faith – Page 8 – Jeff & Angie

Five Years Later…

February 10, 2013 A. Knight

Standing with a friend this morning, sharing thoughts, even more than spoken words, I reflected silently back on the last five years.

Actually, the walk back began earlier this morning, as we drove down the interstate, headed toward church. Five years ago, the opposite direction on the same road.

Five years ago, fear seemed to stampede toward me. Today, joy leapt. Overcoming any fear, all heartaches and joy even seemed to overtake all memories and remind me that there was MUCH in which to be thankful.

You may wonder what I’m talking about if you landed on this blog today. Five years ago on the 12th of this month, my sister and best friend, Wanda, slipped off to her eternal Home.

Today, standing with my friend and claimed “sister”, she mentioned, “yesterday was our day”. She too lost a sister a couple of years before mine. Loss is all around us…but more than loss, there is life.
Loss wants us to forget that life exists….that it keeps on going.
Life is more constant than the energizer bunny. Loss and fear want us to focus on the “then”…but faith, life and joy directs our attention to “tomorrow”.
…. It’s okay to mourn–there is a purpose for each season in our lives. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t even still shed tears at the loss of my sister. But I cannot allow those tears to drown my living in today. Wanda wouldn’t have that. She would be the first one to admonish me to suck it up. Actually, she wouldn’t say that exactly, but in her own way, that is exactly what she would say. Wanda was just the sort of woman you would want for a friend. She would never discourage dreams…actually, she was a dreamer herself. She shared many with us….her greatest dream–and solid faith came to fruition in the form of a baby girl one beautiful April morning. Wanda taught me to take the joy of life and live it! The joy of living for Jesus has overtaken my life—and it feels good everyday to wake up with renewed purpose of life IN HIM.
There is MUCH to be done in all our tomorrows! I live each day for the purpose of seeking Jesus more in the now, in hopes of leading someone to Him tomorrow! Whether it is a simple gesture of buying someone some apple pies in the KFC line, or as serious as praying with a friend on the phone about a heartache that they are living in the very present “now”.
Wanda was a prayer warrior. She took hundreds of needs of others to her Father—the pages of her prayer journal prove that—her life was living proof of her faith.
What does your life say about you?
You like food? That’s okay…just don’t let food become your idol.
You like Fun? Fun is fine—as long as faith in HIM is your first focus.
Or, do you have extreme faith –that God can be depended on!
BE the faith—prayer warrior—BELIEVER IN WHAT GOD CAN DO!! IN and THROUGH YOU!

Christmas, faith

And the Shepherds Were Watching…

December 24, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

The night was dark and cold as we stepped out of the truck in my mother’s neighbors yard. Our breath hung in the air like a morning fog.

The sky was filled with stars as I looked up and out across the fence in search of the little guy we came to claim.

Memories of many childhood rides home at Christmas time from Central Florida rushed back in a flash as I stood gazing at the stars–head thrown back–tears came.

It was a sky like this that I saw as a 6 or 7 year old child, looking out the car window. Back then I wondered at the stars.

Which one was the announcing star?

Which bright light had the privilege of shouting to the world that the KING had come to earth?

I wondered at the life of that star. Was it his special assignment?

I believe just like you and I were created to bring the message to the world–and bring God glory–so was that star created.

I believe that star may have started off a not-so-bright light. And as time passed it began to change…until the night it was called upon to shine it’s BRIGHTEST! The night HE was born. The King of Kings….and LORD Of Lords.

With the shepherds watching…

Their normal–low pay grade job…. they did the same thing every night. A quiet…almost routine night…except for that light in the sky that began to shine brighter…and brighter…

A few “baa-aa’s” were heard throughout the little valley they were nestled in, then as the sheep began to sense the coming of the angel long before the shepherds saw him, the nightly harmonious sound of bleating picked up as the volume turned up.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:8-12

As I stood there at the fence a few nights ago, watching the sheep, I wondered at that night afresh.

