Thoughts from a Random Mind: Volume One

By RL Keller

Thoughts from a Random Mind is the latest effort by author RL Keller. Its a daily devotional that is designed not to simply bless and encourage readers but also challenge them to think about who God truly is and how they might improve their walk with Him. They are meant to be thought-provoking, encouraging, edifying, instructional, and hopefully also a blessing to the reader.

The author considers himself no different than anyone elsejust a believer wrestling each day with his beliefs. These devotions were born out of his own personal struggles with life and how his walk with Christ has grown and become more consistent. God is paramount in RL Kellers life, and he is attempting to share his struggles through his writings so that the reader can know that he is not alone in the battle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449781644

RL Keller

Richard Louis Keller was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955 and grew up in Middletown Township. He graduated from Montclair State College in 1978 with a degree in broadcasting. Rich gave his life to Christ in 1979. Since his conversion, he has spent time ministering for the Lord in various capacities. God gave Rich the gift of communication. He writes a daily devotional blog and has had two other books published.

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Copyright © 2013 RL Keller.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8164-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8165-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8166-8 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013900368

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/10/2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Be Reconciled One to Another

Put Your Faith in God

Seek His Refreshing

Sowing and Reaping

Speak Kind Words

Stand Tall

Stay the Course

God’s Grace in Action

Think on These Things

Walk Worthy of the Lord

What Are We Worth?

Wisdom

The Ever-Present God

Answered Prayers

Be a Doer, Not Merely a Sayer

Be Fruit Inspectors

Be of One Accord

Be Set Apart

Be Transformed

Be Gentle

Be Humble

Be Patient

Be Selfless

Do Unto Others

Do What’s Right

Don’t Worry!

Fervent Prayer

E & E’s

Exalt the Lord

Focus

The Comforter

God Gave

God is Flawless

God is in Control

God is Just

God is With Us

God Knows What You Need

The Burden Bearer

God Said It

God’s Forgiveness

Surrender to Grace

God’s Work in You

Guard Your Tongue

House Building 101

Love One Another

Keep Your Focus

Live Virtuous Lives

Put Your Hope in God

My Redeemer Lives

No Excess Baggage Allowed

No Weapon Shall Prosper

Nothing can Replace God

Nothing can Separate us from God

Praise God in Good & Bad Times

Be Anxious for Nothing

Love Others as Yourself

Our Debt Was Paid

Don’t Get Bogged Down

Faith & Trust

Fear Nothing

Forgiveness

Perseverance

The Comparison

God’s Providence

God’s Grace

Humbleness

God’s Will (Part 1)

God’s Will (Part 2)

God’s Will (Part 3)

God’s Will (Part 4)

God’s Will (Part 5)

God’s Will (Part 6)

God’s Will (Part 7)

God’s Will (Part 8)

God’s Will (Part 9)

God’s Will (Conclusion)

I am With You

In God We Trust

Let Your Light Shine

Salt Water & Fresh Water

Save Me

Submit To God

The Good Shepherd

Trials

Trust in the Lord

Who God Chooses to Use

Beware the Flatterer

Pray!!

Commitment

Being Christ-like

Blessed Hope

Confidence in God

Cry Out to God

Declare & Believe

Don’t be Afraid

The Blessed Hope

Do We Sin?

The Cornerstone

Fear of the Lord

The Depths of God

Don’t be Anxious

God Becomes Man

God Has a Plan

The Heart of Man

A Healthy Ego

A Noble Woman

God Knows Everything

God Never Sleeps

God Knows the Heart of Man

He Hears Our Cries

God Shows No Favoritism

All is Not as it Seems

All Things are Possible

God’s Grace Brings Blessings

God’s Law

God’s Love for Us

Angels

Ask What You Will

Grace & Peace

Attaining Wisdom

He Who Knew No Sin

Justified Through Faith

Love Your Neighbor

All Things Given

Listen, Don’t Talk

Fear Not

Respect God

Spare the Rod

What Awaits Us

Take the Meat & Leave the Bones

How Do We Defeat Temptation

Be Ignorant No Longer

Being Double-Minded

Broken

Broken (Part Two)

Delight in His Commands

Do God’s Word

Do You Feel Far Away From God?

Do You Worship Idols?

Does God Hear Us?

Endless Love

Evil People

Exercising Your Faith

Faith Makes It Possible

Forgive & Forget

Free Will

Giving Good for Evil

God’s Plan for Us

Check Your Pride At The Door

God is!

God is All Wise

God is Good to Us

God is There

God is Watching (Part One)

God is Watching (Part Two)

God Seeks to Save

God’s Gift

God’s Inspired Word

God’s Patience

God’s Word a Lamp

He is Worthy

He Shall Wipe Our Tears

God’s Forever Word

Hope in God

In the Name of Jesus

Is God With Me?

