Thoughts for Life: Consequences of Choices for Generations

Ron Hutchcraft: The consequences of a family's unrighteous choices will be marking at least four generations. The blessings of a family's righteous choices will be marking countless generations.

If we could do a little "Back to the Future" time travel to see those who came before us, I think we'd understand strengths and weaknesses, blessings and struggles that are alive and well in our own family today. (Google image, Family gathering)

But that's history. The issue for us is what kind of heritage are we starting in motion through our choices today. Those marks - for better or worse - will be there long after we're gone.

This generation-marking phenomenon is dramatically illustrated in a study of the descendants of two American families. Family One - which, for obvious reasons shall remain nameless - is traced back to a criminal ancestor.

Out of 1200 of his descendants, 400 wrecked themselves physically through drugs, drinking, or sexual diseases; 310 were beggars, 130 convicted criminals; 60 of them were thieves; 7 were murderers; and 20 learned a trade - in prison.

A similar study was done on the family of Jonathan Edwards, the great preacher and the early president of Princeton. From him came 100 college professors, 100 ministers, 100 lawyers and judges, 60 doctors, 24 authors and editors, and 14 college presidents.

Legacy - the powerful result of one generation's family choices. It makes the choice of who you date and who you marry so critical - way too important for just your hormones or your attractions to decide. In the words of Genesis 24:44, "Let it be the one the Lord has chosen."

But this legacy effect is something we have to remember in many of the choices we make. That weakness, that sin that keeps flaring up and hurting the people you love - if you and Jesus don't get it under control, it will be hurting generations that follow you.

If you settle for a lukewarm faith, that pale substitute for a real relationship with Jesus, that will be what you pass on. If your priorities - how you spend your time, your money, your energy - if they're on stuff that doesn't last, doesn't really matter, then those dead-end streets may be where future generations waste their life, too.

Claim for yourself the promise of God that says,

"This is My covenant with them, My Spirit who is on
you. And My words that I have put in your mouth
will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths
of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants
from this time on and forever" (Isaiah 59:21).

Going deeper:

One legacy I don't want to mark future generations with is . . .
_________________________________________________
To keep that from happening, one thing I need to do is . . .
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
(Taken from pp. 10, 11 of Ron's devotional, A DAILY WORD, Volume One, Food for your Soul, day 3, 31 Daily Devotions))

Let's pray-

"Father, as parents we pray that You will direct our work in truth, and we thank You for establishing Your covenant with us. Our descendants will be known among the nations and our offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed. Grant us the grace to imitate You, our Heavenly Father, that we might train our children up in the fear and admonition of our God, in the name of Jesus. Amen "

(Prayers That Avail Much <dailyprayers@prayers.org)

12 Christlike Characteristics to Affirm in Your Grandchildren

151 - 155 of 200 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more this week- (I am working on #293 today!)

151- Is. 55:6 "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near."
152- Ps. 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity!"
153- Prov. 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
154- Col. 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful."
155- Ps. 39:8 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Words of wisdom-

~ Let's trust in Jesus to lead us on His path for us, so we won't meander off in unbelief, losing our way.

~ The Lord's Spirit of Life has freed us from the law of sin and death. He grieves when He sees grace eroding, with weeds of anxious works creeping in.

Today's quote:

~ Wesley Duewel- "No matter how much you have experienced and marveled at Christ's love in the past, He wants to manifest it more fully, more marvelously, and more sacredly this Christmas than ever before. He came to you because He loved you; He identified Himself with you because He loved you so much He wanted to be completely one with you.

He comes to you again this Christmas with a heart so full of love for you, so hungry to give you new revelations of that love, which human words cannot begin to express the wealth, the wonder, and the sweet greatness of that love."

(This was taken from p. 10 of Christmas is for You . . . and the World. To order this booklet, and to see all of his books available, use their website: www.duewelliteraturetrust.org)

A good word for us-

From Dealing with Difficult People

By Kelly Balarie

"Wisdom stops, asks God and then moves a new way, with His life-giving answer.

Father God, sometimes we don’t know what we’ll encounter, until we are right in the middle of the moment, encountering it. I am asking for grace this Christmas season — as we encounter difficult spaces and places. Help us so that we can respond with wisdom and love. Protect us with your loving hand. Lead us in all your ways. Teach us what to say in hard moments. Guide our path. Give us all your words. Thank you that you always love us. May we, habitually, remember that. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam NY church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)