Why don't I remember?

I feel like my memory is not what it used to be, especially in regards to learning new things.

As I read the Bible and study it or read books (non-fiction), it seems like so little of it is retained for future recollection. I keep thinking it is just a sign of age. My memory has never what I would call, "great."

Lord, help me to remember. As I am out, in the world, being your witness, speaking to people, help me to remember things that I've studied or read in the past, examples, truths, scripture, current events. Help me to remember these things so that I can communicate your Gospel, your Truth in a way that makes sense to people. You are the author of salvation and the active agent in drawing humanity to Yourself. I pray that I can be the best ambassador that I can be, for your name. Thank you for giving me past opportunities to see You work in waking people up and giving them an understanding of You. Increase my memory. Help me to remember things from my youth and when the kids were younger.

Hebrews 3:1-6 (verse 2 - Jesus is Faithful)

    Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
   
(Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)

[verse 2] - (Jesus) who was faithful to him (God) who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house.
He performed all his functions with faithfulness.
Jesus was faithful. He performed with faithfulness, with a degree of exactness, all the functions entrusted to him.

He is our example of faithful behavior.
And Jesus is faithful to God. Those that hear this need to stand firm in the faith and not fall way. Despite trials and temptations, we are to stand firm (Ephesians 4:1 - "stand firm thus in the Lord."). And also, His faithfulness reminds and teaches us the importance of fidelity in all of our roles in life.  Moses was an example of faithfulness, but Jesus is the ultimate example of faithfulness. This great example is to have a great impact on my life.

• A husband should maintain inviolate (free from violation) fidelity towards his wife, and a wife towards her husband
• A child should be faithful to a parent
• A clerk and apprentice to his employer
• A lawyer to his client
• A physician to his patient
• An ambassador to the government that commissions him

The temptations don't matter and don't sway us away from this faithfulness. 

His faithfulness acts as a guard from apostasy
God entrusted Jesus with a responsibility to live a perfect life. As a man, he had temptations, but he never wavered from the commission God had given Him. This is what I am to look at in my moments of weakness.

Moses was faithful in the family which he presided over, namely, the Jewish people. Numbers 12:7, "Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house."

Daily Devotional

Ever since I returned from the time with Bruce at the cabin, my desire for Jesus Calling hasn't been as strong. He had mentioned that Challies had written that he had some concerns about it. I haven't read that review, but just that idea has me withdrawing. But, instead of replacing it with something, so far I'm doing nothing. Also, my prayer time in the morning has digressed and my studying of the word in 3 chapters of day has vanished. I'm not getting up early. I'm thinking about prayer and have had prayer moments, but mostly in the car as I drive in or on a Friday morning after Band of Brothers time.

Snow is on the ground this morning, but not on the streets. It is cold, but should be warming up this week. Snow is on the car. Got to get it off, scrap the windows and get inside a cold car. Not looking forward to that.

Jesus Calling: February 12

I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading every thought. People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless, but yours are precious to Me. I smile when you think lovingly of Me. My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My Thoughts. As your thinking goes, so goes your entire being. 

Let Me be your positive Focus. When you look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you experience Joy. This is according to My ancient design, when I first crafted man. Modern man seeks his positive focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations, acquiring new possessions. Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in their lives. I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only I could fully satisfy it. Delight yourself in Me; let Me become the Desire of your heart. 

Matthew 1:23
English Standard Version
 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

Psalm 37:4
English Standard Version
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

My Prayer
Lord, thanks for being with Me. Forgive me Lord for getting wrapped up in what I want out of ministry and life. You know Me right now and I'm hurting a little or am confused because all that I think people want out of me and value is my arms and legs, or me doing. They don't want my mind or thoughts. They don't even want to be questioned. But, just trust that their way is the best way. It's hard Lord. You have given me a longing and a desire within me. I want what is best for your church and yet it's hard when it feels like the church isn't getting what is best.

But, Lord, I put so much stake in a message or a program when You are the real answer. Prayer is what changes hearts. Your Word reminds us that for a need in the harvest the answer is prayer. You send out laborers to the harvest. So, Lord, are you sending me in this way. Is this what You are pushing me to do?

Lord, I'm amazed at how full each day is. There is so much to each day. There is so much wrapped up in it. Lord, I do want my thoughts to center on You. I don't want to be trained or coerced by the world and its ways. I know I tend to fill up my world with a lot of stuff. I have a hard time saying "no" to things. I want to try and fit it all in.

