Building a Lasting Legacy of Faith in Our Families
Judges 3:9-10
And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
It is no coincidence that it is in the family of Caleb, a man of tremendous faith, that God raises up a deliverer for Israel! People of genuine faith impact those around them for future generations! Our desire should be that the lives we lead will be so impactful that our descendants way down the line will continue to build upon the legacy of faith that God has enabled us to establish for our immediate family and circle of influence! Dare I say that if our faith doesn't impact our own family, then how shall it affect anyone else? It is sad but true that many are guilty of "winning the world" to Christ, while their own family is untouched by their faith. Let it not be so! I think here of Noah, a preacher of righteousness, who after many years of preaching, won nobody but his family, to whom I say should be given recognition for great success! Why is it so easy for us to be so connected to others, yet so distant to our own families? The devil knows the power of the family unit coupled with faith! It is through the family structure that God delivered the promised seed! It is through the family structure that the church is built and maintained! It is through the family structure that children, as arrows in the hands of a mighty man, hit their target, or in other words, reach their maximum potential under the direction and care of their God-fearing parents (see Psa 127:4)! This is not to say that God cannot use someone who is in a broken family; do not take me wrong here. What I am saying is, we cannot improve upon God's design and initial plan! I'll say this; if we win no one else to Christ on the planet, and if we pass our faith down to no one else, we MUST make our family a priority! There is not a garden you can toil in, no matter how small it may look today, that can yield more fruit and touch the lives of more people down the road, than the garden of your family.
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
It is no coincidence that it is in the family of Caleb, a man of tremendous faith, that God raises up a deliverer for Israel! People of genuine faith impact those around them for future generations! Our desire should be that the lives we lead will be so impactful that our descendants way down the line will continue to build upon the legacy of faith that God has enabled us to establish for our immediate family and circle of influence! Dare I say that if our faith doesn't impact our own family, then how shall it affect anyone else? It is sad but true that many are guilty of "winning the world" to Christ, while their own family is untouched by their faith. Let it not be so! I think here of Noah, a preacher of righteousness, who after many years of preaching, won nobody but his family, to whom I say should be given recognition for great success! Why is it so easy for us to be so connected to others, yet so distant to our own families? The devil knows the power of the family unit coupled with faith! It is through the family structure that God delivered the promised seed! It is through the family structure that the church is built and maintained! It is through the family structure that children, as arrows in the hands of a mighty man, hit their target, or in other words, reach their maximum potential under the direction and care of their God-fearing parents (see Psa 127:4)! This is not to say that God cannot use someone who is in a broken family; do not take me wrong here. What I am saying is, we cannot improve upon God's design and initial plan! I'll say this; if we win no one else to Christ on the planet, and if we pass our faith down to no one else, we MUST make our family a priority! There is not a garden you can toil in, no matter how small it may look today, that can yield more fruit and touch the lives of more people down the road, than the garden of your family.
~ Pastor Gary Caudill