From Psalm 119

Lord I desire to live according to Your laws.

I desire to keep Your decrees and seek You with all my heart.

I will praise You with a sincere heart.

I will treasure Your word in my heart.

I will rejoice in Your way as much as in riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts and Your ways.

When life is down in the dust, I will get life from Your word.

I will choose the way of truth.

I desire Your decrees rather than material gain.

I trust in Your word.

I gain Hope in Your word.

In my affliction Your promise gives me life.

The earth is filled with Your faithful love.

I put my Hope in Your word.

I love Your teaching and I will meditate on it all day.

I love Your insight more than that of all other teachers.

My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.

You are trustworthy in all.

Your word is completely pure.

I gain understanding from Your decrees and live.

I will meditate on Your promise.

I gain understanding according to Your word.

Sanctity Of Life

My story is a story of a life in the hands of the Father.  I would not be here with you tonight if not for being held in His hands at the most vulnerable point in my life.  That point was in my mother’s womb.

You see during the pregnancy my mother had a serious health concern.  She had a kidney stone and only one kidney.  The doctor gave her two choices,  she must have an abortion or risk her life.  My parents submitted to the doctor’s advice and the abortion was performed.  After the abortion,  there was one complication,  my mother was still pregnant.  Of course the doctor was very concerned and said a second abortion must be performed, for this child would be severely deformed. 

After sleeping on it my mother felt the Lord wanted her to have this baby and refused.  I stand before you as miracle of the Lord’s protective hands; He would not allow me to be aborted.  

Psalm 139:13-16 is so true, “For you created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; my frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

My whole life I have felt His presence.  I have always been able to converse with the Father and see Him working in my life.  There are times in my life where I should have feared for my safety, yet I have always felt safe.  Fear is the tool of the enemy, but in the hands of the Most High there is nothing to fear.  

I sometimes wonder why me?

 I may never know completely.  I do know one answer is that He can do whatever He pleases.  The doctors wanted to take my life, but He would not allow it.  One thing to be clear on, is that a child in the womb is a life; a human being; a creation of God and no one has the right to take that life, no one except the author of life Himself.

That said, I know there maybe someone out there who has had an abortion.  I have a word from our Heavenly Father for you.   You are forgiven and your child was held in His hands at that moment and your child is in paradise with Him today.  If you know someone who is struggling because of an abortion give them this word and pray with them.

There are many times I have gotten off track and felt His gentle touch guiding me back.  Sometimes His words are gentle, other times they are quite firm.  He knows how to get the message through.

I have had a very blessed life, there have been struggles, but the blessings far outweigh the trials.  Even many of the trials have led to great blessings.  In all the challenges He has been there to get me through.  There are things I have accomplished which are beyond me.  Mark 9:23 says “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  With God I can do anything, on my own I will ultimately fail.  This is available for all who believe.

Sanctity of life is more than the life of an unborn child.  All life is sanctified.  Struggles and trials are a part of all our lives.  Let me tell you of one which caused deep buried pain in me and my experience in being healed by the Father’s hands.

First I want to say I loved my mother dearly and she was a wonderful person, a great friend to have.  We had many great moments together.  However there were three painful experiences in my life with her.  Two of the three were times she attempted suicide.  Both times she knew I would soon be there to rescue her.  In both cases I acted and did what I needed to save her life, but buried the feelings.  The third time was when she passed away. 

My mother had COPD and I knew she did not want to be on a ventilator in the case where breathing became more difficult.  I tried to call her hospice nurse and her doctor and got no response.  Finally I called 911 and the paramedics put her on a ventilator even though I explained to them she did not want that.  On the way to the hospital she ripped it off.   At the emergency room I was able to tell them what she had written on her chart and was allowed to be with her as she died, with no life support.  I had never experienced this before.

As I watched the look on her face looked to me like a look of disgust, a look I have seen before when she was disappointed.  The feeling I buried was that of guilt, justified or not, for not handling the situation perfectly.  Once again a feeling buried.  I did all I needed to do to prepare for her memorial service and handling her final affairs, but not a tear fell from my eyes.

