Those Who Forget

ThosewhoForget(LoyaltyandDisloyaltySeries)

ByDagHeward-Mills*****

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ContentsChapter1-TheUnrighteousnessofThoseWhoForgetChapter2-SixReasonsWhyItIsImportantToRememberChapter3-FiveEvilsThatBefallPeopleWhoForgetChapter4-EightCommonMistakesOfPeopleWhoForgetChapter5-SevenKeysThatWillHelpYouRememberChapter6-ThingsThatRighteousPeopleRememberChapter7-SevenSpiritualEffectsOfRemembranceChapter8-PeopleYouMustNotForgetChapter9-MemorialsThatFightAgainstForgetfulness

Chapter1

TheUnrighteousnessofThoseWhoForget

…Godisnotunrighteoustoforget…Hebrews6:10

1.PEOPLEWHOFORGETAREUNRIGHTEOUS.ForGodisnotunrighteoustoforgetyourworkandlabouroflove,which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye haveministeredtothesaints,anddominister.

Hebrews6:10Most people are conscious about the “big four” sins: lying, stealing, fornicationand murder. If you were to ask people for a list of sins they are not likely tomentionthesinofforgetting.ButGod’sWordisclearonthesubject.Forgettingisunrighteousness! To forget, to fail to acknowledge, to fail to remember are sinsbeforeGod.

Can amaid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yetmypeoplehaveforgottenmedayswithoutnumber.

Jeremiah2:32Itisincomprehensibletothinkofsomeofthethingsunrighteouspeopleforget.This classic Scripture on the subject of backsliding shows how a bride will notforgetherweddingdress.Theweddingdressisthemostpreciousthingtoabride.Many brides order their wedding dresses long before their weddings. In thisScripture,theabsurdityofforgettingGodislikenedtotheunfathomablepossibilitythatabridewouldforgetherweddingdress.Peoplegrowupandforgotwhocaredforthem,whonurturedthemandwholovedthem.TheyforgetthosewhobroughtthemtoChrist,thosewhoraisedthemintheLordandthosewhoputthemintheministry.Isitpossiblethatpeoplecanforgetthepeoplewhohelpedthematthemostimportantcrossroadsoftheirlives?Cantheyturnaroundandattacktheverypeoplewhoraisedthemup?Theansweris“Yes”!Ithappensallthetime.People forgetGodwhen they prosper.Europehas forsakenGodbecause theyhavebecometherichestcontinent.ButitisGodwhogavethemwhattheyhave.Peoplebecomeatheistsaftertheybecomemillionaires.Whatapatheticsinitisto

forget the one who gave you everything! Indeed, it is unrighteousness that isworthyofthemostterriblepunishment.

2. PEOPLE WHO FORGET ARE UNRIGHTEOUS AND DO NOTHAVETHENATUREOFGOD.ForGodisnotunrighteoustoforgetyourworkandlabouroflove,which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye haveministeredtothesaints,anddominister.

Hebrews6:10Goddoesnotforget!ManforgetsbutGoddoesnotforget!PeoplewhoforgetdonothavethenatureofGod! It is themanifestationof thefallennatureofwickedanddepravedmantoforgetthingsthatmustneverbeforgotten.Apersonwho is controlledby theWordofGodand theSpirit ofGoddoesnotforgetcertainthings.Thenaturalmandoesnot like to remember thosewhohelpedhim.Thenaturalunsavedmandoesnot like torememberwherehecamefrom.Thenaturalmandoesnotwantanyonetoknowhowhecametobewhoheis.ButthatisnotthenatureofGod.WhenJesuswalkedtheearthHeconstantlytolduswhereHecamefrom.HesaidHecoulddonothingofHimself.HesaidHewasonlyspeakingthewordsthatHisfathergaveHim.Thisisinsharpcontrasttotheproudmanofiniquity.Theproudandwickedmandoesnotrevealhisoriginsandbeginnings.Hebelievesheisself-madeandthinkshecameonthescenebyhisownpower.

3. PEOPLE WHO FORGET ARE UNRIGHTEOUS AND ARECURSEDTOWITHER.Doth the papyrus shoot up without mire? Doth the reed-grassgrowwithoutwater?Whilstitisyetinhisgreenness,andnotcutdown, itwitherethbeforeanyotherherb.Soare thepathsofallthatforgetGod…

Job8:11-13Peoplewho forget are cursed to wither. So serious is the sin of forgetting thatcursesarerainedonthelivesofforgetfulpeople.Youdon’tneedtohearacursespoken against you for forgetting important things. The Holy Scriptures hasalready declared that those that forget God shall wither. Be careful that yourememberallthewaystheLordhasbroughtyouandallthethingsHehasdoneforyou.

4. UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE ARE NOT CONSCIOUS OF THEDANGERSOFFORGETTING.BytheriversofBabylon,therewesatdown,yea,wewept,whenwerememberedZion.Wehangedourharpsuponthewillowsinthemidstthereof.Fortheretheythatcarriedusawaycaptiverequiredofusasong;andtheythatwastedusrequiredofusmirth,saying,SingusoneofthesongsofZion.HowshallwesingtheLORD’Ssonginastrangeland?IfIforgetthee,OJerusalem,letmyrighthandforgethercunning.IfIdonotrememberthee,letmytonguecleavetotheroofofmymouth;ifIprefernotJerusalemabovemychiefjoy.

Psalms137:1-6Youmust begin to take remembrance very seriously. The psalmist knew that itwouldbeatragedytoforgetJerusalem.Heplacedacurseonhimselfifhedidnotrememberwherehecamefrom.Thisishowserioustheissueofremembranceis.Youmightaswellstoplivingifyoudonotremembercertainthings.Yourtonguewill cleave to the roofofyourmouth if youcannot rememberwhereGod raisedyou from.Your righthandwillbeunable towritechequeswhenyou forgetwhatGodhasdoneforyou.

5.UNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEFORGETGODWHENTHEYAREFULL,WHENTHEYHAVEHOUSESANDWHENTHEYARERICH.Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodlyhouses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocksmultiply,andthysilverandthygoldismultiplied,andallthatthouhastismultiplied;thenthineheartbeliftedup,andthouforgettheLordthyGod,whichbroughttheeforthoutof the landofEgypt,fromthehouseofbondage;

Deuteronomy8:12-14Theunrighteousnessof forgettingcommonlyaffectspeoplewhoare full!Peoplewho live in their ownhouses tend to forgetGod.ThosewhohavemultipliedallthattheyhavealsoquicklyforgetGod.Youmustbecomethetypeofpersonwhoisrichandprosperousandyetmindfulofwhereyoucamefrom.Itisasadfactthatmanyrichpeopletalkalotbutgive

little. People speak about the blessings God has given them but they do nothonourGodforwhatHehasdone.

6.UNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEWHOFORGETAREOFTENPROUD.Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodlyhouses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocksmultiply,andthysilverandthygoldismultiplied,andallthatthouhastismultiplied;thenthineheartbeliftedup,andthouforgettheLordthyGod,whichbroughttheeforthoutof the landofEgypt,from the house of bondage; “And thou say in thine heart, Mypowerandthemightofminehandhathgottenmethiswealth.”

Deuteronomy8:12-14,17Pride is one of the principal causes of forgetting. People do not want toacknowledgethatGodhelpedthem.Theydon’twanttoacknowledgethatanyhumanbeinghelpedthem.Theyactually think in theirhearts that theyareself-madeand theywantyou tothinksame.ThesepeopledonotacknowledgeGodandtheirheartsareliftedup.Peoplewhodonotpay tithesdonotacknowledgeGod’s role in theirprosperity.Whenpeople’sheartsarelifteduptheysay,“IworkedhardtogetwhatIhave.”

TheModernPagansofEuropeIonceaskedarichEuropeanwomanwhethershebelievedinGod.Shelookedatmeinastonishment,almostamazedthatIhadaskedsucha“silly”question.“Ofcoursenot,”sheanswered.Pointingtoherchestshesaid,“Ibelieveinmyself.WhyshouldIbelieveinGod?”IhaveheardcountlessEuropeanssaythatAfricansbelieveinGodbecausetheydon’t have solutions to their problems. Modern Europe, which once sentChristianityaroundtheworld,isdrownedinunbeliefandpaganism.Thehallmarkof thisdemonicblightonEurope is thebelief inselfand thebelief inhardworkwithout God. Europe has fallen into unrighteousness and wickedness becausetheyhaveforgottenGod.

7.UNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEDONOTREMEMBERANYONEWHENTHEYBECOMEWEALTHY.Whenpeoplebecomewealthy theyveryeasily forgethow theygot thatwealth.Theysortofassumethat thewealthcameto themthrough theirowneffortsbutnotreallythroughthegraceofGod.

Haveyounoticedthattherearenotmanyreallywealthypeoplethatattendchurchregularly? Few rich people pay tithes. Most of the tithe payers are salariedworkerswhodonotearnverymuch.The business tycoons think they earn “too much to pay tithes”. This is why aspecialwarningtorememberisgiventopeoplewhohavebeengiventhepowertogetwealth.

ButthoushaltrememberthelordthyGod:foritishethatgiveththee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenantwhichheswareuntothyfathers,asitisthisday.Anditshallbe, if thoudoatallFORGETtheLORDthyGod,andwalkafterothergods,andservethem,andworshipthem,Itestifyagainstyouthisdaythatyeshallsurelyperish.

Deuteronomy8:18-198. UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE DO NOT REMEMBER THEIR PASTSINSANDMISTAKES.REMEMBER, and FORGET not, how thou provokedst the LORDthyGod towrath in thewilderness: fromtheday that thoudidstdepartoutofthelandofEgypt,untilyecameuntothisplace,yehavebeenrebelliousagainsttheLORD.

Deuteronomy9:7Whymustyourememberyoursinsandmistakes?Becauseremembranceofyoursins andmistakesmakes you recognize howmuchgrace andmercy has beenshowntoyou.ItalsohelpsyoutoacknowledgethatitisnotbyanyworksofrighteousnessthatyouareinHisservice.Aconstantreminderofyourpastrebelliousnessandsinfulnesswillkeepyouinanimportantlyhumblestate.Whenyouforgetthatyouwererebelliousyouhavenocompassionforotherswhoareatthestageyouwereatsomeyearsago.Remembranceoffailingsispowerfulinitsabilitytoinducehumility.

TheBrokenPastorAbroken-heartedpastoroncesaidtome,“Mywifedivorcedmesomeyearsago.”Hecontinued,“EverytimeIgetangrywithmystaffandbegintorebukethem,avoice tells me, ‘You better shut up because you couldn’t even keep your ownwife’”.

Ifeltsosorryforhim.Ihadseen thisman rebukingandcorrectingpeoplea fewyearsearlier.At thattime,heseemedtohaveverylittlecompassionorunderstandingforanyone.Butnowafterbeingabandonedbyhiswifehewasacompletelydifferentperson.As he himself said, every time he remembered his divorce, he softened hisattitudetowardsotherpeople.Irealizedhowmuchmorehumblehehadbecomeafterhisdivorce.Remembrance of your past failings is important to keep you on the path ofrighteousness.Whenyourememberthemistakesyoumadeinthepastitwillalsokeepyoufromgoingthesamewayagain.

9.UNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLELIVEINALANDOFFORGETFULNESSWHICHISAPLACEOFDEATH.Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise andpraise thee?Selah.Shall thy lovingkindnessbedeclared in thegrave?Orthyfaithfulnessindestruction?Shallthywondersbeknowninthedark?andthyrighteousnessinthelandofforgetfulness?”

Psalms88:10-12Aministerwhodwellsinaworldofforgetfulnesswilldwellinalandofdeath.TheBiblecallsthelandofforgetfulnessthelandofdeathandthegrave.Makesurethatyoudonotdwellinaworldwhereyoudonotrememberimportantthings.There are ministers who do not remember their spiritual fathers. Such peopledwellinthelandofforgetfulness,whichisalandofdeath.Therearepeoplewhodonot rememberoracknowledge thosewhohelped them. Indeed,youdwell inthemidstofdeathwhenyouforget.Torememberistogivelifetoyourlife!Torememberistopractiserighteousness!Godcommandsustoremember!RemembranceisthewillofGod!

10. UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE FORGET THEIR HUMBLEBEGINNINGS.AndthoushaltREMEMBERthatthouwastabondmaninthelandof Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore Icommandtheethisthingtoday.

Deuteronomy15:15

Theunrighteousmanwillforgetthathewasonceabondman.Rememberingyourhumblebeginnings iscrucial inyour fightagainstpride.Mostgreatpeoplehavehumblebeginnings.Mostgreatpeoplehavedifficultiesthattheyhaverisenoutof.If people on earthwere to rememberwhere they came from, therewould be amillion times more love, understanding and compassion in the world. Indeed,therewouldbenicerbossesandkinderleaderseverywhere.

11.UNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEFORGETAFTERASHORTWHILE.Only takeheed to thyself, andkeep thysouldiligently, lest thouforgetthethingswhichthineeyeshaveseen,andlesttheydepartfromthyheartallthedaysofthylife:butteachthemthysons,andthysons’sons;

Deuteronomy4:9Some things must never depart from your heart all the days of your life. It isimportant to remembersome things for the restofyour life.When theLordhasdonegreatthingsforyou,youarenotexpectedtorememberitforonlyfiveyears.ManypeopledonotrealizethattheyareindebtedtoGodforever.It isnotaboutrememberingforanumberofyears.It isaboutrememberingfortherestofyourlife.People remember their salvation for a few years and “mature” into a placewheretheynevertalkaboutsalvation.Howsadthatis!A young rebellious pastor once said about his spiritual father, “I don’t owe himanything.I’vehonouredhimenough.”Buthewasmakingamistake.Hedidowehimgratitudeandhonourfortherestofhislifebecausewhathadbeendoneforhimhadaffectedhiswholelife.PaultoldPhilemon,“Youowemeyourwholelife.”Anotherpuffeduppastorsaidtome,“I’veservedyoufor fiveyears. Idon’toweyouanything.”Ineffect,hewasasking,“Doyouwantmetobegratefulforever?”Theansweris,“Yes,youmustbegratefulforever.”

12. UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE FORGET THEIR COVENANTS ANDAGREEMENTS.Everyone will make a number of covenants in his life. For example, you maymake a covenant to follow Christ, a covenant of obedience or a covenant ofmarriage.Often,bythetimeonesideoftheagreementisfulfilledpeopleforgettofulfiltheirobligations.Thatiswhycovenantsaremade.Assinhasincreasedintheworldtheabilitytorememberhasalsodecreased.Astimehasgoneby, thewordofmouthhasvirtually lost itsvalueandcome tobereplaced by written documents. Sinful man has become a covenant breaker(Romans1:31).

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of theLORDyourGod,whichhemadewithyou,andmakeyouagraven

image,orthelikenessofanything,whichtheLORDthyGodhathforbiddenthee.

Deuteronomy4:2313.BECAUSEUNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEFORGETGOD,GODWILLFORGETTHEIRCHILDREN.Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge:becausethouhastrejected knowledge, Iwill also reject thee, that thou shalt benopriesttome:seeingthouhastforgottenthelawofthyGod,Iwillalsoforgetthychildren.

Hosea4:6There aremany curses that follow peoplewho forgetGod.Whatwill happen ifGodforgetsyourchildren?Theywillbegivenover to thedevil.Theirheartswillnot be touched to loveGod. Theywill become vagabonds, uprooted trees andwanderingstars.TheywillbeexposedtothewickeddevicesofSatan.Noparentiscapableoftotallycontrollinghischildren.IttakesthegraceofGod.IfGodforgetsyourchildrenthereisnohopeforthem.DonotforgetsothatHewillnotforgetyourchildren!

14.BECAUSEUNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEFORGETGOD,GODWILLSENDFIREINTOTHEIRLIVES.For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; andJudahhathmultipliedfencedcities:butIwillsendafireuponhiscities,anditshalldevourthepalacesthereof.

Hosea8:14Another curse that follows people who forget is fire! Fire speaks of trouble,destructionanddamnation.Perhapsyouhavenotconsideredhowdangerousthesin of forgetfulness is. Forgetfulness attracts many a curse. May your life bedeliveredfromthefirethatdevoursmenwholackremembrance!

15.BECAUSEUNRIGHTEOUSPEOPLEFORGETGODTHEYWILLBESENTTOHELL.“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations thatforgetGod”

Psalm9:17PeoplewhoforgetGodwillbeturnedintoHell.Hellisalargelakeoffirewaitingtoburnmenwhodonotwant torememberthemost importantperson in this life–theirmaker.

TheScripturesare clear.Godwill throwout thepeoplewhohave forgottenHisname.Youdonotwant to go toHell.ButHell is reserved for thosewho forgetGod.ForgettingGodistheultimateunrighteousnessofman.ForgettingGodisamoreseriouscrimethanwehavewantedtobelieve.

Chapter2

SixReasonsWhyitIsImportanttoRemember

And THOU SHALT REMEMBER that thou wast a bondman inEgypt:andthoushaltobserveanddothesestatutes.

Deuteronomy16:12Amongst the people youwill workwith aremenwho do not have the ability toREMEMBER.Menwithoutremembranceareamostdeadlygroup.Theyarethebrewingconspiratorsofyourministry.Theyaretheupandcomingtraitorsofyourteam.The ability to remember is probably the single most important quality for aminister. Iamsetateasewhen Idiscover that Iamrelatingwithsomeonewhohas the ability to remember. Almost every disloyal person lacks the ability toremember!WhenIthinkofsomeofthestrangesonsthatIhavehad,IwonderiftheycannotrememberthetimesIhadwiththem.When the children of Israel were coming out of Egypt, remembrance was onething God wanted them to have. He wanted them to remember how He hadbrought them out of Egypt. Hewanted them to remember how bad things hadbeenthere.Intheirprosperity,HewantedthemtoremembertheLordGod.Godknewwhatwouldhappeniftheyforgottheseimportantthings.

1. Remembrance makes you appreciate salvation and preachaboutsalvation.Men without remembrance sing songs that show their short memory. MostChristiansarenotgratefultoGodfortheirsalvation.Sadly, many Christians do not remember what Christ has done for them. ThesongscomposedandsangbyChristianstodayreflectthisforgetfulandunfaithfulattitude.MyheartjumpswhenIhearsongsaboutsalvation.Perhaps,thisiswhyIlovesongsthatspeakofoursalvation.Menwithoutremembrancedonotevangelize.Theyhaveforgottenhowsalvationcametothem.Theyhaveevenforgottenhowsalvationgetstoanyone.Pastorswhohaveforgottenabouttheirsalvationpreachwithoutdoingaltarcalls.Men without remembrance have substituted the message of salvation for thepopularmotivational sermons on finance,management and “prosperity”. Thesemessages may be good but they cannot be substituted for the message ofsalvation.

