Move Forward

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 19, 2026

Move Forward

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again.

Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.

And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

Hebrews 6:1a, 3 

I was serving as the spiritual director on a men’s retreat. One of the attendees was an engineer, and we sat together during a coffee break. I asked him why he chose to attend this retreat. He said that he and his wife made it a practice at the end of each year to evaluate the preceding year and identify areas where they believed they needed to improve. This year his goal was to grow spiritually, and his pastor recommended the retreat.

When my wife was teaching a Sunday School class, at the first of each year she challenged her class to review the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 and ask the Lord to direct them to a particular fruit for growth in the new year.

Do you see the natural rhythm for our life in Christ? We are called by God to be ever moving forward as co-laborers with Christ for the building of God’s Kingdom. We are called to be maturing in our faith and practice as disciples of our Lord, Christ Jesus.

Each Sunday morning, I list on a slip of paper the specific blessings God has poured into our lives in the preceding week, and I place the paper in a jar. On New Year’s Eve, we review each slip of paper again and give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings. Implicit in this practice is an awareness of repetitions. This awareness helps us be more intentional in the next year for meeting God in seemingly unexpected places.

My Takeaway: I recall seeing a character in a TV show announce his only goal in life was to show up and see what happens. That is not my goal. I want to be intentional in my spiritual growth. I want to move forward and further my understanding of God’s grace and His purpose in my 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 © 2026 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 Believer's Identity

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 18, 2026

The Believer's Identity

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns,

for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,

and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:26,33 

I enjoy looking at images of our vast universe. These images are a constant reminder to me that nothing is impossible for God. After all, God looked at a world that did not exist and spoke it into being by the power of His Word. (See Genesis 1 and Hebrews 11:3) The limitless power and love of God inspire me to hold fast to these words above from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. These words are meant to inspire us to take a leap of faith and believe to the very depths of our being that God truly knows and cares for us.

When we take this leap of faith and make Christ our life, God, our Father, declares that we are in a right relationship with Him. God further attests that this right relationship, since it was given to us as a gift, is not based on our behavior. We are not his new creation in Christ because of what we did, or we are doing, or what we have refrained from doing. Rather, it is because of what God has done in uniting us to Christ in death, burial, resurrection, and enthronement that we are forevermore His beloved child, with whom He is pleased and upon whom His favor rests.

My Takeaway: John Ortberg once said, “What is impossible to do by trying, is possible to do with training.” As we train ourselves to learn and hold fast to the above affirmation, we will find ourselves squarely in God’s grace for each day.

(Scripture cites for the above affirmation: Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Romans 5:17, Romans 10:3-4, Galatians 2:20-21)

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 © 2026 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.

Follow Our Leader

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 17, 2026

Follow Our Leader

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

John 13:15 

Jesus spoke the words above after washing the feet of his disciples as they were gathered for what we know as The Lord’s Supper, or The Last Supper. Jesus’ statement is a very succinct summary of discipleship.

Contrast this statement with the Apostle Paul’s words to his friends in Philippi:

“. . . there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

Thinking only about life on earth is a terrible epitaph for a tombstone. In contrast, we are called to keep our eyes on Jesus, and as Paul writes in Philippians 4:8-9,

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

We have been given examples to follow by Jesus, and the Apostle Paul. Following our leaders will keep us focused on the Kingdom of God which extends far beyond life here on earth.

My Takeaway: There is an old saying, “He is so heavenly minded he is no earthly good.” Yes, we need to be aware of our surroundings and the needs of others. But we never, ever, want to lose sight of our eternal destiny. After all, we are citizens of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20) 

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 © 2026 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.

 

Prayer

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today

February 16, 2026

Prayer

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.

He does only what he sees the Father doing.

Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

John 5:19 

In John 14:10-11, Jesus spoke again about his relationship with God, His father: “The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” 

As I read the Gospels, I learn that Jesus made it his practice to worship and to study the scriptures. He prayed often. And often after he prayed, he took specific actions, such as going to a different city, or tarrying in place a while longer. It was after a time in prayer that Jesus picked his disciples. (See Luke 4:4, 16, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Mark 1:38)

In reading Acts and Paul’s epistles, I learned Paul had the same practices.

