Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

august 16
Thursday


ABLE TO
FORGET?

READ:
Philippians 1:11
___________________________

I thank my God upon
every remembrance
of you.
__Philippians 1:3
___________________________

On a cold, dreary November day, I attended the funeral of a friend. During the eulogy, the widow began to sob loudly. At that point, the pastor spoke odd words meant to comfort: "That's okay. Someday you'll be able to forget."

Able to forget? The widow's expression made it clear that she had no desire to forget. Cherished memories of her husband provided a comfort and joy she intended to cling to, anticipating a heavenly reunion someday.

One of the most precious gifts God has given us is the ability to remember. There are plenty of hurts and disappointments in life that we should forget. But good memories become a treasure chest of priceless reminders of relationships shared and joys experienced.

Paul felt that way about his time spent with the church in Philippi: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Phil. 1:3). His ability to remember his friends in Philippi brought him great comfort as he awaited trial in Rome, prompting him to joyfully pray for them. You could never have convinced him that comfort was found in being able to forget, because he rejoiced in being able to remember.

God gives us cherished memories. Cling to them when sorrows come. __Bill Crowder
____________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~Where is the heart that does not keep~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Within its inmost store~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~Some fond remembrance hidden deep~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~Of days that are no more? __Anon.~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________________________________________________________

Never let today's burden
erase yesterday's blessing.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 1:1-11**********

1 Paul and Timothy,
bondservants of jesus
Christ,
To all the saints in Christ
Jesus who are in Philippi,
with the bishops and
deacons:

2 Gracce to you and peace
from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank God upon every remembrance of you,

4 always in every prayer of
mine making request for
you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now,

6 being confident of this
very thing, that He who has
begun a good work in you
will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ; 7 just
as it is right for me to think
this of you all, because
I have you in my heart,
inasmuch as both in my
chains and in the defense
and confirmationn of the
gospel, you all are partakers
with me of grace. 8 For God
is my witness, how greatly
I long for you all with the
affectionn of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your
love may abound still more
and more in knowledge
and all discernment, 10 that
you may approve the things
that are excellent, that you
may be sincere and without
offense till the day of
Christ, 11 being filled with
the fruits of righteousness
which are by Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Just as Paul prays for the Philippian church to grow in knowledge
and discernment, in Peter's final epistle we see the priority he places
on understanding basic spiritual truths: "For this reason I will not be
negligent to remind you always of these things....Yes, I think it is
right...to stir you up by reminding you...Moreover I will be
careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things"
(2 Peter 1:12-15). __HDF