Category: faith

faith

How To Have a Big GOD Sized Dream

A. Knight

Ephesians 2:10  For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.


The Message translation ends the verse with, “work we had better be doing”.

Have you ever had a day in your life that you felt really—exceptionally good about?  

The kind of day where you could count off all the things on your to-do list?  

A day where you found yourself laughing—feeling energetic—maybe even in that day you caught a glimpse of yourself doing something you dreamed of doing?

That—is an exceptional day.  Even thinking about it today made me smile.  I’ve had some of those days—they were each experienced as a result of a “God Dream”…I had allowed myself to dream.

It’s our responsibility to discover what God has for us…it didn’t come on a slip of paper when we were born…nor as a result of a test taken…(remember those tests taken in school?)

You are just burning oxygen until you discover the “God Dream” inside you…the neat thing about dreams is—they are apt to change—or grow.

Small dreams watered—fed—cultivated—lived and experienced– will become a BIG—GOD sized dream.  Believe it.

You may be saying right now…but Angie, How do I have a  BIG—GOD—SIZED—DREAM?

I’m so glad you asked!  This is exactly what we covered in our Young Adult class a few weeks ago…so if you didn’t get to sit in…here you go!

  1. Believe it’s possible.  
    • Matthew 19:26   But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 
    • Mark 9:23   Jesus said unto him,  “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
    • Luke 1:37   “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
    • Philippians 4:13   “ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

There are no limits when God is in charge.


Not your past…

  • Isaiah 43:18-19, Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.   Verse 25:  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
  • Philippians 3:13-14   Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Not your finances…

  • Philippians 4:19 (keeping in mind—our greatest need is GOD) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  • Psalm 32:8-9  I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.  Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.

    2.   Avoid comparisons.

You are an original.  Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Comparison leads to pride—or discouragement.  Ugh.  That even looks bad on the page.  Pride:  “So-and-so can do __________ better than I can…why do I even need to…..”  Being down about yourself is pride just as haughtiness….  EVERY PERSON’S DREAM MATTERS.
    3.    Listen to the right people.

People who will speak the Truth of the Word to you… That’s the ones you need around you….However, there are those who will lead you astray—andfollowing their voice will destroy you and whatever God is desiring to do in your life and ministry: 

2 Chronicles 24:2  “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.”

BUT then we find Joash listening to the wrong people….

2 Chronicles 24:17-19    After he died, the officials of Judah bowed in front of the king with their faces touching the ground. Then the king listened to their advice.  They abandoned the temple of the Lord God of their ancestors and worshiped idols and the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. This offense of theirs brought God’s anger upon Judah and Jerusalem.  The Lord sent them prophets to bring them back to himself. The prophets warned them, but they wouldn’t listen.

Psalm 1:1-3   How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!  Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.  He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

When the going gets tough…keep going (growing) 

Life happens.  No getting around it.  Look at the trials as His training grounds for the “dream” or –on the next step to the dream!


Isaiah 43:1-3    But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
   4.   Remember YOU are not alone. 

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 40:28-31   Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wingsas eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

    5.   Examine your dream….

Who will be glorified?

Colossians 3:2   Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

It is not us who are to shine…ONLY JESUS.  If your dream or my dream will anyway point to us as being “it”…then we’ve got it all wrong.

You have been created with giftings and talents…that are yours and yours alone.  I may can do something “similar”….but I don’t have your exact gift.  

Just as there are no identical twins exactly alike…there are no dreams–or dreamers exactly alike.  

But our goal is alike.  “GO YE”…into the closet and tell the clothes…come out and be a holy nation?  (or individuals??)

Go YE…into the market place and tell every one they need to look like you, dress like you, and talk like you to make it to heaven??  Uhmm….

No…our goal is to win the lost…win them TO Jesus…show them His love…by living the lives HE gave us…dreaming the dreams we were each given to dream…working and living right beside each of them.   

See, perhaps they have a dream….and maybe they need you and I to help them realize there is One who KNOWS all about their dream…

It’s exciting to have a dream…it’s more exciting to live it.  To see it being played out each and every day….

