When it comes to God’s grace, there is no quick exercise. Grace is a gift bestowed upon us as children of God. Grace is not inexpensive; It is costly. Grace came at the cost of Jesus giving up His life for us. Grace is given freely to us, but we are not to take advantage of His grace. We ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH not by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” We can NEVER boast about earning God’s grace because grace is a gift. Rewards/Awards are earned. Gifts are NOT earned; Gifts are given.
2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “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.” What does that tell you? That verse is telling you that you need God’s grace, and His grace is all your need. Basically, we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). No matter what situation or obstacle comes your way, you ARE victorious. Despite all these things–trials, heartache, pain, sorrow, tragedy, death, and the like–overwhelming victory is ours through Christ (Romans 8:37). You ARE an overcomer.
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EITHER YOU CHOOSE TO OBEY OR YOU DON’T. GOD WANTS WHOLEHEARTED OBEDIENCE.
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Here is what the Word of God says in Deuteronomy 30:19, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Obedience is a choice, and as believers, we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live a holy and obedient life as commanded by God. You can choose life which includes blessing and being in right relationship with God and seeking after Him, or you can choose death which means you are out of right relationship with God, living for yourself. God is the One who sets the standard to live by, and His standard is holiness (1 Peter 1:16) “Be holy for I am holy.”
In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments,” and in John 15:5, Jesus says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” If you rely on self-effort and self-reliance to try to obey God, that is all it will amount to. Trying to obey, anything based on man-made wisdom and understanding will collapse, amounting to absolutely nothing. We are also told in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
The things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned. The bible is not something we read with our carnal understanding. As children of God, we have the mind of Christ, and we should be asking the Lord to help us to understand by leaning on the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand the truth of God’s Word as shown in John 16: 13 which states, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” When the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the words in Scripture, we are getting understanding and wisdom from God. With the mind of Christ, we are able to understand the things of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul had this to say, in 2 Corinthians 2:13-16, “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, ‘Who can know the LORD’S thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”
God does NOT make suggestions. God gives commands, and His commands are clearly laid out in Scripture such as the Ten Commandments. When God says, “Don’t lie,” that’s a command. Make no mistake about it. The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth DOES make commands. You are merely the clay in the Potter’s hands. You don’t get to tell the Creator who created you what to do.
The Scriptures demand you make a choice. The Word is meant to be applied to our lives. Even King David the Psalmist recognized this as he meditated on the law of God day and night. King David understood God gave commands; “I will pursue your command, for you expand my understanding,” Psalm 119:32. Also, King David understood the importance of believing in God’s commands. He states in Psalm 119:66, “I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.” Understand and see God lays out His commands in the Scriptures. However, when reading and studying God’s laws, His commands, His precepts, His demands, you are faced with having to make a decision. Will you or won’t you obey the commands of God? Choosing God’s way is choosing life. Choosing your way only leads down the broad road to death, hell, and destruction.
CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!
The Creator has made Himself very clear. Now follow His laws and commands. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord.
Second Corinthians 5:15 shows us, “He did for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” According to that verse, we, as children of God, do NOT live for ourselves because we are not your own, and we have been bought with a price. Christ did the will of the Heavenly Father and stated why He had come, “For the Son of Man came here not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).
Follow His example. See Jesus for whom He is (John 4:26), “I am the Messiah!” And we are to follow Him (John 8:12), “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”
Walking the narrow road takes our willingness. It’s not easy, but it is worth it all. Count the cost. Pick up your cross. Carry your cross. Follow HIM.
Linda Agnes Knowles
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
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
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool,
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”
Isaiah 51:7-8 ESV
God’s Word is so awesome. It is in the Word that we can find the truth of God. His truth is not dependent on how man feels or think. His truth speaks of His nature, His character, His warnings, His commands, and His promises. His Word clearly defines who we are. His Word tells us who we are in light of who God says we are, not a man says we are.
You, Child of the Most High God, have not been given the spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind. His laws are written in your heart, and His unfailing love banishes all fear. Those who are persecuting and mocking you are mocking the God you serve, and they cannot prevail against you. They cannot prevail against you because God’s truth always prevails.
Let God deal with those who oppose you. In the end, remember God’s Word never fades away, and God is your defense. The wicked do not prosper, and in the end, they will reap the wages of iniquity they have sown for hating God and for hating what is holy.