ItisChristianswithoutremembrancewhogoroundtheworldgivingoutfoodandwatertosinnerswithouteverpreachingtothem.PerhapstheyhaveforgottenthatnoonewillgotoHeavenunlessheisbornagain.Churches are filled with happy-go-lucky Christians who want to celebrate theirprosperitywithoutathoughtabouthowtheygotsaved.Whataboutothers?WouldIhavebeensavedifnoonehadremembered?

2.Remembrancemakesyouwalkinyourcalling.AndTHOUSHALTREMEMBER that thouwastabondman in thelandofEgypt,andtheLORDthyGodredeemedthee: therefore Icommandtheethisthingtoday.

Deuteronomy15:15I remember that I got saved in secondary school. Iwasabout fifteen years oldwhenIfoundtheLord.ThememoryofhowIfoundChriststayswithme.Ifeelsoblessedandfavouredtobechosenandsaved.Thememoryofitguidesmeinmycurrentministry. I findmyselfpreaching inschoolsanduniversities. IhavegreathopewhenIseeyoungboysandgirlswalkingforwardtoreceiveJesusChrist.Irememberthat I toogavemyheart to theLord inschool.Somepeopleseemtoremembernothing.Perhapssalvationmeansnothingtothem.SomemenwhowereraisedinorphanagesrememberhowtheywereshowntheloveofGod.Someof themhavebuilt orphanagesand cared for other childrenbecause they remembereverything.Otherswalkawayand rewrite their history,deletingeverymemoryoftheorphanage.

TheMemoryoftheMissionariesThememory of what God has brought you through is supposed to guide yourpresent-day ministry. When I see the cemeteries of white missionaries, Iremember how they shed their blood on Ghanaian soil for the salvation of anentirenation.Then I thinkofother remotenations,whicharewaiting for similarmissionariestocome.“Willanyonego?” Iaskmyself. “Willanentirenationperishbecausethere isnomissionary?”IrememberthesacrificeoftheseSwissmissionarieswithgratitude.ItisbecauseGhanaian churches are led by pastors who have forgotten about howmissionariescame todie inGhana, that theydonotsendmissionaries toothersimilarlydeprivedareas.

3.Remembrancekeepsyouhumble.Whenyourememberwhereyoucamefrom,youalwaysrecognizethatthegraceofGodhasbeenatwork.WhenyouclearlyrememberwhereGodpickedyouupfrom, you will not attribute your current success to any personal strengths or

wisdom.Unfortunately,people tend toblackout theirpast.Theyrefer tonooneandtheyseemtoremembernothingbadordifficultfromtheirbackground.Listening to them, youget the impression that theyare self-made.Theydonotmention their beginnings, their struggles or their failings. You almost get theimpressionthatyouarereadingaboutsupermanwhenyoureadaboutthem!But Paul said that he took pleasure in his infirmities and distressing situations.Paultoldusthathehadbeenbeatenandwhippedbyunbelievers.Thisdoesnotsoundlikesuperman.Talking plainly about things God has brought you through will only make youthankfulandhumble.Itwillsaveyoufromself-deceptionandunnecessarypride.

…Mostgladly,therefore,Iwillratherboastaboutmyweaknesses,sothatthepowerofChristmaydwellinme.

2Corinthians12:9,NASBAmanofremembrancestayshumblethroughthememoriesofhisdifferenttrialsandsufferings.Itiswisertosharethesedifficultiesthantoshareyourvictories.IhavenoticedhowtheLordhashelpedmetosharemyuselessnesswithothers.SometimesIendmysermonsonanoteofweaknessanddefeat.ItakepleasureintheweaknessthatisrealsothatthepowerofChristwillrestonme.IhaveseenthedeadraisedinmyministrybutIhavealsoseenmanypeopledieafter I prayed for them. There are times I think about the powerlessness anduselessnessofmylifeandministry.IamlearningtochoosethiswaysothatthepowerofChristwillrestonme.There is no need to protect an image that needs no protection. Be real!Remembertherealitiesofyourlife.Sharethemandhelpyourselftobehumble.

4.Remembrancemakesyouagratefulperson.The sin of ungratefulness is as the sin of forgetfulness. They are almostsynonymous. Sadly, people forget how they have been loved. Because peopleforgetexactlyhowtheywerehelped,theyareindifferenttothesourceofhelp.Someparentsvirtuallyhave tobeg their children to remember them in theiroldage.Somepastorsvirtuallyhave tobeg their congregations tohonour them fortheirlabours.Thisworldhassixbillion,ungratefulandforgetfulpeople!Thisiswhatcreatesthediscontentment,conflictandwars.Therearepeoplewemustbegratefulto.GodwantsustobethankfulandgratefulforallHisblessings.WemustbegratefulforthechannelsthatGoduses.Wemustbegrateful for their faithfulnesswithwhatGodgavetothem.

5.Remembrancemakesyoukindandhelpfultoothers.

Remembrance is important because it is supposed to govern your currentbehaviour.

And thoushaltREMEMBER that thouwastabondman inEgypt:andthoushaltobserveanddothesestatutes.

Deuteronomy16:12The Israelitesweresupposed to remember their pastandallow thismemory toinfluencetheircurrentbehaviour.In the Scripture I just quoted, remembering their past state of being bondmenwould propel them to obey the Lord and include the fatherless, widows andstrangersintheirfeastsofrejoicing.

And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thyson,andthydaughter,andthymanservant,andthymaidservant,and theLevite that iswithin thygates,and thestranger,and thefatherless,andthewidow,thatareamongyou,intheplacewhichtheLORDthyGodhathchosentoplacehisnamethere.And thoushaltREMEMBER that thouwastabondman inEgypt:andthoushaltobserveanddothesestatutes.

Deuteronomy16:11-12YouCan’tStayHere

Whenyoudonotrememberwhereyoucamefrom,youbehavewrongly.Oneday,Inoticeda ladywhowasconstantly irritatedbyastreamofcousins,niecesandnephewswhowerelivingwithher.Shedidnotwanttohaveall theserelations living inherhouse.Shewantedherprivacy. She wanted to enjoy her husband, her home and her children withoutinterruption. But her husband insisted on having all these cousins, nieces,nephewsandmiscellaneousrelationsinthehouse.Theconflictthatthissituationwasbrewingbroughttheproblemtomyattention.OnedayIaskedmywife,“Whattypeofhomedidthisladygrowupin?DidshelivewithherDaddy,herMummyandotherbrothersandsisters?” (Yousee,mywifeknowseverything).Mywifesmiledandanswered,“No,notatall,shedidn’t.”“Sowhatkindofhomedidshegrowupin?”Iasked.“Oh,shelivedwithherauntyformostofherearlydays.Hermotherhadtravelledawayformostofherchildhoodandshegrewuplivinginotherpeople’shomes.”ThenIthoughttomyself,“Hasthisladyforgottenthatshewasaguestandmaybeabothertosomeoneformanyyears?Canshenotaccommodaterelativesasshe

wasonceaccommodated?”Theproblem is thatpeople forgetwhere theycamefrom.I remember that itwasnoteasy tobreakout inministry. I feltso intimidatedbysenior “bigshot”ministers.Theycommandedcrowdsandcrowdsofpeopleandseemedsopowerful.“Howwouldmyministryeverbelikethis?”Iwondered.

IWasMockedOneafternoon,Imetthepastorofalargechurchatasocialfunction.Helookedmeupanddownandsaid, “PastorDag.”Whenheaddressedmeas“Pastor”, Ifelt silly and withered under his mocking smile. You see, I had about twentypeopleinmychurchandhehadthousands!Ifeltlikeanidiot.Hisvoicereekedofcontempt. I almost blurted out, “Are youmockingme?” I felt no help from thisgreatmanofGod-onlymockery.WhenIbeganmychurch,Imadeseveraleffortstobeacceptedandtogainhelp.Iwenttoseethepastorofalargechurchinmycity.Ihadtotraveltotheupscalepartofthecitytoseethispastor.Hegraciouslyreceivedmeandsatwithmeinhisgarden.ItoldhimhowIhadbegunachurch.Whenhebegantotalk,however,IwishedIhadnevergonethere.

IWasRejectedHesaid,“TherearemanyyoungboyswhoarestartingchurcheswithoutattendingBible schools. They do not know what they are doing. They will all amount tonothing.” Every time I read the comment that Nabal made about David, Iremember that day because the remarks Nabal made about David were verysimilartowhatthismanofGodsaidtome.

AndNabal answeredDavid’s servants, and said,Who is David?andwhoisthesonofJesse?therebemanyservantsnowadaysthatbreakawayeverymanfromhismaster.

1Samuel25:10Insteadofhelpingme,hesenthisassociatepastor toorganizea largecrusaderight where I had started the church. During the programme, they showed adocumentaryof thispastor’sministryand I felt foolish foreven trying tobeginachurch.But I didnotgiveup. Iwasstill looking for recognitionandhelp formyfledgling church. I invited another well-known pastor to minister in my babychurch.Thisfellowhadministeredinmyfellowshipmanytimes.

WhoAretheThorns?Thistimehetoldmyassistantwhowassenttoinvitehimthathewouldnotcome.“Whynot?”Iasked.

Mypastorwashesitanttoanswermyquestion.Finally,hedid.Hesaid,“The‘bigminister’said,‘Ihavestoppedsowingamongstthorns’.”“Thorns?”Iasked.“Whoarethethorns?Whendidwebecomethorns?Hedoesn’twanttopreachtousanymore?”Iquestioned.“Yes,”themessengeranswered.“Hewillnotcometothisnewchurchandhehasgiventhereason.Hedoesnotsowamongthornsanymore.”Nobodyhelpeduswhenweweresmall.AndIremembereachencounter.ThatiswhyI try tohelpothers inministry. I lovetoencourageupandcomingministersandtotellthemthattheyaregoingtomakeit.Nobodyevertoldmethat.Evenuptill now, nobody tells me that I am going to make it. It is a great thing to beencouraged.

6.Remembrancemakesyoukind.God told the Israelites to be kind to strangers just because they were onceforeignersinEgypt.

Youshallnotoppressastranger,sinceyouyourselvesknowthefeelingsofastranger, foryoualsowerestrangers in the landofEgypt.

Exodus23:9,NASBI remember how I suffered under the repression of some lecturers in medicalschool.Manylecturershadonlythreatsandwarningsfortheirstudents.I thought tomyself, “If Iwasevera lecturer Iwouldbekind to thestudentsandhelpthemtopasstheirexams.”Oneday,however,Iwaschattingwithoneofmyclassmatesandhesaid,“WhenIbecomealecturerIwillensurethatstudentssufferasmuchasIdid.”Iwasamazedathisdeclaration.Couldhenotseewhathewasgoing through?Wouldhenotremembertheanguishthatheexperiencedinthisplace?Unfortunately, wicked people do not remember their hardships. Many wickedpeople simply cannot remember what it was like to be on the other side. Godwarnsus inHisWordtorememberhowwefeltandtohelpotherswhoare inasimilarsituation.Perhapsyoucomefromaverypoorbackground.Godexpectsyou toreachoutandhelpsuchpoorpeoplebecauseyouknowwhatitfeelsliketobepoor!

Chapter3

FiveEvilsThatBefallPeopleWhoForget

1.PEOPLEWHOFORGETARECONSTANTLYDEMOTED.Pridegoethbeforedestruction,andanhaughtyspiritbeforeafall.

Proverbs16:18People fail exams because they do not remember important things. Can yourememberwhenyoudidyourgeographyexaminationsandwereasked:What isthelongestriverintheworld?Whatisthehighestmountainintheworld?Whatisthelargestlakeintheworld?

IWanttoBePromotedbutICannotRememberMyGeographyButyoucouldnotremembertheanswerstoanyofthesequestions.Yousaidthatthe longest river in the world was the River Jordan. You said that the highestmountain in theworldwastheMountofOlives.Yousaid that the largest lake intheworldwastheSeaofGalilee.Howcouldyoupassyourgeographyexaminationswhenyoucouldnotrememberthat the longestriver intheworld is theNile,andthehighestmountain isMountEverestandthelargestlakeintheworldistheCaspianSea?Because you could not remember any of these things you could not pass yourexams.Andbecauseyoucouldnotpassyourexams,youcouldnotbepromoted.Everyoneelsewentaheadwhilstyoustayedbehind.

IWanttoBeaDoctorButICannotRememberMyBiologyThenyouwantedtobecomeadoctor!Buthowcouldyoubecomeadoctorwhenyou could not remember the answers to simple biology questions? You wereasked: “Where ismeatdigested?”Andyouanswered, “Meat isdigested in therectum.”Youcouldnotrememberthatmeatisdigestedinthestomach.Then you were asked, “Give some examples of carbohydrates?” And youanswered, “FriedFishandpork chops.”Youcouldnot remember thedifferencebetweencarbohydratesandprotein.Thenyouwereasked,“Wherecandigestiveenzymes be found?” And you answered, “Digestive enzymes are found in thefallopian tubes.” With such answers you cannot expect to pass your biologyexams.Yourinabilitytorememberimportantbiologicalfactscostyouyourcareerinmedicine.Because of this, you could not be chosen for the science class and you neverbecameadoctor.

Simplybecauseyoucouldnotremember,youwereexcludedfromthepeoplewhowentaheadtobecomemedicaldoctors.Today,youareinalowersocialstratumbecauseyoucouldnotrememberyourbiologyanswers.

HowForgettingLeadstoDemotionThissameprincipleappliesinspiritualthings.BecauseyoucannotremembertheWordofGod,youkeep loweringyourself.Becauseyoucannot remember thosewhohelpedyou,youkeep falling into thegroupof forgetfulandaccursedsons.Youkeepgoing lower in theministrybecauseyoucan’t remember the thingsaministermustneverforget.Mostpeoplecannottracethecalamitiesoftheirlifetotheirinabilitytoremember.Theyoftenblameotherthingsasthecausesoftheirproblems.Butactually,manyoftheevilsthatbefallChristianscomeaboutonlybecausetheyfailtoremembercertainthings.Indeed,fewpeopleattributetheevilsthatbefallthemtoforgetting.Thisishowithappens:Forgetting leads to grumbling, murmuring, discontentment, pride and a host ofotherevils.Whentheseevilsareestablished,theyinturnleadtoyourdestructionand demotion. Are murmuring, discontentment, bitterness and pride not theforerunnersofdestructionanddemotion?

2.FORGETFULPEOPLEBECOMEMURMURERS.Howoftdidtheyprovokehiminthewilderness,andgrievehiminthedesert!Yea,theyturnedbackandtemptedGod,andlimitedtheHolyOneofIsrael.They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he deliveredthemfromtheenemy.

Psalms78:40-42ThechildrenofIsraelarethestarkestexampleofungratefulandforgetfulpeople.Thisexampleistherebecausewearealllikethat.Weneeddeliverancefromthesinofforgetfulness.DonotthinkthatanythingintheBibleisfar-fetchedanddoesnotapplytoyou.ThatisthebestwaytomaketheBibleimpracticalandirrelevant.If youareapastor,seeall thekings in theBibleaspastorsandputyourself intheir shoes.Seeyourselfascapableofmakingall theirmistakes.Thiswillhelpyoutolearnaboutyourself.The children of Israel murmured against God continually. Yet, they had beendelivered from being slaves. They had been delivered from being second-ratecitizens in the land of Egypt. They had been delivered from the whips of theEgyptian taskmasters.All this did not seem to register in theirminds.Have thethingsthatGodhasdoneinyourliferegisteredonyourmindandheart?

AfterthistheLordtookthemthroughtheRedSea.Whohadeverwalkedthroughthesea?Whohaseverwalkedthroughtheseasincethen?Hegavethemapillarof firebynightandapillarofcloudbyday.Yetall thesedidnot registeron thehearts of the Israelites. They turned against Moses at every opportunity. TheymurmuredagainsttheMostHighandprovokedHimtotheuttermost.With this forgetful attitude the children of Israel generated a frenzied crowd offearful people.Panicwhipped through the congregationandnoonebelieved inMosesany longer.Forgetting thegreat thingsGodhaddone, led to thehistoricfailureofGod’speopletoenterthePromisedLand.ThechildrenofIsraelcomplainedaboutmanydifferentthings.Nothingseemedtosatisfy them. They turned against Godwho had blessed them and given themmanypreciousthings.Becausemurmuringemanatesfromanevilspirit,thereisapointatwhichitdoesnot even make sense. It is a repeated act of rebellion against a person. It isanointedfromHellandfullycontrolledbyanevilbeing.Avoidpeoplewhomurmurlikeyouareavoidingtheplague!NoticethecomplaintsofthechildrenofIsrael.Theircomplaints,ifanalyzed,lookalmostlikethesenselessgibberishofcrazedmonkeys.“Werememberthefish,whichwedideatinEgyptfreely;thecucumbers,andthemelons,andtheleeks,andtheonions,andthegarlick:Butoursoulisdriedaway:thereisnothingatall,besidethismanna,beforeoureyes”(Numbers11:5-6).What elsewould a slave desiremore than freedom from slavery?And yet thisbenefit seemed not to register on their minds. They seemed to suffer fromamnesiaofasort.Notice how irrational and ridiculous these grumblings were: they complainedabout not having garlic, onions and leeks! Don’t you think any present-dayprisonerwould prefer to be set free from prison than to have a daily supply ofgarlic?Everyprisoner in theworldwouldgladlyaccept freedom if theynevereatgarlicagain!Pleasedonotletforgetfulnessleadyoutomadness!

3.PEOPLEWHOFORGETAREREJECTED.ForgettingledtomurmuringandmurmuringledtoGod’srejection.Godwillrejectyouwhenyoucomplain.Itisimportanttobethankfulallthetime.GivingthanksisoneofthethingsthathelpyoutobefilledwiththeHolySpirit.

