Praise the Lord, saints! Happy Monday! I truly enjoyed the reading for today as there were many verses that stuck out for me.
Proverbs 22:6,15 KJV
6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Over the weekend, a few friends and I were discussing what age to let your child date. As they shared their tips, my spirit was grieved because they never included consulting the father. I was truly given tons of worldly advice on how I should allow my child to experience the world. I thank God for His wisdom and an understanding in how to move and raise my son. An understanding in how to train him up, equip him in faith so that He knows God on His own. My friends shared the experiences of their children and simply said that they are their child's best friend and are able to learn all that they do. They took much comfort in just the knowing. My God, help us to understand that while our children will have their own testimony, you've given us the authority and power to drive foolishness from their hearts and they don't have to succumb to the behaviors of their peers. Amen.
Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV
24 Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
This led me to Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
My God, this was good. If I'm being transparent, I have absolutely found myself envying people that can "give it" to a person that has hurt them. That can "go-off" when wronged. That can be "mean" when someone is mean to them and not care too much. My little sister would say, "Nicky, that's not you. God has made you to care and love". As we read today, befriending anger jeopardizes our soul. Giving to the person what they gave to you is for a momentary satisfaction of the flesh, but allowing God to transform us into a new person and changing the way we think, we will then know the will of God and move pleasing in His sight. Our behaviors and words can be a light unto the world. Heavenly Father, we die in this flesh and live in Your will that we will not conform to the world but will be a light unto it and a reflection of your everlasting love. Amen.
God bless you all!