When I visited the Beit Hatfutsot museum in Tel Aviv in 1999, there was a simple sign over the door to the exhibits: “This is the story of a family”. The story of the family of Abraham and Sarah has continued through thousands of years despite many upheavals and devastations. The museum focuses on the many places throughout the world where Jews settled, prospered, were rejected and persecuted – and had to “move on”. Despite this repeated pattern; the covenantal blessings of God - and a deep value for family, community, and God’s Word have kept this family through the millennia.
God chose Abraham because God "knew" ("yada") that Abraham would successfully establish his family on the path of following Him:
“Now Yahweh had wondered, 'Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do, as Abraham will become a great and powerful nation and all nations on earth will bless themselves by him? For I have singled him out to command his sons and his family after him to keep the way of Yahweh by doing what is upright and just, so that Yahweh can carry out for Abraham what he has promised him.'” (Gen 18:17-19 NJB)
Our eternal Father cares deeply about His family throughout time. And because of Jesus, even the gentiles who believe in Jesus have been grafted into the family of Abraham and Sarah. Therefore, we are now also heirs to the promises that Yahweh gave to Abraham.
In my quiet times, I often journal my impressions of what seem to be God's messages to me. One phase that He keeps giving me through the years is: “Generational blessings”. While I don’t know the fullness of this phrase, I believe that it’s a multi-dimensional invitation: An invitation to intentionally seek and receive the blessings that God intended to come through my ancestors (and also spiritual fathers and mothers). An invitation to steward those blessings - and add to them by walking in the good works God planned for me in Messiah Jesus (Eph 2:10). And lastly, to prepare the next generation to live as sons and daughters of Father God – enjoying, stewarding, adding to, and passing along these blessings to further generations. And these "generational blessings" are intended for all of God's family.
I understand that talking about future generations can be painful for those who have longed for families of their own. But you need to know that you are very much included! God issued comfort and a promise through the prophet Isaiah:
“Shout for joy, barren one who has borne no children! Break into cries and shouts of joy, you who were never in labour! For the children of the forsaken one are more in number than the children of the wedded wife, says Yahweh.” (Isaiah 54:1 NJB)
No one is left out of this multi-generational family story! I encourage you to keep reading Isaiah chapter 54 through verse 6.
I learned just this week that the person with the greatest positive influence upon young Winston Churchill, the one person who showed him unconditional love – was not one of his natural parents (much as he admired them); but his governess Elizabeth Anne Everest. Where would Winston – and this entire world have been without that love? This is just one story of the power of sowing into the next generation.
Our Father’s heart is for His family to flourish and extend the government of His Son (Isaiah 9:6-7) from generation to generation. His heart is that the multitudes that don’t yet “yada” their Heavenly Dad – will also take their place in His family. All of creation groans with His heart – for the revealing of His sons and daughters (Romans 8:19).
Lets embrace the generous heart of our Abba for His family! The fields are ready for "harvest".
If you’d like to go deeper with this, I recommend meditating on Romans chapter 8, and listening to Kris Vallotton’s podcasts “Living From Eternity” and "Fatherhood and Family" (www.kvministries.com).
God chose Abraham because God "knew" ("yada") that Abraham would successfully establish his family on the path of following Him:
“Now Yahweh had wondered, 'Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do, as Abraham will become a great and powerful nation and all nations on earth will bless themselves by him? For I have singled him out to command his sons and his family after him to keep the way of Yahweh by doing what is upright and just, so that Yahweh can carry out for Abraham what he has promised him.'” (Gen 18:17-19 NJB)
Our eternal Father cares deeply about His family throughout time. And because of Jesus, even the gentiles who believe in Jesus have been grafted into the family of Abraham and Sarah. Therefore, we are now also heirs to the promises that Yahweh gave to Abraham.
In my quiet times, I often journal my impressions of what seem to be God's messages to me. One phase that He keeps giving me through the years is: “Generational blessings”. While I don’t know the fullness of this phrase, I believe that it’s a multi-dimensional invitation: An invitation to intentionally seek and receive the blessings that God intended to come through my ancestors (and also spiritual fathers and mothers). An invitation to steward those blessings - and add to them by walking in the good works God planned for me in Messiah Jesus (Eph 2:10). And lastly, to prepare the next generation to live as sons and daughters of Father God – enjoying, stewarding, adding to, and passing along these blessings to further generations. And these "generational blessings" are intended for all of God's family.
I understand that talking about future generations can be painful for those who have longed for families of their own. But you need to know that you are very much included! God issued comfort and a promise through the prophet Isaiah:
“Shout for joy, barren one who has borne no children! Break into cries and shouts of joy, you who were never in labour! For the children of the forsaken one are more in number than the children of the wedded wife, says Yahweh.” (Isaiah 54:1 NJB)
No one is left out of this multi-generational family story! I encourage you to keep reading Isaiah chapter 54 through verse 6.
I learned just this week that the person with the greatest positive influence upon young Winston Churchill, the one person who showed him unconditional love – was not one of his natural parents (much as he admired them); but his governess Elizabeth Anne Everest. Where would Winston – and this entire world have been without that love? This is just one story of the power of sowing into the next generation.
Our Father’s heart is for His family to flourish and extend the government of His Son (Isaiah 9:6-7) from generation to generation. His heart is that the multitudes that don’t yet “yada” their Heavenly Dad – will also take their place in His family. All of creation groans with His heart – for the revealing of His sons and daughters (Romans 8:19).
Lets embrace the generous heart of our Abba for His family! The fields are ready for "harvest".
If you’d like to go deeper with this, I recommend meditating on Romans chapter 8, and listening to Kris Vallotton’s podcasts “Living From Eternity” and "Fatherhood and Family" (www.kvministries.com).
Your brother,
Russ
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