…BEFILLEDWITHTHESPIRIT;Speakingtoyourselvesinpsalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody inyourhearttotheLord;GIVINGTHANKSalwaysforallthingsuntoGodandtheFatherinthenameofourLordJesusChrist,

Ephesians5:18-20Just as giving thanks makes you filled with the Holy Spirit, complaining andmurmuringwill cause you to be filledwith demons. The children of Israelwerepossessed with devils as they complained against Almighty God. The spirit ofdeathkilledtheminthewilderness.IftheIsraeliteshadrememberedallthegreatthingstheLordhaddone,theywouldhavestayedinthegraceofGod.Jesus taught this principle toHis disciples.Hewanted them to rememberwhathadhappened in thepast.Hewanted themto rememberpreviousmiraclesandbreakthroughs.Hewantedthemtorememberthewholepicture.WhenHespokeof the leavenof thePharisees, thedisciples thoughtHemeantrealbread.Theydidnotrememberthemiracleofthefivethousandloaves.Iftheyhadrememberedthismiracle,theywouldnothavethoughtthathiscommentwasreferringtorealbread.

Andthedisciplescametotheothersideofthesea,buttheyhadforgottentobringanybread.AndJesussaidtothem,“WatchoutandbewareoftheleavenofthePhariseesandSadducees.”Theybegan todiscuss thisamong themselves,saying, “Hesaidthatbecausewedidnotbringanybread.”ButJesus,awareofthis,said,“Youmenoflittlefaith,whydoyoudiscussamongyourselvesthatyouhavenobread?“DoyounotyetunderstandorREMEMBERthefiveloavesofthefivethousand,andhowmanybasketsfullyoupickedup?“Or theseven loavesof the four thousand,andhowmany largebasketsfullyoupickedup?”

Matthew16:5-10,NASBHeForgot

Withoutrealizingit, Ihaveoftenrejectedpeoplewhocomplainedandmurmuredabouttheirwork.Iprefertokeepanemployeewhoisincompetentbuthasagoodattitude. As soon as people complain, they become unattractive. It is actuallyrepulsivetohaveacomplaininganddiscontentedpersonaroundyou.Irememberabrotherwhorebelledagainstmeandsaidmanyunpleasantthings.Hebecameamostrepulsiveindividualtome.AsIheardofthevariousthingsthathesaidaboutme,Icouldonlylikenhimtoabaddream!Heusedtolovemeandlookuptomebut,hehadturnedaroundahundredandeightydegreesandnowcalledmethedevil.HehurledinsultsagainstthosewholedhimtoChrist.

He felt he was not being treated fairly and complained about his conditions ofservice.Hespokeabouthowlittlemoneyhewasearning,andcomplainedthathewouldhavebeenearningmillionsifhehadstayedinhisformerjob.Doesn’tthatsound familiar? Doesn’t it sound like the children of Israel claiming they wouldhavebeenbetteroffinEgypt?

And thechildrenof Israelsaidunto them,Would toGodwehaddiedbythehandoftheLORDinthelandofEgypt,whenwesatbythefleshpots,andwhenwedideatbreadtothefull;foryehavebroughtusforth intothiswilderness, tokill thiswholeassemblywithhunger.

Exodus16:3ThisfellowhadforgottenhowIhadwelcomedhimintofull-timeministry.Hehadforgottenhowhehadsaid,“IwillworkforGod,evenifIamnotpaid.”Hehad forgotten the timesof fellowshipweenjoyed togetherandhowwewerelikebrothersfromthesamefamily.Hehadforgottenhowhelovedlisteningtomytapes.He had forgotten how he would lie down for hours soaking in messages fromdifferentcampmeetingsIhadpreachedat.ItseemedhehadforgottenhowIhadappointedhimasapastor.HeprobablycouldnotrememberhowIordainedhimintotheministry.HehadforgottenhowhehadneverbeenabletotraveloutsidethecountryuntilIarrangedforhisfirstvisa.I do not think that I am harming someonewhen he comes to work in full-timeministry.Ibelievethatfull-timeministryisthegreatestopportunityofalifetime.If,however,thepersonfeelsitisapunishment,Iwouldnotliketocontinueinflictinghardshipsontheperson.Afterthisfellowbeganhiscomplaintsandgrumblings,ourrelationshipwasatthebeginningoftheend!ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforehewasincompatiblewithwhatGodwasdoinginmyministry.WhenthechildrenofIsraelbegantocomplainagainstMoses, theybecameincompatiblewith thePromisedLandvision.Whenyoucomplainyouwillberejected.ThisiswhathappenedtoGod’speopleastheymarched to thePromisedLand.Only little childrenwhodidnotunderstandandwhocouldnotcomplainenteredthePromisedLand.

TheDiscontentedMissionariesSome years ago, some missionaries I had sent to the mission field begancomplainingaboutvariousthings.Theywouldcalloneanotherandgossipabouthow theywere not being treated fairly. Through no fault of theMissionsOffice,

oneofthemwasseparatedfromhiswifeandfeltthathiswife’striptojoinhimwasbeingundulydelayed.Another missionary complained about the routing of his wife’s flight. Othermissionaries joined in and became equally discontented about other issues.Differentlittleissuesbecamemountainsoffodderfordiscussion.After a while, the spirit of discontentment, murmuring and grumbling was rifeamongstthisteamofmissionaries.IrememberameetingIhadwiththem.TheyallseemeddifferentfromthepeopleIhadknown.Iwonderedhowtheyhadbecomesoforgetfulsosoon.TheseyoungmenhadforgottenhowIhadhelpedthemtocomeintoministry.TheyhadforgottenhowIhadflownthemintointernationalcitiesandsetthemuptostartchurches.Theyhad forgotten that theyhadneverhad to rentahousesince they finishedschool.Theyhadforgottenthattheirdailybreadwasguaranteed,whetherthechurchtheypastoredmadeenoughmoneyornot.Theyhadforgottenthatcarswerehandedovertothemonasilverplatter.Theyneverneededtoknowthepriceofacar.TheyhadforgottenthetimesoffellowshipandloveIhadhadwiththem.Theyhad forgottenhow Ihadvisited them in theirhomesandbecomeclose tothem.Theyhadforgottenmyinvolvementintheirpersonallives.TheyhadforgottenhowIwouldsit,chatandfellowshipwiththem.TheyhadforgottenhowIhadhelpedthemtochoosemarriagepartners.TheyhadforgottenhowIhadencouragedandguidedthemintheministrywhentheywereinuniversity.TheyhadforgottenhowIhelpedthemtohavetheirweddings.TheyhadforgottenhowIsentthemonhoneymoonsandpaidforeverything.Theyhadforgottenthattheydidnotneedtoknowthepriceofaplaneticket- itwasjustboughtforthem.Theyhadforgottenhowprivilegedtheyweretohavebeensenttocountriestheyhadneverknown.As Isatat themeeting, I realized thatmyyoungmissionarieshad forgotten toomany things too soon.Theyhadbecomegrumpy, disgruntledanddiscontentedwiththeministryandwithme.Itwasasthoughanotherspirithadtakenovertheirlives.

Iheldon foras longas Icouldbut Ihad todismiss themfromthemission fieldandfromfull-timeministry.It was a painful and very difficult decision but there was no way out. I had nochoicebuttotakethedecisiontodismissthem.Thesewerebelovedsonsofmineand I knew that what I was doing would change their lives drastically. Thesesoldierswouldnotbeapartofwhat Iwasdoingand Iwouldmarchonwithoutthem.Forgettinghadcostthemtoomuch.MayyounotforgetwhattheLordhasdoneinyourlife!

4.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMEDISLOYAL.…JudasIscariot,whichalsobetrayedhim…

Mark3:19Judaswastheall-timetraitoroftraitors.Howdidhebecomethemosttreacherousanddisloyal followerofall time?Theanswermay lie in this importantsubjectofremembrance.Forgettingimportantthingsmakesyoufailschoolexamsaswellasalltheothertestsoflife.Perhaps,JudasforgotmanyofthemiraclesthatJesusdid.Heforgothowhewaschosenfromamonghundredsofawestruckfollowers.He forgothowhewasprivileged tositwith theLord inprivateand to fellowshipwithdeity.Heforgothowhehadheardmanythingsthatnoonehadeverheard.Heforgothowhehadlistenedtoteachingsthathadnevereverbeenrecorded.HeforgotthebreakfastsandluncheshehadhadwiththeLord.Heforgothowhewaschosenfromamongthetwelvetohandlemoney.HeforgothowJesushadtrustedhimespeciallywithauniquejobHehadgiventonooneelse.ItseemedhehadforgottenaboutthemansionspromisedinHeaven.ThefactthathewastohaverewardsinHeavenmeantnothingtohim.JudasforgotaboutthefrighteningmessagesofHeavenandHell.Judas forgot about the rich man and Lazarus (people they actually knew andremembered)andhowJesushadtoldthemthattheywereinHellandHeaven.JudashadforgottenthepowerfulmessagesthatJesushadpreached.Judashad forgottenabout theamazingmiraclesJesushadperformedwhenhehealedblind,deafanddumbpeople.

Yousee,ifyouremembercertainthingstheywillrestrainyouwhenyouaregoingthewrongway. If Judas had remembered the supernatural nature ofChrist, hewouldhavebeenhesitanttobetrayGod.JudasdidnotrememberhowJesushadraisedpeoplefromthedead.PerhapsifhehadrememberedhowJesushadraisedLazarusfromthedeadafterfourdays,hewouldhavedroppedthewholeideaofbetrayingtheSonofGod.PerhapsachillwouldhavegonedownhisspinewhenherememberedthatJesushadactuallypredictedthathewoulddieandriseagainafterthreedays.Sadly, Judas’ mind was fixated on the thirty pieces of silver he had beenpromised. Somehow, this fixation blacked out thememory of how supernaturalandpowerfulJesusreallywas.Whatisyourmindfixatedon?Whichmemorieshaveyoublackedout?Haveyouforgotten something important? Could this lack of remembrance lead to yourannihilation?WillyoubecomelikeJudasandforgetallthathashappened?Canitbethatyouwill forgetallyourexperiencesandnotrememberanythingthatwassaid?What did Jesus say about Judas?He said, “It would be better if he had neverbeenborn.”Hedidnotsaythisaboutanyone,includingthemurderersandthievesHeencountered.Hesaidtothethiefonthecross,“Todayyouwillbewithmeinparadise.”ButHesaidaboutJudas,“Itwouldhavebeenbetterthatyouwerenotborn!”Mercies!!

5.PEOPLEWHOFORGETREPEATMISTAKESTheBiblestoryofBelshazzarisanexampleofhowasonrepeatsthesinsofhisfatherbecauseheforgets.Goddoesnottellusthestoriesofourfathersinordertodisgraceordiscreditthem.Actually,noneofuswouldlikethestoriesofourlowmomentstoberepeatedpublicly.However,GodhasallowedthemistakesofHisservantstobewrittenforouradmonishingthatwemaynotrepeatthem.Unfortunately, history shows that people simply repeat the samemistakes overandoveragain.WillwestayawayfromthesinsthatHewarnsusaboutthroughourfathers?WhenDanielrebukedKingBelshazzar(sonofNebuchadnezzar),hetoldhimthathehadnotlearnthumilityeventhoughhisfatherhadfallenthroughpride.

ThenDanielansweredandsaidbeforetheking,Letthygiftsbetothyself,andgivethyrewardstoanother;yetIwillreadthewritinguntotheking,andmakeknowntohimtheinterpretation.Othouking,themosthighGodgaveNebuchadnezzarthyfatherakingdom,andmajesty,andglory,andhonour:

And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, andlanguages, trembled and feared before him: whom hewould heslew;andwhomhewouldhekeptalive;andwhomhewouldhesetup;andwhomhewouldheputdown.Butwhenhisheartwasliftedup,andhismindhardenedinpride,hewasdeposed fromhis kingly throne, and they tookhisgloryfromhim:Andhewasdrivenfromthesonsofmen;andhisheartwasmadelikethebeasts,andhisdwellingwaswiththewildasses:theyfedhimwithgrass likeoxen,andhisbodywaswetwith thedewofheaven;tillheknewthatthemosthighGodruledinthekingdomofmen,andthatheappointethoveritwhomsoeverhewill.AND THOU HIS SON, O BELSHAZZAR, HAST NOT HUMBLEDTHINEHEART,THOUGHTHOUKNEWESTALLTHIS;ButhastliftedupthyselfagainsttheLORDofheaven…

Daniel5:17-23ThePastors’Meeting

One day, I had a meeting with some pastors on the third floor of our churchbuilding. We discussed several issues that related to loyalty and churchgovernment.Thereweremanycontributionstothediscussionandthepastorsfeltfreetosharewhattheyfelt.Atapoint,wediscussedaparticularsituation inwhichapastorhad takenoverand renamed a branch church. We discussed and condemned how he hadpaintedovertheoldnameandreplaceditwithanewname.Everyoneagreedthatthis was an unacceptable behaviour. A particular pastor stood up and gave aspeech. He condemned such treacherous acts and pledged his unflinchingsupport for the ministry. He virtually promised to give up anything that wouldhinderhislifelongcommitment.Afewmonths later, thissamespeech-givingbrothercameuptomeandsaid,“Ihave decided to start a church.” I was taken aback because he was alreadypastoringachurch.So I asked, “Which church are you going to start? I thought you were alreadypastoringachurch.”Thenhesaid,“Godhasledmetostartachurch.”Icontinued,“IsitaLighthousechurchoranotherchurch.”Heanswered,“Anotherchurch.”

Iaskedhim,“WhathappenstotheLighthousechurchyouarepastoring?”Buthedidnotanswer.Theanswercameseveraldayslaterwhenhepaintedoverthename,“LighthouseChapelInternational”andreplaceditwithanewname.Itwassurprisingbecausethisverypastorhadshownsuchstrongandvocalsupportfortheministryatthemeeting. He had been part of the discussion that condemned the “stealing” ofchurches.JustlikeBelshazzar,herepeatedexactlywhatsomeoneaheadofhimhaddone.LetusallpraythatGod’sgracewillkeepusfromrepeatingthesinsandmistakesof our fathers.God allows us to know themistakes of seniors so that we stayawayfromthem.Wearenotbetterthanpeopleaheadofus.Neitherdowehaveanybettermotivesnor prayer lives thananyoneaheadof us. It is thegraceofGodthatwillkeepusfromevil.PraythatyourDaddy’sdevilwillnotbeyourdevil!

Chapter4

EightCommonMistakesofPeopleWhoForget

1. PEOPLE WHO FORGET DISHONOUR FOUNDERS ANDFATHERS.AndHam,thefatherofCanaan,sawthenakednessofhisfather,andtoldhistwobrethrenwithout.

Genesis9:22Oneofthecommonestoccurrencesistheforgettingofthecontributionoffathersandfounders.OurLordJesusknewthatHewouldbeforgottenbythechurch,soHeinstitutedtheritualofHolyCommunionsothatwewouldrememberHim.Recently, Iwaspreaching to the leadersofstudentchurchesat theuniversity. Icalled for the leader of a particular church. The leader stepped forward and Iasked,“DoyouknowthatIstartedthechurchyouarepastoring?”Thispastorlookedsurprisedandanswered,“No,Ineverknew.”So I informedhimabout how I spent two and a half years ofmy university lifepraying,fastingandpreachingtillhischurchwasestablished.This Christian leader had no idea how I had been maligned and criticized forestablishing his church. But such is the lot of fathers and founders. Theircontribution is often forgotten. Unfortunately, in so doing, many set aside theidealsandvisionthefoundershad.Oneday,abrotherwhohadsetupamasschoirreturnedtohisuniversitycampusto pay a visit.Hewas greeted at the door by an usherwho, obviously, did notknow that he was talking to one of the founders of what he was enjoying andmanaging.Hewastreatedasacommonstrangerandusheredunceremoniouslytotheverybackofthehall.Suchisthelotofthefounder!Manychurchesdonotremembertheirfounders.Thememoryofthefounderdimsastheyearsgoby.Hisnameispushedawayandanythingthatremindsthemofhimiserased.Newpastorswanttoremovetheconceptof the“Founder’sDay”.Thenewpastorwantsthepictureofthefoundertakenaway.Thecurrentpastorlovestobeseenastheluminarywhoachievedeverythingonhisown.Suchpeoplehaveforgottentheworkthatthefounderdidforthechurchtocomeintoexistence.Theworkofafounderandtheapostleisthemostdifficultjobofall.

Paulsaidoffounders:

I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it wereappointed todeath: forwearemadeaspectacleunto theworld,andtoangels,andtomen

1Corinthians4:9Thefounder’sworkisburiedinthegroundandmanydonotseeit.Manyfoundersarescarredandwoundedindividuals.Theyreceivethelargestamountofcriticismandtheleastamountofappreciation.Thefamiliesofapostlesandfoundersarenotexemptedfromthistreatment.Theyareoftensetasideandforgotten.Thefamilymayhavepaidanequallyhighpriceforthefoundertolaythefoundationhedid.Uponthedeathof foundersandapostles,manyaremovedwithcompassionfortheir families and declare that they will set up foundations and trust funds forthem.Sadly,withthepassageoftime,thepassionforsettingupthesefoundationsandmobilizingthemoneythatisneededfadesaway.Thefamilyofthefounderislefttofendforitselfandtofightforsurvival.

TheForgottenFounderI rememberone founderwhodiedand left behind little childrenandapregnantwife.Healsoleftbehindathrivingministrywithmanylargechurches.Yearsafterthedeathofherhusband,shewaswithoutsustenanceandhelpfromthechurchhehadfounded.Indesperation,hiswiferemarried.Oneday,Iasked,“Whodidthefounder’swifeeventuallygetmarriedto?”ImustadmitthatIwasstunnedbytheanswer.Iwastoldthatthisgreatfounder’swifehadmarriedoneofherhusband’sservants.Ithoughttomyself,“Shemusthavebeendesperate.”IrememberedoneofthechurchesofthisgreatfounderthatIhadpreachedin.Itwaslargeandprosperous.Iwonderediftheselargechurchescouldnottakecareof this widow. Such is the lot of founders - so easily forgotten and so easilydismissedfrommemory.

TheForgottenIdealsPerhaps it isevenmorepainfulwhen the founder’s idealsaresetaside. Ioncereadaboutagreatfounderandfoundnocomparisonbetweenwhathebelievedinandwhatthechurchhehadfoundedwaspractising.

