"For the Future" June 27 Readings: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Acts 3, Psalm 78:5–11, Proverbs 16:5–6
Reading the Bible in 2023
Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!
NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Acts 3, Psalm 78:5–11, Proverbs 16:5–6
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: For the Future
There is an old saw that says, "The Church is always one generation from extinction." The thing is, this one is true. Christianity must not only be passed from person to person but from generation to generation. The children God gives to the families of the church must be raised to be warriors in the Kingdom of God, servants of the Most High, and those who treasure eternal things over the temporal.
In Psalm 78:5-7, the Psalmist discusses the importance of raising children to serve God.
There is no formula that magically produces children who love God, but neither is there a great mystery about the strategy. There are three things I would remind parents and grandparents who wish to influence future generations.
First, children will tend to mimic our behavior more than simply listening to our words. We must not only speak the words of God to our children but in our imperfect way, we must walk the ways of God. The hypocrite who talks the faith but does not live it, does irreparable damages to future generations. Our model gives credibility to our message.
Second, we must relentlessly ground our children's lives in the Word of God. Biblical illiteracy is a huge problem even among kids raised in so-called "Bible-believing" churches. If we really believe the Bible we will make sure we teach it clearly to our kids.
Finally, we must fill our children with a sense that their lives are meant to have eternal import. They are not just here on earth to get an education, find a job, raise a family, and have a happy life. They are here to serve Christ, to make Jesus known everywhere, and to exalt him day by day.
In Psalm 78:5-7, the Psalmist discusses the importance of raising children to serve God.
5 He established a testimony in Jacoband set up a law in Israel,which he commanded our fathersto teach to their children6 so that a future generation—children yet to be born—might know.They were to rise and tell their children7 so that they might put their confidence in Godand not forget God’s works,but keep his commands.
There is no formula that magically produces children who love God, but neither is there a great mystery about the strategy. There are three things I would remind parents and grandparents who wish to influence future generations.
First, children will tend to mimic our behavior more than simply listening to our words. We must not only speak the words of God to our children but in our imperfect way, we must walk the ways of God. The hypocrite who talks the faith but does not live it, does irreparable damages to future generations. Our model gives credibility to our message.
Second, we must relentlessly ground our children's lives in the Word of God. Biblical illiteracy is a huge problem even among kids raised in so-called "Bible-believing" churches. If we really believe the Bible we will make sure we teach it clearly to our kids.
Finally, we must fill our children with a sense that their lives are meant to have eternal import. They are not just here on earth to get an education, find a job, raise a family, and have a happy life. They are here to serve Christ, to make Jesus known everywhere, and to exalt him day by day.
Father, may the generations to come know you. May they not forget the good things you have done, but may they walk in your ways. Help me to be an influence on them for your kingdom.
Consider God's Word:
Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Children can be difficult, frustrating, and even heartbreaking, but we must remember that our investment in the future is never wasted.
Are you working to pass on the faith to your children and to the future generations of the church?
Are you working to pass on the faith to your children and to the future generations of the church?
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