Taking a Look at Scripture

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” – John 17:5 NIV

            Early church tradition referred to this verse as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, as it is where he asks God the Father to restore him to the divine glory that was shared with God before the creation of the world. 

            The verse speaks of Jesus pre-existence and divine posture. It affirms his eternal nature and unity with the Father. This glory he seeks is a REACQUISITION rather than a NEW acquisition. He was seeking to return to his rightful state after his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus concealed this while on his mission to accomplish salvation for mankind. The Lord sought re-glorification as a result of his glorifying the Father while he was on earth.

            While there exists slight interpretable differences among theologians the vast majority see this verse as direct evidence for Christ’s pre-creation existence with God the Father; both being eternal and both being divine. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.bible-study.com

Taking a Look at Scripture

“But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 NIV           

            This verse is considered a “foundational” truth within Christian beliefs. It reveals three basic, yet very important facts. It speaks to the unconditional nature of the love God has for his creation, it speaks to the substitutionary sacrifice Christ willingly made on our behalf, and clarifies the assurance of our salvation from sin.

            One thing people must understand is that God’s love is not a response to our goodness, our repentance, or our worthiness, but rather solely an act of grace. Grace is undeserved favor, which is something that can never be earned. The truth of the matter is that prior to salvation we were guilty, alienated from God and rebellious toward him. That stands in sharp contrast to love. Worldly love can tend to be conditional, based on merit. Man can never earn God’s love so isn’t it a good thing that God’s grace exists?

            Christ’s sacrificial death should never be seen as his martyrdom, but as a substitutionary atonement. Based on the OT sacrificial system that had been set in place, a perfect sacrifice must be made to cover the sin of the offering owner. This was different. The OT system was turned on its head with Christ’s death because his blood didn’t just cover the sin it removed it completely.

Christ died in our place. He took the penalty and judgment that was owed us and he did it willingly. This one act reveals God’s character, showing that his love was both costly and decisive. This was how it HAD to be done; there was no other way.

            Christ’s death provides an assurance to believers that while we were still enemies of God he allows for the one sacrifice that defines his immense love for his creation. This verse shows us the foundation of Christian hope, letting us know that NO SIN can separate believers from the love God has for them. It was fully expressed in Christ’s sacrifice while we were still enemies of God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.salvationcall.com

 

Quote Contemplations

“... now I will show you the most excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31b

 

            The apostle Paul is writing to the church members at the church in Corinth. The purpose of his letter was to identify problems in their church. He was offering solutions to those problems and attempted thru his letter to teach them how to live in their corrupt society.

            Paul concludes the 13^th chapter with this advice; that faith, hope, & love will last forever, but without question the greatest of the three is love. THAT is “the most excellent way”. Things that go along with ‘love’ would be kindness, mercy, consolation to name just a few. We’re to treat others the way we ourselves would like to be treated. [Luke 6:31] That should involve loving others, just as you would like others to love you.

            You can try to treat others well in a variety of ways; however, the way that ends up being the most real is the honest to goodness, heartfelt love you show another person. Know this though; loving those who already love you is not the point of the teaching. We are expected to show love to EVERYONE, even those who dislike or even HATE us for whatever reasons. 

            If I am hated for anything in this life I’d like it to be because of my affiliation with Jesus Christ. Jesus is a threat to Satan and all who reject the Lord’s existence. Some even say that Christianity is very dangerous because we try to force people to follow the teachings in the Bible. The ones who say that are the “anti-theists”. Musician Enos is a rabid “anti-theist” spewing lies to breed hate against God. His unrighteous deeds will be dealt with by God in due time. In spite of the world’s hatred, we are to love just as Christ loved... unconditionally. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

Quote Contemplations

“Your mistakes are nothing more than a page in the book, but it isn’t the end.” – RL Keller

 

            If you’re a human being you will make mistakes. Hopefully you will not be prone to making mistakes, but you will have lapses of reason and make ill-advised decisions that may not end particularly well.  Your mistakes do NOT define you as a person, at least not in God’s eyes. I tend to believe that we humans think a whole lot less of ourselves than our creator does. While there are some egocentric folks out there, I doubt they make of the majority of the world’s population.

            “Newer research suggests humans may be less egocentric than previously thought, often showing high sensitivity to the beliefs of others rather than defaulting to self-centered assumptions.” ^[1]  

            Almighty God doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. How do we arrive at that conclusion? 1 John 4:8 tells us straight out, “Whoever doesn’t know love doesn’t know God, because God is love.” So then if we then go to 1 Corinthians 13:5 we find that Paul is speaking of love and says, “(Love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Therefore, if God is love and love keeps no record of wrongs, than God keeps no record of wrongs. It’s called deductive reasoning, or an “if-then” clause.

