From: "Phil Rembleski"

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Nov 6, 2023 at 5:33 AM

Subject: 11-6-23 THOUGHTS

11-6-23   THOUGHTS

We thought about slaves in a positive way last  Friday.  To be devoted totally to that which is right and to the One who is right is a good thing.  There is much to learn in our reading below.  A desire to be at the top is requested of Jesus.  His answer is basically to say  “that’s a bad question and NO!”  Of course teaching follows.  Everywhere we look in this world is a struggle for men and women who want power!  The picture of Jesus is not sufficient for these people.  The SELF is the FOCUS!  People are stepped on rather than helped, used instead of loved.  The last two verses say... “27  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."    We have our example, let the song of light be sung by believing people.  I note that this very questioning caused  “indignation” in ten others.  A few verses before our reading (Matt 20:16) ,  Jesus gave us the key...  “So the last shall be first, and the first last."  

Matt  20:20-28    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.  21  And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."  22  But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able."  23  He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." 24  And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.  25  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  26  "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

My Prayer:
We are human, O Lord, and are selfish pretty automatically.  Teach us better, O God.  Help us to see Your design and the big picture so clearly that we can cease from the struggles of serving ourselves.  Teach us continually the joy of serving You by serving others.  We see Your love everywhere, O God,  may we love naturally and totally.  Remind us that Your love is sometimes chastening.  May we care enough to correct each other, in love,  as we encourage toward heaven.  Increase our fellowship, as we produce the fruit of Your love.       In the name of Jesus,     Amen.