In The Hands Of The Father

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

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.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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