            God’s grace is his undeserved favor bestowed upon his children; those who have received his Son and his subsequent forgiveness, sanctification, and undeserved favor (grace). My left forearm has a saying tattooed on it, “Because of God’s grace I am no longer defined by past mistakes.” I wear that proudly because I know I’m not perfect and never will be, but since I accepted God’s terms for forgiveness he doesn’t hold any of my mistakes against me. That’s an eternal promise. God writes the end of our story. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/2023/10/30/news/why_humans_aren_t_as_egocentric_as_you_might_think_new_research-3738079/

Quote Contemplations

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ―  H. Jackson Brown Jr.

 

“It is better to give than to receive.”  - Proverb 20:35

 

“The proverb ‘it is better to give than to receive’ means that the act of giving is more virtuous, noble, and spiritually satisfying than the act of receiving. Originating from Acts 20:35, where the Apostle Paul quotes Jesus, the phrase teaches that generosity brings greater happiness and blessing to the giver than the pleasure of acquiring things for oneself.” ^[1]

      I know that to be true. When you give money to someone who is in dire straits, or food to people without, or a winter coat to a homeless person, when given with the proper motivation, is very satisfying. It’s not all about us. God uses us in various ways and scripture is very clear on this front: “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” [Matthew 6:3 NLT] In other words, don’t broadcast what you’re doing for someone, for what you did is no one else’s business. We are not to seek recognition for anything we do in the name of the Lord. A humble spirit is required. Whether anyone knows who gave the gift is of no consequence. The Lord indirectly did it thru you. He moved upon the heart of a person to assist in a tangible way. God is to receive the glory, not us. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblehub.com

 

Quote Contemplations

“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.”  -  Victor Hugo*

 

            This is something I say quite often. That God loves us in spite of ourselves. Let’s face it, our lives don’t paint a pretty picture. Mankind is deeply flawed and in need of a major makeover. The beauty of God is that he knows all about us yet loves us in spite of ourselves. He knows we are but dust and to dust we shall return. 

            We must understand something very important. God knows who we are. He knows what we’ve thought, said, and done in our life. He knows the good and the bad; the beautiful and the ugly side of each one of us. In spite of all our foul-ups he loves us. He loves us in spite of our moral and/or ethical weaknesses. He may not agree or like what we are doing with our lives, but it has no impact on his feelings for us. 

            We can go to the Lord with any problem or potentially dire situation, and he will not judge us.  Instead he will show us a better way. He is always ready to forgive the contrite heart and will never hold any past iniquities against us. So remember and never forget that we are loved by our Creator passionately and eternally and NOTHING will ever change that!!

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* Victor-Marie Hugo, February 26,1802 – May 22, 1885) was a French Romantic author, poet, essayist, playwright, journalist, human rights activist and politician.

 

Quote Contemplations

“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.” -  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.*

            This advice is well suited for marriage and other special relationships. The truth of the matter is that when you’ve made someone you care about happy, then YOU are happy as well. Love is the catalyst that provides the spark. When you love someone then their feelings are paramount to you. Doing for them out of love brings you satisfaction. It also reveals to the recipient the depth of feelings you have for them.

            Spiritually speaking, we should return God’s love for us back to him. We do that by obeying the standards laid out in the Bible. God’s love for us cannot be topped in that his own Son died in our place, the atonement for our sins. THAT is a special, supernatural kind of love that is eternal in nature.

            Being happy is a choice. Some people have wonderful lives by worldly standards yet are not happy because they feel they are missing something. They are. A relationship with their Creator. They haven’t found that piece of unparallelled happiness and satisfaction yet, but it is our prayer that some day they will. 

            Worldly happiness is temporal; here today and gone tomorrow. Only that which is eternal will last. Some folks look for that ‘thing’ that they feel they are missing, without knowing where to look or how to find it. And the Holy Spirit quietly calls out to them, but they do not have ears to hear. Someday maybe they will. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*Horace Jackson Brown Jr. (March 14, 1940 – November 30, 2021) was an American author who was best known for his inspirational book, Life's Little Instruction Book.

Quote Contemplations

“It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” John 13:1 NIV

 

            “...The full extent of his love.” If you ever had any doubts as to how much God loves you, doubt no further. Knowing in painful detail what he would have to go thru to show the world the depth of his love, Jesus willingly gave himself over to the cruelty of the Roman soldiers. The Lord took an ordinary scene and by his divine presence and calm demeanor, turned it into a holy event. The man who could have called down a thousand angels to his side to defend him remained silent. Jesus knew what must be done and he also knew he was the ONLY one who could accomplish this and have it mean something eternal. I would say that there is no one living or dead who could have pulled this off, because the creature is but a pale reflection of its creator.

            The full extent of God’s love for those who have given themselves over to his guidance and leadership is deeper than the deepest ocean and wider than the sky.  Nothing compares to it. Nothing ever will. It is my believe that mankind will never, ever fully appreciate or understand what actually transpired over 2000 years ago on a hill called Golgotha. And Christ did that for each one of us. Some embrace it and have it revolutionize their lives; others barely consider it, questioning if it was real or just a legend.  

