Good Memories
After you have had a new experience, it is often helpful to review what happened and see how that experience fits in with the overall story of your life. This naturally occurs when you report to people who have supported you in your short-term missionary service. Look back over pictures, video, and souvenirs to report what God did with the people you served and what God did with you. As you do this, you are well on your way to seeing how this experience fits in with the story of your life. Let’s begin in this chapter by looking at some good memories.
Good Memories in Bible Times
Jonah
Jonah had very few good memories. As far as we know he had only two.
· He was thankful when God rescued him from the fish (Jonah 2:9).
· He was very happy about the vine that God made grow up to provide shade for him (Jonah 4:6).
Jesus’ Apostles
We have no record of what was said at those debriefing times with the 12 apostles. However, the 72 that were sent out immediately after that returned with joy and noted that they even had power over the demons (Luke 10:17).
Paul
Paul and Barnabas must have told about their good memories when they returned from their first term of service because their friend, Luke, recorded some good things in Acts 13-14.
· Paul preached a marvelous message of encouragement in Antioch (in Pisida (13:16-41).
· The sermon was so good that as he was leaving, he was invited back to preach the next week (13:42).
· At Iconium he spoke so effectively that many Jews and Gentiles alike believed (14:1).
· That message was confirmed by miracles (14:1-3).
· In Lystra the healing was so dramatic that people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods (14:8-12).
Even as an experienced missionary at the end of his third term of service Paul reviewed many of the good things he had done. While talking with the elders of the Ephesian church, he mentioned the following things (Acts 20).