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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 5:44 AM

Subject: 1-22-25 THOUGHTS

1-22-25   THOUGHTS

Something was wrong, someone did something!  That someone was our Lord.  My reason for choosing this morning’s reading involves the words  “ZEAL” and  “CONSUMED”!   There are horrific motivation problems here.  Worship for God has been replaced by the profit motive in a most public way.  The systemic whole has bought into it.  It is normal course accepted!  Most of Jesus teaching, yes much of Bible teaching is about men taking over God’s design and sense for worship, then for life.  Process  ruled compassion,  greed and arrogance turned it ugly.  But then these words from Psalm 69 are a prophecy of our LORD WHO WAS CONSUMED WITH A PROFOUND ZEAL!   Does that describe me?  If not, why not?  I’ve come to like the term “FIRE IN THE BELLY”!  It is such a picture.  ZEAL, as a motivation, can be used in many ways.  Without the power of a zealous heart, not much will be accomplished.  The truth of our Lord Jesus must not be stored in the archives of the comfortable.  It’s time to RISE UP, not so much to beat up on sin, but to “overcome evil with good”!  God is GOOD.  The preacher preaches to himself!  

John 2:13-17     The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14  And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15  And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16  and to those who were selling the doves   He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business."  17  His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME."
Ps 69:9   For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

My Prayer:
Lord, break us free from the middle ground, and help us launch out into the deep.  From the shadow of the cross, kindle in us a burning desire for You...  that consumes our hearts.   From deep commitment, may fruit be produced in us.  Your Kingdom has come, may it come in us for the saving of souls.  May we partake of  the fullness of  Your awesome love.   Teach us the transformation skills that will change who we are.  In the name of our Savior,   Amen.