A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, February 1, 2008  Ed Carocci, a pastor friend, sent me this photo. It was taken in northern Pennsylvania, near where we lived for nearly sixteen years. We had bear on our back deck and twice our dog got in a tussle with porcupines. But we never had deer come up to our window like this. It appears the deer may be even more curious than the cat!  Listen to this message on your audio player."Press On" "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).  Here in America our national sports interest turns to football throughout the fall and early winter culminating in the "Super Bowl" this weekend. This year since one of the teams is undefeated this game has a special intrigue. Over one billion people worldwide are expected to watch it. Still, today's illustration may not connect with non-football fans or international readers though it has an important spiritual application. Please read on.A successful football season is a series of steps with the ultimate goal of qualifying for and winning the Super Bowl. This is true of many sports seasons. In individual games throughout the season its getting yardage, first downs, scores, and the game win; then winning the playoffs, league championship and finally the Super Bowl. There is a similar pattern in the Christian life. The Christian's ultimate goal, analagous to the Super Bowl, is "to win the prize" which is reaching heaven. In the daily text the Apostle Paul writes, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This victory is absolutely assured by the grace of God for those who faithfully believe and follow Jesus Christ.  Yet reaching this goal is a long series of "spiritual first downs." In football the first down is an incremental step normally taken to reach the goal. In life "first downs" are the incremental overcomings that comprise the daily business of life. Sometimes we get sacked, sometimes we may even get piled onto. We need to get up and press on. (Many years ago I shared this concept in our church in New England and Joyce, a woman who had grown up in church shared of a song she recalled from the fifties with a line that sure brings a smile. "Drop-kick me, Jesus, through the goal post of life.")  Some of you are down today. Circumstances of life have sacked you. The forces of the adversary may have even piled on you. In fact as I type this I have some specific friends in mind.  Get up and press on! Paul wrote our daily verse from prison. He sure knew from personal experience what it meant to be sacked and even piled on (read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). But in his last letter he confidently wrote, "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:18). Stay faithful today and keep pressing on! The victory is ours and the greatest prize is yet to come. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Brooksyne's prayer: Father, You bless those who revere Your name and delight in Your commands. In the midst of inner turmoil or outer conflict I will not be shaken for my heart remains steadfast trusting in You and Your overall plan for my life. I want to remain firmly grounded as I overcome the daily obstacles common to all who live on earth. Help me to learn the valuable lessons along the way as I press on toward the goal for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen.  This morning we had freezing rain which resulted in some tree branches being coated with ice. This is a dogwood tree in our front yard. PS: In the course of my preparation today I came across this page, which explains something I had been curious about. A free tip from Daily Encouragement! Aunt Annie's, the pretzel company, is headquartered right here in Lancaster County. They're celebrating their 20th anniversary and are giving away free pretzels tomorrow Feb. 2 from 10 AM to 4 PM. I expect that you may have a pretty long line to wait in! Maybe you'll start up a new friendship with a fellow pretzel lover. See here. (No I am not commissioned by Aunt Annies, but I do like their pretzels!) Many of you may not be aware that Annie Beiler (Aunt Annie), who founded the company as a single pretzel stand here in our area, is a committed Christian. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Press On" (Video) We both really enjoy this powerful song by Selah. "Drop Kick Me Jesus Through The Goalposts Of Life" (Audio) This is the song Joyce shared with me in New England. Here are the lyrics. Get ready to smile! The drop kick is so unusual many younger football fans may not have even heard of it but is still legal in the NFL. Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. |
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 1/21/2008 $595.00)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.  Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix 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  |
