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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 at 6:13 AM

Subject: 10-13-23 THOUGHTS

10-13-23   THOUGHTS

Life is about YOKES and BURDENS and REST for the SOUL.  An offer is made by the  One who is GENTLE and HUMBLE.  I would call it an irresistible offer, except that the first part of our reading exposes some who resisted Messiah quite readily.  Their end was intolerable. Acceptance of  The Christ, is what eternity is all about.  Yoke and burden imply work and obedience, but the promise is that they are easy and light!  Then the promise of rest for our souls.
The words “Gentle and humble” are used to describe Jesus, they should also describe His followers. There’s an old saying, “Know Jesus...Know God!  No Jesus... No God!”  We must COME to the ONE WHO GIVES  REST!  WE must be DISCIPLES, gentle and humble in heart.   "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...”  This is no casual life, it is biblically described as a beautiful slave relationship.  The world will never understand.  We must!  We are to be the “infants” to whom it has been revealed!

Matt 11:20-30     Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21  "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22  "Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23  "And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.  24  "Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."  25   At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26  "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27  "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  28  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

My Prayer:
Father God, keep us from missing the rest for our souls, and the yoke and the burden that precedes.  Keep us from missing Jesus.  Awaken our souls, our hearts and our minds to Your great salvation, and the joy that accompanies it.  May we be true, mature disciples of our Lord.  May all things give way to this vision of eternity and rest that awaits true believers.  Help us to see Your grace and mercy and love so fully, that being Your children is the focus and joy of our living.  Keep us abiding in the Vine.  May we find that rest that remains for Your children.            In the name of Jesus,       Amen.