Quote Contemplations

“I don’t belong here, I’m just a weary traveler, here for a flicker of a moment and then I’m gone.” – “As the World Bleeds” (Theocracy)*               

 

Philippians 3:20 states: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This verse emphasizes that believers' true identity and allegiance belong to God's eternal kingdom, not to any earthly nation. 

As citizens of heaven, Christians are "resident aliens" on earth—living here temporarily while being spiritually aligned with heaven’s values, laws, and ultimate hope. This citizenship shapes how they live, prioritize, and serve, even while remaining in the world. It calls for a life of holiness, hope, and service, grounded in the expectation of Christ’s return. Believers are to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8), reflecting heaven’s character on earth. 

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will transform believers’ mortal bodies into glorious, resurrected ones (Philippians 3:21), fulfilling the promise of eternal life. 

Paul contrasts earthly citizens—focused on fleshly desires—with heavenly citizens—whose minds are set on eternal things (Philippians 3:19–20). This dual citizenship (earthly and heavenly) demands loyalty to Christ above all else. This truth is not just about the afterlife—it's a present reality that transforms daily living, worship, and mission. Remember, a moment in time is NOTHING to Almighty God. Therefore, when the undisclosed date of the Rapture of the Church is here, we will vanish “in a flicker of a moment”. Here one moment and then....

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       Theocracy is a Christian Rock group that has biblically based songs that, based on their sound, come across on many songs as theatrical in their vocals and delivery.

Quote Contemplations

“As a Christian, we always fail because we can’t become Christ, but I can try to at least emulate the best qualities, even if I may fall short.” – Kelsey Grammar

 

            Almighty God has known from the beginning of time those who would turn to Him and those who would choose to turn away. His wish for those who have chosen to believe is to use His Son, Jesus as their primary role model. See Paul’s statement from his letter to Roman believers: ^“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” ^{(Romans 8:29 NIV)}

            We all could use a role model, but one that is positive, edifying, kind, and loving. We get to choose our role models in life. Parents can be role models. Older siblings can be. To follow the path of righteousness is challenging for sure, but if we rely on God’s leading thru the Holy Spirit, and pay close attention to what is being relayed to us, we can find our way thru any difficulties. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Actor Kelsey Grammar (sit-com ‘Frazer’) believes that a large part of his faith is in trying to live the best way he can using Jesus Christ as a role model.

Quote Contemplations

"If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me." – John Wooden

            After someone I had witnessed to told me they had no idea I was a Christian, my world started crumbling around me (in my mind). I seriously questioned my walk with the Lord. Then I saw this quote from the legendary college basketball coach John Wooden and I began to wonder. If I WERE indicted for being a Christian, would I have put forth enough in the name of God to lead to my conviction? Makes one think, doesn’t it?

            I’d like to think I have, but only the Lord knows for sure. A lot of the time I feel like Paul when he writes in his letter to the Christians in Rome. In Chapter 7, verses 15, 18-21 he confesses to struggling with sin. I guess I’m in good company.  Am I really all that different from the world? I’d like to think so, but am I? Are you?

            I think we make our journey with the Lord a lot more difficult than it has to be. There is NO ONE on the face of this earth that matches the love and understanding God has for us. I think about how much we love our kids, even when they act unlovely toward us. We never stop loving them, do we? No matter what they say or do. Isn’t that true? I think it definitely is. So really think about this. How much greater is God that He would never turn against us, never NOT love us, never NOT forgive, never NOT show mercy, never pull His grace from us? 

            Pleasing God with our life is so incredibly important. We already know He loves us. In fact, He loved us prior to our knowing Him. Parents love their babies prior to their being born. See the comparison? God gives us comparative examples to help us understand how great His love actually IS toward us. So yes, I have no doubt that if push came to shove and we were arrested for being a follower of Christ, even if we hadn’t spoken up about our faith all that much up to that point, I betcha we’d do it then. Don’t keep your faith a secret. Speak it as readily as you breathing in air. Let it come naturally. I’m thinking that while upsetting, it would be a distinct honor to be taken into custody for my faith. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: John Wooden was a legendary college basketball coach for UCLA, known for being a staunch Christian.

Thoughts from a Random Mind

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy. *

            What an immensely profound statement. The problems in the world today will not be fixed simply by talking, but rather by being people of action. I am not insinuating that physical violence is the answer to change. I’m thinking more along the lines of changing your attitude, your thought process, your capacity to love. These things can only be found in the heart of Almighty God. 

            It is my humble opinion that God is the answer to all of mankind’s problems. Surrendering to His will for your life is a crucial start to your journey toward changing yourself for the better. You’ve heard of becoming the best version of yourself, well wouldn’t you want to become all that the One who created you knows you can be? I sure would. It’s not a cake walk though. The enemy doesn’t want you to become all you can be in Christ. He wants to cripple you spiritually thru temptation and difficult trials. Some believers have walked away from their faith because it seems too hard to deal with. Were they truly redeemed in the first place? It is not for us to say, for only God knows reality from fiction. 

            Changing yourself with limited resources is like trying to mow your lawn with a weed whacker. You’ll get the job done eventually, but it won’t look very good. The total resources of God are readily available to those whom He calls His children. Are you sold out for Christ, or hitching a ride on the soul train with the thought of jumping off at any time. 

            We aren’t perfect and never will be this side of heaven; however, as we strive for perfection we will grow and mature spiritually speaking and slowly begin to change from the inside out. It’s a daily process; one that isn’t always easy, but perseverance will always win the day. Dogged determination is one of the keys to success in this life and walking forward hand in hand with the Lord guarantees success from an eternal perspective. Don’t just desire to change the world. Start by looking into your own heart and seek to change yourself. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

·       Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) is considered a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. His best-known novels are “War and Peace” (1865–69) and “Anna Karenina” (1875–77).

