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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 6:15 AM

Subject: 2-6-23 THOUGHTS

2-6-23   THOUGHTS

Always assured, but never comfortable?  He wants us to know that HE is the answer, and not we ourselves.  We must be careful as we define the “narrow door!” The pitiful cry below of some who said “we were familiar with you Lord, we knew you!”, is concerning.  Prideful arrogant assumptions on our part, can never be our basis for assurance!    Jesus offers a barrage of teachings in the reading.  The common thread is the kingdom of God.  The learning for us to  make sure we are in it!   “And you shall love the Lord you God with ALL...”  
Matt 9:13  "But go and learn what this means:”  

Luke 13:18-30   So He was saying, "What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?  19  "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and THE BIRDS OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES."  20  And again He said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  21  "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."  22  And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.  23  And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,  24  "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.  25  "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’  26  "Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;  27  and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’  28  "In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.  29  "And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30  "And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."

My Prayer:
O Lord, teach us to see ourselves as you see us.  Give us a keen spiritual eyesight.  May our desire for You, O God, be the most powerful thing in our lives.  We want to abide in your presence continually.  Remove the gaps and inconsistencies that discount our relationship with You.  May we be able in the truest sense to say,  “Lord here am I, send me”.  Father, by your grace and mercy in Jesus, may we be yours, known by You at His coming.   In the name of Jesus we pray always,     Amen.