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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jan 24, 2024 at 6:03 AM

Subject: 1-24-24 THOUGHTS

1-24-24   THOUGHTS

We have each followed a marvelous journey (I pray that you have) from sin to salvation. It is the path from foolish, disobedient, deceived,  and enslaved,  to salvation in Christ Jesus.  It was kindness and love that justified us by grace and gave us hope of eternal life.  Read this carefully, so much was accomplished when our Lord came!  A point is made that these subjects of love and grace are to be careful to engage in good deeds.  Eph 2:8-10 says it this way...  “8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”   We are to avoid things that lead to strife and disputes.  We are even told to avoid the people who continually cause such things.  We want to be profitable servants.

Titus 3:3-11    For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4  But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5  He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6  whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7  so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8  This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9  But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10  Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11  knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

My Prayer:
O God, thank You for the hope of eternal life with You.  Your pouring out of mercy is most wonderful in our eyes.  We praise and love with all of our hearts.  The appearing of Jesus gives us the sense of eternity for ourselves, O Father.  Help us to be careful in our engaging of life!  May Christ be our lives.  Keep washing and renewing us, O God.       In Jesus’ name,     Amen.