How can we create "memorials" in our lives to remember God's faithfulness? The Call to Remember “Then you shall answer them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Thus these stones shall be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” – Joshua 4:7 Why Memorials Matter • God commands remembrance so we won’t drift into forgetfulness (Deuteronomy 6:12). • They ignite fresh worship—every look back fuels new praise (Psalm 77:11). • Memorials teach the next generation what God has done (Joshua 4:6). • They strengthen faith in present trials: “The LORD has helped us this far” (1 Samuel 7:12). Practical Ways to Build Memorials Today Physical Reminders • A small pile of stones on a shelf or garden corner labeled with the date and answered prayer. • Framed Scripture art tied to a specific deliverance or provision. • Keepsake boxes holding items that mark milestones (hospital wristband, graduation tassel, wedding program). Written Records • A “God’s Faithfulness” journal—one page per intervention, dated and specific. • Margin notes in your Bible beside verses God used powerfully, with the story and date. • Family timeline poster—each year, add major ways God showed up. Celebratory Practices • Annual “Ebenezer meal”: retell the year’s testimonies over dinner on a chosen date. • Passover-style remembrance nights reading Exodus 12:14 and sharing personal deliverance stories. • Digital slideshow or video journal reviewed every birthday or anniversary. Acts of Worship • Name a child, pet, or even a vehicle with a faith-story name—every mention becomes a testimony moment. • Plant a tree when God answers a significant prayer; watch faith grow with the sapling. • Designate a special offering to missions or benevolence as a thank-you memorial (2 Corinthians 9:11). Keeping Memorials Alive • Review them regularly—let each item prompt praise, not dust. • Share the stories with guests, children, small groups; memorials lose power when they stay private. • Add to them continually; God’s faithfulness is ongoing, so your memorials should expand. Other Scriptural Anchors • Exodus 12:14 – Passover as a perpetual memorial. • Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” • Revelation 12:11 – Overcoming “by the word of their testimony”; memorials feed that testimony. Purposeful remembrance roots the heart in what God has done, so trust rises for what He will do next. |
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