Judge Not

Listen & Wait

Lying

Making the Impossible Possible

Never Forsaken

Look Where You’re Going

Once For All

Our Future

Our Provider

Perfect Peace

Praising God

Revere God

Rest

Overlook & Restrain

Seeing the Unseen

The Grace of God Revisited

The Love of God

The Narrow Road

Let Freedom Ring

The Return

The Rod & Staff

Tomorrow

Truth vs. Lying

You Are a Blessing

We Aren’t All That Smart

We’re At War!

Giving vs. Taking

Where’s the Love, Man?

Why Am I Here?

With God There is Nothing to Fear

A Winning Attitude

Yielding to God

Being Like Christ

Faith Replaces the Law

Cry Out to the Lord

God’s Plan for You

God is Our Protector

Set Free

Give Thanks

Let the Testing Begin

You Are a Blessing, Be One

What’s the Hurry?

The Shepherd

Born Again

Embrace the Truth

Do You Truly Know God?

It’s About Time

Knowing God

Unmerited Favor

Heed God’s Call

Leave the Past Behind

Stop Doing Wrong

Opulence vs. Inheritance

Time with God

We Are Foreigners

Whom Shall We Serve

Non-Conformity

Ambassadors for Christ

Live As Free Men without Sinning

Love Others

There’s a Way Out

How to Treat Others

Don’t Deviate

Seek Wisdom

Bearing Burdens

God’s Peace

Prepare For Battle

Tap Into God

Allow God to Change You

The Potter

God is Our Fortress

Think Before You Speak

Righteous Through Faith

Live in Peace

Seeing Desires Change

Make a Difference

Careful Consideration

The Fruit of the Spirit (1)

The Fruit of the Spirit (2)

The Fruit of the Spirit (3)

Fruit of the Spirit (4)

The Fruit of the Spirit (5)

The Fruit of the Spirit (6)

The Fruit of the Spirit (7)

Discernment

Deliverance

God is Our Refuge

Following in His Footsteps

Full Immersion

Matter of the Heart

Be a Comforter

God Had a Plan

His Promises Are True

God is at Work

Truth vs. Fiction

Only Through Christ

Choose Your Clothing Wisely

Character Flaws to Avoid

Watch What You Eat

Are You Blessed?

No Weapon Can Defeat Us

The Armor of God – Our Belt

The Armor of God – Our Breastplate

The Armor of God – Our Footwear

The Armor of God – Our Shield

The Armor of God – Our Sword

Run the Race

Grace Equals Redemption

Ministering Spirits

Our Substitute

Don’t Find Yourself Lost

Falling Short

Extra Grace Required

A Foolish Message

Make Your Life Count

God of Truth

Futile Faith

Blood

The Gauntlet

He Offered Himself

Be Christ to Others

Being an Effective Christian

Earnestly Seek

According to His Will

Redirect Your Focus

Be Spiritually Fit

Through the Fire of Circumstance

The Life Preserver

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

The Works of God

The Mighty Warrior God

Our Omniscient God

We Can Trust God

Release Your Faith

Do Great Things

Are You Teachable?

Honoring God with Your Attitude

Disengage Your Anger

Accountability

Infinite Love

Trust God

The Rapture

What’s Your Motivation?

Becoming Fine Tuned

True Wisdom

Love is a Verb

All Things Given

Joy in Calamity

Do You See Him?

Don’t be a Rudderless Ship

Nothing Escapes His Gaze

Finding Peace

The Money Trap

Friends

Divine Mercy

Looking in the Wrong Place

A Promise from God

Nothing to Fear

No Place to Hide

Seeking the Things of God

Our Timeless God

Our Incomparable God

Be Rooted

Be Grateful

Nothing Escapes God

Our Peace Provider

Symbolism in Scripture

God’s Word

The Attributes of God

God’s Good Work

Nothing is Impossible

Honor God

Christ Exalted

He Paid a Debt He Didn’t Owe

Believing the Unseen

The Word of God

The Hand of God

The Sin Sacrifice

Childlike Faith

Free to Choose

Seeking the Face of God

The Eyes of Faith

The Joy of the Cross

Be a Light

Become Like a Child

Our Focal Point

Our Protector

Listening vs. Hearing

A Matter of the Heart

Letting Go

Justified by His Grace

Don’t Forget God

Christ’s Reign

The Mind – Heart Connection

Having a Humble Spirit

Incalculable Worth

Our Immutable God

God’s Great Love

Godly Alterations Needed

INTRODUCTION

I have been writing devotionals for quite some time and recently got the idea of pulling all my writings into one volume and calling it Thoughts from a Random Mind. I pulled this collection together to promote thought regarding the things of God, as well as to encourage and edify the body of Christ. I originally wrote them for myself because I get more out of writing about a verse or verses than simply reading them. I saved each one in a file folder on my computer and at a later date came up with the idea of writing a devotional blog which I called Bread of Life. I still write entries on that blog to this very day.

I believe that we all need a word of encouragement and edification at one time or another. Within these pages you will find devotionals that will bless you, challenge you, instruct you, encourage you, build up your faith and perhaps even make you scratch your head. I believe what is written in these many entries are inspired by God and believe that anything inspired by God brings life and hope.

The Lord is very creative. Each one of us is unique in our own way; God made us that way. I am random, some others are extremely focused and still others might be obsessive compulsive. God has chosen to use each one of us in exciting ways for the Kingdom. I hope this collection ministers to you as you read through it. There are 365 entries in the book, one for each day of the year. My heart and soul has gone into these writings and I firmly believe that God has and will use these to bless, encourage and edify whoever reads them.

May God richly bless you as you strive to live for Him.

Your Brother in Christ …

Richard L. Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Link: http://minidevos.blogspot.com/

AUTHOR NOTES

All definitions are courtesy of http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/ .

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture is from Today’s New International Version (TNIV) of the Holy Bible.

Other translations used:

AMP – Amplified Bible; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.

CEB – Common English Bible; Nashville, TN: CRDC, 2010.

CEV – Contemporary English Version; New York City, NY: American Bible Society, 1995.

GNT – Good News Translation; New York City, NY: American Bible Society, 1976.

GW – God’s Word Translation; Ada, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1995.

MSG – The Message; Colorado Springs, CO: NAVPRESS, 2002.

NASB – New American Standard Bible; La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1975.

NKJV – New King James Version; Nashville, TN: Thomas A. Nelson Publishers, 1982.

NLT – New Living Translation; Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1996.

NLV – New Life Version; Ledyard, Gleason and Kathryn, 1986.

YLT – Young’s Literal Translation; Young, Robert (1822-1888), 1862.

SPECIAL THANKS

I want to thank the Lord for making this compilation possible. Without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, none of this would have come to fruition. God has chosen to use me in this way and for that I am deeply humbled.

I would also like to thank Abby Aponte for doing the copy editing for the manuscript. She did an incredible job and I am sincerely grateful.

Richard L. Keller

JANUARY 1

Be Reconciled One to Another

… If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matt. 5:23-24)

God has a curious way of doing things. In a world where people hold grudges and a lack of forgiveness abounds, God tells us that if you know someone has anything against you, you are the one that is to take the initiative to bring about reconciliation. Now I believe there are definite consequences for not doing this and I also believe that if we go to someone to reconcile our differences and we are rebuffed, then it is on their head and not ours. Strife, bitterness, resentment are all things that chip away at the peace we have in Christ. They should have no place in our hearts.

People are fond of making New Year’s resolutions. Here is one that is noble and worth consideration: strive to be more like Jesus in everything you think, say and do. Think on whether there is anyone who may have anything against you. If you find that there is someone, go to that person and be reconciled. Not only is life too short for such a thing to exist between two people, but it is absolutely not the will of God for it to exist. Be obedient and if you are rebuffed, go in peace and pray that God might soften their heart for their own sake.

Finally, you should be fair-minded in all you do. The popular phrase What Would Jesus Do? applies. What would He say; how would He react; how would He act; what would He do? If you become better acquainted with your Heavenly Father, you will begin to think more like your Lord.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Phil. 4:8)

Let this scripture be the banner under which you stand going into the New Year. May you have peace, good health and prosperity, even as your soul prospers.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 2

Put Your Faith in God

… put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. (Ps. 131:3)

Hope 1: to cherish a desire with anticipation; 2: to desire with expectation of obtainment; 3: to expect with confidence.

Where does your hope lie? Is it the government? Is it your spouse? Does it lie with a substance or thing, rather than a person? Is it your next paycheck? People can and will let us down. Things will perish … they will turn to dust. Even those things that are made to be imperishable will crumble and blow away over time. There is One Who was and is and always will be. He is God Almighty, Creator of the Heavens and the earth.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)

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. (Rom. 15:13)

The Rapture of the Church is called the Blessed Hope. We hope in His returning. Scripture says we hope for that which is to come, for how can we hope for something that is already here? Where does our hope lie? For all those who are perishing in this dying world, it is in a Holy God. For God is fair and just. He is full of grace and mercy. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger and great in mercy (Ps. 145:8 NKJV). That is where our hope is to lie.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust (hope) in the name of the Lord our God. (Ps. 20:7)

Whatever your situation, your only hope is in the name of the Lord our God. No matter where you are or how far away you have ventured from God, call out His name in the midst of your trouble. Just as Peter did when he was beginning to sink in the waters all around him, call out to God (Matt. 14:28-30). He will not forsake you. He will not let you down. Your help may not come in an instant, it may not come in the form you desire or expect, but it shall come. It will come in the form God knows it needs to come and when He knows it needs to be there; not a moment sooner or a moment later.

Allow your faith and trust to translate into hope. For if you have hope, all is not lost. If you have hope, then the light at the end of the tunnel is your redemption. Be of good cheer this day, for you have hope. Embrace it and wait for its manifestation. If patience is a virtue, then hope is its cousin. Do all you can, and when you have, watch the Lord fulfill His promises to you. I have never seen Him fail. One of the reasons we have been given a memory is so we might recall past blessings and answered prayers. Rest in Him today; He will not fail you.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 3

Seek His Refreshing

Repent … so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

There are times in a Christian’s life when our faith is stretched. It is times like that when we may feel that it is being stretched to the point of breaking. That is the time when we must seek His face even more. The fitness guru’s tell you that when your muscles burn is not the time to rest, but to push past the burn for that is when you are doing yourself the most good. It is no different spiritually speaking. Push past the burn of disappointment, frustration, fear and doubt. The only way to survive these times of faith stretching is to find rest in the presence of the Lord through reading His word, praising Him, meditating on His promises … just being still before Him. This will be the time of refreshing that Acts speaks of.

Being quiet and sitting still are two of the most difficult things in the world for most folks to do and as a result, wrestle with it their entire walk with God. He knows us intimately, inside and out. He judges the heart and not externals. He knows our hearts’ desires. We desire to be still before Him, but allow everything to crowd in on us and choke out that desire. Sin can be a major hindrance to your spiritual walk, so it is critical that we repent of sin in our life. Since God has given us the Holy Spirit not only as our protector and guide, but also the One Who brings conviction when sin is present, we will know when something is blocking our open access to the refreshing. Don’t think that God overlooks certain things simply because our heart is in the right place.

We must strive to be more like Christ in our daily lives. It is from a pure and contrite heart that we find our refreshing in the presence of the Lord. He desires for us to find peace and to be whole. He is the only One who can bring us to that place. Once again, it is based on faith and trust. So when our faith is stretched to its limits, know that God is there in the midst of it and is causing or allowing these events to strengthen our faith and bring us to a higher plain of spiritual growth. Everything happens for a reason in God’s economy.* That is where the trust comes in. Do you trust Him today?

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 4

Sowing and Reaping

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:7-10)

We live in perilous times. We have an enemy who is prowling around seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). It is easy to be tripped up by the evil that surrounds us. While it is true that God is in control and is watching over us, we can easily be sucked into a world that is filled with divisiveness and pain. We were created with a free will. God wants us to serve Him because we want to, not because we have to. Don’t allow yourself to be confused by the things that surround you. Don’t ever think that God winks at your indiscretions, no matter how small they may seem to you. Your words, thoughts and actions, though they may be inappropriate, should not mock God.

Speaking of Israel, God says in Hosea 7, They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. What you sow, so shall you reap. You cannot live as you choose and expect to escape the consequences associated with those actions. Liars never prosper; thieves never escape justice and those who live immorally shall reap the consequences of their actions. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction according to Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion. This is why we must stay close to our Lord.

Picture yourself walking down a dark corridor. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. You have a guide with you and he has a light, but you will need to stay very close to him so you know which way to go. The guide is the Holy Spirit. The light is God’s Word. The dark corridor is the narrow path to heaven and unless you stay very close, you will lose your way; for along the way are forks and little side paths.

Do not think for one second that improper actions will be dismissed without consequences. However, while God is not mocked, His patience is infinite and His compassion knows no bounds (Ps. 103:8). So be careful and know that God provides a way of escape for every pitfall you face in life. Be mindful of Him continually, in all you do and you will be safe.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 5

Speak Kind Words

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. (Prov. 15:4 (The Message))

The Gospels instruct us to treat others the way we would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12). This is truth you can live by. So why is it that we find ourselves speaking unkind words so often? Is that the way we want to be treated? Not hardly. It is my belief that we should strive to be more like Jesus each day. Are cutting words or an acidic tongue emblematic of what Jesus would do? It is in truly knowing Him that we find our answer.

The OT refers to intimacy when it speaks of knowing someone, such as a man knowing his wife and her becoming with child. In the true sense of the word, to truly know someone is to know them so completely that you know how they think and what they would say or do in a given situation. You know what makes them tick. I believe this is the type of knowing we need regarding God.

Why is it so difficult to spend time with God? When you first asked out the man or woman you are married to, you probably wanted to spend as much time with that person as you could. You enjoyed their company. You wanted to know everything you could about that person. As you got to know them better you developed a comfort level with them. You trusted them not to lie to you or hurt you in any way. So why is this so difficult when you seek to know God better? One reason, I think, is because He is unseen. We believe He exists even though we’ve never seen Him. This makes our knowing Him a bit of a challenge. There are so many things in this world that demand our attention. The enemy of our soul would have us never spend any time with God at all. If you don’t know Him, you won’t know all He is and all He can do for you. If you don’t know Him, you won’t know who you truly are in Him. Spending time with God is a deliberate act on your part. It’s not easy. Sometimes, honestly, most of the time, we have to force ourselves to carve out a few scant moments with Him.

My point in all this is that the more we know God, really know Him, the more we will know how He would want us to act in any given situation. It stands to reason that in every case God would want us to speak kind words that heal and help; that encourage and edify. When we are hateful to someone, regardless of the reason why and regardless of the justification for it, we don’t feel good about it or ourselves. However, when we speak with kindness, we are shining the light of Christ. So that others can see how things can and should be. If you want to make the world a better place, speak with kindness; edify and encourage. You will feel good about yourself and make others feel good as well. It’s what Christ has done and what He would have us do. Harsh words tear down. Kind words build up. Be in the construction business, not in the demolition business.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 6

Stand Tall

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh … (Rom. 8:12 (NKJV))

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh… (Rom. 8:12)

Debtor 1: one guilty of neglect or violation of duty; 2: one who owes a debt.

Have you ever considered yourself in debt to God? Scripture tells us to owe no man anything but love (Rom. 13:8 NJKV), but regarding owing God anything it says that we are to live in and be led by God’s Holy Spirit. So then this is what we owe God; to live the life He has given us for Him through His Spirit’s leading. You aren’t asked to do this on your own. You are given an arsenal of tools at your disposal; namely, His word, fellow believers, prayer, discernment, wisdom and the list goes on. We must sharpen our focus. We cannot allow our vision to be stolen from us by the enemy of our souls; for he will drag us down into fleshly desires and dull our senses to the things of God.

Did Christ die in vain? Never! So why do we so often entertain that which cheapens His grace and mercy. It is in the things we think, say and do. God is gracious. He understands our weaknesses and shortcomings. He gives us the tools to stand up and brush off those things which so easily entangle us (Heb. 12:1). Our sins are our own invention; we allow them to penetrate our armor - worry, doubt and fleshly thoughts. These are not of God, but rather of Satan.

Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. (Job 1:8)

Stand tall this day. Know that the debt you owe is one of faith and loyalty to the one true God. Satan is a toothless lion. He can do nothing to you that is not either caused or allowed by your Heavenly Father to strengthen you. Your obligation is to make wise Godly decisions based on your devotion to your Heavenly Father. If you stumble, He will pick you up, but the consequences of that stumble can impede your Spiritual progress for a time. Sharpen your blade and be ever watchful of the enemy. Do not remove your armor to rest, but stand at the ready to fight, if necessary, to protect that which is yours, which you have been given. You will survive, but it is a long way up that same mountain again. God is ever present and His angels are standing guard. Be vigilant. Pay your debt by loving and serving your God. Your reward is waiting.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 7

Stay the Course

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (Ps. 73:1-3)

As you read through Psalm 73 you see almost a reiteration of the prodigal son or Solomon in Ecclesiastes, only on a much smaller scale. Here, the writer knows of the goodness of God, yet sees the impure reveling in their own supposed wisdom and wealth. It would appear to him that they do as they please and go unpunished. The writer is leaning toward their way of thinking based on what he sees; however, the behind the scenes view is far different. God allows them to prosper as a means of bringing them face to face with the reality that all the things they acquire will mean nothing in the end.

The writer realizes this for himself as Psalm 73 comes to a close. Listen to what he has to say:

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Ps. 73:27-28)

Material possessions, while not sinful in and of themselves, can lead an individual to a shift in priorities. A couple needs to be in one accord regarding this matter. You cannot have one seeking the things of the spirit, while the other is seeking the things of this world. Understand what I am saying; seeking whatever your heart desires regardless of your financial situation is foolhardy. Making the accumulation of things paramount over a fixation on God is where the problem lies. God has promised to meet all your needs and will give you the desires of your heart provided they are within His will for you.

Never allow the things of this world to draw you away from your commitment to Christ. It is a constant upward climb to reach our spiritual potential. Sitting for too long can cause stagnation. Not watching where you are going can cause you to stumble and tumble back down the hill you are climbing. Keep focused on the prize that awaits you once you have finished the race. It is not a sprint, but rather a marathon which requires pacing; do that and you will stay the course. Although you may not see it, God is in control and He really does know what is best for you.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 8

God’s Grace in Action

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)

The grace of God is His undeserved favor towards us. We deserve nothing from Him at all, yet He has seen fit to bestow upon us His favor. Christ willingly stepped down from the right hand of the Father to be that grace in bodily form as He allowed Himself to be brutally beaten and nailed to a cross. He was rich in all the attributes of God, yet made Himself poor and of no regard for our sake. By receiving Him we have become rich in a manner of speaking. It’s not monetary wealth we’re talking about. Money is used as an expression of love, but plays no part in this redemptive story. God made the decision to graciously save us from ourselves and our own devices, knowing full well what condition we would end up in from the start. He gave Adam and Eve everything they would ever need for survival and still they allowed themselves to be tricked into disobeying God. God displayed mercy in casting them out of Eden rather than destroying them and starting over.