Ivisitedthegraveofthisgreatfounderandwastakenonatourofthefounder’shomebythecaretaker.Oneofthelastcommentsthecaretakermadewasindeedverysad.Hesaid,“Thisgreatfounderwouldbeverysadifherosefromthedeadtoday.”“Why?”Iasked.He continued, “Most of the vices he fought against are the ones that currentlyplaguethechurchhefounded.”Sadly,thefounder’sidealshadbeensetaside.Eventhoughthisfounder’snameiscertainlynotforgotten,hisidealsandvisionhavebeensetaside.The danger of all this is that the curse of dishonouring fathers will follow thecurrentleaders.

HamForgotIt isanimportantprincipletohonourfathers.Ham,theblacksonofNoah,brokethisprincipleanddishonouredhisfather.Itisthecursethatfollowedthatgovernslargesectionsoftheworld’spopulation.Across the world, the inability of the black man to rise above the state ofservanthoodcanonlybeexplainedbyacurse.OthersmaydifferintheirviewandI can handle that, but I find it difficult to explain the state of Africa and blackpeople, in general, except by interpreting it as the curse of Ham. This severecursecameaboutwhenayoungmanforgotthecontributionhisfatherhadmadetohisexistence.

AndHam,thefatherofCanaan,sawthenakednessofhisfather,andtoldhistwobrethrenwithout.

Genesis9:22Hamforgotthatitwashisfather,Noah,whoheardfromGodandobeyedthecall.Ham forgot that he did not know God well enough to hear the voice thatcommandedtobuildanark.Hamforgot that ifhis fatherhadnotbuilt thearkhewouldhavedrownedalongwiththerestoftheworld.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,movedwith fear,preparedanark to thesavingofhishouse;bythe which he condemned the world, and became heir of therighteousnesswhichisbyfaith.

Hebrews11:7Hamforgot thatGodhad judgedNoah tobea righteousman. “ButNoah foundgrace in theeyesof theLord” (Genesis6:8).Ham forgot thathewasaliveonly

becauseofhis“drunken”fatherwhomGodfoundrighteous.HamforgotthateverymanofGodhasarighttobenakedinhisowntent.Hamforgotthathehimselfwas,sometimes,nakedinhisowntent.Heforgottoomanythingsandhepaiddearlyforhislackofremembrance.Today, the black man can scarcely rise out of the waters of worldwidedespisement.

2.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMEDISOBEDIENT.Jeroboamwas chosenby theLord to replaceSolomon. Jeroboam,a “nobody”,waspickedtoreplacetherulinglineageofDavidandSolomon;thetwogreatestkingsof Israel.Thishonourwasdone toJeroboambecauseSolomonhadgoneafteridolsandworshippedfalsegods.

AndAhijahcaughtthenewgarmentthatwasonhim,andrentitintwelvepieces:Andhesaid toJEROBOAM,Take thee tenpieces: for thussaiththeLord,theGodofIsrael,Behold,IwillrendthekingdomoutofthehandofSolomon,andwillgivetentribestothee:(ButheshallhaveonetribeformyservantDavid’ssake,andforJerusalem’ssake,thecitywhichIhavechosenoutofallthetribesofIsrael:)Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshippedAshtoreththegoddessoftheZidonians,ChemoshthegodoftheMoabites,andMilcomthegodofthechildrenofAmmon,andhavenotwalkedinmyways,todothatwhichisrightinmineeyes,andtokeepmystatutesandmyjudgments,asdidDavidhisfather.

1Kings11:30-33Somehow,whenJeroboambecametheking,heforgotwhyhewaschoseninthefirstplace.HeforgotwhyGodhadchosenhimasthereplacementofthelineageofDavidandSolomon.He forgot themost important thinganddisobeyed theLord inexactly thesamewaySolomonhad.Noticethepassages,whichrevealboththeprivilegedcallingofJeroboamandthesubsequentrepetitionbyJeroboamofSolomon’ssins.

AndJEROBOAMsaidinhisheart,nowshallthekingdomreturntothe house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in thehouseoftheLordatJerusalem,thenshalltheheartofthispeople

turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah,andtheyshallkillme,andgoagaintoRehoboamkingofJudah.Whereupon theking tookcounsel,andmade twocalvesofgold,andsaiduntothem,ItistoomuchforyoutogouptoJerusalem:beholdthygods,OIsrael,whichbroughttheeupoutofthelandofEgypt.AndhesettheoneinBethel,andtheotherputheinDan.Andthisthingbecameasin:forthepeoplewenttoworshipbeforetheone,evenuntoDan.

Andhemade an houseof high places, andmadepriests of thelowestofthepeople,whichwerenotofthesonsofLevi.And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on thefifteenthdayofthemonth,likeuntothefeastthatisinJudah,andheoffereduponthealtar.SodidheinBethel,sacrificinguntothecalves thathehadmade: andheplaced inBethel thepriestsofthehighplaceswhichhehadmade.

1Kings12:26-32WillYouRememberGod?

Sometimes, you wonder if Christians can stand to be blessed. Can they everhandle the blessings that God has? I remember a Christian brother who waselevatedtothehighofficesofgovernment.TheLordblessedhimwithprosperityandpower.MyfirstcontactwithhimwasseveralyearsbeforewhenwehadacrusadeinoneofthecitiesofGhana.WehadtorelatewithhimbecausehewasthepresidentoftheScriptureUnion fellowshipof that town.Wehad toborrowsomeequipmentfromhim.IrememberhowhecameforthecrusadeandIrememberhisattitude.We felt like immaturezealots inhispresence.Wewiltedunderhisstrict,moral,Christianeyes!Yearslater,whilstwatchingtelevision,Inoticedthathehadbeenpromotedtooneofthehighestpoliticalpositionsinthecountry.Isaidtomyself,“Wow,aChristianisdeepintopolitics…!IhopehecanstayoncoursewiththeLord.”Butthatwasnottobe.Theyearswentbyandthisfellowbackslidterribly.Itbecameapparentthathehadputasidehisfaith.Unfortunately,healsobecameillanddiedsuddenly.Oneday,Ispoketoapastorwho ministered to him before he died. This pastor told me how this Christianpolitician had come to his house in themiddle of the night demanding that thegatebeopenedtohim.TheChristianpoliticianwasnowterminallyillandknewhewasdying.Hehadcometoseethepastorinthemiddleofthenightbecausehecouldnotbreatheandhecouldnotsleep.

He confessed his sins to the pastor and told him how he had forsaken hisChristian wife and gone after other women. He cried and told the pastor howpoliticshadevenledhimintooccultism.Sittinginthepastor’shomeatoneo’clockin themorning,heweptsoreandaskedfor forgivenessfor forsakingGod.Alas,this man died a few days later. When I heard this story, I marvelled andconsideredhowpeopleforgettheirChristiancommitmentwhentheyareelevatedinthislife.SuchwasthestoryofJeroboamwhowaspickedfromnowhereandelevatedtothe throne. He forgot the God who had picked him up and placed him on thethrone.Unfortunately,JeroboamdisobeyedGodatthefirstopportunity.PauldeclaredthatheknewhowtostayclosetoGodwhilstpoorandalsowhenrich.ThisisthesecretthatChristiansseemtolack-howtorememberGodwhentheyarepromoted.Paulsaid,

Iknowhowtogetalongwithhumblemeans,andIalsoknowhowtoliveinprosperity;inanyandeverycircumstanceIhavelearnedthe secret of being filled and going hungry, both of havingabundanceandsufferingneed.

Philippians4:12,NASB3.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMEPROUD.Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal thedaughterofSaulcameouttomeetDavid,andsaid,howgloriouswasthekingofIsraeltoday,whouncoveredhimselftodayintheeyesofthehandmaidsofhisservants,asoneofthevainfellowsshamelesslyuncoverethhimself!AndDavidsaiduntoMichal,ItwasbeforetheLORD,whichchosemebeforethyfather,andbeforeallhishouse,toappointmerulerover the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I playbeforetheLORD.

2Samuel6:20-21Sadly,manypeopleforgethowtheycametobeinprivilegedpositions.However,thiswasnotoneofDavid’sproblems.HealwaysrememberedwheretheLordhadliftedhimfrom.Heknewthathewasa“nobody”pickedfromlookingaftersheepandliftedtothethroneofIsrael.Thismadehimgratefulandworshipfulevenwhenhiskingshipwasestablished.

OustedPoliticiansUnfortunately,manyChristiansforgetwheretheycamefrom.

I have needed help from the government on many occasions. Sadly, thesepowerfulpoliticianshadnotimeforaninsignificantpriestlikeme.EvenChristiansforget their heritageandplacepoliticsabove theirChristian faith.An interestingdevelopment, however, has been the turnaround in attitude by some of thesepeopleafterleavingoffice.Somehow,thesepoliticiansseemnotto“know”youwhentheyareinpower.Yettheybecomesochummyand friendlywhen theyareoutofofficeandhave losttheirglory.Atruefriendissomeonewhowillrememberyouwhenheisupthere.Sadly,mostpeopleforgetotherswhentheyareblessed.I have had powerless past politicians ringing me up and chatting with me asthough we were the fondest of friends. They called me by my first name andclaimedthatwewerethebestofbuddies.When I have met them on flights and in other settings I always got the sameresponse.Ihavebeeninvitedtolunchesanddinnersbyunseatedpoliticians.Ineverhonouredanyof these invitationsbecauseIdidnotregardthesepeopleasgenuinefriends.If theyweregenuinefriendstheywouldremembermewhentheywereinthepompandsplendouroftheiroffices.Godhasshownmethatthereisnoneedtosuckuptopretentiouspoliticians.HewilltakecareofHisworkwithorwithouttheirhelp.

Davidsaidmoreover,TheLORDthatdeliveredmeoutofthepawofthelion,andoutofthepawofthebear,hewilldelivermeoutofthehandofthisPhilistine.AndSaulsaiduntoDavid,Go,andtheLORDbewiththee.

1Samuel17:374.PEOPLEWHOFORGETCANEASILYGETDIVORCED.Unfortunately,manypeopleforgetthewordstheyspoketoeachotherduringtheirmarriageceremony.“Tilldeathusdopart,”theysayboldly.Theydeclare,“Forbetterorforworse.”Othersvow,“Inprosperityandinadversityweshalllivetogether.”Manypronounce, “Manywaterscannotquenchour love.Neithercan the floodsdrownourdevotion.”Theyassert,“Ifanymanwillbreakupthisunion,itwillbeSatan.”Yetmanyofustrytobreakupthisunion.Wehaveforgottenthatwesaidthat itwouldbeSatanwhowouldattempttobreakuptheunion.DoesthismeanthatifyoutrytobreakupyourmarriageyouareSatan?Forgive!Forgettingwhatyouhavesaidcangoagainst yougreatly.Most couplesdonot

rememberwhattheysaidtoeachother.Manywivesforgethowtheyproclaimed,“Fromthisdayforward,IshallloveyouandIshallgivemyselftoyou.”Yearslater,whentheyareinbedwiththeirhusbands,theyforgethowtheysaid,“Ishallgivemyselftoyou.”Now,theydonotgivethemselvestotheirhusbands.When they exchange rings, they say, “Let this ring be a symbol of our love foreternity.”Unfortunately, theringhasbecomeasymbolofsadness,bondageandquarrels.Oneofthemainreasonsfordivorceisforgettingwhatwesaidtoeachother.Mostof the time the promises are made in our youth. By our middle age, we haveforgottenwhatwesaidinouryouth.God is against thosewho do not rememberwhat they said in their youth. TheBible refers to the wife as the “wife of your youth”. In other words, she is thewomanyou likedwhenyouwereyoung,zealousand fullof love.TheScriptureurgesyoutorememberthewordsofyourcovenant.

Yet yousay, “Forwhat reason?”Because theLORDhasbeenawitness between you and thewife of your youth, againstwhomyouhavedealttreacherously,thoughsheisyourcompanionandyourwifebycovenant.But not one has done sowho has a remnant of the Spirit. Andwhatdidthatonedowhilehewasseekingagodlyoffspring?Takeheedthentoyourspirit,andletnoonedealtreacherouslyagainstthewifeofyouryouth.ForIhatedivorce,saystheLORD,theGodofIsrael,“andhimwhocovers his garment with wrong,” says the LORD of hosts. “Sotakeheedtoyourspirit,thatyoudonotdealtreacherously.”

Malachi2:14-16,NASB5.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMEPRESUMPTUOUS.AndMosessaiduntoKorah,Hear,Iprayyou,yesonsofLevi:

SEEMETHITBUTASMALLTHINGUNTOYOU,THATTHEGODOFISRAELHATHSEPARATEDYOUFROMTHECONGREGATIONOFISRAEL,TOBRINGYOUNEARtohimselftodotheserviceofthetabernacleof theLORD,andtostandbeforethecongregationtoministeruntothem?

Numbers16:8-9

TherebellionofKorahisofparticularnotebecauseMosesrebukedKorahforhispresumption. Presumption is “the arrogant assumption of privilege”. When apersonbecomespresumptuous,heistooconfidentinawaythatshowsalackofrespect.Whenpeopleare fortunate tooccupycertainpositions, theyoftendonot realizewhataprivilegetheyhave.MosesrecognizedthissininKorah.KorahhadtheprivilegeofbeingaLeviteandaleaderofthecongregation.YethespoketherudestwordstoMoses,theservantofGod.

Theyassembled together againstMosesandAaron, andsaid tothem, “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation areholy,everyoneofthem,andtheLordisintheirmidst;sowhydoyouexaltyourselvesabovetheassemblyoftheLord?

Numbers16:3,NASBMosesaskedhimwhetherhedidnotcherish thehonouredpositionofa leader.Heaskedhim, “Seemeth itasmall thing toyou?” I realizehowpeopleconsiderprivilegesassmallthings.Theytakethemforgrantedandspeakrudelytopeoplewho are way above them. This rude speaking is the cardinal sign of thepresumptivespirit.

TheConfidentPastorYearsago,Inoticedabrotherwhohadthepotentialforbeingintheministry.Hispastordidnotrecognizehiscalling,butIdid.Infact,hispastortoldmepersonallythathewasamazedthatIcouldthinkofmakingsomebodylikethatintoapastor.But I gave him an opportunity to be in the ministry. Then I trained him andappointedhimasapastor.Aftersomeyears,thisbrotherbecameestablishedintheministry.Thenoneday,he dropped a bombshell and told us that he was leaving. He left our church,plantedachurchnearby,persistentlyinvitedourchurchmemberstoleaveusandjoin him; and virtually built his church by dividing ours. Soon, his new churchconsistedofmanyofourformermemberswhohad“migrated”tohisnewchurch.Asyoucanimagine,thisledtosomeconflict.Ihadseveralexchangeswith this fellow,someofwhichwerenotpleasant.Oneday, during one of our exchanges, he pointed out to me that what I wascomplaining about was unavoidable and that he could not help it if our churchmemberswerebeingattracted tohisnewchurch (whichhehadplantednot farfromours).Inotherwords,Ineededtocuremyinsecurities!ThisdearpastorpointedouttomethatImyselfhadplantedchurchesallovertheplace without apparent regard for their closeness to other churches. He alsopointedouttomethatIhadstartedchurcheswithpeoplewhoweremembersofotherchurches.

Hewentonandputadirectquestiontome,“Whydoyoucontradictyourself?”Then he advisedme to come to termswith the realities of pastors leavingmychurch;otherwiseIwouldfightwitheveryonethateverleft.Iwasamazedashecontinued, “Youappointedmeasapastorand Ihonouredthatappointmentwithmysweatandmoney.Ioweyounothingfurther.”Hefinallywarnedmesaying,“Iholdyoupersonallyresponsibleforanythingthathappenstomymarriage.”

HeForgotbutIRememberedI thought over these sayings for a long time. I considered howprosperous andwealthy he had become over the years and how he confidently rebuked andadvisedmetoday.But Ialso rememberedhowyearsago thisbrother (whowasnowrebukingme)wasanimpoverished,illegalimmigrantwhocouldnotaffordhisownlunch.Nowitseemedasmallthingtohimtohavebeenliftedfromhisformerstatetowherehecurrentlywas.Hecouldnotrememberhisstartingpoint;thatiswhyhespokeconfidentlyandinawaythatshowedalackofrespect(presumption).Yousee,weallstartfromhumblebeginnings.Istartedmylifeandministryfromaverylowpoint.Whatmattersisnothowlowyourstartingpointwas.Whatmattersishowwellyoucanrememberyourlowlystartingpoint!Irealizedthatthisbrotherhadforgottenthathemightneverhavebecomeapastorifhehadnotmetme.Perhaps,hehadforgottenhowIencouragedhimtogointotheministry.ItseemshehadforgottenhowIchosehimandsenthimtoaparticularcountry,whichheknewnot.Hehadforgottenthathewouldneverhavehadthewifehehadif Ihadnot toldhertomarryhim.Irememberedwhenhiswifeaskedmeabouthim.Shedidnotwanttomarry,andespeciallyshedidnotwanttomarryhim.But Iconvincedherand toldher thathewasagoodperson.Beforehemarriedher, Ihadsuchauthorityoverhiswifeandshewouldhavedoneanything I toldher. In thosedays, thewordsandadvice I gave toherwere like theoraclesofGod.WhateverIsaidwaswhatmattered.ThroughhismarriagewhichIsponsored,thisbrotherhadnowbecomeamemberofawell-knownfamilyandenjoyedtheprivileges,financialwealthandinheritanceofthatfamily.Itseemedthatallthesehadbeenforgottenbythisbrotherwhonowsaidheowedmenothing!

PerhapsIwouldhavetojoinPaulinsaying,“Idonotsaytotheehowthouowestuntomeeventhineownselfbesides.”Thisbrothersaidthatheowedmenothing.ButPaulsaidtoPhilemonthatheowedhimhisverylife.

IPaulhavewrittenitwithmineownhand,Iwillrepayit:albeitIdonotsay to theehowTHOUOWESTUNTOMEEVENTHINEOWNSELFbesides.

Philemon19ItisalwaysinterestingtowatchthesonsofKorahrebuketheirfathers.Theyloveto put the fathers in their place. It seems a small thing to them. All that theirfathershavedoneforthemseemstothemlikenothing.It is only because people forgetwhere theywere andwho theywere that theyspeakgreatswellingwordsofarrogance.Pleasedonotrepeattheseerrors.Theyarewrittenforourexample.

AndMoses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:Seemethitbutasmallthinguntoyou,thattheGodofIsraelhathseparatedyoufromthecongregationof Israel, tobringyouneartohimselftodotheserviceofthetabernacleoftheLORD,andtostandbeforethecongregationtoministeruntothem?

