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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 5:46 AM

Subject: 7-2-24 THOUGHTS

7-2-24   THOUGHTS  

The UNPREPARED MIND is described below.  It is said to be”excluded from the life of God”!
Other keywords are:  futility, darkened, ignorance, hardness of the heart, and callous.  Ignorance has at its root IGNORE.  This is a basic failure in effort, it’s an  “I don’t care enough”  problem.  We are cautioned to not walk this way.  We are told to “lay aside the old self” and  “be renewed in the spirit of our minds”!   We are to “put on a new self,  which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”!   We are reminded that we are in this together, “we are members of one  another”.   We need to shut the door on Satan and his devices.  

Eph 4:17-27       So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19  and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.  20  But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22  that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,  23  and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24  and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25  Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one  another. 26  BE ANGRY, AND  yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,  27  and do not give the devil an opportunity.

My Prayer:
O Lord, bring our desire to “know You fully” to a level of  eager activity that sustains a powerful relationship with You.  Help us to abide in You always.  May the “joy of Your salvation” empower our fruitful lives.  Drive us from complacency, O God.   Renew  us in the spirit of Your  mind.  Accept our love and praise.  Make us pleasing sheep.       In Jesus’ name,     Amen.