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 remember
how 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, we
cannot 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
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