5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, ‘She is my sister,’ for he was afraid to say ‘my wife,’ thinking, ‘The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.’”
Genesis 26:7 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Once again, I have chosen a verse that seems very unusual. But, if you have been reading through the book of Genesis, you probably had déjà vu. Abraham did the very same thing that his son, Isaac, did (Genesis 20:1-2).
Do you know what the principle is?
Like father, like son.
Abraham dishonored his wife, failed to trust his Lord, and did something horribly wrong. Then, his son eventually did the very same thing.
The good news is that while this is a bad example, it illustrates a principle that could be good and positive.
After all, if a parent can pass on bad behaviors to their children, surely a parent can pass on good behaviors to their children.
Friend, if you are a Jesus-follower (and I hope that you are!), then one of the greatest joys you could have is to pass on your faith to your children.
3 John 4 (CSB): “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”
So, how can we pass on our faith to our children? Sure, we should teach our children. But, what we see from Abraham’s example is that we can model the behavior that we want them to emulate.
If you want your children to go to church, then you go to church. If you want your children to read their Bibles, then let them see you reading your Bible. If you want your children to pray, then let them see your praying. If you want your children to love the Lord, then you love the Lord. If you want your children to be able to resolve conflict peaceably, then let them see you resolving conflict peaceably.
Our pursuit of holiness and godly character isn’t a personal thing if we are a parent. Our children are watching. And if they end up doing the same things we did, let those things be positive and Christ-honoring.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, I want to be a good example for my child(ren). Help me to see that my pursuit (or lack therefore) of holiness and godly character isn’t a personal thing. If no one else is watching, my children are watching. Help me to take my walk with you seriously so that my children can have a good example of how they are to behave. Amen.
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“Letters from Hell”
In spite of the fact that Jesus talked often about Hell, it rarely comes up in current Christian sermons and conversations. In fact, it seems that unbelievers are the only ones who talk about Hell … when they use it as a curse word.
In this fictional story, the author seeks to unpack a biblical view of what Hell is like. With 34 letters sent back and forth from a man on earth and another man in Hell, the author uses the letters from the man in Hell to describe, in very specific ways, what it’s like there.
A secondary objective of this book is to expose and attack sinful, nominal Christianity. Someone who claims to be a Christian, and yet is not taking his pursuit of holiness seriously, will either be offended or will experience godly conviction and make the necessary adjustments in his life.
To purchase this book on Amazon, click here. (You can download it for free on Monday, January 27.)
Matt’s Musings 