Giving Jesus a Pulpit

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 17, 2025

Giving Jesus a Pulpit

Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

Luke 5:3

Read Luke 5:1-11

Peter, James, and John had previously taken leave from their fishing to follow Jesus, but apparently, they had not yet fully committed to leaving their vocation to follow Jesus full-time.

Even so, Jesus’ influence on Peter was sufficient for him to call Jesus, ‘Master’. Peter followed Jesus’ suggestion of where to fish, even though it was nonsensical. Fisherman on the Sea of Galilee fished at nighttime, not broad daylight, and certainly not within a stone’s throw of shore. The resulting catch of fish was astonishing and almost swamped Peter’s boat. This miracle was an exclamation point to what he had heard Jesus teach and caused Peter, as well as John and James, to leave family, home and vocation to follow Jesus.

When the wise men visited Jesus at his birth, they brought gifts that were sufficient to provide for Jesus’ family when they escaped to Egypt and later, when they returned to Nazareth, to establish their home. The abundance of fish left in the boats when Peter, James and John departed their homes to follow Jesus would have been sufficient to provide for their families in their absence and thus fulfilling Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Verse 3, quoted above, is what caught my attention in today’s reading. Simon’s plain fishing boat became a pulpit for Jesus. Jesus can use the simplest parts of our life as a pulpit from which to proclaim the wonders of his Kingdom.

My Takeaway: Jesus’ pulpit in today’s reading reminds me of Everyman’s Way of the Cross, a liturgy for the Stations of the Cross. The closing response includes Jesus saying,

“Accept each moment as it comes to you with faith, and trust that all that happens has my mark on it.  A simple fiat, this is all it takes: breathing in your heart, “I overcome with You, Lord.”  So, seek me not in far-off places. I am close at hand.  Your workbench, office, kitchen, these are altars where you offer love. And I am with you there. Go now!  Take up your cross and with your life complete your way.” 

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.

Hope

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 16, 2025

Hope

Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him,

“We have found the Messiah”

John 1:41

Read John 1:35-50

When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus to two of his disciples, they immediately left John and followed Jesus. When they approached Jesus, they asked him where he was staying. They were fully intent of developing a relationship with Jesus. As were the other three disciples Jesus calls in today’s reading.

When we sense Jesus calling us to be his disciples, what is our part in developing a relationship with him? For me, this prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is very helpful.

Grant me, O Lord my God,

A Mind to know you,

A Heart to seek you,

Wisdom to find you,

Conduct pleasing to you,

Faithful Perseverance in waiting for you,

and a Hope of finally embracing you.

Amen 

My Takeaway: That last line, “a Hope of finally embracing you,” . . . I can’t stop thinking about that. And I am in good company. Much of Saint Paul’s writing is about that day when he would receive the Heavenly Prize of seeing Jesus, face to face. Oh, the joy that awaits us when we get to embrace Jesus! To that end, let us keep on seeking the life in Christ as our way of life.

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.

God’s Ideal

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 15, 2025

God’s Ideal

He will not crush the weakest reed

    or put out a flickering candle.

Isaiah 42:3a

Read Isaiah 42:1-8

I believe one of the most tender, and compelling images in the Bible is in Genesis 3 where we learn that “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden.” (Gen 3:8) God wanted to walk through His garden with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. That, I believe, is God’s ideal for humankind. God wants fellowship with his people.

Adam and Eve hid from God because they knew they had sinned against Him. The rest of the Bible is the story of how God built a bridge so humankind can return to His garden and walk with Him in the cool of the evening. The bridge is God’s son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Today’s reading describes the tenderness in which Jesus will shepherd God’s people into fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father. I see a dichotomy in the Christian Faith. In response to all that God has done to rescue us from sin and death, we are called to “show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV)

And, within our response of reverence and awe, we are also called friends of God (ex., Romans 5:11), and as such God’s ideal for us is to enjoy fellowship with Him in the cool of the evening.

My Takeaway: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13) In this verse, doing what pleases God includes walking in friendship with our Creator.

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.

Jesus Has Our Back

 

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts

 

January 14, 2025

Jesus Has Our Back

 

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

Hebrews 4:14

Read Hebrews 4:14-16

 

The group, Alcoholics Anonymous, is modeled after God’s plan for Christian communities.

First, all within the group know they are alcoholics, and with all in the group being similarly situated, the members find comfort. So also, in Christian communities, where all have sinned and face temptations. Even so, we know we are among friends. In AA, there is a specific twelve-step format to help the members confront and deal with their addiction. In Christian communities, God is working to form Christ within us and empower us to overcome temptations. In AA, there is transparency and accountability among the members. Throughout the history of Christian churches, there have been small groups to both encourage and to hold one another accountable as they seek the life in Christ.

