Next Generation - July 2003

Psalms 78:1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old

Psalms 78:3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.

Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalms 78:5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

Psalms 78:6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

Psalms 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.

Psalms 78:8 They would not be like their forefathers-- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.

The question that arises from this scripture is simple. What are you teaching the next generation?

Maybe you say, “Nothing, I am not going to force my views on anyone”, well in reality that makes you part of the rebellious forefathers that resisted God. They also did nothing to teach the next generation right from wrong, good from evil. By not teaching the next generatoin your values, you are making a choice that does infact teach the next generaton something. What you are teaching them is that values are not important, morals are fluid, and that is ok to do as you please without regard for others.

Maybe you say, “I don’t have kids so I am not involved in that”. Weather you are a parent, a grand parent, a sibling or even just a family friend you are responsible for helping to teach the next generation about God. God placed you in relationships with others where you could be a guide to them and help them with the knowledge, wisdom and direction God has given you.

Maybe you say, “I’m a parent, but I do not have time”, or “I am not going to force my kids to do things like my parents did.” Those are excuses to avoid the responsibility that you have been given when you were blessed with a child. God calls you to be a leader in your home. He calls you to be a good example for your children to follow. Realize that you are a example already, the question is weather you are being a good one or a bad one. There is nothing you do as a parent that is as important as educating your children on how to be good adults. It helps you, it helps them, and it helps society.

Understand, I am not talking some social ideal where everyone helps raise the children of the community, I am talking about is you putting yourself in a place of influence in the lives of those that will be the leaders in society, community and church in 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. That is what the Bible calls you too. You are called to teach what God taught you to others, where they can carry on the teachings of Christ to their children, their grandchildren, and any others they can influence.

One of the things I have never understood about most Christians is how they can talk about how important it is too be salt and light in the world, but they have little concern for children that are not in the lives of their chosen circle. A example, Christians take their kids out of public schools, and then show no interest in being sure that the children left in public school get any sort of moral teachings. I have no problem with Christian schools or home schooling, my problem is Christians seem to say “Well my kids are out of there so I am not worried about it now.” Is that really the way a Christian should be? I think not. Weather you have kids in public school or not, you should work to influence the education of the next generation.

Most Christians only have friends that are Christians. They never talk or spend time with anyone else, yet they constantly complain that society is terrible and not improving. How can society improve when we remove ourselves from it and only spend time around other believers. No way to be the salt and light to a lost world when you spend all your time in the world of the saved.

We build safe cocoon lives filled with churches, retreats, camps, Bible Studies and Christian social events. We never find out how the children of our single parent neighbor are. We never followup and see if the children of a bad divorce are being taken care of. We allow homeless families with children to live on the street because we need spend our money on new toys instead of investing in suffering ministries. Then we wonder why people have a negative view of Christians and Christianity.

The problem is not them, it is us. We are hypocrites of the first degree. We say we want to save the world, but in reality we only want to save ourselves, our families and a few close friends. We have no desire to step outside our comfort zone and meet those that are suffering.

Our excuses always sound spiritual. “God is calling me to work with the children at the church.” or “The Lord helped me raise my children now He is allowing me to rest and grow in prayer.” and hundreds of other ones that you have probably heard or used y yourself. The real truth is we are not willing to risk failure, rejection and possible impact on our safe world. It is safer to be in a protected world then exposed to the danger outside.

Why don’t we ask the neighbor’s kids to church? Why don’t we spend some time working with kids that are not our church? Why not help single parents raise their children in the same fashion you raised your own? Why not help a kid that needs direction find what God has for them? One word - selfishness.

Some of this selfishness probably comes from the fact that we saw the same pattern from our parents, and possibly even our grandparents. We were taught to take care of our own and not worry about others. We were taught that our passions (sports, money, hobbies, homes, and vehicles) are all more important then the needs of others. We got ours on our own, so it is now their turn to get their own.

It is time for us to break this cycle, and be the people that God has called us to be. We need to step out and project God into the world, instead of projecting ourselves, our successes (we never project our failures), our achievements and our goals. God’s will should be the center of your life, if you accepted Christ as your Savior. That means your desires, your goals, your successes are now directed by Him, not you, and when you accomplish them (these news goals, desires and successes) tell the world about how great God has been to you. Let no more time pass where you are not telling the world about all God has done for you. That story is far more interesting because He used you, a unworthy vessel, to accomplish His worthy goals.

I know that sounds tough, but you either know that you are nothing without God or you know nothing about God. If it is the later this can be the day that all changes. God is waiting, He is ready to make you the person He wants you to be, He is ready to mold you into the person that is projecting God into the world. He is ready to make you His vessel of accomplishment and success. After that all you have to do it tell the world what God did for you, instead of hiding your life in a hole away from the sight of the world.

Christian, today is the day to begin telling the next generation, no matter your situation, about God and all that He has taught you, done for you and all that He means in your world. No longer put your light under a bowl, place it high on a hill where all around you are drawn too it.

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	Psalms 78:1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old Psalms 78:3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalms 78:5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, Psalms 78:6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Psalms 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalms 78:8 They would not be like their forefathers-- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. The question that arises from this scripture is simple. What are you teaching the next generation? Maybe you say, “Nothing, I am not going to force my views on anyone”, well in reality that makes you part of the rebellious forefathers that resisted God. They also did nothing to teach the next generation right from wrong, good from evil. By not teaching the next generatoin your values, you are making a choice that does infact teach the next generaton something. What you are teaching them is that values are not important, morals are fluid, and that is ok to do as you please without regard for others. Maybe you say, “I don’t have kids so I am not involved in that”. Weather you are a parent, a grand parent, a sibling or even just a family friend you are responsible for helping to teach the next generation about God. God placed you in relationships with others where you could be a guide to them and help them with the knowledge, wisdom and direction God has given you. Maybe you say, “I’m a parent, but I do not have time”, or “I am not going to force my kids to do things like my parents did.” Those are excuses to avoid the responsibility that you have been given when you were blessed with a child. God calls you to be a leader in your home. He calls you to be a good example for your children to follow. Realize that you are a example already, the question is weather you are being a good one or a bad one. There is nothing you do as a parent that is as important as educating your children on how to be good adults. It helps you, it helps them, and it helps society. Understand, I am not talking some social ideal where everyone helps raise the children of the community, I am talking about is you putting yourself in a place of influence in the lives of those that will be the leaders in society, community and church in 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. That is what the Bible calls you too. You are called to teach what God taught you to others, where they can carry on the teachings of Christ to their children, their grandchildren, and any others they can influence. One of the things I have never understood about most Christians is how they can talk about how important it is too be salt and light in the world, but they have little concern for children that are not in the lives of their chosen circle. A example, Christians take their kids out of public schools, and then show no interest in being sure that the children left in public school get any sort of moral teachings. I have no problem with Christian schools or home schooling, my problem is Christians seem to say “Well my kids are out of there so I am not worried about it now.” Is that really the way a Christian should be? I think not. Weather you have kids in public school or not, you should work to influence the education of the next generation. Most Christians only have friends that are Christians. They never talk or spend time with anyone else, yet they constantly complain that society is terrible and not improving. How can society improve when we remove ourselves from it and only spend time around other believers. No way to be the salt and light to a lost world when you spend all your time in the world of the saved. We build safe cocoon lives filled with churches, retreats, camps, Bible Studies and Christian social events. We never find out how the children of our single parent neighbor are. We never followup and see if the children of a bad divorce are being taken care of. We allow homeless families with children to live on the street because we need spend our money on new toys instead of investing in suffering ministries. Then we wonder why people have a negative view of Christians and Christianity. The problem is not them, it is us. We are hypocrites of the first degree. We say we want to save the world, but in reality we only want to save ourselves, our families and a few close friends. We have no desire to step outside our comfort zone and meet those that are suffering. Our excuses always sound spiritual. “God is calling me to work with the children at the church.” or “The Lord helped me raise my children now He is allowing me to rest and grow in prayer.” and hundreds of other ones that you have probably heard or used y yourself. The real truth is we are not willing to risk failure, rejection and possible impact on our safe world. It is safer to be in a protected world then exposed to the danger outside. Why don’t we ask the neighbor’s kids to church? Why don’t we spend some time working with kids that are not our church? Why not help single parents raise their children in the same fashion you raised your own? Why not help a kid that needs direction find what God has for them? One word - selfishness. Some of this selfishness probably comes from the fact that we saw the same pattern from our parents, and possibly even our grandparents. We were taught to take care of our own and not worry about others. We were taught that our passions (sports, money, hobbies, homes, and vehicles) are all more important then the needs of others. We got ours on our own, so it is now their turn to get their own. It is time for us to break this cycle, and be the people that God has called us to be. We need to step out and project God into the world, instead of projecting ourselves, our successes (we never project our failures), our achievements and our goals. God’s will should be the center of your life, if you accepted Christ as your Savior. That means your desires, your goals, your successes are now directed by Him, not you, and when you accomplish them (these news goals, desires and successes) tell the world about how great God has been to you. Let no more time pass where you are not telling the world about all God has done for you. That story is far more interesting because He used you, a unworthy vessel, to accomplish His worthy goals. I know that sounds tough, but you either know that you are nothing without God or you know nothing about God. If it is the later this can be the day that all changes. God is waiting, He is ready to make you the person He wants you to be, He is ready to mold you into the person that is projecting God into the world. He is ready to make you His vessel of accomplishment and success. After that all you have to do it tell the world what God did for you, instead of hiding your life in a hole away from the sight of the world. Christian, today is the day to begin telling the next generation, no matter your situation, about God and all that He has taught you, done for you and all that He means in your world. No longer put your light under a bowl, place it high on a hill where all around you are drawn too it.