God Took the Initiative

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 23, 2025

God Took the Initiative

And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.

Acts 10:42

Read: Acts 10:34-43         

This passage records Peter’s sermon in Cornelius’ home in Caesarea. Cornelius was a Gentile, a Roman Centurion, who was fed up with all the idolatry and wimpy little gods in the Roman Empire. He wasn’t a Jew, but he was attracted to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because of the positive influence of the Jews living around him in Caesarea. He was on the outside looking in, practicing the best he could faithfulness to the God of Israel. His openness to God opened the door for God to speak to Cornelius and arrange this meeting with Peter.

In just a few words, Peter displays his passion for Jesus and his belief that God’s plan of redemption for the entire world, first begun with the Jews, is now complete in Jesus: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (v.43)

Cornelius’ hope in inviting Peter to his home was that he would be welcomed into the family of God through forgiveness and transformation. He was!

The Holy Spirit came to Cornelius’ household, just as it did on the day of Pentecost. A definitive statement that in seven years, Peter and the others were well on their way as witnesses for Jesus in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

My Takeaway: Two points captured my attention in today’s reading. First, the salvation of Cornelius and his household, began with God. God took the initiative through visions to both Cornelius and Peter. Secondly, God’s plan for Caesarea was fulfilled through the obedience of both Cornelius and Peter. As I pray for God to order my steps, I am asking for a sensitivity to His leading, especially when he wants me to witness for Christ.

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.

 

In Touch

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 22, 2025

In Touch

Before daybreak the next morning,

Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

Mark 1:35

Read Mark 1:35-45

Jesus was fully human. Jesus put in a full day in Capernaum where his time with the people needing his touch, and his teaching, went well into the night. Jesus must have been exhausted when he finally was able to lay down. And then, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” (Mark 1:35)

What is your first thought when reading this verse? Mine is of that catchy slogan, “The Main Thing, is to Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing.” Jesus certainly modeled the Main Thing throughout his life; he stayed in touch, through prayer, with his Heavenly Father.

In our house, we try to follow this pattern by using an Anglican/Methodist collect, that dates back at least to the eleventh century (and possibly the eighth), to begin our morning prayers:

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

My Takeaway: The Main Thing is prayer. While the Collect for Purity is helpful in focusing our minds, and hearts, for the day, it is not enough. Jesus prayed so he would have a compassionate heart, and for God to order his steps each day. And so must I.

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.

Heart & Hand

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 21, 2025

Heart & Hand

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch.

Mark 1:32-33

Read Mark 1:21-34

Jesus taught with confidence and authority. Jesus had such compassion for the people he spent half the night in Peter’s home healing the sick and casting out demons. That was Good News for the people, and they were drawn to him. The verse quoted above reminds me of mission trips to Cuba where people filled the house where we were preaching and lined up by the windows and doors. I remember an evening in Ciego de Ávila where the crowd spilled out onto the front porch. A man and wife, out for their evening walk, curious about the singing and large crowd, stopped and listened from the street. Later, when I gave an invitation to receive Jesus, they were the first to respond.

Jesus had a heart of compassion for the people, and out of that compassion his hands brought a healing touch.

My Takeaway: My mission statement, seeking the life in Christ as my way of life, is inspired by Philippians 2:5 (NEB), “Let you bearing for one another arise from your life in Christ.” It is within my life in Christ that my Godly compassion for others is nurtured. And it is Godly compassion that empowers our healing touch for others.

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.

 

Present Help in Time of Need

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 20, 2025

Present Help in Time of Need

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him,

“They have no more wine.”

John 2:3

Read John 2:1-11

When I pray with someone, I often include Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

Jesus fulfilled this Psalm throughout his life. In sharp contrast for the signs that were the subject of the devil’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, the signs Jesus performed were always in response to a very present need.

John’s Gospel includes seven of these signs. Today’s reading is the first sign at the wedding in Cana, Chapter 4 has the healing of the centurion’s servant, Chapter 5 has the healing of the man by the pool of Bethesda, in Chapter 6, Jesus feeds 5,000 in the wilderness, Chapter 9 has the healing of the man born blind, and in Chapter 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The cross is the seventh sign, and what a glorious sign it is; through the cross, Jesus saved us from sin and death. Hallelujah!

There is much to ponder from the details of Jesus’ visit to Cana. I believe the miracle at the wedding in Cana, as well as the other signs, helps us see signs of the Messiah in the ordinary flow of life. Fourteen years ago, when Cheryl and I went to the Holy Land, we renewed our wedding vows in a chapel in Cana. In our married life together, a life we describe as living in the F O G, the Favor of God, we see signs everyday of God’s favor and blessing.

My Takeaway: What’s on your agenda for today? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you be open and receptive to the signs of the Messiah in your life? Is there a point of need in your life for which you need Jesus to come to your assistance?

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.

 

 

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.