Do you have a dream?  Be courageous...write it down…look at it.  Pray about it…. Say it out loud…see who the dream is for…who is going to shine…Jesus?

We may be talking more about this….

OH, almost forgot…the picture above is all about 10 dreams.  Count them.  One dream was realized and lived that day.






(Some thoughts from reading “Dreaming in 3D”, by Doug Clay–a VERY good book–I highly recommend it to ALL in pursuit of a BIG–GOD–SIZED–Dream!)




© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

faith, Life Issues

Teaching from the class room

A. Knight

God wants—desires for us to see Him everything—“Calling nothing small if it bears us His message”.  (Streams in the Desert, July 24)
·        Sometimes we overlook the obvious…looking for some grand display or show—something out of the ordinary.
·        And there are times God does that—but if we refuse to find Him in the ordinary—We will miss the grandest blessing of all.  (You may be tempted to quit reading, just because you glanced down and saw–gee-whiz–she typed a DOOZY of a blog here–please keep reading…it might be the one for you today)
Psalms 106:7-15  Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.  Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.  And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.  And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
·        Sometimes we read verses like Psalms 106:1  “Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” 
…and think God is just all “mercy”…that He will wink at and overlook our lusting flesh—our sinful desires—our carnal nature…
Let me share with you for just a few minutes the facts from my perspective: 
1)   We don’t have the mind capacity to think anywhere near what God might be thinking;    Isaiah 41:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 
·        We read in verses 12-13 how the Israelites believed only “after they saw”…
§  Don’t you know that after all God had already done in Egypt—with the plagues … you would have thought—they would believe God for anything!
§  But no—at the first mud puddle, they are in a complete state of pandemonium!  (I’m not tossing stones at them…)
“Oh, he’s brought us here to kill us!  We’ll drown!”  All they could see was what was in front of them!
§  Yes, I know it was the Red Sea…but to God—it was a mere mud puddle!  They were so occupied with the outward—they couldn’t even fathom God blowing the waters aside! 
Sometimes we can’t imagine how or what God might do when we come face to face with our own Red Sea—but don’t start overlooking the obvious…and being occupied with the outward—Just be honest with God:  “God, I don’t know what this looks like from your position—but from mine—it appears to be an impasse.” 
·        Unreachable. 
·        Insurmountable. 
·        Unachievable –but follow that up with a statement of FAITH…
“BUT GOD—Your Word states: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!  BE GLORIFIED IN THIS!”
o   Don’t shrink back…but praise and step out! 
o   God still wants people willing to cross the sea…
§  Sometimes He’ll provide a boat
§  Sometimes He may build a bridge
§  Sometimes He may say “walk out in faith…Because HE IS ABOUT TO PART THE WATERS!!
Oswald Chambers wrote:  “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading…It is a life of faith, not of intellect and reason, but a life of knowing Who makes us “go”…The root of faith is the knowledge of a person, and one of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success”….(read that again)
Lest we think God’s planning on making us the “next great” whatever–remember, it may not be the corner office with all the perks that He is leading you to…it may not be the pulpit with the congregation of 2,000…it may be the janitorial closet…or the congregation of 25…
Success in God’s eyes is not the same is ours…HE is looking out for the welfare of the heart…not our pocketbook–(and yes, I know HE will provide all our needs–according to His riches in glory–but your heart –MY HEART is a big concern to Him–and it is OUR GREATEST NEED.)
o   Your faith will grow as your prayer life increases…and your prayer life will increase when you encounter obstacles that test your faith…The Israelites faces obstacles—they made choices…
you and I have the same choices today to make: 
A.  Praise; or
B.  Complain
o   Faith is an easy word to say…but what happens when something comes to our lives that requires us to “use” our faith?
o   Prayer is something warm and fuzzy to “think about”…doing it, however, we find that the matters of life always tend to usurp their authority and place in our minds and lives…
o   Bottom line…prayer and faith has to be a determination of the heart and life of the individual.  It is many times a battle. 
2)  The tolerance of the LORD is running out…we are too occupied with our outward! 
§  The faith of the Israelites was contingent on what they saw, not on their trust in the INVISIBLE…
§  They had unreasonable desires for food…in the wilderness—they craved meat—they craved flesh…NOT GOD.
Romans 8:5-8 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
  • They tested God—God gave them what they asked for:

