I assure you, if you pay attention you will make out fine, if you’re slow to notice or learn it might not go so well for you.  We have no room for shirkers, any not doing their fair share will be left behind.”
              –Dave P. Fisher (Where No Man Rules)

    “Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.”
              –Job 8:8 (NLT)
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There’ve been a few who say I’m hard on Millennials and those of Generation Z.  Guess it’s in perspective, but I don’t hardly think so.  Honestly, I don’t care from which generation they come from, or from what country–if they don’t have a proper work ethic, moral integrity, and honor this nation, well, then, I have little use for them.  I’ve know some unbelievers that I’ve seen these qualities in, and have worked alongside them, but I didn’t really have fellowship with them.
    Ahh, you say, Jesus had fellowship with everyone, except those Pharisees.  No!  He did not!  Jesus associated with all people, even the Pharisees.  He went to their dinners, met them in the marketplace, rubbed shoulders with them along the way and preached to them, but He did not have fellowship with them.  When He wanted fellowship, He spoke with the one hundred twenty and sent them on their way.  He would be more intimate with the twelve and even more so with the three: Peter, James, and John.  With these three He let them see His heart.  However, when He wanted solace and deep fellowship He went out alone to be with the Father.
    Studies have shown that the people of the generations I mentioned above think that the most important aspect of the church is fellowship.  That shows you how must they do not understand about real fellowship.  A person is fortunate if he has a few that he can lean upon.  A few that he can trust; the type the old-timers would say, “he’ll do to ride the river with.”
    A friend of mind told me that she had a roommate that was a socialist.  I had to stop and ponder; she is at a Christian college, the person is supposed to be a Christian and yet declares herself a socialist.  I’ve tried to work that through my little brain and it just doesn’t compute.  Yes, there is that Scripture in Acts that says they sold all things and had them in common, but it sure didn’t work very well, for quickly we see people trying to cheat the system (God) and are struck down by Him.  Paul states, “In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: ‘If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.'” (2 Thessalonians 3:19, HCSB)  Even in the “welfare system” in the Old Testament, the people had to glean the fields.
    Being hard, I don’t think so.  People want an easy way out and this is becoming more and more prevalent.  What happened to the work ethic?  What happened to the satisfaction of a good day’s work, a job well done?  Instead, it has to appease and appeal to the work.  Lord, have mercy on us.

Sin and death draws everybody; they’re closer to us than anything else.”
              –Ernest Haycox  (Head of the Mountain)

    “On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.”
              –1 John 2:8 (NASB)
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Sorry friends, no alarms.  I just slept late, stayed in bed and sogged — a real lazy bum.  Seldom do that for I like to be up and going in the morning.  I debated whether to even write today, but then got convicted for there are a few of you who read this.
    Look at the newspaper, oh, forgot, they are archaic–old school, look at the internet or watch television, and you will quickly see that darkness and evil loom over us.  You don’t even have to watch the news, just watch a program and see how much evil lurks there.  A person is in the world; they are in darkness and many of them do not realize it.  They will stay in darkness until they come face-to-face with Light–Jesus Christ, and from that point on that person lives in the light.  
    Don’t scoff, 1 John 5:19, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (NASB).  Yet I wonder if some so-called Christians are not now already deceived.  Barna reports that 53% of millennials say that the church should not evangelize, especially if others are of a different religion.  Leave them to their faith.  Now this speaks of one of two things:  either they believe in universalism, or they want these people to die in darkness and go to perdition.  
    This article by Barna went on to say that most millennials are content and firm in their Christian belief.  It does not go on to discuss what they believe about the Biblical doctrines.  What do they believe about the “end times”–the rapture, Tribulation, judgment, etc., nor does it discuss their belief concerning the role of the Church.  By not believing in evangelism what happens to the Great Commission, an command by Jesus, to go out into all the world with the Gospel?  No wonder giving to missions is diminishing.  What do the individuals think about missions; what do they give to further the gospel through missions?
    Life is not a game of spiritual hopscotch!  Truly, there is sin that we continually fight; there is evil that assails us daily, but we now fight with the Lord on our side. We have overcome the darkness because we live in Him and He overcame.  That, however, does not mean we are to play around with life.  In fact it is the opposite, we are to put on the armor of God and fight the good fight.
    Look around again; there is darkness and evil.  It is something that we must walk through, fight through on a daily basis.  We must fight the evil one who seeks to control everyone.  One day darkness shall completely fade away and there will only be Light.  But until then, we travel, we fight, we pray, we seek, and we overcome.  Recall the words of that hymn by Herbert Buffum,

         “In that city where the Lamb is the light,
          The city where there cometh no night;
          I’ve a mansion over there,
          And when free from toil and care,
          I am going where the Lamb is the light.”

There’s somethin’ to be said for just restin’, for just sittin’ an’ watchin’ the world go by.”
              –Louis L’Amour  (The Shadows Riders)

    “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
              –John 14:27 (HCSB)
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   “Peace like a river, so gently is flowing…”  People are crying “We want peace!”.  They live in constant fear.  Fear of this, fear of that, fear of hats.  Oh my mercy…fear, fear, fear.  They look for someone who will pacify their lives, calm their souls.  What they are looking for is an outward solution to an inward problem.  They are looking for peace with external controls.  Hmmm, there will come forward a man that promises peace; peace to the world; however, he is really the man of lawlessness and quite the opposite will occur.
   Real peace is internal.  It is provided despite the outward circumstances.  This inner peace, provided by a real relationship with Jesus Christ, guards us while we live in a difficult and chaotic world.  Look at the difference:

         “The world gives to the body; Christ to the soul.  The world gives to the outward and transient in man; Christ to the inward and eternal.  The world only supplies music for the physical ear, and sceneries for the physical eye; Christ supplies music for the soul, and spiritual sceneries of unspeakable beauty to the eye of faith.  The world supplies the lowest part of man–his passions and animal propensities; but Christ furnishes the highest part of him–his reason, faith, conscience–and satisfies his immortal aspirations and wants.” (B. Thomas)

    Honestly, people in the world clamor for peace, yet they have no real idea what it is.  If one group is satisfied, that satisfaction offends another group.  In fact, the real trend of the world right now is to be offended by something.  Then they will all cry, “Why can’t we all get together,” maybe they’ll smoke some pot and drink a Coca-Cola to the brotherhood of mankind, womankind, mixed gender kind, all kind, no kind — now I’m ocnfuesd…
    People will never come from having possessions for they will bring with them a lack of peace.  Peace will not come from a new job position, for that will bring heartburn and gas.  Peace will not come from politicians and the bureaucrats; there will not be “peace in our lifetime.”  If a person truly seeks peace they will find it only in Jesus Christ.  They can search and search and at times think they have peace in their souls; they may have a mantra and sit in a silly position and hum it over and over and think they are at peace, but just as soon as they come out of their trance–wham, bam, turmoil–the peace is gone.  “There is no peace in the world; there is no tribulation in Christ.” (B. Thomas)
    Ponder and meditate on the following if you are struggling with peace.  Paul had faced dire circumstances in his life.  He said, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9,16, NKJV).  Notice, the “inward man.”  He writes to the Colossians, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts (3:15, NKJV).  Need peace? — turn to Jesus.