The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Remembrance

  • A Book of Remembrance

    “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

    Malachi 3:16

    God sent Malachi with a message for His people, beginning with the priests who were just practicing a religion and not serving God according to His Word. The priests, and then the people, had fallen into sin once again. Malachi addressed many of the same sins that Nehemiah dealt with in the lives of God’s people.

    God had Malachi remind the Jews of the great love God had for His people. Yet, God’s people were not living as His people – for they sinned and did not even recognize how great their sin had become. Malachi’s burden was to reveal to the people just how far from God they had fallen.

    One important thing God wanted the people to understand was written in the second chapter. “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart” (Malachi 2:2). Not only would they not hear God, they had not taken His Words to heart: “if ye will not lay it to heart”. The things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). This verse was directed to the priests in Malachi’s day. This means that they were not allowing God’s Word to enter into their hearts, making a difference in their lives. Because they had not heard or laid to heart God’s Word, they were in a sinful condition before God. The priests thought they were doing fine because they practiced a religious system, but God knew the condition of their hearts. Because of the condition of the priests, the people in like manner, were also in sin.

    Some of the blatant sins of the day were listed in Malachi. In the midst of that list, see what God said, “… Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts …” (Malachi 3:7b). God continually extended an invitation for the people to return to God, in repentance and change of heart, and God would return to His people. If they would return to God, obeying His commands, God’s people would not be able to contain the blessings He had in store for them.

    During this time, there were still a few people who truly feared God. God recognized those few who rejected the sin and obeyed God’s commands. “16. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17). God not only saw them, He heard them. They are His “jewels” for they belong to Him. God knew them and wrote of them in a special book of remembrance. These people obviously loved God and sought to know Him more – for they thought upon His name. Remember that the things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). When one continually thinks on God, God will continually be in that heart and mind. That is when a change in one’s life can take place. Those that God saw that still feared Him, “spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it” (Malachi 3:16a). They obviously encouraged each other often, and God heard.

    This is a good thing to remember today. Much encouragement comes from sharing with others who also fear and serve God. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). God does not expect us to “go it alone”. We learn to not commune with evil ones, for they will corrupt our lives (“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” 1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, we are to fellowship with those who walk in the light (because Jesus is the Light). “5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. … 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:5, 7). God gives Christians with whom to fellowship and grow in Christ.

    As we read in Malachi, God keeps a “book of remembrance” of those who trust in God, fear Him, think on Him, and speak often with one another. One day, God will “open the books” (see Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12). What do you want God to have written about you?

    Are you one who has “feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” becoming more like Him?

  • Lesson 6 (Lesson 45): Psalms 107-150: Book 5

    Key Verse

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”  II Timothy 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions.  Could the game be played?  Was there arguing over unknown rules?  Was it a peaceful game? Or was there much disagreeing going on?  Was it a good game?  Could there be a winner?  Was it any fun?  Living a Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do.  Do you know what the rules are? (God’s Word.)  Read today’s memory verse together with your class.  Help them understand it using the following definitions.

    inspiration of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired

    profitable: helpful; useful; advantageous

    doctrine: instruction in the sense of a warning

    reproof: learning to refute (defeat or overthrow) adversaries (enemies)

    correction: set right; correct

    instruction: setting right that which is wrong

    Notice that this verse builds upon itself in its instruction.  They are interdependent (mutually dependent) upon each other.  First we see it is a doctrine (used for instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth convincing us of error), correction (morally correct), and instruction (we see discipline to lead us to righteousness.)  Keep this in mind as we study the final book of the Psalms today.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book five of the Psalms (chapters 107-150) today, comparing them to the book of Deuteronomy.  If you remember, the main theme of Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law to the new generation and teaching the people of God’s Word.  They were then prepared to continue walking with God into the Promised Land.

    Deuteronomy is a book that began by looking back at what God had done for His people.  The rest of the book is looking forward to what God would do.  Throughout the entire book, it showed the faithfulness of God and revealed that God loved his people.  Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law.

    Today we will compare the remembrance in Deuteronomy (remembering what God had done and the importance of the Words He had given His people), to the fifth book of the Psalms.  We will see that Psalms 107-150 is mainly about the importance of God’s Word (Psalm 119 is a praise of God’s Word).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Remember what God has done, and then understand the importance of God’s Word.  After this, we learn the importance of walking with God, and we can praise Him with our whole heart.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 45 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 45 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I found a sticker sheet for Psalm 119:105.  They were to put the correct sticker on the correct foot putting the verse in the correct order.  We then read it together.  Be sure they understand the verse and the importance of allowing God’s Word (the Bible) to guide them in their daily lives.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.