TEST: REMEMBER
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com ( I do this as a series.)
The lady went to the prison to visit her husband. He was so tired. He could hardly hold up his head he was so tired. His hands were blistered and sore. The prisoner’s back and arms were so hurting. She felt so sorry for her husband. After her visit, she requested to see the Head Warden. She scolded the warden for working her husband all night, every night. The warden asked what was she talking about making her husband work so hard? She replied to the warden: YOU MAKE HIM WORK EVERY NIGHT ON THAT TUNNEL?
TEXT: Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
REMEMBER FAILURE MAY BE BUT AN OPPORTUNITY----
GEORGE CAMPBELL MORGAN, 12/9/1863. He died May 16, 1945. He preached his first sermon at 13 years of age. In 1888 a young man named CAMPBELL MORGAN had made application to the WESLEYAN SCHOOL of ministry. Campbell was one of 150 men to apply for the opening for 45 students. He passed his doctrine examine. Now he waited to speak his short lesson. There were 3 professors sitting in a dark 1,000 seat auditorium as the young man stood behind the pulpit for his trial sermon. Of course he was nervous and upset. Campbell received word in two weeks he was REJECTED, HE WAS TOLD HE SHOWED “NO PROMISE!” Campbell Morgan’s name was one of the 105 rejected ministers that year.
Campbell knew GOD HAD CALLED HIM! He wrote his father a one word telegram “REJECTED!” In his journal he penned the words: DARK, VERY DARK EVERYTHING SEEMS DARK, STILL GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST. Campbell received this reply: REJECTED ON EARTH. ACCEPTED IN HEAVEN. DAD.
REVEREND DOCTOR GEORGE CAMPBELL MORGAN, D.D. was rejected. He became one of most known evangelist, teacher, preacher and Bible scholar. Campbell was famous for his writings. He was not known as a man of great gestures, no showy eloquence, no super delivery style or great charm. THOUGH REJECTED HE BECAME KNOWN AS “THE MAN OF THE WORD.” In 60 years of ministry he preached 23,390 times and wrote over 70 books. His 4 sons were all preachers. HE GAVE HIMSELF TO ONE BOOK, THE BIBLE. He said he read one book in the Bible 50 to 60 times before he began to study it. “REJECT?”
THE TEST: REMEMBER GOD. ALL PEOPLE AND ALL NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD ARE DOOMED.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
THE TEST: REMEMBER WHO CAN THROW THE FIRST STONE?
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
If she was caught in the very act of adultery, where is the man?
We have a religious duty! We need to be throwing rocks at these “BAD PEOPLE.”
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
There is only one qualifying factor for STONE THROWERS: BE PERFECT… be without sin. It is easier to throw stones than to have TENDER MERCIES.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
THE TEST: REMEMBER THE SABBOTH DAY… KEEP IT HOLY
Sure the SABBATH DAY is the seventh day and we are designed to rest. BUT NEVER FORGET what the Pharisees and Sadducees forgot… the Sabbath is more than a day of rest… The goal of the Sabbath day is to KEEP IT HOLY… WORSHIP… PRAISE…
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
THE TEST: REMEMBER, EACH DAY IS A GIFT OF GOD… YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED…
One of the greatest sins we do is PROCRASITINATION. This could be the day? Rapture? Death?
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
THE TEST: REMEMBER A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A BAD EXAMPLE. REMEMBER: LOT’S WIFE?
This is serious, LISTEN, escape for your life… LOOK NOT BEHIND YOU.
Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
Lot’s wife is one of the few women carried from the Old Testament to the New Testament. WHY DID LOT’S WIFE LOOK BACK? It was her choice… LOT’S WIFE HAD A HEART PROBLEM, not just an eye problem. Lot’s wife is a good example of a bad example…
THE TEST: DO WE REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT THE CALL TO ASSEMBLY IS? OUR GOVERNOR MIGHT SAY IT: BUT TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER.
Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
THE TEST: REMEMBER YOU MUST MODEL AND MENTOR THE REFLECTION OF JESUS… A GOOD PLACE TO REMEMBER TO GROW AND DEVELOP
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
THE TEST: REMEMBER WORDS ARE POWERFUL… WORDS ARE SEEDS… POWERFUL SEEDS… YOUR WORDS ARE PAINTING PICTURES EVERY DAY…
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Be honest with me? Where do many of our negative words launch themselves? IN THE HOME? BE HUMBLE.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
THE TEST: REMEMBER JESUS LOVES HIS PEOPLE TO BE HUMBLE. DO WE HAVE A SERVANT’S HEART?
Be honest with me? Where do many of our negative words launch themselves? IN THE HOME? Remember the real power of words is often found in BEING HUMBLE. Remember the real power of words is often found in BEING HUMBLE
Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
THE TEST: REMEMBER THE BOOMERRANG: THERE IS POWER IN SPEAKING ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS AND YOUR SELF! COME ALONG SIDE… WILL YOU ACCEPT IT IS YOUR DUTY TO REMEMBER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE?
Often we tend to encourage those LIKE US. To encourage can make life easier.
Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do..
THE TEST: Would you please listen to my heart: ACTIONS ARE CAUGHT MUCH MORE THAN THEY ARE TAUGHT.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Nature teaches us about encouragement. I love to watch nature, a fish breaking water, a puppy with a child. It was 90* and I watched an Amish child, 4 years old, running and playing. Long dress, hot bonnet, no shoes running in the gravel, she was pulling a little rusty wagon and she was laughing and jumping… seems she felt no heat. WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING OTHERS?
Hebrews 3:13 (NASB77) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
THE TEST: WILL I REMEMBER THERE ARE TIMES I MUST REALIZE THIS OBSTACLE COURSE WILL MAKE ME STRONGER? GOD MIGHT BE TEACHING ME TO DIG MY WELL DEEPER. REMEMBER YOU CAN, IF YOU WANT TO… ?
There are times when we forget we are being tested. We must remember nothing caught God by surprise.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
THE TEST: REMEMBER TO BE THANKFUL AND APPRECIATIVE… TO BE MADE WHOLE.
Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
THE TEST: REMEMBER THERE ARE TWO LITMUS TEST TO MEASURE IF YOU REALLY LOVE JESUS…
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
DO YOU LOVE THE COMMANDMENTS? Are they hard and grievous to you?
Do you hate and have un-forgiveness? Do you love people? DO YOU LOVE HARD TO LOVE PEOPLE?
Conclusion: I must remember God has a plan. Do you think your plan is better than God’s? The question is: WILL I REMEMBER THIS IS A TEST? WILL I TRUST HIS PLAN?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Nature has many lessons to remember. On somedays I will hear a lot of noise from the sky. I will stop and look up. Soon the noises can be recognized: HONK, HONK, HONK AND FLAPPING OF WINGS. I always stop to enjoy the moment.
There is a “V-FORMATION” of geese. V for victory? No it is more than that. The geese have a goal, they are pulling and pushing in unity to reach their destination.
As the geese together can achieve more than a LONE GOOSE. In the V-FORMATION each goose conserves energy. Each goose flies slightly higher than the bird in front this results in a reduction of wind resistance. Each bird takes turns leading the formation. Those geese in V-formation have a lower heart rate is. They can fly 71% farther a day… 34% faster. They use less energy and working together passes the test of remembrance.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Thank you for reading. If possible can you pass my work on to others. (This is more than one part.) 9/12/20
