Blessed be the name of the Lord

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

February 3, 2025

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:48, 50

Read: Luke 7:36-50 

I am intrigued by the order of events in today’s passage. First, an immoral woman heard Jesus was eating in the home of the Pharisee. She brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume, then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. (v.37-38)

Next, the Pharisee, who saw the woman clothed in her former sinful life, objected to her touching Jesus. So Jesus tells a story, the point of which was Jesus saw the woman clothed in righteousness.

Interestingly, when Jesus describes the woman’s actions (v. 44-46), she was expressing love and adoration for Jesus first, before he forgave her sins.  Her actions were an expression of perfect worship; Jesus is worthy of our love and adoration because of who he is; not just for what he has done for us.

My Takeaway: This passage reminds me of the song, Blessed Be Your Name, by Matt Redman. A few of the lyrics:

 

Where Your streams of abundance flow, Blessed be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place, 

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord

When the sun's shining down on me, 

When the world's 'all as it should be', Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering, 

Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name 

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.

 

 

Peace with God

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 31, 2025

Peace with God

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,

    whose sin is put out of sight!

Psalm 32:1

Read Psalm 32

Many years ago, in my law enforcement career, I met a teenage boy who was the victim of an assault. Several years later, before I began my pastoral ministry, I heard he was facing many criminal charges and that his life was a mess.  In despair, he had tried to take his own life, and I visited him in the hospital. In our visit, I shared with him how God had been working in my life, and I encouraged him to not give up. As we prayed together, I felt his tears dropping on my hands.

The next day, he called me. He said that after our visit, he had taken the Gideon Bible off the bedside table and opened it. The first passage he saw was Psalm 32. As we talked, it was clear my friend was experiencing the joy of those “whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered,” and the happiness of “those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity” (Psalm 32:1-2 NRSV). My friend had absolutely nothing he could offer God, nothing but a cry for mercy, based on Christ’s love for him. He cried out, and God forgave him and crowned him with new life in Christ.

One of my clergy mentors, Bud Harkey, was a student at Asbury College in 1970 when God moved in a mighty way, and many, many lives were transformed. Bud told me the igniting point was when a member of the Asbury community confessed her sin and cried out to God for forgiveness. After that there were Chapel services, for weeks, where students would give their witness. They would talk about how God was dealing with them about sin in their life, and then they told how God had brought them forgiveness and restoration. Then somebody in the audience would say, ‘that’s like me,’ and that person would come under conviction and come forward and kneel at the altar. A similar revival took place at Asbury in 2023.

My Takeaway: The greatest blessing is to be at peace with God, and at peace with one self. 

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.

New Life

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 30, 2025

New Life

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:32

Read Luke 15:11-32

The young son’s homecoming is a compelling vision of new life in Christ that is often referred to as the Exchanged Life. The young son came to his father with all that he had: dirt, filth, sinfulness, and brokenness. Immediately, the father gives the young son all that he has: his love, blessing, and affirmation of the young son’s truest identity as the beloved child of his father.

The older son’s confrontation with his father is also a compelling vision of the Exchanged Life. The father, when he divided his estate between his sons, had already given to the older son all that was his. The older son is now sinning against his father by refusing to celebrate his brother’s return, and by denying his own kinship with his brother. Yet, the father goes out to him and continues to affirm the older son’s identity as his beloved child, affirming that “everything I have is yours.”

Jesus told this parable because the Pharisees objected to Jesus keeping company with tax collectors and sinners. When Jesus said, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”, Jesus hoped the Pharisees would recall Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37). In that vision, Israel, which was lost, is made alive again by the power of God. This is how Jesus saw the people who accepted his invitation to come into the Kingdom of God. These children of God were dead but are now alive again. That, Jesus believes, is cause for exuberant celebration.

My Takeaway: Whenever I read this parable, I recall Henri Nouwen’s wonderful book, The Return of the Prodigal. Nouwen notes that while we rejoice in the Good News that God makes us alive again in Christ, we, as the followers of Christ, are to step into our Father’s shoes and offer to others the forgiveness we have experienced through faith in 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.

 

Praise the Lord

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 29, 2025

Praise the Lord

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Psalm 103:1

Read Psalm 103:1-3

One of the very best gifts Cheryl and I gave to ourselves for Christmas, almost twenty years ago, is a Bose sound system that has an attachment to our iPod. We have almost six hundred Christian songs on that iPod, and several classical favorites. When we are home, the Bose fills our home with wonderful music praising our Lord.

