A Way to Remember
#HeartForTheWord
Significant positive and negative happenings have a way of burning themselves into our remembrance. I remember where I was and what I was doing upon hearing the news that President Kennedy and Dr. King were assassinated, Princess Diana died, planes flew into the World Trade Center on 9-11, and Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Besides sad world and personal events, I also fondly recall when my brother returned from Viet Nam, my children’s births, and the first time my husband told me, “I love you.” Sometimes, we may commemorate our special events by reading the journal entry we made, lighting a candle, placing flowers, or even throwing a party. These memorial observances serve both to define our lives and mark our growth.
Abram found an important way to memorialize his meetings with God. Genesis 12:7 tells us, “Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’ And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him” (NKJ). God appeared and spoke to Abram, so Abram built an altar to Him. Abram did something to force himself to remember both Who had spoken to him and what God had said. The message defined His life (he’d have the land), and marked his growth (he’d have descendants).
Abram’s habit is a good idea for us. When God speaks, we too ought to build an altar to Him. Nowadays we wouldn’t build altars from actual stones. Instead, our altars can be within our hearts. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” Romans 2:28-29.
So the next time God appears and speaks to you, build an altar to Him. Revisit your altar frequently to remember both the One who appeared and spoke, and the message He delivered. Let God’s words define your life and mark your growth. Worship Him today as the One who shows up, and as the One who speaks.
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©2014 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.
Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,
Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children
available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),
at bookstores, and on all major online book buying sites.
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk
Also still available:
Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame
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