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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 6:10 AM

Subject: 1-6-22 THOUGHTS

1-6-22   THOUGHTS

In His word, God has much to say about us living together in harmony and love and of a unity of mind and spirit.  Some of those words are found in the passages below.  As with love, they teach us that THE SELF is not the FOCUS!  Priority is placed on the work of God in a soul rather than the physical side of life.  Eph 2:10 (Message Bible)  No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.   My behavior betrays my heart, either positively or negatively.  It is the lead as I seek to present love!  God cemented us together as He “added to the church daily, those that were being saved.” Acts 2:47.  He still does that today, and we, as we gather together and stimulate one another to love and good deeds, need to love one another as if our lives depend on it!  Eternally, they do!

Rom 14:19-23   So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20  Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21  It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22  The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23  But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Rom 15:1-6    Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." 4  For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6  so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pet 2:9 (Message Bible)  But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—
John 13:35   "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
1Pet 1:22  (Message Bible)  Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it.

My Prayer:
Help us, O God,  to remove the stumbling blocks that are so numerous as we walk through this life. Help us in the demonstration of our love for each other,  as we  present your love to the world.  May love precede the self in all that we think and do.  May we be your joyful, loving family as we serve you in our place.  May the song of Jesus be in our hearts and on our lips.
In Jesus name      Amen