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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jul 31, 2024 at 5:57 AM

Subject: 7-31-24 THOUGHTS

7-31-24   THOUGHTS

There’s a MOTIVE problem in the teaching of Jesus below.  It’s very lonely in a self-centered world.   Paul’s introduction to love says  “And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” 1Cor 13:3   We lead quiet lives of isolated desolation if we cannot learn to get off center-stage!  We must live for LOVE, not for SELF!  Love frees, selfishness enslaves.  In Matt 5:16  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Don’t steal glory from God!  The words “they have their reward in full”  are simple, plain and painful.  We must live CHRIST-CENTERED lives, with love abounding!

Matt 6:1-8     "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2  "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3  "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4  so that your giving will be in secret; and your  Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 5  "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6  "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7  "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8  "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

My Prayer:
Father, keep us humble as we live in Your world.  Teach us to crucify the self, and love purely and powerfully.  We know how Christ lived on this earth, as a giving servant, even to death.  May we be like Him to the core of our hearts.  Reward us , O God, with the joy of Your salvation.  We pray in His name, Amen.