Upon Every Remembrance

I was making a card for a friend the other day and I pulled out a packet of Bible verses printed on Vellum that someone had given me for use in cardmaking. The verses were beautifully printed in different fonts and colors and one particular caught my eye:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, " (Philippians 1:3)

I would have really loved to have used that particular sheet of Vellum for it was particularly beautiful. Only, I knew in my heart it wasn't true coming from me. I am very sad to say that I can't say about anyone that every time I remember them, I pray for them and thank the Lord for them. I wish that were true.

When I first began to ponder that, I thought, "Wow, those Philippians must have really been something that every time Paul thought about them it led him to pray and to thank God for them." It didn't take but a minute or two for that thought to be turned around in my head to this one, "Wow, what kind of walk with the Lord did Paul have that every time he thought of someone, he prayed for them."

I remember being given some wise advice once by an older nurse who probably never knew the impact of the words she shared with me. I had asked her how she could continually be so polite to physicians who were rude and demeaning to us as nurses. I didn't think they deserved her respect or politeness. She replied, "I don't treat them that way because of who they are, I treat them that way because of who I am."

Paul prayed for the Philippians not only because of who and what they were, but primarily because of who and what he was. And living inside of us as believers is the same Lord Jesus, the same Holy Spirit as lived in Paul. Because of our salvation our hearts have been created in true righteousness and holiness, but our minds need renewing. We need to think differently about what and when and how we think. . .about what it is important to think about. We need to remember to pray when we remember. The Lord has not put someone on our mind for no reason.

So may we "be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2