April 29, 2011

Friday, April 29, 2011

Today’s Word

Festus told King Agrippa, “Paul’s accusers had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive . . ." Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself." He replied, "Tomorrow you will hear him." Acts 25:19-22 (NIV)

Today’s Reflection

One of my commentaries on this passage tells us about King Agrippa. “His family had a long history of encountering Christ. His great-grandfather, Herod the Great, the paranoid king, had tried to murder the baby Jesus. Agrippa's great uncle, Herod Antipas, actually met Jesus during his trial but failed to see him for who he was. Here Agrippa and his sister Bernice, carrying on an incestuous relationship, were confronted again by a gracious God with the truth of the gospel. As far as we know, they—like their ancestors—rejected the forgiveness and eternal life that is found only in Christ”

From this we learn a sobering lesson: families tend to pass on both positive and negative traits to the next generation. What kind of spiritual example are you setting for your children? Have you allowed Christ to break the chains of any generational bondage so that whatever bondages you “inherited” will not be passed on? If not, be like Jacob and don’t let go of God until he sets you free, even if it results in a painful limp.

Today’s Prayer

“Lord, please make me the generational link that links my children and their children, not to generational sins, but to freedom in You. Please. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”