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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, May 1, 2024 at 5:47 AM

Subject: 5-1-24 THOUGHTS

5-1-24   THOUGHTS

A short, simple parable from our Lord this morning, should drive us into deep thought. REAL HUMILITY is the focus.  The fleshly human desire to exalt the SELF is the problem.  We battle this continually.  A mentor of mine coined the saying, “I-MY-ME-MINE-ITIS”(the “itis” implies a disease). Our great task as Christians is to get out of our “self world” and into “the world of others”. We must love our neighbor and tell the good news of a living Savior!  I need to remind myself often that “life is not about ME!”

Luke 18:9-14    And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10  "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11  "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12  ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13  "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14  "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Gal 2:20   "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

My Prayer:
Teach us, O God, to be strangers and aliens to this world. Help us to put off the flesh, that we may truly be clothed with Your Spirit. Make us know that we are just like other people.  May the input of our daily lives be You, O Father. We are distracted by much that is worthless and harmful. Help us focus our lives and concentrate our loyalties on You.  May the alive hope from You, be what gives us life’s sense and motivation.  We praise You, O God of all glory.  We wait for our change, Father God.  In Jesus’ name,    Amen.