Marilyn Hickey - Blessing the Next Generation: Creating a Lasting Family Legacy with the Help of a Loving God

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1962, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scriptures noted KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scriptures noted MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scriptures noted NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Copyright 2008 Marilyn Hickey and Sarah Bowling

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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First eBook Edition: January 2008

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ISBN: 978-0-446-51117-9

BLESSING THE NEXT GENERATION is an exciting new book thats filled with Gods principles of blessing for His people. Marilyn and Sarah point out from Gods Word and from their own personal experiences the fact that God wants to save and bless our families. Hes called us to raise strong, godly families, and Hes told us in His Word how we can do that. This book boldly declares that a life built on Gods Truth becomes the foundation for generational blessing.

Marilyn and Sarah give us wonderful, Bible-based principles that can help us receive and maintain the blessing of God in our lives and pass it along to the generations to come. They believe very strongly that God has a vision for our families, and its up to each one of us, as believers, to speak that vision into being. And, above all, they point out that we are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). God desires for us to reach out to others with the good news that He wants to bless them and bless their families!

Richard Roberts, president and CEO, Oral Roberts University

I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the book titled BLESSING THE NEXT GENERATION, by Marilyn Hickey and her daughter, Sarah Bowling. Marilyn Hickey has been a faithful Church Growth International board member for many years, and I have heard her anointed messages concerning generational blessings. Her daughter, Sarah, is a wonderful example of all that her mother teaches. They have lived out what they teach, and they have great expertise in this important area of biblical knowledge. When you read and study this book, you will be able to gain supernatural insight into generational blessings.

David Yonggi Cho, chairman, Church Growth International

This lovely mother-daughter combination of Marilyn and Sarah has blessed the church with one of the most encouraging books to come along in years. We all have skeletons in the closet when it comes to our family tree. BLESSING THE NEXT GENERATION can set those free who have thought there was no way forward because of their family traits. It shows how you and I can be an exception in spite of the least-promising background. Reflecting a high view of Scripture, the importance of forgiveness, and gratitude, this book provides a useful formula that shows how you can be emancipated from the worst possible past to become a dazzling trophy of grace for the future.

Dr. R. T. Kendall, bestselling author and speaker

In a culture that elevates self to the point where connection with past and future is lost, this book drives home our relationship with those who have gone before and those who are yet to come, highlighting why we are the way we are, practical ways to break free, and the ramifications of our daily life decisions not only for now, but for generations to come. It brings to life the truths of the Word and how to practically apply them so that fear can be turned into faith, and how the ensuing peace of God can bring freedom and how victory. It is excellent, relevant, practical, and challenging.

Korey & John Cooper, Contemporary Christian music artists

Dedicated to the memory of my beloved mother, Mary Sweitzer, who loved and prayed our family into the kingdom and established a heritage of blessing for generations yet to come.

MARILYN HICKEY

Dedicated to my mom and mentor.

Thanks for always encouraging, believing, and investing in me. You have instilled a powerful love for the Bible in me and have shown me through life how the Bible can be relevant in a daily way. May we always serve Gods purpose in our generation (Acts 13:36)!

SARAH BOWLING

Our thanks to...

Reverend Jack Hanes, senior pastor, Penrith Christian Life Centre, Sydney, Australia;

The Reverend R.T. Kendall, former senior minister, Westminster Chapel, London, England;

Reverend Joel Osteen, senior pastor, Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas...

for your dedication in reaching the generations and for your remarkable insights included in this book.

N obody could understand why Roland was dying. He had experienced a common head cold the previous month but seemingly recovered. Then he began to complain of feeling tired and weak. He took to his bed and in six weeks time, he weakened to the point that physicians encouraged his close family members to gather and prepare to say good-bye.

One of those who came to Rolands bedside was his longtime friend, Pastor Jim. Im here to pray for your healing! Pastor Jim said boldly.

Pray that my death will be peaceful, Roland countered.

Are you sure this is your time to die? Pastor Jim asked, looking directly into Rolands eyes.

Yes, Roland replied weakly as he looked away from his friends penetrating gaze.

What makes you think so? Pastor Jim pressed.

Well, Roland said in slow and measured words, Im sixty-seven. My mother died at sixty-seven. Im just like my motherIve had all the ailments she had. Ive got my mothers genes.

How old was your father when he died? Pastor Jim asked.

Roland smiled briefly. You know Dad is still alive. Hes at Crestwood Manor. Hes eighty-eight.

Right! said Pastor Jim. Dads still going strong, isnt he?

Yes, Roland said. Hes still playing golf five times a week and going to church every Sunday. Hes a real warhorse.

Pastor Jim then said, Im going to talk straight to you, Ro. I dont think its your time to go. I think you still have lots of things to contribute to your family and to this city and to your churchyou still have important things to do for God. I am going to pray for your healing, and theres something I am going to insist you do as I pray and after I leave. Im not going to leave here until you promise me youre going to do what I ask you to do.

Whats that? Roland asked.

Youve got to start believing for your fathers genes!

Roland balked at first but finally agreed, and Pastor Jim prayed.

Roland got out of bed later that afternoon. He got up the next day and got dressed. Within two weeks he had recovered the level of energy and strength he enjoyed two months before his mystery illness. Roland lived for twenty-three years after that day when Pastor Jim prayed at his bedside. He was active in his community, served two terms on his church board, and even went on five overseas short-term missions trips while he was in his seventies and early eighties.