Its What's in the Heart

Maybe I am the only one on the planet to have struggled with this, and quite honestly, I should have known.

I have been privileged to have been the middleman in what I consider to be some very generous gifts to people. However, many times I am perplexed at the response to the gift. Some people get embarrassed (as if they were not worthy), some ask for more (as if it were owed them), one just sat and cried (perhaps the most honest response) but the ones I am most perplexed by are those who just slink away and are never seen from again. This response is what I am writing about here. From my position as the middleman, I know that the gift was given just to be a blessing and usually the giver wished to remain anonymous.

I did not understand why someone would walk away from friends. John Ortberg helped me put it together. He writes: “There is a connection between our character and our ability to perceive spiritual and moral reality. Misers are incapable of detecting generosity in someone; they will interpret lavish giving as naiveté or secretly self-serving.” In other words, it goes back to the character of the recipient. This problem I was pondering then is not a problem with the gift itself, the gift only reveals the heart. Those that cannot receive a generous gift are probably still struggling at some level with God’s free grace.

Three thoughts: 1) I have been privileged to see some who have received much in a time of need, whose hearts are honest before God, transformed into some of the most generous givers. 2) We train Sunday School teachers, and others with their “gifts” of the Spirit, shouldn’t we also train up those with the gift of giving? 3) Generosity is to be a part of every believer’s life. I believe generosity is a part of God’s character (just look at his mercy and grace) and he wants all of us to become like him in every way.

Lord, help me to be a gracious recipient of all you desire to give…and help me to be generous in every way.

Hosea and Gomer.

This story opens with the farmer / prophet Hosea walking down the street one day and seeing her out in front of that house. You know the house, the one that faithful men take a wide berth of as they walk past, and the one that unfaithful men seek out in the dark of night. Even from this distance, Hosea notices coarseness and hardness in her face. She was dressed in overly bright clothes and wore far too many bracelets, probably tokens of cheap love. It is probably her retirement savings. She waved, winked, and then motioned with her slender finger for him to approach. Just as Hosea was about to turn his head in disgust, the Lord said, “She’s the one.” I can picture Hosea stopping in his tracks, closing his eyes and saying a quick prayer, “Lord, anyone else but her, anyone.” “But she’s the one,” is the gentle reply from the Lord.

Hosea approaches and asks her for her name. “Gomer, daughter of Dibliam,” she says. He ignores all her well-used phrases of sweet talk and asks her about herself. She goes quiet and realizes that this one is not going to fall for the usual flattery. The conversation runs its awkward course and he asks, “May I see you again?” “Sure,” she replies, “and bring your purse tomorrow night.” He walks around a huge sycamore tree and throws up. This woman is the opposite of a holy and chaste wife of a prophet. Hosea remembers the Lord’s words to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness... (Ho 1:2 NIV)." Even then as he leaned against that sycamore tree, the Lord began to give Hosea a special heart of mercy and love for this lost woman.

Hosea returns each night for a long time for conversation, and he quietly leaves when she finds a paying customer. Though Hosea cannot fully understand it, there is a growing friendship. One day he asks her to accompany him on a picnic. They agree on a rather low price for the afternoon. She gets up early that day. While walking, his own thoughts frighten him for he cannot help but meditate on the words of King Solomon. “You are so beautiful, my beloved (raya), so perfect in every part (SS 4:7 NLT).” Yet his heart tugs because he has discovered raya love, the love of a beloved, a companion, a friend.” He finds it amazing that he can ignore her history and character because she is his raya. The lord speaks to his heart, “This love you now have comes from me.” As they watch the sheep graze, he hears his heart speaks unguarded and out loud, “Gomer, would you marry me, and come under my protection? I am a poor farmer / prophet, and can offer nothing other than I will be a companion and friend.” She drops her flask of wine spilling it all over the cloth they had spread. Whether it was fear of being alone, or because it was a conquest more than money, even she could not discern why she said, “I will.”

There was no premarital counseling, candles, and no white runner; in fact they felt it best to keep the wedding as simple, small and quiet as possible. When the legalities were complete, Gomer and her illegitimate children came under the roof of the prophet and they began to make a life together. In time, Hosea discovered the physical pleasures of married life. He recalled, Hebrew class and how all the boys snickered as they speculated about the mystery of what Solomon calls the dode type of love. "Kiss me again and again, for your love (dode) is sweeter than wine (SS 1:2 NLT).” Looking back with real knowledge, he now knows that this is a rather low-level, an animal-type of love. He laughed out loud as he thought about how anything with a pulse experiences this kind of love. After several months the children began arriving. As the Lord instructed him, he gave the children unusual names, names of significance for his role as Israel’s prophet.

