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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 5:51 AM

Subject: 1-7-25 THOUGHTS

1-7-25   THOUGHTS

We consider the place of FAITH in our lives this morning.  Heb 11 is the great chapter about men and women who did something by faith!  Chapter 12 calls them our witnesses.  By faith they succeeded, they want the same for us.  We are to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “run with endurance the race set before us.”  Growing weary and losing heart is not an option!  Heb 3:1  “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”

Heb 11:1-6   NIV   Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  2  This is what the ancients were commended for.  3  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4   By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5  By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Heb 12:1-3 NASB   Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

My Prayer:
Father, increase our faith.  You, O God, are beyond our ability to comprehend, yet by faith we know Your majestic, eternal nature.  We have the joy of worshiping You and considering our eternal inheritance that You have promised in Christ Jesus.  Faith supplies the sense of our eternal existence.  Father God, sustain our faith to the end.  We love you in the name of Christ Jesus.  We pray now in His name,   Amen.