From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 6:10 AM

Subject: 1-16-25 THOUGHTS

1-16-25   THOUGHTS

The connection of HOPE and patient EAGER WAITING is made below.  I think we could call the present world we live in “suffering” territory?  I pray for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  I am sure that one day “every knee will bow!”  God’s precious promises are ours in the meantime.  We live IN HOPE, something far beyond our present condition!  Now here’s the key! We need to live joyfully and positively in the present tense!  Key words are: “anxious longing”,  “eagerly” (3 times), “groan”, “perseverance”.  Biblical HOPE has EXPECTATION!  Wait on in hope, dear child of God!  Be SURE the “first fruits of the Spirit” are Yours!
1Pet 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Rom 8:18-25    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  19  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21  that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

My Prayer:
O Father, help us to live powerfully and actively in this great hope.  As Your children, give us a joyful eagerness in living and serving and loving.  Give us a groaning within ourselves that is unquenchable.  Remove laziness and apathy from us, and press us to launch out into the deep. Teach us that selfish comfort is not our goal.  Awaken us, O God.  Revive us to meaningful life in You.  In the name of our Savior,    Amen.