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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Jul 19, 2024 at 6:06 AM

Subject: 7-19-24 THOUGHTS

7-19-24   THOUGHTS

“My place in the body of Christ”  is the thought for the day.  As one soul, I’m to be a living holy, acceptable sacrifice.  Verse11 cautions  “not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” As souls coming to Jesus, we are added by God to the fellowship of the saints, the blood-bought Church!  As humble servants, we are members of one another.  Many daily functions are named.  Are we “just an organization”, or are we an alive family working together for God?  Where is my place in God’s design?  

Rom 12:1-13    Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4  For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,  5  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13  contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

My Prayer:
Father, help us to see the Church as You see it.  Keep us from discounting the living sacrifice idea.  Remind us that You have added us to the alive and powerful group of saints.  Make us fervent in spirit and diligent as we love one another and serve You with our whole heart, body and mind.  Teach us to blush and repent when we find ourselves lacking.  Thank you for putting us in this awesome place.       In Jesus’ name,    Amen.