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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 6:01 AM

Subject: 2-20-23 THOUGHTS

2-20-23   THOUGHTS

Faith was growing, fellowship love was growing.  Persecutions and afflictions were present, but they were enduring.  It is noted the God is in charge of retribution and vengeance.  It is just that God would repay!  The second coming of Christ is discussed for encouragement.  “He will come to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.”
Paul closes with “ the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him,”.  I find hope, expectation and comfort in this reading.  

2Thes 1:1-12     Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2  Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3  We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4  therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.  5  This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7  and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8  dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9  These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10  when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed. 11  To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12  so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

My Prayer:
Father, may our faith be enlarged, and our love toward one another abound. May our desire toward you expand the kingdom in the Rescue area.  Grant us zeal, and focus and energy as we seek to serve you.  Work in us and through us as your Spirit abides in us. May we take up the cry of “charge” and cease our retreating. May we see clearly the joy of your salvation, and rejoice in a life of giving for your glory.  Your grace and mercy and love has blessed us into eternity.  May we be faithful unto death.  As we love each other, cause our souls to be powerful in your might.
In the name of Jesus,      Amen.