Articles
I Can't Remember
I Can't Remember
Dick Brant
While teaching at the school, within a few days of a new class beginning , someone would say, or maybe two or three would say, "I can't do memory work" or "I can't remember things for very long."
Now because they have never done a lot of memory work, they assumed they couldn't. I 66 ask them a few questions. Some laughed of course, but everyone got the point.
I would ask, "What is your new phone number?" ( No cell phones back then) "What is your new address?" Or I would ask, "Did you come to school on your own or did you need to follow someone."
Well, of course, they knew their phone number, their address, and they didn't need to follow someone to school. So I would say something like, "See, you have a good memory."
I would also mention things like childhood stories and events. Or what about songs they had never really studied but knew the words. And what about the words from a few TV commercials, everyone knows a few.
So, what's the point? Memory work is really just a matter of exposure. We hear preachers and Bible class teachers week after week quote scripture like they had a CD in their brain. But you know they don't, it is just exposure over and over. Of course, the more you involved with reading and studying the more you will remember.
Here are a few of the ways that daily Bible reading, and study, will help you in your daily walk with God and your battle with sin.
-You will know how God wants you to live.
-You will know when you are not following His way.
-You will be able to recall words of encouragement.
-You will be able to give words of encouragement to others
-You will be able to focus on the goal, heaven.
-You will be able to help others have the same focus.
- II Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
- I Peter 3:15, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"
- Philippians 4:4-9, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Will, there be hard and difficult times? Of course, there will. But the good news is we know the end of the story. The faithful will spend eternity with God in heaven. So read a few verses each and be encouraged.
God knows the end of all things and so can you.
The difference is He knows when. So be ready.
