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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Aug 23, 2022 at 6:07 AM

Subject: 8-23-22 THOUGHTS

8-23-22 THOUGHTS

The first couple of chapters in Ephesians and Colossians are rich in telling us about God’s work in Christ Jesus.   It is surely by God’s grace that we are saved through faith, and we are His workmanship created for good works.  Verse 5 uses the terms dead and alive.  As God’s children, we must be dead to sin and alive to Christ Jesus each breath we take.  I’m contemplating my ALIVENESS!?  I ask you to join me.  The bolded words “BUT GOD” tell the story!  

Eph 2:1-10   And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Rom 5:10    For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Eph 5:14    For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." [give you light KJV]
Col 2:13     When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
Col 3:1-3    Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

My Prayer:
You O God, have given us life in Christ Jesus.  We praise you and thank you.  Keep us in a humble reverence as we live before you.  Your grace and love overwhelm us.  May we know powerfully and continually, that we have died to sin and to self, and that You have made us alive in Christ Jesus.  May we then, O God,  keep seeking the things that are above.  May our lives be always hidden with Christ.   Awaken us, O Father.  Give us a reviving.    

In Jesus name     Amen.