The Blessed Benefits of a Good Memory

Jesus said, “Remember, the words I have said to you…” (John 15:22).  A good memory enables us to learn from our experiences as well as great truths we have heard. 

Therefore, invest in your memory bank truths that will pay dividends for days to come. Much interest can be drawn from time and truth well invested.

Repetitiously God’s Word appeals to His people to “Remember.” There are occasions on which individuals and society in general need to stop in their rush into the future to reflect and remember.

In another day a different people were blessed of our Lord not dissimilarly as we. Their leader, Moses, exhorted them to “remember the Lord your God.” He doubled his exhortation by appealing to them “do not forget the Lord your God.”  Every nation needs this exhortation. America needs it earnestly.

The current generation of Americans has forgotten much of our heritage. In our haste we have rushed away from many of the memorable blessings of our past and lost their benefits. We have thus disallowed the glory due our God. He has been totally removed from our public school texts and the gods of the new age allowed to intrude.

We have forgotten that Chaplain Duche ended the first prayer in Congress with these words: “All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Saviour.”

When a person or a nation forgets God they “follow other gods, and serve and worship them.”

When Adam and Eve fell it was due to their attempt to interpret and live life without God in every respect. Modern man’s attempts to interpret our history and heritage apart from God will doom us to failure.

A decadent society that turns its back on God is soon to turn back to the gods of decadence. This we are now seeing.

We have forgotten the principles stated by Daniel Webster at the bicentennial of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock: “Our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principles…Whatever makes  men good Christians, makes them good citizens.”

You can’t remember something you never knew any more than you can go back some place you have never been. You can’t remember anything of the Lord you never knew. Therefore, study to show yourself a workman pleasing to the Lord. Make Bible reading and memorization a daily habit.

Turbulence in Life

Deuteronomy 32: 10 – 12

Disruptions in life are allowed by God for a reason. Realizing that is a step in the right direction. Next consider the purpose. Then, work with God to get the blessings therein.

Verse 11 describes a phenomenon of nature. It is a depiction of a mother eagle’s treatment of her young that are now ready to leave the nest. The nest has become comfortable for them, but they have outgrown it and a bigger world awaits. Eagles are among the largest of birds. They often weigh 12 or 13 pounds and have a wing spread of approximately seven feet.  An eagle’s nest, called an aerie, is made of sticks and is lined with green leaves. Once a year the female lays one or two eggs. Often the male will assist in the nesting duties. In about 40 days they hatch. Both parents guard the nest and provide food. 

At about 11 or 12 weeks of age, the eagle “stirs up” her nest, or rocks it, causing the little eagle to fall out. It is forced to fly or fall.  The little guys flop and flounder, but can’t fly at first. These little aeronautical novices fall rapidly while flapping their wings with little motor control. The parent eagle is circling nearby and swoops beneath the falling fledgling, catching it on her back and safely returning it to the welcomed nest. She will often carry it on her back to even dizzier heights and dump it. This appears at first to be harsh treatment, but it is a developmental process.  It is a time of change.

Two questions. Haven’t you had experiences like that; maybe even now? Hasn’t the Lord always been available to be, in effect, your safety net?

Sometimes what we consider a desert land, a wasteland, a howling wilderness, is simply God stirring up our nest. While we complain and gripe, He swoops down to rescue us.  

The purpose was not to give us an occasion to complain, but to learn. Such occasions afford the opportunity to grow and observe the character of our loving and sufficient God.

In your frightful falls remember they are occasions for Him to strengthen you. Now see what is in store.

It is confidence in His Word that is needed to soar with wings as eagles. It is trust in God to bring to accomplish all He has promised, even when our instincts seem to suggest the opposite or appear to contradict His promised truth. Those who wait on the Lord are those who have the inner confidence that God will keep the promises He has made to His people.

Remember, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We have a lot of weaknesses, He has even more strength.

At the end of Isaiah Chapter 40 are some well-loved verses that have encouraged generations through centuries of time, “Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall but those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will rise up high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Who Is That Little Person in God’s Eye?

Deuteronomy 32: 10 – 12

Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life. It is a PLAN. It is a WONDERFUL PLAN. It is for YOUR LIFE.

Well might come the questioning response: “My life?”