Then it happened. One morning he notices her coming up the path wearing those clothes, why he did not even hear her slip out last night. “Where did she find those clothes,” he thinks, “I thought they had been thrown away.” Then he recalled the perfume he had been smelling in the house lately, “It wasn’t for me.” The argument was long, heated and loud. Yet, Hosea noticed a look in her eyes, those eyes that were constantly roaming and looking for something, completeness or contentedness perhaps. After that argument, there was no pretext of hiding her wanderings. Even the children got into the act of trying to keep mom at home but to no avail, her heart was elsewhere. One day, she did not return. Hosea’s heart ached. “She’s forgot all about me.” He wondered if in time, his heart would grow calloused just like his hands near the end of harvest.

Years later, it was a rainy day, no good to work the fields so Hosea decides to make the walk into town for some oil and to get the plow repaired. As he was passing by the great tree at the crossroad, he noticed a group of slaves getting ready for an auction. There she was, among the slaves ready for sale. She looks especially pitiful in the rain, those once bright clothes hanging on her thin body by mere threads. He thinks, “She was destroyed by a lack of knowledge, didn’t she know that she was she better off with me? Well, she has sown the wind and reaped a whirlwind.” He tugs on the ox’s rope and continues his journey towards the blacksmith, when the Lord speaks loud and clear. "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites... (Ho 3:1 NIV)." He is stunned and stops in his track, he looks again at her and their eyes meet. Salty tears begin to mix with the rain on his face. It’s her turn to be auctioned; the opening price is less than the oil Hosea just bought. Jabbok the tanner ups the opening price to 10 shekels. Hosea grunts, “He’s such a violent man” and hears his own voice say, “15 shekels and some grain.” The auctioneer smiles and immediately agrees to the price, Jabbok laughs and yells to Hosea, “That’s too much, but there’s still plenty here for me, younger ones.” Though no one can see because her face it to the ground, a flicker of hope comes from deep within causing a tremble to go through her body, and a single tear forms.

Hosea exchanges the money, and thinks “the blacksmith will have to wait yet another season.” He promises to return shortly with the barley. He is handed a rope to lead her away. Gomer never raises her head but follows obediently. When they reach the cart, he unties her and says, “I’ve led you now with cords of kindness, with ties of love, but what I really want is for you to return with your heart not these ropes.” He helps her into cart and notices the lack of sandals and the ankles that have been bloodied by manacles. As he walks beside the great ox, the rain stops and he notices small wadis next to the path. The lord reminds Hosea of what Solomon wrote, “Many waters cannot quench love (ahava), nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned… (SS 8:7 NLT).” He recalled clearly written on the tablet of his mind, his teacher’s lesson on ahava: “It is a love deeper than romantic feelings or friendship, it is a love of the will, it is a decision to join your life to another, and it is a commitment.”

Just as they began their decent into Achor Valley, the sun breaks through the last of the clouds, and the Lord whispers, “I have been patient and kind with you Hosea, now you make this valley of trouble, a door of hope for her.” He stops the cart and walks over to her. With his hand he lifts her chin wipes the hair away from her eyes so that he can see her face. She avoids his stare. “Today I am your master,” he begins. “I have bought you, but I cannot buy your love.” "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you (Ho 3:3 NIV)." “Someday, I desire to hear you call me “husband” and not “master.” When you are ready, please know that “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. 20 I will be faithful to you… (Ho 2:19, 20 NLT).”

A lifetime later it seems, I can picture a very old Gomer, standing in her house surrounded by her children and grandchildren looking at the wrapped up body of Hosea. There are tears in her eyes and she says to the whole group and to herself, “He taught me how to love, and he saved me.” Gomer’s name means “complete.”

