 December 30, 2007
The Belayers READ: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
We also pray always for you . . . that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you. —2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 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? —David C. Egner
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
A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up or going on.
The Belayers. Our Daily Bread. 30 Dec. 2007<http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-30-07.shtml> December 16, 2007
A Selah Moment READ: Psalm 24
He is the King of glory. Selah. —Psalm 24:10 King David proclaimed: “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Ps. 24:10). The word Selah was later added to the end of this psalm and many others. Some believe it refers to an instrumental interlude because the psalms were often set to music. Biblical scholars also suggest other possible meanings, including “silence,” “pause,” “interruption,” “accentuate,” “exalt,” or “end.”Reflecting on these words can help us to take a “Selah moment” to pause and worship God during the day.
Be silent and listen to the voice of God (Ps. 46:10). Pause from a hectic schedule to be refreshed in spirit (Ps. 42:1-2). Interrupt the day to do a spiritual inventory and be cleansed (Ps. 51:1-10). Accentuate the joy of God’s provision through thanks-giving (Ps. 65:9-13). Exalt the name of God for answered prayer in spite of disappointment (Ps. 40:1-3). End the day by reflecting on the Lord’s faithfulness (Ps. 119:148). David’s reflection on God included a Selah moment. Following his example will help us worship our God throughout the day. —Dennis Fisher From your heart give God your praise for His blessings all your days; Lift your voice to God above— God of mercy, God of love. —Hess
No day is complete without worship.
A Selah Moment. Our Daily Bread. 16 Dec. 2007<http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-16-07.shtml> December 15, 2007
We Need God And People READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. —Psalm 5:2 In 2006, while promoting the film Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone surprised Christians with what he revealed. He said that his faith in Jesus Christ had not only influenced the writing of the first Rocky film but that his decision to create the final movie was inspired by his renewed affiliation with Christianity. As part of this transformation, Stallone realized that a poor choice had previously guided his life—self-reliance. He says, “You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else.” Stallone learned something that many people are beginning to acknowledge—we need God and we need other people. The Bible confirms our need for God and others. David expressed his reliance on God through crying out to Him and pleading with Him in prayer. “Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray” (Ps. 5:2). And in Ecclesiastes we read that Solomon encouraged a proper reliance on others. In fact, he said helping each other can strengthen us, but individualism and self-reliance are dangerous and make for weakness. Two acting together are better than one self-reliant individual (4:9-12). God gave us each other. Let’s passionately rely on His power and draw from the help of others. —Marvin Williams
Christian fellowship provides us with encouragement and love; It will help us in our journey, Till we reach our home above. —Sper
We can go a lot further together than we can go alone.
We Need God And People. Our Daily Bread. 15 Dec. 2007<http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-15-07.shtml> December 14, 2007
The Facts Of Life READ: Luke 1:24-38
Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” —Luke 1:38 It seems that most of our struggles revolve around wanting something we don’t have or having something we don’t want. Our deepest longings and our greatest challenges are deeply rooted in trying to see the hand of God in these two facts of life. This is where Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus begins. The aging Elizabeth longed for a baby. For the young and engaged Mary, however, pregnancy should have been a disgrace. But when both learned they would have a child, they accepted the news with faith in the God whose timing is perfect and for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:24-25,37-38). As we read the Christmas story, we may be struck by the real-life context of the people whose names have become so familiar. Even while Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered their culture’s stigma of childlessness, they were described as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord” (v.6). And the angel told Mary she had found favor with God (v.30). Their example shows us the value of a trusting heart that accepts the mysterious ways of God and the presence of His mighty hand, no matter how perplexing our circumstances may be. —David C. McCasland
Though you cannot see the outcome, Trust the Lord—He knows what’s best; Be assured He sees your trial, And He’s with you in your test. —Hess
For the Christian, testing cannot be separated from trusting.
The Facts Of Life. Our Daily Bread. 14 Dec. 2007<http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-14-07.shtml> December 13, 2007
Pay It Backward READ: Luke 6:27-36
If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? —Luke 6:33 Would you pay the bill for the people in the car behind you at a fast-food drive-thru—even if you didn’t know them? That was the challenge given by a local Christian radio station to change their community. It was called “The Drive-Thru Difference.” The goal was to do a Christlike act of kindness for people who didn’t expect it and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Christ. Why do this? Why spend money for someone else’s food—especially someone we don’t know and who may be hostile to the faith? Why give without any hope of return? It sounds countercultural, but the idea has strong biblical basis. Notice what Jesus said as He addressed a large crowd: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6:32-33). Clearly, Jesus wants us to do good to people who can in no way pay us back. Whether we’re paying someone’s bill at Taco Bell or dropping change into the Salvation Army kettle, our concern should be selfless giving—whether we get credit for it or not. In Jesus’ name, who can you bless today? —Dave Branon
Be a servant of the Lord and do not look for a reward; Not for glory or for fame, Just give freely in His name. —Roworth
The motive of giving reveals the character of the giver more than the gift itself.
Pay It Backward. Our Daily Bread. 13 Dec. 2007<http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-13-07.shtml> |
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