Tag: next generation
Reaching the next generation!
Scripture reading for August 7th: Psalm 76-78, 2nd Corinthians 8
Key Scriptures: Psalm 78:4-7 “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep His commandments.”
Sharing the Word of God and the history of God’s glorious deeds of salvation must be done to each generation. It is like a relay race where the baton is passed to the next runner and again to the next until the race is completed. It is easy to forget God. Knowledge of God can quickly be dropped by failure to obey God and pass it on. Each generation must take the baton and excel in passing it on.
2nd Corinthians 8:7 “But as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you–see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
Prayer: Lord, I want the next generations to know the grace, love, and mighty deeds of our Lord Jesus. Help me to excel in sharing with and reaching the next generation. Amen.
Let Me Proclaim the Power of God!
Scripture reading for August 3rd: Psalm 69-71, 2nd Corinthians 6
Key Scriptures: Psalm 71:17-19 “O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the highest heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like You?”
The psalmist was asking His God to give him His presence and strength even in his advanced years. He had known God from his youth and been taught of God, observing His wonderful acts. But now in later years of his life, he asked for the power of God’s presence to proclaim God’s amazing might to the next generation. This is my prayer this year for my own life and for those who love God.
2nd Corinthians 6:1-2 “Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your presence and grace with me by the Holy Spirit. Continue to empower me to proclaim Jesus Christ to those who do not know and the next generation. Amen.
Proclaim His Might!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Psalms 70-74
Key Scriptures: Psalm 71:16-18 “I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
The psalmist declares his desire to proclaim the mighty acts and power of the Lord, as well as His righteousness. He had been taught from his youth and now it was his turn to declare these truths to the next generation! Old age and grey hairs brought wisdom to use his remaining time on earth for eternal purposes!
Thankful for godly elders: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2nd Timothy 1:5-7)
Passing the torch of faith!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Psalms 78-83
Oh how I long to see the next generations know the Lord! I am burdened for my children and grandchildren! They are living in a world that is growing increasingly cold and hostile to faith in God. Humanistic ideas and thinking permeates the school systems. Families are fragmented and many church people are luke warm or cold in their understanding and knowledge of God and His Word. Families are so busy that they often neglect their spiritual growth to pursue work, sports, entertainment or success.
Asaph, the worship leader who served David, began with a plea for his people to hear his teaching. Asaph gave the plan of passing on these teachings. The key was to teach the children by telling the parables and stories to the next generation. The next generation would then, in turn, tell them to their children and repeat this process from generation to generation. (Psalm 78:4-6) The purpose of telling the stories was to encourage each generation to put their trust in the Lord. They would remember the works that the Lord had performed and would learn to walk by faith.
Asaph emphasized that the children were not to do as the fathers had done. They heard and experienced the stories, yet many forgot God. (Psalm 78:8) They were a stubborn and rebellious generation that did not keep God’s commands or stay loyal to Him. They saw the miracles but still sinned against God and He judged them. These stories were to be repeated each generation. They were given to instruct those with ears to hear and open hearts!
Where are we failing today in passing the torch? Could it be that we do not teach the stories to our children? Have we as parents learned the stories and applied them to our lives? Have we set a good example by obeying God and living by faith? We must do what the Word of God declares if it is to have the desired effect! God promises to work through the parables to bring wisdom and understanding for life and godliness!
“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:4
Passing faith to the next generation!
Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the 27 New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 more times. This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last months of his leadership. It records lessons he learned and wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.
Moses had led the nation for forty years as they circled the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling, doubt and unbelief. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, would not get to enter the promised land due to his dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) God holds leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him.
Moses preached in the typical Jewish style of asking questions. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) They were a special people marked by God traveling with them. They were marked by the holiness of God’s law which set them apart from all other nations! Moses had learned that the Israelites must teach these truths to their children and grandchildren in order to enter into their promised land of inheritance and live successfully in it!
