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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 5:21 AM

Subject: 1-23-24 THOUGHTS

1-23-24   THOUGHTS

Life is an ongoing  struggle in many ways.  It seems a principle that we must get rid of things in order to grow.  Surely when the flesh battles against the spirit, that is true.  We must absorb what we value, with “right eye glasses” as we view our world.  Paul seems to value  “the righteousness which is of God by faith:”   He proceeds to add depth of meaning to the discussion.  Verse 10 is powerful as a summary; “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death...”
If we read carefully, the casting off of things here has included  “THE SELF!”   Paul is still growing, and he wants to attain or apprehend what has “already apprehended him...”  CHRIST!  He is reaching forward and pressing toward his goal!  He forgets the past as he powers ahead for the goal!  We need to live life INTENTIONALLY...   ON PURPOSE and with purpose!

Php 3:7-14    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

My Prayer:
Awaken us, O Father God.  You have blessed us so awesomely, and we seem to respond so weakly.  May we see Your Glory mightily within us.  Empower us to live intentionally and intensely.  Give a zeal and a desire to overcome.  Help us to reach forth with a true quality.  Teach us to get rid of the things we do not need.  May we see the prize clearly at all times.  
In the name of our dear Savior,    Amen.