Set Your Face Like Flint Determined To Do His Will!

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Romans 8.31NEVER apologize for obeying what God has told you to do (“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” -Galatians 1:10 and “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8).

Always take your complaints and problems to the Lord because He is the one who can guide your steps and give your soul rest (“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'” -Matthew 11:28-30 and “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”).

Keep your mind fixed on the things of God because He keeps you in perfect peace (“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” -Isaiah 26:3-4).

It doesn’t matter what any man or woman says about you, what matters is what God has to say about what you do and say, and it’s more important for you to know God (“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'” -Isaiah 55:8-9 and “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” -Hosea 6:6).

WHAT MATTERS MOST is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14).

Worth It All

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

HEBREWS 2

It was that moment I knew I would be standing alone, but I didn’t see where I had a choice if I wanted a deeper walk with the Lord, if I was to do the task He called me to do.  So with every ounce of strength He gave to me, I stepped out in faith and obeyed.  It was like jumping off a cliff, but when it was done, when it was finally done, I felt like I was able to breathe for the first time in a long time, and freedom came rushing in.

It didn’t matter if those around me understood what I was doing.  The only thing that mattered was doing what God wanted me to do, what He told me to do, and simply following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  It didn’t matter if the words I spoke would be received or not.  I simply had to let go and let God, and then I had to get out of the way in full surrender and say, “It’s all yours, God.  I did what you wanted.  You take care of the rest, and I’ll stay out of the way.”

…because at the end of the day the only thing that matters is GOD’S APPROVAL, not man’s …because when all has been said and done, it is knowing and understanding GOD’S GRACE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH to sustain us …because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts …because of what Christ did on the cross and because of His resurrection, we are able to live a life of victory.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” -Hebrews 12:1-2

You do NOT have to explain your relationship with God to anyone nor do you have to explain how God speaks to you.  Just keep following God, leaning on Him, and relying on Him alone for strength.  His grace is more than enough.

CHAIN 2Whatever God has told you to do, just obey.  Yes, it’s worth it all.  It may not be easy and the road may be rocky, but it’s worth it all.  What influences you?  What is stopping you from obeying God?  Who are you listening to?  What are you allowing your eyes to take in? What do you have to lay down in order to have a deeper walk with God, for Him to take you where He wants to take you?  What will you give up?  Do you care more about the approval of God or the approval of man?  Where does your heart lie?

Lay it all down before the Lord.

Nothing short of full surrender will do

Let Him break the chains.

Much love to all,

L.A. Knowles

Nothing Distracted Jesus

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

BIBLE 1“Jesus clearly understood the reason for His coming to earth and never allowed popularity, success, opposition, threats, or even dissention within His ranks to distract Him. He remained steadfastly focused on that mission, though not without due care for those around Him. He worked hard to make the truth plain. He often repeated the invitation to embrace the truth. But He never allowed the failure of others to pull Him off course.” -Charles R. Swindoll (Walk With Jesus: A Forty-Day Journey to the Cross and Beyond)

I am so thankful nothing stopped Jesus from completing His mission.

Where would you be without the love of Christ? Without the love of Christ, I do NOT even want to think of where I would be today. I am grateful Jesus has given us life, that He paid the ransom in full (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45), no longer bound to sin (Romans 8:12). And out of the abundance of thankful hearts, let us not forget to give all glory and praise to Him who has redeemed us (Hebrews 13:15), loving Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” -Hebrews 12:1-3

Nothing distracted Him from His mission, and so let us not get distracted but each of us should continue doing whatever task God has set before us to do. Do not look to the right or the left. Do not get caught up in the temporal. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and with grateful hearts, press forward and do that which you have been called to do. The grace of God will sustain you. His love will uphold you, and His mercy will not fail you.

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L.A.Knowles

One of these sheep is not like the other….

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

MASK 6

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

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“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.  You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.  Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.   A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.  Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” –Matthew 7:15-20

Much Love To You All,

L.A. Knowles

Standing Alone?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

CHAIN 4

You may be left standing alone as you stand for what you believe.

You do NOT need man’s approval.

You need God’s approval because

His approval is the only thing that matters.

DO NOT COMPROMISE FOR ANYONE.  Mankind is as temporal as everything else.  First John 2:15-17 states, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

alone 1

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Just like everything else, mankind is temporal, not eternal.

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Even if you were deserted by family and friends and neighbors, be assured you are NOT standing alone, God is The One Who Has Got You Covered all around.   He is your Hedge of Protection, your Strength, your Shield, your Portion.  He is your All and All; He is Everything.

“‘I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!  I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.  Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!  From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.  ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’  Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, ‘When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right.  When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.  You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.  ‘Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?  When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison.  And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.'”-Luke 12:49-59

Much love to you all,

L.A. Knowles

An Attitude of Gratitude Goes A Long Way So Don’t Be Like Eeyore The Donkey.

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

eeyoreDo you have a roof over your head?  Do you have clothes on your back?  Food on the table? Do you have family… friends?  Did you wake up this morning?

IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED YES TO ANY OR ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS, YOU ARE BLESSED.

