Hebrews 2:1; Psalm 103:1-2; Luke 2:41-49
Hello my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I shared this thought with the saints at Reconciliation and Holiness Tabernacle the other day, and I thought you might enjoy it as well.
As you may or may not be aware, our theme this year is, “Continuing and Upholding the Legacy of True Holiness.” I was reminiscing recently about how my mother used to pray and minister in church – she was awesome! As I thought about her, my mind led me to remember other saints that have made an impression on my life: Mother Emma Lee Green, Deacon Richard Lowrey, Pastor Geno Thomas, Pastor Frank Smith and many more.
As I thought fondly about these great trailblazers, the Spirit prompted that I needed to pick up where these saints left off. It wasn’t enough for me to recall how the Lord used them mightily, but God expected you and me to continue this great legacy. I fear that too often, we fall into one of two categories of spiritual amnesia.
The first category is forgetting these mighty people of God and the great works the Lord performed through them. Just think about it: when we are faced with a dilemma, such as getting furloughed or losing our jobs, what is our first reaction? Do we look to God for a way out? Do we thank God for the way He is going to work, before He even makes the way? Or do we panic and fall into depression? Many of us even let our circumstance affect our praise and church attendance. Not the saints of old! They would believe God for everything. When it seemed as though they were going down for the last time, they would just get that more determined. That’s why Bishop C. H. Mason could build the largest black owned building in the world (during that time) with steel that was donated during WWII – even though there was a ration on steel for the war effort!
Did you ever read how Bishop L.H. Ford prayed and asked God to send him a sign that he was to remain in Chicago, Illinois after migrating from Mississippi? The story says after a long period of suffering financially, he was ready to give up. He asked God for a sign if he should stay and a lady he did not know walked up to him and said, “…young man, the Lord told me to give this to you…” It was fifty cent. From there he went on to start Saint Paul Church Of God In Christ and eventually became not only a bishop, but the presiding bishop in the Church Of God In Christ! The saints of old seemed to have a “not giving up” spirit that we have forgotten!
Still others of us suffer from a second form of spiritual amnesia – we forget who we are in God. We fail to remember the same God that empowered our spiritual ancestors has not changed! The same God that healed people through Peter’s shadow is alive and accessible to us today. We forget that the same Holy Spirit that anointed Rahab, Esther and Ruth is yet in the anointing business today. I believe we get in a predicament and sometime forget the power and authority God has bequeathed unto us.
The Holy Scriptures remind us we should pay attention lest we let things we have heard and been taught slip. The psalmist encouraged us to bless the Lord at all times and forget not all of His benefits. That’s why I echo the Word and encourage you to testify to yourself as often as possible – this reminds you of the great feats God has performed for us! That’s why praising God is so important, because it puts us in a mindset to remember God’s greatness and not focus on our problems. But do not take this lightly, it is easy to forget.
The account in Luke tells us Mary and Joseph were travelling with their family and friends to Jerusalem and when they left, they assumed Jesus was in the crowd with their other things. They travelled two days before they realized He was not with them. Thank God they had the wisdom to go back and look for Jesus. And where did they find him? They found Him in the church! My friend, I want to encourage you – don’t forget who you are in God. Don’t forget God’s awesome delivering power. Don’t forget where God has brought you from. Don’t forget what God spoke in your life. Don’t forget the promises of God. Don’t forget the authority God has given us. Don’t assume Jesus is in your plans – make sure. And, if you discover He is not, if you discover you have not been walking in the power and authority God has destined, go back and get Jesus – you’ll find Him in the Church!
Don’t forget!
I bless you in the name of the Lord!