"Knowledge Is Power!"

From The Dive @ 6:45 Young Adult Bible Study-Taught 2/28/17
"Knowledge Is Power...What Do I Need To Know?"

"Conjunction Junction...What's your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses!" Some of you will remember this song from the children's educational series "Schoolhouse Rock!" The primary function of Schoolhouse Rock! was to provide an avenue to help young children (and some older ones too) learn about different topics including mathematics, science and history. Though it provided a humorous appeal in its presentation, it stressed the importance of learning to become an educated member of society. For with a show like Schoolhouse Rock!, it gave young children power through knowledge!

And as we journey through our lives, we have to begin and/or continue to create this atmosphere of the power through knowledge! Many of us see the devastating effects of reduction in learning opportunities: loss in wages, spread of alternative facts, loss of historical narratives, destruction of the land, etc. However, where we sometimes miss the m ...Here are two quick ways that knowledge gives us power:

1.  Knowledge Power To Cure The LK Disease!
•  As you know, one of the hardest pills to swallow is knowing that there are some diseases out here that are incurable with any medication or surgical procedure. It hurts to see families suffer and endure this process. And many would think the same about the LK Disease. Oh you never heard of it?? It's the Lacking Knowledge Disease. It's running rampant. However, there is a cure for this disease. It's reading, studying, discussion and research! You have to take time to help cure this disease before it gets too out of hand. For when we cure the LK Disease, three things happen, if you use Hosea 4:6-7 as reference: 1. Destruction is Reduced ("My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge), 2. Humility is Introduced ("The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me) and 3. Longevity is Produced ("Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children")! If we open ourselves to knowledge, we can reverse the course of destruction!
2. Knowledge Power To Help You Determine Who's in your C.A.R.?
• One of the things that has literally always driven me crazy is when folks wanna always ride in my car! Sometimes I be like "Mane, can't we ride in your car. What I have discovered is that God does allow certain people in your life for certain moments and situations. As Pastor Kenneth Robinson put it, "Some people are there for a lifetime and others for a life lesson!" But you have to take time to gain the knowledge about who's supposed to be in your C.A.R., which is...
1. Your Permanent Corner: Everyone in your life is not meant to be there forever. But there are some who are meant to be there forever. When considering your permanent corner, you should be looking to see if the person is providing you with love, accountability and stability (Proverbs 18:24), assisting you with producing the best you (Proverbs 27:17) and rocking with you even when you are at your lowest point (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)!
2. Temporary Assignment: You have to sit back and self assess with prayer and conversation who's only here for a period in time. You do realize that there is a time and a season for everything, including a time and a season for certain people (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5-7). When we hold too long to someone, we cause some significant damage to ourselves and the other person as well. Take some time to determine and gain knowledge about who's around but doesn't need to stay around! 
3. Remote Rearview: You lastly have to determine who ain't even supposed to still be here. Some folks need to be in your Remote Rearview. What's that Darren? It's the spot where you are distant enough from me that I can see you but you can't affect me. You've moved from being an active mover to an antiquated memory. Nothing worse than continuing to move forward while looking back, still holding on to that person who's creating the trouble (Proverbs 13:20)!

Ask yourself: Am I creating an atmosphere for learning and knowledge? Or am I contributing to the LK Disease? Do I really know who's actually in my C.A.R.? Or am I just driving along, dragging whoever around with me? 

Drop your comments, questions or concerns below. 

Be Blessed!

-Darren