For Love of Sanctuary

Sometimes I picture The Church as a great invincible battleship sailing into battle, at other times I picture it as a fragile dingy ready to be swamped by trials or controversy – my view depends on Cornerstone’s current situation. Recently, I have begun to think of The Church as a beautiful fragrance that wafts on the wind. It cannot be controlled by mission statements or planning meetings, it drifts on the wings of the Holy Spirit and attracts others to the beauty of God’s grace. David was attracted to the beautiful glory of God. He writes, “I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glorious presence dwells…Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the LORD.” Ps 26:8, 12

Connie and I were chatting with someone who has seen DaVinci’s Mona Lisa in person. He said, “It was small.” We have seen Chagalls, Monets, and other great works of art, but they pale, they are small compared to the glory of God.

On Sundays, let’s expect to see the glory of God! Let’s love the presence of God! Let’s gather and publicly praise the author of all who flung the stars of heaven into the sky.

Mid-Life Course Correction.

This year I am celebrating my 27th year of ministry. For this reason, I have been reflecting on the interesting life I have had. There has been youth ministry in two very different churches, servanthood in China, church planting in Japan, and even interim work that has added to my delightful experience. I think I have the best job available. It has been a joy to see Cornerstone grow over these past 10 years. I pass these onto you as a fellow pilgrim on the quest to please his master.

1. I would not be so fearful of getting out of God’s will.

He takes all our failings and successes, and somehow transforms us into something he can enjoy. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Ro 8:28).”

2. I would ask God for greater blessings and victories.

I see more clearly than ever a spiritual dimension and am more willing to ask big things of God – things beyond my human vantage point. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Mt 7:7-8).”

3. I would worry less.

Two areas I have given to God are: a) Success and b) Authority. God is ultimately in control of the opportunities and limitations of our life.

4. I would welcome trials.

God uses suffering to mend our character, or at other times we suffer simply because we are his people and Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy and we are just casualties in the spiritual battle. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2Co 4:17, 18).”

5. I would be more single-minded about my personal devotions.

Thank God for pastor Roland Dean, he held me accountable for two hours of personal devotions and scripture memorization - what wisdom!

6. I would have developed a hobby earlier.

Hobbies leads to new circles of friends and relieves stress, and it teaches me about the wonders of creation.

“My life is like a single coin. I can spend it any way I want…but I can spend it only once. Lord, help me to spend my coin for Your glory, getting to know more and more of you, with the fewest possible regrets!" Robert Boardman, Discipleship Journal 151:37

Thoughts About FaceBook and Cornerstone

I have been on FaceBook one week now and feel that we should discuss this new media / social phenomena and its meaning for Cornerstone. Personally, I have enjoyed connecting with many friends and find it important as a pastor to see what people are really thinking. However, let me hightlight some criticisms from Dr. Read Mercer Schuchardt’s article in the Wheaton Magazine, Autumn 2009.

I have put what Dr. Schuchardt says about the new media into my own words. The new media, including texting, iPhones, Blackberrys, Twitter, and FaceBook tend to…

1. Disembody us. That is it separates us from the real world and creates a virtual reality from this world.
2. Create shallower friendships. He says that, “The irony is that social media often requires anti-social behavior.” How many times have we seen a group of people who are physically together but are texting or actually spending time with someone else digitally?
3. Require constant attention. This one caught me during dinner when I realized I was checking my email instead of listening to the girls.
4. Magnify narcissism. I keeps me at the center of things, when as believers we should prioritize God, others, and then self. He quips, “I’d read your blog if I wasn’t s busy writing my own.”
5. Increase vices. A mature Christian life is a balanced life, but there is a tipping point when networking becomes collecting “friends,” and when entertainment becomes an obsession. He writes, “A man mowing the lawn cuts a much better figure than a man watching YouTube videos.”

On the positive side of things, Cornerstone is a geographically dispersed congregation and such new media enables us to connect as we ought to do as a church. I was pleased to see that we really are connected despite the hills, rivers, highways, and an economy that tends to separate us. Many of my posts were late night prayer requests – and many of you responded that you would pray! Also, I am getting an informed look into the joys and struggles of our youth.

I will be following and engaging on FaceBook when I have the time, when I am not sacrificing my real-time relationships, when I must communicate quickly, and when I have something meaningful or fun to say. Let’s hold each other accountable and enjoy the journey together. Oh, and let’s share a meal together, a real meal not a virtual meal. Blessings.

