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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 5:17 AM

Subject: 9-12-24 THOUGHTS

9-12-24   THOUGHTS

Increasingly I’m concerned that we are turning our lives into what  “I” do rather than what “WE” do.  Do we think of the massive body of scripture that is about the Church... .the WE?  The “YOU” in verse 5-7 below is the Church in a place!  Eph 5:25-27   “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,  26  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  If  we place the  “I” before the  “WE”, we do so at our own risk!  Let us study to see the “blood bought Church” as God sees it.  

I love you all so much.  

Rom 15:1-7     Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  2  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.  3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." 4  For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,  6  so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7  Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

My Prayer:
Praise, and thanksgiving, and love to You, O God of all.  Encourage us, O Lord, toward a more powerful fellowship as we produce fruit in the Kingdom. Remove thoughts of pleasing ourselves from us, and bless us as we consider one another in an awesome love.  We know that You through Christ have accepted us, teach us to accept each other. Help us to develop the mindset that Christ did not please himself.  May we joyfully live in the same way.  Bring us to a potent edifying love.        In the name of Jesus,    Amen.