When You Wake Up and Before Bed

When You Wake Up and Before Bed

Exodus 29: ³⁸ “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. ³⁹ One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. ⁴⁰ With the one lamb shall be one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering. ⁴¹ And the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; and you shall offer with it the grain offering and the drink offering, as in the morning, for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord. ⁴² This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. ⁴³ And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. ⁴⁴ So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests. ⁴⁵ I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. ⁴⁶ And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

 

============

 

GOD told Moses to have Aaron and his sons sacrifice young lambs every day. HE also gave special instructions of how they were to be prepared and what should accompany the offering.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted the children of Israel to have a mindset that all of their possessions were not theirs; rather, they were HIS.
• GOD gave special instructions of how to prepare the burnt offering to HIM.
• GOD was planning to meet with the children of Israel through the priests because HE wanted them to know that HE is GOD.

 

Short memories about who GOD is seems to be a problem. GOD set in motion a perpetual remembrance of the need for HIM. It would take everyone to participate to provide that many lambs. Several hundred lambs would be needed each year. The flour and wine needed to be made.

 

GOD was planning to stay as a houseguest and wanted the children of Israel to symbolically remember what JESUS represented. They did not know the lambs represented the Messiah. We have short memories. Every day, we are supposed to remember what JESUS did for us. When we wake up and before we go to bed, we should remember HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the sacrificial lambs?
• What has GOD given you that you think is yours?
• When you wake up and before you go to bed, do you remember JESUS as your Savior and daily leader?

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Exodus 22: ²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. ³⁰ Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

³¹ “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

 

============

 

GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions what to do with the first fruits and the first born and with an animal killed by an animal.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset that HE provides plenty and the children of Israel need not hold back on what they considered “the best.”
• GOD knew the children of Israel desired to carry on HIS promise of making Abraham a great nation and HE wanted then to set aside the firstborn male as a sign of acknowledging JESUS.
• GOD set a standard of not eating an animal killed by another animal.

 

This set of rules seem simple on the surface, but are highly symbolic. JESUS is represented in these rules and GOD wanted people to be aware of HIS promise to Abraham. The blood of CHRIST is remembered to this day by drinking the ripe juices.

 

JESUS was the first-born and only SON of GOD. Every firstborn was to be consecrated and given to GOD as a holy representative in the family. Animal sacrifice would become the norm for the children of Israel. The firstborn oxen and sheep would be required to be handled specially.

 

Animals without a spot or blemish would be required to be presented as a sacrifice to the LORD. HE extended this rule to what the people ate. No meat torn by another animal was to be consumed. GOD knew that the people who would eat after an animal would also sacrifice to HIM in a poor fashion.

 

GOD was about to give HIS best, namely JESUS. HE expected to get the best as a symbolic acknowledgement of what HE was doing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that portray HIS plentifulness and HIS holiness?
• Have you treated GOD as common or something that is not special?
• Is there a standard that can be raised in your life that represents your relationship with GOD?

Manna Remembered

Manna Remembered

Exodus 16: ³¹ And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

 

³² Then Moses said, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’ ” ³³ And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.” ³⁴ As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. ³⁵ And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. ³⁶ Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah.

 

============

 

GOD provided food from heaven that humans could not understand. The name Manna means “What?” or “What is it?” Moses describes how it tasted. Then Moses obeyed what the LORD told him by laying up a jar full of manna. This sample lasted forty years.

 

My Observations:

• Moses shows us his writing style by mentioning how long they stayed in the desert, but it was done out of sequence.
• GOD preserved the manna in the jar so the children of Israel would remember HIS provision.
• GOD knew how long HE would keep the people out in the desert, but Moses did not know when he had Aaron collect a sample of manna.

 

This passage of scripture shows us that Moses wrote this book well after the events occurred. GOD had to remind Moses of the events and provide the details HE wanted us to remember. This is a great example of how GOD inspired writers of the Bible to record the exact detail that HE wanted to reveal.