Spiritul Perception

I have never worn a veil per se, but I do know that as when I was bundled up in a scarf during the cold winters of my childhood it was tough to see. I envision us living our lives with a veil that covers up the supernatural in our life and it hinders all we see, and warps our depth of perception. My heart this year is for a greater spiritual vitality and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit for everyone at Cornerstone. I know, for example, that I was interacting with the Holy Spirit this week because…

In my devotions both a scripture and a devotional thought by D. Bonhoeffer really struck my heart at a deep level, even though I knew the thoughts were not for me specifically. Then that evening in conversation with a sister, both the scripture and the devotional thought was exactly what was needed to encourage. The Holy Spirit equipped fully and in such a way that I had been meditating on that thought all day.

The Holy Spirit is also timely. Here is a true confession. I forgot to set the clock for my 4 a.m. slot for the 24 hour day of prayer this month. Yet at 3:50 a.m. I woke up, wide awake. I thought, “What am I doing up at this hour.” I sensed his gentle voice saying, “Spending time with me.” And I had a delightful time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord.

But not only are pastors led by the Spirit, you can too. A brother during our coffee time related the following story to a sister here. He shared how he one day found himself in the hospital room with some rather imposing people along with his lunch companion. He felt directed by the Lord to pray for the sick man. The prayer made a huge impression on this dying man. It seemed like a bit odd story to share with a sister given the characters involved, but he obeyed the Lord. Shortly after the story, the woman found herself in a hospital room of imposing people. She remembered his story, took courage and prayed. She told me glowingly that the Holy Spirit’s presence was really strong, as was the adversaries’ presence.

This year, let’s be on the look out for these supernatural moments. May the veil between the natural and supernatural be as thin as velum! “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Co 4:18 NIV

Others Oriented

I have a friend whom the Lord placed on my heart to pray daily for that is so “others oriented” that I can hardly find out how he is doing – he always beats me to the punch and asks about me. He is a delight to be around because he is so genuinely selfless he encourages everyone around him. He is a very mature Christian one whose attitude and lifestyle every Christian should copy.

Each year, I read through the Bible with the Discipleship Journal Bible reading Plan. On the last day of 2009, even though I have read the verse many times in the past, this verse really struck me deeply: “When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before (Job 42:10 NLT)!” Not that I am looking to get rich or anything, but it is interesting that my prayers for others has a direct secondary effect on my receiving blessings from God! The first effect is obviously God answering our prayers for others. What if God’s entire church body became “others oriented” in their prayers? The old adage I have heard around the altar is so true; “We are never so blessed as when we pray for others.”

In 2009 I got to go on a helicopter ride over Orlando. It was smoother and noisier than I expected – and the views were unparalleled. It really gives one an overall perspective. We are never more like God than when we are generous in our prayers and thoughts towards others, when we see others and their needs from his perspective. This year let’s pray for our friends, let’s be “others oriented,” not only is this a mature discipline for Christians, there is the secondary blessing of our troubles disappearing.

May 2010 see you and yours being blessed in everyway as you become genuinely “others oriented.”

A winding road to a Christmas thought

I was talking with James (a pseudonym) when the landslide started. We were on a bus in the foothills of the Himalayas on our way to the base of Emei Mountain which we were going to climb and the students would practice their English as we climbed. James and I were on the last row of the bus on the “cliff side.” A few feet more to the right and it would be thousands of feet down. James and I were deep in conversation about Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, “The Cost of Discipleship,” when the mountain side to our left began to wash away down the cliff.

The bus driver had slowed to a near stop because of the mud and water runoff sloshing across the dirt and gravel road. The front tires crossed without incident, but the weight of the bus caused the rear wheels to sink into the road itself and then this caused the road to wash out towards the cliff.

Imagine now in slow motion: Everyone at the rear of the buss began to yell in English “go.” Unfortunately, the bus driver only spoke Mandarin. We sat there slowly sliding towards the cliff. Someone had the presence of mind to yell “go” in Mandarin and the diver realized for the first time the danger. He had been wondering why the bus was no longer going forward and had not yet felt the lateral motion of the bus and was confused by the hysterical outburst of “Go!” He gave that old bus all the gas its motor and gas pedal could handle and the rear wheels began to spin. James and I could now look down over the cliff. We looked at each other with a look that said, “Well, here we go.” There was an “Oh, God” prayer in there somewhere as well. Remarkably, the rear wheels caught something solid and the bus leapt out of the sliding hole its wheels had been in.

I don’t know that Connie knows how close we came to meeting our Creator because she was in the middle of the bus, but James and I know. After driving a feet to safety the bus stopped for a second, and all was silent – almost as if giving thanks. I believe the landslide was of demonic origin, for the moment with James was lost forever. As a new believer he was concerned about having faith enough to stand up under persecution and clearly he would be a leading Christian.

