Quote from Forum Archives on November 4, 2002, 11:34 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

My pastor has been preaching, on and off, a series of messages on
the book of 1 Thessalonians. This past Sunday, he preached on
verses 9 and 10. Those verses are certainly familiar to me, and
my children even know a song about encouraging one another.

My pastor (from back home in Michigan, when I was in high school,
college, and my early years as a working adult), also used to
frequently recite a Benediction at the end of our church services
that I believe came from a paraphrase of the words in verses
12-23, or at least the ideas from that section of scripture.

I've chosen a "Comtemporary English Version" of these passages to
share with you, in case they are similarly familiar to you. Read
the passage from this contemporary version, then go back and read
them again, using whatever version of the Bible you are most
comfortable reading. You can find Bible passages online, too, at
bible.gospelcom.net or www.biblegateway.com/ or
bible.crosswalk.com/.

It is my prayer that scripture reading and prayer, as well as the
application and use of biblical resources will become a daily
part of your life (if it isn't already). But much more than
that, I pray that each of you will find a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ something that becomes a part of who you are.
I believe that developing a personal relationship with Christ and
an understanding of who He is makes all the difference in the
issues we face on a daily basis.

Personally, I have enough daily struggles to deal with. Without
Christ, I don't have any idea how I could possibly cope with
them. Christ is my hope and my source of strength, everything
that I need.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

1 Thessalonians 5.1-28

5 I don't need to write you about the time or date when all this
will happen. 2 You surely know that the Lord's return will be as
a thief coming at night. 3 People will think they are safe and
secure. But destruction will suddenly strike them like the pains
of a woman about to give birth. And they won't escape.

4 My dear friends, you don't live in darkness, and so that
day won't surprise you like a thief. 5 You belong to the
light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or
belong to the dark. 6 Others may sleep, but we should stay
awake and be alert. 7 People sleep during the night, and some
even get drunk. 8 But we belong to the day. So we must stay
sober and let our faith and love be like a suit of armor. Our
firm hope that we will be saved is our helmet.

9 God doesn't intend to punish us, but to have our Lord Jesus
Christ save us. 10 Christ died for us, so that we could live
with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11
That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as
you are already doing.

Final Instructions and Greetings

12 My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who
work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord. 13 Show them
great respect and love because of their work. Try to get
along with each other. 14 My friends, we beg you to warn
anyone who isn't living right. Encourage anyone who feels
left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with
everyone. 15 Don't be hateful to people, just because they
are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to
everyone else. 16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop
praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of
Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

19 Don't turn away God's Spirit 20 or ignore prophecies. 21
Put everything to the test. Accept what is good 22 and don't
have anything to do with evil.

23 I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely
holy. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy and
faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 24 The one who
chose you can be trusted, and he will do this.

25 Friends, please pray for us.

26 Give the Lord's followers a warm greeting.

27 In the name of the Lord I beg you to read this letter to
all his followers. 28 I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will
be kind to you!

Scripture made available by the American Bible Society for the
Year of the Bible Project. These passages are from the
Contemporary English Version of the Bible. For more information
call: 1.888.324.2535 or contact us through this web site.

-
Year of the Bible
Hosted by Gospel Communications Network
Report problems to webmaster@yob.org

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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