What Do You Know?

Few things are touted more enthusiastically in our society than "knowledge." Modern technology, which seems to rule the world, is based ultimately on sophisticated mathematics and science.  Millions of people spend or borrow untold billions of dollars to gain an understanding of those things in universities.  Governments spend billions more to finance medical and other scientific research, so that the knowledge acquired can be applied to improve our material lives or, at the extreme, to comb the universe in search of other worlds to explore. One can hardly utter an opinion on any subject without being challenged to back it up with "scientific studies" of some sort.

But in the grand--and eternal--scheme of things, what does this kind of "knowledge" really avail us?  It may improve and even save lives, but can it tell us what the <i>purpose</i> of living is?  The "what" of human knowledge may be growing exponentially, but does it even begin to shed light on the "why"?  Hasn't the practical deification of "science," and the single-minded pursuit of worldly wisdom, distracted or discouraged most people from even starting to consider seriously what destiny, if any, they'll have beyond this life and this world?

These are issues that today's "knowledge"-driven world doesn't really want you to be thinking about, because they lead people to question and search for things higher and better than the World can provide, things the World can't control and often run counter to the priorities of those who dominate it.

Actually, this is nothing new at all.  Just as in Christ's time on the Earth, there is a kingdom that belongs to Ceasar, and one that belongs to God. Ceasar's kingdom is of this world, which will pass away, but God's Kingdom "is not of this world" (John 18:36), but of Eternity; it existed before the world was made, and it will endure forever after this world is gone. That Kingdom is where we came from, and where will be our true and lasting home.

It follows then that the only "knowledge" that truly counts is that which pertains to and helps us toward the eternal ingdom of God; all else, ultimately, is a distraction and vain. And what is the "knowledge" that we should be seeking? I would suggest: what we are; where we came from; what is expected of us here; where we can and should be going from here; and how to get there. The Word of God tells us these things, as we study, pray, and are enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit.

The duality of our nature, and the dichotomy of man's world as contrasted with God's Kingdom, puts us in a challenginig position.  We have to gain enough worldly knowledge, in school and elsewhere, to function in modern society and take proper care of ourselves and our families. The challenge is to avoid beinig consumed with the pursuit of worldly knowledge and benefits, including the "popularity" that comes with adhering to the morally corrupting conventional "wisdoms" of the day. As is often said, we must be "in the world, but not of the world."  We must always keep God and the things that pertain to His Kingdom and our immortal souls foremost in our lives, and resolve all conflicts between our Heavenly and worldly needs in favor of the former.

Sooner or later, and to a lesser or greater degree, doing so will put us in conflict with the world and provoke derision--or even persecution--by those who have no understanding or regard for spiritual things. As the Apostle Paul observed, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)  We can only pity and pray for those people; "for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  (1 Corinthians 1:18)  Happily, we know for a certainty that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25)  Is it not better to be empowered by our eternal, loving God than by a doomed, selfish world?

Knowledge of our Heavenly Father and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the most precious thing we can attain. Perhaps, as the old adage goes, it's not "what" you know but "Who" that really counts.

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Damaging Words

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)  - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I am always amazed at how an event can bring back a memory with vivid clarity.

Last week, something I heard caused me to remember a most unfortunate event I witnessed many decades ago.

When I was a teenager, I went to a department store with my parents.

As soon as we entered the store, I left my parents and went directly to the sporting goods department.

As a teenage boy, this was one of the few areas of the store in which I had much interest.

Baseball season had just begun so I began looking at equipment made for that sport.

A young man in his twenties was there with his very young daughter.

He was looking at some golf clubs while his little girl amused herself by getting into practically everything.

When she got to the footballs, her eyes lit up.

She picked one up and brought it to her father and asked, "Will you buy me a football?"

Her father looked at her and said, "No. When you’re bigger, I’ll buy you a basketball."

Puzzled, the child asked, "Why not a football?"

