Knights of CRC

Knights of CRC Our mission: To walk beside each man as he strives to fulfill the potential God has given him in his every day life! To do life with each other.

06/19/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Each day we write chapters in the stories of our lives. Other factors, including God, will create the settings, characters, and situations requiring choices. And we get to make those choices. God may encourage, surprise, persuade, challenge, or convict us, but we and we alone decide.

As we live out our stories, we sometimes try to convince ourselves that we can selectively edit out decisions and actions from our stories after we've made them. We self-deceive ourselves by saying, "No one will know." The truth is, every decision and action, good, bad, or ugly, is indelibly written down in the book we've been writing with the pen of our lives.

Thankfully, the plot God has in mind for us involves not only making some mistakes and bad decisions but also learning from them and allowing Him to redeem them. He can redeem even the worst decisions (Romans 8:28). My challenge to you this morning is to keep your story in mind when you are making choices. Ask yourself, "What choices do I want written, permanently, into my story? What do I want the next chapter of my story to be about?"
Steve Sabol
K21

06/06/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Many a man is at odds with himself and the world because he is at odds with God. Nothing seems to go right for him. He's all bent out of shape, and he can't really pinpoint what's bothering him. He experiences inner tension, his relationships are weak, and he gets little or no satisfaction from what he does. He may conclude that the problem is a physical one, so he takes some time off to rest. Or he may decide that the cause of his restlessness is relational, so he changes his job or his wife or both.

But such a man must recognize that his lack of external peace comes from a lack of inner peace. Ceasing from "trying" to obtain outer peace can lead you to the source of inner peace and a deep-rooted sense of order in your chaos.

Contentment and satisfaction can be yours. The apostle Paul called it "peace with God" (Romans 5:1).
Steve Sabol
K21

06/01/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Spiritually speaking, we have to give up before we can be raised up. We have to get to that point where there is nothing more we can do except wait for God to step in and save us.

If someone is drowning, often the lifeguard will allow the victim to wail and flail to the point of exhaustion before they move in for the rescue. Once the victim is near death or given up that the rescuer can safely save the victim.

That is the way it is with us. God knows that sometimes we need to experience a little of death before we can enjoy the abundance of life. The Lord will come to our rescue the moment we have abandoned all our attempts to save ourselves.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/29/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Successfully becoming the men we were created to be requires listening to the right voice. The problem is that we let too many other voices drown out the one that really counts.
First is the voice of compromise. It says, "Everything is negotiable." The noble man has and holds to a list of nonnegotiables. No compromises. It's all or nothing.
Second is the voice of expedience. It says, "I have other things to do. I am a busy man." Our agendas are full. We are practical people. Let's get on it and get it over with.
Third is the voice of politics. This voice asks the question, "Is it popular?" The voice of politics lacks the courage to stand up for what is right.
Last but not least, there is the voice of God. His still small voice speaks to the heart, saying, "Follow me and my ways." It is the voice that gently taps on the door of our hearts asking us to obey. It doesn't demand or beg. It yearns, but it doesn't yell.
Let's be vigilant, gentlemen. Our hearts can become calloused. The more we refuse to listen to God, the harder our hearts become. Ignore the voice and fail to obey it, and eventually the voice of God will become a faint whisper, hardly discernible.

So many voices. Which one will you listen to today?
Steve Sabol
K21

05/28/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
I have learned that life becomes more difficult when we live it for others. Decisions are more complicated when we choose to consider the wishes and feelings of others. Self gets put on the back burner a lot, sometimes more often than we think it should.

Yes, living life for others is harder. But do you know what else it is? Richer and happier and more fulfilling. We are the most fulfilled when we are selflessly giving of ourselves to others. Our world needs more of that. Wouldn't you agree?
Steve Sabol
K21

05/26/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Many men prefer the "Lone Ranger" approach to life. They prefer to work alone, make decisions alone, struggle alone, and take credit for accomplishments alone. I think we are naturally prone as men to go-it-alone because it gives us control and helps us avoid vulnerability.

The problem is Jesus doesn't think much of the go-it-alone approach. But why are groups better in serving others than one man on his own?
Jesus is present in a special way when two or more people join together in His name (Matthew 18:20).
Two or more people are often more confident and make a greater impact than just one man (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
Two or more people enjoy more support and protection than a man on his own (Ecclesiastes 4:10-12; Hebrews 3:13).
Are you prone to take the "Lone Ranger" approach to life? Consider whether it might be beneficial to link up with another follower of Christ. If the answer is yes, push back against your instincts and pride and ask God to send the right person. Then start looking around.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/24/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
What is it that "rests" you? How do you take your mind off of the pressures of life for a few minutes? Where is your reset button located? What is the easiest way for you to connect with God? When are you most likely to hear His voice or feel His touch? Is it praying before anyone else wakes up in the morning? Is it reading the Word on the treadmill or in your car during your lunch break? Is it while you're walking, running, or biking? Does listening to or making your own music do it for you? What does it for you?