Lord, I pray for my kids and my family. Lord, I give them to You. I bring them to You like Abraham brought Isaac and placed him on the altar. They are in Your hands. I trust You for their outcomes. I pray for them. I pray for their strong growth in You. Define their world. Help my son Derek and his growing up time that he is experiencing and the pressure to fit in and go along and be a part of others. We haven't sheltered him, but have allowed him to roam and be. At times, he doesn't make good decisions. I pray that he would learn from his choices and most importantly, I want to encourage him to return to You. Give him wisdom. Give him zeal to do the work of his school work to the best of his ability. Bring good people into his life that can encourage him to be him, not simply to fit within a crowd. Bring people that make wise choices not simply choices to rebel the establishment or the tradition.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 11

My Peace is like a shaft of golden Light shining on you continuously. During days of bright sunshine, it may blend in with your surroundings. On darker days, My Peace stands out in sharp contrast to your circumstances. See times of darkness as opportunities for My light to shine in transcendent splendor. I am training you to practice Peace that overpowers darkness. Collaborate with Me in this training. Do not grow weary and lose heart. 

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:4-5 ESV)

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
(Hebrews 12:3 ESV)


My Prayer
Lord, I want to daily consider You in all my circumstances. And I want to remember You and remember what You did for me in dying for Me. I don't want a moment to go by that I don't think of this. Let this transform my thinking. Renew my mind daily Lord.

Help me in my circumstances. I pray that I would walk in Your Peace. Whatever the circumstances I can trust You to help and to guide me. Help our family to be marked by Peace.

Train up my children and my wife in godly behavior and I pray that they would look to You each day. Help them to be bold in their spheres of influence and to readily speak of You. May it be the same in my life.

Help my children to have strong relationships, to have good friends. Bring people into their lives that will challenge them spiritually. I pray the same for my wife. I pray that You would enlarge her friendships and bring people into her life that will encourage her in her faith.

Help me as a father to be encouraging to my children. Help me to be vocal in the right ways and to model good behavior. Help me to not be so tough with them. I need Your help God. I am weak and make bad decisions each day. I want to honor You and have that Peace throughout circumstances of my families life.

Lord, we are wanting to place our dependence on You for all things. Our finances are in your control.

I pray for the church and that we as a people and as Your body would reflect You daily. I pray that our leaders would think about the Body that we have at our church and the type of people that are there, their lifestyles and how we as a congregation can best encourage people. Lord, there are a lot of great things we can do as a Body, but what are you leading our church to be? Show us Lord. Inspire us and then help our leaders to be obedient. I pray that You would send out workers to Your harvest. Send me Lord. Send me. Help me to be bold. Help me to stand out. Help me to give people an apt word. Lord, don't let me be comfortable in my life. I want to shine your truth.

How would I speak to someone in an elevator? How would I speak to someone walking on the street? I pass people all the time. I am near these people at work, but I don't mention You. Why? Because I fear rejection and I'm concerned I will look crazy. Why do I fear what people think of me? These people are potentially lost and rather than bringing you up, I stay comfortable. Make me bold Lord in every place, in every part of my life.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 8

I AM above all things: your problems, your pain, and the swirling events in this ever-changing world. When you behold My Face, you rise above circumstances and rest with Me in heavenly realms. This is the way of Peace, living in the Light of My Presence. I guarantee that you will always have problems in this life, but they must not become your focus. When you feel yourself sinking in the sea of circumstances, say “Help me, Jesus!” and I will draw you back to Me. If you have to say that thousands of times daily, don’t be discouraged. I know your weakness, and I meet you in that very place.  

Ephesians 2:6
English Standard Version 
...and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Matthew 14:28-32
English Standard Version

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

My Prayer
Lord, you are in charge. You are high above everything in my life. Lord, You are over it all and not surprised about anything that is going on in my life. I see events of my life often for the first time and cringe, get stressed, and wonder how can I make it. I have fear. I feel embarrassed. I get impatient and think I won't be able to make it. I know this is normal, but I want You to be my peace. Give me the strength to not be fearful and instead cry out to you, "Help me, Jesus!" 

Lord, You are there. You are with me. I cry out to You. Help Me. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 7

    Come to Me for Rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

    Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

    This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence. 

Romans 8:28

Amplified Bible (AMP)

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Psalm 42:11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

My Prayer
I am tired. I don't feel right. I wake up in the morning, cloudy and just off. My head is spinning. I felt this way yesterday afternoon as well. Maybe it is still remnants of the illness. I'm not sure, but it doesn't feel right. Take charge Lord. Take charge of My life.

Lord, help me to be guided by You each step. I want to remain attentive to You. Guide me. Direct my paths and my time.

Forgive me for the way I choose things often that don't glorify You. I get impatient. I want rest and I want it in my way. I need Your strength.

I want to be bold. Help me look for ways to share You with others

Help me to Hope in God. And trust in His providence. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.