A walk with the light

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:15 (NIV) “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it away.” There have been a lot of discussions in my church, and in other groups that I am in, about “When did our societies values degrade? What generation is responsible? And who is responsible?” Each generation seems to point the finger and blame the younger generation. I hear each age group say “My generation is not as bad as,” this generation or that generation. I surely tell you that each prior generation is responsible for the subsequent generation. It all starts with how children are raised. What are they taught? Are they taught that the Bible and God are the ultimate authority? Are they taught to take it literal or that it is okay to bend the rules? How are they disciplined? Are they disciplined? I have seen with my own eyes, each generatio...

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” In this life there are many things that I want to experience and many places that I want to see. I save my money, time off from work, and plan for the future. The reality is that in this life I may not ever accomplish the plans that I make. The Lord is in control, he is going to place me where he wants me, and use me as he sees fit to do. My job is to be obedient to his will, to do the good works that he has set before me to accomplish. We may not like the places he wants us, the job, the geographical location, but God has a purpose for us being there. We may not like the fact that he tells us “NO” at the time, but in retrospect and with maturity, we may see his purpose for doing so. I am so frequently reminded of Genesis 8:21 when God said, “… every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood…” The definition of inclination is our natural tendency or urge t...

Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV) “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added or taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” I get asked often by non-believers, “If there is a God, then why does he let bad things happen?” I have worked for many different bosses in my life, and I have been a boss as well. There are bosses who are so easy going that no one will take them serious, and they do not discipline their employees, therefore production suffers greatly. There are bosses who are so micromanaging and overbearing that they cannot keep employees, and it is almost as if they take joy in punishing their employees. Then there is that boss who cares about their employees, commands their respect, and takes righteous disciplinary actions when needed. They generate a healthy level of fear knowing that there is the possibility of punishment. The latter is the boss every “good” employee wants to work for. The sluggards will prefer the first and no...