MEMORY
Definition: In this context, memory means retaining or recalling past experiences or facts; recollection.
1. The human mind, with its ability to remember, is a marvel of God’s creation — for which we should be thankful.
Psalm 119:73 [David prays for help to learn the Word] Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
Psalm 139:14 I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
2. A good memory is something that we can specifically claim as saved, Spirit-filled Christians.
Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
John 14:26a But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.
1 Corinthians 2:16b But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:2b Keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [See also 2 Thessalonians 2:15]
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
3. If we have a poor memory, the Lord can use this weakness to cause us to be more dependent on Him.
2 Corinthians 3:4,5 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
Psalm 71:1 In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10b And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10b For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 3:3b For we … have no confidence in the flesh.
4. Prayerfulness is the key to not forgetting things!
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
5. Though a good memory is ultimately the Lord’s doing, there are some things we can do to help Him help us:
Proverbs 21:5 [Avoid the hasty, rushed spirit in which things are easily forgotten or missed] The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
2 Corinthians 10:5 [Concentrate; avoid daydreaming or other distractions] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
1 Timothy 4:15 [Repetition is the law of memory] Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Hebrews 2:1 [Tune-in and pay attention] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
James 1:23-25 [Be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer:] For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1 Peter 1:13a [Stay spiritually attuned] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober.
6. We can all benefit from the helpful reminders of others.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 [Asking someone to help you remember things is a big help] Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God.
Philippians 3:1b To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
1 Timothy 4:6a If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:12,13 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. [See also 2 Timothy 1:6; 2:14]
2 Peter 3:1 This second Epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.
Jude 1:5a I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this.
7. Expect the Lord to help you to improve your memory and to remember that which is important!
Romans 12:2b Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2 Timothy 1:12b [Believe that Jesus will help you remember the important things] I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that Day [when He returns].
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