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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 5:46 AM

Subject: 9-6-24 THOUGHTS

9-6-24   THOUGHTS

There is a unity theme in our reading this morning.  Verse 2 shows the character qualities needed for unity.  2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.”  We live in a culture that seems to move in the direction of individualism and isolation.  The Body of Christ must not absorb this thinking, but we do.   Prov 1:29-32    “Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, 30  since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31  they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32  For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;”     We must make verse 6 work in us, individually and together!  

Eph 4:1-6    Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,  2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  6  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

My Prayer:
Father, help us to see You as the clear and absolute authority in our lives.  Keep us from making decisions that harm ourselves and the body of Christ.  Help us to think about the Church and others, and not ourselves.  May the sum of ourselves be a beautiful presentation of Christ to the world around us.  May  we be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.    Give power to the hope of our calling.   In Jesus’ name,      Amen.