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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Nov 16, 2023 at 5:53 AM

Subject: 11-16-23 THOUGHTS

11-16-23   THOUGHTS

Our living by FAITH is God’s plan for His creation.  Prov 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” Our estrangement from this world is key!  We are to be strangers and exiles, and we are to MAKE THAT CLEAR!  We must seek a better world, a heavenly one made by God.  Chapter 12, brings in the perfection!  A LAYING ASIDE is necessary. This must be a continual part of our living.  We are to run with endurance, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS!  FOCUS!  We are to CONSIDER HIM, so that we will not grow weary and lose heart!  This is an  “IN THE WORLD - BUT NOT OF IT” discussion.  It’s good for us to consider these things most carefully!

Heb 11:13-16   All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  14  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15  And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
Heb 11:39-40    And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,  40  because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Heb 12:1-3   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.
Heb 6:19-20a    This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a [hope] both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,  20  where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us,

My Prayer:
Lord, remove our hearts from this world and help us to walk spiritually.  Grant us power to fix our eyes on Jesus, in all truth.  May we see Him so clearly and continually, that we will please You as we run the race of our lives.  Give us endurance, and keep us from growing weary.  May we never lose heart, O God.  Thank You for Jesus, our hope, who anchors our souls surely. You, O God, are an Awesome God to be praised and obeyed.  Draw  us to Your presence.
In Jesus” name,    Amen.