Perhaps you feel lost in a vast desert of unsettled uncertainty. It may appear you are in an expansive wasteland in a blinding storm of circumstances that has left you without a sense of direction with no GPS. Perhaps there are some very unsettling events in your life. It just could be the Lord is using these to make you uncomfortable enough to get your attention. The purpose is to work out His wonderful plan for your life.

Even if it seems unlikely at this moment, let’s at least explore the possibility that He has a plan for you. The potential is pleasant and profitable.

If you are as important to Him as this text says, you have reason to have greater self-worth than ever, and more cause to lovingly rely on Him.

Incidentally, music is an easy way to learn and remember great truths. This text was originally written as a song to enable the Hebrew people to learn and remember these truths.

Three admirable aspects of your relationship to God are noted.

First, Verse 9 identifies Jacob as the person used as an illustration of how God plans for all of us.. This passage is a reference to God guiding them from slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness wanderings, into the promised land. The text is applicable to you personally.

He kept them as the “apple of His eye” (10c). This is figurative language. It was an idiom meaning one much cherished. The Hebrew literally reads, “He kept him like the little man of His eye.” How close do you have to get to a person to see yourself reflected in the person’s eye as a little person? Try it sometimes. If you get real close and look carefully you will see yourself as a little person in the friend’s eye. The text simply means God is very close to you at all times. He concerns Himself with your protection and guidance.

All of these verbs are imperfect, meaning He gives us constant care.

Again figurative language is used. “He made him to draw honey from the rock.”  The rock is descriptive of difficult times, hard times. The honey is a graphic for the sweet experiences of life. The fact the honey is in the rock means there are blessings in hard times.

Then He says, “And oil from the flinty rock.” A visit to the Bible land enables a better understanding of this. In the most rocky and barren looking fields, olive trees grow well and produce their rich oil.

In the rocky fields of your life, the Lord can and will bring forth blessings if allowed to. Having reviewed how valuable you are to God, now evaluate how important He is in your life. Pause and romance God, that is express your gratitude to Him and love for Him.

How to Interpret God’s Scheduled Delays 3/15/98

John 11:33-44; John 11:14-15
Page 1572 Come Alive Bible

JESUS CHRIST left Jericho and proceeded to Jerusalem. He was about to perform His last miracle. It was to be on the southeastern slopes of the Mount of Olives in the little town of Bethany, home of some of His dearest friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

I. COMPLICATIONS (Vs. 6)
When Lazarus became ill his sisters, Mary and Martha, knowing of the many Jesus had healed immediately thought of Him. They had entertained Him in their home. They had been gracious hostesses for Him. Surely, if He would heal persons He didn’t even know He would come to their rescue in their time of need. He didn’t. Question: “Why?”

The issue wasn’t love. Verse 35 describes Jesus as weeping. His emotional response led people to properly conclude, “See how He loved Him” (Vs. 36). He did. The Greek word translated “loved” is the verb form of PHILIA which means “human affection,” or “brotherly love.” He affectionately loved Lazarus and his sisters knew it.

In verse 5 it is recorded that Jesus also loved Mary and Martha. The Greek word translated “love” is AGAPE, divine love.

When God delays in responding to your need it is not because of a lack of love for you. What ever the reason it is not a lack of love.

Do you ever question God? Sure we do. Often we don’t come up with a clear easy answer. Sometimes we simply have to believe and respond in trusting faith.

After receiving word of the death of His dear friend Lazarus, Jesus delayed two days before going to Bethany. By the time He arrived Lazarus had been dead four days.

Does it ever seem God delays in dealing with your problems? There is always a reason. Most often these reasons aren’t obvious initially. His delays demand our faith. Faith is confidence in God’s character.

Jesus delayed in order to bring a greater blessing. “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you” (Isaiah 30:18). This text reveals His delays are purposeful. Three are noted:
(1) “That He may be gracious to you,”
(2) that He may be exalted,”
(3) that He may have mercy on you.”

Often there is a time lapse between when we pray and an answer is obvious. Sometimes God answers “No.” However, that is an answer. Sometimes He says an immediate definitive “yes.” At times He says, “You have got to be kidding.” At other times He says, “Wait a while.” We are such people of the immediate moment we had often rather have a immediate “no” than a “wait a while.” Why these “wait a while” responses?

Often the time between when a prayer is offered and when it is answered draws a person closer to the Lord than the answer. There is dependency on Him while waiting on Him and that is good for us. Give God time to be God.

