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Lately, many men have begun the practice of " Taking a Knee", especially on Sundays. This is a good thing. I wish all men and women would develop the practice of knee taking, and not just on Sunday's, and not only in America. Recent news articles report men in other countries are taking a knee before they begin work. This too is good, given the right context. Taking a knee is nothing new, men have been doing it for thousands of years. Approximately four millennium ago, Egypt was the world's super power and Pharaoh ruled over all men. He promoted the young Hebrew slave, Joseph as second in command. When Joseph passed by the commoners in his chariot, the subjects would instinctively "Bow the knee!". In proper context, this was a symbol of honor, respect, and submission to their vice-regent. Likewise, those who love the Lord spend much time taking a knee in prayer, worship, praise and thanksgiving. Please take time to read Psalm 95:1-8, then continue with this article. -- Notice, in this context, it is the Lord God, Yahweh, the Almighty to whom we kneel as we give Him honor and adoration. Several things compel us to "bow before Him". First, we recognize that He owns us. We are the "people of His pasture". We belong to Him. He provides for us. He is greater than all others and deserves honor and respect. Next, He is creator of all things. He gave us life. He made the heavens and the earth. He holds all things in His hands. There are no other gods to worship. Thirdly, He gives us the free will to choose Him. By His wonderful grace, He promises us heavenly blessings beyond our imagination, "if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..". That is a choice. Lastly, He is the "Rock of our salvation". There is salvation from the wrath of God which we would suffer as the wages of our sin had we not been "saved through faith. This salvation only comes through one man, Jesus, who is the anointed lamb of God. He is the rock who provides for our forgiveness, when we have faith in Him. He is the reason I bow my knees in worship to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. His name is wonderful and God bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Will you choose to take a knee?
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The lights are out in a full blaze of glory. Tiny specs of illumination outline rooftops, garages, windows and doors. Strings of multicolored mini torches wind around trees, bushes, and even the front bumpers of trucks. We have capitalist and inventor Thomas Edison to thank for giving us the first “lights on a string” in 1890. Decorating has come a long way since the traditional candle in the window welcoming travelers into a ‘Christian’ home. But, what is the allure of that glowing light irradiating a darkened room? Why are we so drawn to gaze upon light piercing the darkness like a moth drawn to the flame? The answer may find it’s origin in our inner man. We know very well our lustful, sinful desires, our secrets and how we struggle with the temptation to “live according to the pattern of the world”. We know very well that spiritual darkness is equated with sin and the activity of the adversary. Colossians 1:13 says “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son...”. 1John1:5 says, “...God is LIGHT, in Him there is no darkness at all.” We have been given a choice to either walk in darkness (a.k.a.- lies, greed, disobedience, rejection of Jesus as Lord) or to “walk in the light as He Himself is in the light.” When we choose to live with Jesus as our very life, in the glory of His magnificent light, we have fellowship with Him! We have fellowship with His apostles and we have fellowship with His church, and “His blood cleanses us from all sin.” Jesus is the “light of the world”. It is only through His gift accomplished on the cross that man has been given the opportunity to dwell with Him in perfect light. Which leads us to a possible Biblical reason for stringing up thousands of these micro luminaries. Paul taught in Philippians 2:14 that the saints must “prove (yourselves) to be blameless and innocent children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, (a.k.a. darkness) among whom you appear as lights in the world.” Let your light shine as a candle in the darkness, a city on a hill, “before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Clearly, we have been entrusted as His children, to light up this black world in which we live by “holding fast the word of life”. Therefore, do not be afraid of the dark. Light always conquers. |
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