Month: April 2009

Adversity, faith, Life

Adversity and Destiny

A. Knight

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

Have you been side swiped by adversity? I don’t mean in a car. I mean in your heart—your life. Something that has stumped your toe–tripped you up.

A storm in your life that may have caused you to run for cover. Only maybe you didn’t run for the right Cover.

For the rest of this devotion, head over to the Cafe`— on Tuesday morning—bright and early! Where the coffee is hot—the seats are comfy, and the company is sweet! I hope to see you there!

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© The Knightly News 2009. All rights reserved.

Devotion

The Strength You Need

A. Knight

I found a neat way to get someone to read their Bible.

Especially if that someone is dear to your heart—and they KNOW the best way to start the day is to fellowship with the Father—but they tend to let the details of the day get in the way!

So–what happened was I was driving to work and thought about the busy life of mothering 5 children my oldest daughter has. (Glad it’s her and not me—I’m too old for all that 🙂

I generally pray for them as I drive–and this morning as I was praying, I thought of a passage of scripture that I really wanted her to read. Well, I’ve done all the “motherly things”. I’d send cards and notes with verses attached. I’d call and tell her a verse that she’d benefit from. I’d even prayed verses over her life! But today, I wanted her to “read one for herself” and I wanted to KNOW that she had read it.

When she answered the phone, I heard the familiar morning rush behind her. Four of the little ones had gone to school. I was on my way to work. It was early. 7-ish.

The baby was near, I could hear him chattering. “Get your Bible”, I said. “The new one I bought you for your birthday last year.” She had a new NLT—and I loved it! I wanted to see how a particular passage sounded in my ear from that Word.

I called out, read me something while I drive—you know I can’t read and drive. (I DO read and drive—but I wanted her to read to me—I needed HER to get this one!)

Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. “ I knew she needed strength. You could hear it.

Then I asked for Hebrews 12:1-3 “1)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. 2) 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. 3) Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

My eyes filled. And spilled. Thinking of all He did for us. Laying aside His heavenly garments and taking on the garment of flesh—all for you. And for me. In my worst state no less. He did it for my worst day. NOT my best day!

He says to each of us, “Child.

Be encouraged.

Be strengthened.

Don’t give up.

Gear up instead.

Take up the shield of faith.

Grab your sword of the Spirit. The battle’s not much longer. You can do it!”
Sisters—I believe with all my heart that the battle is not much longer. However, it will grow hotter. More of HIM will be required. Living closer, more dedicated, with more strength—which comes from Him. Yes, we can do it! Through HIM!

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Bible Study, Holy Spirit, Life

What’s Your Filling?

A. Knight

Donuts. Cookies. Cakes. Pies. Hungry?

These are a weakness of mine.

Donuts—I like the lemon filled best. UNLESS of course you happen to drive by the bright lights of Krispey Kreme and the blazing sign says, “Hot Now”. Right. Then it’s just the glazed ones…oh my lordy-mercy!

But I admit, it’s been a while since I had a donut.

Cookies…white chocolate macadamia nut.

Cakes. Cakes are not my choice dessert. I know. Jeff makes the best cakes in all of the Tri-State area. I said it’s not my top choice…I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat one! I like the Red Velvet cake he makes…and the Butter-Nut. But the man makes a German Chocolate cake that is —oh my stars good! Did I mention he’s mine?

Okay. On to the pies. Pies I love. I love peach, apple, chocolate, LEMON, pecan, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, anything except rhubarb. I like pies.

All of these have a filling. Yummy-to-my-tummy filling. If you cut it, mash it, throw it, stomp it…guess what comes out? Right. The filling shows right away. Oozing and dripping out faster than you can grab a spoon to scoop it up!

What happens when you’re pressed. Stomped? Tossed down like yesterdays newspaper? Your filling…my filling will come forth. Every—single—time.

Quote

From the online Blue Letter Bible – 2Cr 4:7-10 (NLT)
“But this precious treasure–this light and power that now shine within us–is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

Hard Pressed on every side. Yet not destroyed. This entire chapter is special to me. I have read it over and over and it ministers every time. To whatever need I have.

