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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Aug 1, 2024 at 5:48 AM

Subject: 8-1-24 THOUGHTS

8-1-24   THOUGHTS

Here’s the gist of our thoughts this morning.  Jesus is closing the first section of his sermon on the mount.     Matt 5:48 MB   "In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”       In this day and this time the words “GROW UP” have an eerie resonance with me.    We are becoming a dysfunctional society!  We daily make truth a falsehood and falsehood a truth in the leading centers of our nation and world.  We isolate ourselves as we “Friend” more and more people.  MOTIVE and  PRACTICE are themes below. I think Jesus is desiring  hearts with compassion, dirty hands and brows with sweat.  The world comes to each of us in different ways.   We need to properly and actively  greet it as it comes!  The story of the Good News of Jesus and our helping hands are part of our presentation to bring Glory to God!   Let's “Live out your God-created identity.”

Matt 5:37-47  Message Bible    Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. 38  "Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ 39  Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.  40  If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  41  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. 42  No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. 43  "You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’  44  I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, 45  for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. 46  If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. 47  If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48  "In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.

My Prayer:
O God, You have created us “in Your image”.  Teach us and help us to present an accurate picture of Your love to the world we greet.  Help us to grow into to Your Self.  Give us the joy of laboring for the right.  May our tongues be ready and bold as we joyfully teach of Jesus.  Empower us to be declaring  His name.  May our faith and love be abounding to Your Glory, O God.    In the name of our Savior,     Amen.