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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, May 15, 2023 at 4:40 AM

Subject: 5-15-23 THOUGHTS

5-15-23   THOUGHTS

The reading this morning is short, but it provides a powerful example of a New Testament Church on fire!  The Church at Thessalonica received the word in tough times, but the “joy of the Holy Spirit” comment tells us that the word settled these people deeply!  Preachers labor the topic of evangelism to get us to speak the story of Jesus.  This “joy of the Holy Spirit” in them seems to have provided these with a natural expression of the One who saved them.  Verse 8 is so powerful in its simplicity: “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”     These “became an example to all the believers” around.   This is the new testament Church in action!  The remaining verses complete this marvelous example.  They TURNED, they SERVED, and they WAITED!  What a simple example to every Church of our Lord.  I believe this will happen to us when the joy of the presence of God and Christ and the Spirit is in us!  We must turn to God from the idols of this world.  We cannot serve both God and the world!   May we at Rescue be “rescued” by Jesus.

1Thes 1:6-10    You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  7  so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8  For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.  9  For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,  10  and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

My Prayer:
O God, through Your Son, rescue us from the wrath to come.  May we receive Your word with the Joy of Your Spirit.  Believing, help us to boldly speak the story of Jesus.  Give us the mind that this would be a natural overflowing of converted hearts that know Your love.  Teach us a joyful spontaneity that draws souls to You, as You work in us.  May we be light and salt, a city set on a hill.  Restore to us the Joy of Your Salvation.  It’s in Jesus that we pray,      Amen.