Numbers16:8-96.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMEREBELLIOUS.AndSamuelsaid,WhenthouwastLITTLEINTHINEOWNSIGHT,wastthounotmadetheheadofthetribesofIsrael,andtheLORDanointedtheekingoverIsrael?

1Samuel15:17SauldidnotremembertoobeytheLordwhenhewasliftedup.SamuelremindedhimthathewasnobodywhenGodcalledandanointedhim.Apparently,hehadforgottenhowlittlehewasatthebeginning.

TheWindisagainstYouPeoplerebelagainstthosewhosetthemupbecausetheydonotrememberhowtheycametobewheretheyare. I rememberabrotherwhorebelledagainsthisGeneralSuperintendent.Hewassenttoaforeigncountrytoplantachurch.Afterthe church grew and became successful, this brother decided to dissociatehimselffromthechurchthatsenthim.IvisitedtheGeneralSuperintendentandhespokebitterlyaboutthismissionary.Iwasamazedtohearthatthisbrotherhadwrittenhimanastylettertellinghimtobackoffhisministry.Hetoldhispastorthatheowedhimnothingandthathehad

donenothingforhim.The General Superintendent was very angry as he narrated the story of thisungratefulandforgetfulson.Aswetalked,hesaid,“Thisfellowwasoneofmyhouseboys(domesticservants)whoIraisedup.”Thenhepointedtothegroundandshowedmethespotwherethisfellowwouldprayalongwithsomeothers.“ThisfellowbelongedtoagroupofnobodiesIhelped.Iwelcomedthemintomyhouseandgavethemaplacetoprayinmylivingroom.Itrainedthemintheministry,”hesaid.Hedescribedhowhehadusedhis influencetogetvisasfor thisyoungman(inAfrica, it is amiracle to obtain a visa for aEuropean countrywhen you do nothaveasubstantialorwealthybackground).Thenheliftedhisfingersandcursedtheman,“Thewindisagainsthim.”Becausethisboyhadforgottenwherehecamefromandwhohadhelpedhim,hereceivedacursethatnight.Oneday,ayearlater,Ihappenedtoseethisforgetfulministerinashoppingmall.He had gone shopping with his wife and had filled his trolley with saucepans,fryingpansandotherhousehold items.Hewas livinghappilyeverafterwithhiswife,farawayfromhisangryGeneralSuperintendent.AssoonasIsawhim,Irememberedthefingersthatwereliftedupandthecursethatthewindwasagainsthim.Anditcametopassthatthewindwasindeedagainsthim!Astimewentby,thewind dismantled his church and his congregation scattered! I would meet hisprizedmembers and financiers and theywould tellme theywerenomorewithhim.Thissamewindblewhimintoadulteryandobviouslydestroyedhismarriage.Thewind continued to blowuntil it hadblownawayhiswife and children.Thewindblewhimoutofthecountrytowhichhehadbeensent.Thewindblewhimovertheseasandfarawayintoobscurity.Thisisthewindthatblowstheforgetfulandrebelliousonesaway!

7.PEOPLEWHOFORGETBECOMESECOND-RATEMINISTERS.Rememberingwhatyouhavebeenthroughgreatlyimprovesyourpreachingandwritingskills.ManypeopleareboringpreachersbecausetheynevergiveusreallifeaccountsofwhatGodhastakenthemthrough.It is theability torememberthatmakesthedifferencebetweenagoodpreacherandabadone.Youwillbesurprisedathowattentivethecongregationbecomeswhenyoustarttotellthemareallifestory.

TheApostlePaulrememberedhisexperiencesingreatdetail.Hewouldoftentellthestoriestoanyonewhowouldlisten.Inhisletters,hedescribedhisbackgroundingreatdetail.Henarratedhisexperiencesandeven remembered thedifferentemotionsofeachseason.

PaulTellsAgrippaabouttheDamascusRoadExperienceAnd as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them toblaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing themeven toforeigncities.While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority andcommissionofthechiefpriests,atmidday,OKing,Isawonthewayalightfromheaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who werejourneyingwithme.Andwhenwehad all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying tome in theHebrewdialect,“Saul,Saul,whyareyoupersecutingMe?Itishardforyoutokickagainstthegoads.”AndIsaid,“WhoareYou,Lord?”AndtheLordsaid,“IamJesuswhomyouarepersecuting.”

Acts26:11-15,NASBPaulTellstheGalatiansaboutHisEarlyMinistry

ButwhenGod,whohadsetmeaparteven frommymother’swombandcalledmethroughHisgrace,waspleasedtorevealHisSoninmesothatImightpreachHimamongtheGentiles, Ididnot immediatelyconsultwith fleshandblood,nordidIgouptoJerusalemtothosewhowereapostlesbeforeme;butIwentawaytoArabia,andreturnedoncemoretoDamascus.ThenthreeyearslaterIwentuptoJerusalemtobecomeacquaintedwithCephas,andstayedwithhimfifteendays.

Galatians1:15-18(NASB)PaulTellsthePhilippiansaboutHisUpbringing

AlthoughImyselfmighthaveconfidenceeven in theflesh. Ifanyoneelsehasamindtoputconfidenceintheflesh,Ifarmore:circumcisedtheeighthday,ofthenationofIsrael,ofthetribeofBenjamin,aHebrewofHebrews;astotheLaw,aPharisee;astozeal,apersecutorofthechurch;astotherighteousnesswhichisintheLaw,foundblameless.Butwhateverthingsweregaintome,thosethingsIhavecountedaslossforthesakeofChrist.

Philippians3:4-7(NASB)

PaulTellstheCorinthiansaboutHisPersonalProblemsAre they servants of Christ?— I speak as if insane— Imore so; in farmorelabors, infarmoreimprisonments,beatentimeswithoutnumber,oftenindangerofdeath.FivetimesIreceivedfromtheJewsthirty-ninelashes.Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I wasshipwrecked,anightandadayIhavespentinthedeep.Ihavebeenonfrequent journeys, indangersfromrivers,dangersfromrobbers,dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city,dangersinthewilderness,dangersonthesea,dangersamongfalsebrethren;Ihavebeeninlaborandhardship,throughmanysleeplessnights,inhungerandthirst,oftenwithoutfood,incoldandexposure.”

2Corinthians11:23-27,NASBPaulTellstheCorinthiansaboutHisFeelings

Forwedonotwantyoutobeunaware,brethren,ofourafflictionwhichcametousin Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that wedespairedevenoflife;indeed,wehadthesentenceofdeathwithinourselvessothat we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; whodeliveredus fromsogreataperilofdeath,andwilldeliverus,Heonwhomwehavesetourhope.AndHewillyetdeliverus,

2Corinthians1:8-10,NASBBecomeabetterpreacher!Rememberyourlife’sexperiencesandsharethem!Donot think that your life is uneventful and boring. Do not think that you have nointerestinglifeexperiencestoshare.Thatisadeception.Begin to remember and talk about the little things that God has brought youthrough. Ipromiseyou;yourministrywill comealiveandyourpreachingwillbeanointed!

8.PEOPLEWHOFORGETLACKTHECOMPASSIONNEEDEDFORMINISTRY.Butwhenhesawthemultitudes,hewasmovedwithcompassionon them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, assheephavingnoshepherd.

Matthew9:36The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates this reality. I am certain thatforgetfulnessleadstoalackofpassionfortrueministry.

LevitesandpriestspassedbyfilledwiththeknowledgeofGod.Buttheydidnothavecompassion.Whenthemanwithcompassioncameby,hewasmovedandsaved thebrotherwhowashalf-dead.Thisworld is half-dead,waiting for us tocomeandsavethem.WehavetheGospelofJesusChrist,theonlyhopeofthisworld!

ButacertainSamaritan,ashejourneyed,camewherehewas:andwhenhesawhim,hehadCOMPASSIONonhim,Andwenttohim,andbounduphiswounds,pouringinoilandwine,andsethimonhisownbeast,andbroughthimtoan inn,andtookcareofhim.Andonthemorrowwhenhedeparted,hetookouttwopence,andgavethemtothehost,andsaiduntohim,Takecareofhim;andwhatsoever thouspendestmore,when Icomeagain, Iwill repaythee.Whichnowofthesethree,thinkestthou,wasneighbouruntohimthatfellamongthethieves?

Luke10:33-36Themoderninventionsoftelevision,radio,cassettes,CDsandtheinternethavemadeScripturemoreavailablethaneverbefore.Sadly,theincreaseofScriptureand the availability of this knowledge have not resulted in more of God’scompassion. The compassion for souls is almost absent whilst the love fortreasuresandfinancesisatitspeak!The sad reality is that theevangelizationof thisworldwill not beaccomplishedwithout compassion. But how can we have compassion when we do notrememberwhatitisliketoalmostgotoHell?

PaulRememberedBrethren,my heart’s desire and prayer toGod for Israel is, thattheymightbesaved.

Romans10:1TheApostlePaulwasmovedwithcompassionbecauseherememberedpeoplewhowerejustlikehim.Herememberedhisownrelativeswholivedindarkness.Herememberedhowhewasalmostnotsavedhimself.Atapoint,hewishedhecouldkillhimselfsothattheywouldbesaved.“IsaythetruthinChrist,I lienot,my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have greatheavinessandcontinualsorrowinmyheart.For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, mykinsmenaccordingtotheflesh”(Romans9:1-3).

Havingthekindofcompassionneededforministrygoesalongwiththeabilitytoremember.Peoplehavenocompassionbecausetheydonotremember.Oneday,Imetamillionairewhohadestablishedalargeprisonsministry.He toldmehowhehadbeen thrown intoprison forseveralyearsand thenhadbeen releasedmiraculously. After being released, thisman could not forget hisexperienceintheprison.TheLordusedhim toestablishanationwideprisonministry,which touched thelivesofthousandsofprisoners.Godexpectsyounottoforgetwhatyouhaveseen,heardandexperienced.

Chapter5

SevenKeysThatWillHelpYouRemember

1.STUDYHISTORY.There are certain reasonswhy people forget things. Youmust fight the naturaltendency to forget important things. As the children of Israel prepared toexperience the Promised Land, God knew that they would forget almost everyimportant thing they had learned.Moses narrated and rehearsed the history oftheirjourneytothem.

LetHistoryKeepYoufromForgettingNow there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew notJoseph.

Exodus1:8Pharaoh forgot thehistoryofhisowncountry.Hedidnot know thathis countrywouldhavebeenwipedoutifithadnotbeenforthegoodworksofJoseph.Yet,heforgotwhotheIsraeliteswereandbegantopersecutethem.Perhapsifhehadreadhishistorybook,hewouldnothavepersecutedJoseph’sdescendants.HerepaidthegoodthatJosephhaddonetothenationofEgyptwithevil.

Pharaoh’sExpensiveForgetfulnessPharaoh’s failure to read history cost him dearly. By being ungrateful to theIsraelites, he sowed the seedsof thedestructionofEgypt.Godstepped inandwiped out the economy of Egypt. He destroyed their farms, their infrastructure,theirwater,theircattle,theirvegetationandtheirpersonalcomforts.Ithinkthathistoryisoneofthemostimportantsubjectsevertobestudied.Pleasereadyourhistorybooks!PleasereadbiographiesofmenofGod.Inthemyouwillfindgreatlessonsoflifewhichmustneverbeforgotten.

2.DONOTLETYOURSUCCESSESDESTROYYOURMEMORYBut thou shalt REMEMBER the LORD thy God: for it is he thatgiveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish hiscovenantwhichheswareuntothyfathers,asitisthisday.

Deuteronomy8:18Mosesdefinedsuccessas“whenthouhasteatenandartfull”.

Successful people suffer most from a lack of remembrance. They cannotrememberhowtheycametobewheretheyare.Liketheprophethewas,MoseswarnedthemaboutspecificblessingsandthetendencytoforgettheLord’sinputintotheirlives.

Whenthouhasteatenandartfull,thenthoushaltblesstheLORDthyGodforthegoodlandwhichhehathgiventhee.BewarethatthouforgetnottheLORDthyGod,innotkeepinghiscommandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which Icommandtheethisday:Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodlyhouses,anddwelttherein;Andwhenthyherdsandthyflocksmultiply,andthysilverandthygoldismultiplied,andallthatthouhastismultiplied;Thenthineheartbeliftedup,andthouforgettheLORDthyGod,whichbroughttheeforthoutofthelandofEgypt,fromthehouseofbondage;”

Deuteronomy8:10-14Everyone who has built goodly houses and dwelt therein should be careful offorgettingtheLord.Everyone whose money (silver and gold) is multiplied should be careful offorgettingtheLord.EveryonewhohasprosperedisacandidateforprideandneglectoftheLord.Donotaskmetoexplainhowthisproblemcomesabout.ItisjustaknownfactthatblessingsandprosperitymakepeopleforgetGod.ThatiswhyitiseasierforacameltopassthroughtheeyeofaneedlethanforarichmantoenterthekingdomofGod.Whatmustyoudoaboutit?Justdecide tobeextraGod-fearingandextraspiritualwhenyouhaveall thesethings.Prayforhumilityandgracetoavoidthisall-too-familiartrend!

3.DONOTLETTHEPASSAGEOFTIMEMAKEYOUFORGET.YetdidnotthechiefbutlerREMEMBERJoseph,butforgathim.

Genesis40:23

Anotherreasonwhypeopleforgetissimplythepassageoftime.Whenthechiefbutlerwasinprison,hewashelpedgreatlybyJoseph.ButheforgotJosephwhenhe was released. Even though he had been helped in prison, he forgot aboutJosephinhisfreedom.Ihavewatchedhowpeopleforgetwheretheycamefrom.Astheyearshavegoneby,theyneedtoberemindedoftheirbeginnings.At different times, the Lord used me to start different fellowships, groups andchurches.SometimesIwouldhandoverthegrouptoaleaderandleavethemforsometime.Invariably,theyforgotme.Theyforgothowtheybeganandtheyforgotabout me. With the passage of time, they did not even want my involvementanymore.I rememberoneparticular fellowship Istartedandallowedtorunforsometime.Later on, I came back to them and explained that I wanted to take up theleadership of the group again. After a series of discussions, I sensed that myleadershipwasnotwelcomeanymoresoIabandonedtheidea.Ireflectedontheturn of events. As I thought over the situation, I considered how people easilyforgetwheretheycomefrom.ThesepeoplehadforgottenthattheydidnotevenknoweachotherbeforeIhadpulled them togetherand introduced them tooneanother. Inaddition, theyhadforgottenthatnoneofthemhadhadavisionforsuchafellowship.Ihadthevisionandinvitedthemtoparticipate.Also, they had forgotten that all the activities they currently engaged in werethings that Ihad instituted.Theyhad forgottenhowassociatingwithmehad ledthemtoenjoytherelationshipstheynowcherished.But such is the lot of a founder. Hemust be prepared to be forgotten and setaside.Thisisthereasonwhypeopleholdontoleadershippositionsuntiltheydie.They fear to hand over their prized vision tomenwho forget. The butler forgotJoseph.Manypeopleforgetthosewhohavebeenrealspiritualblessingstothem.

4. RECOGNIZE THE HAND OF GOD IN EVERYTHING THATHAPPENS.“ButhastliftedupthyselfagainsttheLordofheaven;andtheyhavebroughtthevessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thyconcubines,havedrunkwine in them;and thouhastpraised thegodsof silver,andgold,ofbrass,iron,wood,andstone,whichseenot,norhear,norknow:andtheGodinwhosehandthybreath is,andwhoseareall thyways,hastthounotglorified:”

Daniel5:23Manypeopledonotunderstandwhyorhowtheyareblessed.Theyjustenjoytheblessingsbutdonotunderstandhowtheyareacquired.

Forinstance,mostAfricansdonotknowhowEuropewasbuilt.Theyhavenoideahow a clean and orderly society is created. They love to go to theseWesterncountriesandlivethereifpossible.But they do things that destroy their own nations. They fight against the verythings that create what theywant. They oppose decisions that will bring order,cleanlinessandalltheotherthingsthattheWesternworldhas.They reject the practical kind of leaders that can create the Western type ofenvironmentsandchooseimpractical,ceremonialandhandsomemenwhoknowlittleaboutleadership!Theysimplydonotunderstandhowclean,orderly,modernandwealthysocietiesarecreated.Many do not understand how leadership works. I have concluded that mostpeople just choose the wrong leader. They simply do not know the type ofleadershipqualitiesthatareneededtotakeusoutofsqualor.Theradical,strongleaderswhoareneededtomovelargepopulationsofundevelopedsocietiesintoprosperityaresimplynotchosenthroughelections.Often,smoothtalking,“pleaseeveryone,”traditionaland“nice”peoplearechosenbyundevelopedsocietiesbecause thepeople like theirapproach.Unfortunately,suchpeopledonotbringtrueadvancement.Similarly,Christiansdonotknowhowtheycometobeblessed.Manybelieversdonotunderstandwhycertainthingsevenhappen.TheyforgetthatGodholdstheirdestinyinHishands.

…ButyouhavenotpraisedtheGodwhogivesyouthebreathoflifeandcontrolsyourdestiny!

Daniel5:23-24TLBBelshazzarpraisedthegodsofgoldandofsilver,woodandstone.Buthedidnothonour the God who had really lifted him up. The prophet Daniel rebukedBelshazzarfornotrememberingtheOnewhoreallymattered.HeholdsourbreathinHishandandHecontrolsallourways.Hethereforeisthesourceofallourblessings.Howcanweforget theonewhocontrolseverythingaboutour lives?WecannotliveadaylongerthanHeallows.WecannotdoanythingthatHedoesnotallow.He’sgotthewholeworldinHishands.WemustnotforgetthehandofGodwhichrulesinouraffairs.

5. CONTINUALLYRECOGNIZE THEPEOPLEGODHASUSED INYOURLIFE.And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour inthineeyes,tarry:forIhavelearnedbyexperiencethatTHELORD

HATHBLESSEDMEFORTHYSAKE.Genesis30:27

People forgetbecause theydonot recognizeGod’svessel.Theydonot realizethattheyarewheretheyarebecauseGodblessedthemthroughtheirassociationwithsomeone.Afailuretounderstandthisisthecauseofmanyoflife’sdisasters.It takeshumility to recognize thatGodhaschosencertainpeople,given themacallandfavouredallthosewhohelptheircause.GodchoseIsraelandhasblessedallthosewhohelpthatnation.ThereisnothingyoucandoaboutGod’schoices.Laban was a wise unbeliever who recognized that his blessings had come byassociatingwithJacob.HedidnotwanttopartcompanywithJacobbecausehesensedthattheblessingcamebythisassociation.When the Ark of the Covenant was in the house of Obededom, everythingflourished.ThehouseofObededomwasfullyblessedbecauseofthepresenceoftheArkoftheCovenant.