The amplified version of verse 15 says: And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls and [thinned their numbers by] disease and death.
Other translations state:  plague; terrible disease; wasting disease.  
The Message stated, “empty heart”.  
(Read also Numbers 11:33–we find that as they were still chewing the “lusted for meat”–they became stricken with the disease–they got more than they bargained for–because they were not satisfied with what God was supplying for them.  They could have killed their own livestock and supplied meat for themselves, but they had begun to like the idea of being waited on hand and foot as God was supplying “manna” from heaven…they wanted Him to supply “MEAT”…eating meat was not the sin…having a cavernous appetite for something other than God was the sin…their sin lay in their belly.)
  • They didn’t believe until they “saw”…

God is looking for a people who will believe when things look the opposite…
Jesus said to Thomas after needing “proof” that it was indeed the Lord… “Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou has believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”… (John 20:29)
·        God wants us to be so in love with Him—so desirous of Him—time with Him—to hear Him—to know Him—that we are occupied with Him continually…that the outward fades—and the inner grows.
For inner growth—that can have peace in a storm, vision in the blinding rain, it will come only from seeking Him—if we want changes in our life—and growth—we MUST cease being overly occupied with the things of the outward—and seek Him with all of our hearts.

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

Adversity, faith, Hope

Foggy Faith

A. Knight

A few years ago, I wrote a devotion for Internet Cafe` called “Faith in the Fog”…it may be worth a re-visit if you have time (click on the link)…here are some new thoughts on that–which came to me after a drive to Tallahassee…and reading a post by my dear friend Marsha Harwood on Facebook…and like Marsha, I will borrow from a writing of Corrie Ten Boom.

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit still and trust the engineer.”

I’ve been in the dark before…when you don’t know where you are–it can be pretty scary. 

And sometimes, even when you are very familiar with your surroundings…it can still be a bit discomforting.  However, there are those “real life” instances when the snuffing out of the lights happens so suddenly, we are taken completely by surprise.

This past Saturday I was driving on the interstate with a favorite passenger of mine.  We were talking about what God is doing in our lives and in the churches in our area–and all of a sudden–from out of nowhere, we were engulfed in a fog so thick everyone hit their brakes.

This particular fog looked like a dense cloud of smoke that had settled on the highway.  It completely covered the two lanes we were on–but not the opposite side of the road.  Afraid that perhaps someone had a wreck and the smoke was the result–my guts clinched in a knot. 

We both stopped talking. 

Time for concentration…and we prayed.

As we entered the great expanse of darkness–I was amazed at the fact there was no smell of smoke…I decided then–it was “fog”.  The thickest–[way past the pea-soup stage]–fog I had ever encountered.  It caused me to suck in air–as if that alone would help me get through the murky road.

As we went along, the semi-truck in front of me seemed to lurch to one side suddenly as I noticed he avoided a car that was trying to pull back onto the highway.  (That one was a NUT.)

Let me tell you what I discovered just by watching the actions of other drivers on the road that day….

  1. Fog happens.  It can happen to anyone–at anytime.  A good day or a bad day.  It can happen early–or late;
  2. Do not leave the roadway.  You will cause much confusion to those coming along behind you if they see you pull off the road.  They may even think YOU are the cause of the fog;
  3. You will have to slow down…but don’t stop.  Once inside the fog, it’s a bit easier to navigate if you don’t stop suddenly.  Stopping suddenly will definitely cause a wreck.  If not a wreck…a severe tongue lashing that you won’t be able to actually hear–but will FEEL;
  4. When inside the fog–keep your lights on.  It’s just one of those things I like to do even on a sunny day–I drive with my lights on.  Let the LIGHT shine is what I say;
  5. Remain steady–and focused.  Talking to anyone other than God–is completely out of the question;
  6. Remember, it won’t last forever–and there are things to learn while in the fog.  No, you didn’t make the fog…but remember Who did…and the fact that as long as you keep HIM as your Navigator and Guide–you will come out on the other side…just keep going on.

