Generational Blessings

As parents, it is our responsibility to take care of our children. We make sure that they have everything that they need, from school clothes and supplies to several meals a day. How we live today will affect our children for several generations. In Psalm 103: 17-18, the Bible declares that “from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”We can leave them an inheritance of generational blessings when we fear the lord and keep His commandments, and pass those principles down to our children for the next generation.

A Good Testimony

It's amazing how our ancestors were able to have so much joy and hope when their circumstances were often full of despair. In Hebrews 11: 1-3, Paul teaches "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."With so much technology, material goods, and opportunities, why is that this generation is overcome with fear and doubt? Our ancestors had faith, oftentimes, because they had little else; through faith, we can obtain a good testimony as well.

He's Able

In Ephesian 3: 20-21, the Bible declares that God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever." God is able to do all that he promised, all that we can ask, or even think with our imagination. His power is limitless when we are limited; when we surrender our will to God's will, we allow his great power to to work in us and through us.

Christ, the Solid Rock

When so many things in this world are uncertain, change is a consistent factor in all of our lives. With so much uncertainty, however, the word of God remains the same. In Matthew 7: 24-25, Jesus declares"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." When you have a solid foundation of Christ, you will be able to withstand the storms of this life because your faith is built on Christ, the solid rock, and not on the fragile things of the world.

Spirit of Unity

A popular proverb says that is strength in numbers, which is often true, particularly when those within the "numbers" agree. The same is true within our Christian community. In Romans 15:5-6, Paul prays "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. " With unity, we have more than just strength; we have collective worship that glorifies God as one powerful voice.

Think on These Things

It is so easy to get discouraged, as it seems that we hear more bad news every day. Be encouraged. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages all of us to change our thinking. He says "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things." Instead of thinking about all of the terrible things that are happening in the world, think about the many blessings that God has already given to you. If all you hear is bad news, then focus your attention on the Good News and promises of God.

What You Do for Christ Will Last

Have you wondered if all of the good works that you do will be remembered by anyone? You try to do all that you can for others, especially for other Christians, and sometimes you don't even get a "thank you." If no one else remembers your works, God will. In Hebrews 6:10, the Bible declares that "God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. " Continue working in your ministry and don't worry about your reward; as Revelation 14:13 promises, your works do follow you.

Saving Grace

Christ came to this world to save sinners, regardless of degree of sin that we have committed, as we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), God had so much love and mercy on all of us that He sent his son to save us. In 1 Timothy 1: 15-17, Paul declares that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all long suffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." Paul considered himself as the worst of sinners, and Christ not only saved him, he used him mightily in his ministry. Whether our sin is a "little white lie," or murder, God loves us and He will use us if we are available.

All Things Are Working

We experience so much calamity in this world that our faith is continually being shaken. We go through so much pain, heartache, sickness, and adversity that it seems as though God has hand-picked us to go through these trials. We must understand, however, that everything that we go through has a purpose. In Romans 8:28, Paul encourages us to know that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Simply put, if you love the Lord, and you are called in His purpose, everything that happens to you works for your good. Instead of complaining and falling into depression, rejoice in those trials; it's all working together for your good!

Payback vs. Paying it Forward

In 2000, a movie titled Pay it Forward was released, where a little boy wanted to make the world a better place by doing a good deed for another person instead of returning a favor. In 1 Thessalonians 5 :15, the Bible says that we should "See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people." The movie may have been fictional, but as the people of God, we should do all that we can to "pay forward" and do good for other people, instead of trying to payback the evil that others have done to us.

Trials to Triumph

As the old saying goes "in every life, a little rain must fall." Most of us don't mind a little rain, but for many of us, it seems as though we are wading through a torrential downpour. But be encouraged by the trials and temptations that we all encounter. In James 1: 2-4, the Apostle instructs us to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." The trials and temptations that we experience are necessary to try our faith and allow us to mature. As we are working through the trial, God is working on our behalf, and working his patience through us to help us mature.

Trust in the Lord

People have lost their jobs, or had a range of life-changing experiences, that chip away at their self-esteem because they are not living up to their own expectations. In Jeremiah 17: 7-8, the Bible declares "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." We should put our trust and confidence in God, instead of ourselves and the things of this world, as He alone has the power to provide for all of our needs and never fails.

Choosing the Good Part

Have you ever been pulled in so many directions, and been so busy, that you didn't have time to worship? Consider the actions of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to visit. In Luke 10: 39-41, Martha was busy serving, ministering to Jesus and his disciples, while Mary sat at the Lord's feet. Martha complained and asked the Lord to tell her sister to help her, but Jesus replied "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."It's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the ministry; there is always so much work to do for the kingdom! But we should not be so distracted in doing the work of ministry that we don't take time at the feet of Jesus to strengthen, empower, and restore us.

Hold Your Peace

An old adage says that "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything." I would like to add to that adage, "if you don't know what to say, hold your peace." In Proverbs 17:27-28, the Bible declares that "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Our words are powerful; we can speak life, or we can speak death, blessings, or curses. Our words can never be retracted once they have been spoken. When we use our words wisely, we will be considered wise, even if we don't always know what to say.

A Friend of God

Too often, people consider the name of Christ the same as they do their fire extinguisher; only used in case of an emergency. When they are in trouble, in sickness, or going through a range of afflictions, they pray for deliverance and help. When God has mercy on them, they put their relationship back on the shelf until the next crisis. In James 2: 22-23, the Bible declares that "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God." God desires to have a personal relationship with all of us daily, not just when we are in trouble. Consider that we also are friends of God, and make your personal relationship a long-lasting friendship.

Grace in Humility

When God has allowed to accomplish many things in our lives, both in the natural and the spirit, it is easy to forget that God was the one who made a way for us. In Proverbs 3: 34-35, the Bible says that God "mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame." When we realize that we are helpless without God, we make room for Him to bless us. With all of our shortcomings and inadequacies in our human condition, it is easy for us to be humbled and realize that we could do little on our own without God's help.

I'd Rather Have Jesus

The culture of our world often teaches us that having great wealth will enable us to have great lives. With the severe economic downturn, many are finding that is simply untrue. In Proverbs 15:16, the Bible says "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Instead of seeking the wealth of this world, which changes from day to day, seek the kingdom of God, as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:33, and He will provide all of these other things for you.