “prosper” means God will make you rich. You may become wealthy, but that is NOT necessarily in God’s plan for you. His desire is that you prosper SPIRITUALLY.  So you see, while God doesn’t CAUSE suffering, He is able to use it for your ultimate good. I understand that must be hard to see and understand, but you must TRUST Him. If you refuse to trust Him in the tough times, why trust Him at all?

            Here are two examples of evil that appeared to triumph, yet good came out of it. Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Joseph’s brother betrayed him by selling him to slave merchants. The above verse is Joseph speaking to his brothers after the entire ordeal was over. In Acts 2:23, Peter speaks to a crowd and reveals the following – “...God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.”

            While God doesn’t cause evil things to take place, His overall authority over His creation allows events to unfold and brings good from them. That is a viable demonstration of His POWER, WISDOM, and LOVE. 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

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