You may be thinking…this is not a “devotional” post here, Angie.  But–I beg to differ. 

Re-read.   Turn that interstate highway into your walk with God.   Perhaps you have just stepped out in faith–or maybe, you stepped out awhile back…and there have been more foggy days than sunshiny ones…and maybe you have grown a bit discouraged by what you’ve not seen–even though you are seeking…and expecting…and yes, even believing!  (Been there.)
 
Can I tell you that just because we don’t see the “results” we may have expected…and just because things have become dark at times…that is no reason to stop.  No reason to pull off the road until things clear up a bit. 

Friend, there have been some “doozy days” in my own life in the past 4 years…but I wouldn’t trade a second foggy second–for the clearest-brightest day. 

In the fog, Jesus taught me how to trust.  How to lean on HIM and not my own understanding.

In the fog, Jesus taught me how to “see”k Him first–and continually.

In the fog–He showed me His power–HIS strength would become mine–because in the fog–at times I was weak.

Can I encourage you today?  If you were here–or I were there–I’d hug you and tell you very clear–our God is bigger than the fog is thick.  Don’t hang back.  Keep doing the things He has placed in your heart to do…you already know what they are–and you are sitting there right now thinking, “but I can’t”.

But HE CAN.  (And He will–through YOU!)

And hey, as long as I’m handing out advice here–I learned it’s okay for the tense knots to build in your belly…it reminds us that we are NOT in control of a single second of our day…God is.  And as long as He is…then you can relax in HIS arms.  Sometimes though, He sends the foggy reminders just to let us know “He’s got this”…

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

faith, Trust

Rise and SHINE

A. Knight

There is work to be done…
sitting idly by is not an option…
if you are a child of God.

You are going to encounter the enemy…why not be working for HIM when it happens?

Doing what HE has laid on your heart…

afraid?  I’ve been there…still visit–but I determine not to stay.

He won’t ask of us anything that HE can’t or won’t equip us to do.

Isaiah 59:19(b)-21; 60:2 “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.  As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and forever.  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:  but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.”

When you think…something is beyond you….remember WHO is going to shine….not you…but HIM!  It’s not beyond HIM.  The GLORY OF THE LORD will shine upon YOU!  Don’t fear….

Settle it.  Once and for all.  Take His hand.  Shake off the feelings of “I can’t”…and set your jaw…gather up your courage….and follow after Him.

THROUGH His power and strength—(remember the previous blog?) WE CAN DO ALL THINGS that HE has called us to do!

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

Devotion, faith, Family, Grandchildren

The Believing Heart of a Child

A. Knight
 “Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that.  But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.  I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it.”

Luke 18:15-17 GWT

Believing as a child believes is essential…

You tell them something–they believe you…

What must we do?  Go to Christ as your children, and my children come to us.

Seeking words, wisdom, attention, love…fellowship…a Relationship.

Without communication–there is no relationship.  
We are discussing problems of lack of communication in our Young Adult class on Wednesday nights.  Communication is one key ingredient to a good marriage.  Good communication.
If you want THE relationship with God that He desires to have with you–you must first open your heart and your mouth.  Share your heart with Him…holding nothing back…
Who could resist the look of the expressive face turned upward in devotion?  
No one.  
When you devote your heart and life to Christ Jesus–you will then begin to fully realize how His devotion saved YOUR soul.



© The Knightly News 2007-2012

faith, Family, Wanda

A Letter From Wanda

A. Knight
If Wanda could write a note from heaven today, this is what it “might” say…

Dearest Sisters,

I love what you’re doing for the Lord! It is so exciting to see and hear the good reports being broadcast throughout heaven of the lives being touched and hearts changing—eyes looking to Christ! As it is written in the Most Holy Word, “Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”

Paul’s words are so fitting for what I need to share—however, I will change the word “brothers” to “sisters”—for dear ones, that is what you are!