Can we seek to be so filled with Jesus Christ that no matter what happens in our lives of dailyness…that He just oozes out all over everyone—and everywhere? I know that dailyness is not a word, but I think it fits here. Can I just add that to your vocabulary? I have a t-shirt from Mary Englebriet that states, “Life is Just So Daily”.

To me that says it’s FULL. Of stuff that you might not expect. Jesus should be found in the daily of our existence. Not just on Sundays! In the Monday-Saturday too!

So…what’s your filling?

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Pictured are Aunt Evielean’s Special Cookies from the 2007 Sister’s Retreat! It’s a Tradition.

© The Knightly News 2009. All rights reserved.

faith, Life, Thankful Thursdays

Thankful Thursday

A. Knight

I have MORE blessings than I can count. I’m not bragging….just being truthful.

So do you.

Think about it. Did you read this? Well? Thankful #1. You could see. Thankful #2 You can read. If someone read this aloud to you, then there’s Thankful #3—you can hear.

A minor traffic mishap of a nephew made me thankful. No one was hurt. The driver of the other vehicle—the one that caused the mishap had no legs.

Did you blink? Yeah, me too. The accident didn’t cause his legs to “not be there”—they weren’t there before. He was driving with 2 sticks. I have a hard time picturing this—and this disturbed the nephew much more than the accident itself I think.

But there you go. If you drive using both legs—and both arms—both eyes and both ears…—shoot—if you can DRIVE there’s a miracle to be thankful for all in itself! But–back the things we were naming….the legs? Arms?—Right. Thankful #’s 4 and 5. We can go ALL DAY at this. I am sure you are now getting the point.

There are things all around us that are blessings poured straight into our lives from the very throne! Thankfuls.

I’ve not been here on Thankful Thursday for several weeks. Doesn’t mean I’ve stopped being thankful. I’m VERY thankful….just been very busy. Bogged down. Sort of. Not in the mud mind you…but in life itself.

But God is good. Oh, Sisters…so very good!

On Monday of this week as I drove my 42 miles one way—the weather was ripe for a tornado. And it happened. Not near me—but at my mother-in-law’s house. While they were sleeping.

The pretty pear tree in the picture was laid over on the house, a huge cedar tree fell against the back of the house—right over where they were sleeping. THANKFULLY—the roof did not collapse. However, many shingles were ripped off the roof and soon the roof began to leak—and then soon the water caused the ceiling to give way in the dining room and other rooms. BUT—no one was hurt.

The picture was taken just last week. Who would have known that in just a few short days…the landscape would totally change.

That happens in our lives as well. As circumstances become difficult—the landscape of our lives can become a veritable misshapen disaster area. But if GOD was the one in charge of our lives, then no amount of storm or wind will uproot our hearts from the foundation of faith.

I know. Lived this one out. More than once.

Look around you today. I encourage you to write down some things that you notice—be thankful. Share those thankful thoughts with someone else. Visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand to read MORE thankful hearts!

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faith, Life

Not Satisfied?

A. Knight

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:2

There’s a song a great trio sings from my home church, Carmel Assembly of God, titled, “I’m Not Satisfied”. Powerful message in this song. It brings tears to my eyes and many thoughts to my head.

I have realized many things recently about my walk with Christ Jesus, and the ways of many churches. I’m not satisfied just hearing about how God formerly moved in the lives of His people. I want Him moving in my life. EVERY DAY. With the Powerful Anointing of the Holy Spirit!

I’m not satisfied with the blessings of yesterday. I have issues today.

I’m not satisfied with the anointing of the Holy Spirit from the weekend “Sister’s Retreat”. I want that on a daily basis.

I’m not satisfied living a mediocre life. I want more of God in my life than I have ever had before.

Sounds like I’m just not satisfied.

My heart has been hungry for more of God and feeling less satisfied with where I am spiritually.

What will it take to satisfy me?

Let me just stick my neck way out here…(some of you may not come back!) and say—I don’t believe that God is satisfied with us being satisfied either. I believe HE wants us SEEKING for MORE of Him!

To go even further with the neck stuck out….I believe it will TAKE more of Him in these last days! As we draw closer to the DAY of His return…I believe the power we will need to draw from will come from Him alone.

One thing I learned long ago….when you begin praying for more and seeking more…chaos will occur.

