This is Memorial Day weekend. It is a time to honor those that have died for the country and recognize all of the departed relatives and friends. We buy flowers and other items to show that we love and remember our family members that are gone. The Bible speaks of memorials but they are not just to remember people who have died.
In Exodus 3:15 God said, …This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” God had just said that His name was “I am that I am.” Whatever is needed, that is what He would be. His people were called to remember His love for them.
Exodus 12:14 “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord.” This is in reference to the “Passover”. It was not just a religious service but was meant to remind the Children of Israel that God had delivered them from Egypt. They were to never forget what He had done.
Joshua 4:6 “….What do these stones mean to you?” When the Israelites were allowed to cross the Jordan River it parted before them just like the Red Sea. Twelve stones were laid as a “memorial” to be used to teach their children what God had done by bringing them into the Land of Promise. There were other memorial reminders that God instituted. We will look at one more.
I Corinthians 11:25 says “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of an event, Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is not to be simply a ritual remembrance, but an active confession, by which you actively will to call to memory and appropriate NOW all that Jesus has provided and promised through His cross.
If you are reading this article you have either missed the rapture or yesterday’s prediction of the end of time did not prove to be correct.
Since Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour, why did Rev. Camping believe he knew? Jesus did not know the date himself.
We should expect Jesus’ return without doubt, but we are reminded that no one knows when. We are not to be taken unaware nor be fooled by man’s predictions.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning–lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: WATCH!” Mark 13:32-37
Genesis 22:14 “Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord will Provide.”
Where do you run when your faith is tested to the brink of failure, to the point of doubting what God has promised? You must run to Yahweh Jireh and discover what He has said, He will do–the Lord will provide.
The name is a combination to two attributes of God: the Lord will see and the Lord will provide. Because God is all-knowing, He is able to provide for, or supply, the need whatever it may be or simply “The Lord will see to it.” In Genesis 22 God tested Abraham with what seemed impossible. He was to take his special son, Isaac, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering to God. Because Abraham believed in the promises of God, he knew God would raise Isaac from the dead because he was the promised son from God to Abraham.
This was a test of obedience for Abraham. God stopped Abraham and provided a ram for the burnt offering. He called the place Yahweh Jireh because God provided the sacrifice for him. When God asks the impossible of you, it becomes possible when you know and trust in Yahweh Jireh. Philippians 4:19 says, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” You can know that in your trial, the great test of your faith, Yahweh Jireh will see your deepest need and provide for you through Jesus Christ.
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not
hear the law?” Gal. 4:21
There is a real issue in Christianity about our relationship with the law. The idea of works or faith must be correctly related or our concept of receiving from God can be incorrect. Do I receive the promises of God because I believe or because I perform correctly? If I receive from God because of my performance am I not earning my blessings?
“For by grace are you saved through faith, not of works…” Eph 2:8,9 Be aware that the word “saved” is an all inclusive word. It is used in Scripture to mean born again, healed, delivered, made whole, prosper. It encompasses all of the promises and blessings God has bestowed upon those who believe (not those who earn it by their works).
It is important that we live according to the Scripture because it affects our quality of life. Instead of seeing something as “sin” we should be concerned about how it will influence our lives. It is not enough to say, for instance, that getting drunk is a sin. The real question is how will it affect my life? There is NO positive result from getting drunk. It is not a matter of whether something is a sin or not but how it is affecting your life. Apart from the law there is no sin but there are things that affect our lives in a negative way. God dealt with sin through Jesus Christ but we must deal with the “issues of life.”
1. LISTEN–A great mother knows when to talk, and better yet, when to listen. Listening to your child is not the time to multitask. It’s time to show your child how much he/she means to you and give them all of your attention.
2. BE CONSISTENT–Consistent routines, consistent disciplines, consistent punctuality all offer a form of security that develops trust between you and your children. A child will be less prone to disobey if the consequences are always enforced.
3. LAUGH–A great mother knows how to find sunshine in the storm. Learn to laugh during spills, accidents, and messes. Laughing during times of despair helps to lessen stress.
4. EXPRESS LOVE FREQUENTLY–Telling your children “I love you” at least once a day not matter how old they are will strengthen your relatiohship and help your children remember that you accept them for who they are.
5. BE FLEXIBLE–Great mothers exhibit patience. Despite meticulous planning things can crop up at the last minute–sickness, flat tire, etc. Using patience helps to suppress anger and keep children calm.
6. PROVIDE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE–Your children need to know you love them no matter what their life circumstances may be.
7. BE THEIR TEACHER–A great mother takes her knowledge and shares it with her childlren–knowledge about life skills, finances, current events, and home and cooking skills to prepare them for when they leave home.
8. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH–Don’t be a hypocritical dictator. If you establish rules, make sure you follow them, too. Otherwise, you will break their trust for you or never develop it.
9. SPEND QUALITY TIME–Don’t let work and electronics take over your life and leave no time with the children. Arrange time to spend one-on-one time with each child. Play games with them and talk to them.
10. APOLOGIZE WHEN NECESSARY–Parents are not perfect. Apologize for the mistakes and acknowledge you’ll do your best to not repeat it.
By Amy Mutchler, for Revive Your LIfe
“I thank God…..when I call in remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” II Tim. 1:3-5
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There is no other Biblical comment that more graphically points out the importance of Godly influence passed on to the next generation. When Paul speaks about qualities of faith, he sees in Timothy a reflection of teaching handed down by his mother and grandmother. Noticably missing is the lack of reference to father and grandfather.
We can only assume that Timothy’s father was not necessarily a great spiritual influence in his life nor was his grandfather. Although Timothy was greatly influenced by the female members of his family, he was not a “mama’s boy”. Paul’s confidence in him suggests that Paul knew he would be a strong leader in the church. In a male oriented society, Paul would have looked for a strong leader.
Mothers, never under-estimate your ability to set the course of your child’s life. God honors His word when it is exhaulted. Train up a child, and God promises positive results.
‘One will rise to the level of his expectancy or rest at the level of his examples.” It is great when both are present in an individual.
(Note: In a society of single moms raising their children, we need more men like Paul to mentor our young boys to encourage them to be all God has called them to be. Pastor LaVerne)
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