Today I would like to share a moment in time. Have you ever
stood in awe as you watched your family interacting? You could see your
daughter smile with her eyes like your Mom has done all your life. You
hear your son telling stories with the same excitement as your father
told them to you, years ago. I had that unusual moment where I saw four
generations intermingling, and I could see the same generational
weakness being subtly passed along. Usually we can spot the physical
generational iniquities, such as cancer; high blood pressure;
heart problems; poor eyesight etc. The character generational
iniquities are harder to spot. Predisposition or iniquities or
weakness, such examples are sexual abuse; physical abuse; drug/alcohol
addiction; having babies out of wedlock; etc. Some of us can see these
things standing out and being handed down from one generation to
another, yet feel helpless to stop the cycle. I would like to peel the
onion back a little more and see a deeper layer and talk about the character traits
of generational iniquities, such as fear/of failing or of succeeding;
laziness; worry; anger; short-tempered; selfishness; procrastination
etc. How much have we passed on to the next generation? Those things
that will be major obstacles that our children and our children's
children will have to deal with in their spiritual lives. We want to
give our children a great inheritance, so then we must begin to die
daily to the old man and all of his ways and character traits. Without
a doubt every generation will have its own share of iniquities to
overcome, but let us help to lighten the load by changing with the Word as our guide. We can stop the cycle of generational weaknesses now. Isaiah
53:4-5; "Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and
distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we
ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God. But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and
iniquities (perversity, fault, moral weaknesses); the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed."
our iniquities are forgiven as we become Christians, we receive a new
spirit, but we still live in the same body and we have the same soul
(mind, will, emotions) this is where the iniquities hide out. This is
where we apply the Word and the ongoing saving of our soul is in
progression. That is why, "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice (that means a daily dying to your self)
holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your
reasonable service and spiritual worship. Do not act like or be
conformed to this world [fashioned after and adapted to its external
customs] but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude].." (Romans 12;1-2) Let
us give to the next generations of Christians and our natural seed an
inheritance and a heritage of holiness, walking in the character of our
God. "Those who belong to Christ have
crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with the affections and
lusts."(Galatians 5:24) We will leave
something behind when we leave this earth, so let's work on leaving an
inheritance that we won't mind being passed down.
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Daughters of Z 
Pastor Debra, your words are bringing hope to this dying world. I’m encouraged to everytime I read this blog. Thank you for laying down your life for the body of Christ. Great shall be your reward!
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