So what’s the Christmas point Pastor Randy? That split second that James and I looked at each other, we saw both terror……and peace in the other’s eyes. Just before the “can you believe that” conversation would shatter the silence, there was the peace of knowing God’s protection and care. Before Jesus returned to heaven, he gave us a gift…peace. Jesus Said, “I am leaving you with a gift-- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid (Jn 14:27 NLT).” So this Christmas season, as it seems that the once solid foundations of this world are now sliding into chaos, we can have peace and know that he is watching over us. Relax and enjoy the journey. Peace.

Eternal Perspective

Merry Christmas!

Christmas time gives us perspective. Eventually we slow down and reflect on the things that are really important in life, we readjust our perspective. As I was going through some old photographs the other day, I realized something. Let’s see if it is the same for you. What do you remember most clearly from your past?

Allow me to frame the question. Recently, I was disappointed to learn that I could not recall all the grand horizons and vistas I have seen. I have been blessed to have viewed the foothills of the Himalayas in Sichuan, PRC; the famed views Mt. Fuji were common for me in Japan, and I have even skied on the famed mountains of Nagano in Japan. I have flown over the polar regions of the north and gazed with wonder on the icy scene. My eyes have seen a lot, but I cannot recall them easily, or without the aid of a photograph. On the other hand, I can clearly recall the moment I first met Connie, Annie, and Jolynn. I can recall clearly these moments and little vignettes that are now precious to me.

Three times in scripture it says that the mountains will melt at the presence of the Lord, and Peter says that in the end, the very elements (the term for atomic particles) will disappear. So we know that the stuff we see around us is temporary when viewed from the perspective of eternity. Yet, Paul writes about what will remain: “Three things will last forever-- faith, hope, and love-- and the greatest of these is love (1Co 13:13 NLT).” The love we have for one another as well as the faith, hope, and love in God will remain forever. Wow, from heaven’s eternal perspective our relationships and love for one another is eternal!

This Christmas season, let’s all slow down and realign our perspective to eternity. Let’s enjoy our family times together. Let’s hug a neck, kiss a cheek, and look deeply at the joy on a child’s face this season – you will remember these long after the mighty vistas fade from your memory.

God alone can give faith and hope in the dark times of our life. Last Sunday we listened to testimonies, and many noted that someone from Cornerstone stepped up to help them at a critical moment. As we follow Jesus closely, individually we grow into his likeness and become Jesus’ hands and feet. You’re looking more like Jesus daily!

On behalf of all the wonderful people here on staff, the Official Board, and the pastoral staff, Merry Christmas. Go out and make some eternal memories this Christmas season.

You are loved,

Pastor Randal H. Ackland

Generational Curses

There is in contemporary Christianity a popular concept called “generational curses.” The theory goes that a family might have a demonically-driven character flaw which is passed on from one generation to the next, until someone who knows the secret prayer formula breaks the curse. This teaching is popular on Christian TV for two reasons: 1) We are reluctant to take the blame for our own actions. 2) We like the idea of a quick transformation rather than slow character development. Here is some solid Biblical data on the subject.

Overall Biblical and Theological Facts.
1. Bloodlines. For proponents of the generational curse theory “bloodlines” are more important than personal choice and individual responsibility. There are some recent scientific findings that show a genetic propensity toward alcoholism, but that does not mean you are going to be one. The jury is still out on the quality of the science. Only about 10 years ago did I learn that my grandfather Ackland was an alcoholic, I only knew him sober. My father rejected alcohol and never even tasted wine even until he was in 50’s. If bloodlines are so important, it is significant to note that Adam and Eve produced both the world’s first murderer and martyr (Ge 4:8-16).

Sin nature. I suppose in the broadest sense, there is a curse on all of us, it is called our sinful human nature and it is a part of being human. NLT Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. But Christ broke that curse (punishment) by his work on Calvary. NLT Galatians 3:13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

2. Environment. The proponents of the generational curse theory have to downplay parental influence and the environment of childhood nurturing for their theory to work. However, how we were raised and loved is probably more powerful thing than bloodlines. I know someone who divorced their spouse largely because they thought it inevitable. Their parents got divorced at that age and she knew she would too, it was her self-fulfilling prophecy. The older I get the more I recognize the family resemblance, but I am not my mother or father, and my future is not inevitable but has incredible freedom within the boundaries of God’s plan for my life. Note that Eli the priest raised both the ungodly Hophni and Phinehas and the godly Samuel in the same Tabernacle environment and yet they chose two different paths (1Sa 2:12f).