I always imagine the Shepherds to be star gazers and dreamers. Fully expecting to see a shooting star–or rainbow tucked in among the clouds on a rainy sheep-watching day.

They were watching….

Let me pose this question to you….as we draw nearer to the curtain close of 2012, and the dawning of 2013…are we watching with expectancy?

What if we did?

faith, For Sisters of Faith, Friends

Connie Wilson Haile–a life–a testimony

November 13, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Her words rang in my heart this morning…

“I’m going home….(breathe)….I’m going home…. (breathe), I can’t wait.”

After the talks we had had over the past few months–phone–texts–and in her living room–I knew what she meant.

Peace bathed her countenance, although you could tell the last few days had dealt a blow–she was focused. Mind fixed and guarded.

She taught hundreds to do the same. Fix your mind.

When fighting the enemy the way Connie Wilson Haile had, for the past many years–she had learned a few of his (the enemy’s) maneuvers. She watched close her own life. She gave The Holy Spirit full authority to guard, keep and protect all that she gave to Jesus….and when she gave her life to Him…she gave Him all.

Many people will bear a heartache over this special friends’ passing, but once we wipe our eyes, we should look to the heavens, and know that God is getting us ready for Christ’s return. It’s soon. Connie would say-

-“fix your mind on what God wants YOU to do. She would remind you that when you SUBMIT to God…and resist the devil…he will flee.
He has to.
Connie would remind us to trust in the LORD with all our hearts–don’t lean on what we think–see or understand–not to be moved by what we see in the natural… that we should–…in all our ways— acknowledge HIM…and HE will direct our paths. She would remind us that God does not give us the spirit of fear–that comes from the enemy–HE, God, gives us power over the enemy–through the very Word inspired.
She would remind us that God is our refuge–and strength–a VERY PRESENT help in times of trouble.”

Family, friends of Connie, GOD IS YOUR REFUGE. Run to Him.

My sister, Wanda, had a favorite verse– Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Those words reminds me of Connie’s walk with God. She never stopped believing for her miracle. She got it today. This afternoon she sparkled and shown all the way to glory.

That might not have been what the natural eye saw, but if you paused in the room and looked for the spiritual, you would see glitter on the faces surrounding the bed. While it may have seemed to be tears…it was really glitter–paving the way for her to move on the her heavenly home. The one she was telling me about this morning. The one she and I had talked of before…

Fix your mind. Fix it hard and fast on Jesus Christ. His return is soon–and His Bride will be a prepared and ready Bride. Connie would remind you of this–and to stay steady.

Many times I heard her say, “I will live and not die–and I will declare the glories of God”.

She did live. To the fullest! And she declared His glories all the way Home. Her death here was just a change of address. Her body stayed–but her spirit soared.

Our prayers are with the family of Connie Wilson Haile. She won. God is glorified.

Devotion, faith, Life

Destined for Big Things

October 24, 2012 A. Knight

“Suppose you had only 4 months to live”.

This was the conversation my baby sister, Aimee and I had one morning a couple of years ago while driving to work.

“What would you do?” Was her next question to me.

Aimee had had a dream the night before. Woke her up with such a start, and then she set in to ponder the matter.

Suppose, just suppose that were true.

We tossed ideas back and forth, “Well, I suppose I’d continue on with what I’m doing”, was my first impulse. “No, wait, I’d quit my job”.

“Do you think you’d travel to exotic places, or do something really daring?” She queried.

“No, I don’t think so. I mean, unless the travel was for a memory for Jeff, I think I would stay home, get some things done for my family, write letters to loved ones, friends and some that I know need to know about Jesus. But wait. I would take a small trip. I’d fly to California, Arizona, Colorado and the Bahamas. See, I have some friends that I would REALLY love to see here on earth—that way, I’ll easily recognize them in heaven.” (One of those dear ones has actually moved closer…from California to Tennessee! Still leaving a couple of friends in California though!)

