What Glenn Writes

Click here for Part 1 of 3 or here for Part 2 of 3.

In the first post of this series, we reviewed how the Lord directs us to establish symbols in our lives to remind our children of our faith and the second post talked about the consequences of our actions for the generations following us.  This is a legacy we leave for our children and descendants to inherit, a spiritual legacy or spiritual inheritance. 

The question is whether we will leave a curse or a blessing.  Even if we could live perfect lives and do nothing wrong, which we cannot, the curse of the generations is still passed down to us, then to our descendants.  There is only one singular way to break the chain: Jesus Christ.

You may have heard this a gazillion times before reading these words and have reason to reject these statements; I know I did the same thing a gazillion times before taking the time to examine the truth and make a decision for myself and for my family.  Do not make the same mistake I made in rejecting Jesus because of religion, church, or false preachers.

The truth is simple. The generational chain of sin is a curse upon us going back through each and every generation all the way back to Adam.  We find the basis of Adam’s curse on all mankind and the freedom given through Jesus Christ explained in Romans 5:19:

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous.

This is the anchor of truth we must establish in our families. This is our obligation to our children and to our descendents.  As His Word promises, He will show love to “a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”  There is one person who is a key influence for your entire family and descendents:  You.

So what can you do?  At the end of my previous post, I suggested you follow me in a prayer.  This prayer is two-fold in acknowledging Jesus and seeking His guidance in this process.  As you think of ways to influence your family, consider what the Lord would have you establish for your family.  Each person is different, each family is different, and each anchor is different. 

Allow me to suggest a few I am using and believe to be effective:

1. I am establishing my own relationship with Jesus Christ that lasts throughout the week.  I believe it is important our children see our faith in action seven days a week, not just Sunday.
2. I am sharing the truth of salvation and God’s love with my family at every possible opportunity.  This is not always easy, nor is it convenient, yet it is obedient.  As I shared with you at the beginning, we are instructed in Deuteronomy 6:5-9:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

3. I am praying for my children.  Prayer is powerful and effective, as we are told in James 5:16:

 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

4. I am providing a symbol for my children through different heirlooms or actions, such as my cross.  This is a reminder of my faith and encouraging for them in times of trials (see the first post, here). A symbol is nothing by itself, although with these other steps, a symbol becomes a powerful force in the face of adversity by sheer recognition and remembrance.  This is explained well in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 shown above. 

By these four steps, I am providing an anchor for my children in Jesus Christ.  While their relationship with Jesus will be their own and ultimately up to them, I am establishing a firm foundation for their beginnings.  For this investment of my time and effort, I am confident I will see the fruit of my labor in their lives.  Yet my obligation extends beyond them.  For this purpose, to confirm my own children and to release the blessings of God for a thousand generations, I have set aside one day a month for fasting, prayer, and journaling for my descendents.

One day a month, I fast for my children and descendents.  I believe this is putting aside my selfish and physical desires and becoming focused on my prayers.  During this one day fast, each time I feel a craving for food, I say a prayer for all of my descendents.  I have found the more strict I become in this fast, the greater my physical cravings become, and the more prayer is offered on behalf of my family. 

At the end of the day, I set aside time to pray for my family – that is, my children and their generations unceasing.  I have no set prayer, nor do I prepare in any way other than fasting throughout the day.  I begin by submitting to the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer for my family, my children, and my descendents. 

Following this prayer, I write in a set of journals specifically for the purpose to record any impressions given to me during the day or during my prayer.  My intent for these journals is to be record for my children and descendents.  These special journals are set-aside for this purpose, as an encouragement for my family generations to come.  

I encourage you to consider the methods of influence you may use to anchor your family in Jesus Christ.  This will take a decision on your part.  You must be purposeful in this decision. This is where your role of responsibility becomes pivotal for generations beyond your children.  As the world attempts to redefine the term “FAMILY”, we find the Lord’s definition begins with you, follows you, and is unceasing. 

I believe the Lord wanted me to share this teaching.  Please share this with those the Lord puts on your heart for this purpose.  Copy/paste.  Print and copy.  Whatever works best for you, please share this gift freely.

Hebrews 6:19-20:

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever…

I believe the same prayer we prayed in the second post is good for the ending of this series.  Would you join me?  Just read the prayer, say it to yourself, or say it verbally: 

“Lord Jesus, I may not understand all the concepts about generations and curses and blessings, and I may not understand all this stuff about sin, but I do understand freedom.  I don’t want to be chained to sin and I don’t want my children to be chained to sin.  I don’t want to be chained to a curse and I don’t want my children chained to a curse.  I don’t want to be part of a generational curse and I don’t want to pass any generational curse to my children.  Instead, I want freedom.  Help me to understand what this means, for me and for my family.  Lord, I have sinned; I ask You to forgive me, break the generational chain of sin in my life, and deliver me from the curse.  I ask You to show me how to anchor my family so they may see a blessing instead of a curse in their lives.  I ask this in Your name, Jesus.  Amen”

Are you tough enough to stand for your family?  Are you tough enough to be a Christian?  Are you tough enough to stand for your faith?   

Glenn Sasscer

www.glennsasscer.com
Sign Up For Email Delivery For This Blog