A Home for Your Heart

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

October 9, 2025

A Home for Your Heart

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1 

Many years ago, I was blessed to read, My Heart―Christ's Home by Robert Boyd Munger. God used this little book (32 pages) to draw me closer to the intimacy He desired for me to experience in our relationship. A similar book, God’s heart, My Home, could also be written as it would surely capture the point of Psalm 91.

Saint Augustine of Hippo in his book, The Confessions, noted our place of rest in God:  "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

Jesus first promised this:

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-29)

“Let your bearing for one another arise out of your life in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5, The New English Bible, 1961) This verse is my inspiration for my life’s mission to make the life in Christ my way of life. This verse also points to the truth of Psalm 91. My life in Christ is not only my way of life, but my life in Christ is also my life. My life in Christ is the home for my heart; therefore, as I live in the shelter of the Most High, I find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

My Takeaway: My goal is to take the platitudes of this last paragraph and make them the actual reality in my life, I want this prose to become the tangible reality of my life. This reality will make firm in my life the assurance of Saint Paul, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31b) 

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 to God

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

October 8, 2025

Praise to God

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 

Every time the author of Hebrews contemplates the wonders of our God, he is called to worship and praise. (See the end of Chapter 12) Today, as we contemplate the call to continual praise as we proclaim our allegiance to God, let’s formulate our own psalm of praise. I invite you to fill in the blanks with words from your own personal experience as a follower of Jesus:

You are a . . . . . God.                                  God’s character is . . . . .

God’s truth is . . . . .                                     God’s strength is . . . . .

God’s discipline is . . . .                               God’s provisions are . . . . . for my needs.

God’s light is . . . . . . for my path.             God’s grace is . . . . .  for my sins.

God’s plan for my life is . . . . . .

(It is OK if you are thinking of Bewildering, Puzzling, or Troubling)

Spiritual exercises like this help us personalize our understanding of God in our life. Of course, we all are tempted to search for what we think is the expected answer – but for now my only hope is that you will express your understanding, your personal experience as a follower of Jesus.

My Takeaway: It has been my experience, the more I am consciously aware that I am a friend of God, that God is for me, that I am blessed to live in the F O G, the favor of God, the more sincere my prayer: My life is not my own, my life belongs to God, by creation and redemption my life belongs to God.

(Fill in the blanks adapted from, Max Lucado - Safe in the Shepherd's Arms - Hope & Encouragement from Psalm 23)

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.

Carpe Diem

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

October 7, 2025

Carpe Diem

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle;

they are the new people of God

Galatians 6:15b-16 

A handwritten note to Michelangelo's apprentice was discovered in his studio after his death. In the script of an old man, the note said, “Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time.” Or, we could say, Antonio, Carpe Diem!

Yesterday, I mentioned our juggling to keep one eye focused on our new life in Christ, and the other on our life in the heavenly presence of Christ. This is not an either / or choice, but a both / and. In a few verses before those quoted above, Paul noted that the most important aspect of his life was the cross of Jesus Christ, and because of that cross, his interest in the world has been crucified. Paul burned his bridges, and his entire focus was on proclaiming the glory of Christ, each day. This is how Paul understood his life as a new creation in Christ.

The focus of our lives, as new creatures in Christ, may be different than Paul’s. But I believe God’s will for the intensity of our living out our new life in Christ, of our Carpe Diem, seizing each day, is the same as Paul: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

My Takeaway: Those of us in our retirement years may be prone to think our best contributions are behind us. I don’t believe God agrees with that assessment. Michelangelo's advice to his apprentice is good advice for us: Be about the business of the Kingdom of God. Do not waste time.

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.

The Presence of Jesus

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

The Presence of Jesus

October 6, 2025

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

Philippians 1:21 

Since the earliest days of the Christian Church, two questions have concerned every generation of believers: When will Jesus return, and what happens when we die? Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he made it clear the answer to the first question is above our paygrade. The Bible is relatively quiet about the ‘afterlife’. Even though the classical affirmations of faith affirm our belief in the resurrection of our body, there is surprising little detail in the Bible about how and when this will come about. Even though the Bible does not shout, but rather whispers about this issue, its whisper is none the less authoritative. Fear not!

