Godly or Godless?

Before him there was no king like him who turned to The Lord with all his mind and with all his heart and with his strength according to all the laws of Moses, and no one like him arose after him. 2 Kings 23:25

Manasseh who was evil sired Amnon who reigned for two years and died at 24, yet his son Josiah took up the kingship at 8. Josiah was tutored in God's ways because he was diligent to follow The Lord. When he discovered the scriptures he had them read out and cleansed Judah from all defilement. He reigned for 31 years and was killed by Neco. His son Jehoaz began to reign and Judah was back to idolatry.

Who can pick who will follow and who is wayward and wanting to walk his own ways? What determines who will stay the distance and who will turn away to follow the lusts of life?

What does parenting and example have to do with how our children make their own decisions and subsequently how our grandchildren follow Christ?

Scripture tells us: train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it?

Some of us have the grief of watching our children turn away from Christ. What causes them to leave? Has our example anything to do with it? Yes, but dependant on the makeup of the child,  they may take what they are given and make diamonds or coal.

My parents taught me religion but my heart sought relationship. My father was severe but I was a fair mother, firm but fair. Christ had a lot to do with it. 

When I grieve I become angry and my natural self wants to tear up those who patronise  much like a grisly bear tears up it's prey, not pretty! However, if I can isolate myself until The Lord works on my heart I can give grace, eventually. I think it is foolish to try and apply band aids to cavernous wounds. Stupid!




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