Thoughts from a Random Mind

“For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes, we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].” - 1 Corinthians 13:12 ^{Amplified Bible}

 “For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror, for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.” - James 1:23-24 ^{Amplified Bible}

                We look in a mirror for various reasons. It stands to reason that once we leave from in front of the mirror, we will still remember what we looked like, but God is talking about our spiritual life. Do we regularly assess our walk with the Lord? Do we consider how our behavior stacks up to Christ’s life? While it’s impossible for us to achieve perfection this side of heaven, that is certainly no reason not to try.

                  The scriptures were written to teach us the ways of God. They were written to lead and guide us into all righteousness. They were written to show us how to behave with family, friends, and strangers. They give us what we refer to as “The Golden Rule” found in Matthew 7:12 ^{(Amplified Bible)} which says, “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.”

Not reading God’s Word is like not eating. You feed your physical man, don’t you? Why wouldn’t you feed your spirit man? The concept is simple. If you don’t eat you will begin to physically waste away, grow sickly and given enough time without nourishment, you will die. If you don’t feed yourself spiritually your spirit man will become stagnant, dry up, and not survive. Do you see the correlation I’m making here? We must spend time in God’s Word, but you must have the ‘want to’ or you will give a million reasons why you don’t have the time. Ask the Lord to spark in you a hunger for His Word. God wants you to know him even as you are known by him. It’s possible if you really want to grow in Christ. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name and for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Word for the Day

 

Word for the Day

 

Word for the Day

 

What's in a Name? - 7

JEHOVAH JIREH (JI-rah) - The Lord will provide.

            “Just as God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, he provided his son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. God will meet all our needs.” ⁽¹⁾ “So, Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” ^{(Genesis 22:14)}

                  Mount Moriah was the site on which Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac, as God had instructed him. Thinking of the circumstances surrounding Isaac’s birth, you can imagine what must have been going thru Abraham’s mind from the time the command was given to when he raised the knife in his hand to slay his only son. Was God testing Abraham’s faith and trust? It would appear so, and he passed with flying colors. He was willing to follow God’s command to sacrifice his only son believing that if Isaac died God was able to raise him from the dead. That is some powerful faith. Isaac was spared, Jesus, God’s only Son, was not. The plan to pay man’s sin debt must be fulfilled.  Mark 14:36 says the following: “And (Jesus) said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but your will be done.’” Because God did NOT honor Jesus initial request to remove the cup he was being asked to drink from, He provided for US forgiveness for our every sin, free of charge.

            You see, Almighty God can see the future, the past and the present. The English word “provision” comes from two Latin words meaning “to see beforehand”. Therefore, when we pray to the Lord for our needs, He can see the situation beforehand and is more than able to provide for any and all of our needs. What a great God we serve! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

⁽¹⁾ Taken from The Names of God, Rose Publishing, 2021.

Resources: The Names of God, Rose Publishing, 2021; The Names of God by Ann Spangler, Zondervan, 2009.

Word for the Day

 

What's in a Name? - 6

 

JEHOVAH M’KA-DISH or MEKADDISHKEM (mek-KAH-dish-KIM)

The Lord who SANCTIFIES or The Lord is our means of SANCTIFICATION.

 

            God is the one who sets believers apart as holy, free from sin and pure for His purposes. Exodus 31:12-13 states the following: “The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: ‘Tell the people of Israel: Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’”

            1 Peter 1:15-16 says the following: “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” Hebrews 13:12 says: “So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 it says: “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”

            Scripture is clear … God desires for us to be holy even as He is holy and makes us holy thru Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross, but it doesn’t end there. In a way it’s kinda like having someone pay off a large debt of yours and then you go incur more debt after that kindness had been done for you. No, no, no. We are not to become born again then wallow in the mud all over again. We are to learn how to continue to live holy lives according to God’s Word and thru the help of the Holy Spirit. God did indeed set us apart and make us holy and that is what Jehovah Mekaddishkem means. He is our sanctifier.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Names of God, Rose Publishing of the Hendrickson Publishing Group, copyright 2021.