The father answered, "Because girls don’t play football. They play basketball."

This only confused the child.

She then asked, "Why don’t girls play football?"

Then the man said something to his daughter that I will never forget!

He looked at his daughter and said, "Because God made girls slow and uncoordinated. That’s why!"

At this the little girl began to cry uncontrollably.

I was disgusted.

Then, as if to accentuate his ignorance, he added, "Don’t blame me. it’s not my fault."

This caused the little girl to cry all the more.

My heart bled for this child.

As I walked away, numerous questions raced through my mind.

I asked myself how a father could shatter a little girl’s self esteem the way he had just done.

This little girl trusted her father to always be truthful with her.

As far as she knew, he had been.

This man laid down a foundation for her future failures rather than her future successes.

I also asked myself how he was able to attribute such a lie to God.

Finally, I wondered what would have happened had the child’s mother heard these words.

At this, I realized that it was very probable that he treated her disrespectfully as well.

I said earlier that it was a recent event that brought this memory back.

When I was at the grocery store, I heard a mother publicly call her young son an "idiot".

When I hear parents speak to their children in such ways, it breaks my heart.

Positive words and encouragement serve to build a child up over time.

Negative words and unjust criticisms can tear them down in a heartbeat.

This is especially true of the words spoken by those children should be able to trust completely.

When dealing with a child one do well to heed Biblical caution.

Matthew 18:10 (NET) - "See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com

Parts of the Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (NET) -  ‘For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not harm you. I plan to give you a future filled with hope.’

I will always be grateful for the mother God gave me.

Her story was not an easy one.

Her first pregnancy was extremely difficult and the child she delivered, my brother, died in infancy.

Her second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.

Heartbroken, she and my father must have concluded that having a child they could raise to adulthood was just not meant to be.

God’s plan was different.

Shortly after my mother turned forty years of age, I was born.

Although neither of my parents ever said anything to me about it, I concluded that I was not the result of any planning on their part.

I was however a part of the plan that God had and that was sufficient for me.

It was my mother who taught me to pray when I was very young.

It was my mother who told me stories from the Bible when I was still too young to read.

As the years passed we developed a great relationship together as mother and son.

That was also part of God’s plan because shortly after I graduated from high school, my father died.

Mother found employment and I left school to do the same.

A few years later, she was diagnosed with arthritis.

It grew progressively worse.

During a downturn in the economy, she found herself suddenly unemployed.

Because of her now debilitating arthritis, her prospects of finding another job were not good.

Fortunately, by the time this happened, I had a better job and she was able to retire.

To me, this was further evidence of God’s plan in action.

Although she remained mentally sharp, her arthritis grew steadily worse.

I tried to keep her as active as her condition would permit.

On really cold or damp days, her arthritis would be especially painful.

On one of those days, she asked for my help with a simple task.

Of course, I agreed and jokingly asked, "What are you going to do tomorrow when I’m at work?"

I will never forget her response.

She looked at me with those still beautiful hazel eyes and said, "I am going to pray."

With all of my heart, I believed her.

I also knew exactly what she meant by that.

She would not be praying for herself.

She would be praying for me and for my safe return home.

When I was young, she taught me with words.

As an adult, she taught me by example.

Again, another glimpse into God’s plan.

Mother died just a few years ago.

Since her passing, I have had many people tell me that God was going to bless me some day for taking such good care of her.

What those well meaning people did not realize was that He was already blessing me every step of the way.

That too was part of His plan.

Because of the faith she instilled and cultivated in me, I have a solid foundation upon which I continue to build and which I now share with others.

Sharing in ways that I do not believe she could have foreseen.

I certainly did not foresee them.

That too was part of His plan.

I cannot help but wonder how His plan will yet surprise me.

As human beings, we cannot see nor even comprehend all the facets of God’s plan.

He does, however, give us glimpses into that plan and even of Himself if we take the time to reflect on how involved He is in our lives.

What glimpses is He showing you?



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com