5-28-20   THOUGHTS

I’m thinking this morning of God’s continual care for us as his people in a given place.  For us, this is the Church that meets in Rescue California.  In our pandemic time, it seems to me that two things have helped us immensely to stay connected and aware of each other.  The first is the avenue of our website that is virtually our meeting place, our bulletin board.  You can find everything from an archive of these notes, to sermons, to bulletins with prayers lists.  All things that help keep us “in common”!   The second, developed rapidly and under stress, is our “live streaming” ability and our class sharing format.   We’ve been able to stay together in some very unique ways.  God has given us two uniquely qualified men to accomplish this.  Thank you Lord!  The one was the result of a dedicated plodding in construction and maintenance over years, the other was an instant “standing in the breach”!  

While thinking of the above, read the following passages:
Php 1:6-11       For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect [epiteleo] it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7  For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers [sugkoinonos]  of grace with me. 8  For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9   And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10  so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I believe God is on our side, that He will complete what He has started in us.  Our part is to PARTICIPATE WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH HIM WITH OUR ALL!
Verses 9-11 are a prayer of Paul’s...  In LOVE that abounds more and more in knowledge and discernment [we must make this happen, me first... then US TOGETHER], we APPROVE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT.   We are OVERCOMING here (read the letters to the Asian churches in the first part of the Revelation letter).
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.

My Prayer:
Thank you Lord God for being a part of the work here in Rescue.  Remind us that You work in us and through us for good!  Destroy the apathy that creeps into our lives and renew each day the joy of your salvation.  Awaken us each day to rejoicing that we belong to you in Christ Jesus.    As committed servants, teach us to serve with gladness.
             In the precious name of our Lord                  Amen