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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Mar 29, 2024 at 6:12 AM

Subject: 3-29-24 THOUGHTS

3-29-24   THOUGHTS

The time of the year when Christ’s death, burial and resurrection occurred corresponds to our time now.  Our thoughts should continually reside in the cross and resurrection of our Lord.  Jesus is our RISEN LORD, as we begin our reading this morning.  Eternity has never been the same!  Never in the history of mankind, could “Peace be with them” in this way!  Col 1:20 “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Thomas finally sees and believes with  "My Lord and my God!" Believing now brings LIFE in His name!  It is no longer potential, it has been perfected!  The New Covenant has arrived. May we meditate deeply on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus!  
Heb 13:20-21    Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,  21  equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

John 20:24-31     But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  25  So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of   the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."  26   After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."  27  Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."  28  Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  29  Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."  30  Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  31  but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

My Prayer:
Lord, make us alive right now as we believe in Christ Jesus death, burial and resurrection.  Enliven us each day to joyfully fulfill our purpose in You.  Increase our closeness to You, and help us to bear fruit for You.  May we always see this “cross-resurrection” picture that presents Your love for us, and the cost of that love.  Help us to respond as we should.  Give us a diligence and intensity that grows, O God.  We want to be good sheep, good children.  
In the precious name of our Savior,    Amen.