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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, May 15, 2024 at 6:08 AM

Subject: 5-15-24 THOUGHTS

5-15-24   THOUGHTS

Jesus provides the story line for our lesson this morning.  It’s a REALITY CHECK!  There’s a surprise element in “did we not” and “I never knew you”!  Jesus is talking about our success or failure in life.  Our willingness to ACT or NOT ACT, determines wise or foolish.  It’s a simple but powerful lesson.  I can hear Jesus saying “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Matt 7:21-29   "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  22  "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  23  "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’  24  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25  "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.   26  "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27  "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall." 28  When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29  for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

My Prayer:
You are the God of heaven and earth, ever to be praised.  O Lord, teach us wisdom, and help us to apply it in ourselves.  May our lives be an active response to Your great love, grace and mercy.  Keep our hearts and minds focused on the spiritual.  Help us to be totally real in all.  Awaken us, and keep us alive in Jesus as we as we spend our lives for His cause.  Help us to live in the joy of Christ’s salvation.    In the name of our Savior,   Amen.