Bend-A-Knee

 October 8, 2026

     Think back over your life, do you remember a time you had to prove yourself in order to be accepted? Perhaps in elementary school it was learning a “secret” handshake or a password in order to be part of a special club. In middle school it starts and is solidified in high school by the way you looked, dressed, acted or according to your values, athleticism or aptitude. In college, it may have been the requirements to be part of a fraternity or a sorority. If you voluntarily or involuntarily joined the military, you had to pass the rigors of basic training in order to be accepted. Perhaps in your occupation you had to become proficient in a particular area to keep your employment. I’m sure you can think of other examples of proving your worth to be accepted.

     It is interesting that God accepts you as you are by allowing you to become part of His family without proving yourself worthy. Hallelujah! If God only accepted those who He deemed deserving, He would not have any adopted children! A conscious decision of acceptance is all He requires. No “boot-camp” or passing a proficiency test, no acceptance based on merit, just a response to His offer of salvation provided through His Son, Jesus.

     God accepts us as we are but He provides all we need to become so much more. His desire is that out of a relationship with Him you can become all that He saved you to be; not a worldly success but an essential part of His Kingdom plan. Not because He needs your talent or giftedness but because He loves to work through you to advance His Kingdom. It gives Him great pleasure to help you flourish!

     God’s adopted children are an eclectic group, from every tribe, nation, society and grouping. He loves diversity! God is the Master incorporator. His desire is to bring all His adopted children together and incorporate them into His body, the church, under the headship of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

     Today, as you consider pausing at noon to Bend-A-Knee in prayer, thank God for His acceptance of you into His body; not based on ability or worth but upon your response to His offer of grace. May you ask Him to help you determine your place within His body. He wants to use you in a valuable way to advance His Kingdom and will equip you according to His will.  He will work within any one who presents themselves available to His leading. The Master incorporator can integrate you into His body; be open and watch what you can become according to His design for your life!

Stay connected to God & to others

God’s Peace

Pastor Mike