Thoughts from a Random Mind

            “Suddenly” is an interesting word... it typically leads into a big event in time. Take Pentecost... “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:1-2 NLT) It took place just as Jesus had said.

            When Jesus asked Peter to come to Him on the water, Peter was up for it and stepped out on the water. Prior to Jesus arrival a storm had whipped up. That particular area by the Galilean Sea was prone to sudden storms swooping down and causing havoc. This was what the scene was when Peter stepped onto the water.  “So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.” ^{(Matthew 14:29-30 NLT)} Now this example doesn’t actually use the word ‘suddenly’, but based on the meteorological history of that region. Storms “suddenly” popped up seemingly out of nowhere, which makes this example qualify.

            Another example that doesn’t actually use the word “suddenly”, would qualify based on the nature of the event. “Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” ^{(Exodus 14:21-22)} Because of Moses obedience in simply raising his hand over the sea, the Lord sent a “strong east wind” to blow ALL NIGHT. Sounds like it was a “sudden” event to me. It started suddenly at God’s command and was sustained throughout the night. Miraculous.

            The Rapture of the Church or the “catching away” of the saints is a sudden event that Paul speaks of in his letter to the Thessalonian church. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” ^{(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT) “}For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.” ^{(1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 NLT)}

            The reason I share about the word “suddenly” is because God is timeless and therefore not under the restraints that time can put on people. He does as He pleases without immediate warning, though there is more than likely some sort of warning woven into the scriptures. Since the sudden nature of certain future events we should live ready, for we may not have a seconds notice to get ready. Study the nature of God. Understand what it means to serve Him with your whole heart. This life isn’t all about YOU. It’s about GOD. Live like you believe that. Until next time, walk with the King & treat others as you’d like to be treated.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

Where is the Church?

 

            Evil is slowly taking a foothold in our country and around the world. While I don’t expect it to win in the long run, it is showing itself globally. Where is the church? Between woke pastors and ambivalent, apathetic congregations, we are starting to become irrelevant.

Zealous bible believing Christians are being targeted as dangerous as dying for your faith is becoming more prevalent in the world. And where is the church? Asleep at the wheel? Churches are supposed to be training believers to become Christ-like, yet instead they seem more interested in allowing the forming of cliques and creating a social club atmosphere where worship seems for like a performance and greeting time seems staged. What can be done?

          Unless individuals become serious about living for God there is little hope of resurrecting the church. So many people identify as Christians these days and whether they are or not is God’s call, not mine, but so many people seem to be lazy about their spirituality. People are believing the lie of ‘deconstructionism’, which is causing many to either become confused or leave the faith altogether. People don’t test their source of information enough. Is what is being preached today biblical? Most don’t have any idea because they’d rather be spoon fed than feed themselves. Too many “so-called” Christians have no idea what the Bible even says, because they don’t read it.

          We need to pray for an honest to goodness revival in this land and around the world. I’m hearing that revival is rising up on college campuses. People have had enough of the hate culture that is being spewed out on a daily basis. The purveyors of lies and false teachings will not go unchecked forever. The end for them will not be pretty.

Pray. It’s the most lethal weapon we have in our arsenal. Pray for our country. Pray for revival. Pray for spiritual growth within yourself. Seek wisdom and discernment. Only God can help us. Only God is faithful and true. Justice is coming for those who do evil deeds. God’s timing is always perfect. We must have patience and pray.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Addendum: This post is not an indictment on all Christians & all churches; far from it. I know there are those out there who are diligently doing God’s work & I praise God for that. This is directed at those who are misguided & misinformed by less than biblical leaders. They should know better. We need to gird ourselves for a spiritual war, because unless God intervenes that’s what’s coming. rlk

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.