God created you with a unique way of finding Him and restoration through Him, even in the hustle and bustle of life. He has undoubtedly already shown you what that is. Think of a time when you felt God's peace and presence the most. Was it a particular way, a place, or an activity? Whatever they are, He's given you the "OK" to do and enjoy those things. As a matter of fact, He wants you to do those things and knows that you must! All that's left to do is for you and I to simply choose to do them—faithfully and often.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/22/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Who or what do we blame when our prayers seem to go unanswered? If we're truthful, we usually blame God. But let's be honest, sometimes we are wrong. Sometimes we are in the wrong due to a lapse in judgment, a bad choice, or a careless mistake. Sometimes the position and condition from which we pray can stand in the way of the answers. It's worth considering that we may be the reason why our prayers are not being answered. It's possible that we can be responsible for God's "no."

As a student of the Bible for over forty-six years, I have discovered at least thirty times where the Bible reveals situations when God didn't answer someone's prayer. Usually it was because of sins that weren't dealt with appropriately, such as a broken relationship, husbands dishonoring their wives, pride, selfishness, and an "I don't care" attitude.

Trust me on this. Our sin can turn off the faucet of God's flow of answers to our prayers. If you are tolerating or hiding any sin or disobedience in your life, don't waste another minute praying unless and until it's a prayer of confession and repentance.

God doesn't answer the prayers of perfect people—He answers the prayers of repentant people.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/20/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
One of my favorite movies is the World War II film Saving Private Ryan. In it, eight US soldiers go behind enemy lines to save their comrade, paratrooper Private Ryan. In the process, many of the men lose their lives on their mission to save one man. Toward the end of the film, in one of the most stirring scenes in the movie, the leader of the group, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks), is fatally shot. Ryan runs to him, and as he is dying, the captain looks at Ryan and says four words: "Earn this. Earn this." What Captain Miller asked of Ryan is, of course, impossible. No man could ever live a life well enough to "earn" the ultimate sacrifice of six other men. But in that moment, Ryan realizes the high price that was paid for his life and that because of this, he has an obligation to live a good life.

In some ways, we are all like Private Ryan. A very high price was paid for us. Jesus was willing to give up His life so we might have eternal life and freedom. In many ways, our response can only be to live in such a way as to reflect our gratitude for what Christ has done for us. But it goes even deeper than that. The members of the team searching for Ryan often quarreled among themselves about whether Ryan was worth the risk. But when it came to you, Jesus had no doubt. In God's eyes, you were worth the price of His Son's life.

So how can we respond to such a gift? Paul says in Ephesians 4:1, "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (NIV). So how will you do that today?
Steve Sabol
K21

05/19/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Tiger Woods was a child golf prodigy. He first broke eighty at age eight and dominated professional golf for years. He reached the pinnacle of his career, having accomplished everything a golfer would want to accomplish. Yet on a November night in 2009, another side of his life was exposed to the public. In the days and weeks that followed, it was revealed that he is a man with a large appetite for s*x. He had a problem with women. He got involved in the wrong relationships. He played with temptation when he should have run from it. And it cost him severely.

Unless we "deal with the real" and get down to the level of "this is what I'm really like," until we do that, those problems will come back again and again and again. The first step is simple yet difficult: admit you have a problem. You'll never get better until you are willing to say, "I really need help in this area of my life." If we do not learn to deal with our problems now, we are going to deal with them later.

Man up. Face the challenge head on. Get some help.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/18/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
At the risk of being perceived as a lunatic, I want to say, "Success isn't all it's cracked up to be." Most of us men are trying to climb the "ladder of success." Planning for success, working for it, worrying about it, all dominate our daily lives. But brother, life is not all about success! Jesus taught us that it's not: "Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot" (Luke 12:15 MSG).

To be totally honest, life is partially about success. We have to spend our lives doing something, so we might as well do it is as well as we can. I'm not suggesting that we forget success entirely. I am simply cautioning you not to make it the main thing! Thomas Merton once said, "If you are too obsessed with success, you will forget to live." When we focus all or most of our lives on achieving success, we fall short of the abundant life Jesus promises us in John 10:10. We miss the opportunity to contribute to the success of others. We fail to be available to those who need us the most, those whose lives can be enriched by us and who can enrich ours.

If this is your struggle, start talking about it. Confess it to God and a few close friends. Repent of it. Tell God you don't want to be that man anymore. He'll help you change, if you really want to. True success is measured by balance and properly placed priorities.
Steve Sabol
K21

05/17/2021

K21 Thought for the Day
Politicians and diplomats are constantly striving to attain a "lasting peace," especially in the many trouble spots of the world. Parents worry about their children who've gotten into trouble and long for "a little peace." There are few things that are more desired or as elusive as is peace.

We must not forget that God has promised His people peace. But we must also remember that His peace is a by-product of living by His principles. If you want peace, you can have it, but it comes at a price. That price is refusing to do things your way and being willing to do things God's way. We have created so much chaos, while God calls us to order, to peace. Doubting the path to peace He chooses for us comes easily, which often leads to a struggle with the answer to the question, "Is God good?" So we foolishly do our own thing, which frequently ends with a chaotic life that painfully lacks peace.

However, when things are done God's way, meaning the right way, things run as He intended them to—like a well-oiled machine. Disobedience throws a wrench in the works, and we're left with chaos and worry. Let's order our lives according the orders of the God of order—and that's an order.
Steve Sabol
K21

Address

Ellsworth, ME
04605

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Knights of CRC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category