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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 6:09 AM

Subject: 9-1-23 THOUGHTS

9-1-23   THOUGHTS

I hope our lives are filled with the light that comes from God through Jesus.  Verse 4b speaks of “The dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.”  We need to be His messengers!  We are reminded here that the message, and the power of the message is not about us!  Matt 5:16  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”    Let’s “GET” the big, beautiful and bright picture of the MAJESTIC GOD, and let’s help others to get it!  Nothing else matters!   2Pet 1:19    [So] we have the prophetic word [made] more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

2Cor 4:1-7 Message Bible     Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.  2  We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.  3  If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention.   4  All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.  5  Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.  6  It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.  7  If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.  [read  from a good word for word text.  NASB, ESV, ASV, NIV, KJV]

My Prayer:
Father, help us to see the brightness of Your glory in the face of Christ Jesus.  May we see that picture so clearly that our lives will joyfully proclaim it with power.  May our lives be wrapped up in Your glory, Father.  May our hope be set on eternity with You, and our lives be set on abiding in Your presence.  Teach us to pray, and thank You for prayer.  Give us pure hearts, O God.  Keep us humble, and teach to die to self and the world.  In the name of Jesus,    Amen.