From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Wed, Jan 11, 2023 at 6:07 AM
Subject: 1-11-23 THOUGHTS
1-11-23 THOUGHTS
God gave John the Baptist a significant job. He was to prepare the way for The Christ! The flame burned powerfully though shortly. John stayed on task and died because he did his job well. John heralded THE GIVER of GRACE, and TRUTH, and LIGHT. The one of whom John spoke was to “give the right to become children of God, even to those who believed in His name”. John seemed to maintain his zeal and passion about the ONE WHO WAS COMING,
in spite of a world of caustic rejection. We read comfortably this morning, about a man who GAVE HIS ALL for WHAT HE BELIEVED IN! There’s a lesson for me here!
John 1:6-23 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said."
My Prayer:
O Father God, give us the zeal and power of person, that we read about above. May we see the goal more clearly and more continually than we do. Help us to see Christ! Let us see You, O God. Give us as the Church, more passion for our cause, more zeal and focus. As we think in our hearts, may we be in our lives. Let fruit abound in us! Let our lips sing your praises, and tell the good news. Remind us always that we were bought with a price, and that we are truly the bride of Christ. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.