remember

I think I've figured it out, and it's the failure to remember.

"Remember how God promised Abraham a chunk of land that Abraham hadn't even so much as walked on? Then God said, 'You know what? I'm gonna give this to your descendents!' And Abraham was like, 'What descendents? I don't even have any kids!' But it happened. Remember that." -Stephen, Acts 7.5, paraphrased

Remember the moment when God invaded your heart. You were bent on serving Satan, and God said, "No way. This child is mine."

"Remember how Joseph so sickened his brothers that they sold him as a slave? God didn't forsake him then; He had a plan! When the problems were the thickest for Joseph, as he was rotting in a prison cell after being accused of molesting the captain of the guard's wife (when all he had done was try to escape from her luring!), God delivered him. How? He set him up as ruler, second only to Pharaoh himself! Now how's that for remembering?" -Stephen, Acts 7.9,10, very paraphrased

Remember how often you prayed for victory over that sin, and it just wouldn't come? Remember what happened? God asked you to pray more, ask more, cry more, plead more. And then after he broke the wound and let the infection seep out, then he healed you! Remember.

"Don't forget the best part of Joseph's story: Joseph was the only guy wise enough to figure out a way to save Egypt from its seven-year famine, and that's why God wanted him in control of the empire. Remember what happened? Those eleven brothers, the same ones who sold him as a slave, came to him, begging for corn to stay alive. Joseph toyed with them a bit, to test their hearts, but the best part of the story is this: Joseph forgave 'em. Yep. Now, don't tell me God didn't have his hand in that one." -Stephen, Acts 7.11-13, very paraphrased

When they talk about the sorrow and randomness of the world, and how everything can be explained by humanism, remember! Remember how God created peace where there was nothing from which to create it. Remember how he prepared the enemy's heart, and made him into a friend. Remember!

"Remember how God brought the Israelites out from bondage, and how he actually made a path of dry ground in the middle of the Red Sea, so His children could get across it! God's mercy never fails.
"Remember that the path didn't stay dry. Oh, no! As soon as the Israelites were safely on the other sides, the walls of water came crashing down and slaughtered the Egyptians pursuing them. Remember it... because God's mercy never fails!" -Psalm 136.11-15, paraphrased

Remember how right and wrong cannot be explained by reason. Remember that when they say, "There is no absolute truth," you must reply, "Is that a true statement?" Remember, remember!

There is absolute truth,
there is redemption,
there is peace,
there is love,
there is joy.
there is.

Remember when you felt it, because I know you did. Remember it.
And then remember it again.