Four years ago, to the week
(07.13.15), the Lord gave me the inspiration to write about days gone by. Not
to be nostalgic, but so that we would realize how much nations have changed,
and sometimes it hasn’t been for the better.
When the Hebrews/Israelites
crossed over the Jordan into their Promised Land, the Lord commanded them to set
up an altar with large stones from the riverbed. For two reasons. One, in order to be thankful
for the crossing over into the new land, and two, to remember what the Lord had
done on their behalf, for there were coming times when they would need to look back,
see the altar, and know of His faithfulness back then, and for now.
“So it shall be on the
day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God gives you,
that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime and
write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over, so that you may
enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and
honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you." So it shall be
when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up.” (Deut. 27:2-4, NAS)
As you read the
following message, know that the Lord is faithful. Even in the midst of
darkness we can recall His presence is always with us, and do what is right.
Think about it. Again.
Or for the first time.
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People
ministry
Charlotte, North Carolina USA
July 8, 2019
Remember When
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“'For
I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare
and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NASU)
Remember when:
…you knew the neighbor across the street, whom your
kids played with until it was dark out, and you could even borrow an egg if you
needed too? Or if you were gone on a vacation for a week, and you came back to
find your grass had been cut without asking anyone? Yes, the neighbor on the
side of the house had kindly done it.
…you enjoyed having neighborhood gatherings, with
each one bringing part of the meal for the grill, and you really did care about
each other’s concerns that you shared amongst these friends?
“Owe
nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has
fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8-9 NASU
Remember when:
…you and a few others received an award in school,
because you really did work extra hard, while most others showed little effort?
Not everyone got a special one, which made it an extra achievement.
…the bonus you received on your job was because your
contribution made a difference, and the management realized it. And so when
others just did what was expected of them, you gave the extra effort, and thus
achieved the greater reward given to a few.
“The one
who had received five talents came forward bringing the other five and said, ‘Sir,
you gave me five talents; here, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to
him, ‘Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful
with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and
join in your master’s happiness!” Matt 25:20-21 CJB
Remember when:
…Dad worked over 35 years at the same place, and
they blessed him with a real special Grandfather’s clock, threw a party, and
all his co-workers celebrated with him? He worked hard and was rightly honored.
…you also could almost certainly count on staying
with your company for a long period of time, knowing they cared about you and
not just the bottom line? And you got a fair wage for the work you were
expected to do, and you did.
"Then
I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and
against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the
orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the
Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:5 NASU)
Remember when…
…you had a Grandpa and Grandma who had been married
for over 40 years, demonstrating the love and commitment that they had declared
to one another back when they were in their 20’s? Marriage was well respected.
And along with that, following this union of one man and one woman, you were
grateful that your Dad and Mom then helped create you after their wedding.
…you waited for the choice the Lord had made for
you, while all the while keeping pure in your actions towards one another until
she walked down the aisle? The honeymoon night was a very special time of
coming together.
“Marriage
should be honored by everyone. And every marriage should be kept pure between
husband and wife. God will judge guilty those who commit sexual sins and
adultery.” (Hebrews 13:4)
In all these things and more, our God certainly
“remembers when”, and He is not slow in His rewards, nor is He forgetful about
His promises to those who obey His laws, and also to those who don’t. Just
because “days have gone by”, or “these times are changing” doesn’t mean that we
can change what we want, when we want to change them. His eternal ways will
certainly be made known by all – one way or another.
He knows what is written in each of our life’s book.
That day will come for each of us, as He then shows it to us.
“Then
I saw a large white throne. I saw the one who was sitting on the throne. Earth
and sky ran away from him and disappeared. And I saw those who had died, great
and small, standing before the throne. Some books were opened. And another book
was opened—the book of life. The people were judged by what they had done,
which is written in the books. (Revelations 20:11-12)
I hope you are still remembering to do what is
right, and just, and certain in the eyes of the Lord. A crown of glory and
eternal life in heaven awaits those who do.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Love For His People,
Inc. is a charitable,
not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love
of the Father in the nations.
Now Think On This #174
“Remember When” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of
our Lord 2015 (07.13.15) Monday at 6:00 pm in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions
of Now Think On This can be found on this
Blog, and on the website: Now
Think On This