When He delays He is often getting the answer ready for us. That is, He is working out circumstances to our advantage.

Often He delays in order to get us ready for the answer. He has to condition us.

If God is making you wait on Him it is a gilt-edged guarantee. He is preparing a blessing for you. It might not come in the package you are expecting but it will be another equal or greater blessing. His delayed blessing is often one you would not have recognized initially. He may be making you wait for something even greater than you would have recognized initially. Don’t rush God and demand second best. Wait!

Poetically it is said: “His purpose will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.” Isaiah said, “Blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30: 18).

Let Him determine your outlook and it will always be a bright upward look.

A young boy walking along one bright summer day spotted a penny at his feet. He was elated. He picked it up and clutched it with pride. It was his and cost him nothing. He resolved to always be on the look out for lost money. Thereafter he always kept a watch for lost money. He even kept a record. During his life he found 302 pennies, 24 nickels, 41 dimes, 8 quarters, 3 half dollars, and one worn dollar bill. His total = $12.82.

It had cost him nothing. Nothing but, the breathless beauty of 30,127 sunsets, the colorful splendor of 1,327 rainbows, babies growing, white clouds floating across the brilliant blue sky, birds flying, animals running, and smiles of friendly faces.

By not focusing on Christ it costs us dearly.

It diminishes our understanding of what He is trying to do in our lives.

It costs us the serenity that comes from sensing His presence. It costs us the joy inherent in seeing Him at work on our behalf.

II. COMMITMENT
The mood among the religious leaders in and around Jerusalem was hostile related to Christ. Rumors persisted there was a plot to kill Him. Going near the city was risky.

Vs. 16, Thomas thought Jesus would be killed. In loving response he wanted to die with Him. Thomas had strong love but weak faith.

Martha bemoaned, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died” (Vs. 21). What a brutal game to play. “If only …”

To be the effective Christians we must be aware that there are three essentials in which we must trust: God’s will, God’s power, and God’s timing.

God knows what He is doing. He has the power to do it. His timing is always perfect. The Lord knew what He was doing then, He had the power to do it, and His timing was right. He knows what He is doing now, He has the power to do it and His timing is right.

Often all three are questioned. Martha questioned only one.

Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again” (Vs. 23). Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day” (Vs. 24). She believed His will: “our brother will rise.” She believed His power: He will “rise.” She doubted His timing: “in the last day,” not after just four days. She believed Jesus would resurrect him in the future, but she couldn’t believe He would resurrect him after only four days. How like us she was. We profess to believe Jesus will come again in the clouds on a white horse. Deferred victory we attribute to Him, but we have difficulty turning the keys of today over to Him. We profess His ultimate eternal victory but when it comes to trusting Him for today’s bread we have an anxiety attack evidencing we don’t have confidence He can act today. Trust Him for today and eternity.

Martha’s confession was made in the pit of despair (Vs. 27).

III. CONSTERNATION
The setting and circumstances is summed up in the shortest verse in the Bible. “Jesus wept” (Vs. 35). Literally, “Jesus burst into tears.”

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus appeals because Jesus feels.

Jesus is limited only by His PURPOSE not His POWER.

I am glad Jesus wept and thereby revealed even more fully His capacity for human love. He was God. He was man. He was the God\man. His human emotion verifies, “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Eighteenth-century Scottish poet Michael Bruce in “Christ Ascended,” wrote: “In every pang that rends the heart, the Man of Sorrows has a part.”

Theologians have debated why He who said, “Let not your hearts be troubled…” would weep. We will never fully understand the reason. However, it has been suggested that He who came from heaven, Jesus, knew what it was like and it broke His heart to think of calling Lazarus back from that place of glory to this gory place.

When our beloved ones die in Christ we need to keep that in mind. Who among us would pluck the diadem of blessings from the brow of their beloved who is in heaven. Would we remove the palm of blessing from the hand that will never again know pain?

Dare we compare the emptiness of our lost love with the enjoyment of a loved ones presence with the Father?

To resent the going of our beloved is to resist the blessings they have coming.

Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (Verse 40) “believe…see.” We want the order reversed.

The voice that wept as a man now speaks as God. In the Greek it is, “Lazarus, hither! Forth!” (Vs. 43). Jesus used a “loud voice” not in order to awaken the dead, but to inform the living.

