Thoughtful Words - Generational Words

Praise the Lord, God has moved in the hearts of my children. Over the past month and a half, all three of my sons and my daughter have given their hearts to God and said the sinners prayer of salvation. What a testimony to God's goodness!

For years I've been feeding them scriptures, taking them to church, praying with them, praying over them, telling them God's truth as we dealt with situations, sharing my heart for Jesus with them. I've watched them struggle with their own images and with each other. I've disciplined them. I've cried with them. I've laughed with them. I've taught them right from wrong. And the cycle went on and on and on. And I found myself wondering if they'd ever really get it. If they'd ever really receive Jesus as their Savior and begin to live their lives for Him.

While I was away, visiting and ministering to a friend, I received a phone call from home. "Ezra received the baptism of the Holy Spirit while he was at camp. He's talking in tongues."

My mother's heart skipped five beats, melted and rejoiced all at the same time.

"He laid his hands on Caleb, and now Caleb's speaking in tongues."

Triple beat skip, melt, rejoice.

"Hannah just said the prayer of salvation and asked Jesus to come into her heart so she can be saved. She wants to go to heaven when she dies. She also wants to get baptized. And Gideon said the prayer, too."

What?!!? My whole family is saved? Thank You, Jesus!

Why? Because God is merciful and good and knows the desires of our hearts. When we, as parents (whether biologically or spiritually), pour our love for the Lord into our children, we are speaking generational words. We are pouring God's truths and moral goodness into the next generation.

"A posterity shall serve Him. 
 It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,
 That He has done this." - Psalm 22:30-31

I know from experience that my children may stumble, fall, get back up or fail to get back up as the years go by. However, I also know that they've been touched in a place they weren't touched before, which makes the difference.

I also take comfort in knowing this truth:

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."- Isaiah 55:11

God has chosen my children. He knew them before I ever dreamed of them. What He has spoken into their hearts shall not return void. He will accomplish what He pleases in their lives. He will cause His word to prosper in their hearts. They will do what He has called them to do.

Just as you and I will. Just as the next generation will. So long as we wave the banner of Jesus Christ over the lives of our children, grandchildren and future generations, God will move in their lives in ways we can't even imagine.

What are you speaking to the next generation? Do you have generational vision for the kingdom of God? You don't have to have biological children to have generational vision. Pray for our future and the future of our children. Find someone to mentor spiritually. And trust God to do His will in His perfect timing.

Generational Photo of Hugo and Victor Morales with Zachary, Ezra, Caleb, Hannah, and Gideon. Taken in 2005.