Today believers are marked with God’s presence through the Holy Spirit who lives in them. He has written God’s law on their hearts and enables them to walk by faith in God’s laws and Word. Thank Him for godly people who have passed their faith down to us!
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40
The Next Generation!
Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the 27 New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 times. This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last year of his leadership.
Moses had led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling and complaining. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, would not get to enter the promised land due to his own dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) Moses tried to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37)
Moses also preached to the next generation to inspire faith in God. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!” They are a special people marked by God traveling with them and they must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!
From these first chapters of Deuteronomy, I see several key lessons for us today. First, a record of the past history of God’s dealings helps the next generation learn faith. Moses wanted to pass on the lessons he learned so his children and grandchildren would possess the land God intended for them. Secondly, the Law cannot take us into the promised land on our own effort. We need grace and faith to obey God. Moses, himself, disobeyed God’s holy Word and was forbidden to enter Canaan. Third, God promises victory to His followers. He disciplines and warns them of potential trouble so that they might succeed. God has plans for each generation to carry out His ultimate purpose of blessing the whole world!
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Sunday Rest and Reflection!
Greetings! Another week is over and a day of rest and reflection is upon us! Hopefully, you are spending part of this day with God’s family in a place of worship! God redeemed us from slavery to sin to lead a life of worship! We are to worship personally and corporately. We come together to encourage each other and to meet with the family of God and prepare for a week of ministry and witness. We come together to hear the Word of God preached and taught by those with gifts for the body. The gifts in the body help us to become equipped to do the work God has for each member of the family. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
This week has been an interesting look at Moses as an elder and prophet sharing his heart at the very end of his ministry and time here on earth. He is strong and vigorous at 120 years of age. Evidently that manna and water diet kept him very well! He was greatly concerned for the younger kids of the next generation. He wanted them to be blessed and prosper and get all that the Lord had promised of their inheritance. He clearly understood how their sinful human nature was a danger to them. He shared that nature and because of his own anger and dishonoring of God would not be able to go into the promised land. Deuteronomy is the record of his last messages preached to this next generation before he died.
It is also interesting that God chose the preaching of His Word to be the vehicle of teaching and inspiring this next generation. (1st Corinthians 1:21) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word! (Romans 10:17) Faith also works by love and God calls them to love Him and love each other! (Galatians 5:6) This love is not a feeling, but a commitment to act for the highest good of another. God’s promises show His love and our faith and obedience show our love in return! God’s love hasn’t changed today! He is still using preaching to reach people and inspire faith in them. (Romans 10:14-15) He still desires faith and obedience as a show of our love for Him. (1st John 5:2-4) When we walk in faith and obedience and love, His face shines on us! (Number 6:22-27) May God bless you with faith and love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Have a great day of rest and reflection!
The Next Generation!
Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the twenty seven New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 more times. This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last months of his leadership. It records lessons he learned and wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.
Moses has led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling and complaining and doubt and unbelief. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, will not get to enter the promised land due to his own dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) Moses seems to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37) God does hold leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him. Moses is trying to impress upon this next generation why their parents suffered consequences of the wandering and death.
Moses also preaches to this next generation to inspire faith in God. His questions to them are typical of the Jewish style of teaching. In chapter 4 he asks them about God. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!” They are a special people marked by God traveling with them. They are marked by the holiness and love of God’s law which sets them apart from all other nations! They must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!
From these first chapters of Deuteronomy, I see several key lessons for us today. First, a record of the past history of God’s dealings helps the next generation learn faith. Moses wanted to pass on the lessons he learned so his children and grandchildren would enter in and possess all God intended for them. We must honor our elders and learn from them. Secondly, the Law, represented by Moses cannot take us into the promised land on our own effort. We need grace and faith in the sacrifice for sins and cleansing. Moses, himself, disobeyed God’s holy Word and was forbidden to enter Canaan. Third, God promises victory to His followers. He disciplines and warns them of potential trouble so that they might succeed. God is truly for his people!
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40