YOU MUST REMEMBER Bible Text: Deuteronomy 8:11 -18 Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 8:18

WHAT IS REMEMBER? To have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of (someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past) To recall, call to mind, recollect, think of; reminisce about, look back on; To bear/keep in mind, be mindful of the fact; to take into account, take into consideration To think about the past, think about facts, not forget to do something, think about someone WHAT DOES THE BIBLE WANT US TO REMEMBER? (Interactive)

HUMAN REMEMBRANCE CELEBRATED?

In HIS presence, is the fullness of joy – Psalm 16:11

What the Bible wants us to remember… We have to remember the sacrifice on the cross everyday! The Bible! The goodness and mercies of our LORD! Our heroes of faith and how they live! The very life we are living now is GOD’S!

Bible text – Deuteronomy 8:11-18 11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Memory Verse)

THE VERY KING THAT REMEMBERS GOD SO MUCH! King David remembered that there was a “this far” in his life; 2 Samuel 7:18 He remembered that none of his achievements was as a result of his brilliance but that all belong to GOD! He recalled the defeat of a lion and a bear could only be GOD! 1 Sam. 17: 31 -37 and this helped him to defeat Goliath. Relationships do not often last because people do not always remember the good part of others Daily mercies of the LORD are often taken lightly and hardly remembered. People often feel the heights attained in life are results of their abilities without GOD in it. They forgot that all efforts of Paul and Apollo without the blessings of the LORD is useless. 1Cor. 3:6

OBJECTIVE OF THIS LESSON To plant the seed of gratitude in the heart of people To give GOD thanks for the very life we live! To enumerate GOD’S mercies and favour in our life To count our blessings and name them one by one As 2013 is ending, to reflect and give GOD thanks!

Bible text review – Deu 8:11-18 Care is required not to forget the goodness of GOD Deu. 8:11 If you remember the goodness of the LORD, you will keep HIS commandments Some reasons why people forget the goodness of the LORD include not lacking in food and having properties and investments which one enjoys with ease - vs 12 Another reason include multiplication in prosperity – vs 13 These accomplishments of life could give birth to pride and one forgets the LORD is the source of all successes – vs 14 The LORD is the one who leads through the problems of life. It is a long journey lined up with problems and difficulties before success comes – vs 15 It is a journey full of ups and downs to humble people – vs 16 Care is required so that one does not think that success is a result of expertise and personal efforts without recourse to the LORD –v17 You cannot afford to forget that even the strength to make wealth comes from GOD!

THOSE WHO FORGOT The Bible has examples of people who forgot the goodness of the LORD as shown by their actions; or expressions. They include the following: The leaders chosen to spy the land of Canaan. They forgot: GOD showed signs and wonders to delivered them from slavery in Egypt. They forgot the red sea experience GOD who turned bitter water into sweet water at Marah They saw giants and forgot that their GOD is bigger than any giants Only two saw GOD to be greater than the giants – Numbers 13:32-33; 14:1 They forgot GOD’S covenant with them and their fathers 2 Kings 17:36-40

2. The Men of David: They forget who they were – I Samuel 22:1-2 They planned to stone David – I Sam. 30:1 -6 They wanted David dead…why? A little problem…? 3. The ten lepers that JESUS CHRIST healed! Only one of them remembered the one who healed them – JESUS CHRIST1 Only one of them came back to express appreciation Luke 17:17- 18 4. Herod the great – He was eaten up by worms Acts 12:21-24

WHY PEOPLE FORGET Reasons why people forget the goodness and mercies of the LORD include the following: Environmental changes; The children of Israel left the bondage and sufferings in Egypt but forgot GOD’S mercies on the way to Canaan. They murmured against GOD. Success is another reason people forget to praise GOD! Deuteronomy 8:12, 2 Chronicles. 26:1-15, there is tendency to forget GOD. People who have delayed pregnancy often forget the pains of the years of waiting. Prosperity may give birth to complacency and man may forget the mercies of GOD Deuteronomy 8:12-14 When sins multiples, it is often hard to remember the mercies of the LORD Matt. 24: 12-13 Pride, thoughts that achievements is due to personal hard work only without GOD may lead to forsaking GOD 2 Chronicles 26:16-21

Please do not forget the LORD thy GOD when all is well with you!

What have you forgotten? Class interaction and activity. Please return, plead for mercies and do not forget GOD again! Summary and Conclusions: It is not good to forget the goodness and mercies of the LORD The choice of GOD upon our lives is to show forth the goodness of the One who called us from darkness into HIS marvellous light, 1 Peter 2:9. Everyone is a product of his choice, the choice belong to you and I. GOD BLESS YOU!

You can lay down and worship our GOD like the 24 elders in Heaven!

May the LORD bless you as you keep HIS word Amen