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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, May 27, 2022 at 5:59 AM

Subject: 5-27-22 THOUGHTS

5-27-22   THOUGHTS

We are part of the war between GOOD and EVIL, between God’s TRUTH and the Devil’s LIE.  
2Tim 2:4     No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
I fear we are an overly entangled people.  In the picture that is drawn below, we are told to STAND, ready for battle!  Our weapons are TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is THE WORD OF GOD.  We are told to PRAY and be on the alert with all PERSEVERANCE. Paul closes powerfully by connecting his speaking boldly the GOSPEL OF CHRIST with all that has been said.  He desires prayers “in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness, the mystery of the gospel, ”.   Lord awaken us!

Eph 6:10-20      Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14  Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15  and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;  16  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19    and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,  20  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

My Prayer:
Lord, awaken us that we may speak boldly as we ought to speak.  Teach us to remove ourselves from the pleasures of this world, so that we can fight the war that matters.  Help us to clothe ourselves with the gifts you give us in order to persevere.  Make us fishers of men, O God, and keep us from pleasing ourselves.  May we see the war that matters, and engage in it will all our might.  Give us clean hearts, O God, and restore to us the joy of your salvation.  
In the name of Jesus,    Amen.