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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Oct 18, 2022 at 5:43 AM

Subject: 10-18-22 THOUGHTS

10-18-22   THOUGHTS

We must consider our ABIDING IN CHRIST!  It is a serious discussion about our REALNESS AS CHRISTIANS!  Our KEEPING God’s WORD and our BEARING FRUIT seem to be the criteria for our claim to realness.  This is a continual, close relationship with God through Christ Jesus.  There is no causal mediocrity in the reading below.    LOVE is the foundation for our ABIDING as friends.  This is a rich foundational discussion from our Lord!  

John 15:1-14    "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  2  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  3  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5  "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8  "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9  "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11  "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  12  "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  13  "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  14  "You are My friends if you do what I command you.
1John 2:24   As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

My Prayer:
O God, may we always prove to be your disciples.  May we abide in Your love.  Teach us to be living sacrifices to promote your love in this world.  Help us to remember that this life is not about us.  Please, O Lord, may our lives be real in you as we look to being with you eternally.
In the name of our Savior,    Amen.  
Pray for our sister Heather