From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 6:17 AM
Subject: 4-6-22 THOUGHTS
4-6-22 THOUGHTS
We live in a time that is surely “until the day of Christ.” Below, a bound man speaks with unbounded boldness and confidence! Verses 9-11 are most powerful as our abounding and our approving is discussed. Surely the Philippians are primary, but it applies to us today also! Then at verse 21, I see an awesome FOCUS that humbles me as I read it. For me, for US, I hope so, Lord, I pray so. Make us good sheep!
Php1:6-21 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Heb 6:12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
My Prayer:
Help us Lord to be bold and powerful through Your Spirit. May we not be sluggish. Teach us to dwell in Your mind and Your thoughts. May your words be pleasant to us. Revive us in our search for your words. May we rejoice as we find them, and as we commit them to our hearts. Aid us in living for the right reasons, and for that which is eternal. Fill us with the power we read of above. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Amen