Our constant weakness and disobedience should cause us to be cast out as well, however the love the Creator has for His creation is so intense and everlasting that He will not cast us aside. He has provided a liaison, if you will, in the form of His Holy Spirit. Once we receive Christ, we receive in us our comforter and advocate, our liaison to God, the Holy Spirit. It’s a manifestation of God’s continued grace towards us. He gives us every advantage for the taking; however, we tend to feel strong enough to take on certain situations on our own. We don’t grasp the seriousness of our circumstances and therefore fail to avail ourselves of the great riches of His grace and mercy to succeed in life.

Success in God’s economy isn’t as the world sees it with monetary riches, prestige and power; not at all. This is possibly one reason why some folks shun Christianity altogether. Humbleness, humility, grace, mercy, love, peace, hope and forgiveness are foreign concepts to the non-believer. These very same attributes make the believer rich in a way that is far more lasting and satisfying than any wealth or power ever could. The things of this world are temporary and shall crumble and disappear in time. The riches God gives are eternal in that they shall never pass away.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 9

Think on These Things

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)

Our minds work like mini personal computers; they are a marvel to be sure. They are capable of great good. Unfortunately, they are also capable of great evil as well. It depends largely on what we fill our minds with on a daily basis; what we spend our time doing, what we watch on television, what we read, what we listen to? God sets the standard, not any person. The creature can never be greater than its Creator.

"I have the right to do anything, you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything" but not everything is constructive. (1 Cor. 10:23)

While it is true that we have a free will and can do anything we choose, not all things will be of benefit to us. Our thoughts, words and resulting actions can get us in a whole passel of trouble if we are not careful. God is with us wherever we go, however, should we decide of our free will to say or do as we please, He will allow us to go off on our own. Why is it that we think we know so much better than our Maker what is good for us?

You have no doubt heard the old computer saying garbage in, garbage out. What we feed into our mini personal computer will influence our thoughts and be exhibited in our speech and actions. So it stands to reason that if you fill your mind with things that are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, you will be far more productive, happy and at peace. This is why it is important to spend time in God’s Word.

Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. The enemy throws things at us that are harmful. They appear to be pleasurable, but their end is destruction. We must judge the content of the things we watch, read and listen to so as to become all that we can for the sake of God’s Kingdom. Being more like Jesus each day involves some sacrifices. We must use discernment, as provided by God’s Holy Spirit, regarding what we think, say and do. It may appear to be restrictive, but in the end it is, in fact, the most liberating thing we can do. Always remember that what we sow, we shall reap, whether it is in thought, words or deed (Gal. 6:7-10). Invest your time in that which is eternally productive and it will pay eternal dividends.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 10

Walk Worthy of the Lord

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy … (Col.1:9-11 (NKJV))

If I am filled with the knowledge of God, then it stands to reason I will walk worthy of His calling. We are all called to play a part in His Kingdom. We are all given gifts, skills and talents that can be used to encourage and edify the body of Christ. However, if we do not cultivate our relationship with Him, we will be incapable of utilizing the gifts He has given to us. Like any other relationship this side of heaven, we need to spend time with the individual we are seeking to know better. God knows us more than we could ever know ourselves, so the effort must come from us. We shouldn’t simply receive Christ, then kick back and take it easy. There is work to be done. Cultivating our relationship with our Maker is paramount in our spiritual survival. He loves us and wants to spend time with us.

The gifts God liberally gives to us can’t be utilized if we don’t know what they are. We only need to ask the Lord to reveal them to us. Some requests are answered immediately, some dwell in the land of the not yet. God’s timing is impeccable; perfect in every way. We must trust in Him to use us how, when and where He deems necessary, for He knows all things and is able to place us where we need to be to accomplish the most good. Not receiving an answer doesn’t necessarily mean no, but perhaps instead means God has something else in mind. We need to engage our trust. He never shortchanges us, but rather always provides the proper answer at the proper time, so that we receive the greatest benefit and He receives the most glory.

If we submit to the will of God for our lives, we will please Him and be fruitful in every good work. We tend to grow impatient as we walk down the narrow path set before us. The Lord can show us how to be patient in any situation if we allow Him to. God never forces Himself or His will on anyone, but we need to come to the place where our trust and faith feed into our actions, so that we make our decisions with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. There is always a right and wrong way to do anything. You wouldn’t screw two pieces of wood together with a hammer or clean a piece of glass with steel wool. In like manner, you wouldn’t honor the Kingdom by judging or criticizing whoever you encountered each day. Through Godly patience and longsuffering with joy we can walk worthy of our God, and thus be pleasing to Him.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 11

What Are We Worth?

