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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 5:42 AM

Subject: 11-20-23 THOUGHTS

11-20-23   THOUGHTS

What a story we read this morning!  It’s one of my favorites.  As Thomas says “Unless I see...”, I think of all that we can see that ought to produce faith!  “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  God’s word says “So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Rom 10:17  Jesus proclaims... “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."  Then verse 31... “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  1Cor 1:18   For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.    "My Lord and my God!"

John 20:24-31   But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  25  So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26  After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27  Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28  Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  29  Jesus said to him,  "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."  30  Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  31  but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

My Prayer:
Thank You for Your Spirit-Word, O God, the story of Jesus and salvation.  Remove all “matter of factness” from our hearts.  Replace “the tepid” with a powerful desire for maturity in You.  We ask for  “an Awe”  that encourages our lives toward joyful service.  We want to live fully, abundantly and totally alive in You, O God.  Help us to sing the joyful song of Your salvation in Jesus. Bless us toward growing our fellowship with one another.   In the Name of Jesus,   Amen.