Learned behavior. We do learn much of our behavior from our parents or our guardian, but we are not destined to follow their evil or good ways, the choice is up to us. Neither of my parents are big readers and the home I grew up in was loud and noisy, yet I always had a book in my hand and sought out a quiet corner. I do have many of the same mannerisms that they do, but I am not them.

3. Inevitability. For proponents of the generational curse theory our lives are inevitable because they are cursed. This is contrary to God’s grace. Three points:

a) If God punished us immediately when we acted wrong there would be no one on this planet, but God extends grace. NLT 2 Peter 3:9 He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

b) If the curse makes our outcome inevitable, then Christ’s death on the cross means nothing. The power a curse is stronger than God’s grace. Or you have to say that we are only partially saved and partially demonized – which is contrary to many scriptures, such as: NLT 1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

c) And in what is perhaps the most twisted piece of logic, the children are not as important to God as the parents. The inflated egos of proponents of the generational curse theory make it seem as if their generation alone is so important to God that all other generations are destined to automatically. NLT Hebrews 9:27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, Note that Ruth was raised worshiping a Canaanite god, and her people were specifically not allowed into God’s tabernacle because of it (Dt 23:3). It would seem inevitable that she was cut off from God’s grace, but Ruth was drawn to the living God and was accepted as an Israelite. NLT Ruth 1:16 Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. She was accepted so much that she is even listed in the direct lineage of Jesus’ family.

Evil. Yes, there is evil in the world, and there is an enemy who lies in wait and wants to destroy us. NLT 1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. But I do not need to see the ungodly behavior of my father or suffer the attacks of Satan to do wrong; I can find enough trouble within my own selfishness to miss the mark. NLT Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Note one of the sources of sin: NLT James 1:14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

Some Key Passages:
1. Ex 20:4-6: NLT Exodus 20:4 "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected-- even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Let’s break this “curse” down. The entire family is affected by the parent’s rejection of God. But is God cutting the children off? No, because he also promises blessing if they love him. But by willfully rejecting God, a parent’s heart becomes calloused to the voice of God. Our children learn what they see and hear and hear from us, and you know the cliché: “The apple does not fall far from the tree.” What is important to you will be important to your children. And this “curse” must be understood with the parallel promise of love for a thousand generations if they love the Lord. Our actions and decisions do have consequences.

2. Ez 18:2: NLT Ezekiel 18:2 "Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: 'The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste'? Here it seems that the children suffer for their parent’s sins. But just keep reading: NLT Ezekiel 18:19 " 'What?' you ask. 'Doesn't the child pay for the parent's sins?' No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. 20 The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent's sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. 21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. No further explanation needed.

3. Dt 11:26-28: NLT Deuteronomy 11:26 "Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before. The key word in the passage here then is not so much the curse as it is the choice, the “if…then.” If we obey, we and our children will be blessed and if we reject God we then it will be very difficult for our children to hear the voice of our gracious God and that relationship will be lost, possibly for many generations, though not for lack of trying on God’s behalf.

4. Jn 9:1-4: NLT John 9:1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" 3 "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. The question they asked implied some multi-generational sin was the source of the blindness. Jesus soundly rejects such thinking.

Conclusions.
1. Subsequent Generations. The New Testament says very little about the second generation of Christians. That is why some churches baptize infants and we dedicate them. However, both testaments encourage parents to raise their children in the faith; but the child’s faith is not automatic, they must walk in the faith, or apply it to their own lives individually. Parents are to provide an environment where they can learn about God’s grace. NLT Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

2. Grace. The theory of “generational curses” limits God’s powerful grace more than it acknowledges the power of evil. It ultimately says that God’s Holy Spirit is insufficient to bring about the change from darkness to light, but a special prayer formula can. Scripture says, NLT 2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

3. Simple Consequences. Rather than a “generational curse” what we see are family traits that are either learned behavior or the inevitable outcome of a life that is lived apart from God. NLT Judges 2:10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Our actions do have consequences and these consequences will affect our children. One final scripture for your meditation on this subject: NLT Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.