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7)

What do you think you’re worth? What is your worth to your family, your friends, your employer, your fellow church members … can you put a value on it? It’s tied into how you feel about yourself as a person, isn’t it? Do you like yourself? You should. You’ve no doubt heard the phrase you’re special, cuz God don’t make junk? Well, it’s true. Did you know that you are priceless to God?

Priceless 1a: having a value beyond any price : invaluable.

… even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matt. 10:30)

If He takes care of everything in His creation and nothing escapes His ever-watching eye, then why would you think he doesn’t know you and care for you? I don’t know of anyone else who can say that they would even have the remotest interest in the number of hairs on my head, yet God says He has them all numbered. We may be as a single grain of sand on the beaches of life, I am confident that God knows where I am at all times and always has my best interests at heart. Since God is no respecter of persons, what He does for me, He will do for you. Do you realize that there is nothing about you that could make God turn away from you? He created you and loves you without any conditions being placed upon the relationship. Couples may sign prenuptial agreements prior to marriage just in case things don’t turn out well for them; however, no such agreements are needed with God. You may turn from Him, but He will never turn from you.

Almighty God is our healer, sustainer, provider and advocate. I believe He is disappointed with some of our thoughts, words and deeds, but it never catches Him by surprise and never causes Him to not love us. He is a thoughtful and kind Heavenly Father, who chastises us to teach us when necessary, yet does it with mercy and compassion. His Holy Spirit may operate through another or be that still, small voice that ministers wisdom, guidance or peace.

So no matter what you have done in your life, know this, the world may turn its collective back on you, but the Creator of the Universe will never, ever leave you lying in a ditch. His love surpasses anything our finite minds can comprehend. There aren’t enough words in existence to describe Him. He loves you no matter what. Get used to it, because that truth will never change.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 12

Wisdom

I said to myself, Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. (Eccles. 1:16-17)

Many people have spirited debates regarding the existence of God. Each side acquires facts to lie down as the foundation for their argument. What each one believes in their heart is their reality, so how can a true debate occur? These two verses in Ecclesiastes shine a light on this dilemma.

Solomon was a son of King David. His wisdom knew no limits for he had asked his God to make it so that he might judge the people of Israel fairly. From the accounting of his life experiences in scripture, one could say he experienced all there was to experience and then some. Yet, in the end Solomon realized that all these things were pure vanity and all acquired knowledge and wisdom is absolutely "meaningless. Why on earth would he say such a thing? Solomon came to the realization that God is above all things and anything gained outside of Him is like a chasing after the wind." True, his incredible wisdom came from God Himself, but the mere attainment of wisdom is shear nothingness without a relationship with the God Who gave it. It is like a teen that grew up in the church and yet felt he was missing out on all the world had to offer, so he backslid into the secular world only to realize, sometimes many years later, that he had wasted his time. Time wasted can never be retrieved.

There is nothing in this life that is truly worth anything without God. Success in any form, for any reason, pales in comparison to the successes achieved that have eternal value. This is so because worldly success is for a solitary being and perhaps his or her family; heavenly success is for others. It takes wisdom to know the difference and allow God to change your focal point from yourself to God. Just as a light shone at a prism fans out and touches much more than a solitary point, so too, the things done with God as the prism fans out and touches many.

Be mindful of this … the gospel is not a complicated message. It is a faith-based belief system. Sticking close to God and allowing Him to lead you through life is not a weakness, but rather an acquired strength. The only true reality we know as believers is the love of God and the gift of salvation (and all the truths that follow them). You cannot explain it away.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 13

The Ever-Present God

The Lord turned to (Gideon) and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?" (Judges. 6:14)

Have you ever felt that you couldn’t go on? Has life’s battles worn you out? Gideon was faced with an entirely different type of situation when he was called to lead a band of men to rout the Midianites. His was a true battle; ours is a battle against the forces of evil in our midst. Gideon lacked the confidence to do as God had asked him; we lack confidence, many times, to do that which God requires of us as well. In a time when super hero movies abound and those with special powers fill the cinematic screen, we oft times wish for their strength to combat life’s many trials. You have no idea how many times I have wished in my life that I could incinerate an antagonist or simply make them disappear. In the face of all this God looks us square in the eye and says My child, go in the strength you have … am I not sending you?

If we stop and consider Who it is that is making this statement and realize that He is the only one Who can change any situation with one word spoken from His Heavenly Throne, perhaps our strength would be restored. For that which God commissions us, He is more than capable and willing to enable us to do. Omnipotent is not simply a title that God Almighty wears without a reason. The reason is simply that He is All-Powerful … there is nothing He cannot do. If He sends us into battle it is not a mere mortal who is sending us … it is the Creator of the Universe.

