I’ve wondered lately how life will be different when the next generation is in charge. My main concern is that we have prepared them for the challenges that lie ahead.

Have we adequately taught them to live with a Biblical worldview? Have we taught them to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”? (Jude 3) Have we modeled what it means to have a daily dynamic walk with the Lord?

If we are not diligent, we will find ourselves living in “post-Joshua” times. Joshua and Caleb were the only two of their generation to enter the Promised Land. The generation who subdued the land, however, eventually died out, and their succeeding generation is the one I call post-Joshua.

 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel. – Judges 2:10

Will the generation that follows us no little or nothing about the Lord or what He has done for us? I wrote in an earlier blog of my conviction about the need to pass the baton of the faith to others in the next generation. We must intentionally invest in the next generation or they will become a post-Joshua generation.

What Does a Post-Joshua Generation Look Like?

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A recent daily reading from the classic Oswald Chamber devotion, My Utmost for His Highest, include the following statement.

A ready person never needs to get ready – he is ready.

Many professions on which we depend require a constant state of readiness for their agents.  Police officers make split second decisions in life or death situations.  Firefighters awaken from sleep during the night to risk their lives battling a threatening blaze.  EMTs have mere seconds to attend to a person whose life hangs in the balance.  Many others occupy jobs and callings that require them to be ready to engage a circumstance instantaneously.

[Tweet “Opportunities seldom happen with advance notice…we need to be ready.”]

The average Jesus-follower doesn’t deal with physical life or death situations on a regular basis.  We do, however, have the opportunity to affect the eternal pathway of those around us.  Those opportunities seldom happen with advance notice, and therefore, we need to be ready.

Ready for Opportunities

The Bible indicates at least four opportunities for which we need constant readiness.

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Trust. That is a touchy subject. Allstate® used to advertise “you’re in good hands with Allstate.”

But most of us  find it difficult to trust based on past experiences. Life in the 21^st Century has become a jaded existence. Is there really anyone we can trust?

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How could four BIG RED CAPITAL LETTERS stamped in the center of a yellow legal-sized document bring so much joy? How could one small word bring so much relief?  The document was a loan contract sporting the word “PAID.”

In the fall of 1990, I bought my first car – my money, my responsibility, my payments, my car. It was a 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier.  But you would have thought it was a Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, or some other exotic sports car.

I paid it off in four years even though I added the cost of an engagement ring to the note. This meant I had my car and my sweetie all tied up in one tidy little bank note. I still have the sweetie, but I got rid of the car years ago. Oh, I drove the wheels off of it – almost 200,000 miles over 12 years. We finally gave it to a charity. They came and got the car, give us a donation credit, then fixed it up  and resold it.

When I had made the final payment, the bank sent me their copy of the contract with PAID stamped on it. This signified that they released me from my debt, I had me my obligation.  And to signify that I now owned the car, they also sent the titled signed over to me. I enjoyed the car so much more after I satisfied the loan obligation.

A Bigger Debt Payment

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Have you ever just had a bad day?

You know what I mean. You misjudged someone.  Maybe you said (or did) something you wish you hadn’t. Possibly you upset someone before you realized you had. Or maybe your bad day consisted of one colossal mistake. Or it could be a collection of smaller ones. As a result, you just wish someone would cut you some slack.

Have you ever been on the other side of someone else’s bad day?

Maybe they misjudged you. Perhaps they said (or did) something they wished they hadn’t. Maybe they really upset you before they realized what they had done. Or maybe their bad day consisted of one colossal mistake. Or was it a collection of smaller ones that affected you in a negative way. What they really need is grace. Yes, grace from you!

Consider what Paul has to say about how we should treat each other:

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Last week, The Washington Post published an article about Karen Pence, wife of Vice-President Mike Pence.  You can read the very interesting article, written by Ashley Parker, by clicking on this link.

The article describes the important role Mrs. Pence plays in her husband’s life. Although it  contains 1931 words, this single sentence of 33 words has created the most reaction to the article.

“In 2002, Mike Pence told the Hill that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side, either.”

Social Media buzzed with negative reactions to Mike Pence’s personal practice that he feels is important to protect his marriage.  Characterizations of Pence’s dining policy ranged from “prudishness” to claims it limits opportunities for women to work on his staff.  While some of the comments demonstrate well-meaning thoughtful observation, others display mean-spirited personal attacks by political opponents.

Why Would Anyone Oppose Protecting Marriage?

