Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 30
Sunday


THE BELAYERS

READ:
2 Thess. 2:13-17
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We also pray always for
you...that the name
of our Lord jesus Christ
may be glorified in you.
__ 2 Thess. 1:11-12
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I have high respect for brave men and women who climb rugged mountain peaks. They have to take serious precautions as they scale sheer cliffs. One safety feature is a line that's always connected to a person below, who is called the "belayer." If the climber loses his balance or falls, the belayer holds him securely until he can regain his footing and continue his ascent or descent. Thus, "to belay" is to anchor, to hold securely, to keep safe.

Hope Church, near Cincinnati, has an adult fellowship group called "The Belayers." Its members are committed to giving one another help and support in their daily walk with Christ and promise to uphold one another in prayer. They provide assistance as needed, they encourage one another, and they come alongside in times of spiritual danger. They "hold the ropes" for each other.

I think that the apostle Paul was a belayer for many churches, including the Thessalonian church. The believers there were undergoing persecution and were troubled. He reminded them that they were chosen and still loved by God (2 Thess. 2:13). And he encouraged them to continue trusting the Lord, and prayed for them (vv.15-17).

Whose "rope" is God encouraging you to hold? __ Dave Egner
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~~~~~~~~~~~~when others help in time of need,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~We then should let them know~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~How much their strength has meant to us;~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~To them our thanks we owe. __ F. Hess~~~~~~~~~~
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a word of encouragement can make the difference
between giving up or going on.

**********Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17*********

13 But we are bound to
give thanks to God always
for you, brethren beloved
by the Lord, because God
from the beginning chose
you for salvation through
sanctification by the Spirit
and belief in the truth, 14 to
which He called you by our
gospel, for the obtaining of
the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 15 Therefore,
brethren, stand fast and
hold the traditions which
you were taught, whether
by word or our epistle.

16 Now may our Lord
Jesus Christ Himself, and
our God and Father, who
has loved us and given us
everlasting consolation
and good hope by grace,

17 comfort your hearts and
establish you in every good
word and work.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Whereas Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to comfort the church going
through persecution and suffering, 2 Thessalonians was written
to correct wrong behavior arising from incorrect beliefs. The
Thessalonians had been misled through a letter purportedly from
Paul ( 2 Thess. 2:2) into believing the second coming of Christ had
already taken place. Others, believing His return was close at hand
(or imminent), had stopped working for a living and had become
troublemakers within the church (3:6-11). Paul commanded these
idlers to get back to work (3:12). Paul also reminded the church to
stand firm and to hold on to the truth they had been taught (2:15).
__SKT