For thirteen years this emotional and spiritual pain remained buried.   The Lord, as He always has, kept His loving hands on me and saw me through those years.  Protecting me and blessing me.  It remained buried until He felt I was ready for healing.  During the period of time I was writing my book, I was growing even closer to the Father.  One day when I was alone in prayer I heard a gurgling sound inside of me, like something trapped deep down coming out.  I started gagging and coughing, than finally a peace.  So what was this?  It was the Holy Spirit healing me.  It was two days later when I was in church suddenly memories of the night my mother died came to mind and for the first time I truly grieved. 

I know there are so many here tonight with buried pain.  There is only one cure.  Put it in the hands of the Father.   Build your relationship with Him through prayer, deep prayer.  He will dig deep and heal you.  Our Father wants to be with us and converse with us on everything, join Him in a holy relationship.  It will change your life.

http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/guest-speakers/1-17-15-brian-knapp-testimony-guest-speaker-brian-knapp/

Oh Glorious Night

“And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shall call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled whish was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

Mary was so blessed to conceive the Son of God. Oh how glorious that must have felt for her, to be blessed to bear the Child that came to be with us and save us. The Lord came to save us from our sin, but even more to be with us. He is there for us in all things.

Jesus, Emmanuel, came to restore that glorious experience Adam felt in walking with the Almighty. How, even more so for us, as we know from which we have been saved. To be saved from certain death, to reign with the Father eternally in His Kingdom.

Oh how wonderful it must have been to be a shepherd out in the fields and see the angel saying, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and peace among men whom He is well pleased.” Luke 2:10-14

Our Saviour announced by angels, yet humbly found in a manger in a stable. What a place for the King of kings to be born. Lowering Himself to such a place to rise us up out of the depth of our sin. He came to die, that we may live. He came to be with us and walk with us. He came to restore that which was lost in the garden.

Oh Emmanuel, You are with us. You came in a manger and went to a cross to die for us. I join with the angels in saying “Glory to God in the Highest and peace among men.”

I am at peace as I receive that free gift from Christ our Lord. I receive restoration to our Father who was well pleased to send us His Son.

Join me and raising your voice to say Glory to God in the Highest and peace to us all.


Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Chanukah to Passover

 

We all know that Easter and Passover coincide, but did you ever think about the fact we celebrate Christ’s birth around Chanukah?  As I write this it is 2005 and Christmas and the start of Chanukah start on the same day.  Is there a connection between Christmas and Chanukah?  Do Chanukah and Passover connect?

What is Chanukah, otherwise called the Feast of Dedication?  Chanukah is Hebrew for dedication.  It is a lavish festival commemorating the purification and reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple and dedication of the new alter by Judas Maccabeus in 165/164 BC.  Three years to the day after Antiochus IV Epiphanes had desecrated it by decreeing pagan sacrifices there.  That date was the 25^th day of Chislev which is around the November/December time frame.

We were desecrated by the sin of Adam and Eve.  Christ came to reconstruct our relationship to God.  He came to purify us through His blood.  Just as God’s temple at Jerusalem was reconstructed and purified, we God’s temple are to be reconstructed and purified through Christ.

Chanukah was commemorated with mirth and gladness, singing of thanksgiving hymns and processions in which palms and other greenery were carried.  When Jesus entered Jerusalem that final time before His death on the cross and resurrection, He was met by singing of praises and branches of greenery and palms spread out on the road before Him (Matthew 21).  After His entry He cleansed the temple “And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were selling, saying to them ‘It is written; And My house shall be a house of Prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.’”  Luke 19:45-46.

Mankind had made God’s creation a robbers den.  Christ came to purify and cleanse us.  “For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL IN THME AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE.’”  2^nd Corinthians 6:16.  We are God’s temple and we had to be purified before the relationship could be restored.

Around 70 AD the feast was observed by the lighting of lamps in private houses.  These lamps were lit on successive nights, thus the designation “Feast of Lights.”  “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’”  John 8:12.

In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, Jesus tells us we too as His followers are the light of the world.  We are to let our light shine before men in such a way that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in Heaven.  We are to stand as a purified temple of God where His glory can be seen at all times.

He came to purify us and ultimately did that at the time of Passover.  God’s angel of death passed over the Israelites in Egypt when they put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.  It is now Christ’s blood that is on the doorposts of us His holy temple.  For Christ is the Lamb of God; the perfect sacrifice.

