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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Deck railing completed 5/22/19
My finished deck railing project! Now it will be easier to keep little Sadie on the deck.

"Post-it Notes For The Soul"

Message summary: 

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"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things" (2 Peter 1:12-15).

Yesterday I completed a home improvement project of installing railing around my deck. I had procrastinated due to some odd angles but managed to come up with  solution. Projects like this go slower than when I was younger. Not only is my physical strength and endurance less than it used to be but memory becomes an issue as well. I got lots of exercise walking!

While working I realized I needed a tool and walk to the barn to get it, then when I got to the barn I forgot what I went in for. But walking back out to the work area would prompt what the need was and back to the barn again, hopefully not forgetting a second time!

It's not unusual as we get older to have short-term memory loss (like forgetting where we put our wallet, coffee cup, car keys, cell phone, etc.)  These are increasingly common sources of minor frustration in our home as we transition through life's cycles. Apparently a different part of our brain is used for long-term memory and it is not necessarily related.

As John Newton aged his memory began to fail him. This is demonstrated in a poignant scene from the movie "Amazing Grace" when Newton is shown in his aged condition declaring, "Although my memory is fading I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." His sight is also fading. He quotes a line from his own hymn, "I once was blind but now I see" and asks, "Did I write that?" He was assured that he had written those very words. Then Newton said, "Now at last it's true."

Post-it note padPost it notes can be an effective aid to short-term memory. We all need certain prompts to keep us on track, like using Post-it notes. Today we want to share about the most important memory prompts, reminders of spiritual truths, which we will call "Post-it notes for the soul"!

Phylacteries
In the first daily text Moses shares some ideas regarding primitive post-it notes used to help the people remember spiritual truths. They are known as phylacteries. The Law of Moses prescribed the wearing of phylacteries to serve as a constant reminder of God's Holy Word. These were small boxes containing slips of parchment on which were written portions of the Law. They were worn ostentatiously by the Jews on the head or left arm. In fact among the orthodox Jews they are still used to this day.

Post-it note ScriptureIn the second text although Peter was confident his readers not only knew the truths he had shared but were also established in them. Nevertheless he pledged to be steadfast in reminding them of these things. He was determined to "make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things." That's a faithful minister!

Today we consider the nature of post-it notes for the soul. Actually in our own home these may very well be literal post-it notes with a Scripture verse that serve as a memorization aid. However in a spiritual sense we need to consider God-ordained means which will keep us on the right path.

Let us list several that we believe serve as these post-it notes for the soul:
  • Daily time in God's Word and prayer.
  • Resources such as books, music, magazines, radio programs, internet sources and so forth that build up our faith.
  • Faithful attendance in a Bible believing church.
  • Restricting influences that tend to draw us away from spiritual things and a godly outlook. There are many influences that we must fully eliminate, but in reality there are situations such as an unbelieving household or work situations that are out of our control, so we must ask God to guard our hearts and minds from ungodly influences in these matters, seek to be a solid witness and declare I John 4:4, "Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world."

Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we thank You for the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that enabled the writers of Scripture to record that which would show us the way to You through Your Son, Jesus. The words of Scripture not only show us the way to salvation but guide us in our life's journey. May Your Words be impressed upon our hearts as we give regular attention to them through reading and memorizing the Scriptures, participating in Bible Studies, listening to godly leaders expound Your Word, teaching them to our children. We don't want a casual attitude about Your Holy Word, but rather we want to be earnest students of Your Word contending always for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints. Amen.



Additional thought: I have on occasion taught a senior class. Most class members have been believers for many years and are familiar with the teachings of the Bible. I realize particularly with this group my function as a teacher is to remind and reinforce truths they already know and spur them on to faithfulness toward God. Certainly I hope that I periodically share a new insight or perspective on an old truth but I am fundamentally committed to "earnestly contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). I am not interested in tickling ears (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Let me ask you a question as a maturing believer (if we are a believer we should all be in the process of maturing whether young or old in age). How do you respond when you receive teaching that you are familiar with? Among some I have noticed a critical spirit expressed by a "I already know that" attitude, while many clamor after "new teachings". I so appreciate those who have a sweet, receptive spirit and accept the reminders of truth with joy often declaring a hearty "amen". That's how I want to be as I "mature" in years and Christian experience. May old well-known truths bring reassurance and refreshing to my inner soul.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Finally today:

Post-it note history

Post-it note history

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.



Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."



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