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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 6:00 AM

Subject: 11-17-21 THOUGHTS

11-17-21   THOUGHTS

Below, Paul talks of FOCUS and DISCIPLINE.  He uses a familiar Old Testament example of the children of Israel at a time when they had witnessed a great delivery from Egypt by marvelous miracles and the power of the Lord, and then fell horribly wanton to the lust of the flesh. Several examples of their weaknesses are given.  It all ends with a caution about POOR PERCEPTION!    “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”

1Cor 9:24-10:7    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27  but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1Cor 10:1-12    For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3  and all ate the same spiritual food; 4  and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.  6  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7  Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY." 8  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9  Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10  Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11  Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  12  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
The PERCEPTION PROBLEM is shown again below:
Rev 3:14-19    "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15  ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16  ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17  ‘Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18  I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  19  ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
 
My Prayer:
Help us to see truly O God.  May we examine ourselves rightly and repent always.  Help us see ourselves as you see us.  May we have ears that truly hear.  May our lives be spiritually focused.  Remove our double-mindedness and all of our selfishness.  Help us to run our race of life that we may win.               In Jesus name          Amen