“Finally, my
brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not
tedious, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1 NKJ)
brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not
tedious, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1 NKJ)
As a pastor, I deal
with the Bible everyday. First, it is a part of my personal devotions, and it
is a part of the Courage Today devotionals. It is a part of the university
courses I teach to emerging pastoral leaders. It is a part of my sermon
preparations. It is a part of any counseling that I do. Not bragging, just fact.
with the Bible everyday. First, it is a part of my personal devotions, and it
is a part of the Courage Today devotionals. It is a part of the university
courses I teach to emerging pastoral leaders. It is a part of my sermon
preparations. It is a part of any counseling that I do. Not bragging, just fact.
The issue is one of
sensitivity and familiarity. The temptation is to become desensitized from the
Bible because of my familiarity with it. We can become like the scoffers Peter
refers to in 2 Peter 3, and question whether it’s true or believable. As Peter
points out, memory is the key. Remember who God is, what God has done and what
God has promised. Remember that God keeps his word!
sensitivity and familiarity. The temptation is to become desensitized from the
Bible because of my familiarity with it. We can become like the scoffers Peter
refers to in 2 Peter 3, and question whether it’s true or believable. As Peter
points out, memory is the key. Remember who God is, what God has done and what
God has promised. Remember that God keeps his word!
Repetition is the
key to learning. Babies learn by the repetitive behaviors and speech of their
parents and family members. Toddlers continue to learn by repetitive acts and
habits. As students we all learn, and continue learning, by repetition of
facts, data, concepts and principles. Error can be learned as easily as truth,
merely by repeatedly depositing it in the brain’s memory bank.
key to learning. Babies learn by the repetitive behaviors and speech of their
parents and family members. Toddlers continue to learn by repetitive acts and
habits. As students we all learn, and continue learning, by repetition of
facts, data, concepts and principles. Error can be learned as easily as truth,
merely by repeatedly depositing it in the brain’s memory bank.
Now a strange
phenomenon also occurs in our “learning.” Without constant repetition
to firmly implant the message in our memory, we will forget it. Even if we
think it is important and want to remember it, we need constant reminders to
keep it fresh in our memory. We need a continual return to the message in order
to keep it fresh in our lives.
phenomenon also occurs in our “learning.” Without constant repetition
to firmly implant the message in our memory, we will forget it. Even if we
think it is important and want to remember it, we need constant reminders to
keep it fresh in our memory. We need a continual return to the message in order
to keep it fresh in our lives.
And this constant
return to the precious old story is also an issue for rejoicing. For pastors,
at least most of us, the responsibility of reminding the saints is not a
tedious burden. Instead, we get our cue from Paul and view it as a safety
mechanism, both for the congregation and for ourselves.
return to the precious old story is also an issue for rejoicing. For pastors,
at least most of us, the responsibility of reminding the saints is not a
tedious burden. Instead, we get our cue from Paul and view it as a safety
mechanism, both for the congregation and for ourselves.
Tell me the old, old
story again and again! I need it to remind me of God’s certainty and truth. I
need it for the firm foundation of my confidence. I need it for the joy and
safety it provides!
story again and again! I need it to remind me of God’s certainty and truth. I
need it for the firm foundation of my confidence. I need it for the joy and
safety it provides!
Dear Father, thank
you for the confident safety of your Word. Empower me to remember your message
and remind others of its truth. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the confident safety of your Word. Empower me to remember your message
and remind others of its truth. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Remember, there’s
safety in God today,
safety in God today,