Articles From Our Bulletins
Forgetful
For about fifteen years, we literally lived about 120 seconds from the church building. My study/office was there, so forgetting and leaving something at home was no big deal- jump in the car, make the five minute round trip, and retrieve whatever it was my “forgetter” forgot. But since moving to Indianapolis in July, our home is a fifteen to twenty minute drive from the building, depending on the traffic and weather, neither of which was much of a concern in East Texas.
Case in point: this morning, I remembered: hat (newly and lovingly crocheted for me by D), gloves (also a newly required article of clothing!), coat (we’re actually supposed to be above freezing today!), coffee (duh), phone, the trip to the bank, and another couple of errands along the way. But once I pulled up to the building, and gathered all my paraphernalia to exit the car, I remembered…. that I forgot all three of my Bibles! Fortunately, I have others. They won’t be as comfortable, or work quite as well, but they do contain everything I’ll need today.
Such things got me to remembering a few things any of my Bibles reminds me not to forget:
- 2Peter 1:9, my purification from former sins. I need to remember my salvation from sin, and what Jesus did to make such possible. In the context of this verse, this means I need to appreciate my salvation enough to keep adding to my faith so that His sacrifice is not wasted on me, cf. vv.5-11.
- Hebrews 12:5-6, God’s motivation and purpose for my discipline. God disciplines me because He loves and wants the best for me. Sometimes, this discipline hurts. It hurts Him to give it, and me to receive it- but the benefits are worth the hurt for both of us, cf. vv.7-11.
- James 1:23-24, to be a doer of God’s word. It’s very easy to be just a hearer. In the analogy given, God’s word is a mirror. I need to not only look deeply into it to see myself as God does, I need to also remember what I saw while looking and then make the necessary changes, cf. vv.25-26 (see also 2Peter 3:1-2).
- John 15:20, a slave is not greater than his Master. Though there are many possible applications of this point, the one Jesus is making is simple: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you”- that includes me, and you. I need to remember this, accept it, cf. 2Timothy 3:12; and do the right things anyway, 1Peter 3:13-17.
- Hebrews 13:7, leaders and teachers, and to emulate their faith. I would do well to remember that the best way to thank a spiritual leader or teacher is to lead and teach. Christianity is all about selfless service, and outside of Jesus Christ, no one demonstrates these qualities more than leaders and teachers, cf. v.15-17; and 2Timothy 2:2.
- Acts 20:35, it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s (in whatever form) never all about me. Jesus said so. There are always others to consider. It is far too easy to become selfish- even with God’s word. If I receive, I need to give. If I am blessed, I need to bless. I need to remember to bruise my blessings by hording them.
- 2Timothy 2:8, Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. It is the death, not the birth, of Jesus that gives me hope. It is His death that provides me with forgiveness now, and the surety of resurrection and eternal salvation later. It is His death that makes everything worthwhile, cf. vv.9-15. May I never forget it!
There are a lot of things I may forget with little or no consequences. But the things God tells me to remember, I NEED TO REMEMBER! Perhaps you do too. Please, read the verses and REMEMBER the ones listed above, as well as others that may be even more specific to you.
- Forgetful.pdf (67.77 kB)