I’m smiling as I imagine this part, because 3 of these precious friends, I’ve already met, hugged and we have plans to shake the world for Jesus! Well, maybe not shake the actual world, but at least our part of it.

Aimee said, “Well, that’s because you are a writer–and I’m a talker. I think I’d tell all my friends and family about Jesus. I’d want them to hear it from me”.

“Right, I understand, but I would “tell” them as well. But the written word stands a long, long time. It will serve as a reminder of our conversation. Something they can refer back to.”

I paused at this point, remembering the prayer journal of Wanda’s that I held so dear. Her thoughts and prayers to God. A reminder of her steadfast love and faith. That’s what I want to pass on.

Light dawned in Aimee’s mind as she realized the value in writing the details of my love for them and my desire to see them either, come to know Christ, or grow in Christ.

A lot of plans are made these days for a future that seems so uncertain.

Colleges mapped out, the 5 step plan to matrimony, etc., but there is so much more.

What would you do?

The “Big Things” that we are destined for are beyond our wildest imagination. (Psalm 139:16-17) Our dreams cannot possibly hold what is to come! The Bible says we are to “set our affection on things above, not on the things of the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

Where are your affections?

The main things I contemplate on a regular basis are doing more for Christ. (No, I’m not some Super Christian, I don’t have a red and blue suit with a dramatic cape–and I certainly don’t fly through the air, the flying part comes later.) But His plans for me are pretty much on my mind all the time. I’m usually thinking thoughts like, “okay, Lord,what next? Or, Okay Lord, When?

When Aimee asked me if I would travel to exotic places or do something daring like “sky diving”, I gave the exotic places some thought (not the sky diving though). But as quickly as I thought about it, the realization hit me that once the New Heavens and New Earth are set in place-we will be able to travel anywhere we desire (should heaven be our homeland and not “the other place”)

Why spend the time seeing it now—IF we truly had so little time to spare—when we can see it with JESUS by our side, and the view not be tainted in the least with worldliness?

(Please understand, I am all for taking trips and seeing great things—I LOVE traveling—seeing—missioning…and blogging it all!)

But you know, right now, we were destined for more than the mundane existence we call life.

We were called to walk in Christ (Colossians 2:6).

That means in all the fullness of grace, power and love. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

What is the “big thing” or the “more” in your life that you are seeking?

Take some time today and write out a list of what you feel God tugging on your heart about. A dream, even if you think it’s beyond your grasp. It’s not beyond His. Remember that the next time you feel a tug to do something for Him, and the enemy taunts you with your“inabilities”. Friend, there is no such thing as an inability when you give your all to Christ Jesus.

Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Begin praying now about 2013…Let’s make it a year to do more for Christ. The year we give Him our absolute all!

Devotion, faith, Life

Time Change—Changing Times

October 23, 2012 A. Knight

If you are like me…the time change sometimes brings a bit of anxiety over the fact that I was going to miss out on some precious sleep. This time however, we will gain an hour…so I’m actually a bit excited.

SLEEP. That is something I can relate to—and in all honesty, I enjoy.

A cozy couch in front of a fire…a soft blanket…and I am nodding off in no time flat.

A bed with crisp clean sheets–nice and cool to the touch, and when my tired body finds rest there–I am asleep before you can count to 100. Sometimes it takes me a while..but I do enjoy the resting time.

For the disciples, in the garden, they had none of these, yet sleep captured their minds during their time of prayer. They were tired. They knew not of the scene that would shortly unfold before their eyes. Changing their lives forever.

…”and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He then took Peter, James and John and said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow–to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed…” (Matthew 26:36-38 –Holman Christian Standard Version)

My notes state that verse 37 describes the feelings Jesus was having. Sorrowful and deeply distressed.

There is no way sleep would come His way that night. He knew already what lay ahead. He was preparing —He was drawing strength from the Father. But this—this was something He did on a daily basis.

