Deuteronomy 5:10 (NLT) But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Before the final journey for the Israelites to cross over the Jordan into the promised land, Moses reviewed with them all that the Lord had told him to share with the people while on their forty-year journey around the wilderness. He told of the many warnings that God had given about turning from Him to worship other gods and of living sinful lives. But with the many warnings of punishment were many promises of blessings to all who did what was right in God's eyes. One of the promises for people who chose to love God and obey His commands was that He would pour out His love not only on those who love Him, but also on the generations after the person who loves Him and obeys His commands. One thousand generations would be affected in an astoundingly positive way, to be exact. The question is, was this promise just for the people who were about to enter the promised land or does this apply to us today as followers of Christ?

The answer, without a doubt, is that this does apply to us! Jesus made it so clear, time and time again that if anyone loves Him and obeys His commands, the Father would love that person and the Father and the Son would make their home with them (John 14:23). When the Father and the Son make their home with anyone through the Holy Spirit, that is the Triune God dwelling inside of that person. That means that the God who is love itself will live inside of you and me if we love Him and obey His commands. A person who has the Spirit of God literally dwelling in them is going to be a transformed person. A transformed person shares the love of God with the people around him or her. The first people who experience that sharing is their family, which includes their children. Children who grow up in a home where Jesus is loved and honored and where His Word is revered and obeyed will love and serve Jesus as well. It's just what happens. Even though a child may get away from God for a period of time, they will return to the God that they grew up around.

Right now, I am counting the generations. I haven't studied my ancestry yet, but I know that my grandmother (my mother's mother) was a bona-fide follower of Christ. My mom and dad both served the Lord until their last days on earth. My sister and I both love the Lord and are serving Him with all of our hearts. Our sons (my sisters two sons and my two sons) are following Jesus. My youngest son just had a baby boy, and he is being immersed in the love of Jesus, surrounded by worship and praise as my son serves in the church as the worship leader. That's five generations so far and 995 more to go!

Love the Lord Jesus with all of your heart and honor His Word and start the count (of the generations (if the count hasn't already started) that will experience God lavishing His love on them because of your obedience. The blessing of the love of God being poured out on us is life to its fullest. Start the count. It will be one thousand generations of blessings or until Jesus returns for us!

Pastor Joey Vazquez