Maybe not in the form of turbulent storms…but in the “eye twitching” aggravating things of life. You know, little things that cause stress, and as they mount up, the overwhelming feeling of an avalanche of emotions overtake you and the nerve endings in your eye starts jumping….and then before you know it, you have a full blown “eye twitch”. How do I know? I am experiencing that right now!

The enemy of our lives will do anything possible to hinder the work of the Lord. When he spots a bit of progress, baby look out—he is about to send some of his slimy forces to attack. Be ready. Be on your guard. The Bible clearly warns us.

I Peter 5:6-11
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. “

Did you read all of that? Be humble before the Lord. Don’t be too proud to call on Him for help. Don’t be too proud to ask for prayer from your sisters-in-Christ. Don’t be satisfied in the place you are in…God has a higher ground to take you! He tells us He will lift us up and restore us “Himself”…with His own hand. We are to cast, throw, or pour out all our troubles and worries on Him….because He CARES for us!

Be alert! Be on guard! Stand at attention…always! Everyday! When you resist the devil, standing firm on what God has promised, you will suffer. A l-i-t-t-l-e while. That’s what the Bible said. You will. Count on it. BUT, it also said that He, God, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. You will be stronger for the next battle.

Huh? The next one? Yes. Girlfriend, there will be battles until the day He calls us home. If you don’t resist the devil…I’m afraid the suffering will go on and on and on….and on….and on…..

Is this too tough? Sorry. This is what He laid on my heart. This is the message for our hearts. For this hour. This day. This time in our lives.

When I have trouble or anxiety about a situation….I e-mail three Spirit filled women in blogville. The Lord has crossed our paths and we have clicked. For a reason maybe known only to God, He planted us together. Not in the same state…but with the same heart. And, for that reason, I feel that I can call on them to pray and they do. I also have a sister and a godly mother that I call on to pray. Over the years the Lord has given me godly, Spirit filled friends that pray. Their prayers are heard.

I pray for each need that is brought to my door. To my e-mail. To my phone. God expects me to. He expects us to share one another’s burdens. If a friend is too sick to “drive herself” to the doctor….are you going to drive her? Well, same principle here. Get on your knees before the throne for them. Take their needs to the “Ultimate Doctor”. The Creator.

Sometimes I visualize my prayers. Sometimes I “see myself” bringing my “box of trouble” to the Lord. Sometimes I see myself “running” to the cross dragging a heavy mangled up sack. Sometimes the need is so great, I am crawling on my hands and knees and it is tied to my ankle as I drag it before the throne. However you have to get it there…do so. Get it there and leave it. Let Him untie the bindings from your life. Whatever may have your heart all bound up, let Him cut the cords and remove the hindrances.

Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I don’t believe that He wants us to be satisfied with where we are in Him. I believe He wants us to be ever stretching, ever reaching to go higher, stand firmer, be stronger than the day before. He wants us to “stand”. He told the apostles and believers that by “standing firm you will gain life”. (Luke 21:19 NIV) I believe with all my heart that as we take our “unsatisfied” lives to Him, He fills us with more of His Spirit. I believe that as we take the needs of our sisters to Him, He strengthens our faith and our walk with Him. But, it serves a two-fold purpose. We are strengthened, and we have aided a fellow believer with her faith. We have “shared her burden”. It is lighter. We have assisted her in taking her needs to the Lord. She is made stronger in her faith.

Only Jesus can completely satisfy my life. I purpose in my heart to seek Him out more than ever. His presence is necessary for my survival. More than anything else.

Only Jesus can satisfy my soul. Only Jesus can deal with my “eye twitch”….properly.
So….what are you doing about YOUR eye twitch?

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© The Knightly News 2009. All rights reserved.

Previously posted with The Internet Cafe` October 17, 2007
Missions

More Max!

A. Knight

He might LOOK innocent….but he’s not completely. I normally don’t have shoes out….but these were out by accident…he found them. I took it away…and put it back…he trotted in there and got it again. Trotted to the living room…I snapped his picture….and then put my shoe back up. He trotted right behind me, snatched it up and ran RIGHT back to the same spot and commenced his chew.

Yes, I have chew toys for the rascal. Yes, I have now put my shoes away. No, I didn’t spank him. No, he’s never left in a room alone. (I was born, but not yesterday!)

He thought we were playing a game…he is learning to fetch…and he is VERY good! He’s just not keen on releasing it yet.

Susan wanted more pictures of him…how’s this Susan??? Will it do for now???

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Reflection

Book Quote

A. Knight


I knew as soon as I read this in the book I bought this week, I’d be sharing it.

During lunch at one of my favorite haunts, Barnes & Noble, I came across a book on the works of Henri Nouwen, “Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith.”

I am quoting from the book. “The spiritual life rests on a paradox, says Henri: “Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live the spiritual life.” Yet we cannot live our spiritual lives alone. Although we need solitude to know God, we require a faithful community to hold us accountable. We need to learn how to listen to the word of God, ever present within our hearts. We need disciplines of study and spiritual practice to discern the word of God in words of scripture. We need a church or faith community that provides opportunities for worshiping and sharing, engaging in mutual correction and bearing of burdens, confessing faults, offering forgiveness, and celebrating life. We also need guides: spiritual friends, a spiritual director, or a spiritual accountability group that can function for us as a safe place to bear our souls.” [i]

I will tell you first off—I am not preaching to anyone. But I will share with you what hit me square in the nose and a bit of my own experiences.

We have always been a church going family. I was raised in church—Jeff was as well. We raised our girls in the same manner. If the church doors are open, we are there. However, there was one time in our lives, when faced with some harsh realities of life, we neglected that bond of close relationships. Very few were allowed into our world of heartache. I feel like I mostly carried the burden of that trauma or drama alone. This was completely my own choosing. I know without doubt, there were many sisters in Christ who would have gladly stood by me in whatever ordeal I was facing and prayed me right through. But I chose to seperate myself from my church family. I chose the hard road. I created an even harder battle for myself through this decision.

I allowed the enemy to taunt me with the lie that I was the “only” one that had faced the crisis of a rebellious teenager–that it was somehow my own fault–that ‘everyone’ was talking about it even! In the small community where we lived, we were blessed to have the awesome church and church family—they were and are beyond what you could imagine.

I had the godly counsel of one particular woman, Bobbi Seddon. She and her husband, George took it upon themselves to pray daily for our prodigal daughter. She asked for a picture of our child and they prayed over this picture every single morning at 5:00 a.m. Bobbi loved me back into the fold. When we missed church, she would call. It’s not that we layed out every Sunday, but we missed enough that it was felt in my own spirit. Church was exactly what we needed.

Solitude is needed as well. The right kind.

The right kind is patterned after Jesus’ life. A specific choosing of time to get away with the Father. A time of prayer. And, if you feel directed, a time of fasting. A time of study in the Word, and a time of seeking the Author of the Word. Solitude just for the sake of “getting away to shop” is not the directive here. If the enemy has his way, any solitude you have will be eaten up in a pity party of your current circumstances. He’ll even bring the chips…and you will eat so much of his rotten lies that you will be sick. I know. I’ve carried the belly-ache of his lies myself.

In every crisis I have faced, God has carried me through. He has never failed. He has planted my feet in a firm place–and gave me peace–even in the most torrential storm of my life.

I ask you today—are you having true solitude with HIM? Are you neglecting your walk with others in Christ? You are the only one who can change that. Sister, I don’t know what you face–but I have seen many things, and know others who’ve seen many more. God doesn’t fail. Ever. Take Him your marriage that’s failing, your child that’s runaway. your job that’s ending, your health that’s declining, your finances that are shrinking, or your loved one that is dying. Take Him the hardest task of your life and give it up to Him.

Don’t offer Him suggestions as to how it would work best for you…for He alone knows what is best.

Accept the deal He offers.

Accept Him at His word.

His word brings peace. Life. Hope. Eternity.

Make a start this Sunday. A perfect way to spend the day we celebrate as Easter. The day He arose from the tomb! No longer dead–but Alive! Start now! Get in a good church–find someone to talk to before you leave–tell them your name. Ask them theirs! And keep going back. Everytime.

Get alone with Him. Daily. And when it’s possible, take a whole day and spend “with” Him–in His word—talking, praising, singing, worshiping Him. It will radically change your life!

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[i] His writings were compiled by Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird and published by HarperOne, a division of Harper Collins Publishing.

Art work found at Art.com

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