MEMORIAL DAY

What does Memorial mean? 

1 : serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative. 2 : of or relating to memory. (Merriam-Webster.com)

Today,  in the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day...a day that was set aside to honor those who gave their lives in service to our Country.  Wreaths are placed on memorial stones, flags lowered, poems read, Taps played and gun salutes fired.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. Wikipedia

I have blogged about the day in past Coffeetime With a Dear Friend posts; Bucket Full of Grace (2020), Lord Bless (A Reminder) 2019, Lord Bless (2018, 2017)

Today, as we celebrate and honor those who have sacrificed on Memorial Day...I am going to go in another direction with the word "memorial"; "Of or relating to memory"  

As we read scripture, there are many who gave their lives in the "battle" to advance the word of Christ.  His followers, disciples, were martyred.  Stephen, Andrew, Peter and other names down through out the ages.

📖While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60

Of course the One that comes to mind most prevalent is Jesus Himself.  He died so that we could have eternal life, so that our sins would be forgiven, and so the Holy Spirit could come for each one of us.  

📖  “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:25-26

 When Christ walked the earth He was able to talk to crowds but there were limitations of what His earthly body could accomplish.  it wasn't until He gave His life that there were no limitation, no boundaries, (short of our refusal).  Once His death and ressurection were completed the gift of the Holy Spirit was able to happen and every individual  believer was able to have that indwelling.

We as believers can never forget what was done for us.  To memorialize what He has done we need to tell our story; what Christ has done for us, to pass on the words of Christ. MEMORIZE His word, it is another way that we can remember what He has done for us. 

Giving our lives as living sacrifices allows us to be living memorials as well.

📖 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship Romans 12:1

However there is a BIG distinction; Memorial Day we honor the dead ....and I have talked about the martyred for Christ...Christ died.. BUT He LIVES!  Because Jesus conquered death itself ...and we have the victory!  THAT is our story and what we want people to know!!

📖 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:13-16