As we begin this new year I thank God for His manifold mercies to us over this past year. Truly the Lord is good to His people. I also pray that our God will continue to be merciful to us, that He will continue to bless His Word, and that He will lead us in every step that we take. I pray with Moses, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:15).

I don’t know much else, but through God’s amazing grace I do know Him. I know His sovereign, redeeming, justifying love in Christ Jesus to poor lost sinners. And I know this: the older I get, the less concern I have whether I learn anything that isn’t related to Christ and His redeeming love and grace. I long to be like the apostle Paul who said, “I count all things but loss for the excellency (surpassingness) of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Pastor Maurice Montgomery

WHEREFORE REMEMBER

Pastor Henry Mahan was visiting Pastor Scott Richardson in Fairmont. One night they took their wives to a fancy restaurant in town. The restaurant was in a renovated two story house. They received the royal treatment by the wait staff and enjoyed a very nice meal.

As they were admiring how the old home had been remodeled, Brother Scott said, “Over 50 years ago, I lived in this house.” He continued, “Growing up, we were very, very poor. My daddy could not afford to take care of me all the time. I was 8-9 years old, so occasionally dad farmed me out. He would send me to live with someone else. I would work for them for a place to sleep and for food.” He said, “My daddy made a chest-of-drawers and gave it to the woman that owned this house to pay for keeping me. I lived in the attic. I ran errands for her to pay for my food.”

As Scott finished his story, Henry said, “Scott, when you were that little poor, coal-miners son living in that attic did it ever enter your mind that one day you would drive up here in a new Lincoln Continental, be escorted to a table with this fine table setting, be served this fine food and have money in your pocket to pay for it?” Scott said, “It never entered my mind.” One of them said there are three things it is very good for a believer to remember.

Remember what we were. “At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Eph 2: 12)

Remember what we are now. “But now…ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh...” (Eph 2: 13) Now, “we both have access…unto the Father.” (Eph 2: 18; Heb 10: 19-22) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Eph 2: 19; Php 3: 20) Now, we are God’s building, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph 2: 20-22)