–Psalm 45:17 (NKJV)
—————————————-
            IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.
                    –John McCrea

Have you reached out your hand to catch the torch?  Or have you purposely let it drop, the flame growing dim then going out?  Are the dead groaning and moaning in their sleep because the generation of today has forsaken the call?  For this great country too many people have sacrificed to let it go the way of depravation and mockery by those who don’t know, don’t care and have a goal of destruction via socialism, terror, or other hideous methods.
       The pundits don’t care–they serve only their own agenda or those above them who would like to see the fall of this nation, under God.  More important than sacrifice is the ability to spew forth lies, spit out stories that will purposely divide.  Therefore, on this Veterans Day, do your part to hold the torch high.  Hold it high!  Remember the dead, the fallen for they should not have died in vain.  Remember those who gave their all on the beaches, in the jungle, along the mountainsides, or in the sands of the desert.  Again, hold the torch high; let it shine over their graves.  Many died on the battlefield, many were scared in their mind or on their body, all gave of their time, their years, along with their dreams and hopes.  Why?  For this nation of ours.  They reached out and took the torch.  Don’t let it fall, don’t let the flame go out.
       Veterans Day, a day of remembrance.  Not only for the fallen (Memorial Day) or for those actively serving (Armed Forces Day), but for all those who have worn the uniform of this country.  I, for one, am proud to be a Veteran, proud to have served this country, the greatest on earth–the United States of America!

                    –Jude 17 (NASB)
——————————
If you read the Saturday Coffee Perc, you know that I’m always reminding my companion to “check his cinch.”  Maybe you are a forgetful person, and have been told to tie a string around your finger to remind yourself of something.  Sometimes the things of life tend to lull us to sleep, make us dull.  WAKE UP!  That’s a reminder.
       I was reading last week 2 Timothy 1:6,

                    “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  (NASB)

The King James puts it this way, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance…”

Most of the time when reading this verse we tend to look at what we are to do.  “Kindle afresh the gift of God.”  Phillips says, “to stir up that inner fire.”  But what caught my attention in this reading is the first part–“remind.”
       The literal translation means “to regather” or “to recollect memories.”  Don’t forget your past–remember where God called you from.  No, don’t dwell there, don’t moan in regret, but remember when He called your name and said “follow Me.”  The idea is to replay our memories over and over; get them into your mind.  We are to never forget what God has done, not only for us but for others as well.  We are to remember what He did by reading the holy Scriptures and calling them into our remembrance; we are to “hide His Word in our hearts…”.
       We are to remember God’s faithfulness.  It is part of our heritage.  He has been with us from the day we were born again as a loving, faithful Father.  He watches us grow, guides us through life–we are to remember that because that gives us faith in the hour in which we live.  Because we remember what He has done for us we know that He will not abandon us today, nor tomorrow.
       It might be put this way, “I am putting you in memory of all these things, so that by your remembering them…” (Renner)  Remember God’s faithfulness so that you can now get busy fanning the flame.  Do not forget!  You cannot afford to push the past aside.  That is one thing this “woke” crowd of “progressive culture” would like for you to do.  Forget God, forget His faithfulness, forget your experience in Him.

                    “We have to be continually reminded of what we believe.  Neither this belief nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind.  It must be fed.”
                                    –C.S. Lewis

A professional continues to practice the basics.  A soldier is always training, always improving.  A musician continues to practice the scale, over and over.  Only when we remember the foundation can we face the current day and put our faith to use.  Don’t let the fire go out, continue to pump the bellows to give it life.  Remember to do it!   That’s one reason it is to recall the doctrines of our faith.  Do not let the things of the world lull you to sleep, or let the fire go out.  Remember!
       I like the way that William Barclay puts the first part of this verse, “Remember to keep you at white heat.”  As God is faithful–be faithful.  As God is loyal–be loyal.  As God is good–be good.  As God is loving–be loving.  And on I could go.  Remember every morning to Whom you belong.  Remember as you go through the day that you are a child of God.  When troubles, trials, and toils begin to wear on you, remember His faithfulness.  

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Brionne)

 

       “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.”
                    –Psalm 25:21 (NKJV)
———————————-
Like it or not some of the things that happen to us come from the Lord.  All the things that happen to us He allows.  I don’t understand totally, but life brings problems, the devil brings problems, we cause our own problems, and at times the Lord chastises us through our problems while other times He is wanting to build our character.  In the midst of our situation, sometimes we make a promise to the Lord–a vow.  The second portion of Psalm 66 praises God for He keeping power and His deliverance along with the aspect of paying vows that were made.

          8 — Oh, bless our God, you peoples!  And make the voice of His praise be heard.
          9 — Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved.
         10 — For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
         11 — You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
         12 — You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
         13 — I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
         14 — Which my lips have uttered and my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
         15 — I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, with the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats.    Selah  (NKJV)

       Have you noticed that there is trial before victory?  You have to run the race, you have to train hard, before you can expect to win any awards.  Life is the same.  One thing that all should learn–experience is a great teacher, but it gives the test before teaching the lesson.  Don’t fall into that trap.
       Fire refines–the hotter the fire the better.  Far too often we give the devil credit for our problems, and yes, he is often the one who brings them to bear.  However, the Lord is there so that our feet will remain steadfast.  You thought you couldn’t bear the load, and yet, look at you carrying all that weight.  You thought you couldn’t cross the raging torrent, yet look where you are standing–on the other side.  F.B. Meyer said, “The fire of affliction fetcheth it [grace] out.”
       Look back at the trials, burdens, and difficulties in your life.  See what God has done.  If He did it before, will He not keep you now in your present situation?  But wait one minute–don’t forget to pay your vows.  Perhaps you promised the Lord something in the midst of trouble.  Have you made good on that promise?  Don’t fear the fire, but don’t forsake to pay your vows.

                    “Here, in thy courts, I leave my vow,
                     And thy rich grace record;
                     Witness, ye saints, who hear me now,
                     If I forsake the Lord.”
                              –Isaac Watts