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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 5:49 AM

Subject: 8-12-24 THOUGHTS

8-12-24   THOUGHTS

Just what does it mean for us “TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF?”  “BEING  RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR MINDS” is surely a start!  Futility means 1) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness  2) perverseness, depravity  3) frailty, want of vigour. The mind is important! It is us!  We must put aside the old self/mind for a renewal to occur.  Note the place of “righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  

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:
Keep on renewing us, O God, in the righteousness and holiness of Your truth.  Help us to lay aside that which would keep us from the truth that is in Jesus.  Give us vigor in our minds and a focus that will center our lives in Christ Jesus.  Remind us always that we are members of one another, and cause our fellowship to be as You designed it from the start.  We love and praise Your great name, O God.             In the name of Jesus,       Amen.