There Is More in Your Family and Future Generations
Genesis 12:1
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
Psalm 119:89-90
Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
God uses family as a portal to blessing. That said, the enemy specifically targets marriages, families, and communities and attempts to sow seeds of dissension and discouragement to block what God has specifically blessed. However, the enemy cannot curse what God has blessed. We should sow seeds of faith in our marriages, families, and communities for God is faithful through the generations (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Theology mentions two philosophical concepts, Deism and Theism, which present different beliefs on God’s relationship with his creation. Deism suggests that God does not intervene and is not in control if his creation; Theism suggests the opposite and posits that God is sovereign and actively interacting with his creation. The way we see God affects how we do life. If we believe that he does not care about us then we will likely try to take control of our own lives and our surroundings. However, God does care. He cares about you and the intricacies of your life. God does not merely operate off of good intentions, he is faithful to completion as shown by Jesus redeeming us on the cross after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.
God needs us to trust him. He does not need us to help him. We frequently attempt to “help” God, similar to a child volunteering to help with the dishes but ending up splattering suds and water all over the kitchen, but we ultimately end up making a larger mess which he has to clean up for us.
Do you trust God with what you cannot control? There are numerous elements outside of our control - time, weather, and people - all of which are under His control. However, there are aspects which fall under our control:
1. Our words
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. — Proverbs 15:4
2. Our response
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. — Proverbs 10:19
3. Our thoughts
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
What can you do with what is under your control?
1. Start where you are
2. Sow the Word of God into your heart and in the hearts of those around you and who come after you, such as your children
As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:5, Timothy is an example of God’s faithfulness through the generations.
3. Love beyond behaviorGenerational blessing is shaped in the love we choose not to withhold and which is described in Luke 6:32-36. Allow the Holy Spirit to humble you and work on those parts which you are tightly holding on to despite them hurting you.
4. Resolve to never give up
Encourage yourself in the Lord as David did (Psalm 51:10-12). In moments of grief, David did not look anywhere else for encourage but to God alone.
Discussion Questions:
Who are the individuals who have sown seeds of faith into your life? Are you sowing seeds of faith to those around you?
Have you ever tried to help out or work on something but ended up making a bigger mess? Who helped clean it up or fix it? Are there areas of your life that you need to completely hand over to God?
Have you ever received undeserved love from someone? What effect did that have on you? Have you ever extended love beyond behavior as described in Luke 6:32-36?