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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 6:11 AM

Subject: 12-31-24 THOUGHTS

12-31-24   THOUGHTS

My approach is a bit different this morning. I need to be as transparent as I can.  There’s something sobering about typing the numbers above.  The preacher part of me squirms to say something significant, something life changing. I am driven this morning of all mornings,  TO CONSIDER!  
Privileged by God to have lived 77 years, thoughts of the SENSE of life and particularly “my playing out my part for my God, come often.”  I want an “ABBA relationship” with my God!
 Matt 16:26  "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”    In the broadest of perspectives, I must consider 1Cor 13:3  “And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”  John 12:24  "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
We need to think about the prophet Haggai’s words in Hag 1:3-8    “Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4  "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" 5  Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! 6  "You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough;and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." 7  Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! 8  "Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified," says the LORD.”

David’s words in Ps 39:3-4 NIV ...   “My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:  4  "Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.”  
            CAN WE GET OUR HEARTS TO GROW HOT WITHIN US?
                   WILL THE FIRE IN OUR BELLIES STILL BURN?
The following verse has been on my refrigerator for several years now.  I yearn to make it true!  Verse 14 is a work project!   I strive to have the energy to make it true in me!  Pray for me.
Ps 92:12-15  The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13  Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. 14  They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, 15  To declare that the LORD is upright;  He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

In 2025, I pray that we will PRAY DILIGENTLY and CONTINUALLY for each other. I pray that we will earnestly and constantly consider the precious power in our FELLOWSHIP!

                             HAPPY NEW YEAR IN THE LORD!
                       I LOVE EACH OF YOU DEARLY...