From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Thu, May 25, 2023 at 6:10 AM
Subject: 5-25-23 THOUGHTS
5-25-23 THOUGHTS
1John 2:17 The world is passing away, and [also] its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes help us with our perspective on this life! It is most natural for me to desire happiness. But, below I’m reminded that I don’t learn much when I’m joyfully indulging myself. The learning that has stayed with me and given value to my life, has come during the difficult and even painful times of life. The “HOUSE OF MOURNING” is needful for each of us. Mark 8:35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” With all of our being, we must know God’s perspective of our succeeding and overcoming!
Eccl 7:1-14 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. 7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. 9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. 10 Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. 11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. 13 Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? 14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider — God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.
1Pet 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
My Prayer:
Help us, O God, to find the good and right and true in this life. Guide us to right places in order to find the good and right and true. Help us to make spaces in our hearts for You to occupy, O Father. May we find You and Jesus in a deep, abiding, faithful relationship. We want to abide in the vine. Teach us to pray, allow us to find each other in a powerful, loving fellowship in the Church. As we encourage one another in love and good works, may our souls bear fruit, as we wait patiently for the coming of our Lord. We pray in His name, Amen.