How could anyone fault a man for going to great lengths to avoid the appearance of impropriety with a woman?  I can think of a few reasons.

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The Forgotten Jesus, the latest book by Robby Gallaty, releases to the public on Tuesday, April 4. Dr. Gallaty is Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He is the founder of Replicate Ministries dedicated to “educate, equip, and empower believers to make disciples who make disciples.” His previous titles include Rediscovering Discipleship, Growing Up, Firmly Planted, and Bearing Fruit.

With The Forgotten Jesus, Gallaty takes readers on a “journey to recover the Jewishness of Jesus.” Through this journey, he helps “bring familiar passages to life by viewing them through a Middle Eastern lens.” (page 13) Dr. Gallaty accomplishes this goal and more through The Forgotten Jesus.

The Forgotten Jesus is a scholarly work clothed in language even the everyday Bible reader can understand. Gallaty writes in such a way as to explain deep truths in practical, easily understood terms.

What Is In The Forgotten Jesus?

The first four chapters of the book explore the cultural world into which Jesus was born. Dr. Gallaty explains the differences in Eastern and Western cultures that often keep us from fully understanding the Biblical text.

He illuminates the foreshadowing of Jesus on Old Testament figures such as Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. Gallaty explores the 400-year period between the Old and New Testaments and how it set the stage for Messiah’s coming. He shed’s light on the cultural context of Jesus’ birth, childhood, and ministry.

Chapters 5 and 6 show how keshers, New Testament references to Old Testament passages, shed amazing light on Jesus’ teachings. Dr. Gallaty masterfully connects the first century wedding customs to both the last supper and Jesus discourse in John 14:1-6. Seeing that passage in light of the custom of the time opens up a whole array of understanding and appreciation for those passages.

Dr. Gallaty gives greater understanding to the miracle of the woman healed of an issue of blook by touching the “hem of Jesus’ robe.”   He helps the reader understand more fully the interchange between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3. Understanding the Jews concept of “born again” enables the reader to see the fuller meaning in Jesus and Nicodemus’ conversation.

In chapter 7, Dr. Gallaty shows how Jesus fulfilled the three miracles every Jew expected only the Messiah to perform. Through healing a leper, casting out a dumb demon, and healing one born blind, Jesus validated His claim to Messiahship.  Moreover, The Forgotten Jesus reveals intricacies in each of those three miracles that often we either overlook or fail to understand.

Chapter 8 helps the reader overcome some common misunderstandings about the Last Supper. The chapter also sheds light on the cursing of the fig tree and Jesus’ table-turning display in the Temple. Chapter 9 delves deeply into the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. Dr. Gallaty considers the question of whether or not a rooster literally crowed or if Jesus referred to a common custom of the day. Seeing the events of this important week in their historical-cultural context help the reader more fully understand Jesus’ sacrifice for sin.

The book closes with a practical encouragement to read the Bible from an Eastern understanding. Dr. Gallaty includes a 260 Bible reading plan that he calls Foundations: A Bible Reading Plan for Busy Believers. The plan calls for reading 5 days a week 52 weeks a year that will lead a believer through the most important Bible passages.

Who Should Read The Forgotten Jesus?

The Forgotten Jesus is a must-have book for all serious Bible readers. Going forward, I am sure I will refer to the book often as I prepare sermons and lessons. Dr. Gallaty’s insights will help me better understand the Bible in its Eastern World orientation.

I cannot think of a book I would more highly recommend to you than The Forgotten Jesus by Dr. Robby Gallaty.

You can order the book online at Amazon by clicking here.

We once lived across the road from a hayfield. I love to watch the mowers, rakes, and balers. I love the smell of freshly cut hay. It would be OK with me if when the time comes I am so old no church wants to hear me preach, that I could retire to my own hay field.  I could mow, rake, and bale till my heart’s content.

Every February or March, my neighbor would burn his hayfield; torch the entire spread. Farmers call this a “controlled burn.” A controlled burn eliminates the thatch that deprives the grass of much needed rain water and nutrients.

The controlled burn also serves to rid the field of bugs and pests that jeopardized the growth of the grass. It also removes seeds of weeds that threaten the crop. The controlled burn removes lots of bad stuff.

A Spiritual Controlled Burn

Whenever I would watch the burn, I remembered these words from John the Baptist:

[Tweet “We are unwilling to let the Holy Spirit do His necessary work in our lives first.”]

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