The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Remember

  • It is Good to Remember

    “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance”
    2 Peter 1:13

    As you read the following verse, think of your favorite Bible teacher. “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:13). The word tabernacle means “the body as a frail tenement of the soul”; stir you up means “of the mind; to excite.” The job of a good teacher (in their frailty), is to stir up their students (excite them) by putting them in remembrance (to help them remember the heroes of our faith). A good teacher’s goal should be to excite students to learn of these great men and women in the Bible. One fun way to learn is in the remembrance of some of the people listed in the genealogies in the Old Testament – even learning of a few new people along the way.

    Many people skip over the genealogies listed in the Bible. They can seem tedious and somewhat boring. However, sometimes when one reads the genealogies, there is an interesting interjection. See the following example: “9. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Notice that this child was born in sorrow. In his name, Jabez (this name meaning “to grieve; sorrowful”), his mother doomed him to remember that fact for all of his life. It would behoove all children to remember that it is in much pain and sorrow that each and every child is brought into this world (remember Genesis 3:16a: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children …”). In that remembrance, due respect and honor should be given. “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Deuteronomy 5:16). Moreover, read what Jesus said in Matthew 15:4: “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.”    

    Jabez took an important step that changed his life: he called upon the God of Israel. Over and over we can read in the Bible where God wants people to call upon Him – for He promises that He will answer. “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). In addition, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Knowing these truths, see what Jabez asked of God: 

    • “…  Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed,
    • and enlarge my coast,
    • and that thine hand might be with me,
    • and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!”

    The word grieve in this verse means “the same as the great sorrow God felt when He looked down upon sinful man in Genesis 6 – just before He destroyed the earth by a flood. It also comes from the same word as “sorrow” in which his mother bore him.” From this definition, we can understand that Jabez wanted no more sorrow in his life. Instead, he wanted God’s blessings to be upon his life.

    “… And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:10).           

    Christians should learn the importance of calling out to God for His blessings upon our lives, being willing to obey His commands (think of Jabez). It is only then that we can recognize as God blesses our lives.

    Do you call out to God, asking for God’s blessing to be upon your life?

  • Remembering the History

    “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent …”
    Revelation 3:3a

    Do you remember anything you have learned from the Bible? It is important to daily read God’s Word. If you do not read it, you will not remember it. Remember is the key word. If we do not remember and hold fast to what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ. The more we learn about God’s Word, the more we will want to be like Him. By learning the history in the Bible, we will understand the significance of why things happened. God had a plan, which is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament history. While it was happening, men did not fully understand what that plan was, but through faith, they believed. The more we learn, the more pieces of the puzzle we can fit together. Each piece helps us become better students of God’s Word, which helps us become better Christians.

    For instance, remember the book of Judges. The dominant theme within the book is this: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong, men thought what they were doing was right. But also notice this: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves” (Judges 3:7). Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They did not obey the commands God had given them.

    There was a vicious cycle that occurred in Judges:

    • The people forsook God.
    • God allowed the enemy to oppress the people.
    • The people cried out to God.
    • God sent a deliverer (a judge) to end the oppression.

    In Judges, the people as a whole rejected God.

    But then we remember the book of Ruth. It is a breath of fresh air in a time of turmoil in the nation of Israel, for it is a picture of redemption. Ruth was a Gentile (a Moabitess) who lived in a pagan land. She did not know the true God. When an Israelite family moved to Moab because of a drought in Israel, Ruth married into this family and heard of God. When her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law died, she returned with her mother-in-law to the land of Israel. Because she had recognized a light in her dark world, she wanted to follow that light. She had learned of God and did not want to lose that. Her view is clearly stated: “16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17.  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). It was there after being redeemed by a kinsman, that she forever became a part of Jesus’ genealogy. She was the great-grandmother of King David.

    One important thing about studying the history in the Bible is to be aware of God’s plan for His people. As we consider what God’s Word says, we should understand how it fits together, much like pieces of a puzzle. As we try to keep in mind and hold fast to the things we learn from God’s Word, it will help us recognize God’s plan for our lives. We must remember what God’s Word says.

    Have you recognized God’s plan in your life?

    Also published at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon.

  • Lesson 6: Twelve Historical Books: Joshua – Esther

    Key Verse

    “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent…”  Revelation 3:3a

     Can you remember anything about what we have been studying so far?  The whole point of this study is to help us to remember the events in the Bible.  Remember is the key word.  If we don’t remember and hold fast to what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ.  The more we learn about God’s Word, the more we want to be like Him.

    In this lesson we will generally overview the 12 Historical Books.  We have already discussed the importance of learning the history in the Bible.  By learning it, we begin to understand the significance of why things happened.  God had a plan.  It is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament history.  While it was happening, men didn’t fully understand what that plan was, but through faith they believed.  The more we learn about the Bible, the more pieces of the puzzle we can fit together.  Each piece helps us become better students of God’s Words, helping us become better Christians.

    This study ends the time frame of the Old Testament.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 6 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 6 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from lesson 4 blog).  Review the books of History (showing them on the poster).

    Reemphasize the importance of remembering this history we are studying (have them recall a few events you discussed).  You may have them draw a picture of their favorite story from the History.  Obviously all of the history is too much to grasp all at once.  These first few lessons are only to whet one’s appetite to want to learn more about God’s Word.  For now, we want to focus on the basics of the order of the Bible and understanding how it fits together. Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books of History in order for today’s lesson.

    Or, make a crown by adding peel and stick jewels to crown; staple to fit each child’s head (remind them that the people rejected God at this time and wanted a king like the nations around).  Also you could find a coloring sheet of one of the events you discussed.

    Mural Idea for today:

    Today, have them remember a specific time they disobeyed God’s commands.  Was there any punishment?  Did they recognize the break in fellowship with God?  Ask:  What happened when the Israelites disobeyed and turned from God?  (They were taken from their land.)

    Have them make a “Wanted” poster:  “Wanted, someone who will commit to obey God’s commands.”  Have them include some qualities desired, i.e.:  honesty, kindness, loving, forgiving, committed to God and His Word, faithful in attendance to church, read their Bible faithfully, pray faithfully, tell others about Jesus … Give them a couple of examples if they have trouble.  Encourage them to come up with some of their own.

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