“When I came to you, sisters, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Holman CSB) I can say with all assurance for your sometimes weary hearts, “No eye has seen, no ear heard and you could not imagine—try as you might—the glories awaiting your souls—what God has prepared for those who truly love Him!” (paraphrased 1 Corinthians 2:9)

I think, after having met that dear brother Paul, who penned those words to the Church at Corinth, he truly meant an exclamation point to end that sentence! He is full of the brightest joy you can imagine!
If I could share with you my heart from this side today, it would be, keep on. Go further. Tell more. Love deeper. Live everyday as if you’d not have another. Take delight in the simple things. See God in everything. Let go of the burdens you are trying to carry alone. He really is there to lift you up! Most of all, never quit—don’t look back. Only ahead at what lies before you! The journey is so worth the destination!—no matter how rocky at times.

It’s almost time! We are anticipating the trumpet sound as you are! For when that sound is heard—we will be joined again! And joined as the spotless Bride of Christ! I love you all!

Keeping the faith!
Wanda

Now, before anyone thinks I’ve lost my marbles, —I do know that this didn’t come from Wanda—but if she could share with us today…maybe this is what she would encourage us to do.   Don’t you think?

In my cleaning out and going through books, I found one of her note cards that I had bought her several years ago. Only one card left. It is blank. The message was clear to me. No words could express fully the joy, the prize, the splendor she has experienced so far! I am glad for her…although there are days my heart aches to see her. I know one day soon we will!

I wrote this poem shortly after the funeral and shared it for the first time in 2009, and wanted to share it again today.  I hope if you are reading this, and don’t know the LORD, I pray with all my heart that you will “seek HIM”.  Seek to know Him—and love Him with all your heart…..the journey is not long now.  Only a little way left to go.

Family, don’t cry for me now.
For the place I am saving,
Is for the way you are each paving,
That others should know Him.
As we were all taught.

So love one another,
Clinging only to Him,
Know that I’m whole now,
And happy with Him.

For you all I’ll be waiting,
Just a hop skip and jump,
Soon you’ll all join me,
Why, you’re over the hump!

Remember it takes dedication,
Determined heart too,
The way won’t be easy,
But this I know you can do.

For you’ll be led by the Master,
His hand you hold tight,
And remember to love Him
With all of your might.

Talk to you later!

Love, Wanda

Keeping the Faith,
Angie

© The Knightly News 2012

Country Life Messages, faith, Family, Wanda

Musings From February~The Steadfast Anchor

A. Knight

If you have any familiarity with trees at all…you recognize this shedding trunk.

If you have any imagination at all (as Anne of Green Gables might say), you will see that the frail, even crispy slices of this tree resembles the fragile dollar bill. Yes. You heard me right.

Actually for two little girls, who had never even held a dollar bill, these pieces of crepe myrtle tree trunk fit the bill for us playing “store keepers”, selling watermelons by the road side at our grandmother’s house in the summer. To be more precise, it was “Mamo’s house”.

The road was the very old fashioned kind. (Just as everything else in those days.)  Simple sand and clay mixture. Just plain dirt. As we stood in the shade of the crepe myrtle tree, the idea of using the curling, pieces of tree bark as paper money seemed ideal to the two little girls under the age of 6.

Very few cars passed by, but that really didn’t matter. Wanda and I had fun just playing in the yard.

Outside, near the kitchen window, Mamo had a very primitive old wooden bench. The bench was quickly transformed every time we came to visit into a cook top for Wanda and me. We cooked in a tin can with water, everything from flower petals to fresh grass clippings, adding a little dirt as a substitute for salt and pepper for taste.

No, we did not “really” taste it…we just imagined it. Drawing imaginary houses in the dirt with a stick, we imagined that our houses were large and that we lived close to one another.

As adults, only parts of the childhood dreams came true.

