Heritage:

Heritage:

I was reminded twice of its power last week.

It was a rare occasion when all my family was together. The values that Mom, who is still with us, and Dad, who has been in heaven for 25 years, taught us and, more importantly, modeled before us, still very much show through. My siblings and I are who we are because of that heritage. In many ways I see it reproduced in the next generation as well.

As part of the message yesterday I looked at a couple of Old Testament kings. Their heritage was felt for hundreds of years. He is not nearly as well known as David or Solomon, or even Ahab, but Jeroboam the son of Nebat left a major mark. I counted 14 times that 1 & 2 Kings records the phrase the "sins of Jeroboam," referring to the idolatry he introduced into the nation of Israel. "The sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them" (2 Kings 17:22, NASB95) Two verses later the historian gives the account of the Assyrian conquest of the nation. A nation fell because of the actions of a man two centuries before.

Thankfully heritage can move people the other direction as well. Again

l notice all the times, for centuries after his death, that God said He would withhold judgment "for the sake of David."

The heritage you are leaving--and you are leaving one--will affect generations to come for good or ill.

Which?

It's STTA.