Forget Not The Lord

 

By Arthur Pink, 'Forgetting' 1950

What a wonderful thing is the memory — one of the many precious faculties with which the Creator has endowed us. By it we are enabled to live the past over again in our minds, to revive the early experiences of childhood, to recall the words of those who are no longer with us. By it, we may review the Lord's dealings with us in grace and in providence, call back to mind His interventions on our behalf, delivering us when in straits — or rejoicing our hearts while He talked with us along the way. By it, we can turn over the pages of our checkered lives, and read what is recorded both for and against us.

Memory is the power of retention, the storehouse in which all our knowledge is preserved. It is not possible to assess its value in silver and gold. How much poorer would we be — if everything were erased from its tablets! One of the greatest tragedies of life, is for a person to lose his mind and memory. It is indeed hard to part with any faculty, but, if compelled to make the choice, probably most of us would rather be deprived of our limbs, our hearing, or even our sight, than our mentality — yet comparatively few cultivate and use it as they should.

The memory is indeed of vast importance, for it is the treasurer of the soul. What the understanding takes in — the memory stores up. Knowledge, intellectual growth, social fellowship, the spiritual life — all have their roots in this faculty of retention. But this invaluable gift, like all others, entails a corresponding obligation. Each talent that God has bestowed upon us is for use — and if it is not employed, it will deteriorate. As unexercised limbs become stiff, and muscles flabby — so an unused memory becomes enfeebled. The memory may be developed and controlled — though time and trouble are required for this, as for everything else of worth.

Memory is largely a matter of volition. Said the Psalmist, 'I will not forget your word' (119:16). Definiteness of purpose is required, whether we shall recall a thing or dismiss it from our minds. Remembering is a setting of knowledge to work, reviewing the notions and impressions we have received, by exercising our thoughts about and meditating upon them.

The seat of the memory is the heart. Of Mary it is said, that she kept all these things 'in her heart' (Luke 2:19, 51) — things kept there, are never lost.

This leads us to point out that there is both a notional or speculative remembering — and a practical or influential one. The former is where we barely think of things — and receive no profit or benefit from them. The latter is where the mind is so engaged with the object recalled — that the affections are fired and the will moved by it. Thus the faculty of memory is given us by God as a means unto an end — to be a help in promoting piety.

The Scriptures abound with exhortations to remembrance. At the fore of them, we would place that one where those of tender years are bidden, 'Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come' (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Bear in mind that, since He is our Maker, He is therefore our rightful Lord and Owner — so conduct toward Him as such, rendering unto Him the homage and honor that are His due. Meditate much upon His glorious perfections; call Him to mind constantly while your heart is yet impressionable, and habits for good or evil are being formed for life; and thereby you will be fortified against the temptations of youth. All of men's wickedness and misery comes through forgetting God, hence the warning, 'Beware that you forget not the LORD your God!' (Deuteronomy 8:11)

To enjoy more inspiring articles and Bible lessons, You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Be Doers of The Word

 

As Disciples of Jesus Christ we should not allow the turmoil of world events to direct our emotions or dull our hope. 

 

Governments will change, trouble will come, but our mission remains the same: Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness. ~Matthew 6:33
 
"The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our God, YHWH is one. And you shall love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." ~ Mark 12:29-31

BE DOERS

If the Bible is true (and we believe it is), then the most loving and eternally significant thing you can do for someone is to share the Gospel with them. Jesus said, make disciples, not church members. The Kingdom of God is not confined within the walls of organized religion. No Church organization has a monopoly on the Truth or a franchise on God. The Church Jesus built is a Body of Believers following HIM, not following a denomination or celebrity pastor.
 
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

 

Three Ways Churchianity is Ruining People's Life

1. A paid clergy with top down Church government ~ Mark 10:41-43

2. Separating members into clergy and laymen, not as bothers and sisters of the Body of Christ ~ Romans 12:4-8

3. Preaching a gospel of earthly riches instead of the Gospel of the Kingdom ~ Matthew 6:19-20

There are many other ways Churchianity is doing great harm. These three are to get you to think about what you believe and why you believe it.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

 

When you have an hour to spare listen to Patsy Clairmont...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZD11JGA0dU

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you. God always gives us a choice. We can choose to believe the Truth of the Bible, or we can choose the lies of the Adversary.

 

 

Worry and Depression

 

It is only natural to get discouraged, even depressed, by your struggle with difficult circumstances.

Consider this: The fact you have a struggle is evidence that the Holy Spirit is motivating you to resist. God says: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

God has recorded all of human activity and knows the outcome. When hard times come into your life, don't dwell on the circumstance. As it is written: Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ ~ Isaiah 46:10. God knows the outcome; stick around and see how things turn out.

The devil does not want you to struggle. He encourages you to indulge in self-pity, anger, resentment, and hopelessness.