As we seek the life in Christ as our way of life, as we are seeking to stay in God’s grace for each day, we, too, want to make it our practice to worship, and to study the Bible, and to pray. In my morning prayer and devotional reading time, my closing prayer often includes this line: “. . . in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose.” (My Daily Office) However, in reading about Jesus’ prayer life, I find I am lacking in specific, intentional prayer, seeking God’s guidance on how to work out his mission for my life each day. Immediately, the admonition of James comes to mind: You have not because you ask not! (James 4:2)

My Takeaway: I know because of Christ’ Redemption, I am deeply loved by God, I am fully pleasing to God, I am totally acceptable & accepted by God, and I am a new creation – complete in Christ. (See I John 4: 9-10, Romans 5: 1, Col. 1:21-22, Col. 2:10)

I also know I want to do my part in making these attributes visible in my daily life. My part is prayer.

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 © 2026 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.

Our Blessing from God

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 13, 2026

Our Blessing from God

Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

1 Corinthians 4:5 

I often refer to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. In this book, the first three habits enable us to take responsibility for our personal life. The next three habits relate to our interpersonal life and enable us to live and work well with others. The Apostle Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 4 is about Covey’s second set of three habits. It is about humility and not thinking we are better than others.

Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 4 reminded me of a story I read about Leo Tolstoy. As he was walking one day he came upon a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket for money and found that he had none. He said to the beggar, “I am sorry my brother, but I have nothing to give.” The beggar relied, “You have given me more than I ask for – you called me brother.” This illustrates the guiding principle of the life in Christ; a right understanding of ourselves and of others. We are children of God. Because we are children of God, we can trust that God will give to each of us whatever praise is due.

My Takeaway: At graduation ceremonies, it is the principal of the school, or the president of the university who hand the diplomas to the graduates. We are so precious to God, He will personally give us whatever praise is due!

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 © 2026 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.

Walking In Harmony with God

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 12, 2026

Walking In Harmony with God

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The beauty of Psalm 19 is matched by its deep theological significance. The writer uses two different names for God in the two parts of this psalm. First, the name El is used for the God of the universe. This refers to the general revelation of God through the wonders of creation. The Apostle Paul, in the Book of Romans, agrees with the psalmist. We only need to look at the heavens to know there is a Creator God. John Muir said yes and amen to both the psalmist and Paul. He explored what is now Yosemite National Park and urged that the area be preserved as a national treasure because it was such a magnificent display of the beauty of God’s creation.

In the second portion of the psalm, the writer refers to God as the LORD because he is referring to God’s word. He is thus reflecting on the special revelation of God. This revelation is personal and full of grace.

The writer then closes his psalm of praise with an intercession for God’s help to always live in a right relationship with God. His closing prayer is one of the most profound and eloquent expressions of a desire to walk in harmony with God:

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 

My Takeaway: I want my thoughts and actions to be pleasing to God BECAUSE, in the words from my favorite prayer,

I am not my own,

I am Thine.

By creation and redemption

I am Thine.

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 © 2026 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.

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 11, 2026

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,

   and all that is within me,

   bless his holy name.”

Psalm 103:1 (NRSV)

Most often, I think of God as the one who blesses, or extends favor, affirmation, and approval. However, the word bless can also mean to praise, to glorify, and to call holy. The psalmist blesses God by praising, glorifying, and calling God holy because of all that God is, all that God has done and is doing in the life of the psalmist, and all that he believes God will continue to do. The psalmist embraced the entire history of God’s people as his own history. Because our “real life is hidden with Christ in God,” we are invited to embrace the many expressions of God’s mercy throughout the Bible as our own experience of God. (Colossians 3:3)

I believe the Christian ideal is that all the followers of Christ can write their own psalm of praise, with Psalm 103 as their model. The psalmist not only owned all that God had done in history, but also claimed what God was doing in the present and what he trusted God will do in the future. While it is an important devotional practice to prepare our own psalms of praise for God, authentic praise of God is not in our words, but in the way we lead our lives.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

   and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

   and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8 (NRSV) 

My Takeaway: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” is what the Apostle Paul was doing while imprisoned in Philippi and Rome. I would do well to make this verse my daily anthem to God. 

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 © 2026 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.