2 Timothy 1:3-5

The most precious thing we can pass down to children is our faith–the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothy’s strong relationship with Christ didn’t materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmother’s example.

Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation:

1. Teach practical biblical principles. Kids need to know God’s views on material wealth (Ps. 24:1), meeting needs (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6).
2. Model character through lifestyle. How we live–whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance–loudly communicates what we believe about God.
3. Serve God by serving others. Actions show that our faith is real (James 2:26). If we want kids not to develop a self-centered perspective, servanthood is key.
4. Intercede for them. Children won’t forget hearing us pray regularly for them.
5. Communicate love. Young people need to know we love them the way God loves us–unconditionally rather than based on what they do or don’t do. Spoken words of love breathe life into their hearts. And as we affirm them for trusting God, they see that we value their spiritual growth.

As parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring our sons and daughters to follow Christ. But even those without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many (1 Cor. 4:14-16).

In Daniel Goleman’s excellent book Emotional Intelligence he writes about the last moments of Gary and Mary Jean Chauncey battling the swirling waters of the river into which the Amtrak train they were on had plummeted. With every bit of energy they had, both fought desperately to save the life of their young daughter Andrea, who had cerebral palsy and was bound to a wheelchair. Somehow they managed to push her out into the arms of rescuers, but sadly, they themselves drowned.

Some would like to explain such heroism as evolution’s imprint, that we humans behave this way by virtue of evolutionary design for the survival of our progeny. One is hard-pressed not to ask, “Why did the healthier preserve the weaker and not themselves?” But even the author was unable to explain it all in mere Darwinistic terms. He added that “only love” could explain such an act.

In another story, you may recall the chess victory of the computer “Deep Blue” over the world champion Gary Kasparov, which caused many to compare the similarities of machines and humans. Yale professor David Gelertner disagrees. He writes:

“The idea that Deep Blue has a mind is absurd. How can an object that wants nothing, fears nothing, enjoys nothing, needs nothing, and cares about nothing have a mind?  It can win at chess, but not because it wants to. It isn’t happy when it wins or sad when it loses. What are its [post]-match plans if it beats Kasparov?  Is it hoping to take Deep Pink out for a night on the town?”(1)

He continues: “The gap between the human and the surrogate is permanent and will never be closed. Machines will continue to make life easier, healthier, richer, and more puzzling. And humans will continue to care, ultimately, about the same things they always have: about themselves, about one another, and many of them, about God.”

What a unique capacity God has put within us—the capacity to feel. From the selfless sacrifice of loving parents to our own personal thought lives, we recognize that this ability is one aspect of the insurmountable differences between us and machines. In the words of the biblical writer, it is we—and not our PC’s I might add—who have been made “a little lower than the angels.” Life, feeling, and thought are God’s gifts to us. And where we follow God’s thoughts, we feel and act in highest measure.

 Ravi Zacharias is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

 (1) David Gelertner, “How Hard Is Chess?” Time Magazine, 19 May 1997.

Morning   “So to walk even as he walked.”   1 John 2:6

Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If

they desire to be in a healthy state of soul–if they would escape the sickness

of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For

their own happiness’ sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined;

if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted

up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as he walked.

There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed,

as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. It is when,

by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk

with Jesus in his very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be

the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion’s

sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at

by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy

foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The

professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters

the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, worries the flock more

than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss.

Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering

critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ’s own sake, imitate his

example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is his name precious to thee? Is

his cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become his?

Is it thy desire that he should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should

be won to him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an “epistle of Christ, known and read of

all men.”

 

Evening   “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee.”   Isaiah 41:9

If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has

been to make us God’s servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are

unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be his name, we are his servants, wearing

his livery, feeding at his table, and obeying his commands. We were once the

servants of sin, but he who made us free has now taken us into his family and

taught us obedience to his will. We do not serve our Master perfectly, but we

would if we could. As we hear God’s voice saying unto us, “Thou art my servant,”

we can answer with David, “I am thy servant; thou hast loosed my bonds.” But the

Lord calls us not only his servants, but his chosen ones–“I have

chosen thee.” We have not chosen him first, but he hath chosen us. If we be

God’s servants, we were not always so; to sovereign grace the change must be

ascribed. The eye of sovereignty singled us out, and the voice of unchanging

grace declared, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Long ere time

began or space was created God had written upon his heart the names of his elect

people, had predestinated them to be conformed unto the image of his Son, and

ordained them heirs of all the fulness of his love, his grace, and his glory.

What comfort is here! Has the Lord loved us so long, and will he yet cast us

away? He knew how stiffnecked we should be; he understood that our hearts were

evil, and yet he made the choice. Ah! our Saviour is no fickle lover. He doth

not feel enchanted for awhile with some gleams of beauty from his church’s eye,

and then afterwards cast her off because of her unfaithfulness. Nay, he married

her in old eternity; and it is written of Jehovah, “He hateth putting away.” The

eternal choice is a bond upon our gratitude and upon his faithfulness which

neither can disown.

 

And he said, ‘Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ for thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.”    2 Kings 3:16-17

The armies of the three kings were famishing and in need of water. God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing.

Here was a case of human helplessness: Not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. In similar fashion the people of the Lord are often at their wits’ end—seeing their helplessness, and then learning where their help is to be found.

Notice that people were to prepare in faith to receive the divine blessing. They were to dig the trenches in which the water would be held. The church must learn by her efforts and prayers to make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. They were soon to discover a unique provision of the water they required. The shower did not pour from the clouds, as in Elijah’s case; but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to process and time as we are but does as He pleases among the sons of men. Our part is to humbly receive from Him, and not to dictate to Him.

We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply—there was enough for the needs of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing. All the needs of the congregation and of the entire church will be met by divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be quickly given to the armies of the Lord.

What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing that You are so willing to bestow.

The family reading plan for May 16, 2012

Isaiah 15 | 1 Peter 3