I thank my God every time I remember you.
With your mind’s eye picture this: a man restlessly pacing inside a house. He stands at one window and then crosses to another window. He sighs and crosses the floor again. The man is the apostle Paul. He’s in Rome and living in a rented house. But the problem is that he can’t leave. A Roman guard is in the room with him. Paul is under house arrest, awaiting trial to face accusations from people who do not like what he’s preaching. And he’s confined in that house for a long time.
In that frustrating and depressing circumstance, the Lord continues to sustain him. And one of the ways the Lord sustains him is through the happy memories Paul has of his fellow believers who love him and aid him. Paul cherishes these memories so much that he even tells the Christian congregation in Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
On the basis of what Jesus Christ has done on your behalf at the cross, God has purged from his mind every memory of your sin. Through Jesus he looks on you with favor and loves you as his very own. He is happy with your fruits of faith; fruits of faith that are big or small, carefully planned or impulsive, long or short, complex or simple.
One of those fruits of faith can be making a good memory for someone else. Maybe you can call or send a message to thank someone for a kindness that really made an impression on you. Maybe you can tell a fellow Christian with chronic pain how their patient example inspires you. Or perhaps you’re just the person to give someone a hearty, much-needed laugh. Don’t underestimate the impact of good memories you give them. God can use them as he helps and sustains people, just as he did for Paul.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to touch others with good memories of Christian love. Amen.Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word
Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com
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