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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Sep 3, 2024 at 5:43 AM

Subject: 9-3-24 THOUGHTS

9-3-24   THOUGHTS

We’ve been discussing SUBMISSION in our auditorium class the past two Sundays. There is much to the submission mind set.  Submission grows from love!   Eph 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”  There’s a principle at the end of verse 5... “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  In many cases in the  New Testament, a list of things for us to “put off” is given.  Here the appeal is simply to the source of evil, Satan.  A “devouring lion searching” is the image.  Our job is to resist, firm in our faith.  We are not alone!  To "the overcoming..."  God  “will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”  The words “To Him be dominion”,  take us back to the submission issue.
It’s  “in the fear of God”!   These are powerful “Big Picture” words from God.  If we get this right, the rest will follow with God’s help.  

1Pet 5:5-11    You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.  6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  8   Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  11  To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

My Prayer:
Keep us humble and submissive, O God.  All authority belongs to You.  Help us to learn to submit in love, that we may see the joy in serving You.  Teach us that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  May Your love permeate our being.   Guard us Father God, and help us to continually resist the devil.   Keep us firm in our faith.  You who have called us in Christ, perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us forever!  
We praise and love You,  in Jesus’ name,    Amen