Reminders
I’m a list person. I love making a to-do list, a packing list, a grocery list – a list for my hubby (smile). I love crossing off the lists. So much so, that when I do something not on the list, I sometimes write it then cross it off – weird, I know, but satisfying somehow.
Lists are my reminders; they make my life simpler. God knows this is true for most of us – so, His Word often reminds us of the things we shouldn’t lose sight of. In 1 Corinthians Paul starts off in the very beginning giving us three key reminders. We don’t need to cross these off, we get to hang on to them.
Reminder number one: “Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Corinthians 1:7 NLT)
Every spiritual gift you need – He’s not holding back on you. Not waiting for you to get ‘good enough’, not waiting for you to own up to your shortcomings, not waiting til just the right time. The moment you tell Jesus you want Him as your Savior, you get it all.
Problem is, we don’t live as though we do. We think we must ‘do’ something, pray something, read something, sacrifice something. Messiah tells us otherwise – He’s done all that’s needed. He’s redeemed us, He loves us, He is with us. Reminder number two: “He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” (1Corinthians 1:8 NLT)
Strong – I want to be strong, right now. What a promise that Jesus keeps us strong. Oh, we may not feel that way at times – mainly because we aren’t. He is. He is our strength. Through every storm, ups and downs. To the end – end of earthly living. Whether that comes by death or Christ’s return – earth life ends, forever life begins.
Then Paul tells us that when Jesus does return for us, we will be ‘free from all blame’. How can it be? I blow it every day. That goes back to reminder number one, He’s taken all our blame, done deal. This certainly is a good addition to our reminder list, and we can rest in the fact that it never gets crossed off.
Reminder number three: “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1Corinthians 1:9 BSB) This may be the most important reminder: God is faithful. Hard concept for us fickle humans. Our love, devotion, sincerity runs hot and cold – depends on our feelings. Faithful isn’t a feeling for God, it’s Him. He is the definition of faithful. Even when we are not. I needed these reminders today – maybe we need to make this list in big bold letters and hang it on the wall.
parisrenae 
I would be lost without my lists!
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Kindred spirits 🙂 Blessings as He reminds you of His…
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I enjoyed this post. Thank you!
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Rebecca, yes, we all need reminders, especially from the reliable source of the love of God. Blessings as He reminds you of His heart for you.
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Fantastic post. I love your message here today. Great reminders within. I’m a list person too.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #17&18
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Sometimes us list people feel like we’re the only ones who have to have them – nice to know others like them too. Blessings as you let His reminders top every list of yours…
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Indeed He sure is at the top of my list.
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I’m the same with lists, including writing them in so I can cross them off even though no one sees them but me! LOL But I love the analogy that we need to make a list of those important truths that can anchor our hearts to Christ. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh, I love that, yay, I’m not alone in my list craziness 🙂 Blessings as you focus on the lists of His love, promises, mercies and grace
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I love our lists! I thank I will write those reminders down and NOT cross them off! I think God for your writing ❣️
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Yes, finally a list that has no pressure to cross things off, a list that says forever we can trust Him! Amen!
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