Memories,
There is nothing more power packed than our memories. Especially the ones we have of what God has done in our lives and in the lives of those we know and love. Nothing more solid, filled with strength, unshakable, than those things we have seen and heard. At the risk of sounding heretical it’s more powerful than quoting scripture, unless of course quoting a particular scripture brought about the manifest intervention of God and is forever burned into our memory. It is difficult to deny the reality of the things we have actually experienced. People can argue with the things you believe but not what you have experienced. Your testimony is what you have actually been through, you know it is true. The devil cannot steal it, circumstances cannot detract from it. Why? Because you were there you saw it happen, you heard it, you felt it, it was real and nothing or no one can take it away from you. That’s why the psalmist says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”Psm 77:11 REMEMBER.
Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go just rememberhow far you have come. Remember everything you have faced all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome! And remember God’s faithfulness in them ALL!
So the mystery is in the memories!
Take time to make a lasting memory of the things God has done. Write them down. Not only do others need to be reminded of God’s goodness, but at some point…..you’ll need the reminder, too.
Even the bad memories can be an encouragement, a blessing if we do not dwell there but we rejoice because we are no longer there. God was and is faithful to help us get past those events bringing us to a place of healing and wholeness in spite of our past, regardless of how horrible it may have been.
DT 4:9 NLT “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Leave a legacy.
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.” Not just the story “about” Jesus but the story of Jesus “in” your life.
“Let us live not only to serve God ourselves; let us live to help our children and their children live for God.”
We are all getting older and life is short. Psm 71:18 says, “Yes, even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not, [but keep me alive] until I have declared Your mighty strength to [this] generation, and Your might and power to all that are to come.”
Declare what God has done not just in words but in power that is visible, real, a life giving example, demonstrated to the next generation, and passed on to the next and the next until Jesus comes. Put skin on it.
“As for us, wecannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 niv. This is what we do at Celebrate Recovery every other week. People stand and proclaim what God has done in their lives which brings the hope of healing and freedom in the lives of all that hear. Families are being restored, addicts set free, lives transformed. Generations are being influenced for Christ.
Thank you for continuing to remember us in your prayers and support. God is making lovely memories in the lives of many.
Celebrating Recovery,
Jim and Pam