It is on the occasion of the Feast of Dedication that Jesus described Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God.  “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.  The Jews therefore gathered around Him and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly’.  Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe, the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.  But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.’”  John 10:22-30.

The celebration of a new life, reconstructed by Jesus, begins with Chanukah and continues through Passover.  Are you one of His sheep?  If so hear His voice then repent and open yourself up for purification and be cleansed.  Go out in live a life that glorifies God, for He is dwelling with us in His cleansed temple.  We are to let out light shine to the rest of the world that they may find their way out lf the darkness.  Make your life a perpetual feast of light.


 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Are you a slave to sin?

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7

You no longer have to be a slave to sin, as Paul writes we are free from its hold on our life.  Live in Christ’s resurrection an in the glory of the Father.
Not there, still feel the tug of sin in your life?  I too feel that and even slip knowingly into its trap.  Am I lost, are you lost?  Paul was right with us.  After Romans 6 he writes Romans 7 addressing this very issue.

After talking about doing what he hates and knows he should not do, Paul says, “But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.  I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me out of the body of death?  Romans 7:20-24

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”  Romans 8:1-3

So when we sin it is okay?  This answer is no.  While we are tempted and my give in, it cannot be a way of life.  We must walk in the Spirit.  “that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For mind of flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:4-6

It is the path we choose to stay on that is the key.  The longer you are on a path, the more difficult it is to get off.  Walk down the path of the flesh too long and it will lead to death.  Best to not even go there, but if you see yourself straying turn around quickly and get back in the Spirit and receive peace.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8-11‬ HCSB)
 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Up and Down

Are you a slave to sin?

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7

You no longer have to be a slave to sin, as Paul writes we are free from its hold on our life.  Live in Christ’s resurrection an in the glory of the Father.
Not there, still feel the tug of sin in your life?  I too feel that and even slip knowingly into its trap.  Am I lost, are you lost?  Paul was right with us.  After Romans 6 he writes Romans 7 addressing this very issue.

After talking about doing what he hates and knows he should not do, Paul says, “But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.  I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me out of the body of death?  Romans 7:20-24

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”  Romans 8:1-3

So when we sin it is okay?  This answer is no.  While we are tempted and my give in, it cannot be a way of life.  We must walk in the Spirit.  “that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For mind of flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:4-6

It is the path we choose to stay on that is the key.  The longer you are on a path, the more difficult it is to get off.  Walk down the path of the flesh too long and it will lead to death.  Best to not even go there, but if you see yourself straying turn around quickly and get back in the Spirit and receive peace.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
   http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Our Sins Passd Over

“Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old.”  Exodus 12:5a

“Moreover they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two door posts on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.  And they shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall it it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”  Exodus 12:7-8

This is what the Father had the Israelites do to save the life of their first born in Egypt.

“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike down all the first born in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:12a

“And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:13

Christ came and shed His blood to be put over our hearts to protect us from judgment.  His flesh was roasted in hell fire so ours will not.  Christ told us we were to eat His flesh.  “And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it the disciples, and said ‘take eat; this is My body’.  And He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.’”  Matthew 26:26-28

He is the perfect lamb; without blemish whose blood was shed for any who put the blood on the door post of their heart to show that they believe the judgment will pass over them.  It is His flesh that roasted in hell fire for us to have life.  Accept His blood and pierced body as the sacrifice for your sins.  Eat and drink and be set free.  As Pharaoh finally let the Israelites leave Egypt, Satin has lost his claim on your life.  We are no longer slaves in a foreign land.  We now inhabit the kingdom of God.

His blood of the covenant is from the promise He made Abraham in Genesis chapter 15, that He would offer up His blood no matter who broke the covenant.  Mankind broke it and His blood was shed.

Christ is the first born whose blood was shed for us.  “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation.  For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  Colossians 1:15-17

A first born was to be taken and He became that first born, since He was the first born of all.  All things are held together in Him; our lives are held together by Jesus so we would not have to be broken and roasted.  Our flesh lives because His was sacrificed.

Our sins are passed over and we are one with the first born of all creation; the one who created it all.  Accept and believe and rise up anew on Easter morning.

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:


Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:


Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

On His Birthday Honor One He Honored

On that glorious day of our Savior's birth, someone humbly was a part of His coming to save.