Not just crunch time.
Not just when the house is on fire.
Not just when the kids are sick.
Not just when the marriage is failing, the job is lost and the finances are disappearing. But every day. All hours of the day.

There was a time in my Christian walk, that my prayer life was lacking in a “dedicated” time. What I mean by that is, the emergencies brought about some serious praying! The other days….sort of hit and miss.

But time changes things. And these things…change our prayer times.

There is not a day that passes that I don’t talk to the Father. Our conversations on occasions seem a bit one-sided though.

I talk—I pray…and sometimes forget to listen. But when He speaks…oh my—does it ever ring in my heart and head.

A couple of years ago, while talking with a friend, she shared with me that her friend was consumed with the changing times.

He had lost thousands upon thousands of dollars in the recent economical decline. He was frustrated and depressed. She had encouraged him to get back in his Bible. To not neglect his church–nor his times of study and prayer.

I told her that was all good, but one important thing he needed to do—stop listening to all the negative news.

Yes, read the Bible!
Yes, pray without ceasing!
But stop feeding the soul all the negative news that is played non-stop.

See, he was daily—every waking hour–listening to talk radio—reading the horrific forecast of our financial system. Instead of feeding his soul Christ, and how soon the eternal home was to the believers, he was feeding on the decay of our world.

I have purposefully steered my blog away from the economical situation. But I see it. I’m not blind to what is happening.

Our lives have changes along with everyone else’s…as we each tighten our belts and do things differently. But I can’t dwell on that. What I must dwell on is doing ALL I can—at every opportunity God gives me for HIM.

Reaching the lost. Telling of Christ’s love! And how He came to save them!

Yes, time will change.

And the times are changing. But Christ—is the solid rock—on which we stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

As the times change, let us change. Let’s become more dedicated to our prayer times. Let us become solidified in our faith walk. Let us share with others—love and care for one another more. We are pilgrims passing through this land—our home is just ahead. Keep heading that way.

Following HIM–

Devotion, faith, Life

Afterwards

October 11, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

“Lord”, Simon Peter said to Him, “where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” (John 13:36

Holman CSB) Oswald Chambers uses the KJV and I love the way it reads…“but thou shalt follow Me afterwards.”

Afterwards.

I just have to tell you—those words brought the tears to the forefront. Stuck in my throat and threatened to burst as a waterfall the day I read that devotion about 3 years ago.

Maybe it was partly due to the post I finished that night called “Letter from Heaven“. But I also believe that once again—the Lord has confirmed to me that that particular book— or devotional tool, was the correct one for this season of my life. I put in a rare plug here for your next yearly devotional book–Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, is one of the best. You will be blessed tremendously by this one!

Following Christ Jesus has been my determined path for some time. More determination than before, however, lit my heart afire these past few months. But the fire began rising in a fervent heat in 2007.

Between the first calling of “Follow Me” from Jesus to Peter to the second calling was one of the “blank spaces”.

What Peter did in his blank space is, I’m afraid is what happens in many of our lives in our own blank space.

Chambers’ words, “Between these times Peter had denied Jesus with oaths and curses, he had come to the end of himself and all his self-sufficiency, there was not one strand of himself he would ever rely upon again, and in his destitution he was in a fit condition to receive an impartation from the risen Lord.”

Sound familiar?

It does to me. For I found HIM only at the end of myself. Realizing I had no power to change any circumstance of my life…but He had all power. As Chambers closes this page, his words ring true and fresh tears sting. “There is only one lodestar in the life now, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lodestar.

Guiding star.

Point of reference.

The dictionary reference says:

1. a star that shows the way.
2. Polaris.
3. something that serves as a guide or on which the attention is fixed.

Today, where is your attention fixed?

Are you at the end of your abilities?

You will never find the end of His.