And it was told kingDavid, saying, The LORD hath blessed thehouseofObed-edom,andallthatpertainethuntohim,becauseofthearkofGod…

2Samuel6:12A wise and spiritual person will attach himself to people who are recognizablycalledandfavouredbytheLord.Whatyouneedistotapintosomeofthegracegiventothatperson.Peopleforgethowtheywereliftedfromthedepthstogreatheightsbyrelatingwithaparticularperson.

TwoForgetfulAssociatesIrememberthepastorofafivethousandmemberchurchwhohadtwopowerfulassociates.Theseassociateministersforgothowtheirdestinieshadchangedbyassociatingwiththeirseniorpastor.Oneday,theirseniorpastor,sensingthemountingrebelliontransferredthesetwoassociatesawayfromhimself.Imetoneoftheseassociatesandhespokebitterlyofhistransfer.Hesaid,“Eventhattheword‘transfer’wasappliedtomeispreposterous.”Theotherassociate,whowasequallybitter, saidmanyderogatory thingsabouthisseniorpastor.Iknewitwasamatteroftimebeforetheywouldbothresign.Afewmonthslater,theybothlefttheministryanddissociatedfromtheirseniorpastor.

The years went by and I watched how their lives evolved. The senior pastorcontinuedtogofromstrength tostrengthandhisministrybecamethe largest inthecity.Sadly,though,theassociatesseemedtowitheraway.Oneofthemtriedtostartachurch,butcouldnotgetmorethanfivememberstojoinhim.Hischurchnevergrewoutofthelivingroomofhishome.Theotherbecameapastorofanotherchurch,butwasdismissedsoonafter forbadbehaviour.Bothof theseassociatescontinuedtostruggle foryearsmovingfromone jobtoanotherandneveramountingtoanything.I realized that these associates had moved out of their place and had notrecognized howGod had blessed them through association.Of course it takeshumilitytoevenrecognizethistruth.DonotbeafraidofacknowledgingthatGodhasusedamantochangeyourlife!

6. GROW IN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY GOD BLESSESPEOPLE.WhenyoudonotunderstandwhyGodblessessomeone,youwillquicklyneglecttheimportantprincipleshelivesby.Adeeperunderstandinghelpsyoutohaveabetter memory. That is why teaching deploys various techniques to induce agreater understanding of issues. The more you understand, the more youremember!AnancientChineseproverbsays,“Youhearyouforget;youseeyouremember;youdoyouunderstand.”

WhyKingDavidwasBlessedbyGodPerhapsKingSolomondidnotunderstandwhyGodhadblessedhisfatherDavid.KingSolomonrememberedhowGodhadbeenangrywithhisfatherforsleepingwithsomebody’swifeanddecidedtoavoidfallingintohisfather’ssins.Probably,thisiswhyhemarriedsomanywomen.Hedidnotwanttocommitadulterysohedecided to marry every girl he saw. In the end, he hadmarried one thousandwomen!Thisinitselfisamiracle.MaybeSolomondidnotunderstandthatDavidwasultimatelyamanafterGod’sownheartwhowouldneverworshipanidol.DavidwhollyandpassionatelyservedGodinspiteofhishumanfailings.YoumaythinkthatGodwasdispleasedwithSolomonbecauseofthenumerouswomenhe loved.Although thesenumerouswomen inhis lifecausedproblems,thiswasnotthereasonwhyGodrejectedSolomon.TheBibletellsusclearlythatGodrejectedSolomonbecausehewasnotdevotedto the Lord andworshipped idols in his old age. King David never worshippedidolsandtherewasnomentionofanysuchthingduringhistime.

ForwhenSolomonwasold,hiswivesturnedhisheartawayafterothergods;andhisheartwasnotwhollydevotedtotheLORDhisGod,astheheartofDavidhisfatherhadbeen.

1Kings11:4,NASBTherealsecretbehindKingDavid’sblessingwashiswholeheartedservicetothelivingGod.Perhaps,notunderstandingthesecretbehindsomeone’ssuccesswillleadyoutosetasidetheverythingwhichmadehimgreat.

7.DONOTHAVEAREBELLIOUSBLACKOUT.If thoucountmethereforeapartner,receivehimasmyself. Ifhehath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mineaccount;IPaulhavewrittenitwithmineownhand,Iwillrepayit:albeit I DO NOT SAY TO THEE HOW THOU OWEST UNTO MEEVENTHINEOWNSELFBESIDES.

Philemon17-19Paul,likemanyfathersandapostles,wouldnotbothertotelltheyoungonesthatthey actually owed their entire lives to him. Philemon did not just owe himgratitude for some nice teachings. Philemon did not just owe him gratitude forsomepowerfulprayers.Heowedhisvery life tohim!Oneday,Pauldecided topointthisouttoPhilemonbecausehewasaskingforafavour.Therearepeoplewhorebelagainstauthorityandthereforeneedtowipeoutthememory of those who have helped them. When people do not want to showgratitude,theyconsciouslyblackoutthememoryofgoodthingsdoneforthem.Theyselectivelyretainthethingstheywanttorememberanddeletethememoryof other things. They then try to attribute their success to other reasons,minimizinganyreferencetotheonewhoactuallyhelpedthem.Theysaythingslike,“Iwouldhavebeenhereanyway.Iwouldhavebeenintheministryanyway.Iwouldhavebeenordainedanyway.Iwouldhavehadabetterlifeelsewhere.Iwouldhavetravelledtothesecountriesanyway.”

Theyalsosay things like, “Icannotsay thankyou forever. Ihavehonouredyouenough”.ButPaultoldPhilemon,“Youowemeyourwholelifebesides.”Yousee,therearethingsthataffectallaspectsofyourlife.Thereceivingofsalvationisnotjustthereceivingofagoodteaching.Itistherescuingofanentirelife!To be in the ministry is not just another opportunity to occupy some socialposition. It is the highest privilege that can be given to a human being withunimaginableeternalrewards!ThereisnothinghigherthanworkingfortheKingofKings.

BecauseoftheAnointingOneday,IwasinTulsa,OklahomaattendingaWinterBibleSeminar.Atapointintheprogramme, theLord toldme togiveanoffering toBrotherHagin. Ididnothaveaproblemwiththat,soIagreed.Thatnight,KennethHaginspokeaboutmanythingsandtoldushowmanymilliondollarshehadearnedthatyear.Healsospokeaboutotherfinancialblessingshehad received from theLord.When Iheardhis testimony, IbecamediscouragedwhenIthoughtofthesizeoftheofferingIhadforhim.Ithendecidednottogivehimtheofferingatall.Afterall,Iwassurethathedidnotneedmymoney!But in themorning, theLord rebukedmeseverelyabout thisand toldme that Iwasungrateful.HeshowedmethateventhoughIhadneverspokentoKennethHaginorreceivedanyphysicalbenefitfromhimdirectly,alltheblessingsofmylifehadcomethroughtheanointingIhadreceivedthroughhim.He told me that I had received an anointing through the ministry of KennethHagin.HethenpointedouttomethateverythingIdidintheministrywasrelatedtothatanointingandthereforetoKennethHagin.HetoldmethatthehousethatIlivedinwasbecauseoftheanointingthatHehadgivenme.HetoldmethatthecarsIhadwereavailabletomebecauseoftheanointingIhadreceivedthroughKennethHagin.HeshowedmethatallthemoneyIhadwasbecauseoftheministryandanointingIhadreceivedthroughKennethHagin.Healsoshowedmethatmyabilitytobuya ticket and fly to Tulsa,Oklahoma fromAfricawas due to the anointing I hadreceivedthroughthisman.Mywholelifewasrelatedtotheanointingthatcamethroughoneman.

WhyDidIWanttoHoldBack?Why did I not want to give him an offering? What reason could there be towithholdanofferingfromhim?Whatwas I thinking about?Could I not see that everythingwas related to thisperson?“Whenwouldyouhavesuchachanceagain”, theLordaskedme. Iwept likeababyasHerebukedmeaboutthis.Sometimes we want to black out the reality of how we owe everything to aparticularperson.Wedonotwanttoattributeallthegreatthingsofourlifetooneperson.However,thereisnoneedtoblackouttherealityofwhatGodhasdone.

Never forget thatmany thingsareoften related toone individual.Begrateful toGodandtowhoeverHehasusedtoblessyou.ThisiswhatPaulmeantwhenhesaidtoPhilemon,“Idon’twanttoremindyouthatYOUOWEYOURVERYLIFETOME”(Philemon19).

Chapter6

ThingsThatRigheousPeopleRemember

1. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE REMEMBER IMPORTANTANNIVERSARIES.Thoushalt eatno leavenedbreadwith it; sevendaysshalt thoueat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; forthou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thoumayest REMEMBER the day when thou camest forth out of thelandofEgyptallthedaysofthylife.

Deuteronomy16:3Most people just remember their birthdays. But there are days that are moreimportantthanyourbirthday.Thedayyouwerebornagain,thedayyouwerefilledwith the Spirit, the day you were healed, and the day you were called to theministry.Whataboutthedayyoucameoutofanear-deathexperience?Whataboutthedaysomeonehelpedyououtofacriticalsituation?Whataboutthedaysomeoneintroducedyoutoanimportantperson?Whataboutthedayyouwerehelpedandthedayofyourpromotion?Andwhatabout thedayJesuswasborn, thedayHediedand thedayHerosefromthedead?TheseareimportantdaysforChristianstoremember.

2. PEOPLE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS REMEMBER THEIR LOWPOINTSANDHOWTHEYCAMEOUTOFTHEM.And REMEMBER that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt,and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through amightyhandandbyastretchedoutarm:thereforetheLORDthyGodcommandedtheetokeeptheSabbathday.

Deuteronomy5:15People who are righteous remember exactly who helped them out of their lowpoints.

In this Scripture, the Lord emphasizes thatHe brought them out of the land ofEgypt.Itiseasytoascribehonourtosomeonewhodidn’treallyhelpyou.Nowthatyouhaveprospered,youcaneasilysay,“Iwouldhavehaditanyway.”Itiseasytoforgetpeoplewhohelpedyouatcriticalmomentsofyourlife.Astheyearsgoby, thecriticalmoments fadefromyourmemoryandyouforgethow vulnerable youwere at a point in time.God did not want the Israelites toforgethowvulnerabletheywereinthelandofEgyptandhowHesavedtheminthatmoment.

Thenbeware lest thou forget theLord,whichbrought thee forthoutofthelandofEgypt,fromthehouseofbondage.

Deuteronomy6:123.PEOPLEWHOREMEMBERAREABLETOOVERCOMETHEIRFEARS.Thoushaltnotbeafraidofthem:butshaltwellREMEMBERwhattheLORDthyGoddiduntoPharaoh,anduntoallEgypt;

Deuteronomy7:18Peoplewhodonotrememberarefilledwithfear.IfyourememberwhattheLordhasdoneforyouthroughtheyearsyouwillbefilledwithfaith.Youwillknowthatallthingsarepossible!YouwillknowthatHecandoitagain.When you forget the great things that the Lord has done, all kinds of irrationalfearsgripyourheart.Thosefearscanleadyouonajourneyofdestruction.

4. PEOPLE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS REMEMBER THECOMMANDMENTSOFTHELORD.BewarethatthouforgetnottheLordthyGod, innotkeepinghiscommandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which Icommandtheethisday:

Deuteronomy8:11Agoodemployeealwaystakesanotebookandstartswritingwhenthebossstartsspeaking. Why does a good employee write things down? Everybody forgetsinstructionstheydon’twritedown.IfyoudonotmaketheextraeffortyouwillsoonforgetthingstheLordhasaskedyoutodo.GodwillspeaktoyouthroughHisservants.Therearespecialwordsorphrasesthatmuststayinyourspirit.Godwillusethosesentencestoguideyourlife.

BewareofVoicesofHaste

Oneday,amanofGodfacingacrisiswaspresentedwithanultimatum.Hewasaskedtoresignfromhispositionbysigninganapparentlyharmlessletter.Underpressure,hedecidedtosigntheletterandbythatdecisionheinadvertentlylost his entire ministry. Years later, he could not understand why he had donesomethingasfoolishasthat.He described how he had attended a conference as a younger preacher andheard aministermake a statement that had left an indelible impression on hisheartandmind.Thestatementwas:“bewarevoicesofhaste.”This isascripturalstatementbecause theBiblesayshe thatbelievethshallnotmakehaste(Isaiah28:16).Thatstatementhadstuckinhisspiritandheknewthatitwasanimportantwordofwisdomforhim.Somehowintheheatofhiscrisisheforgot that statement. Forgetting that statement cost him hisministry. If he hadremembered thesewords,hewouldnothavehastily signed thatdocumentandhandedoverhisministrytostrangers.ThisiswhytheLordsaid,“YoushallrememberthewordswhichtheservantoftheLord commanded you.” Thereare certainwords spokenbyGod’s servants thatyoumustremember.RighteouspeoplerememberwhatGodtells themtoremembereven if itdoesn’tmakesense.GodaskedthechildrenofIsraelnottoforgetwhatAmalekhaddonetothem.

REMEMBERwhatAmalekdiduntotheebytheway,whenyewerecomeforthoutofEgypt;

Deuteronomy25:17Rememberingthewickednessofcertainpeoplemaybeimportantforyoursafety.Timehasawayoferasing thememoryof certainevils.Thereare relationshipsthat will always be stumbling blocks to your life. There are relationships Godwantsyoutostayawayfrombothtodayandinthefuture.ThatiswhyGodwantedHispeopletorememberwhatAmalekhaddone.Forgetting Amalek is like forgetting all the potential dangers and killers of yourministry.“Thereforeitshallbe,whentheLordthyGodhathgiventheerestfromallthineenemiesroundabout,inthelandwhichtheLordthyGodgiveththeeforaninheritancetopossessit,thatthoushaltblotouttheremembranceofAmalekfromunderheaven;thoushaltnotFORGETit”(Deuteronomy25:19).

5.RIGHTEOUSPEOPLEREMEMBERTHEOLDDAYS.REMEMBER the days of old, consider the years of manygenerations:askthyfather,andhewillshewthee;thyelders,andtheywilltellthee.

Deuteronomy32:7Youngpeopleoftenmake themistakeof thinking thateverythingold isuseless.Rememberingthedaysofoldiswhatwecallstudyinghistory.Iknowofnosubjectthatismoreimportantthanthestudyofhistory!Historyrepeatsitselfincycles!Eventsjustrepeatthemselves.Historyrepeatsitself.Studyinghistorywillhelpyouknow the future. The future is not determined by what you expect or by theprinciplesyouhaveputinplace.Lions have natural instincts that they followmindlessly. Following these naturalinstinctscreatethecyclesoflionlifesuchashunting,killing,matingandbringingforthcubs.When human beings follow their instincts mindlessly, they create cycles andtrends of their own. The trends of human life are difficult to predict except youstudyhistory.Humanhistory isdeterminedmorebyman’s jealousies,hatred, lustandmalicethan by anything else. These invisible “rivers” lead to certain patterns that aredifficulttopredictunlessyoustudyhistory.Astudyof thehistoryofmansimply revealsapatternof strifeandwar.PeoplewhowatchtheHistoryChannelareamazedtofindthatmuchofman’shistoryissimplywarsthatrepeatthemselves.Historyrevealsthatthesurprisingoutcomeofhumaninstinctsisstrifeandwar.Anyonewhodoesnotstudyhistorywillbesurprisedatlife.ThisiswhyGod’sinstructionistorememberthedaysofold.

6. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE REMEMBER THE BENEFITS OF THELORDBlesstheLORD,Omysoul,andforgetnotallhisbenefits

Psalms103:2Why is it important to “forget”notallhisbenefits? It is important tosee that thebenefitsarefromtheLord.It is importanttoseethateverygoodandperfectgiftcomesfromabove.TheabilitytoseeandtorememberthebenefitsofservingtheLordisnecessaryifwearetowalkwithHim.Whenyoudon’t rememberbenefits youbecomeamurmurer.Evil spirits inhabitmurmurers! Without the ability to remember benefits, discontentment sets in.ReadyourBibleanddiscoverwhathappenstomurmurersandcomplainers.Forgetfulpeoplemustneverattempt towork forGod in full-timeministry.Therewillbetoomanythingstocomplainabout.Full-timeministryisreservedforpeoplewhocanseebenefits,rememberbenefitsandbegratefulforthesmallestbenefits.

If youcan remember thateverybenefit is from theLord,youwillhave the rightattitudewhenyouarepromoted.YouwillrememberGodwhenyouarepromoted!Youwillrememberthosewhohelpedyouwhenyouarepromoted!Youwillevenrememberthosewhosufferedwithyouwhenyouarepromoted!ThethiefonthecrossknewthatJesuswouldrememberthosewhosufferedwithHim.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, REMEMBER ME WHEN THOUCOMESTINTOTHYKINGDOM.

Luke23:42ThethiefonthecrossknewthatJesuswasjustabouttobepromoted.HebeggedJesus to rememberhimwhen thepromotioncame. Is thisnotwhatwepray forwhenourfriendsareliftedup?Jesuspromisedtoputthethiefinparadise.Unfortunately,whenanordinarypersonispromotedthroughpolitics,marriageorfootballtheydonotrememberthecommonersanymore.Pleaserememberusinthedayyouarepromoted.

7. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE REMEMBER WHAT GOD DOES TOPEOPLEJUSTLIKETHEM.RememberLot’swife.

Luke17:32RememberwhattheLorddidtoLot’swife.JesusurgedHisfollowerstorememberLot’swife.Lot’swifespeaksofsomeonewholooksbackwardinsteadofforward.SherepresentsallwhofollowtheLordbutwhoseheartsaresomewhereelse.Ihaveseenmissionarywiveswholivedwiththeirhusbandsonthemissionfieldbutwhoseheartswerenotonthefield.Lot’swifewaslookingbackatwhereshecame from. She wanted to go back. Lot’s wife was a missionary’s wife whowantedtogobackhome!Lot’swifedidnotdeservetobeamongthefewthatweresaved.Thatiswhysheturned into a pillar of salt. Every minister should remember Lot’s wife. Everypastor’s wife should remember Lot’s wife. Every Christian should remember toservetheLordwithoutlookingback.Also remember what the Lord did to Miriam. Remember what happened tosomeonejustlikeyou!

