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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Dec 7, 2023 at 5:27 AM

Subject: 12-7-23 THOUGHTS

12-7-23   THOUGHTS

Paul talks about our walking spiritually in a physical world.  I reference Eph 6:10-18 to supplement this morning’s reading. Verse 12 of Eph 6 says,  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]”  Verse 12 of 2Cor 10 has always intrigued me.  “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”  It’s easy to say “I do as well as that person does.”  We are not wise to compare ourselves with ourselves.  We can train our way into a downward spiral of apathy.  Finally, in our spiritual war, verse 5b says  “we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”.   It’s self-examination time!

2Cor 10:1- 18    Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ —  I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2  I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.  3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4  for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6  and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, so also are we.   8  For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,  9  for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.  10  For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible." 11  Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. 12  For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13  But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.  14  For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15  not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,  16  so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17  But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.  18  For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

My Prayer:
Lord, teach us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  We want to abide in Your presence.  Help us to win the war of spirit over flesh.  Enlarge us as the fellowship of the saints at Rescue.  What an awesome God You are.     In the name of our Savior,     Amen.