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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Nov 1, 2022 at 6:08 AM

Subject: 11-1-22 THOUGHTS

11-1-22   THOUGHTS

The letter to the Church at Philippi is one of the most encouraging in the bible.  We gain much by reading it.   Below, Paul’s focus on First things First is needful for us.  Gain and loss are given definition at the start.  Gaining CHRIST is the sensible focus!  NOTHING COMPARES! The power of Christ’s resurrection and our attaining it through faith,  is all-important.  We must PRESS ON!  We must “DO THE ONE THING”!  GET THE PRIZE!  Paul speaks of a behavior pattern to walk in.  Let us wait carefully for our transformation! There is no sense of “casual Christianity” in this reading!  

Php 3:7-21    But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9  and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10  that I may know Him and the power of His  resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;  11  in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12  Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  14  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17   Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.  18  For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19  whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

My Prayer:
Teach us, O God, to be single in our thinking and in our living.  Help our focus in this life.  May we pursue the one thing that matters, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Remind us always that we are indeed citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Help us to press on rightly.  Thank you, O Lord, for the upward call.     In Jesus name,     Amen.
Pray for Heather & Bob, please.