January 1, 2010

WHERE GOD IS, THERE IS ALWAYS A TREASURE

Key Verse

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

Read More READ TODAY'S PASSAGE
Read More READ THE CHAPTER

Central Truth

Don't write off any portion of Scripture or any person in society too quickly.

Reflections

Okay--so you are rarin' to start a new year in God's Word, you are excited about learning more about Jesus, and you are convinced that "mastering the Master's life" is a core discipline for anyone who passionately seeks to be a Christ follower. So you open your Bible, you check out the first section of Matthew, and what do you get for your enthusiasm . . . a stinking list of names. What?

You might be thinking, "C'mon, Lord, I have had enough of 'ancestors' this past December," or "this list of names looks just as dysfunctional as those hanging out in my family tree."

Well, hang on--let's start by acknowledging that your family tree (including your specific limb) undoubtedly has some dysfunction in it. Next, let's be reminded and encouraged that even the most "diseased limb" might yet have hope.

Remember, if Jesus went to ancestry.com, He would find some rather "colorful" folks in His family tree. Prostitutes, murderers, foreigners, liars, fools, adulterers, rebels, hedonists--and that is just on His "step-father's" side. Makes you want to call your in-laws and thank them for not being as spectacularly inept as you once supposed they were.

So what can you learn from this passage? 

First, we should be reminded that every section of God's Word has application and meaning for us. If we just dig a little, we will find there is always the potential for treasure when God has been at work.

Second, we can look at our own family tree and remember that, if we just dig a little, we might find a treasure when God begins to work. Think about the family member who is "beyond rehabilitation." Then think about (or go read about) some of the failures listed in Matthew 1:1-17. If God can bring forth life and hope from them, is it really so hard to believe that He can change your, or any other ancestor's, legacy? If anyone can do it, the righteous branch of Jeremiah 23:5 can.

To quote Jeff Foxworthy, "Remember, everyone's family is crazy, so call your mama and hug your kids."

Discussion Questions

1. Pray that God would change your perspective about every passage of Scripture and every person of suspect character. Pray that you would live with a confidence that says, "When God is there, there is always the potential for treasure."

2. What does it tell you about God that He is willing to include such spectacular failures in His Son's "ancestry"?

3. Read John 15:1-6 to learn a little more about Jesus and His ideas about how to be a healthy branch of His family.

4.  Call your mama and hug your kids . . . and while you are at it, throw in a prayer that Christ will be "at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13)

This year, The Journey adds a section of Family Discussion Questions written by Watermark's Children Ministry to encourage parents to read God's Word with their children and to facilitate family discussions about the daily Journey passages. It is The Journey team's prayer that you will use and enjoy the questions and that they will help make reading God's Word a daily part of your family life.

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Read Jesus' lineage out loud with your children and have them stop you when they hear a familiar name. Then discuss the story that concerns the name they recognize.

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. Dan Garrison

    December 31, 2009 09:59 PM

    Todd, I'm truly stunned by the reality of your own and the 10-year Watermark Journey and praise God for it and how it has and continues to impact my life, even now on another continent. It is so great to bring in the New Year in Beijing beginning with Big Truth from my big brother! You encourage and teach me and spur me on in the many creative and fun ways you communicate God's Word to so many, including those of us here who are enjoying "Wags on the Wall on Wednesday Nights" with our weekly sermon night projected in our community room. Even moreso, the way you (and so many others at Watermark) have consistently lived and ordered your life teaches and reminds me that the Truth we learn is reliable, no matter what things might look like in the moment. There isn't room here to relate all the ways you and our Watermark family have done that for me. So I'll just say thanks and press on to pass it on myself for the sake of Jesus and His fame, His family, and the future of those who don't know Him yet. "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 Truly, The Best is Yet to Come!!!

  2. Dan

    January 1, 2010 01:24 AM

    Todd, great job on inspiring us and reminding us "that every section of God's Word has application and meaning for us." Thank God that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Question 1 and 4 are excellent ways to start prayer for 2010. Also, thank you for adding the family discussion questions. We're going to use them with our kids for family devotional time Have a blessed 2010.

  3. Linda Lilley

    January 1, 2010 08:22 AM

    I am so sad you do not have the choices of which Bible to use. I read several versions and did the audio of Net Bible. I even told all my friends about it. I seldom read NIV. I know I could get my own Bible but when you are working the click of a button helps me do it daily. PS Last Year was super thanks!

  4. Jeff White

    January 1, 2010 08:37 AM

    Todd - Thanks for the encouragement this morning. I'm reminded how I should be taking God's Word in more slowly than just seeing if I can get a whole chapter in before I leave for work. John 5:18 tells us that every letter of every word is vital to scripture so we should meditate on it. I thought I was "beyond rehabilitation" before Jan 1st, 1995 then I asked Jesus to take over the throne of my life. I thank God everyday for his kindness and patience that finally led to my repentance. We are so happy and blessed to be a part of the Watermark family.

