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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 6:38 AM

Subject: 3-15-24 THOUGHTS

3-15-24   THOUGHTS    

Words are used below to show God’s good intention for His people.  Restoration,  peace and prospering are His desire for us.  These are word pictures, some historical, some prophetic, some figurative, usually with some actual background.  Our view of heaven has come to us in similar usage of Spirit words.   As I read about the crocus blossoming profusely, with rejoicing and the shout of joy, I think of God’s people.  Healing from disease and exhaustion and anxiety are contemplated.  The dwelling place for God’s people seems perfect.  The Highway of Holiness is prophetic.  The redeemed will walk there!  The ending is powerful, reminding us of some words used to describe heaven.  Rejoice and be glad, God cares for us in marvelous ways.  

Isa 35:1-10     The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus  2  It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God.  3  Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4  Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." 5  Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6  Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 7  The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and  rushes. 8  A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it.  9  No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, 10  And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

My Prayer:
O Father God, You ways and thoughts toward us are truly wonderful.  Your works to produce our salvation in Christ Jesus are beyond our comprehension.  Yet by faith we see, O Father.  You are to be praised forever.  Grateful thanksgiving comes to You from Your creation.  We are awed continually.  Help us to blossom profusely, O God, as we serve in the Kingdom.  May our desire to please You, grow  day by day as we seek to abide in You.  May we as the redeemed, covet Your ways.       It’s in Jesus that we pray,    Amen.