Thoughts from a Random Mind

 

                 Life can be challenging a lot of the time. As Christians, if we have been taught properly and have a solid spiritual foundation, we can usually rise above the chaos and turmoil. We are painfully human and struggle more times than we need to, but God understands. He made us and knows all about us. He has a tremendous arsenal of spiritual weapons available to us, yet we have this annoying habit of trying to go it alone. Not needing help is all well and good, but why row a boat against the current when a motor is readily available? One of these days we will all begin to realize who we are in Christ and start to assert ourselves spiritually, being bold in the face of trials and ministering fearlessly to those oppressed and in need. Until then, I suppose we will just continue to row.  

                  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

 

            Sitting on the back porch in the cool of the morning sipping on my coffee, I quietly look at the scene around me; trees rustling in the breeze, birds chirping and flitting about, a lone butterfly fluttering from tree to shrub to tree. The blue skies are dotted with clouds. It promises to be a very nice day. As I sit, I ponder God’s creation; those things that are natural and those that are manmade.  How must things have looked even 100 years ago, untouched by humanity.  In the name of progress we tore down only to build up again … monuments to our intellect and know how. However, in that moment all is serene. They say silence is golden and that is very true. I enjoy sitting on the porch soaking in the silence. It seems to clear my head and firm my resolve to do great things for God. I thanked Him for all the things in my life that have helped mold my character. I wouldn’t be who I am without the gracious hand of God moving upon me. His forgiveness and mercy are undeserved, yet appreciated, for I know that without God’s redemptive act in my life I would be lost. I reflect on the scene around me once again and find peace in the quiet. It promises to be a very nice day. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

NOTE: This post is from July 2019. Enjoy ...

Thoughts from a Random Mind

 

Ever wonder what it would be like if we got whatever we wanted whenever we wanted it? What a chaotic mess that would be. The impulsive person inside of us would want all sorts of things that we would rarely, if ever, use. Our needs would get lost in the midst of a sea of desires. It’s a good thing God knows our needs better than we do, because if not our world would be a lot more cluttered than it already is.

God watches out for us. He takes care of us. How do people live this life without the forgiveness and subsequent hope that God provides? I don’t know the answer to that; all I know is that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart what God has done for me. So I weigh that which I think I might want with that which I know I need and decide appropriately. I look at the pros and cons of acquiring my want and take the time to seek the wisdom of God (most of the time). Those things that I wanted but truly didn’t need end up gathering dust and taking up space; those things that I truly needed are consumed and then reacquired. God knows what He’s doing. It’s not all about us, but about God.

There are so many times that we make poor decisions based on faulty information or frivolous desires. Almighty God has a solution for that; simply give our lives over to Him lock, stock and barrel. Seek His face daily and find out what His perfect will is for your life. As a result of doing that you will more than likely become refocused and redirected back onto that narrow path that leads to your eternal home.

 

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

 

         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

 

poser - one who pretends to be someone they’re not; someone who tries to fit in but with exaggeration. *

            Have you ever ‘people watched’ before. I used to do it in college at the mall because I didn’t have two nickels to rub together, and it was something to do. You can see some interesting looking people doing that. Some look normal by your own definition of normal and some look different. Some are what I would refer to as posers. They are trying so hard to present themselves as something they probably are not by the way that they dress, speak, act, and walk. You see it in malls, on boardwalks at the shore, just about anywhere. I wonder what their situations are. I wonder what they do for a living. I wonder why they feel they have to be a poser. I wonder if they know God. 

            Speaking of God, the other day I had someone ask me if I considered myself religious or spiritual? I said I wasn’t religious; that my belief was relational, that I had a relationship with God. She didn’t pursue it any further, but I shall. Having a relationship with someone is so much more intimate than just believing in them. I have spent the last 45 years of my life cultivating a relationship with Almighty God. I have good days and bad days, productive days and days that are not productive at all. All the while God has decided to love me. It was a decision He put into play before I was ever born. Being a God who doesn’t play favorites, He feels the same way about you. Did you know that? Perhaps all those folks who are trying so hard to fit in might like to slide into a comfortable relationship with the One who made them. Perhaps someday I will have the opportunity to tell them.

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* definition thanks to www.urbandictionary.com

Thoughts from a Random Mind

 

          Where do people in the world today find hope? Is it in themselves and their own abilities? Is it in the government? Is it in family and friends? Superheroes came out of someone’s imagination, so they aren’t real and therefore are of no use to us. Our government can’t seem to get things right so we can’t count on them for hope. If we are painfully honest with ourselves, even on our best day our efforts and abilities don’t quite cut it in the long haul. It is my contention and strong belief that God is our only source of hope in a lost and dying world. Any other hope is imagined and not real. Any other source of hope is temporal at best; fleeting hope is no hope at all.

