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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jan 2, 2025 at 5:57 AM

Subject: 1-2-25 THOUGHTS

1-2-25   THOUGHTS

Our short reading this morning is a call to “OVERCOME”!  That’s God’s desire for us!
1John 4:4    You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1John 5:4-5   For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.  5  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Te Greek word for “overcome” means “to conquer,  to carry off the victory, come off victorious,
 of Christ, victorious  over all His foes,  of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions”.    In Heb 6:10b it included ministering to the saints in love!  An inheritance awaits the OVERCOMERS!   Two descriptors are used in reference to our overcoming: DILIGENCE and SLUGGISH!   2Pet 1:10  “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;”

Heb 6:9-12    But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10  For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,  12  so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

My Prayer:
Father, You have granted that we can begin a new calendar year.  Give us a resolve to be more diligent in our efforts to overcome for You and the Kingdom in the coming year.  Help us to sit down and consider, to examine ourselves carefully.  Help us to focus and center our lives on Christ.  May we be diligent in all good things.  May we covet a closer walk in Your presence.  We wish to abide in You in a close meaningful relationship.  Be not far from us, O God.  May we inherit the promises.  Thank You for being our God, and for those promises.  
In the name of Jesus,   Amen.