Put a smile on your face.  Count your blessings.  You have been given another day, a fresh start, another chance.  Rather than focusing on yourself or all things negative, DO SOMETHING nice for someone else.  Look for opportunities to commit random acts of KINDNESS.  Believe it or not, those opportunities to commit random acts of KINDNESS happen quite frequently.  Extending yourself to help someone else will help begin the mending of a broken heart or a crushed spirit.

The most miserable people are those who have not learned to be content with what they have and not learned to be grateful.  Develop an attitude of gratitude; it will carry you through good and bad times

Much love to you all,

L.A. Knowles

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” -1 Timothy 6:6

 

Giving Thanks Is Not Just For Thanksgiving Day

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

PSALM 138

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;

I sing praise to you before the gods.

I face your holy Temple,

bow down, and praise your name

because of your constant love and faithfulness,

because you have shown that your name

and your commands are supreme.

You answered me when I called to you;

with your strength you strengthened me.

All the kings in the world will praise you, Lord,

because they have heard your promises.

They will sing about what you have done

and about your great glory.

Even though you are so high above,

you care for the lowly,

and the proud cannot hide from you.

When I am surrounded by troubles,

you keep me safe.

You oppose my angry enemies

and save me by your power.

You will do everything you have promised;

Lord, your love is eternal.

Complete the work that you have begun.

thanks

Developing an attitude of gratitude is a daily practice.

Choose joy by being thankful every day.

Much Love To You All,

L.A. Knowles

Does He Know Your Name?

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

follow-1

One does NOT inherit Christianity, and one cannot get into Heaven riding on someone else’s coattails. There’s a choice that must be made. The book of John tells us TO ALL WHO BELIEVED AND ACCEPTED HIM, to them, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

As children of God, we are called to live righteous and holy lives, not to live as the world does. We’re in this world, but we’re NOT of this world because this world is a temporary home, a place we’re only traveling through; and we’re chosen to bear fruit, walking the walk, not just making claims but actually living the life. We must keep in mind our faith needs to be backed up by actions, walking in obedience to God who has chosen us to be His own. It is not enough to make claims. If we love God, we’ll obey Him. We’re called to bear good fruit such as helping our fellow man/woman, encouraging one another, following the examples Christ has given us.  May we always be His hand extended.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” -Matthew 7:21-23

Much Love To You All,

 

L.A. Knowles

Be Still & Know

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

Be Still“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.”

-Psalm 46:10

God’s victory is certain.

At the final victory, we’ll stand in awe, speechless before the All Powerful God. It is only right to honor Him and greatly revere Him while we have breath, to give Him honor and to glorify Him, beholding His splendor and majesty.

As we walk with God, it is important to take time out daily to be still in His presence, recognizing and knowing He is God, worthy of all praise and honor.

Acknowledge God

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

god-focus

 

“Acknowledge that the Lord is good!  He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

-Psalm 100:3

 

As children of God, we’re to acknowledge God in all we do. When we praise Him and speak of His goodness and His glory, we’re focusing on and acknowledging the One Who Created us and the One Who has ordered our steps.  When we obey God, we acknowledge He is Lord over all, seeking only His approval, not man’s approval. When we worship and bow before Him, we’re acknowledging Him as King.  No one compares to Him, and there is no other God but Him. When we daily submit and present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, we’re acknowledging His sovereignty in our lives.

Let’s remember to keep our focus on Him, recognizing He is God and in control.  He is the Rock, and He is bigger than any problem or circumstance.  Never forget His goodness, and always count the blessings He has given you.

Be blessed, and have a great day, Everyone!

 

 

The Moments of Solitude

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles
Quietness 5 - Rachel Naomi Remen
Quote By Rachel Naomi Remen

Those moments I hold so close to my heart, those moments with the God I believe in…  pen, paper, bible…  quiets my soul like nothing else- a place of solitude and simple meditation.  In those moments of talking with God, my mind finds itself clearing, the dross of my life being taken out.  In those moments, His mercy and grace covers me and extends forgiveness and healing, His Word speaking life in only the way His Word can.

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” -Psalm 27:4

Blood of Christ

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

 

Jesus 2

I find it disturbing how many of those that claim to be Christians want to push the blood of Jesus Christ aside as if the blood doesn’t matter.  The fact is Christianity is a ‘bloody’ religion (there’s no getting around that) because we believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, because of His death, burial, and resurrection which is the core and crux of Christianity.

Jesus 5

“And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”

Hebrews 9:22

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Christ considered us very valuable, and we are told by Him, in John 10:18, “No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded.”  To know you are so valuable He would lay down His life to die for you is not only thought-provoking but also an awesome thought; to know God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, shows us how much God loves us.   We are told in Romans 5:8, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

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I’m so grateful and thankful because it is by the blood I have been saved, sanctified, healed, and delivered from sin.  And Jesus is still saving and healing and delivering today.  If we continue reading Romans 5, we see in verses 9-10, “And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.  For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, WE WILL CERTAINLY BE SAVED THROUGH THE LIFE OF HIS SON.”

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This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He died for us, was buried, but He didn’t stay buried.  He conquered death, hell, and the grave; and He has made us victorious.  He is alive, and He still changes lives today.  We have forgiveness for our sins because Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice.