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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Nov 17, 2022 at 6:06 AM

Subject: 11-17-22 THOUGHTS

11-17-22   THOUGHTS

We use Christ as our example of humble, loving service in our reading this morning.  Paul begins this section with five “IF’S”!   Each is essential to our Christian living!  The words “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself,” are powerful.   After complimenting the Philippian Church,  Paul says, “redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.  13  That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.”  These are good thoughts for us to absorb and live!  Christ’s “love must make a difference in our lives!”

Php 2:1-13  Message Bible   If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a  heart, if you care— 2  then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. 3  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  4  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  5  Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6  He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7  Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!  8  Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.  9  Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,  10  so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11  and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. 12  What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.  13  That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

My Prayer:
Father God, help us live energetic, productive, fruitful lives in service to You.  Awaken us and help us as a fellowship to truly be deep-spirited friends.  May we love one another as we demonstrate your love to those around us.  Help us  lay aside the pleasures of this world and serve a world that needs Jesus.  With zeal, may we work at what makes You pleased, O God.  Help us to keep our hearts with all diligence.     In Jesus name,       Amen.
Pray for Heather and Bob.