The Horrible Crabapple Tree, Plastic Sandwich Bag, & Disgruntled Me

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles
APPLE TREE 1On the property of the house I grew up in, there was a Crabapple Tree, and I despised the tree.  As a kid, I blamed the tree for the miserable apples it produced, giving me the displeasure of having to pick up all the apples falling from it onto the ground. I hated picking up those apples, and I most often could be heard shouting, “I hate this!” and “Stupid apples!”
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I braced myself before I started that chore, put a plastic sandwich bag on my hand because of how rotten they were, and then I would begin.  It was the worst chore, but I had only two options to go outside and complete my chore OR be grounded.  I chose to complete my chore.  All I wanted was for the Crabapple Tree to work with me.  I wasn’t asking for a lot when I shouted at the tree, “Work with me!  Not against me.”
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It was an absolutely beautiful tree, but the fruit was rotten.

WHAT KIND OF TREE ARE YOU?

APPLE TREE 3
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Are you a good tree producing good fruit, or are you a bad tree, like the Crabapple Tree in this story, producing rotten fruit?
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Jesus had this to say in Luke 6:43-45, “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit.  For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.  The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” -John 15:16

As a child of God, you are chosen by Jesus to go forth and bear much fruit.  How you conduct yourself is very important because unbelievers are watching you especially if you are witnessing to them about the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Some will try to push you to the edge to see how you will react, and so there must be a noticeable difference between you and those who are unbelievers.  Your conduct and your speech must line up together.  If the unbeliever cannot tell the difference between you and them, then there is a problem.  All of us are to be lights in this dark world.  If you live like the world while claiming to be a child of God, you are fooling yourself and still living in darkness (1 John 1:1-8).
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In 1 Samuel 9:2, King Saul is described as handsome.  God, however, saw King Saul’s heart.  King Saul did not do the will of God, bearing the fruits of disobedience and being more concerned about the approval of man.
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God tells Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 
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And God is still telling us the same thing today.  God wants us to do His will, and when we do His will out of obedience and devotion to Him, we are producing good fruit.  When we spend time in prayer, the Holy Spirit is working in us, convicting us, changing us.  When we conform our will to the Lord’s will, we will produce good fruit.  The only reason we are able to bear the fruit God wants us to bear is because of His grace and His mercy, and as His Holy Spirit guides and leads us into His Truth, we bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.
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What fruit are you bearing?  Are your actions and your words lining up together?  Are you walking the walk and not just talking the talk?  Is there a noticeable difference between you and the unbeliever?

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

 Much Love To You All,
L.A.  Knowles

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).

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

Get Ready To Throw & Then Do So

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” -Maya Angelou

 

When we give of ourselves to help those around us, we demonstrate the love of Christ; and in the Gospels, when we see our Savior being moved with compassion, we also should be moved with compassion as we follow His example and help those around us.

May we always remember to be His hands extended.

Much love to you all,

L.A. Knowles

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BLESS 1

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” -Luke 6:38

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” -Hebrews 6:10

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” -Hebrews 13:16

 

 

 

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

Rawest of Moments – That’s Where God Can Work

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

RAWEST OF MOMENTS

Written By Linda A. Knowles

broken-heart-2

Heart Broken, Spirit Crushed, Soul Torn Asunder

Mind Flooded With So Many Thoughts

Eye Brimming With Tears

Endless Sleepless Nights

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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Pouring Out of Heart Before Him

Admission of Powerlessness

Confession of Iniquities

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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No Make-Up On, No Clothes On, No Mask Worn

Your Frailty & Nakedness Exposed

Your Strength & Vanity Gone

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

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Figuring Out The Only Place You Can Turn To

Light Finally Dawning On Marblehead

You’ve Found Your Way Back Home

Into His Loving Arms You Run

Enveloped By His Love

The Rawest of Moments-

That’s Where God Can Work.

 

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.

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

Silver Grayed Wolf

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

SILVER GRAYED WOLF

Written By Linda A. Knowles

Wolf

 

Plucked out from forbidden pleasure,

The silver grayed wolf showed his face,

Ghastly color of sin and death displayed…

Across his face.

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Having come out from his wooded home,

He growls only to find a lamb wandering;

He nears the lamb who comes up to him,

And the silver grayed wolf pounces,

Holding the lamb down,

His teeth piercing the lamb.

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Badly injured,

Lamb laid out before him,

And the silver grayed wolf looks up,

Drunk on the blood from the wounded lamb.

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Zoning out,

Silver grayed wolf just stares ahead,

And upon the branch of a tree nearby,

Now hangs his uniform,

Until once again he needs to dress as a lamb.

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.

Dashana

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

DASHANA

Written By Linda A. Knowles

sun

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Running as fast as she can,

Needing to run…

Dashana’s world is one of slavery.

A thankless task,

Underpaid,

Overworked.

Dashana’s plantation,

Where she labors is Pressureland Plantation,

Aptly named,

And though she runs,

The plantation does not outrun her strides.

The Taskmasters…

Tears she shed were countless,

And on so many occasions,

She broke down.

Her tears seemed endless,

And to the Taskmasters,

the tears were another reason to beat and flog her;

To the Taskmasters her tears were insignificant, meaningless, pointless.

To them,

Dashana would always be a slave,

Responding to their every whim,

Surrendering to the point of literally bringing her to her knees.

Yet only one sees her heart as she breaks another run,

And as she lets loose another flood of tears.

Can anyone hear her screaming?

The silent scream that pierces through the darkness…

To reach other horizons,

Where the sunlight is found,

And she wonders will she ever find the freedom she yearns for.