Using Memories to Grow Faith

Every time I open my Facebook there's a sweet reminder that automatically pops up first thing before scrolling down through the weekly posts by friends and family. It's the "On This Day" MEMORY ad that greets me with some picture and story that I have posted in years past. I always love looking at those and instantly I'm transported back to the occasion captured on the screen.

I can see the moment come to life in my mind's eye. The smell, the touch, the sounds around me; it all just reappears along with the feelings I had when I experienced whatever it was I was sharing! Thank you for that, Facebook people!!

Now, if only the same thing would happen with the miracles and blessings God pours over us throughout our lives! Wouldn't it be great if a reminder text was sent to us recounting the story of when God delivered us from some sort of bondage we had been wrestling with for months or maybe even years?

And not JUST from our own efforts! Something you KNOW was from the hand of God!! Addiction, infidelity, unforgiveness, gossip, unbelief; any one of which harms ourselves, others, and our relationship with Jesus!!

Or what if every-so-often we were e-mailed a message highlighting all the details of when God provided for our needs MIRACULOUSLY by sending them through one of His "Spiritual Soldiers" here on Earth? That doesn't mean He only uses His faithful servants either- but that's a whole other discussion!

Maybe we got that promotion at work and we really weren't the most qualified or experienced candidate for the position but we were needing a miracle to send our child to college! God made that happen!

Or maybe someone you had been praying for was completely healed after being diagnosed with a terminal illness and doctors have no explanation as to why! That was God!!

I wonder if our Faith and therefore, our obedience would stay intact for just a little while longer, eventually becoming fused together with our DNA, never needing anything more to keep us on track and in God's perfect will, if we simply remembered all of the miracles performed for our benefit?

Being born with original sin, we, as humans are always susceptible to the many colorful and flashing temptations this world has to "suspiciously" offer, but what if these *reminders* helped to keep us in check? Maybe our miracles - and we ALL have them - fall to the wayside because our memories of God's intercessions naturally fade over time.

As Christians, we weren't MEANT to live with both feet in the NATURAL REALM! Yet sometimes our natural BRAINS need help in catching up with our SUPERNATURAL souls!! If we were continuously and consistently reminded of the mighty works our God has done for us and the miracles He has revealed to us, our physical or carnal-man brains couldn't help but remember and become stronger in our spirit-man sector!

And I don't just mean the everyday miracles (which is a COMPLETE OXYMORON in itself!) like the beautiful summer sunsets over the ocean, or the amazing colors that change on the trees in the fall, or that newborn baby you get to hold! Not THOSE miracles!! The OTHER ones! You know what I mean!! Your personal "God stories"!!

While Moses was up on Mt. Sinai with God, imagine if, in his absence, the Israelites had someone (like Aaron) there holding up a big huge poster that had a photo of the Red Sea while it was still parted and they were running through the waters?

Or what if King David was “observing” Bathsheba on the rooftop and then one of his servants came in and showed him a video of Goliath falling to the ground after being hit in the head with a stone from his dinky little slingshot!

I can't say what would or wouldn't have changed in those 2 pivotal moments, if there would still have been a golden calf forged at the foot of the mountain or an affair with a married woman that led to 2 physical deaths and a whole lotta remorse, but I know that when my mind is set on God (Col 3:2) my chances of sinning, doubt, and fruitLESSness are decreased exponentially!!

When I think on God, I want to do good! When I immerse myself in His Word, I want to help others! When I sing His praises, I want to do nothing but worship Him by doing the best job I can as His servant! (Matt 25:23) And when I recall and meditate on the specific miracles He has performed in my life, well, I never have to wonder where my help comes from! It comes from the Lord!

So while we might not have a cyber reminder showing us the memories we have had together with our Lord and Savior, I would recommend you find a small journal to start recording those times of deliverance, blessings, "sweet signs" and messages (good or bad)! Before long, you'll see there will be so many to keep in your "miracle/experience inventory", you actually need to start writing the sequel (or five)!

Xoxo God is Love! Be the Light!