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| Sometimes We Must Rewind |
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Sometimes We Must Rewind
I think it is safe to say that each and every one of us have certain events and or periods of our lives that we would like to keep swept under the rug forever. I know that this is certainly true of my own life. Many of us tend to use verses like Philippians 3:13 and attempt to "forget those things which are behind".
I would have to stand in agreement with the Apostle Paul, that great man of grit and grace, when he admonishes us to "keep our sights set on those things that lie before us and to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Dwelling on our past failures and shortcomings often becomes the very weight that slows us down.
But today I wanted to suggest to you that just like there are some things from our past that we should let drop in order to focus on the greater things which lie before us, likewise there are times when we should stop focusing on the problems that lie immediately before us and begin to recall all those times that God has been faithful in the past.
When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, the younger man was facing the biggest mountains of his life. Nero had become the emperor of the Roman Empire. Because of His tyrannical rule, believers were being persecuted and were even dying for their faith. In the midst of all the panic, Timothy was tempted to fear for his life and future. He must have wondered, Is God going to be faithful to me in this terrible hour?
Paul's writes:
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Paul wanted to remind Timothy about something very important! God's faithfulness was a part of Timothy's family heritage. Because Timothy was dealing with great stress and difficulty, Paul took the opportunity to remind him that just as God had never failed his grandmother, or mother, neither would He abandon Timothy in this difficult hour.
Then Paul told him:
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. The phrase, "I put thee in remembrance" is taken from the Greek word anamimnesko, a compound of the words ana and mimnesko. The word ana means again or to repeat something. The second part of the word, mimnesko, means to be reminded of something, such as memories. When these two words are put together as in this verse, it means to regather or recollect memories.
You see, there are certain memories we should never forget! For example, we should constantly hit the rewind button in our minds and replay the times that God has been faithful to us in the past - delivering us, healing us, and rescuing us time and time again. We should replay those scenes in our minds until we never forget His faithfulness to us!
Don't ever forget what God has already done for you, for those memories will stir you up and encourage you to face your present dilemma with faith. Just as God has always been faithful to you in the past, He will be faithful to you right now!
Never forget how:
- God has healed you.
- God has delivered you.
- God has saved you.
- God has guided and directed you.
- God has brought you through difficult trials.
- God has provided for you during hard financial times.
- God has protected you from the snare of the enemy.
These kinds of memories are powerful and will stir up your faith today!
So the next time the devil tells you there is no way you'll ever survive what you're facing, take the time to get alone with the Lord. Then hit the rewind button, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you regather and recollect all those past events when God came through for you! As you replay those memories over and over in your mind, your faith will rise to a new level of confidence. You'll be able to look your problems right in the face and say, "God's record with me has always been faithfulness, and I know He'll be faithful to me now as well!"
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Questions for you to consider:
1. As you think about God's faithfulness in your life, how does it affect the way you perceive the problems you are dealing with right now?
2. What are some of the seemingly impossible situations you faced in the past that God delivered you from?
3. What steps can you take to trust God more fully to deliver you from your present situation as He has done for you in the past?
I know that as a believer, you have experienced the delivering and rescuing power of God. I am talking about those moments when your situation looked completely hopeless - but suddenly God's amazing grace intervened and your situation miraculously changed. Can you think of moments like this in your past? Will you take a few minutes to reflect on those times? I am here today to remind you that His grace is always available to you, even right this very moment!
We serve a faithful God, Amen?
I love you brothers and sisters,
Michael
Note: Portions of this message were taken from "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" by Rick Renner |
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| To add a comment to "Sometimes We Must Rewind" |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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| Amen........good one to ponder. |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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| In times when opposition seems to have stalled us out in our walk with the Lord, and our energy and joy are flagging, it is best to recall the benefits of the Lord, the many times he has been faithful to us in the past... Better than energy pills! This blog is appreciated, Michael. |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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God is good!! 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Steady me Lord and bring Thee to MY remembrance,Amen??? |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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Amen brethren! Great comments indeed.
As I was writing this I was reminded of Jesus' words to the disciples after He walked on the water and calmed the storm. The disciples were "sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."
It's amazing how quickly we can forget the wonder-working power that the Lord has already shown us in our lives. If we would spend more time contemplating past events then we would not be so shocked when current miracles occur. The truth is that miracles, even the smallest ones, are normal to the Christian walk and should not take us by surprise. In all to many cases, our hearts have become hardened as a result of failing to recollect the faithfulness of God in days gone past.
Jesus said they were "sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered." because "they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened."
They had just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 yet they were amazed to see Him walking on the water.
That's going to be my focus for today. All those times, that Jesus has performed miracles in my own life, and those times I have witnessed miracles in the lives of others. Oh, that our hearts would become softened to His everlasting faithfulness!
Thanks everyone! |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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Most people don't recognize hardness of heart in themselves as unbelief in Christ but that is what the Word says in a few of the examples you have given...
I think if we woke up every morning reminding ourselves what the Lord has done for us we would live each day with a different perspective. I know for me when I START to get discouraged in an area I do just this...is it amazing how things then seem to "lift" off of me and I am right where I should be...
We should definitely hit rewind probably more frequently than we do! Great blog Michael! |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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I love you too my brother,
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder
of God's wonderful power in our lives!
Answers:
I have come to learn this truth,
#1 Without Faith, It is Impossible to Please God.
#2 He has delivered me out of the hands of the enemy more than a few times.
#3 I am learning to submit everything to Him and Him alone.. This is the area I must learn,
trusting Him in all things.. even the little ones..
God Bless! |
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| January 03, 2009 |
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Amen Lori! - Each and every day I am reminded of the pit I was in when the Lord found me. I love how you speak of things "lifting off of you". and "you are right where you should be". Amen!
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
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| January 03, 2009 |
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Thank you so much Leonora!
Those are some great and noteworthy answers indeed!
Thank you for commenting! |
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| January 06, 2009 |
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OMG!! Would you STOP being lead by the Holy Spirit...no wait!!! LOL!!
Thanks bro~ |
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