Learn to develop a thankful heart and let the fruit of your lips be praise to the Lord Most High. He is worthy of all praise, and we are told in the Word of God to give thanks at all times. Find something to thank God for because God is faithful and He is worthy of all glory.
“Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18BSB
Linda A. Knowles
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
…Always.
Remembering the death of Christ is not just for one day.
As children of the Most High God, we remember daily the death AND the resurrection of Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection are essential to the Christian faith. Through the shedding of Christ’s blood, we have have forgiveness of sin. He was wounded for our transgressions and He was bruised for our iniquities. Because of His death, we are healed, saved, and delivered. “Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:4-5BSB).
Praise the Lord that we have been redeemed. He is our Risen Lord and Savior, and we have been made victorious.
PRAYER: Thank You, Jesus, for the cross. Thank You for dying on the cross and shedding Your blood for me. Thank You for delivering me from death, hell, and the grave. Through Your blood, I have been saved and redeemed. Lord, there is none like You for You are my Kinsman Redeemer. Through Your blood I am made more than a conqueror. Because You have overcome death and are my Risen Lord and King, I am made victorious. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and making me clean that I can come into Your presence to worship You. You alone, O God, are worthy of all praise. To You be all the glory and the power and the honor forever. Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
“even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:7-10NLT
If you are expecting a trouble-free life, I have news for you: That is not going to happen. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33NLT).
We can take comfort in knowing Jesus is with us until the end, and He has not left us alone. However, we need to trust Him in all things, and that means we will have to push self aside, look to Him, and fully depend and rely on Him. Take heart…Be strong and courageous because our Savior has overcome the World. So put your faith and hope in Him. In all you do and say, trust in Him. Submit and commit yourself to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
PRAYER: When I can’t find my way, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of the Heavens and Earth.”
Heavenly Father, You are my Helper and have not left me comfortless. Thank You for always being here for me and for Your Holy Spirit who guides me into all truth. I know that I can look to you and know You have already gone before me and made a way for me. Lord, be with me as I am putting my hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
One of the blessings God has given to those who are in Christ Jesus is that they are no longer what they were before Christ. In Christ, we are new creations. The old is gone, and the new has come. So fix your eyes on Christ and on the road God has marked out before you, and press forward. Step into the plans and the future God has for you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the God from whom all blessings flow. I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for being the Author and the Finisher of my faith. Father, I am fixing my eyes on You because I know You have great plans for me. I will put my trust in You as I step into the plans You have for me and the future You designed. I ask that You continue to show me the way I am to go as I am relying and depending on You to lead me. My desire is to stay in Your will and to do what You would have me to do. I know You have already gone before me, and I ask for Your help in remaining steadfast before You. Continue Your work in me, O Lord, and light my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
So often, we look to something else or someone else for help that can only come from God, but the Word of God states (1 Peter 5:7NLT), “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” When we follow the simple instruction to cast all our cares on Him, we are walking in obedience to God and His Word.
As we go about our day, let us remember our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth.
“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
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my God, and I thank You for shepherding me. I give myself to You this day, knowing whatever comes my way, I trust You to help me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Word which is like honey on my lips, and Your Word is true and stands forever. Your Word goes forth to accomplish the purpose for which You have sent it.
Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your Word so I can hide Your Word in my heart so I might not sin against You. May my words be pleasing to Your ear as I resolve to solely live for You, the Only Faithful and True Living God, because nothing and no one compares to You.
Your promises are lasting. Your Word is Truth, and You, O God, are faithful to me. Let me stand steadfast on Your Word always, and may the foundation of my life always be Jesus Christ for He is the Sure Foundation and Chief Cornerstone.
Help me to always remember the Word of the Living God is still alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, able to cut through joint and marrow and exposes my innermost thoughts. Help me to always remember that I am to study to show myself as an approved workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing Your Word.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Yup! Crumpled paper everywhere! I love writing but the flow is somewhat blocked… And I’m sure that, somewhere in this brain of mine, there are several poems that could be pushed out, but right now I can’t seem to put one metaphor together that makes sense.
Don’t allow yourself to be tossed about. When you go before God, go before Him with confidence and faith, knowing that He will answer you when you petition Him in accordance with His Will. Go into His presence with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.
When you go before the throne of God, there you will find mercy and grace.
Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God. You can have faith in God and know your faith is not misplaced when you trust Him.
Linda A. Knowles
As I sit here and think about the Year 2018, I can’t help but wonder about the faithfulness of God. He has truly shown Himself to be the God of Justice, and He has vindicated me in ways I would never have imagined. He has shown me up front and personal about how sin destroys and the consequences it brings through situations and circumstances that were far beyond my control. He has taught me strength, patience, and wisdom. He has carried me and upheld me by His victorious and righteous right hand.
My God continues to show Himself as the God of the Impossible and has shown Himself to be my Protector and my Hope. The Lord has been my Song, the Sweet Melody I can sing in the calm, the storm, the day, the night, times of sorrow, and times of joy; and as I go into the year 2019, I can’t wait to see what God has in store.
HAVE A VERY SAFE AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLOG READERS AND NEIGHBORS AROUND THE GLOBE!
Much Love To You All, Linda A. Knowles
“Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s loving devotions we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” -Lamentations 22:21-23BSB
Stained Glass Confessions 