REMEMBER AND DO NOT FORGET

A Moment from Deuteronomy 6

Remember the promise my child, the promise that I gave to you in the book of the beginnings? Remember what I did in the lives your forefathers? Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Remember the promise, and remember the promised seed? What promise and what seed you may ask? The promise of a land, seed, and blessing is the reply. Remember that through Abraham all the nations of the world would be blessed? Remember the promised seed that came from the womb of a ninety-year-old woman? When it was humanly impossible the seed was born in order that it might sustain the divinely promised Seed. But remember it is God who is rich in mercy and grace. It is Yahweh who gives to us all things whether they are (not good or bad, but rather) pleasant or unpleasant.
Chosen one, forget not what Yahweh has done for you. Do not forget who givs you your life. You did not form yourself; rather it is He, the Creator who sustains you. Do not forget who gives you your health. Do not forget who gives you your food, your clothes, your home, and your jobs. Brothers, when the good times roll do not forget, neglect, or forsake the Giver and Provider of all things. Remember the One who makes straight your paths and sheds light upon your feet.
But most of all O child of God, remember what your Lord and Savior has done for you! Redemption. Salvation. Justification. Propitiation. Remember O sinner what you used to be. Sinners. Haters of God. Vile. Unjust. Idolaters. Lovers of evil. But God, in His great love with which He loved you chose to save you. He, the Creator God predestined to redeem you before He even created you. He gave you a Savior, His own Son. The Son, the vicarious, atoning Son, perfect, spotless, blameless before the Father, this Son died for you and for me.
Do not forget O man your redemption. Remember your bondage and slavery. Do not forget your Exodus, when the very hand of God Almighty led you out and away from your bitter enemies. Oh, and remember that He not only delivered you, but He also saved you from them. Remember the horrific yoke of sin that captivated your soul. Remember how your Lord in His Sovereign will and time took the writing of requirements written against you and nailed them to a tree. Remember that sinner, and do not forget. This promised Seed, the one who was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob gives you an inheritance. You are now adopted. You are now children of the risen Lord. You have all the spiritual blessings which the heavens afford to bestow.
Oh, and one more thing redeemed one, remember to fear God and keep His commands. Do not forget who you are and who you used to be. Do not forget why you do what you do. Remember what the “beginning of wisdom” is, and where true understanding is derived. Do not forget that it is the fear of the Lord; it is the knowledge of the Holy One. Do not forget the LORD your God. Do not forget what He has done for you. Do not forget His marvelous, divine acts which He has displayed for you in the past. With all that to remember O justified man, remember to tell your children. Tell them, teach them, instruct them, and remind them of who God is and what God has done. Men, model for your kids righteousness and remind them of the greatness of God. Remember the Great Shema. Remember, you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. P.S. Don’t forget!

Grieving, Yet Rejoicing

God is so good. His ways are always perfect, even though I cannot understand them at times. Since our time out here in VA Beach, Katie and I have really plugged in and connected in many ways with our church family. Immediately after bringing Katie out here last August we got involved and joined the local body of believers at Colonial Baptist Church of Oceana. This past weekend for Katie and I however was one with a bitter sweet taste.

This weekend Pastor Tim and Becky announced that they will be leaving the ministry here in VA Beach to take a small church plant in Westerville, OH right outside of Columbus. When Pastor called us the evening prior, I have to admit our initial feelings were not joyful ones. But as we sat in service the next day and listened to Pastor explain what God was doing in their lives, I could not help but sit back and rejoice in that fact that God dominates their lives.

Now this is not to exalt a mere man, but indeed God gives us godly examples to learn from. Pastor Tim is a man that I hold in high regard. His life, ministry and love for righteousness are some aspects that instantly come to mind when I think of this man. I am so grateful to my Lord for allowing Katie and I to sit under the preaching and teaching of such a man (even if it was for only a year).

So, we rejoice that members of the larger body of Christ get to fellowship and learn from the passionate examples such as the Valentines. We rejoice that through this time of transition may the hearts of Pastor Tim and Becky be encouraged and excited about what God has in store for them. In the meantime, we at CBCO are excited about the shepherd whom God has in store. We are ready to learn and looking forward to moving forward by faith.

Recently, I check out Westminster's Bookstore and found out that they were running a CCEF Counseling Classics sale. Here is the link if you want to check it out. http://www.wtsbooks.com/category-exec/category_id/502/nm/BEST_20OF_20WTS_20SALE_21 The sale is pretty decent and if you order a lot the shipping is one flat rate. Anyway, check it out!

Tidbits in Exodus

One of my goals for this summer was to read through the Bible. I do not have a set amount that I read each day (although I probably should), but rather I read as much as I can each day. Lately, I have been crusing through Exodus which has just been awesome, and while I was going through the Egyptian bondage scene I came across a couple of things that struck me.
First, what popped out at me was the two powerful signs which God shows to Moses when he meets God at Horeb (Ex. 4) in the burning bush. Moses questions God by assuming that the children of Israel will not believe that Yahweh had sent him. So as you know God powerfully displays to Moses that He is God by turning his staff into a snake and by covering his hand with leprosy. For whatever reason, I ALWAYS thought that Moses and Aaron performed to Pharoah (via the Power of God) both of these powerful signs. However, according to the Ex. 7 account they only performed the staff and snake sign. I could not find in my reading where Moses inserts his hand into "bosom" (KJV) and it becomes leperous before Pharoah. Any insights on why I always thought that Moses performed both signs before Pharoah (other than the fact that I have watched Hesston too many times!)????

I recently found out that Mrs. Horn has been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer. According to Pastor Sam the cancer was found in her lymph nodes and in her upper chest region. There is also a tumor in her upper chest. I would ask on the behalf of the Horn family and the body of believers at Brookside Baptist that you be in prayer for them. This has come as a heavy shock, and my heart is heavy for this family. May we all be faithful to the Lord in lifting the needs of the Horn family. Lord, may Your will be done!

April 15-17, 2008 I will be heading to Louisville, KY for this three-day conference. I cannot express my excitement right now. I am literally estatic. Last year my buddy, Richard bought all the MP3s, and I listened to them all with rapt attention. The cool part about the registration was that for students of all kind (high-school, college or seminary) taking 9 or more credits got an exceptional discount of $99! The regular rate is $249, and an early bird fee gives you (I think) a $50 0r $100 discount. But I was so excited to go I registered the day registration opened. What a geek I know, but I could not help myself.
Anyway, I'm in the process of coaxing Rich, Dano, Mike and Keith to meet me in KY next spring. We will see. I am working on them! Either way it will be a blast!