While our houses were not large, we finally were able to live near one another for about 3 years, ending February 12, 2008.   I enjoyed the ability to be at her house within 5 minutes if needed, but the talking on the phone was a constant.

Everyday at work and every almost afternoon while going home, Wanda called both me and Aimee.

It’s sweet and funny how our conversations always wound up to one big question. Almost every single day. “What are you cooking for supper?”

Sharing recipes and ideas for organizing was a constant topic of conversation between us girls. It was these sweet memories that traipsed around in our heads and hearts as the days went by.

At Christmas in 2007, which in my mind seems like just a few weeks ago, Wanda’s skin coloring was not good and her breathing was labored. I looked at her when they came into our house for our Christmas Eve Family Supper, and without the medical training my sister, Aimee has I knew there was something very wrong. Wanda had oxygen at home to assist her, even had a portable tank, but she didn’t want to be treated as if she was having problems. She wanted to be normal. And be treated normal. No extra attention. An oxygen tank would cause others to treat her “special”. Wanda didn’t want that.

After supper we had prayer and sharing, as is our tradition. We prayed long for Wanda. Mother stood before us and described the feelings and prayers that the LORD had woke her with in the wee hours of several mornings in the past few days.

“Family, you will need to be on your knees more than you ever have before, if you intend to make it in these last days. We will face things harder than we’ve ever faced. It will take prayer.   But family, the LORD reminded me to anchor to HIM—the Anchor holds.”

…those words rang over and over in my heart and mind for many days. Still they do almost weekly.

The Anchor holds.

I soon realized the truth in her words. About the Anchor.

We all did.

As life for us changed on February 12, 2008, our God did not change.  His promises that we had read all of our lives, became our life line. 

The TRUTH held us fast.

I don’t know what you are struggling with today, but let me assure you that the Anchor of Christ held us, and He will hold you….no matter what you are facing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. 
Proverbs 3:5-6

© The Knightly News 2012

faith

Stuck in the Pit?

A. Knight

2011-02-25 Sisters Retreat 2011 Feb 030 I have to ask myself this very question going through every situation that seems to knock the very breath out of me—spiritually speaking.  Am I stuck in a pit?

Years ago, while in the middle of a particular “battle” as it were, I remember a phone call with my mother.  I was firmly planted in a pit. 

Pretty much like Beth Moore described in her book, “Get Out of That Pit”.  I had decorated it…tried to make it pretty….but that didn’t change what it was, nor what it was doing to me. 
I had a party going on all the time!
A “pity party”.  Or, say it like this:  “A Pit for me Party”.  And I wasn’t budging anytime soon. 

Mother tried her best motherly advice—all her cajoling, her “peppy words”, everything a good mother could and would say to a child (no matter the age), firmly entrenched in the depths of her personal pit.
2011-02-25 Sisters Retreat 2011 Feb 043

Finally, in desperation to get her to leave me alone I said, “Mother.  Stop.  I’m having a pity party-and I’m not done.  When I’m done, I will get out.  Please let me finish”.

That is pretty much how parties in my pit went.  When I had had enough…and the prayers of a faithful mother—who refused to let her daughter continue—but sought God on her behalf had been ushered up to Glory and heard by the King (Psalm 34:1-7), I would come to my senses and seek God for myself and –HE reaching down—the hand that had always been extended, would help me “out” of the pit.

This morning, my pit experiences came to mind as I prayed for and thought of some others who are current pit dwellers.  Be it either by way of a stronghold of the flesh, mind or spirit…it can be a place so deep—that we cannot see the light of day…Nor the LIGHT that permeates every dark place.

What I did was succumb.  I was satisfied that this was the place I would dwell the rest of my days.  In a battle of the mind.  I didn’t want it to take them as long to get OUT as it did me.

Others battle things that many of us are familiar with.  Be it tobacco, drugs, alcohol, perversions of the flesh, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, the list goes on and on…they are all life affecting, life altering and life diminishing existences in a pit. 

Satan desires to destroy us…God desires to bring us out of those times and places and restore our purpose and vision greater and brighter than before.

Many things I have experienced that others have not.  MANY things I have NOT experienced that others have.  Each life has it’s own exposure to plots created and planned by the enemy—who knows our weakness and that is the very tool he uses to try and bring about our demise.

BUT we don’t have to stay in that battle—and when we realize that as a child of the Most High God—this not our battle to fight, but His—then we are on steady feet—and the path is clearer. 

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 records these words by Hezekiah.  “Be strong and courageous!  Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or  his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!  He may have a great army, but they are merely men.  We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!”…(NLT)

Tell me, if after reading those words from Hezekiah, don’t you feel strengthened?  Don’t you feel a Source greater than your own might envelope you with might and strength?  I do.  I see more clear.  The dust from the battle ground settles and I see more clear the plot and plan of the enemy—and I know now what to do.

  • Pray.
  • Fight. 
  • Suit up with the armor that is laid out in the Word as in Ephesians 6:12-18.

People.  We’ve got a battle to fight—and it must be fought daily.  There is not a single place where we can lay aside our sword, helmet or breastplate and take ease.  This war will continue until the Day of Christ’s Return. (Revelation 1:7)  The walls of the pit will get higher—more slippery—harder to scale, while we sit idly by and not do our part.

  • Complacency in the pit will lead to eternal death and damnation. 
  • Complacency leads to a lukewarm existence…and that existence nauseates God to the point of vomiting.

Get up.  Get out.  Gear up!  Arm yourself (I say this to myself as well!) with the weapons that we are instructed to use against the enemy! (Ephesians 6:14-18)

In 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses the spiritual war. (10:3-6 NKJV) “

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

An excerpt from NKJV Study Bible footnotes:  “strong holds…high thing:  Overlooking ancient Corinth was a hill 1,857 feet high.  On top of it was a fortress.  Paul used that imagery as an illustration of the spiritual warfare he waged.  He destroyed strongholds, cast down towers, and took captives.  The fortress, towers, and captives represent the arguments, thoughts and plans that Paul was opposing. 

Paul cast down all rationalizations. 
He took captive to the obedience of Christ every perception and intention of the heart that was against God.  Our actions reveal our thoughts.   We should not cling to thoughts that do not conform to the life and teachings of Christ.  Paul did not walk according to the flesh.”

Our actions reveal our thoughts. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27  “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  Therefore I run thus:  not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight:  not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (emphasis  mine)

Thinking defeated thoughts is allowing the enemy to plant seeds of doom.  Seeds that will not grow and become what God intended when you began your journey with Him.  You can’t give in to the enemy in your thought life and win a battle.  It just won’t happen.

I speak from experience in this!  Too many times I allowed thoughts of defeat, doubt, fear, or flesh to enter in the picture God was working on in my life.  At those points I think He halted His brush strokes—in mid-air.

I think perhaps He was saying, “Angie, until you settle “who you are in Me, We can’t finish what We started.”
2011-02-25 Sisters Retreat 2011 Feb 044 What are you trying to settle in your heart and mind? 
Do you know who you are in Christ? 
Are you aware of the armor that has been made available to you—to enable you to fight well and WIN?

I encourage you today, dig into the Word.  That is where the answers lie to all the issues we face.  Every single one.
You can win the battle instead of succumb….
determine today to do so!

Previously published, 10/3/11
© Angie Knight- The Knightly News 2007-2012.  All rights reserved.

Devotion, faith

It Begins With Prayer

A. Knight

Everything.  Every single thing we do should begin with prayer.

Now, before you think I’m nuts, I am not talking about asking God to help you pick out a pair of socks. For crying out loud! He gave us a brain to decide for ourselves….

What I am talking about is giving our day to Him before it begins… Deciding at the onset of the day that we will use every opportunity to glorify Him and praise in in everything.

“Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 GWT)

The “whatever happens” is where we all get hung up.

This time in 2008 we found it hard to give thanks in “all things”….but we pressed in, and pressed on, and did it regardless.