Thoughts from a Random Mind

I find that I enjoy the company of unsaved people more so than believers. You may not agree with everything they happen to believe or say, but with some you can at least agree to disagree and leave it at that. No irate bursts. No hate. With Christians I’ve gotten various responses from them. Some seem to want to have an impromptu Bible quiz to show off what they know. Some are silent and don’t even know how to talk about the things of the Lord. Some are judgmental to the max, thinking that they’ve cornered the market on Christian doctrine, and you simply MUST agree with them, or you’re wrong.

             Now I tend to look at my faith the following way. I am NOT a judge re: anyone else’s lifestyle or beliefs. God alone is the judge. If you disagree with me on any topic I’m fine with that. Maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe not. Either way I wish to be friends and sidestep the controversial stuff. I believe I know what is right and what is wrong in God’s eyes, but I never force it on anyone else. I would pray for the opportunity to share what I believe, but do not require anyone to believe like me. I try to plant a seed of faith when the opportunity presents itself and they can if they feel the wooing of the Spirit, become Born Again as Jesus had said. I absolutely DO NOT live a perfect life, but I’m trying to be the best version of myself with the much needed help of the Holy Spirit within me.

              I pretty much have no one to discuss doctrine with. You aren’t able to do it with unbelievers, and in many cases you cannot do it with believers either. It can be frustrating at times. I write. I write a lot. I write a Blog re: Christ. I’ve written 3 books, with a 4th one in the wings. Aside from the normal sports banter that most guys engage in, doctrinal talk is scarce. I do find myself precariously close to falling into the trap of wanting everyone to like me, but with a few exceptions, I feel just the opposite is true. I’ve come to believe that I annoy people. I’m quirky, but have been referred to as strange, weird, crazy… the fact of the matter is that I’m just different than other folks, and that’s alright. We judge others by externals, while side stepping the reality that we DO NOT know them. We do not know their back story. We don’t know their heart. Who are we anyway? How are we living out the gospel to an unbelieving world? Are we so self-absorbed that we are singularly focused on ourselves and nothing else? 

I believe it is better for Christians to interact with the unsaved regularly, without following their behavior. How else can we reach the masses? Staying in our little conclaves, wishing to avoid the front line in the battle for men’s souls, we invent ways to keep the reprobates from dirtying us. Jesus mingled with those in need of redemption on a daily basis. Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing. Just because someone isn’t part of your church or your faith doesn’t make them reprehensible. They require that which we have already obtained... forgiveness. 

            Think of it this way: If a raging fire broke out in your home and you didn’t know because you were sound asleep, would you want someone to come, wake you up and help you escape? Of course you would. So why is that any different than sharing salvation with a person destined for hell? It isn’t is it? Think about that and then ask God for opportunities to be a seed planter of the gospel.  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

As believers get older all the aches and pains become amplified. Sickness & disease encroaches our lives at various times and all this becomes a challenge to our faith. We cling to the promise that “by His stripes we are healed”little realizing that the healing being spoken of is spiritual and not physical. We accept our plight as things become slowly worse health wise. Will God heal us?

             As near as I can tell from scripture reading and some research, God heals at His own discretion and does not heal every person who asks Him to be healed. Understanding that death could potentially be the best answer to our prayer for healing helps us deal with the loss of a loved one, but it doesn’t replace the loss and the feelings of loneliness. Death is a blessing in some cases, depending on how much pain the person happens to be having to endure.

              God isn’t like some genie in a bottle who magically grants wishes. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it, and we must trust that He knows what is best for us. We must trust Him with our well-being; aches, pains, and everything else that comes our way. We must trust that God knows what He’s doing. Man is weak, frail, and destined to die. Life isn’t like, as the old ‘40s tune says, “a bowl of cherries”. It can be more like, “if life is like a bowl of cherries, why do I always get the pits?” A negative way of looking at things for sure, but it certainly CAN be the way we feel at times, nonetheless. Trust God with your everything. 

            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

            Marie Curie was once quoted as saying: “Life isn’t easy. We must persevere & above all trust in yourself.” I agree with the first two statements; however, the third statement begs the question, “... to what end?” What good is it to trust yourself when you are a supremely flawed individual? Of course, if all you have to rely on is yourself, then I suppose her statement has some validity. But what if there is such a thing as a “higher power”?  A supreme intellect... one who created you and loves you above all else. What if He only and always had the very best, positive intentions for you?     

            Knowing what I know now, I would never want to trust myself to do anything totally on my own. Not when I can tap into the wisdom of God to guide and direct me thru life. For those who are hesitant to believe in an unseen deity, my question is, what is your vision for yourself? What plan do you have? God can take the guess work out of your life’s plan. That’s the way it is with a perfect and almighty God, but you have to really know Him. Head knowledge is insufficient; there must be heart knowledge. There needs to be a spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit being the conduit. 

            The sad part in all this for non-believers is that they will continue to, figuratively speaking, slam their collective heads into the proverbial wall trying to make things work out. It’s really no different than trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole. It’s not going to work. People cling in desperation to their own autonomy, insisting that they have the wherewithal to accomplish anything they put their mind to, but what if it’s not in your best interest to accomplish the thing you are striving for. Don’t frustrate yourself any longer. Surrender! Abandon your own will in favor of the will of God for you. It is sculpted into the design that will best fit you and those closest to you. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: Marie (aka, Madame) Curie - Polish French physicist and chemist (1867–1934).