The Apostle Paul models this authoritative whisper in Philippians 1:21-24. He is not afraid of dying because he knows that in that state, whatever it may be, he will be in the presence of Jesus. Paul wrote extensively about our new life in Christ. For Paul, the presence of Christ in his life was the source of his life: “For in him we live and move and exist.” (Acts 17:28) But as he so eloquently noted in 2 Corinthians 4, we experience the presence of Christ in our lives in our earthen vessels, or clay pots. As real as is the presence of Christ within us, so also is the reality of our fallen nature. When we die, we will shed our fallen nature and thus Paul says, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”

My Takeaway: Staying in God’s grace for today can be a bit of a juggling act as we hold dear both truths put forth by Paul, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

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 Highest Ambition for Me

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

October 3, 2025

God’s Highest Ambition for Me

This is real love—not that we loved God,

but that he loved us

and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 John 4:10 

About thirty years ago, I was praying. In my prayer, I had prepared a list of all the things I wanted God to do for me so that I would feel more fulfilled in my life. Yes, I was going through a difficult time and seeking blessings to assuage my feelings of loss. I still remember God’s answer to my prayer: “What’s your point?” On hearing that in my spirit, I turned to Hebrews 12:28-29,

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire. (NRSV)

This passage became one of my life Biblical texts as it formed a passion in me to worship God with reverence and awe. I quickly realized God’s consuming fire was burning out my self-centered prayers. That was God’s point! And His point revealed to me His highest ambition for my life.

The Apostle John tells us God loves us so much, He sent His Son to take away our sins so that we can be in a right relationship with God, our Creator, our Heavenly Father. This relationship makes possible God greatest ambition for me; that I can serve God by living in the new way of His Spirit. (Romans 7)

My Takeaway: Living in the new way of the spirit (Romans 7:6) is how we can seek our life in Christ as our way of life; it is how we can stay 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 © 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.

 

A Life of Service

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today

October 2, 2025 

A Life of Service

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Romans 12:4-5

Last evening, as we concluded our Wednesday service of Holy Communion, our congregational prayer affirmed we have been incorporated into the body of Christ which is the blessed company of all faithful people. Being in the family of God takes many forms. From worship and participation in the sacrament, we adjourned for fellowship and shared an evening meal. This was followed by our Bible study. These family of God dynamics didn’t just happen. The sanctuary was prepared for us, and the altar table was set for The Lord’s Supper. The tables in the hall were set, and the food had been prepared. The Bible lesson had been prepared, and the students were ready to learn and to participate in discussion. Many parts. One body. And because we all belong to each other, every person in attendance had a role to play.

One of the most important mile markers in our journey with Christ is the day we recognize we have a role to play in God’s kingdom, and we proactively embrace our calling. Our calling varies from setting to setting. Sometimes we are called to lead the study, or maybe even cook the meal. Last night my call was simpler: I picked up the salt and pepper shakers from the tables at the conclusion of our meeting. Belonging to one another is our primary calling.

My Takeaway: A few weeks ago, Cheryl and I were first time visitors to a church in a different city. The service was different than what we experienced week to week in our home church. Even so, we have been incorporated into the body of Christ, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, therefore we belong to each other, even to the strangers whom we joined in worship. 

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.

A Daily Blessing

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

October 1, 2025

A Daily Blessing

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources

he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 

As we seek to make our life in Christ our way of life, as we seek to stay in God’s grace for each day, this blessing above from the Apostle Paul is certainly a great way to start each day!

The family structure of biblical times proactively sought God’s blessings as well as parental blessings. The family structure in the 20^th and 21^st centuries evolved into a more individualistic culture where seeking such blessings is not nearly as prevalent. It doesn’t need to remain this way. Just as Joshua calls us to choose this day whom we will serve, we can also choose this day to seek God’s blessing, and in our families being more proactive to giving our blessings.

In my life, I have found this Collect for Grace an excellent prayer to begin each day:

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

My Takeaway: We can also make Paul’s blessing our prayer: “Gracious Father, I pray that from your glorious, unlimited resources you will empower me with inner strength through your Spirit to remain faithful to your calling throughout this 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 © 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.