Beyond Our Faults

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today

May 30, 2025

Beyond Our Faults

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat,

and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14 

When Jesus learned of the death of John the Baptist, he sought solitude. But the crowds of people figured out where he was going and were waiting for him. Jesus “had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Apparently, he healed their sickness, with no questions asked. No pecking order. No questionnaire to determine qualifications to receive divine healing.

Later that evening he fed them. With only five loaves and two fish he fed them. Again, with apparently no questions asked. No questionnaire to determine eligibility to receive free food. No extraction of promises to lead lives of holiness. The crowd ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. The scriptures say about 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! No questions asked. Jesus just told the crowd to have a seat on the grass.

My Takeaway: Learning to stay in grace for today is learning to respond the way of our Lord to every moment, every circumstance we encounter.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

How God Makes Fruit

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

May 29, 2025

How God Makes Fruit

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 

1 Timothy 1:16

We recall that in John 15, Jesus’ imperative is that his disciples will make much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Here in 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul shows us how God can use us to make fruit for His Kingdom.

First, a bit on context. Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s protégé and served as pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul was writing to encourage Timothy and to give him instructions regarding prayer, worship and the proper administration of the church. Paul makes two points in chapter one that show us how God makes fruit.

The first point is in verse five where Paul states the purpose of Christian education is that “all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” Paul is pointing us here toward new life in Christ as he did in Philippians 2:5 when he urged us to let “our bearings with one another arise out of our life in Christ.” The goal of a Christian is loftier than just gaining information about Jesus, or even to be inspired by Jesus’ life. Our goal is to allow Jesus to transform our lives so that we become like Him.

The second point is in the verse quoted above. Like Paul, as we seek to make the life in Christ our way of life, as we live the Christ-life, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

My Takeaway: Yesterday, I recalled how I misspoke and said I was a retired minister. Remembering that I am still in ministry, together with today’s text reminding me my mission is to make much fruit for God’s Kingdom, help me stay in the grace for today.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then PrayMy Takeaway:

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

We Are a Work in Progress

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

May 28, 2025

We Are a Work in Progress

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

1 Corinthians 1:8 

Recently, we had a new person join our tennis group. During one of our breaks, he asked me, “What kind of work did you do before you retired?” I replied, “I was a Methodist pastor.” Then I corrected myself; “I am a Methodist pastor.” My work is not complete, and I am still fulfilling my orders of ordination in a variety of ways.

I suspect the Apostle Paul might have smiled while listening to our conversation, recalling that he wrote to his friends in Philippi, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)

This passage, and the scripture quoted above, inspire me to often use this doxology when I am presiding at the Lord’s Table: “When we receive, by faith, the bread and cup we experience anew the presence of the Lord Christ Jesus in our lives as we look forward to his coming again in final victory.”

My Takeaway: These two thoughts, God at work in me and Jesus coming again, work together to help me stay focused on God’s grace for today. Yes, and of course, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13) 

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Intimacy with the Almighty

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

May 27, 2025

Intimacy with the Almighty

As the deer longs for streams of water,

    so I long for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1 

I believe the Psalms invite us to a more personal and intimate perspective in our approach to God. This perspective can lead us to affirm with Saint Augustine that we have a God-shaped vacuum within, and we will not be at peace until we allow God to fill the vacuum. Psalm 42 reminds me that God created me with the need to be loved, accepted, and valued, and only God can fulfill these needs.

Through his intimacy with his Father, Jesus heard and saw things his followers never did. He saw more than a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus saw the man with 20/20 vision. Jesus saw more than his friend Lazarus lying dead in a tomb. He saw his friend alive and well. He saw this because that is what his Father saw. Longing for God is our request for the same intimacy with our Father that Jesus has. And God delights in our longing.

Cheryl and I have a friend leaving in a week for missionary service in Thailand. We asked how long she will be gone. She replied, “I don’t know. I feel like Abraham or Moses. I’ll just keep serving until God tells me to do something else. “As the deer longs for streams of water,” our friend is longing for God.

My Takeaway: I think of the well-known praise and worship song, As the Deer. (Marty Nystrom) when I read Psalm 42. These lyrics invite intimacy with God as we long to stay in the grace for today.

As the deer panteth for the water
    So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
    And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
    To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
    And I long to worship You

As the Deer

Marty Nystrom

Yes and Amen!

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

O Taste and See That the LORD Is Good

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today

May 26, 2025

O Taste and See That the LORD Is Good

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18

The introduction to Psalm 34 refers to the time David was fleeing from King Saul and sought refuge in the land of Abimelech (aka Achish), “And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath" (I Sam. 21:10). However, David found that he had leaped out of the pan and into the fire and had to use some chicanery to avoid death at the hands of Abimelech.

On first reading Psalm 34, there are several lines that catch my attention:

 ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him;

¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it;

¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears; and

¹⁸ The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.

I see a bit of a paradox with this psalm. Even though the psalmist acknowledges that the righteous will face many afflictions, he says the LORD rescues them from them all. The psalmist paints a rosy picture for those who trust in the LORD; a picture that few of us have experienced. He even writes, “He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken” (v.20). This verse is our cue to remember that we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us discern when to take scripture literally and when scripture is speaking in figurative terms. Here, there are a little of both.

First, the literal. When crucifying a person, the Roman soldiers would often break the leg bones of the victim to hasten death. They started to break Jesus’ bones but stopped. Jesus fulfilled Psalm 34:20.

Although the children of God will face many afflictions, persecutions and even death, the LORD has rescued us. God has forgiven our sins and given us new life in Christ. He has given us the Holy Spirit and equipped us with Spiritual armor for our life now. He has rescued us from death and given us eternal life.

The last verse helps us understand the ways God has rescued us: ^“The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34:22).

My Takeaway: In Romans 8: 1-2, the Apostle Paul added his “Yes and Amen” to David’s Psalm,

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Let’s hold on to this verse and stay in the grace for today.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

The Steadfastness of Christ

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

May 23, 2025

The Steadfastness of Christ

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God

and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NRSV) 

In John’s Gospel, Jesus entered Jerusalem five days before his crucifixion. John spends almost half of his Gospel on these last days, and Jesus’ resurrection. The word "steadfastness" in today's text perfectly describes Jesus’ unwavering dedication to his mission during his last days. We always want to remember that our saving faith is faith in the steadfast faithfulness of Jesus to redeem our souls.

Sin is sometimes described as missing the mark. In the film *Sergeant York*, there is an impactful scene at the firing range. The platoon’s targets are displayed, showing bullet holes scattered across them with none hitting the center mark. When York fired his round, initially, it was believed that he had missed the entire target. Upon reviewing his target, it was discovered that his shot was precisely where least expected – directly in the center.

My Takeaway: Jesus never, ever misses the mark. Because I do, I want to stay focused on my Expert Marksman, Christ Jesus. My focus on the steadfastness of Jesus helps me stay in the grace for today.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

How Long?

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

May 22, 2025

How Long?

We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

1 Chronicles 29:15 

“O Lord, how long will this go on?” (Psalm 89:46) Have you ever asked God this question, or been tempted to? Psalm 139:16 tells us, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book,” so certainly God has the answer to our question. But do we really want to know?

My friend recently learned from their doctor that their life expectancy is between twelve to twenty-four months. The news sent shock waves through their children. Sometimes, we want to know, but we really do not want to know how long this will go on. How can we stay focused on the grace for today? I think John Newton can help us:

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

  Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

  Than when we first begun. 

My Takeaway: Focus. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18 NRSV) Until God’s glory is revealed to us, remember, the One who knows our name is with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death! 

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2025 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.