Jesus was at a wedding with His mother and His disciples.  In the course of the celebration the wine rant out.  Mary knowing clearly who her Son was went to Him and told Him, “The have no wine” and Jesus said to her “Woman what do I have to do with you, My hour has not come.”  John 2:3-4
Jesus is at this moment separating Himself from His mother.  I have heard it said this is the moment He points out she is no longer a controlling factor in His life, that her significance is over.  But there is more.  Note what happens next.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you do it.’”  John 2:5  There were some water pots and Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water”  John 2:7  They drew some out and found it had become wine.  This is the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana, but there is more.  Even though He was establishing who He is at that moment, He also honored His mother.  Jesus was obeying the fifth commandment to honor His parents.  Mary is not insignificant in His life.
It is clear how significant Mary is to her Son, God’s Son.  While she is not to be worshiped there are two scriptures that show what she means to Him.

An angel came to Mary and said “Hail favored one!  The Lord is with you.”  Luke 1:28  She is the favored one of the Lord, no other has received such a blessing, to be the mother of God’s Son.  She is considered the most blessed among women.

Then just before Jesus said His last words He made sure His mother was taken care of.  “When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He had loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!’  Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’  And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”  John 19:26-27
Jesus’ last concern before giving Himself up to death was for His mother, that she be cared for and gave His final instruction on that.  Jesus, creator of the universe, honored His mother.  He did not worship her, but He did honor her.  We should honor her as well.

Have a Merry Christmas

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Right of Way

Where ever you drive in America there are rules of the road where someone has the right away depending on the situation.  These rules are meant to create an even flow of traffic.  Most drivers know the rules and obey.  Some out of fear of a ticket and others who know it is the right thing to do.
 Beyond these rules of order on the road we find three kinds of people.  Most follow the rule; a second type yields the right away on a close situation; the third steal the right away whenever they can.
There is a route I take to work where I see all three daily.  There are a number of intersections where one direction always has the right away, no stop required.  The crossing traffic has a stop sign and by law must wait for an opening to proceed.  In the morning traffic is quite heavy and it is stop and go.  If the vehicles with the right away continued to take it the cross traffic would never move.
What has developed over time is a process where every other car allows someone at the stop sign to go.  This alternating yielding allows for a better flow of traffic.  We see people adapting for the good of all.  No one is stuck waiting for an opening.  These are the yielders.
Some in this situation do not allow a cross trafficker to go.  That is their right and they take it.  Then there are some who go right through the stop, no matter what.  One morning I saw four cars in a row force their way through.  These people feel it is their right and everyone must stop for them.
This is the way of life.  Some simply follow the rules and move through life taking nothing extra and giving nothing extra.  These people go through life with nothing much in return.  Some even complain, I follow the rules and get nothing for it.
The right away stealers move through their life taking all they can get.  And it seems to work out for them.  Some earn a great deal of money on the backs of others.  Are they successful?  Depends on how you define success.  Many of these people complain that they don’t have enough, they are never satisfied.
Then come the third group, they give their rights away for the benefit of others.  This must be a choice, I am not talking about socialism where it id forced.  These people are typically satisfied with life, no matter the challenges or trials.  They will give credit to others for their successes.  They are willing to share all rewards for success.  These people make the best of tough situations.
As human beings we all have some of all three in us.  The key is which of these styles is dominant in your life and which of these styles honor our Savior?  I hope Christ is your Savior, if not think about His style.
As creator of all God has the total right away to do whatever He wishes.  As sinners He has the right to put us to death.  Don’t think you are a sinner?  I challenge you to make an honest review of your life.
So Jesus comes into the picture and show His style.  He came to earth to teach us and show by example how to deal with the right away.  First He showed us to show compassion by the way He showed love through healing.  He taught us how to treat others by not judging, but in forgiving.  He taught there are consequences for not following that path.  He taught us to give and to help others out of love.
Ultimately, when faced with false charges and condemned to die, He did not demand His rights.  He surely could have stopped it with one word, but did not.  He is the ultimate example of giving away the right away, that others may proceed into a right relationship with God.  A relationship we forfeited when we chose to sin.  We are cleansed when He had the right to condemn.  Christ yielding the right away to all who would receive.  It is not something we can take, we must receive.  Those who go through life neither taking or giving also miss the boat, because they do not see they actually have no right to proceed unless they accept the yield from Christ.
Through our gracious Lord and Savior we have the right to take the right away He has given through His sacrifice.  Proceed and have everlasting life, a life we have not earned, but have been given out of love.
God Bless

