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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Aug 8, 2023 at 5:49 AM

Subject: 8-8-23 THOUGHTS

8-8-23   THOUGHTS

With Jesus, simple meant powerful!   We cover in a few short verses this morning two issues: 1 Humility   2.  Giving.    The scribes took pleasure in wrong things.  The SELF was the focus.  It was important for them to look good!  Jesus used the words “places of honor” and “for appearance sake”.  Paul said “ And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” 1Cor 13:3
It should not surprise us that Jesus used the poor to shame the rich.  He was people watching when he saw a marvelous lesson opportunity.  A preacher of yesterday, Jack Exum, used to say... “They out of their wealth, cast in much... and that’s not much.  She, out of her poverty, cast in little... and THAT’S MUCH!  Simple, yet most powerful!  Two areas that are so significant to our lives and being!  

Mark 12:38-44    In His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places,  39  and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40  who devour widows’ houses, and for  appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation." 41  And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
42  A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.  43  Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44  for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
2Cor 11:3   But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity [of devotion] to Christ.

My Prayer:
O Father, help us to master right things.  May we be able to put the self to death as we live for You.  Clothe us with true humility and love, O God.  May our closeness to You allow the crucifixion of the self.  Help us to live compassionately and generously.  No double-mindedness please, O God.  Help pure love always to be our motivation in life.  We would imitate Your Son, O Father, in all that we are!    We pray always in Jesus,      Amen.