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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Dec 15, 2023 at 5:49 AM

Subject: 12-15-23 THOUGHTS

12-15-23   THOUGHTS

The words from God about our great salvation deserve our close, continual attention! These words determine our eternity.  Total diligence on our part keeps us from slipping back, from drifting away!  The words “escape” and “neglect” tell the story.  The WORD from John 1:1 started the Good News, testimony came as some heard, and then God bore witness to the TRUTH IN JESUS by His SPIRIT via miracles and signs. God has been mindful of us!  The remainder of our reading is about JESUS!  It leads us to the point where Jesus is willing to call you and me “bother and sister”!  This mindfulness of God that takes us from sinner to adopted child is nothing short of awesome!  Think on this for a precious moment.  

Heb 2:1-14 ESV    Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  2  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,  3  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,  4  while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.  5  For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6  It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7  You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,  8  putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9  But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11  For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12  saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." 13  And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." 14  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

My Prayer:
O God, who loves us dearly, we praise and honor Your great name.  We live in hope this morning by Your promise, and by Your grace, mercy and love in Christ Jesus.  We are Your children, sons and daughters brought to glory.  Give us forever powerful hearing as we consider the truth of Jesus and what it means to our eternity.   Keep us from drifting, O God!  May we give You all of our heart, soul and mind.  May we devote ourselves continually to following You.   In the name of the One who saves us,    Amen.