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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 6:03 AM

Subject: 3-16-23 THOUGHTS

3-16-23    THOUGHTS

There is an “ALL/EVERY IDEA”  in our thought for the day.  Eph 4:16 “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”    The WHOLE is contemplated as the sum of the individual parts!  The WHOLE of the Church is being considered!  Each part properly functioning,  is the HOW OF THE CHURCH building itself up in love!  The parable of the talents lies at our doorstep right now.  You and I are bound together for a unique purpose.  We succeed together, not separately.  Sometimes we miss this picture don’t we?   Verse 23 says “if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven.”

Col 1:19-29    For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21  And steadfast steadfast were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22  yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach —  23  if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.  24  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.  25  Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,   26  that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27  to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28  We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.  29  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

My Prayer:
O Lord, establish us firmly in our faith, steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in things pertaining to You.  In fruit and love, help us to fully carry out Your work.  I pray for each soul in Rescue, considering the words above.  Every soul is precious and needed in the Church.  I pray for a powerful faith in the heart of every man and woman.  Teach us to build each other up in love.  Help us to aim for a completeness, a fulness.    In Jesus name,       Amen.