Quote Contemplations

“Don’t shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see him.” – C.S. Lewis

This quote emphasizes humility and becoming a reflection of our Lord rather than our own personal recognition.  It means that Christians should not live in a way that draws attention to themselves or seeks admiration. Instead, their lives should be so filled with Christ’s love, peace, and goodness—like a lamp shining in darkness—that others are naturally drawn to see and recognize Jesus through their actions and character. 

The core idea is that our light is not our own; it is the reflected light of Christ. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the sun’s light, believers shine by reflecting God’s glory. The goal is not self-promotion, but pointing others toward God. As Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The quote aligns itself with the biblical call urging spiritual authenticity thru selfless humility. It’s tied into a person’s integrity. A believer must be above reproach, morally and ethically consistent, and fully transparent. In spite of your beliefs, if you damage someone’s trust in you, you have single handedly shot a massive hole in your testimony. The problem is that the unsaved seem to think Christians are or at least should be perfect. Nothing could be further from the truth. Believers in Christ are no different than the unsaved with the exception that they are forgiven by Almighty God and in right standing with Him, while the unsaved are not. 

So if you’re a follower of Christ, guard your witness and make sure to shine your light heavenward, rather than on yourself, because frankly speaking, we are nothing without the Lord. I mean that in the broadest spiritual sense. Obviously we ARE something, but when you are not a child of God you are a spiritual orphan with no direction. The greatest navigation system cannot take you where God wishes you to go.  Without Him you don’t have the slightest clue.  Follow the light that IS God and reveal Him to the unredeemed masses. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.ibelieve.com/christianliving

 

Quote Contemplations

“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” – Anne Frank *

 

            It is amazing to me that this child, a teenager (she was only 16 when she was killed in the concentration camp), learned something very important. You cannot change history, but you can keep from doing the same mistake all over again.

Whatever happens even 1 minute ago is relegated to history. It is past and cannot be retrieved. Whatever you’ve said or done is over, never to be reversed. An evil act cannot be atoned for and saying you’re sorry is a poor substitute for not doing it at all, for what’s done is done. 

            There’s a common saying from the past that says: “There’s no sense crying over spilt milk.” An addendum to that statement should be, “Just be careful to not let it happen again.” That is essentially the sentiment Miss Frank was conveying. 

            We serve a merciful God; “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” ^{(Jonah 4:2)}

Psalm 85:15 echoes that sentiment: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

            Mistakes... errors in judgment, they happen all the time. Forgiveness sought from a sincerely contrite heart is readily available. So if you happen to do something that ends up being a mistake, seek forgiveness, and with God’s help don’t allow yourself to do it again.  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Annelies Marie Frank (1929 –1945) was a German-born Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim.

Quote Contemplations

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius *   

            What is happiness? Happiness has many philosophical aspects to it, but generally speaking it is feeling content with your overall life. It is also experiencing more positive emotions than negative ones. And it can stem from your minimizing chronic stress, anxiety, or sadness. Can we do this on our own. My answer to that is that while it may be possible to achieve a certain level of happiness on our own, it appears to be temporal in nature. Belief in Almighty God can help you in achieving a more permanent state of happiness based on who God is, who you are in Him, and what Christ achieved on our behalf. That should not only flood you with happiness, but gratitude as well.

            I dare say you would be far more likely to achieve happiness and remain happy if you devote your thoughts to that which is positive and uplifting. This can be achieved thru reading the Word of God, fellowshipping with like-minded believers, and hearing the Word preached. That’s a great starting point. Cultivating a personal relationship with our Lord can become difficult, but that’s on us, because God is in the business of providing, and sustaining us. We are the ones that are making it difficult by straining at the leash like an unruly dog. We want things to go the way we think they should. That’s simply spiritual immaturity. It takes time, patience and determination to reach the level of faith and trust God is attempting to lead you to. 

            In the end, all your thoughts are the result of what you feed into your mind. Godly input results in Godly output. Negativism breeds doubt, fear, and a general uneasiness, all things that bring about an unhappy disposition. So focus on feeding your mind that which is pleasing to the Lord and you will become content and the resulting happiness will be rooted in the Words of Life. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 A.D. – 180 A.D.) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher.

Note: Stoicism - It is a practical philosophy centered on cultivating virtue as the only true good and the path to a flourishing, meaningful life marked by inner peace and resilience. 

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

Thoughts from a Random Mind

           Christ is the hand that pulls you back into the boat before you drown. He is the great “I AM THAT I AM”. He is the rescuer of life, soul & spirit that has lost its way. He is the One who has kept you from calamitous events.

He is the rescuer of mankind, yet mankind is oblivious to His presence. Their spiritual eyesight has been blinded by this world, yet God’s glory is the light that shatters all darkness. Still they announce their own prowess to all who would listen. Mankind is doomed to relive mistakes, never learning lessons from them.

            God rescues us all who have a mind to submit to his loving grace. Forgiveness – I love the sound of that word. It’s like having millions of dollars in financial debt expunged. Clean slate. In essence, a ‘do over’. How much should we all appreciate that? That is love, front and center. That is a rescue. You were due for execution, but you received a last minute reprieve. How grateful are you? Living for God; being His ambassador to the world? That is one of the things that He expects from us who have partaken of the ‘new wine’ of Christ’s teachings and incorporated them into your daily life.

           There is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is thru Christ’s blood. The blood He willingly shed for you and me. Think about that. Blood shed for you. FOR YOU!!! He had no regrets, no hesitation... it was personal. He knew what HAD to be done. It was for you. 

            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

                  Did you realize that as the creation of God we have NO legitimate right to judge anyone else? The key to this thought is that only God is able to judge a person’s heart. In our heart lies our motivation for that which we do or don’t do. It is prideful and presumptuous to assume we would have the right to judge anything or anyone, for if it’s a person, we have no idea what the individual is dealing with in their life. In other words, we don’t know any person’s “back story”.  We’re all sinners against God, but some are former sinners who have been redeemed and now walk a straighter path. That doesn’t make Christians better than anyone else, not at all. We still trip up and sin; however, we now have an advocate that is with us always. Jesus represents us to the Father. Plus we don’t or at least shouldn’t make a habit of sinning any longer. We’re imperfect in every sense of the word and need help to get by in this life. For those who feel they can go it alone without any assistance, they are making it much harder on themselves then it needs to be. Submission is the key.

                  Some folks have this attitude “No one is ever going to ‘get over’ on me.” That is short-sighted thinking. For the men it might be considered ‘macho’ thinking. ‘I can handle my own business’, type of thinking, but why? It may have something to do with their upbringing, and/or their circle of influence. Think for yourself. Compare yourself to God and no one else. 

Judging others is allowing the enemy to manipulate your mind, making you think you’re better than others around you, but we are all the same inside. We all have a body, soul, & spirit. Can we get ourselves to heaven? No. Do we even have a desire to go to heaven, or are you of the mindset that we are born, we live, we die, and we rot in the ground... end of story. What if that weren’t true?

What if there IS a God? What if there were a devil? What if there is a heaven and hell? What then? How do you think your life will turn out if you keep the status quo, without trying to process this as either reality or fiction? Don’t pass up the offer of a lifetime. Seek forgiveness from Almighty God and watch what happens. Oh it may not be instantaneous, but just submitting to the will of God for your life will change your trajectory in life. You’ll be on the upward path, rather than scrambling on a hamsters wheel for all of your days. Think about it.

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’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