You need not fear anything when you are walking in obedience to God and when you are doing what He wants you to do. So keep focused on serving and loving God and let Him fight your battles for you. After all, the battle belongs to the Lord. Keep your mind fixed on Him, and He will fill you with perfect peace because you trust in Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You alone are My Defense. You are my Strength, and You are my Shield. Lord, help me to always remain steadfast in following You and Your ways. You are the One who has ordered my steps. Thank You for being the Shepherd of my Heart. Thank You, Father, that I am able to sit before a table You set before me in the presence of my enemies. Thank You for Your truth that always prevails. Your Word says that if I fear You, I need not fear anything else. I do not fear anyone because You have not given me the spirit of fear, but You have given me the spirit of love and of power and of a sound mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
Remember in your celebration and contemplation of the New Year to come to keep Christ first in all things. The cross cannot be separated from Christ, and Christ cannot be separated from the cross. On that cross, Christ paid the price. He has saved us, healed us, delivered us, and has set us free. Daily we are being made holy as we die to self.
“For even The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom in the place of the many.” -Mark 10:45 (Aramaic Bible In Plain English)
As we look forward to celebrating the New Year just around the corner, let us remember to continue living in wholehearted devotion to Him, never looking back, and pressing on into the future. Let us carry out the tasks He has placed before us and continue to grow in the love of Christ.
Linda A. Knowles
Those who leave God and His ways have abandoned the very God who created them. King David spoke of meditating on the law of the Lord, that the commands of God were his delight. He pondered on the law of God all day long. We are to be careful to keep from making a practice of any sin, whatever sin it may be which would easily entangle us. When we keep ourselves pure and holy before God and walking uprightly before God, and obeying His commands, that is evidence of our love for God. If we love God, we’ll obey Him.
He turns our darkness into light.
When we are putting our faith in God, we are trusting in Him, and we can stand on the promises of God. God is faithful, and He proves Himself to be true. God is who He says He is, and God does what He says He will do. His words are certain, and when His Word goes out, His Word does not come back void. His Word goes out and accomplishes the purposes it was sent forth to do. We can depend on His Word, and we can delight in His Word. Anyone in direct opposition to God will find that God is contrary to them.
“If even then you remain hostile toward me and refuse to obey me, I will inflict disaster on you seven times over for your sins. I will send wild animals that will rob you of your children and destroy your livestock. Your numbers will dwindle, and your roads will be deserted. And if you fail to learn the lesson and continue your hostility toward me, then I myself will be hostile toward you. I will personally strike you with calamity seven times over for your sins. I will send armies against you to carry out the curse of the covenant you have broken. When you run to your towns for safety, I will send a plague to destroy you there, and you will be handed over to your enemies,” (Leviticus 26:21-25NLT).
God opposes those who are proud and haughty, but He gives grace to the humble and those who truly delight in Him and His ways.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my Light and my Salvation. You have turned my darkness to light. Just as You are a light for me, be the Light for those who are discouraged and fill them with the strength and boldness they need that only comes from You. I ask that You be my Guide and instruct me in in the way I should go that I might not fall into any trap set by the enemy of my soul. Grant me the opportunity to be a light for You in this dark world and give me opportunities to serve You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” -Psalm 37:4NLT
“Do not present an animal with defects because the LORD will not accept it on your behalf.” -Leviticus 22:20(NLT)
The Levitical Laws, more specifically in this case the ceremonial laws, were a foreshadow of what was acceptable worship and what was unacceptable worship. In order for an animal sacrifice to be made, the animal had to have NO blemishes, NO defects, NO sickness. The animal had to be perfect. If there was the slightest flaw or imperfection in the animal being presented, the animal sacrifice would be rejected by God as shown in this verse, “…the LORD will not accept it on your behalf.”
REFLECTION: The LORD will not accept less than the best. We cannot present the sacrifices of our talent, time, praise, effort and the like to the LORD if we are living lives defiled by pretense and hypocrisy. We cannot present ourselves in worship to the LORD if we are half-hearted in our obedience to Him. When our sacrifice to the LORD is blemished and defective, like the animal sacrifice spoken of in Leviticus 22:20, then we will be the kind of sacrifice He rejects.
“No, O people,
Stained Glass Confessions 