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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Feb 13, 2025 at 5:41 AM

Subject: 2-13-25 THOUGHTS

2-13-25   THOUGHTS

We see a prophetic picture of God’s gracious desire for His people in our morning reading.  
Deut 29:29   "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe [“do”  YLT & ESV]   all the words of this law.  The “things revealed” equate to “the Word of the Lord”.  We are “bearers of good news,” we need to “Lift up your voices mightily!”  We must say to our world... "Here is your God!"  Ps 107:2  “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,”     It is a tender reading.  

Isa 40:1-11   "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. 2  "Speak kindly to Jerusalem;  And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins." 3  A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.  4  "Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; 5  Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."  6  A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7  The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8  The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.  9   Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!"  10  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.  11  Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

My Prayer:
We are Your redeemed, O Lord,  help us to tell of You and Christ Jesus mightily.  It is good news that we bear.  Help us to tell it humbly, and lovingly and with great joy.  And teach us, O God, that we speak from loving gratitude rather than from a resentful must.  Draw our hearts into Your presence, that love may consume each motive.  We need You every hour.  May we come “on bended knees.”  We glorify Your name and exalt You above all that is.  
In Jesus’ name,   Amen.