  5. Scott Miller

    January 1, 2010 09:21 AM

    Thankful to be starting a new year in God's word.

  6. Eric Colton

    January 1, 2010 09:29 AM

    Todd, Thanks for yielding to the holy Spirit, listening to wise council and being brave enough following God's calling 10 years ago to start a new little church called Watermark. The vision God gave you has come to life and has been an agent of transformation in thousands of people's lives, including mine. I am grateful! Keep going....

  7. Marni Walsh

    January 1, 2010 09:37 AM

    This passage was exactly what I needed to read today. Even just yesterday I was feeling pretty down and defeated about the dysfunctionality of my family, focusing entirely too much on pain and awkwardness there. Seeing the lineage of Christ, though, reminded me that God can and does use ANYONE, no matter what associations or skeletons in their closet they may have. I'm so thankful to be starting off this new year with a fresh perspective on God's purpose for my life - to know God and praise Him in ALL areas of my life, so that others may see and glorify His name.

  8. Ron Tamlyn

    January 1, 2010 09:38 AM

    Todd, thanks to you and your family for an incredibly faithful last 10 years leading WM. Wonder where God will take us in the next 10.

  9. JP

    January 1, 2010 09:39 AM

    Fearless Leader, Let's do it again another year! Praying The Lord has many blessings in store for Watermark in 2010.

  10. Kristi Davidson

    January 1, 2010 10:19 AM

    This one hit home for me today. I do exactly what Brother Todd was mentioning about reading scriptures and if it starts talking about family trees, and etc.. I usually find something else to read that pertains more to me. I didn't feel like any of that was necessary or even important. However, now, realizing that it IS in the Bible for a God Given Purpose, then there is a good reason for me to read it and study it and to dig deeper. I can't wait for God to show me His purpose for ME through this passage. Also, I love the Family Discussion Questions. I am going to sit down with my kids today and do this with them. Hopefully, it will become a tradition that all enjoy. I know God will bless it. He is so FAITHFUL! Thank you :)

  11. jo tiller

    January 1, 2010 11:29 AM

    as a newer member of watermark,i cherish how the body inspires to find treasure in the broken such as me..the lesson in this passage of Matthew and all the Scripture studied in the Journey has been monumental in helping me grow as a follower of Christ...thank you Todd for this and every message you share

  12. Grace

    January 2, 2010 09:47 AM

    Thank you for pointing out the passage that I habitually skip over as "un-important" Today I took time to read through Jesus' genealogy and it truly spoke to me. I saw how Boaz mother was a prostitute (Rahab), yet he was a man of high-standing in the community and became the first picture of Christ as the kinsman redeemer. Then his wife Ruth was a foreigner who up until the point that she followed her mother-in-law practiced idolatry yet she became the great-grandmother of King David. Speaking of King David his son Solomon was the result of murder and adultery yet he was the only one deemed worthy to build God's temple and later became known as both the richest and wisest man who ever lived. This truly, truly spoke to me about how awesome God is and how he can use anyone to bring forth his glory no matter who we are or what we have done or even where we came from. Grateful...

  13. David

    January 2, 2010 10:22 AM

    Todd! AMEN! I don't have to look to my family line to see; I just have to look at my life! He took a nasty garbage can, and filled it with living water! We thank the Lord for your leadership, service, and love for God and His people! Keep on doing 2 Timothy 4:2! PRAISE GOD! AMEN!

  14. L. Toner

    January 2, 2010 10:34 AM

    I needed these comments today since I have a family member who is being a bit "irregular" at the moment. I'm so grateful that God doesn't give up on those who occasionally find themselves in that category -- even when it's me!

  15. Michael Galvis

    January 2, 2010 11:08 AM

    Todd, Nothing has been so life-changing for me than being introduced to God's growing Watermark family. After being raised in a religious warring family, surviving drug and alcohol abuse, mutual infidelity, two divorces, spiritual searching through archaeological adventures in Peru, new age and Eastern religions, I have found my new family in Christ. My checkered past is in good company with the Ancestors of Jesus Christ, and my life is being truly transformed by the teachings and ministries of Watermark. I can't wait for the Summit's study of the teachings of Christ in Mathew! Thanks for everything.

  16. Ed Dannis

    January 3, 2010 01:34 PM

    My wife & I look forward in following & participating in this bible study. thank you Watermark

  17. Dave McLain

    January 11, 2010 10:18 PM

    Thanks Todd.

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Todd Wagner

Todd Wagner

Happy New Year! My name is Todd Wagner. Ten years ago, I wasn't a big fan of talking about, much less hanging around church. But now, a short decade later, there are few things in life that give me as much encouragement as being a part of one little expression of God's family called Watermark. Every day I am overwhelmed by the way I am cared for, spurred on, challenged, and inspired by God's work in and through His people. Along with Alex, Ally, Kirby, Cooper, Landry, Cade, and Camp, I say thanks for laughing, loving, and leading with us.