S) "51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did."
Acts 7:51 (NASB)
O) Stephen does a great job summing up the beginning of the nation of Israel, in this chapter. It's remarkable, though, that everyone knew how foolish the first generation was when they left Egypt. This Sanhedrin, to whom Stephen was speaking, all knew the reason the first generation failed to reach The Promised Land. They weren't wandering for 40 years because they were lost. They were waiting for the first generation to die, so the second generation could enter. Even Moses, the most worthy of that first generation, made a costly error that excluded him access to The Promised Land. And yet, even with all the knowledge of that history, and years and years of similar turmoil for similar reasons, judge after judge, then king after king, up and down their nation went, waxing and waning, going from unfaithful, to faithful and condemning the infidelity of the previous generation, only to fall headlong into unfaithfulness again! Even still, the generation who saw Jesus, and then te apostles, still they could not humble themselves. Still they refused to circumcise their hearts and ears, to belong truthfully to The LORD. Instead, they ended up just like their fathers.
A) As a father, my biggest task is to raise my children to love, fear, and serve The LORD. There is blend of teaching them what to do, and what not to do. I want to teach them to do the things I do in godly disciplines, like studying scripture, worshiping throughout the week, prayer, fasting, etc. But, I also need to teach them (as ages make it appropriate) to avoid the mistakes I've made, some of which were passed on from my dad. This can be difficult, especially when it seems like my dad didn't (or even doesn't) present the best example. Then I need to do 2 things. I need to seek my Heavenly Father for an example, and I need to seek men from a generation before me, who do set a godly example.
P) Father, continue to mold me as Your son, and as the father of your grandchildren. Please put men in my life who can be examples to me, and let me even seek them out in humility and boldness. I want to raise my children in You, so they will raise their children in You, and on and on as a lasting legacy of faithfulness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) As a father, my biggest task is to raise my children to love, fear, and serve The LORD. There is blend of teaching them what to do, and what not to do. I want to teach them to do the things I do in godly disciplines, like studying scripture, worshiping throughout the week, prayer, fasting, etc. But, I also need to teach them (as ages make it appropriate) to avoid the mistakes I've made, some of which were passed on from my dad. This can be difficult, especially when it seems like my dad didn't (or even doesn't) present the best example. Then I need to do 2 things. I need to seek my Heavenly Father for an example, and I need to seek men from a generation before me, who do set a godly example.
P) Father, continue to mold me as Your son, and as the father of your grandchildren. Please put men in my life who can be examples to me, and let me even seek them out in humility and boldness. I want to raise my children in You, so they will raise their children in You, and on and on as a lasting legacy of faithfulness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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