Wholly Present

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 9, 2026

Wholly Present

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;

    it was our sorrows that weighed him down.

And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,

    a punishment for his own sins!

But he was pierced for our rebellion,

    crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

    He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:4-5 

One of theologian Karl Barth’s most famous phrases is, “God is wholly other.” This term is understood as describing God as transcendent, unique, and fundamentally different from anything in the created world. This is true and points to the difficulty we have in comprehending God as Trinity. How can one God be three in one? This is incomprehensible, of course, without faith. The term ‘wholly other’ has influenced much of our preaching, and certainly many of our older hymns. Through the rise of contemporary praise and worship music, worshippers have been able to articulate the personal, wholly-present God envisioned in the prophesy of Isaiah above.

Isaiah wants us to grasp the reality of God who we can experience as,

You keep track of all my sorrows.

    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

    You have recorded each one in your book.

    This I know: God is on my side!

Psalm 56:8,9b

When I read Isaiah and the psalmist, I begin to grasp that Jesus fully understands the anxiety I am feeling now. (As I write this, a severe winter storm is forecast, and I have winter whether responsibilities for our HOA.) Jesus fully understands the sorrow I am experiencing for the recent deaths of friends. Jesus fully understands the sorrow I feel for strain in relationships. Jesus fully understands my frustration in my efforts to age gracefully. And Jesus fully understands my feelings when Ben Fuller’s lyrics resonate within me:

I stand in front of the mirror

But I don't like who's looking back at me

Jesus isn’t disappointed with me when I have such thoughts. Rather, He just keeps working in me to imbed these lyrics deep within my soul:

Who I am in the eyes of the Father

Who I am His love set free

Who I was I left at the altar

I am Yours Lord, I believe

It's who I am

I'm a child of the most-high God

and the most-high God's for me

Who I Am

Ben Fuller, 2022 

My Takeaway: The “wholly other” has adopted me as His child. The most-high God is wholly present in my life. He is for me!!!

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 Mission

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 6, 2026

Our Mission

“. . . the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others

and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 

Matthew gave us an excellent mission statement for Jesus. Luke was equally succinct; “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10) Jesus’ first recorded words affirmed his understanding of His mission: “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)

Throughout the four Gospels, Jesus is always very clear about his mission, his destiny. And He knew when He had completed His mission: “(Jesus) said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

As I seek to make the life in Christ my way of life, as I seek to stay in God’s grace for each day, I know I must be continually aware of my mission, the work God has given me to accomplish. And I expect I will know when my mission is complete. By complete, I mean fulfilled to God’s specifications. I don’t want my mission to stop because God removes his anointing from me because of my inattention, or for wandering off on my own, chasing along some rabbit trail. I know there is a reward waiting for me, a crown of glory. But my focus is on my mission, not my crown. The church in Ephesus lost their way and Jesus called them to repent lest he remove his anointing from them. (See Revelation 2)

My Takeaway: Covey’s Seven Habits is an excellent guide to help us stay focused as we take responsibility for our life and our mission. We are to be proactive as we keep asking, seeking and knocking. We are always to stay focused on our mission, our assignment from God. And first things first; we don’t want to let the seemingly urgent things usurp the important thing; our mission from 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.

Why Don’t We Ask?

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 5, 2026

Why Don’t We Ask?

The Lord is close to all who call on him,

    yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 

When Noah built an arc, lives were saved. When Moses raised his staff, the sea parted. When the soldiers marched, the walls of Jericho fell. When a boy shared his lunch, thousands were fed. When a woman touched the hem of his garment, Jesus stopped. The woman, we know her as Veronica, was healed. When Thomas stayed with his fellow disciples, Jesus opened his eyes so he could proclaim, “My Lord and my God.” When Peter returned to his Lord, he was made whole and received a great breakfast prepared by Jesus.

Jesus’ imperative is,

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Are you struggling with your life as a Christian? Don’t forsake the gathering with the saints of God. Keep going to church, to Bible studies, to accountability groups. God will find you there.

Whatever our point of need may be today, God promises to “supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) The apostle Paul made this affirmation after affirming he had received gifts from the church in Philippi. Do you see the connection? We first act on our faith, we ask, seek and knock and Jesus says we will receive, find, and the door will open.

My Takeaway: We don’t have because we don’t ask God for it. (James 4:2-3) Why don’t we ask? 

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.

