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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 5:06 AM

Subject: 11-25-24 THOUGHTS

11-25-24   THOUGHTS

The theme of the reading this morning is  “selfless, humble obedience.”  Christ is the example put forth for our learning.    “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus..”   Luke 9:23   “And He was saying to [them] all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”  Verse 6 below is so powerful...  “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  7  but emptied Himself...”  We must see this picture so clearly that we earnestly desire to emulate it!  Am I following His steps?

Php 2:1-8  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,  2  make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,  6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Heb 12:2  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.

My Prayer:
Lord, help us to live spiritually and not by the terms of this fleshly world.  May we cease trying to “grasp” what is not.  Teach us the self control to deny ourselves bear our cross.  With joy, O Father, help us to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Help us to discern the best.  We praise and love You, O God.  We long for eternity with You.  Settle our minds and hearts and bodies on Your  ways.
In Jesus’ precious name,     Amen.