RememberwhatthelordthyGoddiduntoMiriam…Deuteronomy24:9

Wheneversomethinghappenstosomeonejustlikeyou,youmusttakenoteofit.ItisamessagefromtheLordforyou.

ThatcouldhavebeenyoubutGodsparedyouandchose towarnyou instead.The Lord told the Israelites to remember what happened to Miriam. WhathappenedtoMiriamcouldhappentoanyone.

8. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE REMEMBER THE POOR AND THEPRISONERS.Only they would that we should remember the poor; the samewhichIalsowasforwardtodo.

Galatians2:10Youdonothavetobeurgedtoremembertherich.Itisnaturaltorememberthosewhoareprominentamongstyou.Thepoorman,ontheotherhand,comestoyouladenwithproblemsandneeds.Heneedsyourhelpandhewantstogetasmuchashecanfromyou.Mostofusturnoureyesawayfromtheendlessneedsofthepoor.TheScriptureisclearthatpoorpeopleshouldberememberedandincludedinourplans.Prisonersarepartofoursocietybuttheyareoutofsight.Itisalsoeasytoforgetthem.Itiseasytoforgetthattheyevenexist.TheScripturetellsustorememberthepeopleinprison.Everychurchmusthaveaprisonministry.Everypastormustpreachintheprisonsofhiscountry.

Rememberthemthatareinbonds,asboundwiththem;andthemwhichsufferadversity,asbeingyourselvesalsointhebody.

Hebrews13:39.RIGHTEOUSPEOPLEREMEMBERGOD’SSERVANTS.Rememberthemwhichhavetheruleoveryou,whohavespokenuntoyouthewordofGod:whosefaithfollow,consideringtheendoftheirconversation.

Hebrews13:7NowIpraiseyou,brethren,thatyeremembermeinallthings,andkeeptheordinances,asIdeliveredthemtoyou.

1Corinthians11:2Wemustalso remember theservantsof theLord.Manychurchmembershavestableandnormallivesbecauseofthedirectionandinspirationtheyreceivefromtheirchurch.Yetthepastorisoftenthelasttoberemembered.Sometimespeoplespeakoftheirnewjobs,newcontractsandsalaryincreases.Often,allweseeisanewcar,anewhouseandmorecelebrations.

Thepastorisoftennotconsideredinthenewdispensationofprosperity.Actually,whenhedaresasksupport for theministry,he is toldabout themortgages, theloansandtheotherbillsthathavetobepaid.Thepastor isalso informedabouthowcertaincontractsandpaymentshavenotyetmaterialized. He is then promised that hewill be rememberedwhen thingswork out. When people do support the ministry, they often do not support thepastorhimself.Therighteouspersonwillrememberthepastorwholaboursspirituallyforthem.

10. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE REMEMBER WHAT THEY HAVERECEIVED.Rememberthereforehowthouhastreceivedandheard,andholdfast,andrepent. If thereforethoushaltnotwatch, Iwillcomeonthee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will comeuponthee.

Revelation3:3Sometimeswe forget thedifferentgifts thatwehave received. IfGodgaveyoufivetalentsyouwillbejudgedfortheuseofallfive.Manypeoplehaveforgottenwhattheyhavereceived.Someofushaveputasideourgifts.Someofushavetrivializedcertaingiftsthinkingthemtobenothing.AgreatprophetdescribedavisioninwhichhesawtheLord.HetoldofhowtheLordhadrebukedhimfornotusingthepropheticgiftasmuchasheshouldhave.TheLordtoldhimthathislifewouldbeshortenedifhedidnotrepentandusehisgift.Rememberwhatyouhavereceivedbecauseyouwillaccountforeverysinglegiftyouweregiven.

Chapter7

SevenSpiritualEffectsofRemembrance

1.REMEMBRANCECAUSESASTIRRINGOFTHEBELIEVER.Thissecondepistle,beloved,Inowwriteuntoyou;inbothwhichIstirupyourpuremindsbywayofremembrance

2Peter3:1Yea,Ithinkitmeet,aslongasIaminthistabernacle,tostiryouupbyputtingyouinremembrance

2Peter1:13Remembrance stirs up your spirit and spurs you on to good works. Powerfulpreaching that reminds us of our salvation stirs up Christians to soul winning.PowerfulpreachingthatremindsusofHeavenandHellstirsupChristianstosoulwinning.Sit backand remember the things theLordhas toldyou.Sitbackandremember your visions and dreams. Get excited again as you remember whatGodisgoingtodowithyou.

2.REMEMBRANCECAUSESPEOPLETOBEESTABLISHED.Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always inremembrance of these things, though ye know them, and beestablished in thepresent truth.Yea, I think itmeet,as longas Iam in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you inremembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this mytabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.MoreoverIwillendeavourthatyemaybeableaftermydeceasetohavethesethingsalwaysinremembrance.

2Peter1:12-15Peterwantedhisfollowerstobeestablished.Hewrotethislettertothemwiththisinmind.Peter wanted to make sure that they would remember certain things after hisdeath.Thatiswhyhewrotethisletter.Books, biographies and knowledge of history willmake you remember andwillestablishyouinyourmission.

3.REMEMBRANCEMAKESPEOPLEGRATEFUL.IthankmyGoduponeveryremembranceofyou

Philippians1:3PaulbecamethankfulwhenherememberedthePhilippians.Remembranceandgratitudearerelatedvirtues.WhenyouthinkofwhatJesushasdoneforyouyourheart should be filled with gratitude. When you remember what someone hasdoneforyoubecomegratefulfortheperson’slife.

4. REMEMBRANCE CAUSES YOU TO RECEIVE THE HOLYCOMMUNION.Andwhenhehadgiven thanks,hebrake it, andsaid,Take, eat:thisismybody,whichisbrokenforyou:thisdoinremembranceofme.

1Corinthians11:24PeoplegiveallsortsofreasonsfortheHolyCommunion.ButthemainreasonfortheinstitutionoftheLord’sSupperisremembrance.Jesus,knowinghowforgetfulpeoplewere,institutedthecelebrationoftheHolyCommunion.HewantedpeopletorememberHissacrificeforthem.

5.REMEMBRANCECAUSESYOUTOBEADOEROFTHEWORD.Butbeyedoersoftheword,andnothearersonly,deceivingyourownselves.Forifanybeaheareroftheword,andnotadoer,heis like unto aman beholding his natural face in a glass: for hebeholdethhimself,andgoethhisway,andstraightwayforgettethwhatmannerofmanhewas.

James1:23-24WhenpeopledonotremembertheWordtheybecomehearersandnotdoersoftheWord.YoumustbecomeadoeroftheWordbyrememberingthingsthatmustnotbeforgotten.TherearemanyhearersoftheWordbutnotsomanydoers.ItistimetobecomeadoeroftheWord.

6. REMEMBRANCE CAUSES YOU TO WORK QUICKLY WHILEYOUHAVETHETIME.For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know notanything,neitherhavetheyanymoreareward;forthememoryofthemisforgotten.

Ecclesiastes9:5Becausethedeadarequicklyforgotten,itisimportanttofulfilyourministrywhileyouarealive.Peoplewill forgetaboutyouonceyoudie.Donotthinkthatmuchwillbedonewhenyouaredeadandgone.Ifyouhaveanythingyouwanttodo,doitnow.

7. REMEMBRANCE OF THE WRONG THINGS CAN PULL YOUBACKWARDS.Brethren, I count notmyself to have apprehended: but this onethingIdo,forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind,andreachingforthuntothosethingswhicharebefore,IpresstowardthemarkfortheprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus.

Philippians3:13Even though thisbook is teachingyou to remember, therearesome thingsyoumustforget.Youmustforgetsomeofyourfailuresandshrugoffdiscouragement.Youmustforgetaboutyoursuccessessothattheydon’tgiveyouafalsesenseofachievement.Focusing on your past victories can lull you into inactivity and make youcomplacent.This iswhyPauldecided to forget the things thatwerebehindhimandreachforthethingsbeforehim.

Chapter8

PeopleYouMustNotForget

Removenottheancientlandmark,whichthyfathershaveset.Proverbs22:28

Asyougothroughlifeyouwillmeetsomepeoplewhomarktheturningpointsofyour life.Thesepeopleare landmarks inyour journey toGod.Youmustbelievethattheydidnotwalkintoyourlifeaccidentally.TheycameintoyourlifebecauseGodsentthem.

DoYouMeetPeoplebyAccident?ThebookofDanielstartsbysayingthatGoddeliveredJehoiakimintothehandofNebuchadnezzar.Meanwhilethesecularnewspapersmayhaveread,“JehoiakimwasdefeatedinabattlewithNebuchadnezzar.”

But from the view point of Heaven, God had handed overJehoiakim to Nebuchadnezzar! In the third year of the reign ofJehoiakimkingofJudahcameNebuchadnezzarkingofBabylonuntoJerusalem,andbesiegedit.AndtheLordgaveJehoiakimkingofJudahintohishand…

Daniel1:1-2GodbroughtNebuchadnezzarintothepictureanddisplacedJehoiakim.ThiswasthehandofGod.YoumustbelieveinthesovereigntyofGodandthatHesendspeopleofHischoiceintoyourlife.YoumustwelcomeandreceivewhomeverGodsendsintoyourlife.InsteadoffightingthepeoplethatGodsendstous,wemustrememberthemandhonour them.This is the teaching of theBible.You can see from theScripturebelowthatmanypeoplefightthosewhoaresenttothem.…hesenthisservantstothehusbandmen,thattheymightreceivethefruitsofit.Andthehusbandmentookhisservants,andbeatone,andkilledanother,andstonedanother.

Again, he sent other servantsmore than the first: and they diduntothemlikewise.

Matthew21:34-36

GodiswarningustorecognizeHismessengers.Itrytorecognizethosewhohavebeensenttome!Donotjustrelatewithpeopleinthenatural.Interprettheirentranceasasupernaturalevent.Thatway,youwillbenefitfrommanyofthepeoplethatGoddivinelysendstoyourlife.

TenPeopleYouMustNeverForget1.YourSoulWinner:ThepersonwholedyoutoChristForthoughyehavetenthousandinstructorsinChrist,yethaveyenot many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOUthroughthegospel.

1Corinthians4:15DefinitelytheonewhobroughtyoutotheLordwillbethemostspecialpersoninyour life.Yourgreatest treasure isyoursalvation.Thepersonwhohelpsyou toknowtheLordisindeedsomeonenevertobeforgotten.Because I came to theLord throughaministrycalledScriptureUnion, theLordasked me to remember them and support them. I cannot forget those whosacrificedthatImayknowtheLordtoday.It ispresumptuous toassume thatsalvationwasyour right. It is through the toilandeffortofdedicatedChristiansthatanyoneeverhearstheGospel!

2. Your First Teacher: The person who taught you thefundamentalsofChristianity…you have need again for someone to teach you THEELEMENTARYPRINCIPLESoftheoraclesofGod…

Hebrews5:12,NASBAnyonewho comes toChrist will have to be taught elementary principles. Theway you are taught the elementary principles ofChrist permanently determinesyourspiritualmake-up.Somepeoplestart theirChristian racewithmuch fastingandprayer.OthersaregivenastrongfoundationintheScriptures.AllthesedeterminehowapersonwillturnoutintheLord.Unfortunately,manyoftoday’scharismaticChristiansdonothaveagoodfoundationintheLord.Sadly,manyofthosewhotaughtthemtheelementaryprinciplesofChristdidnotdoathoroughjob.Iwasblessedtohavesomeonewhotaughtmehowtohavemyquiettime.Shetaughtme thebasicprinciplesofChrist.Shegroundedme in theScriptureandmademeknowthattheBiblecanbeusedtoanswereverypracticalquestionofthislife.IlearnthowtoapplytheBibletomyeverydaylife.Icannotforgether;shewasmyfirstteacherandshewillalwaysbepreciousinmymemory.

3. Your Inspirer: The person who influenced you to go intoministry…AndEliperceivedthattheLordhadcalledthechild.

Therefore,ElisaiduntoSamuel,Go,liedown:anditshallbe,ifhecallthee,thatthoushaltsay,Speak,Lord;forthyservantheareth.SoSamuelwentandlaydowninhisplace.And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times,Samuel, Samuel. ThenSamuel answered,Speak; for thy servantheareth.

1Samuel3:8-10EliencouragedSamueltorespondtothecallofGod.EliwasSamuel’strainerandinspirer intheMinistry. IfEliwerenotthere,SamuelwouldnothavebeenintheMinistry.SamuelwouldnothaveknownwhatthecallofGodwas.LookintoyourlifeandyouwilldiscoverwhoinspiredyouintoMinistry.MostpeopleinthisworldwoulddiscourageyoufrombeingintheMinistry.ManyChristians,includingministers,discouragepeoplefrombeinginfull-timeministry.But thereare someprecious fewwhowouldencourage you to obey the call ofGod.Thesearespecialpeopleandyoumustneverforgetthem.

4.YourExample:ThepersonwhotaughtyouhowtopreachThere are people who come into your life and show you some of the mostvaluable skills of life. One of the most important skills you will need for yourministryistheabilitytopreach.Howmany people in this world can ever teach you how to preach? There aremanyBiology,ChemistryandPhysicsteachers,buthowmanycanteachyouhowtopreach?Ifyouhavebeenexposedtosomeonewhowillshowyouhowtopreach,thenyouhavemetoneoflife’sraretreasures!

5.YourLifeTeacher:Thepersonwhotaughtyouaboutlife…be thou AN EXAMPLE of the believers, IN WORD, INCONVERSATION,INCHARITY,INSPIRIT,INFAITH,INPURITY.

1Timothy4:12Usually,thereissomeonewhoteachesyoualotaboutlife.AsyoucanseeintheScriptureabove,Paulwasanexampleinwordandinmanyotherthings.Manyofusdonothavegoodexamplesofmarriageandhomelife.OftenyouwilllearnmuchaboutlifethroughexamplesettersthatGodwillsendtoyou.Godknewthatyourhomewouldnotbeable to trainyou ineverything.He

hasraisedupotherstofillthegapsinyourupbringing.Youmustlearnfromthesepeopleaswell.

6.YourTrainer:ThepersonwhotrainedyouinministryAnd the things that you have heard from me among manywitnesses,committhesetofaithfulmenwhowillbeabletoteachothersalso.

2Timothy2:2,NKJVMyfirstgoodsermonsweretheonesthatIcopiedfromKennethHagin.Therearepeople throughwhomyoubecomeanointedandseasoned for theworkofGod.Therearealsopeoplewhowillteachyouhowtopray,howtofastandhowtowaitontheLord.Theirguidanceisinvaluableandmakesallthedifference.God blessedmewith various anointedmen throughwhom I have learnt aboutministry. God blessed me and anointed me one day in July 1988 through thepersonIseeasmytrainerintheministry.Ilovedtolistentohimandhearallhehadtosayaboutministry.IlovedtoreadhisbooksandgleaneverythingIcouldfromthem.AllthatIknewofrealministryIlearntfromhim.Surely,hewasaspecialtrainersentfromGodformylife!Iwas inaminibus inNairobi,KenyawhenIheardthenewsthatmytrainerhaddied. IwasheartbrokenandIwept in thebusaswedroveto thehotel. I feltasthoughsomebodyIhadlivedwithhadpassedaway.Can there be anybody more precious than the one through whom you gainedaccess to the highest calling ever offered tomen?Can you ever forget such aperson?Indeed,iftheministryisprecioustoyou,theonewhotrainedyouwillbeaveryspecialperson!

7. Your Launcher: The person who gave you an opportunity inministryButBARNABASTOOKHIM,ANDBROUGHTHIMtotheapostles,anddeclareduntothemhowhehadseentheLordintheway,andthat he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly atDamascusinthenameofJesus.

Acts9:27InDecemberof1991,mypastorordainedmeintotheministry.Helaidhandsonmeandusheredme into theministry in frontofa largecongregation inLondon.Afterthat,hegavemeanopportunitytopreachinhischurch.Iamalwaysgratefultohimforthegreathonourthatwasbestowedonme.

Youcannotordainyourself.Itisaprivilegeforaseniorinministrytoacknowledgeyoupubliclyandrecommendyoutothecongregation.Suchpeoplemustneverbeforgotten.Many years have gone by but I have not forgotten how and throughwhomGodlaunchedmeintoministry.

8.YourFather:ThepersonwholovedyouandhadfaithinyouPaulwasafathertoTimothy.Manyministersaresimplynotfathers.Elijahwasafatherintheministryandheleftbehindason,Elisha.Elishahadnopatienceforcovetousservantswhowerenotaskeenontheanointingashewas.Whentheopportunitycame,ElishacursedGehaziand thatwas the last timeweheardofhim.Sadly,manygreatministersleavenoonebehindtotakeafterthem.

ButIhope…tosendTimothytoyoushortly…Butyouknowofhisproven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of thegospellikeachildservinghisfather.

Philippians2:19,22A father is someone who has faith in you and loves you. Unfortunately, manyministersareinsecureandunabletoplaytheroleofafather.Ihaveencounteredmany greatministerswho seem intimidated bymyministry. I rarely felt love orfaith coming from these people. Mostly, I sensed suspicion and wariness frompeoplewhoshouldhavebeenfathers.IpraythatwhenitismyturnGodwillmakemealovingfathertosomeone.