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
  Read Brian's columns at:
  http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
   

Diwali and The True Festival of Light

India has a holiday called Diwali.  It is a festival of lights, there is meant to be an atmosphere filled with the spirit of joy and happiness.  Diwali is defined as a unique confluence of happiness, bliss and prosperity.  It is said it symbolizes the age-old culture of India which teaches them to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge.

I pray that those celebrating this festival will see the true Festival of Light.  The true Light is Jesus Christ and the festival is His coming to shed that light on the world, die for our sin and finally rise again that we may be that festival of lights in the world.

In Christ there is pure joy in a joyless world.  You can always live in an atmosphere of joy with the Savior in your life.  We can be happy and prosper when we live in sync with our heavenly Father.  We can have His knowledge and wisdom when we build on that restored relationship Jesus delivered to us.

When we vanquish ignorance with the Lord’s knowledge and wisdom we are set free.  It is wisdom that enables us to use knowledge in a constructive way.  Knowledge without wisdom can be destructive.  The first seven verses of the book of Proverbs ties knowledge, wisdom and God together.

“To know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteous and just and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion:  that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; and that the understanding may attain unto sound counsels:  to understand a proverb, and a figure, the words of the wise and their dark sayings.  The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 1:2-7

So during this time of Diwali, see the true light.  “Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus, He responds in verse 14.  “Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I came or whither I go.”  The Pharisees were very knowledgeable men, but lacked wisdom, the wisdom to see who Jesus actually is.  They were blinded by the darkness of their hearts.

Let the Savior’s light shine in your life and you will know where He came from, God the Father, and where He went, to prepare a place in eternity for us with the Father of Light.  His light will heal you and set you free from the bondage your past pains have put you in.  Be set free by the true Festival of Light.

God Bless

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
 http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
 Read Brian's columns at:
 http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
  

Be Who God Made You To Be

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”  Jeremiah 29:11
God has plans for all of us.  He built you and I to be who He wants us to be.  We are all different and God made us that way, be who you are and let others be who they are.  We are made to complement each other and work together for God’s good.  Learn to work together and prosper in the plans the Lord has for you.

Each of us has our strengths and method of doing things, rather than try to change someone you are in a relationship with or working with, learn to utilize their ways to learn yourself or accomplish tasks together.

I am not saying it is okay to say that is the way I am so I am okay.  The Lord goes on to tell Jeremiah, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.  You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:12-13

Seek Him and seek His will, just as Jesus did.  Jesus often went before the Father seeking His will and gathering strength.  This, the perfect One, teaching us how to have that relationship and see God’s plan for our life.  “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me.  Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.’  And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven strengthening Him.”  Luke 22:41-43

So it is not enough to simply make excuse for how you are, make sure you are in sync with the Father.  It is okay to make your requests, but be open to His greater plan for you.  Trust Him.  On the other hand understand everyone else must seek the Lord to make changes in themselves.  We cannot change them.  It is okay to give Godly advice, but always ask them to seek the Lord’s wisdom.

Use each other to accomplish goals in life, help where you are strong and utilize the gifts of others to strengthen the plan.  Jesus didn’t choose 12 disciples that were the same, He chose 12 men who had different perspectives to reach others.  He did however push them out of their comfort zone, read about Peter.  Move out of your comfort zone, but do it in the way God plans you to work.  Style is not important, results are.  Don’t criticize style, unless it is something ungodly or clearly against God.
Don’t put down, build up, just as God did Jeremiah.  Some are good at coming up with ideas, honor that.  Some are good at taking the idea and analyzing it and determining the feasibility of the idea, trust their study.  Others are good at taking the idea to completion, maybe differently than you envisioned, trust them.  Build up others in relation to their strengths and encourage, not put down, them in their weakness.