 

The manna did not rot for the full forty years that the children of Israel were in the desert. The jar of manna would eventually end up in the ark of the covenant, otherwise known as the Testimony. Moses did not write in a linear chronological fashion, rather he mentions a little of the end of the journey before it happened. Manna was “bread” from heaven. JESUS is the “bread” of life that we need to remember as often as possible.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the jar of manna?
• Has GOD taken you through something and you wrote down the event or kept something to remember what HE brought you through?
• How will you intentionally remember what GOD has done for you during the deliverance?

A Feast to Remember (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

A Feast to Remember (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Exodus 13: ³ And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. ⁴ On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. ⁵ And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. ⁶ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. ⁷ Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. ⁸ And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’ ⁹ It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. ¹⁰ You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

 

============

 

After speaking to GOD, Moses spoke to the people. “Remember this day” was his statement as they were preparing to exit Egypt. Moses reiterated GOD’s promise and provided instructions to stay away from leaven for a week annually. On the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.

 

My Observations:

• Humans forget GOD easily.
• GOD’s deliverance requires remembrance.
• GOD keeps HIS promises, no matter how different our expectations of HIM really are.

 

Imagine listening to Moses speak as everyone was packed up and chased out of Egypt. This speech would fill up even the most discouraged person. Moses had no idea how long it would take to get in the promised land. He was simply being obedient.

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was supposed to happen annually. I am sure the first year was exciting. But what about the second? How about the nineteenth? What about the thirty ninth celebration without being in the promised land? GOD kept HIS promise while dealing with mindsets.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what Moses said to the people about the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
• Has GOD promised you something that has not come to fruition?
• Does your expectation of GOD need to be reset because HIS promise for you has not happened yet?

People Reminder

 

People Reminder

Hebrews 13: Keep on loving one another as Christians. ² Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.

 

============

 

“Remember where you came from” was a suggestion given to me from a person who left his neighborhood in pursuit of “success.” I was trying to escape the neighborhood I grew up in, never to look back. But after a number of years, I looked at my old neighborhood with a different view.

 

• I cared only about myself when I left.
• I could not wait to leave and not help anyone else.
• I could not understand why it was important to help those who never once thought about me or helped me.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives some great advice. He mentions how to treat people. He may have given this advice to help people remember those who are in need.

 

My Observations:

• It is easy for me to forget that I was placed here for other people.
• It is easy for me to forget that other people have needs beyond mine.
• It is easy for me to forget that perhaps GOD may want me to serve others, even when it is inconvenient.

 

Helping people is sometimes hard. I mean, people need help when I need help. They may even need the same resources I need and desire. GOD loves when I remember to serve people and HE provides something extra when I am willing to serve strangers. HE may test my resolve of helping others by sending an angel I am not aware of.

 

This selfless act may translate to the angel reporting back to GOD what has been done. Not that GOD does not know anyway. Each selfless act turns into a reward in heaven that cannot be stolen and will never tarnish. I am glad HE gives me people to remember.

 

Challenge

• Do you hear empathy from the writer?
• Do you like being remembered or recognized by people?
• Will you remember to serve strangers, shut in, prisoners and people who are suffering today?

Necessary Reminder

Necessary Reminder

Hebrews 10: The Jewish Law is not a full and faithful model of the real things; it is only a faint outline of the good things to come. The same sacrifices are offered forever, year after year. How can the Law, then, by means of these sacrifices make perfect the people who come to God? ² If the people worshiping God had really been purified from their sins, they would not feel guilty of sin any more, and all sacrifices would stop. ³ As it is, however, the sacrifices serve year after year to remind people of their sins. ⁴ For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins.

 

============

 

After realizing my life needed to change, I stopped hanging around certain “friends.” I also stopped doing some things that I felt were detrimental to my relationship with GOD. Things got much better. I attributed it to “my” cleansing efforts and felt others needed to do the same.

 

• I was “proud” of myself for turning “my” life around.
• I thought I had “arrived” at being holy.
• I judged those who were still struggling with sins “I” had overcome.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, addressed piety and self-pride. While the Law was extremely useful, it is not the “full and faithful model of the real things.” In fact, the Law was to be used to show how futile our efforts are to be clean. Traditions, and following the rules, would never ever cleanse sin.

