To all my Great News On Line Friends, and to all first time Readers, welcome to June’s blog post. And to kick-off this beautiful season of growth, I am delighted to introduce the newly formatted Inspirational Insights blog page.
There is so much to inspire mind and spirit by close observation of nature - God’s masterpiece! Each morning I find that as I revel in the Creator’s handiwork in my dew kissed garden, and incline my ear to listen for Holy Spirit’s still, small voice, that my awareness is peaked to fully experience the joy and beauty of the material world through that spiritual connection. And, it is that same connection that allows me the “know even as I am known”.
We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.
But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!
We’ll see it
all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us,
knowing him directly just as he knows us!
1 Corinthians 13:12
A lemon and lime, sun-drenched day lily… birdsong and butterflies… orchid hyacinths floating in a verdant pond… the air perfumed by spires of graceful lavender: they inspire me - call me - to pen and page. I can’t resist sharing the images with you that I captured today as the sun began to toast the ground and the Spirit arrested my attention with a single word: knowledge.
  
All photo images Copyight  Visible Light Ministries, 2018
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2 NKJV
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin
Sixteenth century English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, orator, and author, Francis Bacon, revealed in his essays his three major life goals: to uncover truth, to serve his country, and to serve his church. In the pursuit of accomplishing those goals, he came to this profound conclusion: “knowledge is power."
In the 18th century, 1758 to be exact, it became apparent this truism of old resounded with Benjamin Franklin when he authored “The Way to Wealth” – our country’s first book of financial advice. The same man who coined the wise saying “a penny saved is a penny earned” also penned this advice for the ages: “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. Franklin viewed his investment in knowledge – any person’s dedication to learning - as an avenue to financial and social power. Who could dispute that his counsel, and that of Francis Bacon before him, has never been more relevant than it is today?
Today, abundant avenues of attaining knowledge are available to eager students in most of the world. As knowledge is acquired at warp speed via technologically instant accessibility, we have at our fingertips the ability to develop a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Likewise, we have ample opportunities to procure the foundational knowledge that leads to personal achievement. As students of the text, and of life, we can readily learn to make better decisions and increase our value in the marketplace and society at large. So, who could argue with Franklin’s quote that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest”?
I will argue that what goes in comes out. That is: we are what we think about most of the time. Our final outcome at life’s end depends on the type of knowledge we allowed to fuel our personal philosophy, morality, dreams, and goals.
Scripture warns of teachers who share knowledge that defiles rather than enriches. It speaks of their beguiled students as those who are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Any observant person can attest to the fact that we live in a time of vast misinformation and media manipulation. Not every self-ascribed teacher or expert is worthy of our trust and our ear. Discerning the true source of knowledge is the paramount action between failure and success.
Far above the knowledge that empowers us to earn, climb, shine, and find acceptance in the eyes of men, is the essential knowledge that empowers the spiritual man. This knowledge that leads to life is found only in the study of God’s Word and through experiencing an intimate and abiding relationship with Him.
The Old Testament speaks to this kind of knowledge like this: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8 NIV)
The New Testament speaks to the learner instructing us to add action to our knowledge; and, with that action comes a promised blessing! Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9 NIV)
Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3 Amplified Bible)
 Being a student has no end. We never “arrive”. Before us daily are vast reservoirs of knowledge awaiting our discovery and implementation: knowledge that can enhance and empower or that which enslaves and derails every hope and dream. Let us then endeavor to grasp the eternal knowledge of the God who loves us: knowledge that produces wisdom that leads to abundant life.
Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you. Psalm 25:4-5 Living Bible
May the God of peace be with you always!
If you cannot see the pictures click on this arrow  It may be your mail server.
P.S. Take a listen; and as you do, open your heart to the knowledge of our altogether lovely Lord.
“That I Might Know Him” by David Teems
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