God made you who you are, be that person and resist the temptation to try to make another be like you or how you want them to be.  Part of the process of becoming who God wants us to be is to see the kingdom of God and Jesus explains how, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3  Jesus goes on in verse 5 to say we must also be born of the Spirit.  Receive the indwelling of the Spirit of God to truly see His plan for you.  Follow these plans and honor others who are seeking the same.  If you do not know, seek Him.

Sometimes the pain we feel is because we are going against God.  So be who God wants you to be and receive healing.  Others may not like it, but you can have peace if you are in God’s perfect will.

God Bless

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

 Read Brian's columns at:
 http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:

Kindle

Nook Book

Google


If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
 Read Brian's columns at:
 http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
  

My Struggle

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43

Jesus is talking here with a thief who saw who He was in the last moments of his life and is saved.  It does not go into the thief’s life.  Did he know God before he went down the path of crime?  Did he have a religious upbringing?  Was he Jewish and raised going to the Tabernacle?  We don’t know the answers to these questions of what is life was like.

What we do know is he was a man going down the wrong path and was about to receive the consequences of his choices, eternal consequences.  We know he repented and believed at that last moment before starting his eternal path.  It did not look good for him, but Jesus accepted his confession at that moment when the final path must be chosen.  A moment when Jesus himself was suffering greatly.  This gives tremendous hope.

Here is where I struggle.  I already know Christ in this way, I have a personal relationship with Him.  My struggle is that I too often veer onto a path Jesus warns us against.  So far I get a check from the Father warning me.  My fear is what if the day comes when I keep on that path and ignore the Lord’s warnings.  It is scary.

My only hope is that He holds on.  My task is stay near Him so I won’t slip away.  I must stay in His Word; I must stay in prayer; I must continue to journal as He gives me insight through His Word and answers to prayer and through others He uses in my life to give me clarity.

Thankfully He gives me hope when I stray.  If I do not receive that hope I devalue what Jesus did on the cross.  Thank You Father for the hope You give me; Thank You for the grace you have shown me.  For I am that thief waiting to hear:  “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”  I live my life on that hope and look forward to that day.

Until that day I will follow the words of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  James 4:8

As He draws near to me I am purified.  I cannot remain on the right path without that closeness to the Father; my Father; your Father.  Without keeping close I will go down the path of a double minded sinner.  Bring your mind into a single minded state, God’s state of mind.  Draw ever so near to Him and the struggle lessens.

God Bless

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God

Now available in ebook format:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=In+The+Hands+Of+The+Father&x=13&y=20

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-hands-of-the-father-brian-david-knapp/1028827867?ean=2940013825475&itm=1&usri=in+the+hands+of+the+father

http://books.google.com/books?id=bKdtxu_6gWsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=in+the+hands+of+the+father&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6kIDT4f5NqakiQLdpLn1Bg&output=reader

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.

Happy New Year

What will the new year bring.  My hope is this will be a year we turn back to God, not only in my home in America but around the world.

2011 has been a tough year for many around the world.  Many have been protesting and calling for change.  What is that change they are looking for?  When I here some talk it is not clear.  But they do sound angry and frustrated.  Unfortunately many are out their for the spotlight and many just want a hand out just for being here.  They feel they are entitled.

They are looking in the wrong direction if they want true hope and change.  Even though none of us are entitled, there is a free gift they can get that brings true hope and change.

Look to Christ for that free gift.  Look to Christ for hope and change and He will deliver.  No politictian can, but Jesus can.  He can deliver on eternal life, no other can.

I say to the protesters and to all those looking for answers get down on your knees right where you are and ask, that is all it takes, just ask.  Jesus will come into your life and give you hope no matter where you are in your life.

This is not earned, it is given to all who ask and believe.  Give Him your life and He will give you life.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him."  John 3:16-17

That is the hope we need for 2012, ask and believe.

God Bless,

Brian

By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist

Author of:

In The Hands Of The Father:  My Life With God

Now available in ebook format:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=In+The+Hands+Of+The+Father&x=13&y=20

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-hands-of-the-father-brian-david-knapp/1028827867?ean=2940013825475&itm=1&usri=in+the+hands+of+the+father

http://books.google.com/books?id=bKdtxu_6gWsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=in+the+hands+of+the+father&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6kIDT4f5NqakiQLdpLn1Bg&output=reader

If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Xulon Press

If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
 http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp

Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.