That You May Remember

.

That You May Remember

Most all of us could say,  “I remember  when I was a little kid,  my Dad would always say …………”      Many can remember things a particular teacher,  employer,  or friend said  years ago.     What was said  was memorable  because it was important.

Jesus said many important things  that His followers remembered  and wrote  for our benefit today.     But,  shortly before He was about to die  for our sins,  Jesus wanted His disciples  to always remember  that they would be experiencing many trials  through which they were  to stay strong  in their faith.     So,  in John 16:1-4  Jesus says,

These things  I have spoken to you,  that you may be kept  from stumbling.     They will make you outcasts  from the synagogue;  but an hour is coming  for everyone who kills you  to think  that he is offering service  to God.

And these things  they will do,  because they have not known the Father,  or Me.     But  these things I have spoken  to you,  that when their hour comes,  you may remember  that I told you  of them.

Jesus wants even us  to always remember  that being a true Christian  will not be a cake-walk.     We need  to remember this  because the truths of God  have always been opposed  since the Garden of Eden.     The devil wants everyone  to feel  that if God were really taking care of us  —  really loving us  —  we would be greatly blessed  with material goods,  health,  and fame.

The truth is  that we live  in a fallen world,  where the devil wants us  to lose faith  in the love  of God.     And he will do everything  in his power  to make us stop trusting  and loving  the Lord God Almighty.     Hence our struggles.     Our struggles will always be  in our weakest points,  where we will most likely stumble  in our faith.

Is health  really personally important?     The devil will give problems  in that area.     Is success at work desired  most of all?     That will become a place  of big struggles.     How about having  many friends?     The devil knows how  to make people avoid you  because of your faith.     Any of these situations  can cause Christians  to want to give up  on God.

That’s when we need  to remember Jesus’ words.     He told us  to expect  all sorts of problems  that will challenge  our faith.     Many Christians have suffered torture  and death  for their faith.     They’ve had to watch family members  get tortured  and killed.

Because Peter forgot Jesus’ words,  he denied our Lord  three times  during Jesus’ trial  —  even though Jesus had given him specific warnings.    This account is found  in Luke 22:31-34,

“Simon,  Simon,  behold,  Satan has demanded permission  to sift you  like wheat;  but I have prayed  for you,  that your faith  may not fail;  and you,  when once you have turned again,  strengthen your brothers.”

And he said  to Him,  “Lord,  with You  I am ready to go both  to prison  and to death!”

And He said,  “I tell you,  Peter,  the cock will not crow today  until you have denied three times  that you know Me.”

Peter denied Jesus  because fear caused him  to forget  all the power he saw  in Jesus’ miracles;  he forgot Jesus’ promises;  he forgot Jesus’ warnings.

We also forget  and stumble  in our denial  of God’s love  for us.     All sorts of trials  lead us  to forget  as we become fearful  and downcast.     Therefore,  it is vital  to become grounded  in God’s word,  so that we will remember the love  and salvation  that has been given  to us  in Christ Jesus.

Jesus also prays  for us  and has promised  to never leave us  —  whatever we are going through.     We are  to be like Peter.     For every time  we have fallen,  we are to remember  the promises  of God Almighty  and turn back  to Him,  so that even after our fall,  we may strengthen our brothers.

Christ has promised  to be with us  in that also.     When Peter turned back  to the Lord,  his faith  was stronger than ever  —  tradition says  he was even crucified  upside down  for his faith.

As we continually bring to remembrance all  of God’s word  to us,  we will say,  “Hallelujah!     Our LORD is forever faithful.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

**************

.

The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

.

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

.

Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

.

How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

.

Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

.

O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

.

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

.

**************

.

Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

.

 …………

.

.

.

.