Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  Proverbs 22:6

I like to go to the mall and just sit and watch people!  I think people, their actions and reactions are very interesting.  I have always enjoyed observing life and seeing things that most people miss.  In fact, I have noticed that my oldest daughter Gracie has picked up the same habit/skill!  She often sees things that I miss!  (Younger Eyes!)

One of the things that I have noticed in recent days is how a lot of parents are having a hard time saying “no” to their kids!  I am a parent, so I know how hard it is to say “no” to our kids, but sometime “no” is the right answer! We need to say “no” and make them believe “no” by explaining the reason why and then sticking with it!

Kid’s need to learn “no” and the earlier the better, because life will throw plenty of “no’s” their way.  I’m not suggesting that you say “no” just to say “no”, but I am suggesting that we should be careful about giving in to every whim and wish of our children.  If we are not careful we will raise a generation of spoiled brats that do not have the ability to deal with life when it doesn’t work the way they want it to.

Most parents have lived long enough to discover that life does not always work the way you want it to!  So train your child in the way they should go, by saying “yes” – when it is appropriate, “wait” – when they need to learn the lesson of earning their way and “no” – when they need to learn to grow!

Train them in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it and they will actually, most likely – thank you for it!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,  for they will be filled.”  Matthew 5:6

When you get hungry enough, you will get something to eat! We need to grow our hunger for God and the things of God!  If you have ever lived in His presence and power, then you know that this is the place that you want to go back to!

Time is important! And what you do with your time will show who and what you really love!  If you are really hungry for God, then you will take and make time to spend with Him.  He will be more important than anything else!  Spending time with God is not optional for the person who is hungry for God, if they seek to have their hunger satisfied!

Invest Your Time Wisely! Find a good church, not a building, but people who you can help and who help you to be your best for God!  Become a part of that church by being there and participating and helping it to do it work in bringing glory to God.  Take time everyday at the beginning of the day to get your heart and life focused on God and His Word.  Take time to talk to Him and listen for Him!  Keep a record of what you say to Him and what He says back to you!

If you are hungry, there is food to satisfy, but you have got do your part, if you expect to be filled!

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

The verses right before this verse tell us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance!  We toil almost everyday to earn money and position, so that we might purchase these things.  We buy things every week, only to discover that what they do bring is only temporary.

The qualities mentioned above cannot be purchased, but they can be received into our lives, as we learn to live in, listen to and love our Creator!  When we seek to live a life yielded to the Spirit, the natural by-product is a life that is filled by the Spirit and a life that is filled by the Spirit experiences love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance!

We don’t live to produce these qualities, we produce these qualities as we live in a trusting love relationship with the Spirit!  Love and trust today and watch the fruit come into season tomorrow!