            They say experience is a great teacher. Experiencing salvation thru faith and trust in God teaches you over the course of time that Christ and his crucifixion were very real historic events. Scripture combined with time period documents verify the existence of Jesus of Nazareth and the spectacle on Golgotha’s hill. That is how deep the extent of Christ’s love for us is. That he would die for each one of us. Matchless love, incredible display. 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

          Once you’ve been seen as a person of low integrity by others, it’s very difficult to gain a person’s trust again. God forgives; man typically does not. Those who know God and walk with Him can make somewhat of a recovery as far as being trusted again, but the consequences can be rough. When you aren’t trusted for legitimate reasons, you’ve shot yourself in the foot, quite literally. You’ve singlehandedly made your life a lot harder than it had to be.

That is precisely why a believer simply MUST dedicate time to knowing the Lord better and learn to emulate Christ. We cannot live this life without some outside help. Worldly help is risky business since the world is inwardly and not outwardly focused. We are inconsequential in God’s universal plan. In other words, He doesn’t NEED us to make His plan work; rather God has CHOSEN to use us and that my friends is a whole lot different than Him NEEDING us. He sees value in us. He knows what we can become with His influence firmly planted within our heart & mind. The catch is that we HAVE TO submit to His leadership in our lives. If you aren’t willing to entertain that proposal, then you’ve made your decision and once you die it becomes irreversible. 

If you don’t believe in there being an Almighty God who loves you and desires to have a relationship with you, then all I have to say is “YOU BETTER BE RIGHT.” 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

 Understanding how fragile and brief life truly is, I honestly don’t waste a lot of time pondering its brevity. I’ve tried to make the most out of my life for the Lord in the comparatively short time that we all have?

                  I say our lives are brief because of the point of reference I am using. My point of reference is the longevity of God’s existence. It’s really no different than the bigness of God compared to His creation; namely man. We are nothing more than single grains of sand on the beaches of creation, especially when compared to the vastness of the universe and the Lord’s preeminence.

                  There appears to be a whole lot of folks in the world today who have an over-inflated sense of importance. They seem to think they are better than all others in intellect, status, looks, and so on. Only God knows who is serious about their commitment to Him.  Selfishness, laced with arrogance, is a poor path to follow. These type of people don’t think about the frailty of life, but rather have the odd notion that they will never die.

                  Life is too short to waste time on trivial matters. God is to be our primary focus. Understanding who He is and who we are in relation to Him is crucial to our spiritual growth. So don’t focus on the shortness of time, but rather focus on how you can make the most out of the time we have for the Lord. 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

The world is filled with hatred and the vilest sort of evil that it leaves our collective heads spinning. It makes us bone weary. In our efforts to replicate the behavioral traits of Jesus we find Satanic opposition at every turn. The hatred that is percolating right below the surface is bringing about stiff resistance to Christianity. Notice that other “religious beliefs” are not mentioned. Why? Because they present no threat to the enemy. 

Jesus is THE ONE WAY to heaven and THAT is why He comes under attack so often from Satanic forces. It makes walking by faith a bit more of a challenge. But we must never lose sight of who God is & who we are IN HIM. 

With God there is nothing to fear. With God, by association, there is nothing we cannot do in His name. Faith and trust in God is what we need to survive in this world. He is the only One that can wipe your proverbial slate clean and give you a new start. He is the only One with the resources (Christ’s blood) to simply remove one’s sin permanently and for all time. God is the only One who can provide the way to an eternity with Him. 

So don’t look at the potential problems that loom off in the distant, but rather look at that which is right beside you, namely, Jesus Christ, the author and completer of our faith.

Refocus on that which is positive and refresh your mind with His word daily. We’re in a war of good vs. evil and though we already know that good wins, we need to play it out. Trust the Lord to lead you to the Promised Land. 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 strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs.” ^{P.1989; Life Application Study Bible.}

 

                  How strong are your religious beliefs? Would you be willing to suffer and die for those beliefs? If not then why do you bother to believe them? No one ever promised that you wouldn’t face persecution for your faith in God. In fact down thru the centuries untold numbers have suffered and died for what they believe. What would you do if it came to that in your own life? 

            I would like to think that I would stand tall in the face of all opposition. I love the Lord with all my heart and while I’m a highly imperfect representative for Christ, I am covered by His blood and bound for heaven. He loves me unconditionally and without reservation. At the critical moment when He was dragged off to His own crucifixion, Jesus had NO regrets for He knew it had to be done and that He was the only one able to do it. His blood was the only perfect blood specimen that could satisfy the payment due for the sins of all mankind. What He did for me I can never repay except with faithful obedience, and joyful worship. 

            Have you ever thought about how you would react should your life be required of you for your faith in Jesus? Think long and hard about that because it’s an important question. When we access our own ability to withstand pain and suffering, never forget that God is in ultimate control of all things and whatever He either causes or allows to happen is for our ultimate good. Do you believe that? I hope so, because it’s true. 

            Don’t lose sleep over the possibility of having to suffer for your faith. If it happens one day God will see you thru it. But it may never happen prior to the Rapture of the Saints. Trust God and know that He is with you wherever you go. 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

            “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