God can heal you while you are hurting. You are a human being, not a rock.  God allows you to struggle to make you stronger in faith, hope, and love. 

~ 1 Corinthians 13

 

The faith that pleases God is born in a place of deadness... the deadness of all human possibilities. It is a place where man-made plans flourish at first then die. It is a place where human hopes bring temporary relief but soon crash, adding to a sense of helplessness.

Have you been at this place of deadness? Has it seemed like you have no options left? The heavens are like brass when you pray? When it appears that God is not answering our prayers, it may be that He is simply delaying the answer. And that is His answer for us at that time is “Not now, my son,” or “Not yet, my daughter.”

 

God declares to you that HE is at work. His Spirit is working to get you to stop considering the impossibilities. Stop looking to human ways and means, trying to think your way out of your situation. Taking harmful medications to cover up the problem only makes matters worse. The Holy Spirit is urging you, “Quit hunting for help from some human source. Quit focusing on how hopeless you think your situation is. Those are hindrances to your faith.”

 

Strive to obtain the fruit of the Spirit. On a deeper level, the Fruit of the Spirit expresses itself as love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When our Faith is low and we experience no inner “blooming,” we feel the lack of something – no joy or peace of mind. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

 

Jesus has the answers. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  (and with His help, you can overcome too!) ~ John 16:33

 

Jesus said:" I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." ~ John 17:15

What does it mean to be in the world, but not of the world? 

 

God left us a prefect example when He created whales. These magnificent creatures are mammals and should be on the land, yet they spend their entire life in the ocean. They have no gills to breathe underwater so they must come to the surface to take a breath of fresh air and get some sunlight. They are in the sea, but not of the sea.

God's children are in the world, but not of the world. We are in the sea of humanity and must breathe air to live. Many people choose to take a quick breathe and dive back down into the darkness of depression and self-pity ignoring the benefits of acquiring the fruit of the spirit.

Those who are wise seek the source of life often just as whales seek air to live. "No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."

 

The very fact you woke up today means God is not finished working for your good. And even in death, God Has a Great Plan.

 

 

If you would like more inspiring lessons from the Bible, you're cordially invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group on Facebook

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Plain As Dirt

 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ~ Psalm 19:1

 

Q. If God is real why doesn't He come down from heaven as show us?

A. He did! God sent His Son. We killed Him.

Jesus Revealed The Father

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” ~ John 14:7

 

God, and the Book about God, is as plain as dirt if a person is willing to take God at His word. Organized religion has made the Bible difficult to understand by mistranslating many of the original Hebrew and Greek words into meanings that are inaccurate and deceiving.

If a person understands how a seed germinates and grows into a plant that produces fruit, then they can understand how God makes everything a process. 

 

Two of Churchianity's Favorite Doctrines

 

The way Churchianity teaches salvation is you give your heart to the Lord and your money to the Church. What does the Bible teach about salvation? Born Again Revisited

Churchianity loves to preach a fire and brimstone hell. What is God's Great Plan?

There are two ways to be deceived. One is to believe what isn't true (Jewish fables and traditions of organization religion); the other is to refuse to believe what is true (the Word of God). ~ Titus 1:13-15

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

No Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth. The Church Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a body of Believers who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. If you don't know where you came from or where you're going, you need a Guide. Jesus said, "Follow Me," not join some Church or try to find the right path on your own. Jesus was born as a human being, suffered and died, and rose from the dead.

Jesus KNOWS exactly how you think, feel, and act. He's been there, done that. Jesus is the only person qualified to give you advice. Listen to Him!

The Bible really is as plain as dirt. You just have to dig deep and trust the original languages as God inspired the prophets and apostles to record. As it is written: All Scripture given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Life Lessons

Life Lessons From an Old Marine

The most important thing I learned: God is real and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6  

To be wise you must first have reverence for YAHWEH. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. Wisdom will add years to your life. You are the one who will profit if you have wisdom, and if you reject it, you are the one who will suffer. ~ Proverbs 9:10-12  Good News Translation

To love and be loved by God, family, friends, and that one special person is life's greatest happiness. Learn to love God's Book. If the Book says do a certain thing, try to do it. If the Book says not to do certain things, try not to do it. The Bible is not about religion, it's practical down to earth advice.

The second thing I learned: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I was a United States Marine on active duty from 1958 to 1962. Then in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1962-1964. Marines do the difficult immediately, the impossible just takes a while longer. You never fail until you fail to try.

The third thing I learned: Debt is a killer. The very word mortgage comes from the root word for death. i.e., mortal. mortician. When you are in debt, you are in a "death grip."

Put Everything Into Perspective

1. Always maintain a good sense of humor.
2. Never be too good to start at the bottom. Only ditch diggers start at the top.
   
3. Exercise every single day, even when you don't feel like it.
4. Don't spend more money than you make.
5. Love at first sight is not a fable.
6. Having a bad job is better than having no job at all.
7. Your family is the most precious thing you will ever have in life.
8. Your life is delicate, and if you neglect yourself, you'll spoil.
   
9. Don't ever be afraid to be your true self.
10. Everyone has too many clothes. Wear what you have and quit buying more.
11. You must be able to forgive, even if it's difficult to do.
12. Save your money now and spend it later.
13. Love is a choice, not an emotion. True love is not always easy; sometimes you have to work at it.
14. Find something comical in every single situation.
15. If you're faced with a problem, don't delay asking your earthly father and your Heavenly Father for advice.
    
16. Make sure you're doing what you love; don't be afraid to follow those dreams you have for yourself.
17. Formal education is important, but not necessary. Life is what happens while you are making other plans.
    
18. Explore your world and stay curious.
19. Don't take yourself too seriously.
20. Life is a gift that you must unwrap. It's up to you to determine if what's inside will lead you to happiness or despair. God gave you the power to make that decision for yourself.

Change your perspective from get to give. Another piece of good advice from the Bible found in Acts 20:35

I'm not preaching at you or trying to "get you saved," I'm one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

Your Heavenly Father loves you no matter what, and there's not a darn thing you can do about it. God wants you to be healthy, happy, and have peace of mind.  

If you want more money...

If you want better health...

If you want peace of mind...

If you want happy relationships...

Find out what the Bible says and do it!

Start with Psalms and Proverbs. Psalms is about your relationship with God. Proverbs is about your relationship with your fellow man. Set aside time every day to read one chapter of Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs. Pray for wisdom.

 

Learn More About Wisdom

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Fishers of Men

 

By Donald Wiley

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). That's the King James Version. Most modern versions use the word "creation" instead of "creature." And I think that gives the sense of what is being said a bit more clearly. 

All of the previous generations of mankind were subjected to a futile, vain existence temporarily. Various North and South American Indian tribes rose and fell, living out life's little day in a vain existence. This held true for almost all other sons of Adam - the Asian hordes, the nomadic peoples of other lands, the aboriginal peoples of Australia. God made no effort to enlighten them or enter their lives in any way - THEN! But divine mind had conceived a plan, a plan that would bring many sons to glory and immortality. 

That is why Jesus is called THE FIRSTBORN OF MANY BRETHREN (See Romans 8:29). All the created peoples of ages past are waiting in their graves for our change from physical flesh to immortal spirit. That is WHY when speaking of the dead Jesus Christ, all the prophets, and all the apostles used but one of two terms to describe the condition of the dead, saying they were either dead or "asleep." The "elect" of God, the only truly redeemed will someday be used of God to be "fishers of men." When Jesus told Peter and Andrew, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," He was not primarily speaking of them leading others to salvation. (See Matthew 4:19). 

He was actually alluding to an ancient prophecy uttered by the prophet Jeremiah who wrote what God said, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord lives, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord lives that brought up (from the dead) the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them, and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them, and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holds of the rocks (used by the Hebrew people as tombs since time immemorial)" (See Jeremiah 16:14-16). 

 

That is WHY Jesus said, "The works that I do shall you do also." He was raising the dead! We, too, shall be used of God in raising the dead of ages past - billions and billions. Those having received that "other" spirit spoken of by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:4, call this "cherry picking" as they do not have the eyes to see or hearts to understand what God is saying through the writings of His prophets!

Most preachers are totally oblivious to what God is doing on this earth. They think "getting saved" is just escaping being burned alive in hell and flitting off to heaven where one walks on streets of gold for all eternity. They also think "getting saved" is merely confessing publicly you believe Jesus died for you and, presto-chango, you are then and forever a full-fledged child of God heaven bound. Satan's work of deception is staggering!

"For as many as are LED by the Spirit of God, THEY (and no others) ARE THE SONS OF GOD" (Romans 8:14). Led continuously, day in and day out, throughout one's life, from the moment true and lasting full repentance is achieved and one is thereby granted God's wondrous and powerful Holy Spirit. Salvation is not accomplished in one fell swoop, one moment in time way back there in that Sunday service when on the 14th chorus of "Just As I Am" you finally broke down and "went down front" and had the preacher pray over you and assure you that you had just escaped hell and were now bound for glory. Read God's Word and believe it, folks. And the Holy Spirit will help you understand.

Christ's Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12)

Donald Wiley

 

# # # 

Churchanity says sinners should go to Church. Jesus says the Church should go to sinners... not to threaten with an "ever burning hell", lay on a guilt trip, or beg them to "get saved."  True followers of Jesus Christ are not righteous (or saved) people telling other people they need to "get saved," rather they are one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

What is Salvation and How Do You Obtain It?... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2022/10/altar-calls.html

For more Bible enlightenment, You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.