Without Him, we have no ability, but Jesus said four times in the Gospels,

“with God all things are possible…..”….”If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.”….”With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”…..”And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee”….

(Matthew 19:26 ; Mark 9:23 ; 10:27 ; and 14:36 )

What are you believing Him for?

Are you at the “afterwards of your blank space?”…

are you looking at the horizon and feel the end of yourself?

That’s where I found Him. At the very end of me.

No longer self-sufficient…but God is sufficient for me.

Country Life Messages, Devotion, faith

Keeping Up Appearances

October 9, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Originally posted with Internet Cafe`

Sometime last year, I removed the “fake” silk flowers from the pots stationed at my front door in sentinel fashion.

My “real” flowers had died due to lack of water, but the pretty, lacy, Creeping Jenny had survived.

I had complained about my lack of time to “green up” my thumb and a friend had suggested, “Put some fake flowers in the pot! No one will ever notice!”

So I had plopped some lively looking silks in the pot…you know…. to keep up appearances. But since the colors of the silks had faded, it was time (long past time) to remove them from their station.

Days later as I stepped up to enter the door, I looked down and noticed all the new growth of the Creeping Jenny.

With the “fake” removed, the little peeping, creeping ground cover had plenty of room to shoot forth in new growth! It was then that I thought of all the times we “put on” a pretty façade of having and doing the right things in life–in order to “fit in.” Yet, all the while we lack spiritual growth. Many times it’s because we have not removed the “dead or fake” from our lives, and Christ has no room to grow and mature us into what HE intends for us to be!

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.” Psalm 92:12-15 KJV

Join me today in seeking to weed out what is unnecessary–the things that we tuck in just to “keep up appearances.”

The very burden of that idea of having to conform to others is what weighs us down!

God has called us to a specific walk. What He requires of me will sometimes look different than what He may require of you. But the goal is to seek HIM daily, allow HIM to do the uprooting of the fake: planting instead righteousness and all the spiritual gifts that will bring GLORY to HIS NAME!

By the way, “fake plants” have no roots. They only look good a short time as the sun fades them quickly–and when you get close—you can tell they are fake… Just in case you wondered.

faith, Ministry, Mission Trip

Wondering and Wandering

August 26, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

While I have been doing the “reading plan” with a large portion of our church, I have downloaded a few Bible Apps on my phone…searching for the one I loved the best.

In my reading and listening along, I accidentally clicked a bookmark on a particular verse–and every time I try to adjust it–or make a new bookmark, it continually goes back to that same one.

It is a unique verse.

Deuteronomy 2:3 ‘You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn to the north.

Do you find yourself there? In a place of wandering?

Wondering what God is going to say next…

Wondering what He is going to DO next?…

Wondering if you will HEAR Him?…

While I’ve been getting ready for this mission trip to Bolivia–I’ve found myself at times seeming to be in a daze at what God is doing.

Sometimes we get a bit comfy in our surroundings…not willing for change.

Friend–can I just tell you with love in my heart–GET UP! It’s time to head NORTH. Life is changing ALL around you.
Every.Single.Message our pastor preaches–seems to be pointing to “something yet invisible”…but very PRESENT…

A change among us that is so reverent that it carries with it a holy hush to even call it to our minds…

Something powerful…and passion filled…

All Christ. Flesh gone.

Something expected…yet unexpected. Does that make sense?

The coming of CHANGE.

Change in our world begins with the change in our lives. One will NOT happen without the other. We are the fuel to feed the fire of passion of Christ….we MUST be consumed with HIM. We must burn until there is NOTHING left of US–and only our LOVE for HIM remains.

This calls for self-examination. This is something NO ONE else can help you with.

TIME alone with God is critical for this exam. Open and honest hearts–and a penetrable and moldable spirit….

I have a friend who stops by for coffee sometimes and we get into this conversation almost every time...the unexpectedness of God–it is with MUCH excitement that we talk and share visions and dreams–hopes and realities….

what is HE DOING in our lives?…

we both FEEL something coming up…yet really don’t know what…(exactly). We have both heard His voice in our lives.

