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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Apr 23, 2024 at 6:13 AM

Subject: 4-23-24 THOUGHTS

4-23-24   THOUGHTS  

His claim to fame in history is to be called “DOUBTING THOMAS”!  We are unfortunately known more for our weaknesses than for our strengths.  After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appears to His disciples several times.  Once Thomas is not present and is famous for saying “"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."  But Thomas did believe.  He stuttered in a most difficult flesh/spirit time, but he sustained his following of his Lord all the way. We all stutter now and then, may we overcome!

John 20:24-29    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."
John 11:7-8    Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."  8  The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
John 11:14-16     So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15  and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him."  16  Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."

My Prayer:
O Lord our God, may we never feel superior to any person.  Not our strength, O Lord, but Yours in us. Take our failings and help us, from Your power,  to bear fruit.  Help us to value and love everyone that is Your creation.  With all the power that is in us, help us to grow the Church as You intended.  Help us to make that our job.  Help us to see the Church through Your eyes, O Father God.  In the name of our Savior, who purchased the Church with His own blood, Amen.