REMEMBER

Doesn't it mean the world to you when you have shared personal information with someone you trust and they check up on that subject with you later on, especially when you least expect it? This remembering shows they have paid attention to you and cared enough to commit it to memory for regurgitation later on.

In Scripture, the word remember is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament Israel had a cyclic issue of forgetting God and His blessings on the country.

• "No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side." (Judges 8:34-35)
• "Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor, the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan." (Psalm 78:41-43)
• "We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known." (Psalm 106:6-8)

In the New Testament my findings were as follows -
In Matthew 16:9, Jesus seems aggravated about forgetfulness. 

• Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 

In 2 Thessalonians 2:5, Paul also exemplifies this air of aggravation. 

• Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

So, praise God we are not alone in desiring things to be remembered! Observing Jesus and Paul were disturbed about followers remembering - this matters! So, what are some things we need to remember about remembering?

Use remembering as a future source of gaining direction. John records in his Gospel, John 16:4, Jesus telling us that remembering is key for His Plan later on in our life. 

• "I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you."

Utilize your recall ability to retrieve the memories of people who have helped and supported you. This brings a great appreciation for the relationships God has blessed you with in your life. Paul describes remembering as a pleasant enough experience to thank God for that someone or group of people.

• "I thank my God every time I remember you." (Philippians 1:3)

Practice remembering peoples needs in prayer. Paul describes remembering as a tool for prayer. 

• "I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." (Colossians 4:18)

There are even certain people to remember in prayer. Paul emphasizes remembering your Christian leaders and imitating their faith.

• "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)

Then John touches on remembering in Revelation. He views remembering as a retro-spective measure to appreciate how much you have lost and gained. 

• "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Revelation 2:5)

John also uses remember as a first step that then spurs one on to action. 

• "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent." (Revelation 3:3)

So, I encourage you, Remember what The Lord has done in your life So That the appropriate credit is given and the right attitude/mindset is kept. In addition, when engaged in dialogue with ANYBODY - do your best every time to make eye contact, pay attention, soak up what they are saying and Remember. Why? Because Remembering confirms to somebody they make a difference and you can positively influence their life by doing so. Remembering also ministers to the heart deeply. In the effort of "Loving God, By Loving Others and Serving God, By Serving Others", do your best to Remember.