And His voice brought CHANGE.

And our wandering turned to wondering…

It is a bit like little boy Samuel felt when God was calling his name in the night–yet Samuel didn’t know it was God–for he had never heard God speak before–but after that unforgettable night–God’s voice was recognizable–and Samuel sought God’s voice.

This picture was taken at the beginning of our week in Cambodia this year…and it was the beginning of a time where I felt I was wondering and wandering…not in a wilderness…but something else…

This was a “Monday”…after Vanessa and I had sang for the teens of the Dream Center during the Sunday service–

As these girls and I picked the stitches to widen the space for the curtain “pole” (not your average curtain rod), in broken English one of the girls asked me to sing–so, as I stood there with curtain in hand, picking stitches, I sang. They stopped and listened…and I felt the glory of the LORD all around in that room.

I heard the reverence of the winds of change blowing softly through the open-barred window.

Change is coming…

Wander and wonder no more.

Be pliable to the move of God…and SEE where HE LEADS YOU.…

_________________________________________________________________
As we are leaving for Bolivia this coming weekend, I humbly ask for your prayers. We have over 500 Bibles to give–kitchen towel sets for the women in the village, supplies for the school, and tracks to give on the streets of Santa Cruz.

Pray for the internet connectivity to remain strong and that I am able to post the blogs and keep all the family and friends of my fellow missionaries updated! You can sign up on the side bar to be immediately notified of all posts for this trip by”subscribing”. You can quietly unsubscribe at any time–

I pray you will be blessed as you get to travel and experience life along with us in Bolivia. As you read and pray–you become a participator in the mission! Praise God for YOU! We appreciate all the prayers!

(Bottom photo taken by Lois Solet of Louisiana–stay safe in the storm Lois!)

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

Adversity, Devotion, faith

The AWESOMENESS OF GOD

August 19, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

At the beginning of August, we embarked on a journey that I knew would change me…(Operation 180º–Bible Consuming–prayer and fasting.)

I sort of had that “feeling”…something BIG was about to take place…

Almost from the onset, the enemy had another change in mind.

His plan–to steal…your dreams…your vision…God’s plan for YOUR life…

Kill…the joy, the hope, the abundance of LIFE that is yours in Christ…

Destroy…all the good that is in our hearts.

WHY? He wants us to remain passive…

Complacent…

Non-compliant…

If you were here…we just might SHOUT this morning!( or maybe I would–you would be in sort of shock…)

Guess what?

I was a sinner…and now I’m FREE FROM SIN that held my soul captive and had had me hurling fast for hell!!

I WAS heartbroken…and now I’m JOY FILLED!!

I WAS sick (just last night!) BUT sometime during the night…after I whispered...JUST WHISPERED the name of Jesus…“JESUS”…I fell asleep–and WOKE UP HEALED!

Yesterday was filled with the same shadow that had followed me around for days…depression was creeping up behind me…trying to take me on the sly.

Guess what happens when we consume THE Word everyday…it begins to stick…

It begins to sharpen the edge of the blade…

And when the enemy starts in on YOU–then You will have a weapon that can take OUT the enemy of your life!

Are the troubles of your life going to disappear?

Not at all…

but you have a DELIVERER…and He will either walk with you THROUGH the fire…Take you AROUND the fire…or deliver you FROM the fires of life…

Yesterday…the enemy was creeping. Affecting both the hearts of Jeff and myself…we sat down in the living room and just had a confession party –not a pity party…but confession…Not giving the enemy any stars…but just letting each other know where we were battling…

The battle had been severe…HOT even at times. It turns out–WE WERE FIGHTING THE SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES.