 

My Observations:

• My efforts to be clean are similar to a full diaper.
• Only JESUS can make me clean because my thoughts are never on HIM.
• When I remember what JESUS did, I am also reminded that I need HIM daily.

 

Sin doesn’t go away because I act good from time to time. I mean, if I think my “good” efforts merit GOD doing something different, I am in a world of trouble. HE says “Your righteousness are like filthy rags.” I can never do or say anything that is “clean” to HIM because the Law is not the “real thing.”

 

JESUS is the real thing. HE took away my sin and declared me holy. Only through HIM am I seen as clean. HE makes my pitiful efforts righteous and enhances my words to draw people to HIM. I am glad JESUS did it all so I do not have to think I need to save the world.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by “faint outline?”
• Have you ever been proud of yourself for not doing the same sin on a particular day?
• Will you stop looking at your own efforts to please GOD and know HE loves you dearly as much as HE can and HE is willing to live inside you with full love today?

Forever Remembered

Forever Remembered

Hebrews 7: This Melchizedek was king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. As Abraham was coming back from the battle in which he defeated the four kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him, ² and Abraham gave him one tenth of all he had taken. (The first meaning of Melchizedek's name is “King of Righteousness”; and because he was king of Salem, his name also means “King of Peace.”) ³ There is no record of Melchizedek's father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.

 

============

 

Encountering a stranger, I remember a guy wearing sunglasses, driving an expensive sports car, zipping in front of people and giving them “the finger” as he passed each. This enraged me, but I could not catch him.

 

• I remember how his actions affected me.
• I did not stop to think how my actions affect other people.
• I realized later that I want to be remembered differently than that.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, explains Melchizedek, who was a king and a high priest. No one knew when he was bon or when he died. He represents how JESUS has no beginning or end. Melchizedek is remembered for his goodness.

 

My Observations:

• Every action I do is either for GOD’s kingdom or against it.
• I have the opportunity to speak about GOD or to do harm to myself and others.
• I can choose what I want people to remember me by.

 

JESUS said “Remember ME.” This mean remember HIS goodness and HIS love. HE faced insurmountable odds by not sinning and at the same time, healing a multitude of people. HIS deeds and words are remembered forever. But what about you and me? GOD has us too.

 

If I give a child a cup of cool water to drink, GOD remember my kindness and loves it! HE enjoys the smallest of service I perform, even if it is just a smile. GOD sees anything I do for HIM and remembers it forever. I am glad GOD cares for you and me.

 

Challenge

• According to the writer, what is Melchizedek remembered by?
• Have you ever wanted to “act out” in public, only to regret what people will remember you by?
• Will you not worry about your reputation and simply serve the way GOD wants you to serve by encouraging someone today?

Why Remember?

Why Remember?

! Corinthians 11: ²³ For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, ²⁴ gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”

 

============

 

Hurt by the circumstance, I had forgotten all the good times when laughter ensued from the house. Bitter attacks and missing people left five individuals wounded and seemingly, forever separated. The enemy had devoured us, or so he thought.

 

• There have been circumstances in my life that attempted to erase the good that happened.
• There have been situations in my life that tried to remove the great memories that happened.
• There have been obstacles, barriers and thieves, that tried to steal the wonderful things that happened.

 

Paul addresses divisiveness by giving the training he received directly from JESUS. “Remember ME.” Paul mentions the teaching of JESUS as HE spoke to HIS disciples before HE was crucified. JESUS knew times would get difficult and Satan would seek to divide by turning up pride, hidden lies and hardened hearts. HE wanted them to remember what HE had overcome.

 

My Observation

• JESUS wants me to remember that HE overcame all my sins, when I sin.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE loved me more than any human could ever love me.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me and I am never alone regardless of how things may seem.

 

Remembering JESUS is extremely important. I mean, if I think “I” did things on my own, then pride would creep in. Remembering JESUS controls pride. If I dwell on the hurt and the pain, I forget that HE felt pain and hurt, just for me. When I remember that JESUS died and was raised from the dead, my hurt and pain stings less.

 

When I feel all alone, I remember that JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me. HE begs for forgiveness of my sins and provides the right words when I need them. Remembering the good helps heal my wounds.

 

Challenge

• What good things do you remember that the enemy is trying to steal from you?
• Do you think remaining stuck on the circumstance, even for years, will help you heal from wounds?
• Will you remember the good and especially what JESUS did for you so the HOLY SPIRIT can provide the comfort you seek today?

Oneness

Oneness

1 Corinthians 10: ¹⁴ So then, my dear friends, keep away from the worship of idols. ¹⁵ I speak to you as sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ The cup we use in the Lord's Supper and for which we give thanks to God: when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing in the body of Christ. ¹⁷ Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf.

 

============

 

We were told to get in the pool and splash around. After a while the instructor said “Stop.” Nothing happened. But when we were told to move together in a circle, something happened, the water began to move in the same circular direction and momentum picked up. Soon the force of the water was difficult to stop.

 

• I see that being one is powerful.
• I see that being one is unstoppable.
• I see that being one is incredible beyond belief.

 

Paul uses a common practice to point at something new. He spoke of the LORD’s supper as something that could be used to thank GOD for JESUS volunteering to die a bloody death. He also explains that though there are many people, we all share one loaf because we are one body.

 

• GOD wants me to desire unity.
• GOD wants me to want HIS way not my individual way.
• GOD wants me to be unified under HIM through JESUS who died for “our” sins.

 

Believing in JESUS is not enough for HIM. I mean it saves me, but what about everyone else? GOD wants all of HIS creations to be saved. HE does not take this lightly. There is nothing more important to HIM than collecting all of HIS creations.

 

Unfortunately, there is an enemy who tries to steal this message of love away and twist it into a strange message, not heard by those deafened by him. BUT GOD says “Give thanks” because a thankful heart can hear. I gladly heed the warning to stay away from idols and give GOD thanks for all HE provides.

 

• What are you thankful for?
• Do you thank JESUS for dying for your sins?
• Will you seek unity under JESUS today by surrendering your life to HIM?

Remember the Details

Remember the Details

Acts 21: ¹⁷ When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. ¹⁸ The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

============

After the vacation, I had lots to tell. I described the food, the service and entertainment in picture perfect detail. One description made me remember another fond memory and another. It was a great experience that I gladly shared with anyone who would listen.

There were times when I had plenty to say about something I enjoyed.

There were times when I remembered every detail of the experience.

There were times when I told strangers about the details so they could experience the same.

Paul was now in Jerusalem. After being met by a warm greeting, he told the details of what GOD had done on HIS travels. He must have mentioned the healing of many people and how GOD made a way for him to escape death over and over. He paved a way for other races to hear about JESUS.

GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.

GOD wants me to make memories by serving many people.

GOD wants me to share my memories of how HE has worked in my life.

Sharing details of what GOD has done and is doing is highly important to HIM. I mean, HE wants people to be encouraged that they can get out of their trouble and be rewarded just by giving someone a drink of water in JESUS name. My experiences grow me up and sometimes help others do the same. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT helps me remember the details.

What has GOD done in your life?

Do you remember an important story you need to share?

Will you write down the details or tell them to someone so they can be encouraged by what GOD is doing in your life today?

Then I Remembered

Then I Remembered

Acts 11: ¹³ And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, ¹⁴ who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ ¹⁵ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

¹⁸ When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

============

Trying to cross the pool seemed like a daunting task but it was required for the grade. As I jumped in, things seemed to be okay, but halfway through, I started losing momentum. Then I remembered what the instructor said about relaxing, turning my head face upwards and breathing through my mouth each stroke. I made it to the other side.

• There were some things I had to learn in order to apply it.
• There were some things that were taught to me that did not come in handy until I applied it.
• There were some lessons I discounted until I really needed them.

Peter continued explaining why he was speaking to another race about JESUS. He wrapped up the amazing recount of events with something that happened in common with those who questioned him. He said “Then I remembered the word of the LORD.”

• GOD teaches me so I can have the right words at the right time.
• GOD teaches me so I can have the right behavior at the tight time.
• GOD teaches me so I can believe, apply and teach what HE wants me to teach.

The HOLY SPIRIT brings things to my remembrance. When I read about GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT places the words in my heart. Someone else comes along to water the seed planted in my heart. The seed grows into a tiny bit of faith, or mercy or love, depending on the seed.

Eventually I am faced with a situation where I need to give someone a word of encouragement. Then I remember what GOD has planted in my heart from the lesson HE taught me. I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT, who leads and guides me.

• Are you trying to live life without learning who GOD really is?
• Are you busy learning everything else but not spending time learning about the ONE who cares about you?
• Will you take some time to learn about JESUS and what HE has done for you today?

Roots

Roots

John 9: ³⁵ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

³⁶ He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

³⁷ And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

³⁸ Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

³⁹ And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

⁴⁰ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”

⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

============

After the third promotion I could see the top getting a bit closer. Nervous about the trail, I resorted to listening to lines from some cheesy movie. “You are the master” are the words I remembered, to give me confidence. “You can do this!” I went in and got the promotion. I was invincible! Or so I thought.

• There were times when I had a lot of “self-confidence.”
• There were times when I believed in myself and “my” abilities.
• There were times when I thought “I” accomplished a lot.

JESUS reveals HE is GOD to the man HE healed of blindness. HE then asks “Do you believe in the SON of GOD?” The man says “Yes!” The church leaders, who were very confident in their titles, asked “Are we blind?” They knew the Bible thoroughly and mentioned GOD regularly. They could not “see” their blindness.

• GOD wants me to only have confidence in HIS abilities.
• GOD wants me place my trust in HIS abilities, motives and methods.
• GOD wants me to admit I am blind and need HIM every second of every day.

Forgetting that GOD raised me up from very meager roots led to my blindness. I foolishly believed that it was “my” talents that raised me up to where I got to. My ego was deflated when it was all taken away. GOD showed me just how blind I had gotten. I forgot to give HIM credit for the little things as well as the large.

GOD is in control of everything, no matter what humans think. All trust needs to be placed in JESUS for only HE knows the true plan. GOD is my master, in HIM I place my trust.

• Are you over confident in your abilities?
• Do you suffer from lack of confidence because you think you lack abilities?
• Will you remember where you came from and believe GOD made you exactly as HE wanted so you can serve HIM today?

Have to be told

Luke 22: ¹⁴ When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵ And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.’

¹⁷ After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸ For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

²⁰ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

============

“An apple?” I questioned in my mind. I mean I wanted some doughnuts or something good to eat and this “old” person hands me some fruit. “Say thank you” another adult commanded me. “Why should I be thankful?” I questioned in my head. Not too long after, the lady passed away.

• Many times I had to be told to be thankful.
• Many times I had to be pointed in the direction of what someone had done for me.
• Many times I had to have my eyes open to the blessings that have been poured out on me.

JESUS tells HIS disciples something they could not understand. HE thanked the FATHER then explains that HE would be murdered for them so please remember HIM when you eat. HE then said “This cup is the new covenant in MY blood, which is poured out for you.”

• GOD had to tell me to be thankful otherwise I would not see HIS blessings.
• GOD had to tell me what HE has done for me otherwise I would be full of complaints.
• GOD had to tell me HE rescued me otherwise I would think that I am responsible for all my blessings.

“Remember ME” is what JESUS tells me when I try to manipulate GOD into giving me what I want. I mean HE sees when I am trying to be good so I can ask for something I want to have. During those times, HE wants me to remember HIM and what HE did for me.

When I am doubtful of HIS love, “Remember ME”. When I am feeling low “Remember ME.” When I have just about had enough “Remember ME.” JESUS doesn’t give me elaborate instructions to build a temple with my bare hands. HE simply wants me to remember HIM.

• Have you forgotten what GOD has done for you?
• Do you think you deserve more than you have?
• Will you praise JESUS today and remember what HE has don for you?