From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Mon, May 8, 2023 at 6:10 AM
Subject: 5-8-23 THOUGHTS
5-8-23 THOUGHTS
The NASB capitalizes quotes from the old testament. We have many in our reading below. This is a new testament passage area explaining a number of key old testament sayings. There are many other practical things for us here. The “living stone” idea is developed. Christ is the "living stone" primary, the rejected stone that became the cornerstone of the whole. He lives, therefore we are living stones. 2Cor 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” thus, as being alive and belonging to Christ, “you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” We have received mercy!
We must “Keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles...” The world needs Jesus as their Savior, and we are to be light to the world. May our day be pleasant, peaceful and productive.
1Pet 2:1-12 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," 8 and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
My Prayer:
Father, we have received mercy in Christ Jesus from You. Accept our praise and thanksgiving. You’ve made us your own possession, through Jesus. I pray that we have tasted, and are presently tasting Your kindness. From our desire and longing for Your word, may grow in respect to salvation. Thank you for Your word that gives us the basis for our faith. May we remember always that a proper fear for You is the beginning of wisdom. We lift You up, O Majestic God! In the name of our Savior, Amen.