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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, May 6, 2024 at 4:11 AM

Subject: 5-6-24 THOUGHTS

5-6-24   THOUGHTS    

Paul’s introduction to the Philippian letter is powerful in FELLOWSHIP tone!  In verse 7 he says “because I have you in my heart”!  From that came prayer with joy, and a certain confidence in them.  He asks that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”   He desires that their “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;” Paul is surely aware of their need for perseverance until the end!  We must stay focused and keep on task.  Our joy in the Lord allows and promotes this. The fact of Paul’s prayers in this way tells us something about us praying for each other.  

Php 1:3-11     I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,4  always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5  in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect 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 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.

My Prayer:
Father, keep us strong in the faith until the day of Christ.  Help us to pray earnestly, joyfully and powerfully for each other.  May we consider each other, not just in health and circumstance, but in spirit, and faith and growth toward You, O God.  Give us each a greater desire to know You, O Father, and help us abide closer and closer to You!  May we together be filled with the fruit of righteousness to Your glory and praise, O God.      

In the name of our Savior,   Amen