Remember, dear ones…

…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor  of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,1 Thess 1:3 NKJV

As I have begun to study again the book of 1 Thessalonians, I asked myself, “What are we supposed to remember?” I knew that the Word of God instructs us to forget certain things…but what are we supposed to remember? Not only are we to remember, but we are to remember without ceasing. In other words, we are to always have these memories fresh in our hearts.

The verb translated ‘to remember’ from the Greek New Testament is the word MNEMONEUO. It is used sixteen times in the New Testament and tells us ten things that we are to always remember, with the thoughts freshly in mind. The things to remember are set forth in the canonical order of the usage of our Greek word.

Honestly, when I started this study, I thought what I would find would be trivial. Instead, it would prove to be profound.

1) Remember the Miracles – Matthew 16:9 – Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets ye took up?

God has done so many incredible things in our lives. Remember them! I’ll tell you a secret…He wants to do them again! God is not a once-in-a-lifetime God. He is a daily God! I am with you always, Jesus said. Let Him do it again, and again!

2). Remember the Judgments – Luke 17:32 – Remember Lot’s wife.

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Judgments come because of unbelief, especially the type that knows the truth clearly but rejects it. Unbelief has consequences. The Word of God tells me in Peter that we are to save some with fear. Don’t reject Him, dear one. Don’t turn your back on Him and become a monument to your unbelief, like Lot’s wife.

3). Remember the Word – John 15:20, 16:4 – Remember the word that I said unto you…

We are to remember both the written Word and the spoken Word to us that has come through the gifts of the Spirit. The Lord also promised that the Spirit would bring the word to our remembrance when we needed it. Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to memorize the Word. It simply means He will help you recall the Word He has planted in your heart when you need it, bless God forever…

4). Remember the Warnings – Acts 20:31–  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

God always warns us, if we have ears to hear. My parents always warned me about potential problems that they foresaw in my life. What about our heavenly Father? The wisest thing to do is to keep the ears of our heart pressed to the lips of the One we love, and remember what He says.

5). Remember to Give. – Acts 20:35 – …and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Giving demonstrates the measure of your love. Lovingly give with wisdom!

6). Remember where you came from – Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh… that at that time you were without Christ…

Most cars and trucks have rear view mirrors, mounted to the side of the driver. The mirrors don’t obscure your vision of where you are going. But they help you see where you have been, and what is behind you. It is a good driving habit to glance at them often. It is good and keeps us thankful when we remember what God has delivered us from, and how He has changed our futures. Hell is in your rear view mirror…Heaven is in your windshield!

7). Remember the Believers – 1 Thess 1:3 – Remembering without ceasing your work of faith…

Honor the memories that you have of the dear believers that you know. You and I are surrounded by awesome people, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are filled with His love and show forth His glory! Look at all the good and wonderful things that they do and constantly remember them. Someone who thinks like this will never lack for friends!

8). Remember the faith of your Church leadership – Heb 13:7 – Remember them, which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow…

Some act as if there is no legitimate leadership in the Church to follow. This is not true. God ordains imperfect believers as leaders for times and seasons, and we are to follow their faith, bless God forever. It’s much easier to be a follower than to be a true leader, so be thankful when you have godly leadership.

9). Remember your First Love – Rev 2:4, 5 – Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have

Left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place‑‑unless you repent.

Amen.

10). Remember what you have been given – Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.