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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 5:01 AM

Subject: 10-23-23 THOUGHTS

10-23-23   THOUGHTS

The SEED STORY is vital to our lives and eternity.  Through the Spirit, God’s mind is made known in THE WORD!  The problems that occur,  frustrate a true hearing and seeing of that WORD.  The words that describe a failure to hear are...   “they will not believe and be saved”, “in time of temptation fall away”,   “and bring no fruit to maturity”!  The success side of the seed story is described as “the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”  The devil is named as the antagonist in this story.  His method is most simple, he “takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.”   Whatever deters us from seeing and hearing God’s word is from the devil.  

Luke 8:9-15     His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.  10  And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND. 11  "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12  "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13  "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and  these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14  "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15  "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
2Cor 4:4   in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Isa 8:20   To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
2Pet 1:19    [So] we have the prophetic word [made] more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.     

          [You understand in a mature way the fulness of the mind of God!]
Acts 17:11   Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so.

My Prayer:
Father, help us to see clearly and powerfully the glory of the gospel of Christ.  Teach us and embold us in the passing on of the story of Jesus to the world around us.  May we bear the fruit of loving others and serving their needs.  Please, dear God, may we love our neighbor as ourselves.  Help us to know the joy of giving.  Bless us with Your spiritual blessings.  May we learn to let You bless us.  Bless this day with Your presence.              In Jesus’ name,     Amen.