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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Feb 22, 2024 at 6:12 AM

Subject: 2-22-24 THOUGHTS

2-22-24   THOUGHTS

2Tim 3:16-17    All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  It’s so easy to follow the temptation to choose the upbeat, encouraging passages in God’s word.  But “ all scripture” is for us.  It all contributes to our maturity.  Of false prophets and “greedy exploiters”,   Peter wrote the passages below.  They are challenging, scary and ugly. They are passages that are easy to apply to someone else.  “Not me Lord!”  At the end of Romans 8, God’s  Spirit words tell us that nothing can separate us from His love.  Amen!  But we can give ourselves over to Satan and his ways any time.  We have been given "choice" by God!  The first part of Hebrews 2 tells us to pay attention in order to avoid “drift” or “slippage”!  

 2Pet 2:17-22    These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.   18  For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,  19  promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20  For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are  overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  21  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
Heb 10:39   But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

My Prayer:
Father, keep us so close to You that the entanglements of this world are overcome by Your love for us.  May we see Jesus, the cross and resurrection so powerfully, that no deflection in our lives from your way will occur.  Help us to encourage one another in all this.  May our joint love help us each,  to the great overcoming in our eternity.  We love and praise You, our God.
In Jesus’ name,     Amen.