Don’t Forget

to be a reminder to the people of Israel

Joshua 4:7
When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you? ’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever

Exodus 12:14
“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall

Why would Joshua have a memorial made?  I suppose it has to do with how easy it is for us to forget what God has done. How much have we forgotten?  How many times in the past have you seen God’s hand and overcome something that seemed impossible? I was sent a link yesterday and it reminded me of something very remarkable.  The content of this link essentially said “Share your story”.  Share what your life was like before, the day it all changed, and what it is like now.  This miracle should be fixed in our heart and mind so firmly that like the stones we are reminded of God and His provision.  Reminded of His awesome power that can change a person from the inside out.  How He can open their heart and mind to the wonders of creation, place peace in their soul in times of hard trials, soften our heart to love and forgive, heal broken relationships, supply needs when there seems no hope….. It is easy to forget what God has done, what God is doing, and what God has promised for the future when we do not speak of them.  Speak often of God and never forget His awesome power, love, grace and mercy.

Oh ye of Little Faith

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Sometimes I wonder how I can say I know how to pray in Faith.  Scripture says “God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine”.  Definitely I have seen God answer many prayers but if I limit what I bring before God because I don’t feel worthy, or wondering if I am asking in line with His word or purpose I am limiting how active my faith is.   How many times do I give up in my prayers because I don’t see them answered in a timeline I want.  How many times do I fall into thinking that God is all powerful and has a plan and purpose for all things so why should I ask – His plan will be done with or without my prayer.  So why pray? – Scripture says – We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. We are to pray for the lost, We are to pray for those who are sick.  We are to pray for wisdom, We are to pray for healing of body and relationships. We are to pray for God’s leading.  We are to pray that our eyes, ears, and heart will be open to this leading.  We are to pray for our leaders. We are to pray for one another.  We are to pray to grow and understand our dependance on God in our life. Do not limit what you bring before God – He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine – there is no room for doubting what God can do

Matthew 21:20
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double- minded man, unstable in all his ways

Treasures

I wonder what treasures I truly seek.  Are they treasures that are offered by this world?  Are they treasures for eternity? How can a person know?  If we search what our heart’s desire is this will give us a good understanding of the treasures we seek.  A very good place to start is captured in the 139th Psalm – Search me, oh God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.

Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field

Proverbs 2:1
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding

Philippians 3:7
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Isaiah 55:2
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant.