| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionThursday, July 31, 2008  Church sign on Route 772 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Are You On The Right Road?" "Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take" (Jeremiah 31:21).  Yesterday we made chaplain visits throughout Lancaster County and finished with a visit to United Zion Nursing Home in Lititz to see our friends, Dave and Millie, who celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in April. For many years we fondly referred to them as our "pew neighbors" since they sat directly behind us in church. Dave has had a rough time the last several weeks but maintains his strong faith in God and a great sense of humor!On the way home we passed a country church that sits on an interesting lot. As you approach the church from the west, you come to a fork in the road. We assume the original road went straight, directly past the front of the church. But at this point the "new" highway veers right. Someone in the church considered a thoughtful witness sign to place at this very small point which is both practical and spiritual. It merely asks, "Are You Sure You're on the Right Road?" In smaller letters under the question there's a Scripture reference. I wonder how many have looked this up through the years! "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13,14). We want to especially consider a phrase from Jeremiah today. It was originally pronounced to the Southern Kingdom some 2,600 years ago and remains a relevant reminder to all generations, "Take note of the highway, the road that you take" (Jeremiah 31:32). It is a fact that we are all presently on the road to our eternal destination. God has placed us in the driver's seat to steer our lives in the direction of our choosing (free-will). Since there are many roads we may travel He equips us with the Bible roadmap that tells us what to expect when we choose a particular route. One road is broad, well-travelled and seems very enticing. But since the futile end of this road extends beyond our initial view, Solomon warns travelers, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Jesus gives unambiguous directions to those who travel the narrow road when He declares, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me" (John 14:6). It will not be through our good works, religious affiliation or other man-centered efforts, but those traveling on the Highway to Heaven will get there only through the saving blood of Jesus Christ!  Jeremiah instructs, "Set up road signs; put up guideposts." When we travel on an unfamiliar highway we appreciate periodic signs informing us that we're on the right road. Even on familiar routes we still value guideposts that assure us we're going the right way. In my preaching I often quote from Hebrews 12:1 where the writer of Hebrews urges believers to confidently persevere in "the race marked out for us." We don't have to flip a coin or make a blind guess as to which direction we take but we can move forward in confidence. On the spiritual highway road signs and guideposts are surely the directions given us in the Holy Scriptures, God's owner's manual. The Scriptures are an absolutely reliable map to direct our paths in the course of this life and to direct our hearts toward the life hereafter. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, this journey of faith began at Mile Marker One which was, for those who believe, the moment we personalized the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross. After we repented of our sins we began this faith journey and the milestones along the way have assured us that the route we're on leads to eternal life. We reject the philosophies that originate from this world and follow Your roadmap that keeps us on the highway of holiness. All the while we are ever watchful for the prowling enemy who attempts to steer us off course. Though sorrow and mourning have accompanied us on this journey, we will enter Zion rejoicing and singing as You crown us with everlasting joy! And the marvelous blessing is that the end of this earthly journey is really only the beginning of eternal bliss! Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible! Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger" Video This old spiritual is a great reminder that the sickness, toil, and danger that accompany us on this earthly journey will cease when we get to our heavenly destination. If you're going through a difficult experience and need to move beyond your discouraging circumstances listen to this song. Make it your song and God will lift your heavy heart and give you a future vision of heaven.(Click on the link to play) "My Help Cometh From The Lord" Video The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 04/15/08  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? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.(2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 7/30/2008: $13,424.00)  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 inserted 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 these messages 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  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
