Memory Items and Limitations

My Belief                   

When you fly a jet aircraft there are countless things that can go wrong. There are dozens of systems on board that control pressurization, temperature, hydraulics, flight controls, engine sequencing, navigation, and on and on and on… Any one of these things could malfunction causing a problem large enough to stop the flight from continuing. Obviously, some are more serious issues than others and that becomes the pilots job to determine the correct course of action. Some of these situations allow time to follow flow charts to isolate and/or correct the problem. Some however, such as an engine fire do not. In these extreme situations the pilots have been trained to accomplish “Memory Items/Limitation” procedures. These are specific actions that must be performed with out hesitation and without the ability to “Look up” the necessary actions. Without this recognition of a serious emergency and the ability to promptly respond, disaster would certainly ensue.

God’s word is much the same way. There are plenty of things that warrant time for careful research and discussion, yet there are other things that would best serve us to have on the front of our minds. This way we can recall quickly when a situation dictates the need. I think most of these topics pertain directly to the process of salvation and repentance dealing with our Lord Jesus Christ. King David specifically said in Psalms, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, so that I may not sin against You”. There are trials that are presented before us each day in our lives that would cause us to sin or misrepresent the truth of the Bible. These may be critical times where there was a clear opportunity to fill a need in someone's life or to bring glory to God by not choosing poorly in our decisions. There are times where careful research is required, and then there are times when without God’s word on the front of our minds certainly spiritual disaster will ensue.

Scripture

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Application for Life

I myself am recommitting to memorizing God’s Word. I encourage everyone to start putting a few meaningful versus in the front of your mind so that it is ready to be used in a moments notice. When that person at work questions your faith, when you let your eyes wonder to places they shouldn’t, and when someone confronts you with the wisdom of this world; we will be ready to recall that needed scripture. Commit to learning God’s “Memory items and Limitations” so you know exactly what to do when the Emergencies of Life happen.