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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 30, 2022 at 6:09 AM

Subject: 9-30-22 THOUGHTS

9-30-22   THOUGHTS

I believe there are some “Weightier Matters” in the reading below.  DYING in order to LIVE, the GLORIFYING discussion, and the DRAWING POWER of the SON OF GOD, are given to us to contemplate!  Eternity is spread before us.  Our place in this FOREVER discussion is to reject a worldly life, dying to self, and to lose our life by abiding in Christ! It’s about “keeping life to life eternal.”  This will not happen if I do not let God  direct my steps!  [Jer 10:23]   Truly, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matt 6:21]   The “ruler of this world has been cast out”!  Why do we let him trouble us so much?  2Cor 2:11 “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

John 12:19-32     So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him."  20  Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21  these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."  22  Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. 23  And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24  "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  25  "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.  26  "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 27   "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.  28  "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29  So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30  Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. 31  "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32  "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

My Prayer:
We praise you for the glorifying of Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection.  We see there,  His drawing us to Himself in the eternal victory.  Teach us to die to self, that we may cooperate in that victory.  Help us to spend and be expended in Kingdom business.  Keep our treasure, O God, keep our hearts and  increase our faith.  Give us desire for a closer walk with you, and a life that pursues you with our whole heart.   May we love the souls of this world, so  that we may seal our love for You.    In the name of our Savior,    Amen.