 

Romans 15:12-13 “… Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

          The Root of Jesse is Jesus Christ. Jesse was the father of David and Jesus is in the line of David, therefore He is considered in scripture to be the root of the family tree. In Christ we find our hope. It is not a passing hope that will pass away, but rather a hope that is eternal. Paul declares in Romans that in Christ the gentiles will find hope. The Holy Spirit of God infuses us to overflowing with hope. The return of Christ in the clouds for His people, referred to as ‘the Rapture’ of the church, is called the Blessed Hope of the church. We have hope in things yet unseen. Hope is a byproduct of faith and trust. We believe in God to begin with out of faith. We trust that He is who He says He is. We finally realize that that light at the end of life’s tunnel is the light of God and not an oncoming train. We can find rest in our hope. The world is striving, pushing, pulling, lunging forward constantly and in the process, is seeking hope and peace. Hope is found only in God. When hope is found, can peace be far behind? 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

 

          Life can be a peculiar thing. One day you’re flying high, and all is right with the world, the next everything comes crashing down. I have spent more time in my life apologizing for idiotic things I have either said or done that I am nearly exhausted. You would think I would have learned my lessons by now, but I still say and do some pretty silly things from time to time. I believe I am starting to learn though. At 69 years of age I think it’s about time. Through all the rubble that has been left in my wake, there is hope. I serve a patient God who knows me so much better than I know myself. I am trying not to look backward at the rubble, but rather forward at the promise of a new tomorrow. God has been very gracious and kind to me in spite of my own stupidity. Yes, I am incredibly hard on myself, but I always have been so that is no surprise. Perhaps being hard on myself has been a godsend in a way for I always knew better than the way I was acting and held myself to a lofty goal of living right. God didn’t look at my past mistakes and cast me aside, but rather embraced me and gave me the love and patience I needed to get to where I am now. The books I write are from a heart that has been bruised and beaten up, yet still has passion for God. I love God so much and yet have never seen Him. I know that is possible because I have a relationship just like that this side of heaven. I know a dear brother in Christ who lives in Tulsa, OK. I have never laid eyes on him either, but he has been a source of kindness, acceptance, and inspiration through the years we have known each other. It is that relationship that helps me accept that God is real, and it doesn’t matter one little bit that I cannot see Him. Without God I have no idea where I would be or what I would be doing, but I know this, it wouldn’t be nearly as exciting or rewarding. 

 

Lord, thank You for my life. You saved me from myself and for that I am eternally grateful. Help me live a better life 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

 

“It’s so hard to see what you see in me / Would you lay it out for me?”

- “Best I Can” by Decyfer Down

 

            That’s the way I feel sometimes. “God, what on earth do You see in me that makes You want to love me the way you do?” You see, I know myself all too well, but so does God. Decyfer Down is a Christian Rock group. Their song “Best I Can” ministers to me because it acknowledges our sinfulness and our efforts to try to improve. God knows we are trying if we truly are and comes to our aid if necessary. Any struggles I have had have largely been my own doing. A bad decision here, poor judgment there and voilà, you have a big mess, hurts and all. I’m reminded of Paul’s poignant words in Romans 7:15-16a, 18b-20 and 24 … “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, … I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. … What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

           God provides the answer to Paul’s question in Jesus Christ. Yes, we are most definitely wretched men in our words, thoughts, and deeds. Not 100% of the time, but a lot of the time. We can do nothing to please God in and of ourselves. God knew this and sent the solution for our dilemma; His Son. Christ’s death frees us from our sin; we need to embrace that fact and allow it to transform us so that we are a little less wretched each day. You may be thinking to yourself, “I don’t think I’m wretched.” Really? Who are you comparing yourself to? If it’s anyone besides God then you are making an incorrect comparison. The Lord is the gold standard. Comparing ourselves to God is the only far, honest comparison that will shine a light on us, showing us how wretched we truly are. Having said that we need to remember, it’s not all about us; it is about living for God one day at a time. 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

 

I recently remembered something that took place several years ago.  I had gone to church and upon entering the sanctuary I saw a lone old man sitting on the back row against the wall. I meandered over and sat down next to him, extended my right hand, and said “Hi, my name is Rich.” He shook my hand, smiled, and responded with “I’m Charlie.” We chatted a bit. I sat with Charlie during the service. I made a point of saying “Hi” to Charlie each time I saw him and made sure to ask how he was doing each time. He always sat by himself, alone. No one else ever spoke with him or came up to greet him. I honestly never gave it a second thought. 

                A couple months later it was announced from the pulpit that “Charlie” had passed away. I put two and two together and realized that it was the Charlie I had been speaking to. I asked the pastor about him and found out that Charlie had not been a very good man. Seems he mistreated his wife and was simply a very, very bad man. We discussed how perhaps it was his way of making some sort of peace with God. I began to think. You know, I knew nothing of Charlie’s misdeeds during this life and greeted him and was nice to him as if he had never done anything wrong in his life. The thought crossed my mind at that very moment, and I shared it with Pastor:  Isn’t that just the way God is with us?

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE

 

Jan 1st. New beginnings. A fresh start. Resolutions. Personal Assessments. How will you allow yourself to grow spiritually? Will this new year be the 'same old same old', or will you attempt to branch out into new areas of influence. Being a Christian involves constant change. Growth. Bolstering your faith. Remember, NOTHING is impossible for Almighty God; therefore, nothing is impossible for you. Stretch your faith. Expand your trust in the Lord. Look toward the future with confidence as you continue on your journey to be more like Christ in every aspect of your being. You will be challenged, but that's alright. That's healthy. You should never sit still, because when you sit still you are losing ground because others are passing you by. Pick up the gauntlet and continue on in the race. Never give up. Listen to His still small voice and act accordingly. Growth will come as you press forward. Press on even when the enemy comes against you. The Creator is far greater than His creation and the enemy of our soul is a created being just like us. Enjoy the holiday and remain focused on that which is most important. All praise to the One and only King of the universe, Almighty God, the great I AM THAT I AM. May this new year bring you peace, and prosperity even as your soul prospers. Amen ... may it be so. And may God's will manifest itself in your life this year. In Jesus name. Amen. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries