Judges 2:10 - The next generation

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10

While Joshua was alive, the Israelites followed the Lord. Verse 7 states, "The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel." But what about the next generation? Why were they not faithful? Why didn't they know the Lord? As a Christian, it is my responsibility to not only remain faithful and bring glory to God, but also to teach the next generation about the Lord and what he has done for me.

Lord, Thank you for giving us salvation through Jesus blood. Please help us to share our faith with our children and the children around us. Amen.

John 6:8-9 More about Andrew

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”  

Andrew and his brother must have been very close. Not only was Peter the first person Andrew told about Christ, they lived together. Mark 1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Since Simon’s mother-in-law lived there I would assume Simon's wife lived there also. Possibly there was more extended family. Again, we see the importance of family with this set of brothers as with James and John.  

It also appears that Andrew was a resourceful, responsible person. He was the one who found the fish and loaves when Jesus fed the five thousand. John 6:8-9 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,  “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” He served as a messenger in John 12:20-22 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.  

In Acts chapter one, Andrew is listed as present for Jesus ascension into heaven and the choosing of Matthias as an apostle. There is no other mention of Andrew in the BIble. but we do have some further information from church history and tradition:

From what we know from church history and tradition, Andrew kept bringing people to Christ, even after Jesus’ death.  He never seemed to care about putting his own life at risk. It is believed that he was martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras which was on the northern coast of Peloponnese which was in Greece.  Given the fact that he was likely crucified there, he must have, like many of the other apostles, went well beyond Judea to bring the gospel into all the world as Christ had commanded (Matt 28:19-20).  Church historian Eusebuis wrote that he may have brought the gospel to as far away as Kiev which is now part of Ukraine.  It’s interesting that he was crucified like Christ but in the pattern or shape of an “X” which was often a Christian symbol and is now known as St. Andrew’s cross because it was said that Andrew, like his brother Peter, considered himself unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as Christ was.  He was crucified close to 70 AD.  Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/the-apostle-andrew-biography-life-and-death/#ixzz4WdL6zlb7  

Andrew was the first apostle. He was often one of the inner circle with Jesus, probably mostly because of his brother, Peter. He was a steady, consistent member of the Apostles.  

Lord, thank you for using all kinds of personalities and temperaments. Please help us to allow you to use us no matter what our personality is like. Amen.

Psalm 61:4 - Home

I long to dwell in your tent forever
     and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

I want to go home. It is a phrase which means so many things. Sometimes home means an actual place. Other times it means family or a comfortable feeling. Home is something we all long for. Our true home is in heaven. There is nowhere on this earth which can compare. "This world is not my home, I just am passing through."

Lord, thank you for giving us a taste of home here on earth so we know what to look forward to in heaven. Please help us to always remember our true home is with you. Amen.

Psalm 22:22 - The assembly

I will declare your name to my people;
     in the assembly I will praise you.

Going to church on Sunday morning is one of my favorite things to do. It is an opportunity to worship God and fellowship with other believers. I have to miss sometimes because of work, but I attend every chance I get. It's like going to a family reunion. You are invited to attend church Sunday morning with me and my family at the Webb Chapel Church of Christ. If you can't attend, you are welcome to watch on our live streaming feed. Hope to see you tomorrow morning!

Lord, thank you for your church. Please help us to become a part of your body and work as a part of your kingdom. Amen.

Joel 1:3 - Pass it down

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.

This passage is talking about passing down the story of a devastating locust invasion, but the idea of passing down information to our children is evident throughout the Bible.  This appears to be one of the best ways share our faith, by sharing it with the next generation in our family. If you are a multi-generational Christian who grew up going to church, you may be a little frustrated that you did not have a "great conversion experience". But remember, even if we learn our faith from our parents, we have to make the choice to follow God. If we are still just following our parent's faith without making our own decision, then we have not yet decided to follow God.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to be raised by a Christian parent. Please help all of us to independently decide to follow you. Amen.

Genesis 45:24 - Don't quarrel on the way!

Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”

Why is it we seem to do the most fighting with family? These brothers have been through a lot together. They have dealt with jealousy, favoritism, a family secret, the disappointment of their father, the death of one of their father's wives and famine. Joseph must have seen them fighting among themselves to have made such a statement. We often do the same thing, arguing with those who are closest to us. Joseph gave his brothers and us some good advice.

Lord, thank you for family and the people who are close to us. Please help us to cherish them and not take them for granted by fighting with them. Amen.

Genesis 31:49 - A blessing for those apart from each other

It was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other."

This was the sign of a covenant between Laban & Jacob. I thought it was just a nice blessing for those who are apart from each other.

Lord, please keep watch over our friends and family when they are apart from us. Amen.