You realize, of course, that this all comes down to an issue of faith and trust; the faith to believe in an unseen God and the trust to rely on Him to provide for and sustain us through any situation. If He so desires and it is within His perfect will for you, He can and will change your situation for His own purposes and your ultimate benefit. God knows what He is doing; most of the time we do not, even when we follow His directives. That is what faith and trust is all about - following the path God has laid before us. We may not know where it will lead, but if we trust that God, by His Holy Spirit is our guide, we will be safe. He never sends us out alone, but rather is with us as we go.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 14

Answered Prayers

Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Ps. 143:7-8)

Do you know the phrase as if the heavens were made of brass? When referring to our prayers to God this phrase is intended to mean that it is as if our prayers go up and simply bounce off an invisible barrier, keeping them from reaching God. Have you ever felt like that? That your prayers to God weren’t making it all the way to His ear? That something was keeping them from reaching Him? I have. In this age of immediacy, we tend to grow impatient very quickly. If you think waiting for a waiter to acknowledge that you’ve been waiting for five minutes without receiving a menu is frustrating, try waiting on God.

Not waiting for God can take you on a tangent you will wish you had never taken. Patience is required. Lessons must be learned. Fretting is counterproductive. Scripture teaches us to fret not (Ps. 37:1), to "cast all our cares on Him" (1 Pet. 5:7). This can be easier said than done. Our eyes do us a disservice at times, as we seek anything that will bring about a desired answer. Once our answer is achieved, we attribute it to God and move forward. But was it really God’s answer? How can we know for sure?

The only way to truly know if God is providing your answer is to truly know God. Without an intimate knowledge of Him and His word, it is fairly easy to be led astray by the enemy. Intimate knowledge takes time … possibly your entire life, but it is a journey worth taking. God will never leave you off in a ditch, nor will He remain silent forever. He has a perfect plan for you. He has a perfect place for you. He has a perfect time to reveal to you all that you need to know. We just need to wait … patiently. While it may not be YES just yet, it also may not be NO … your answer may reside in the land of the NOT YET. It is a place where God is at work preparing events and circumstances that will bring about the proper, perfect answer to your prayer. For you know He may have something better in mind. God is never late. He is never wrong. He is never silent forever … just long enough to accomplish His purpose in your life. Yield to God. Surrender to His Spirit’s leading. Know Him. It is a matter of determining, as in determining that you are going to know God as well as you possibly can. Want answers to your prayers? Tap into the great I AM and watch things happen.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 15

Be a Doer, Not Merely a Sayer

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

How do we worship God? Do we do it with our mouths? Yes. Do we do it with our lives? Also yes. I see many people who profess to be Christians, yet live their lives as if they do not know God. They go to church on Sunday morning, perhaps even on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. They are there every time the doors are open. Is this a form of worshipping God? No. Just like sitting in a garage doesn’t make you a car, the time you spend in church doesn’t make you a Christian, neither does it constitute worship. It’s the condition of your heart, which conditions your mind. That is what dictates whether you are a follower of Christ and whether your life is worship to our Lord. Saying you are a Christian doesn’t make you one, living like one does.

There is a certain line of thinking that goes like this: you shouldn’t have to tell anyone that you are (fill in the blank) … a liar, a thief, an atheist or a Christian. As the saying goes, Actions speak louder than words. People can tell who you are by what you do and not what you say. You can say anything, but the way you act is a true indicator; a reflection of what is truly in your heart. If you are filled with God’s Spirit, and all believers are, then it will show in your actions. We go to church for a variety of reasons and all of them are sound and Biblical; however, going to church does not make us Christians. Those around us should know we are Christians because of our consistent actions. Notice I said consistent. This is not a one-time deal. If we are truly believers in Christ, then the Spirit of God will guide us into doing Godly things each time … if we would only listen.

Let people see by our actions that we are believers that do not look to blend into the world around us. Those believers who work hard to blend in look no different than anyone else outside the faith. Let them see something in us, a spirit of truth that tells them we are different and points them to God.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

JANUARY 16

Be Fruit Inspectors

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Ps. 97:10)

There are many in this world today that claim to be Christians, yet by their lifestyles deny God. They use smoke and mirrors to fool those around them into believing a change has occurred in their lives. Unfortunately, the only ones being fooled are them, because you can fool every person on earth, but will never put anything past Almighty God.

Life isn’t a game. It can be hard and messing with something as serious as sin or the forgiveness thereof is risky at best. If you truly love God, you will have a heartfelt desire to serve Him. While we are not to judge others, it is very important that we become fruit inspectors. We shouldn’t do this with a gotcha mentality, but rather with a humble spirit, for one day the tables may turn. Many people today live one life in the public eye and another at home or at work. Some appear as model Christians in church and then when seen on the job are the most horrific examples of Christ you’ll ever see. Some are even Deacons or Elders in their churches. Believers need to