Well–when it was spoken out–the covers yanked BACK–I began to see what the scheme of the enemy was! His stinking,corrupt words? I’m coming to that…

The enemy whispers the same thing to each and every believer…perhaps at different times…but I guarantee that everyone who names the Name of Jesus Christ has encountered the hot–stinky–nauseating breath of the enemy in their nostrils–and the distorted, raspy voice in their ears…OH–I need to let you in on a secret…MANY times the enemy will use YOUR OWN VOICE in your head!!!

Quit.

Leave.

It’s too hard.

Go back to a time in life when things were less stressful.

Take the easy road…everyone else is... (Bro. Shane Martin preached about that easy road last week…it is FILLED with people who ALL BOUGHT THE SAME LINE OF BULL.)

I have to REMIND myself from time to time–especially when it all starts crashing down…about the awesomeness of God…

THE AWESOMENESS OF GOD…

I’ve shared this video on facebook–but I want to share it here…if you’ve heard it before–you can probably sing it with them…it will do you GOOD! SING IT LOUD! THE ENEMY NEEDS TO HEAR IT FROM YOUR MOUTH!!! FROM YOUR HEART!!! SING IT AND MEAN IT!!! (I’m not done yet)….don’t click on it yet….

News flash for all those who are “non-compliant” from the church pew…Oh, wait…”who”? Are you seriously talking to ME? Uhm…YES!

When things aren’t going your way… you sit down.

You sit down spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and PHYSICALLY. (REAL physical issues are different…the heart continues to worship and praise–with ABUNDANCE of JOY.)

I thought this morning–as I was waking up–around 4ish…“I’m BETTER. I’m not SICK!”…I began to marvel at the peaceful rest my Savior gave me…and I began to praise Him!

Every day you are given a CHANCE to celebrate a MIRACLE…and you sit with arms neatly folded (yes sir, I’m talking to YOU)…and you pass up that chance!

What miracle?

Did YOU WAKE? Could you HEAR? COULD YOU SEE?…I don’t need go on with this, Jeff already did this one years ago–the point is YOU MISSED A CHANCE TO PRAISE HIM!!!

I’m telling you a truth–there will come a day–perhaps today…maybe even during our Sunday Morning Worship Service…The CALL will sound…

Not for the first of several loads…but THE LOAD…We will be LIFE FLIGHTED out of here! And no amount of JUMPING…or CLIMBING…or even begging and pleading at that point will cause your feet to leave the ground….

You better (I’m being bossy) start praising HIM NOW. HE IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!

Look around YOU! Don’t look at what you don’t have…PRAISE HIM for what you DO HAVE!!!

Now…you can listen to the song…NOTHING compares to the awesomeness of God.

As Jeff and I drove to a gathering the other night–after our “mulling” around in our pity place–we began to SEE and FEEL the awesomeness of God in our lives…our hearts…and we were HELPED!

Psalm 121:1-8;

I found this one as I was typing this morning…I had left my Bible laying open on the bar here in the kitchen…ready for my eyes and heart to be revived….

Psalm 3:3-6 “But YOU, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the ONE who HOLDS MY HEAD HIGH. I cried out to the LORD, and HE answered me from HIS holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side”. (NLT–emphasis mine)

RECOGNIZE WHO God is in your life…SHOUT IT! Glorify GOD! HE IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!

Devotion, faith, Life, Ministry

When God Calls Your Name

August 7, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Walking with my sister, mother, aunt and cousins, along a dirt road last year, I was about to take a step over what appeared to be a letter.

I stopped. Bent over and low and behold, it was an “A”. Not placed by human hands…but by the Wind.

How it happened I didn’t have a clue, but I knew it was significant –at least for me.

Sometimes we look for a “word” from a friend…to encourage us…or uplift us. But that’s all it can do, and sometimes that’s enough…for the time.

But there is a WORD that you and I can have on a daily basis…straight from the heart of God.

I am very excited about what our church has begun this past Sunday.

Operation 180º. It’s a call to prayer, Bible reading, and fasting for 90 days.

