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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 5:45 AM

Subject: 7-14-22 THOUGHTS

7-14-22   THOUGHTS

In John 13, Jesus teaches one of his greatest lessons just before his death.  He washes his disciples' feet.   In Mark 9:33-34   “They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?"  34  But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.”   These lessons are timeless.  Ego, self-importance, the desire to be at the top,  is an ever-present problem theme in the lives of men.  In each of the scriptures referred to, Jesus himself is the example we are to take!  Jesus...   “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

Matt 20:17-28    As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,  18  "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,  19  and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."  20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21  And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." 22  But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able."  23  He  said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." 24  And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.  25  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  26  "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,  27  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Php 2:3-8   Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jer 10:23    I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

My Prayer:
O God, the humble obedience of your Son for our salvation, is an awesome lesson for us.  May we learn it.  Thank you for words of life to direct our steps.  We praise you for your eternal wisdom to guide us in right ways that bless us.  Help us, O Lord, to absorb your mind that we may live.  Teach us to put self behind us.   May we grasp the joy of serving you.
In Jesus' name we pray,       Amen.