9.Your Forerunner: The person who goes ahead and fights foryouThese are people whose lives are examples for you to learn from. Theyexperiencemany things right before your eyes andGod expects you to watchclosely and learn.God has allowedme to see and learn frommanywonderfulapostlesaheadofme.TheyhavefoughtbattlesfortheentirechurchandIsimplyenjoythebenefitsoftheirunfortunateexperiences.Solomonenteredintothevictoriesthathisfatherhadwon.David’swholelifewasspent fighting one battle after another. By the timeDavid died, there were fewenemiesforSolomontoconquer.Solomonspenthistimebuilding,notfighting.Heevenusedhisarmiesforconstructioninsteadofwar.Solomonmayhaveseemedtoaccomplishmore,butitwasbecauseDavidhadpavedthewayforhim!Another example of a forerunner is Moses. Moses endured the criticism andhardnessofheartofthenationofIsrael.HedidnothaveasingledayofpeaceasheledmillionsofgrumblingIsraelites.Hehadtoquellonerebellionafteranother,whileatthesametime,writingtheirlaws.BythetimeJoshuacameonthescene,allthegrumbling,criticizingpeopleweredead.Theentirenationhadlearntthelessonofwhathappenstoadiscontented,

disobedientandunbelievingpeople.Theynowknewthattheirlivesdependedonhavingfaithandobeyingtheirleader.JoshuareapedthebenefitsofMoses’suffering.Heenjoyedaministrywith loyalpeoplewhowouldeliminateanyonewhodaredtogrumble.

Whosoeverhebethatdothrebelagainstthycommandment,andwillnothearkenuntothywordsinallthatthoucommandesthim,heshallbeputtodeath:onlybestrongandofagoodcourage.

Joshua1:18TheypromisedJoshuathattheywouldkillanyonewhorebelledagainsthim.Canyou seewhat a different and positive attitude Joshua enjoyed?Moses sufferedcriticismforyearssothatJoshuacouldhaveaneasierministry.Canyouimaginehow much more Moses would have achieved if he had had such committedpeople?

10.YourSponsor:ThepersonwhohelpedyoufinanciallyNow ye Philippians know also, that…no church communicatedwithmeasconcerninggivingandreceiving,butyeonly.ForeveninThessalonicayesentonceandagainuntomynecessity.

Philippians4:15-16Godusedcertainpeopletofinancemeintheministry.Mybigsistersupportedmein theministry when I first began. Through hermonthly support, I was able tolaunch out into full-time ministry in 1991. Without her support, I would not bewhereIamtoday.IamalwaysgratefulandIalwaysrememberherprivatelyandpublicly.Myownmotherhassupportedmeintheministry.Throughherfinancialsupport,IwasabletoliveinGhanaandcontinueintheministry.ThishasbeenGod’swayofprovidingforme.HowcanIforgetthesepeople?ItwouldbeasinbeforetheLord. No matter how the Lord lifts me up and blesses me financially, I mustrememberthosewhosponsoredmefromtheverybeginning.

Chapter9

FiveMemorialsthatFightAgainstForgetfullness

GodinHiswisdominstitutedmemorialstohelpusrememberimportantthingsthatmust never be forgotten. In this section, I want to share about the wisdom ofmemorialsthathelpustoremember.

1.MemorialFeastsThreetimesayearyoushallcelebrateafeasttoMe.

Exodus23:14,NASBGodordained threemain feasts for Israel.These feastscommemoratedvarioussignificanteventsinthelifeofthenationIsrael.TheyweretoserveasremindersofsignificantthingsthattheLordtaughtthemintheirwalkwithHim.I am presenting an outline of these three feasts below. These seven differenteventsaregroupedintothreefeasttimes.TheFeastofPassovertookplaceinthefirstmonth;theFeastofPentecosttookplaceinthethirdmonth,whilsttheFeastofTabernacleswasheldintheseventhmonthoftheyear.

WhatYouShouldKnowabouttheFeastofPassoverForIwillgothroughthelandofEgyptonthatnight,andwillstrikedownall the firstborn in the landofEgypt,bothmanandbeast;andagainstall thegodsofEgyptIwillexecutejudgments- IamtheLORD.Nowthisdaywillbeamemorialtoyou,andyoushallcelebrateitasa feast to theLORD; throughout yourgenerationsyouare tocelebrateitasapermanentordinance.

Exodus12:12,14,NASB1. The purpose of this feast was to remind the children of Israel of theirdeliverancefromthebondageofEgypt;thepassingoverofthefirstborn.Hewanted them to always rememberwhatHehaddone for themso that theywouldserveHimandtrustHimforthefuture.2.ThisfeastofPassoverwasalsocalledtheDaysofUnleavenedBread.ItwasordainedbyGod.“NowtheLORDsaidtoMosesandAaroninthelandofEgypt,“Thismonthshallbethebeginningofmonthsforyou;itistobethefirstmonthoftheyeartoyou”(Exodus12:1-2,NASB).

3.ThefeastofPassovercommencedonthefourteenthdayofthefirstmonthateven.“Inthefirstmonth,onthefourteenthdayofthemonthatevening,youshalleatunleavenedbread,until the twenty-firstdayof themonthatevening.Sevendays there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what isleavened,thatpersonshallbecutofffromthecongregationofIsrael,whetherheisanalienoranativeoftheland”(Exodus12:18-19,NASB).4.ThefeastofPassoverlastedsevendaysduringwhichunleavenedbreadwaseaten.“Sevendaysyoushalleatunleavenedbread…”(Exodus12:15,NASB).

WhatYouShouldKnowabouttheFeastofPentecostAlsoyoushallobservetheFeastoftheHarvestofthefirstfruitsofyourlaborsfromwhatyousowinthefield…

Exodus23:16,NASB1.Thepurposeofthisfestivalwastocelebratetheirfirstfruits.EveryfirstfruitisablessingfromtheLord.ThefirstfruitbelongstoGod.GodinstitutedthisfeasttoremindthechildrenofIsraelofhowHeprovidestheblessingofthefirstfruit.Itisablessingtohaveachild.Theveryfirstchildisthemostdifficulttohave.Itisthereforegiven to theLordasa special offering.The first part of theharvest isalsoaspecialofferingtotheLord.ItisthetitheandGodownsit(Leviticus27:30).2.This feastwasalsocalled theDayofPentecost, theFeastofWeeksand theDayoftheFirstFruits.3.TheFeastofPentecostwasheldonthefiftiethdayafterofferingthefirstsheafof barley harvest. “You shall also count for yourselves from the day after theSabbath,fromthedaywhenyoubroughtinthesheafofthewaveoffering;thereshallbesevencompleteSabbaths.Youshallcountfiftydaystothedayaftertheseventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD”(Leviticus23:15-16,NASB).4.TheFeastofPentecostwastobeperpetuallyobserved.“Onthissamedayyoushallmakeaproclamationaswell;youaretohaveaholyconvocation.Youshalldo no laboriouswork. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling placesthroughoutyourgenerations”(Leviticus23:21,NASB).5.TheFeastofPentecostwastobeattendedbyall.“ThreetimesayearallyourmalesshallappearbeforetheLordGOD”(Exodus23:17,NASB).6. The Feast of Pentecost was a time of holy rejoicing. “And you shall rejoicebeforetheLORDyourGod…”(Deuteronomy16:11,NASB).

WhatYouShouldKnowabouttheFeastofTabernacles…that your generations may know that I made the children ofIsrael todwell inbooths,when Ibrought themoutof the landof

Egypt:IamtheLORDyourGod.Leviticus23:43

1. The purpose of the feast was to commemorate the sojourn of Israel in thedesert.OnceagainGodwantedthechildrenofIsraelnottoforgettheexperienceandlessonsofthedesert.2.Duringthisfeast,theywouldgointotabernaclesandrememberwhatitwasliketoliveinthedesert.Imaginemovingoutofyourhouseeveryyeartogoandliveinatentforaweek.What was the essence of this? God wanted the Israelites to remember theexperiencesofthedesert.Hewantedthemtorememberallthelessonsofthoseforty years. Do not black out and delete your wilderness days. Every painfulexperience you have had is intended to be remembered. Remember yoursiniazos. The Greek word siniazo means to “shake in a seive” and to “causeinwardagitationandtotryone’sfaithtothevergeofoverthrow”.3. This feast of tabernacles commencedwith a dayof blowingof trumpets andwasheldonthefirstdayof theseventhmonth.Thiswasamemorialofblowingtrumpets,aholyconvocationandrest.Sacrificesweremadeatthisfestival.4.DuringtheFeastofTabernaclespeopledweltintents.“Youshallliveinboothsforsevendays;all thenative-born in Israelshall live inbooths”(Leviticus23:42,NASB).5.TheFeastofTabernacleswasalsocalled theFeastofBooths. “Speak to thesons of Israel, saying, “On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast ofBoothsforsevendaystotheLORD”(Leviticus23:34,NASB).6.TheFeastofTabernacleswasheldafterharvest.“YoushallcelebratetheFeastofBooths sevendaysafter youhavegathered in fromyour threshing floor andyourwinevat”(Deuteronomy16:13,NASB).7.TheFeastofTabernaclesbeganonthefifteenthdayoftheseventhmonth.“Onthefifteenthofthisseventhmonth…”(Leviticus23:34,NASB).8.TheFeastofTabernacleslastedsevendays.“…theFeastofBoothsforsevendaystotheLORD”(Leviticus23:34,NASB).9.TheFeastofTabernaclesrequiredallmalestoattend.“ThreetimesayearallyourmalesshallappearbeforetheLordGOD”(Exodus23:17,NASB).10.TheFeastofTabernaclesweretobedaysoffregularwork.“Onthefirstdayisa holy convocation; you shall do no laboriouswork of any kind.Onexactly thefifteenthdayof theseventhmonth,whenyouhavegathered in thecropsof theland,youshallcelebratethefeastoftheLORDforsevendays,witharestonthefirstdayandarestontheeighthday”(Leviticus23:35,39,NASB).

11.TheFeastofTabernacleswastobeperpetuallyobserved.“Onthissamedayyoushallmakeaproclamationaswell;youaretohaveaholyconvocation.Youshalldonolaboriouswork.Itistobeaperpetualstatuteinallyourdwellingplacesthroughoutyourgenerations”(Leviticus23:21,NASB).12.TheFeastofTabernacleswasa timeofholyrejoicing.“Andyoushall rejoicebeforetheLORDyourGod…”(Deuteronomy16:11,NASB).

2.MemorialCeremoniesNowElisabeth’sfulltimecamethatsheshouldbedelivered;andshe brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousinsheardhowtheLordhadshewedgreatmercyuponher;andtheyrejoicedwithher.And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came tocircumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after thenameofhisfather.

Luke1:57-59John the Baptist was named and dedicated a few days after his birth. Hisentrance into thisworldwasmarkedbya little homeceremony.This ceremonywasrecordedintheBibleandforalltimeremindsusofthesupernaturalbirthofJohn.Godalso institutedceremoniessothatwewouldnot forget importantcovenantsthatwehavemade.Weddingsandbabydedicationsarecommonceremoniesweknow about. It is possible to get married without any ceremony whatsoever. Adeclarationbyapastorwillinitiateamarriagebetweentwopeopleiftheybelieveinthepastor’spronouncement.Mostpeoplehoweverdonotenterthiscovenantlightlyorwithoutceremony.Theymark the event with much expense on decorations, dresses, food and jollity.Because themarital covenant is marked with such ceremony, it is not easy tobreakor todisengage from.Such is thepowerofceremonialmemorials.Theseceremoniesgoalongwaytoremindusofimportantcovenantswemake.

3.MemorialsandMonumentsAndJoshuasaiduntothem,PassoverbeforethearkoftheLordyourGod into themidstofJordan,and takeyeupeverymanofyouastoneuponhisshoulder,accordinguntothenumberofthetribesofthechildrenofIsrael:ThatthismaybeASIGNamongyou,thatwhenyourchildrenasktheir fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by thesestones?

Then ye shall answer them, THAT THE WATERS OF JORDANWERECUTOFFBEFORETHEARKof thecovenantof theLord;when it passed over Jordan, thewaters of Jordanwere cut off:and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children ofIsraelforever.

Joshua4:5-7Therearetimesthatmonumentsneedtobesetuptokeepourmemoriesalive.Sometimes things have to be named after someone in order to remember theperson’s contribution. London is a city of monuments and memories, whereasmanyothercitieshavenomonumentsandremembernoone.Inamedoneofthechapelsinourchurch“AdelaideChapel”inordertoremembermywife’scontribution tomy lifeandministry. It isan importantmemorial for thefuture.Asthenumberofpeopleworkingintheministryincreases,thecontributionoffaithfulpeopleisoftenforgotten.Oneday, Iwent toachurch inwhich thepastor’swifehaddied.Several thingswerenamedafterhisformerwife.Therewasnowayyoucouldspendadayinthechurchwithoutrememberinghercontribution.Therewasanewwifebutthefirstwifewasremembered!

4.MemorialRitualsAndwhenhehadgiven thanks,hebrake it, andsaid,Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you: this do INREMEMBRANCEofme.Afterthesamemanneralsohetookthecup,whenhehadsupped,saying,Thiscupisthenewtestamentinmyblood:thisdoye,asoftasyedrinkit,INREMEMBRANCEofme.Forasoftenasyeeatthisbread,anddrinkthiscup,yedoshewtheLord’sdeathtillhecome.

1Corinthians11:24-26OurLordJesusinstitutedtheritualofcommuniontoremindusofHisdeath.Oneday,thedeaconsofachurchslippedanoteonthepulpitofthepastorofahugechurch. The note had a simple message and it said, “Pastor, we would seeJesus.”TheyactuallyquotedfromapassageinJohn12:21:The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, anddesiredhim,saying,Sir,wewouldseeJesus.The pastor was stunned. He struggled through his sermon that morning andslippedintohisstudy.Hecouldnotbelievethemessagehehadreceivedfromthedeacons.Butheunderstoodwhatitmeant!

Thepastorsaidlater,“WhenIsawthenote,Iknewimmediatelywhatitmeant.IhaddriftedfrompreachingaboutChristtogivinggoodadviceforlife.Mysermonswere just tips to solve the felt needs of the people. I knew I had shifted fromteachingaboutJesusChrist.IhadlefttrueScriptureandhadbecomeateacherofsuccess,positivethinkingandself-empowerment.”JustasthoseGreekswerenotinterestedinseeingPhilipbutwantedtoseeJesusHimself, thepeoplewhocome toour churcheswant to seeJesus.PeoplewhocometoourchurchesneedJesus!Sadly,weministersoftensidelineChristJesus.ButJesusmustbethecentreandfocusofallthatwedo.ThisiswhytheLordinstitutedtheritualoftheLord’sSupper.Itiseasytodriftfromthemainthing.Butthemainthingwillalwaysbethemainthing!Satan lovestopushChristiansontoroadsthatarecloseandparallel to therealroad.Heurgesuson intogoodthings thatarenotGod’swill.Throughdemonicguidance, there is a lot of Christian activity but much of God’s purpose is setaside.

5.SupernaturalMemorialsPaul’sSupernaturalReminder

Asyouserve theLordandobeyHisWord,Hewill lift youup.But it is easy toforgetthatyouareanonentitywhoisbeingblessedbyAlmightyGod.Ourfleshlynaturetendstoprideasquicklyasastonedropsfromaheight.GodinHismercymust sendmessengers of Satan to buffet us so thatwewill not be lifted up inpride.ThemessengersofSatanaresupernaturalremindersthatconstantlyremindusofourmortalityandnothingness.Perhaps,ifitwerenotforsomeofthesesupernaturalreminderswewouldshootoffonatangentandclaimtobesupersuccessfulheroeswhoknowitall.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through theabundanceoftherevelations,therewasgiventomeathornintheflesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should beexaltedabovemeasure.

2Corinthians12:7IthankGodforthethingsthatHehassenttobuffetme.Oneday,theLordsaidtomethatHewassorrythatHehadhadtoallowcertainthingstohappeninmylife.HetoldmethatHehadblessedmewithmuchmoreintheministrythanmanyotherswouldeverdreamof.TheHolySpiritshowedmethatthepotentialpride-fillingeffectoftheseblessingswasverydangerous.HehadthereforegivenmemessengersofSatanwhowouldbox me into a pitiful state where I would find myself falling to my knees in

helplessness. He told me that these messengers of Satan were necessary toprotectmefromprideandotherspiritualevils.Sometimeswhen I ambuffeted, I ambrought so low that I feelworse than thelowestwretch.Iaskmyself,“Howcantheweakestpersonbethepastorofthechurch?Howcansomeonewhoseprayersarenotansweredleadacongregation?Howcansomeonewhoisdepressedhelpanyoneelse?”Atthesetimes,Iseenothingvictoriousorsuccessfulaboutmyministry.Throughthebuffetingmessagesmykneesarebroughttothegroundandtearsfalloutofmyeyes.God told me to embrace (and not fight) these distressing things, which arereproachesandinfirmitiesinmylife.Indeed,IhavecometodiscoverthatwhenItakepleasureintheseinfirmities,thepowerofChristrestsonme.

…Mostgladly,therefore,Iwillratherboastaboutmyweaknesses,sothatthepowerofChristmaydwellinme.

2Corinthians12:9,NASBNebuchadnezzar’sSupernaturalReminder

Nebuchadnezzar had a mental illness, which reminded him that God was incharge of this world and not him! Nebuchadnezzar needed this supernaturalremindertobringhimdowntosize.Hewastold:

…Oking,andthisisthedecreeoftheMostHigh,whichhascomeuponmylordtheking:thatyoubedrivenawayfrommankindandyour dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you begiven grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew ofheaven; andsevenperiodsof timewill passover you, until yourecognize that theMostHigh is ruler over the realmofmankindandbestowsitonwhomeverHewishes.

Daniel4:24-25,NASBAfterthissupernaturalreminder,Nebuchadnezzarwastransformedintoahumbleking. He lived and reigned humbly after God supernaturally reminded him ofwhomhereallywas.

Belshazzar’sSupernaturalReminderBelshazzar,thesonofNebuchadnezzarequallyneededasupernaturalreminderto bring him down to size. Unfortunately, his reminder came on the day of hisdeath. God expected him to have learnt from his father’s life, especially hisfather’smentalillness.

And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart,thoughthouknewestall this; thenwasthepartof thehandsentfromhim;andthiswritingwaswritten.

Daniel5:22,24Sometimes, something that happens to someone just ahead of you is asupernaturalreminderofthewaytogoandthethingstoavoid.Mayyoureyesbeopenedtounderstandthesupernaturalremindersthatareplacedbeforeyou!

TheConclusionItismyprayer,OmysonthatthistreatisewhichIhaveendeavouredtosharewithyouonthesubjectofremembrance,willbeembeddedinyourheart.Tothemakingofmanybooks,thereisindeednoend!I thereforemust come toa conclusionhere. I pray thatGodwill bless youwithlasting loyalty so that one day, you will hear those blessedwords, “Well done,goodandfaithfulservant.”

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Those Who Forget

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