A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Monday, January 14, 2008  The Seaman's Bethel Chapel in New Bedford Massachusetts  Listen to this message on your audio player."Extinguished Pastors" "'Is not my word like fire?' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 23:29). Last night we attended a community prayer service with numerous congregations joining together. The host pastor warmly welcomed everyone who was visiting. He then gestured toward the various pastors who were sitting together in the second pew and said, "I would now like to introduce these extinguished pastors." After hearing his own misspoken words, along with a room full of polite laughter, he quickly corrected himself and then properly referred to them as "distinguished pastors." Most pastors I know are on fire and spur others on in the faith, but sadly there are pastors who do extinguish the fire of God's Word and quench His Spirit. The unintentional faux pas brought back the memory of a visit we made many years ago when we lived in New England. The Seaman's Bethel is in the seaport city of New Bedford, Massachusetts across from the Whaling Museum. Since the early 1800's this Christian Chapel has been active for the many fishermen and sailors who are based in New Bedford. In fact this very chapel is mentioned in Herman Melville's classic Moby Dick where it reads, "In the same New Bedford there stands a Whaleman's Chapel, and few are the moody fishermen, shortly bound for the Indian Ocean or Pacific, who fail to make a Sunday visit to the spot."  When I visited the chapel I found one interesting feature to be the huge pulpit, which is shaped like the bow of a ship. When visiting historic churches I often stand behind the pulpit to get a feel for what it would be like to preach in that setting. So I stood behind the bow-shaped pulpit and looked out over the benches, imagining what it would be like to share God's Word with the whaling men one hundred years ago. In Moby Dick there is a scene where a fire-and-brimstone sermon is preached from this very same pulpit. But I found something else most interesting behind the pulpit, where only the minister can see it; a fire extinguisher! Now I'm quite sure it has a very utilitarian purpose and when you think about it, it's really a pretty good idea. If a fire should break out we'd certainly expect the preacher to be alert and quickly notice it. This may not always be the case with some in the congregation (depending on how wide awake, or not, they are!)I just hope no one would ever use an extinguisher to extinguish the genuine fire of God's Word. But do we? I'm afraid it happens, but I certainly hope it wouldn't be the preacher! Paul had likely seen this happen in his evangelistic ministry so he warned his readers to "quench not the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The NIV translates this verse, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." Perhaps there's another reason to keep a spiritual fire extinguisher behind the pulpit. The apostle Paul wrote in regard to the armor of God: "…Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). Indeed, a spiritual fire extinguisher comes in pretty handy!  We may face some fiery arrows today but we are not powerless when we use the extinguisher that God has provided. Lift up the mighty shield of faith as a powerful defense against the attacks of the enemy from within and without! The shield of faith cannot be pierced by Satan's fiery darts no matter the venom or speed with which he hurls them. Let us be filled with the Spirit of God so that we extinguish the enemy's fire while setting ablaze the fire of God's Word.Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Today's Prayer: Father, we are grateful for the fire of Your Spirit that ignites us to be strong in our faith, wise in our understanding, and obedient in our service to You. May we be eager to listen to Your Spirit's promptings as we fulfill our duties this day. Amen. Seaman's Bethel Today's Suggested Music "Give Me Jesus" (Audio) "Take My Life And Let It Be" (Audio) "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (Audio) This is one of the prettiest arrangements I've ever heard of this song. The first half is instrumental with outstanding violin. "Surrender" (Audio) |
Administration Information  Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings 1/14/2008 $575.00)Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  |
