Sitting around an oval table in the funeral home, we discussed burial plans for Dad. My family, together with the funeral director, made arrangements forced upon us because of death. Breaking the somber mood, we began to recall past experiences with Dad. “Remember when....,” somebody said, and the memories rushed in. Some recollections made us laugh and others made us cry. We determined to remember only the good times with Dad and we began to be thankful for his life.
Memories are powerful; they give rise to strength or despair. Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to remember and forget. He yearns for us to recall His many acts of faithfulness and abandon brooding over our failures. Remembering God’s acts builds our faith while remembering our sins brings us despair. This is the spiritual battle that takes place in our mind. Therefore we should put on the helmet of salvation and....demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Read the following Scriptures and fight that spiritual battle of the mind with God’s own words.
-----Be forgetful...
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...” Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
-----Be mindful and remember...
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 (NIV)
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 (NIV)
But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:18 (NIV)
...These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever. Joshua 4:7 (NIV)
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today. Deuteronomy 15:15 (NIV)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (NKJV)
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (NKJV)
I remember Your name in the night, O LORD,
And I keep Your law. Psalm 119:55 (NKJV)
And I keep Your law. Psalm 119:55 (NKJV)
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel... 2 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)
Remember the acts of your Lord and Savior as you fellowship this Thanksgiving. Whether with family and friends or alone, pause and recall your blessings, giving the Lord thanks for His provision. Together, as prayer partners, let’s forget our past mistakes and remember God’s miracles in our lives. Our faith will be encouraged as we look forward to the mighty acts of God in our lives and those of our loved ones. Remember the good times with your Daddy God and give Him thanks and praise!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (NKJV)
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (NKJV)
Then listen to Chris Tomlin’s “I Lift My Hands” and let your faith arise.