What happened when we gave thanks? When we praised? Our minds left our problems and focused in on God the Father. OUR FATHER. Who is Soveriegn above all–and HIS decisions can be trusted.

Join me over at Laced with Grace for the rest of this devotion.  Click here.

© The Knightly News 2012

faith, Hope, Life, New Year

The Old and the New

A. Knight

When I worked at the law office in Dothan, I had certain a routine for closing out the year and beginning a new one.  Same when I worked at the high school.  New files were made…certain old ones were filed away…and in some cases, a purging happened.

Sometimes–that needs to be done in our lives…a purging.

When we moved in November–I knew in advance that there would be some things that just would not “fit” in this sweet little house.  The couch for instance.

Now friend…I loved my couch.  We spent a LONG time searching for the right couch…with Bible Study and Prayer times in mind….and it was well used for those purposes–as well as snuggling with grandkids and watching a good movie.

Our Common Grounds girls loved it too…I remember several of them making the comment the first time they came over to pray–“oh I sure wish I had THIS!”  Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in the house.  But God supplied another for us to use that does fit.

The “prayer” couch, where I met with Jesus every morning in one certain spot–will STILL be used as  a place to meet with God–and learn of Him though–it will reappear soon–and I will show you where and tell you how….later.

In the moving–and purging–and cleaning out of all the “clutter of life”–I discovered something about me.  I would have a tendency to be a hoarder if I wasn’t careful.  I mean–I kept every sweet note every person mailed me–and those darlin’ cards that lifted my heart–tucked in a cedar chest. 

There came a time though–that the cedar chest had to be used for it’s original intent.  To store “quilts and blankets”.  so I took a few hours and cleaned it out–going through every single card….

I’ll be honest–I had a hard time parting with some of the cards–and some of them (those that had a scripture verse and special note) I kept.  But in comparison, it was just a  few reminders of where God has brought me.  As I re-read the cards–I saw the hand of God moving in my life through encouragement of others.  I knew that in many girl’s shoe boxes or a drawer was perhaps a card or note with  my signature–and a prayer.  I know the value of the written word–and a prayer of faith in a desperate time of need…. I’ve been there.

In the purging process–God showed me that if I’m not careful, I will tend to hold on to what He’s done in the past–satisfied with that–yet knowing that there is SO MUCH MORE that He wants to do in the future!

Can I share a secret?  He’s got more.  MORE than you could even imagine is in store for this next year!  I feel it in my BONES!

Isaiah wrote about the LORD reminding him of what He had done in the past and letting him know that the future  held even greater promise for the Children of Israel!

(Isaiah 43:15-19 NLT)
I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator and King.
16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
making a dry path through the sea.
17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland….

We cannot begin to comprehend what HE is about to do in our midst!  BELIEVE.  TRUST.  DO NOT WAVER in your heart about HIS LOVE.

I want to live this gift of 2012 with such intentional devotion to Christ that I see Him at every turn.  I want HIS presence to feel as it does today–and has for the past several days…thick–sweet as honey.
I intend to make a mark for HIM.  So that HE will be glorified.  I am willing to go through the purging process–and let HIM direct me at all the things that are unfit–the things that are choking the life out of me–so that there is ROOM for HIM to  dwell without any hindrances.

I discovered though with the move–it is an intentional process.  Friends can’t help you with this.  YOU must desire this–and make the necessary changes on your own.

I have helped others move before–and if you’re not careful–you will simply take everything that is in the “past” house and move it right into the “NEW” house.  And it just won’t fit. 

Moving is best done with a clear mind on what you really NEED….not what you want. 

As 2012 dawns–take some time and  evaluate the “unnecessary” of your life…see what things are “time stealers”…and what throws your mind and heart into a pit of dispair.  Get rid of those things.  I can only tell you from my experience….you will be amazed at how you will feel…

A fresh rain is getting ready to fall on God’s people…and I don’t want anything to hinder me from feeling every single drop.  The road ahead holds great promise….don’t be left standing around…be ready.

© The Knightly News 2007-2011
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