“He cried with a loud voice…” He shouted not to wake the dead but to focus the attention of the crowd. It was His way of saying, “Presenting, center stage, live and in good health, Lazarus.”

If Jesus had not called Lazarus by name the authority in His command would have brought forth all dead.

The very name Lazarus is meaningful. It comes from the name Eleaser which means “one whom God helps.” There has never been a more appropriate name.

This is a foreshadowing of truth revealed in I Thessalonians 4: 16, 17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

IV. COOPERATION
Jesus gave a command that involved the people: “Take away the stone” (Vs. 39). This shows divine and human cooperation. The disciples had to act first and do their part before Jesus acted. Divine operation often waits on human cooperation.

Just before this Jesus had told a story in which one of three personalities kept their gift wrapped in a napkin. Now these persons had Lazarus wrapped in the napkin of grave clothes. If opened a blessing would be released.

What is in your napkin? Are you reluctant to release it for Christ’s use.

V. CELEBRATION
“Loose him and let him go…” (Vs. 44).

Only then was the purpose of Lazarus’s sickness and death properly understood. Christ stated it: “This sickness … Is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (Vs. 40).

Jesus came to Bethany that day prepared to deal with physical death. It is a graphic of Him coming into the world to deal with our spiritual death.

In essence Jesus came into the world to deal with humanities death, our funeral.

Jesus came to Bethany as a humble voluntary act.

He came to Bethlehem as a humble voluntary act. Jesus came to a family in need in Bethany.

He came to the human family in need at Bethlehem.

He didn’t really have to deal with Lazarus, but love compelled Him to act.

He didn’t really need to deal with us, but His love compelled Him to act.

Jesus said it best, “I am come that you might have life” (John 10:10).

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (Vs. 25).

That is a message that needs to be heard today. We need confidence in someone who have power even over death. In making a way of victory for Lazarus He proved there is a way for us.

Jesus said, “Do you believe this?” (Vs. 26). Belief is the human side of salvation. For the Christian death is simply the escape hatch to glory. Belief unto salvation is trust in Christ in time and for eternity.

A Difference Maker

 “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”  II Corinthians 6: 17

Commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior calls for and enables there to be a radical, miraculous “new birth” that begins a lifetime of sweeping moral renewal and transformation.

Our text issues a clarion call for followers of Jesus to be different. Yet studies indicate there is little difference in the conduct of Christians and non-Christians.

When a person is truly saved, they have a new nature. Spiritually they are “born again.” Yet, they still reside in a body with the same glands and appetites that has forged old habits. Habits, good or bad, are hard to break. Most new Christians are not made aware of the spiritual conflict that prevails between the old sin nature and the new spiritual nature. The same old allures exist, but now there is a call to new life with its fulfilling new pleasures.

To enable more moral victories it is imperative for the new Christian to assess the pattern leading to their former indulgence in sin. Know what is the initial instinctive invitation to sinful indulgence. That is, what leads to a sin. Then this thought should be forged  into your mind: “If you are not going into the house stay off the porch.” That is, take counter efforts to avoid sin by avoiding the allure before it becomes a desire. In a different context a favorite saying of Barney Fife is appropriate, “Nip it, just nip it.”

To avoid snake bites don’t play with snakes. To avoid sin don’t play with it.

Don’t be surprised by the thought of sinning. Some persons are concerned that because they have the temptation they are guilty of sin. Only when the thought becomes consensual is it sin. Luther, the reformer said, “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building their nest in your hair.”

A currently popular concept that was prevalent when the Book of Romans was written was that since God’s forgiveness of sin made Him look good, let’s really make Him look good by sinning all the more. Scripture addresses that concept: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6: 1, 2) 

English versions are kind in translating it, “God forbid.” The Greek word so translated is “meginomai.” With the transliteration being “from haven to earth NO.” This calls for us to come out from among them and become a people separated in mind and motive, separated in action and attitude – separated unto God. We are to have a mind-set that is from God, with a heart that is for God, and severed from the corrupt thinking of today. Believers are therefore a peculiar people, peculiarly the children of God.

We will always be among non-believers, but are never to be of non-believers.

The gospel of grace says “come as you are,” however it demands that you do not remain as you were. You are a new creature in Christ. Not only is a butterfly different in form from a caterpillar, but in conduct also. Butterflies unite.

Stay off the porch. If you are on it, get off of it, now. Enjoy the victory.