Short Devotion

Good morning, this is truth and love. I'm so glad to be with you this morning.

Thank you for watching and joining me and It's uh, it's going to be a wet several days it's wet out there this morning and we were getting plenty of rain

But we can still be thankful for what the Lord is giving us it's

You know when we get an over and abundance of something it's so easy for us to complain, right

When we're when we're in a drought we cry for rain, but then when we get an overabundance we complain when we

When we're in a drought we complain when it's too hot we complain when it's too cold we complain Maybe we can be thankful we can be thankful During these circumstances because we know the

Lord's in control and he's going to provide for his his children But thank you for joining me this morning

If I can pray for you at the end Let me know if I can do that. All you have to do is is type me

And I'd love to be able to pray for you If you're watching let me know you're watching

Thank you for Joining with me as we try to reach out to our community and share

Jesus Christ Share the gospel share the good news It's the the alternative is unthinkable we we must stop and pause and let that reality sink in the alternative is unthinkable

I mean we do Ourselves our family and we on a morning

Tim We we do everyone a disservice if we do not meditate

At least for a moment Occasionally about the alternative without Christ Which will of course

Be one of the motivations that leads us To to loving our family and our friends and our neighbors and Causing us to share the gospel, of course and then meditating on the being with Christ and in Christ Which would motivate us even more because of his kindness

To love our family and love our friends and love our neighbors take to give them the gospel.

So We Let's do that as often as possible and not forget the alternative and definitely definitely remember

What the kindness of Christ the goodness of God And it will lead us to love love our neighbor and share the gospel

Um This morning. I just want to do a short devotion I'm still studying and still working on this this next section in Colossians and I and I want to Do it justice as best to the ability that I have which um

There's no isn't I know it's not the greatest But to the best of my ability I want to do it justice and I want to do it

Well, and so I want to continue to study on the on the those verses But just want to do a short devotion with you this morning and and spend time together with you

If I can pray for you, please let me know if I can do that All you have to do is type me we'll pray at the end and i'll pray for you if you would like Please let me know that you're watching

Um, I love your encouragement um I'd also like feedback if there's any

Um any feedback that you would like to give me, um, if there was any topic that you would like for me to address um

Maybe we could do videos called Oh What I should do when blank what

I should do if Um, maybe we can tackle some of those topics and and I would just love to hear some suggestions from you if you have any but let's let's do a quick devotion this morning and Um seek the lord first thing this morning getting off my right foot and I ask that you you please take um

Take continue to take me serious. Um, even though Even though i'm going to use a prop i'm going to use a prop this morning and I know often we you know, we use props when we're teaching children or whatever but This um

Um this flashlight I'm going to use as a prop for our devotion, um, but it's uh

It's for a serious and a very weighty matter that I use this prop

And um And I'd just like for you to to take it, um

Listen and um see what you think of this issue.

Um This is this is no special Flashlight that I have

Um quite quite ordinary. It's not it's not modern It's not new and it's not ancient either

Um, it's it's an older flashlight But and it still functions, um,

I hope you can see that the light come on it still functions and It works and it does well and there's uh

You know, there's nothing really special about this flashlight. It does its job except for one thing

There is one thing special about this flashlight That's different and i'm going to say

With 99 percent certainty because there may be another out there at least one

There may be another out there But this there there's something about this flashlight that makes this flashlight unique Maybe the only one of its kind only one in the world

With the exception of maybe one or two that I don't know about but What is it?

What makes this flashlight special and unique one of a kind? Well It's the name on the back the name on the back

It says Clyde and i'm not going to give you the last name First name is

Clyde It has a name on the back. Who was who was

Clyde? And what makes that flashlight special? Well, this flashlight is in our house

With the name Clyde on it for a reason Clyde Is the grandfather of my wife and from my understanding

Um He was admired by his grandchildren and I know that At least my wife and her sisters

Admired and thought a lot About their grandfather Clyde Um Every time they they speak of him, they speak well of him.

So I have nothing but good thoughts to think About Clyde my wife's grandfather

And so when we we have this flashlight in our home We still use this flashlight

And when we see this flashlight, we don't we don't need this flashlight to think about him

And she doesn't need this flashlight to think about him But when we see this flashlight we do think about him because this was this was his flashlight

And it has his name on it And when we think of him, we think well of him

And I think well of him because Of how my wife thinks of him

And not only that This object this flashlight Still functions

This flashlight that came from my wife's grandfather Still provides light for us in the dark

When we need it And we're thankful for that, too But more than that We're thankful for the life of my wife's grandfather

And we're reminded of that when we see this flashlight that has his name on it

And of course you you probably know where i'm going with this. Um What i'm thinking about What will they say of you?

What will they think of when when they think of you when they are when they are

Looking through Your belongings that you leave behind The belongings that you pass down.

What will they think of you? What will they say of you? And I wanted to think of what scripture would teach us

About what kind of life that we should live That when we are not here anymore what we would want those that we leave behind To think of us to say about us and what we would want to be doing for them

For when that time comes And I think of proverbs chapter 13 verse 22

And it says a good man Leaves an inheritance to his children's children

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children

And the wealth Of the sinner is stored up for the righteous

And the first one's obvious a good A good man leaves an inheritance.

We want to leave something for not just our children But our children's children so that means um

There there must be an abundance of it, right? It's not just some measly little something that um

That can only make it to our children scripture is teaching us that it should flow on down to to Multiple generations

To our children's children's so what we leave behind for our family

Should continue for generations That's the expectation here from the author of proverbs and then the second half

If i'm reading this correctly and please correct me if i'm wrong But it says the the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous

And that doesn't make sense On the surface the the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

So We know it if this is what a good um man is doing if he is if he is

Growing an inheritance so that he can leave it for multiple generations That's the opposite of what the wicked is doing, right?

The wicked man is is not building up that inheritance so the the wicked man what he is doing is

Is wasting it is is building up Um In such a way that it's not going to to benefit future generations of his family and so If it if it doesn't go to them

It's left behind for the righteous man I hope that makes sense.

So he's not he's not going to be able to use it His his um

Future generations his family to come they're not going to be able to use it. It's a waste for them and so it's going to be um

It's going to be to the benefit of the righteous man because it's not going to to his his family um

So so there's the there's the standard. There's the the proverb the thought the wisdom be building up so that you can have enough to affect multiple generations in the future of your family

And the first place that we want to go to of course is financially And I do think the scripture speaks of that we do want to leave a financial inheritance

To the best of our ability to future generations to our children

But you know, that's not always Not always possible in in every circumstance.

Not everyone is is able or has money Financial means that they can pass on to their children and children's children.

Um, I I think that we um We should do the best of our ability to to do that and I think that um

I think it's a good thing when we do that But we're we are in christ christ has come

That we are we are in christ and we want to be thinking In new covenant terms

Um, we want to be thinking as people who are in christ people in his kingdom and take this proverb and take its application

And and use it with those means um with those um thoughts in mind

How can I leave an inheritance to my children and children's children in this new covenant in this um

In this kingdom of god and kingdom of christ in his kingdom Um, and of course the first thing that we want to think of Is um

Spiritually And so I want to go to first peter And there's there's just going to be uh two ways that we want to um

I think leave an inheritance. The first one is is of course spiritually.

So first peter chapter one Verses three and five Seeing that his divine power has granted us

Granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness Through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence for by these

He has granted to us his precious and magnificent promises In order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature

Having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust now for this very reason also applying all diligence in your faith

Supply moral excellence and in your moral excellence knowledge Um, so The the inheritance that we receive is the the inheritance of um

Of heaven of eternal life of christ And and all the promises that come in christ

Which first and foremost is is that eternal life? It's it's life in him

Life eternal life that begins now and and goes on for forever And being able to enjoy him forever

That's that's the life that we want to to share and grow we want to be growing ourselves in such a way that we are

Influencing and growing our immediate family But that's our first.

Um And foremost calling in our life we may be gifted in other areas um

Many are gifted. Um in so many different ways and we

And many are gifted very well but too often

That gift is Is is put above The family um

Too much emphasis and focus is put on that gift, you know, whether you know god maybe has given given someone a great sense of business a great sense of leadership uh a great teaching ability and so You know all their efforts begin to be piling up into that gift

And and building building themselves up here on this earth and building their kingdom and their wealth here on this earth

And and then neglect because so much time is spent there So much focus is spent there because they enjoy it.

So it's their gift. It comes naturally and so that's where they want to be But but in that they neglect their family and don't leave that spiritual inheritance.

They don't use that gift And and it's Naturally in our natural self um it would be hard to do that when when you have such a gift that That that it allows you to to lead other people to create money to create jobs to create wealth um

To do so many wonderful things on here on this earth I'm sure it is quite difficult to reserve and restrain using

That ability and that gift To that degree so that you don't

Neglect your family that you you use that gift that you were building that kingdom building that wealth

Um influencing so many people And you use it

Within your family and your your kingdom here on this earth in in in this in the sense of the world

Your your kingdom is not as um influential your kingdom is not as um

Widespread your kingdom is not as big your kingdom is not as noticeable

If you're using that energy and you're using that gift within your family

Now i'm not saying don't use it out here because that's why the lord has given it to you and we won't speak and Speak to that in just a moment

But i'm speaking of priority Because the family is often neglected because we we lean into the temptation

Of building our own kingdoms and growing our own wealth wanting to be noticed wanting to be popular and we neglect our family

When we should be using that gift that god has given us first and foremost in our family

So that we are building Building ourselves up spiritually In christ and we are building up our family so that we are leaving such an inheritance

Think about the focus think about the energy that that we must use within that family structure

To leave such an inheritance that it multiplies and it affects multiple generations

That's a lot of hard work spiritually To affect multiple generations down the road

Now ultimately we are not in control we leave it in the hands of the sovereign god but our job is to love and Build and be an influencer within our own families in such a way that that we are

Building an inheritance a spiritual inheritance that it will be effective multiple generations down the road

And that takes a lot of time and an effort on our part

Jesus Is what we want to leave? to our children and our children's children

There is nothing richer There's nothing more to gain We can't leave anything better than jesus to our children and our children's children

And that takes effort on our part And we do not want to neglect if we focus so much on the other that we neglect

To be growing our family in christ If we're not sharing christ and building that inheritance

That we're looking to the future Then we might as well say that we hate our family and we hate our children and we hate our children's children

If we are not Sharing christ with our family because without christ, what did we think about earlier?

The alternative is unthinkable If one dies without christ they spend an eternity in hell and if we are not sharing christ

If we are not trying to leave such a legacy that christ is flowing through our family for generations to come

Then we might as well say that we hate our family if we're so focused on the other things in this world that we neglect

To share christ with our family It's it's that serious it's that big a deal

And then the second thing This one's pretty interesting and I do not think that we think about it

Like we should if at all And I wanted to share this with you Matthew chapter 5

Matthew chapter 5 And one verse matthew chapter 5 verse 5

This is where jesus is teaching And he says this And see if you catch it see if you hear it see if um

It catches your ear differently Okay, because we're thinking about leaving it leaving an inheritance to our children's children what we should be doing what it looks like What did you what does jesus say?

Jesus says blessed are the gentle for the meek

For they shall Inherit what?

Heaven You know, we're all looking towards heaven

That's where our inheritance is We're looking towards heaven because that's where we're going to live that We speak of heaven when our loved ones are gone

Our focus is on heaven Have you noticed that? So much of our focus our only focus when it comes to our future in our in our eternity

Is on heaven We never think of the earth

Even though jesus speaks of the earth we never think of the earth

Why do we do that? Well, I think there's a lot several reasons why we do that and it

That would take too long to discuss But maybe it's something that you can meditate on Why do we not think about the earth?

And we only think about heaven I would challenge you to do that. I would challenge you to think about why our focus is lopsided when jesus speaks of the earth

Jesus says blessed are the gentle or meek for they shall

Inherit the earth so If we're in christ

And we're spending that spiritual time To grow ourselves so that then we can grow our immediate family and it will be to such a degree that they are spiritually affecting their family and then their family and we're

Affecting multiple generations we're sharing jesus christ and he's flowing through our generations to come

If if we're doing that and jesus says

Blessed are the meek blessed on the gentle for they shall Inherit the earth

What are we also inheriting? as christians We're inheriting the earth

We are inheriting the earth If if we meditate on that And I challenge you to do this

Why are we lopsided and why does jesus say we want to inherit the earth

Why do I skip over that verse? when When it's significant when it means something that he jesus is saying it because it means something

It is real We will inherit the earth so spiritually

As i'm growing my family And i'm leaving an inheritance for my children's children that idea of inheriting the earth

Should encompass how we grow and the inheritance that we leave and and what we leave for our children and children's children

I think Why does jesus tell us? That we are we are the salt of the earth

Salt is used to preserve Why why do we want to preserve the earth if it's just going to if it's sinking if it's just going to be destroyed

Why preserve it? Why does jesus say that? It seems that the way we um

Have been brought up to think It seems that how we have been taught to think

Is not always consistent with what god's word says Why be the salt of the earth if it's going down if it's

If it can't be won over if it's going to be Destroyed why be the salt of the earth?

Why? Because the meat shall inherit the earth The earth is our inheritance and so we should be

Living as salt in the earth to preserve it and that is in all realms of Of life here and within This life we should be teaching our our children

That Yes, we should yes, we should vote but that's not the only um, that's not the only way that a christian can um

Be involved in politics we we push and push and push. Um That Voting is a christian right a christian duty a christian responsibility

But when we cast that ballot We think that we've done our christian duty. We've fulfilled our christian responsibility and we're finished it's over it's done because The political realm is so corrupt the things in the political realm are so evil that it's we need to keep it separate

We've got this, um, it's called dualistic thinking That my christian life is here

And My secular life is here And um, the political realm is in the in the secular life

And and um You know, we we want politicians in there that are going to um

Be be moral and lead us morally and we vote and then we think we've done our our duty, which is

Which is one of the you know, greatest things that we can do it is vote But we can be teaching our children how to be politicians

That it's great to go into politics because when you have influence you can obey god and Use that position to love your neighbor

We should be teaching our children how to be Entrepreneurs ceos

Leaders So that they can use that influence use that position to love their neighbors to preserve the earth

We should be teaching our children that if they are a custodian if they are a teacher if they are a principal if they are a

Um a superintendent If they are a um

Board of education member. It doesn't matter what level that you are on You are fulfilling the highest calling in the world

To glorify god and he says preserve the earth

And use that position To glorify god and love your neighbor

By doing it with excellence doing it to the best of your ability And we love our neighbor first and foremost by sharing the gospel

And then secondly, you know Meeting needs that are there gospel and then physical needs but living the life of christ

Is living that life of christ Not in a bubble With our eyes to the sky

Waiting on christ to come to destroy the earth Jesus seems to teach just the opposite.

You are the salt of the earth The meek the gentle will inherit the earth

So therefore we want to be leaving our children and our children's children

Such an inheritance that they are conquering the world for christ

Can we meditate on those two things today? Spending so taking so much effort

Um That we are being influencers in our family to lead them spiritually in such a way

That it's leaving an inheritance that will affect our children's children and then growing our family in such a way

That we are leading them to be influencers in the world

Taking on every position every place of authority

Because jesus has promised Jesus's command is for us to preserve the earth

Be the salt of the earth Be the light of the world and the meek the gentle Will inherit the earth

And use that position Use that place to glorify god

And love your neighbor Be leading your family

We should be leading our family families To be conquerors and so when they

When they think of you And what you have left them will you continue to function

As a light That shows them the way In the darkness

That shines the light on christ And his promises and his commands and his ways

What will they say? What will they think of you? When they see your name

On what you've left them I want them to see christ Hope that was encouraging to you

All of christ for all of life. We don't want to be lazy wicked servants amen tim

I'm in full agreement. I'm right there with you Hope you guys have a wonderful day.

If I can pray for you. All you have to do is Is type me at any time come back send me a message.

Let me know that I can pray for you Love to be able to do that Hope that was helpful and encouraging to you.

Let's pray together father. We thank you so much for Allowing us to spend time together looking at your word.

Help us to Help us to be servants who were as tim says not lazy but are laser -like focused

On your kingdom your glory and our family

As we are Called to preserve and give light

And take care of our inheritance Help us to be long term

Minded As proverb says that we should leave an inheritance for our children's children help us to think long term

And not just short term and what benefits us Thank you for your kindness your mercy and your goodness and we worship you and give you all praise

Glory and honor in jesus name. We pray. Amen Thank you for joining me this morning.

I hope you have a good day today. Remember that jesus is king Go live in that victory and let's continue to get out there and proclaim the gospel.