“Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.”- James 1:25 (NIV)
Dawn Collins
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
thedailylily.com 
I love the artwork and think it illustrates perfectly ‘the thought to ponder’…a wise owl looking intently with a penetrating look, And not to be just looking, but looking for purpose, perhaps to pursue prey, to avoid danger, to know when to hoot.
I agree with you Debi….the artwork above is awesome! I’d like to share the footnotes from the NLT Bible for James 1:25. Read with me…..”It seems paradoxical that a law could give us freedom, but God’s law offers us a true reflection of our sinful condition and gives us the opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness (see Romans 7:7,8). As Christians, we are saved by God’s grace, and salvation frees us from sin’s control. As believers, we are free to live as God created us to live. Of course, this does not mean that we are free to do as we please (see 1 Peter 2:16). We are now free to obey God.”
“of course, this does not mean that we are free to do as we please”………hum……any thoughts on this last statement?
Yes, I have lots of thoughts on the last statement. One of my thoughts would be I am not being freed to satisfy my lust and flesh but to serve others as the law instructs us to do in love. Example, I agree to serve in the body of Christ by visiting shut ins. I’m given my assignment. Visit once a month, send cards on Birthday and Christmas. I take my assignment but decide they don’t tell me what and when to do. If I feel I want to send card I will if I don’t I won’t. Surely there is no love in this. Just do as I please when I want to. It’s like I will do as I d…well please. Is that a do as I please rather than living my life out of love of God and being free to be do all He designed me to be? Grow up in Him? Mature? Get over your childish selfish ways? And, lots more!
I keep looking at our art owl with this thought in my mind, “not forgetting what you heard but doing it.” Now I know I see eyes 👀S in the owl’s ears! Do you see them?
It does sort of look like eyes in the ears!
Tammy, don’t you think that’s clever, eyes in the ears!
👀 yes
Sara, you wrote above, “Surely there is no love in this. Just do as I please when I want to. It’s like I will do as I d…well please. Is that a do as I please rather than living my life out of love of God and being free to be do all He designed me to be? Grow up in Him? Mature? ”
My pm Oswald Chambers devotional seems to address this. Here are a couple of his thoughts:
“God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me.”…”Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father.”
Debi, thanks for sharing Oswald Chambers pm devotional. I love his teachings as they seem so filled with the beauty of being in relationship with King Jesus. I often hear well if I knew the boss, the owner I could get a raise or whatever their mind goal might be. But, imagine for a nana second the forever privileges that starts in the nana second if we meet King Jesus and work, live and joy in tandem with His law. As OC challenges the mind of our spirit so goes our mirror image. Good job Debi!