What is your god?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.” -Psalm 96:45 NKJV

What is your god?  Before you answer too quickly, think about it.  What is your god?  Sports, Cooking Shows, Cell Phone, Television, Internet, Social Media?  Is it seeking the approval of men, wealth, prestige, or popularity, or is it something else?  An idol is whatever takes God’s rightful place in our heart.  Whatever we have set all of our affections and adoration on, whatever sits upon the throne of our life is our idol.  God must come first in our lives.  God must be the one we seek to live for first (Matthew 6:33), the one we seek to please first, and it is His approval we must first gain (Galatians 1:10).

It is vital that each of us guard our heart because every decision, every action, whether or not we follow God stems from the heart. Why should we guard our heart so diligent? (1) Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Reference Luke 6:45;  (2) Your heart will determine the course of your life. Reference Proverbs 4:23;  (3) Your beliefs about God and who He is comes from the heart.  “But what does it say?  ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with your heart you believe in and justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved,” Romans 10:8-10; (4) Wherever your treasure is (what you value and cherish most, what you cling to) that is where your heart lies.

What is your god?  Each of us as individuals must decide if we will rid our lives of idolatry and repent for putting other things as first place in our lives.  We cannot be a friend of this world and be a friend of God.  To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God.  Nothing is worth losing your soul over.  The Lord is to be our First Love always.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:35-36)

In His Service,

Linda A. Knowles

Thou Shalt Not Take The Name of The Lord Thy God In Vain

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

There are some things that grab my attention in such a way that I cannot let it go. So I thought since my mind won’t let me let it go, why not share it here on my blog.

These verses found in Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 are just a couple of things that have grabbed my attention.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” -Exodus 20:7 KJV

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” -Deuteronomy 5:11 KJV

The English word “vain” in these verses is from the transliteration of the Hebrew word “shav,” meaning “without value, valueless, worthless, frivolous.” To say these verses are pertaining to perjury or lying under oath, not holding to one’s word, and using the name of God to swear falsely when making a vow is an accurate interpretation of the verse. However, it also means that we are not to render the Lord’s name as empty speech, as if His name is futile or insignificant.

We are commanded not to take the name of the Lord our God in vain, and His name is not to be used frivolously. Nowhere will we find in the Scriptures, “I highly recommend that you don’t take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” and we definitely won’t find, “I suggest that you don’t take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” We are commanded, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

This is what the Psalmist declared in Psalm 30:4, “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” Some translations state the latter part of that verse as, “and praise His holy name.” God is holy. Therefore, His name is holy. So then we each must come to a point when we ask ourselves how we cannot be concerned or take care of how we use His name? King David said, “and praise His holy name.” If King David recognized the name of the Lord as holy, then shouldn’t we be cautious in not taking God’s holy name capriciously? I would have to say, in accordance with God’s Word, that we must be cautious of how we use the Lord’s name.

To take the name of the Lord in vain is defined as “not a prayer.” While I understand it may be popular and cultural to use “Oh my God,” “OMG,” “Oh Lord, or “Oh my Lord” (the list goes on), culture and popularity has zero clout when it comes to God, His Word, and His commands. Even the name of Jesus is used as a swear to the point where it has become so commonplace that no one even bats an eye. How did we ever get to this point where it is considered acceptable within the churches to drop “Jesus” as a swear rather than calling out to Him in prayer? Just because culture says something is okay to say doesn’t mean that God approves.

The Lord’s name has significance. He is the Living God, Eternal Father, and Mighty To Save. How do we even dare use His name without concern or care of how we use His name. If we are going to claim to bear His name, then we must not bring reproach to the name we claim to bear. Let us remember to always bring honor, praise, and glory to His name.

In His Service,

Linda A. Knowles

Peace And Strength Are Found When Our Eyes Are Fixed Upon Him

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Peace And Strength Are Found When Our Eyes Are Fixed Upon Him

By Linda A. Knowles

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength,” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

There is only One I know who is unfailing, and that is the LORD. The LORD is faithful, and He never breaks His promises. We, as the true children of God, can put all our hope and trust in Him who is the God who never slumbers and sleeps, the God who has ordered our steps. The LORD is our “everlasting strength.” Our strength comes from no one else and is found in no one else except the Almighty Everlasting God.

No matter what circumstances or situations we find ourselves in, God is the One who is able to carry us through. He carries us through good times and bad times, joys and sorrows. Our God is able to sustain us in times of adversity and in times of testing and temptation. He is the God who always provides a way of escape for us, helping us to stand up under any temptation that comes our way. Through our LORD, we are able to overcome the enemy of our soul. He is our Hope and our Savior. He is our Deliverer, and He is our Rock; and when you are trusting in the Eternal Rock, Our God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, then you will have peace.

Do you trust in the LORD where true peace is found or have you fixed your mind upon the things of this world? Are you elevating anything else above seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Who or what is your hope in?

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)