You Will Receive a Crown

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 4, 2026

You Will Receive a Crown

And when the Great Shepherd appears,

you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

1 Peter 5:4 

When I was a junior, or maybe a senior, in High School I entered the American Legion Oratorical contest. After the speeches were made, I was told I had won the contest. The next day the school counselor came to my homeroom and told me a mistake had been made in the tabulations after the speeches. I came in second place. The metal I received sits in a container on my dresser, seldom seeing the light of day these sixty plus years later.

But my glorious Savior has promised me something eternally greater than my second-place metal; “a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”

In the meantime, as I wait for my Great Shepherd to appear, I am rewarded each day with living in His glorious presence. When my wife, Cheryl, and I talk with others about our life, we always say, we are living in the FOG. The FOG – the Favor of God. For me, my primary core value that keeps me in God’s favor is daily affirming, my life is not my own. I belong to God. By creation and redemption, I belong to God.

Like all people, I have a need to be loved, to be accepted, and to have a sense that my life matters. My Great Shepherd gave His life for me while I was yet a sinner. That is love. He accepts me as His friend, as His brother. That is true acceptance. There is no greater sense of self-esteem, a sense that our life matters, than affirming I am a child of God! And my God is for me! (Psalm 56)

My Takeaway: As we wait for His glorious appearance, let us hold fast to his enduring promise, “for thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4) This promise keeps me in God’s 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 © 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.

To Live Among Us

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 3, 2026

 

To Live Among Us

The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem,

for I am coming to live among you.

Zechariah 2:10 

The Gospel of John proclaims the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy:

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. (John 1:14)

Jesus is the Word. When he became human, He was still King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. He could have retained His royal privilege, but the Apostle Paul tells us,

Though he was God,

    he did not think of equality with God

    as something to cling to.

 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

    he took the humble position of a slave

    and was born as a human being.

Philippians 2:6-7 

Our King of Kings, our Lord of Lord’s became one of us. He lived among people like us. He still dwells among us, and within us. Jesus came to be among us for all eternity. Jesus came to befriend sinners.

My Takeaway: How can we stay in God’s grace for today? By keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Holy One who came to live among us. Perhaps our greatest spiritual exercise is to meditate on the reality of the actual presence of Christ with us.

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.

 

 

Don’t Stop

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 2, 2026

Don’t Stop

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NRSV)

The Apostle Paul is affirming one of the greatest attributes of the first century church: patience. Paul believed that by trusting in God, the followers of Jesus should be patient—not trying to control events, not anxious or in a hurry.

As we rest in the assurance that God is at work within us (Philippians 2:13), we can patiently trust that God will form the life of the Beatitudes and the life of love that Paul celebrates in 1 Corinthians 13 within us. Paul calls us to fully embrace a patient lifestyle:

“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 

Our patience is rooted in God’s character; God is patient and is working relentlessly across time to accomplish his mission. The heart of patience is revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus’s life and teaching demonstrate what patience means and calls us who follow him to a patient lifestyle that participates in God’s mission. Patience is hopeful; it entrusts the future confidently to God. Therefore, we can joyfully embrace Paul’s encouragement: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NRSV).

My Takeaway: As we confidently trust today and our future to God, we will find ourselves secure in God’s grace for today, and each day.

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.

He Was Compassionate

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

January 30, 2026

He Was Compassionate

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:32,34

There are two ways of our culture that are opposed to the ways of God. The first is Performance-Based Acceptance. How we perform may be essential to our acceptance into an athletic Hall of Fame, or world class orchestra, but it is not the way of our spiritual life. Our right-standing with God is based on what Jesus did for us, not what we think we can do to please God or earn our place with Him. Regrettably, Performance-Based Acceptance has become the foundation of many personal relationships.

Secondly, our culture is very transactional. If we do something for someone, they feel compelled to return the favor. If we are gracious to someone, we expect them to return the favor. When we don’t get what we expect in return, we are miffed.

Jesus wanted peace and quiet. The crowds followed him. Jesus wasn’t miffed. He was compassionate. He taught them and he healed them, and he would feed them. I wonder how many thanked Him for their healing, or the wisdom he imparted to them, or for the abundant meal He provided? I suspect times haven’t changed much, so not many. Sometime later, some of them might have been in the crowd in Jerusalem calling for his blood. Even so, Jesus was compassionate. He taught them, and he healed them, and he fed them.

My Takeaway: I want my relationships to arise out of my life in Christ, not from the ways of the culture. I want to grow to be as compassionate as is my Lord Jesus. 

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.