Whenever I read of praising the Lord, I remember Jesus quoting Psalm 8, and in doing so adding his own interpretation. His insight has fascinated me for years.

Psalm 8:2 states, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength” (NASB). In Matthew 21:16, Jesus quotes this verse saying, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’” (NASB).

So, which is it? Has God ordained strength or praise out of the mouths of infants and babes? It is both. Our strength comes from our praise of the LORD.

My Takeaway: Having beautiful Christian music filling our home helps keep me focused on my desire of always having an attitude of gratitude. And a reminder that when I need strength to fulfill God’s calling in my life, my first act is to, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

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.

 

Step by Step

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 28, 2025

Step by Step

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

Read Matthew 11:25-30

My attention was first drawn to verse 29 because Sunday is my favorite day of the week. On this day, we get to join our friends for worship and study and for partaking of the Eucharist at the Lord’s Table. And, because we truly look forward to our Sabbath Rest. We very rarely schedule any activities for Sunday afternoon and evening. Throughout the week we look forward to our Sabbath time. Truly the Lord intends for us to have this Sabbath rest, but that is not what the Lord was teaching in today’s passage.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe points toward Jesus’ teaching in his poem, True Rest:

Rest is not quitting

The busy career;

Rest is the fitting

Of self to one's sphere.

 

'Tis loving and serving,

The highest and best;

'Tis onward, unswerving,

And this is true rest.

Jesus’ point is within a word he used twice: yoke. (Matthew 11:29-30)

For Jesus, the yoke represents obedience to God. To take Jesus’ yoke is to be obedient to His commandments about the Kingdom of God. It means a willingness to serve others with humility and mercy. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light, not because there is little to do for His followers; this is a yoke he is offering, not a hammock. Being yoked with Jesus means, in a world that can be very hostile to God’s Kingdom, we will affirm each day our desire to fulfill God’s will in our lives,

My Takeaway: Even though Jesus’ yoke calls me to a self-sacrificial life, it is appealing to me because his yoke is the only place my soul has found true comfort, rest and satisfaction. That’s because yoked to Jesus is where I was created to be.

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.

He is Willing

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 27, 2025

He is Willing

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said.

“Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

Luke 5:13

Read Luke 5:12-16

When Jesus healed the leper, he revealed his authority and power to instantly heal and make whole the lives of those who suffer. He also revealed that his mission to bring God’s Kingdom on earth was turning cultural norms upside down. The healing of the leper, who lived on the edge of Jewish culture, is an example of such upheaval.

In his preaching, Jesus described life in the Kingdom of God and invited all people to come and live under the reign of God. The healing of the leper makes it clear that when Jesus invites all people, he means ALL people. In Jesus’ Kingdom, we all, especially those now on the edge of human culture, are invited to sit at the head table.

In today’s passage, Jesus also said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” (V14b) That verse reminds me of the motto of the spiritual recovery group, for people from AA and NA: “It is Ok to not be OK, but it is not OK to stay that way.” The invitation to Jesus’ Kingdom includes a call to repent our sins and follow his ways.

My Takeaway: The last few months have been difficult for me as I had multiple medical appointments seeking the source of a phantom and irritating aliment.  But God! God has proven He is willing, by working all things together for good in my life. For that I am most grateful, and committed to affirm, my life does not belong to me; by creation and redemption, I belong to God. 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.

 

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

Daily Thoughts 

January 24, 2025

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.

Luke 4:14a

Read Luke 4:14-24

Brennan Manning noted that sometimes God calls us to stand alone. When we say yes to God, all we must cling to is our core identity that we are a child of God, hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) In such moments, we are called to make unpopular decisions that express the truth of who we are, not who we think we should be, or whom someone else wants us to be. Sometimes, such standing alone is a heroic act of love. (See Brennan Manning’s Reflections for Ragamuffins, November 27.)

Jesus is our model for life; we are seeking to make the life in Christ our way of life. Our reading for today includes the rejection of Jesus by his friends and neighbors in Nazareth. Jesus demonstrated standing alone, making unpopular statements that expressed the truth of who he was, not whom others wanted him to be. How was he able to make such a courageous stand?

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.

Luke 4:14a 

My Takeaway: When Jesus completed his mission on earth, he ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to fill his disciples with the power of God. “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:11) God has given us all we need to not yield to the temptations of the flesh and yield only to the Holy Spirit within 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 © 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.