Did you just gulp? 90 days will take us to the first week of November–a time when we are thinking, “Thanksgiving”…family gatherings–hearts and lives blessed. For many though, it doesn’t mean anything out of the ordinary. It means just another day. Just another 90 days.

God has called our name-–He is intent on giving us a message–letting us KNOW that He is present–and wants–desires for us to “see Him” and experience HIM as never before.

Life as usual won’t get us there. It takes determined steps.

I know I’ve talked a lot about this…but I have found that I have to dig myself in mentally, spiritually and even physically to make time with HIM all it should be.

This morning it was raining–I woke at 3:13.
Odd time…the odder thing was this: I began thinking of all the times I had heard God speak to me.

Over the past 4 years, I heard from Him… (not from any individual), 7 times. Actually, as I was on my way to work, I thought of the 8th. Oh, and sitting here right now, He just reminded me of the 9th. Significant words. Words from the Word.

When reading the Bible, we read down the page (hopefully not passively, but fully involved), and a passage jumps out at us..perhaps we heard it recently, maybe even said something similar in days or weeks prior. But the significance is when we FEEL Him say, “this Word is for You…for your –today–“.
Most times, tears fill my eyes as I realize His love afresh for me.

The 7 to 9 times of His voice I’m speaking of this morning was His voice–to me. In my ear…to my heart…and no one else heard anything. It wasn’t audible…but it was heart focused and heart felt. So much so that the very words permeated my soul and changed the way I looked at that day!

7 to 9 times I heard Him call my name with a specific message for me. Not to be ever forgotten (as was recently discussed with a mentor). I can still feel the heat…I can still smell the smells around me–I can even still look around and see what I saw then. It made an impact. (I just thought of another!)

In every single instance–my mind and heart was fully focused, fully engaged in following HIM. Not my agenda. I want that every day!

It is a fight. The enemy does NOT want you to have that…why, if you have that, you JUST might start to BELIEVE HIM FOR IMPOSSIBLE THINGS!

I’m laughing right now, because that is what I am doing. Believing HIM for impossible things.

If you DARE…step out on the water. Believe for the IMPOSSIBLE….REACH higher than you’ve ever dared before. It starts with determination.

When we first began discussing this plan of action, I remembered the compass on my phone. If you have a compass on your phone, get it out.

I’ll wait. Click the icon. Bring up the compass.

Notice what happens if you fidget in your seat.

Fidgets brings movement.

Steps in either direction brings movement.

Changes.

The needle will go wild if you spin in your chair!

Did you know (perhaps at this point you do), every move you make alters your course?…Every. Single. Move.

One glance to the left, your whole body makes the adjustment…the needle moves…maybe just a bit, but enough to alter it….keep glancing to the left…or to the right…and the needle will move so much that you might not remember the direction you were headed in the first place….

Friend, we better know.

We better keep our eyes open and straight ahead to the straight and narrow.

It is hard? You betcha! (GrandBuddy lingo)

But the Bible says, few will enter into the straight and narrow path…because they can’t find it…their focus is so off course, they lost sight.

Hey, we are so close to the end, you must KNOW the enemy will try EVERY tactic known–every weakness you have, he will pull out to tempt you with…stay focused. Stay alert.

Watch your steps…better yet, watch the One you are to be following.

I have to tell you this before you go: yesterday while driving home from work, I passed a truck and smiled when I read the sign (yes, I have this thing for trucks and billboards). It was a “moving truck”…(pay attention), the side of the truck read: “Dedication at every turn”….

It will take dedication; determination; eyes wide open and focused. Prayer–fasting–not just food–THINGS that have interrupted your life and stolen time from God. He won’t stand for it…He’s not going to “take it from you”…YOU have to decide to lay it down.

Operation 180º. 90 days of purposed steps in His direction will change the course of your life.

Go for it!

(2 Chronicles 7:14-16) Read it today.