           

There is, however, one compelling difference between self-help groups like AA and Christian communities. God has provided his people with a Great High Priest, Jesus his Son.

 

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

My Takeaway: That, my friends, is very Good News.

 

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.

 

Temptation is an Opportunity for Victory

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 13, 2025

Temptation is an Opportunity for Victory

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Matthew 4:11

Read Matthew 4:1-11

When Jesus was in the wilderness, he experienced the same temptations, in the same sequence, as did the people of Israel when they entered the wilderness after escaping from Egypt. Jesus was tempted regarding hunger, testing God and false worship. Unlike Israel, Jesus was faithful. (See Exodus 16, 17 and 19-32)

We are called to be a part of God’s people, to do God’s work in the world, thus we will face the same temptations, as did Israel and Jesus when they were in the wilderness. 

At their core, these temptations are not about things I really want to do but know I should not. They are temptations to be someone other than the person God calls me to be. These are temptations to deny I am a child of God. Jesus overcame the Devil’s temptations by being fully committed to his Heavenly Father, and by being empowered by his Father’s grace. So also, we can overcome our temptations. The temptations we encounter are opportunities for us to experience victory in Christ!

My Takeaway: I want to live my life by trusting in Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me. Every day I am tempted to deny my life in Christ and trust in something else to meet my needs. Like Jesus, I can turn to scripture and affirm that I am a child of God. So can you.

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.

Jesus Along Side

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 10, 2025

Jesus Along Side

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Mark 1:17-18

Read: Mark 1: 12-20

Jesus began his public ministry by announcing, “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15) While the people of Israel were desperate for God to rescue His people, the people had to make a choice. The people had to recognize they had many competing loyalties. They trusted their ancestry, their land, their Temple, their laws and even, at times, their God, provided He did what they wanted him to do. But Jesus was calling them (and us) to something new God was doing. He was inviting them to come into His new Kingdom. But first they had to cut their ties to their loyalties and put their faith and trust in Jesus.

That is not easy to do. In today’s passage, Peter, Andrew, James and John cut the ties to their old loyalties and followed Jesus. How did Jesus connect to the people? How did he gain their trust, trust in him enough to cut their ties to their way of life?

I believe he did it then, and does it today, by becoming one with them. I’m not sure which truth about Jesus marveled his followers the most. He was fully divine, as evidenced by his many miracles.  He was also fully human, as evidenced by the friendships he made with the people. Jesus connected with the people on a level that made him vulnerable to being hurt. He still does. This personal connection led Jesus’ followers, such as the Apostle Paul, to proclaim that everything in his life was junk compared to knowing Christ Jesus.

My Takeaway: As I pondered today’s reading, I thought of all the many ways Jesus has personally broken into my life and made himself known to me. My personal experiences with Jesus cause me to continually ask, “Do I find my security, my identity in Christ alone, or do I still have competing loyalties? How about you?

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.

 

Trust

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 9, 2025

Trust

“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Matthew 9:38

Read: Matthew 11:2-9

I have often noted that the religious leaders resisted Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God because Jesus did not meet their expectations of the Messiah. They weren’t the only ones who felt that way. Our passage for today opens with the disciples of John the Baptist going to Jesus. John sent them because he was disappointed in Jesus. John was worried that he was wrong about Jesus because Jesus was not meeting his expectations of the Messiah.

I need to remember this, because if I am honest, there are times when Jesus does not meet my expectations.

I confess that there are times when I am impatient with the ways of God. I wish God moved faster to answer prayers, punish injustice and renew the face of the earth. My impatience is accompanied by anxiety and worry.

Oswald Chambers has helped me understand that when I am worrying, it is because I am not nourishing the life of Christ in me. Worrying means there is something over which I cannot have my own way. Worry (or disappointment) is evidence of my personal irritation with God. Ouch!

The purpose of prayer is to nourish the life of Christ within me. Worrying means I am more focused on circumstances than I am on becoming the person God created me to be.

Oswald Chambers is well known for his classic devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest. His book, If You Will Ask – Reflections on the Power of Prayer, is one of the best books on prayer I have read. The little book is available from Amazon.com in both text and kindle.

My Takeaway: I want to trust that God is working in (me), giving (me) the desire and the power to do what pleases him, and that God, who began the good work within (me), will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 2:13, 1:6) I want to trust God will attend to the circumstances of my life in His time.

(Gene Edward’s book, The Prisoner in the Third Cell, is an excellent study of the struggles John the Baptist experienced during his imprisonment.)

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.