Knowledge Doesn’t Equal Maturity

fruit treeIt’s been said, “Our knowledge often gets in the way of our understanding.” Knowing facts doesn’t mean we know what they mean, let alone how to use them in our daily decisions.
Imagine being hungry and walking up to a “mature” fruit tree to only find leaves during fruit picking season. The tree drew nutrients from the soil and produced wonderful leaves, but no edible fruit! You’d walk away disappointed with a growling stomach. The Western world is engrossed with knowledge, but not too enamored with maturity.
Maturity is not how much of the Bible we know, but how much we let it change our lives. James writes, “Anyone who listens to the Word, but does not do what is says is like man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (1:23-24)
Are you in the Word of God, but not with the Word of God throughout your day? Become a mature believer. Use the FREEdom process throughout your day to be with Jesus, who will change your life using the knowledge He gives you.
Set “FREE” Nowww

Focused

eye_on_Jesus“Focus on your challenges – you’ll be distressed. Focus on yourself – you’ll be depressed. Focus on Jesus – you’ll find rest.” Corrie ten Boom
It’s our choice who or what we’ll focus on each day; thus, we choose the outcome of our day. Who or what will you focus on today?
S“E”t Free Nowww

Follow Me

Oneida PathI was hiking with my wife, daughter and a few friends up to Oneida Lake, in the Mono California area, where there was an abandoned miner’s camp. It’s an elevation gain of 1,900 feet over 4 miles. The path we took was one traveled by miners who brought up heavy equipment, including a 10 Stamp Mill that crushes rock to get at the gold.
The trail was strewn with so many rocks (some pictured) from the many landslides in this area that I kept my head down to see where my wife put her feet. I trusted her steps as I knew that she didn’t want to trip and fall either. It seemed that every time I looked up to enjoy the scenery I would trip over a rock and almost fall.
This climb gave me a new appreciation for Jesus’ statement to listen to and follow Him and the truth found in Proverbs 4:26-27. “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Where are you putting your feet? Who are you following? Are you looking where you shouldn’t, which will only cause you to trip and maybe fall?
You can trust every where Jesus puts His foot. He will lead you safely up and down the hills of life as you keep your eye on and follow Him. Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life for a reason. By the way, He’ll stop along the way to let you enjoy the sites!
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Satisfied Hunger

satisfiedI was reading, “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus,” about the journey of a devout American Muslim who came to faith in Jesus, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The author writes, “I am imperfect. I do not perform to His standard, why should God bless me? (Ever felt that way?) I both hunger and thirst for righteousness, I do, but I can never attain it. (Experienced that feeling?) God will bless me anyway? Who is this God who loves me so much, even in my failures? (Wow, is he expressing something we all feel?) Tears flowed from my eyes once more, but now they were tears of joy. I knew that what I held in my hands was life itself. This was truly God’s word, and it was as if I was meeting Him for the first time.”
It wasn’t the Quran he was reading, but the Bible – the Word of God. It wasn’t Allah he was hearing, but Jesus – the Word of God. Jesus is life and His words bring life. In this case, the author was reading Matthew when he came across 5:6 which states, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Jesus doesn’t say one has to be righteous to be filled or satisfied (though believers are given His righteousness at the moment of salvation). It’s not your good works or trying to be righteous (i.e. do the right thing in every situation, which is difficult at best, right?) that brings fulfillment. It’s about knowing where to go for righteousness.
Think about it, what do you do when you’re thirsty? You drink. And when you’re hungry you eat. The question is, “Where are you going to eat and drink?” Going anywhere, including religion, other than to Jesus will not satisfy your hunger and thirst. Life is and will always be about Jesus.
Where will you go to be satisfied – your religious efforts or a tighter relationship with Jesus through listening to and following Him throughout your day?
S“E”t Free Nowww

Get at the Root

Big green tree isolatedA few years ago I had a growth on my back that needed to be removed. The doctor cut open the skin and not only removed the cyst itself, but the long root that went with it as well. If he hadn’t, the cyst would have simply grown back, which would have meant another trip to the doctor.
The Spirit brought this memory back to help me remove this recurring thought, which was moving me towards anger if let untreated. I asked Jesus’ forgiveness for letting the root stay – any portion of the thought – and then saw Him take out the growth (in this case the hurtful accusations thrown my way – welcome to the world of Christian ministry, right?) along with it’s root. I saw the stringy root leave my brain!
When my adversary again tried to throw those accusations my way, I simply remembered that stringy root leaving my brain. Jesus, the Great Physician, took it out. Why think about it? The mind kept on Jesus will be kept in perfect peace. Believe me, peace feels a whole lot better than its counterpart.
“S”et Free Nowww