| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, September 19, 2008   Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Only One Thing Is Needed" "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed" (Luke 10:42). Here in the United States we are in the midst of a very heated and contentious political race, something we endure every four years when a president is elected. The race underscores the deep ideological divisions in our country. There is much to be distressed about; the troubled economy, the increasing abandonment of Biblical values, the irreverent scorn toward people of Biblical faith and many other issues. I will admit that I have a really hard time appropriating the truth in today's daily encouragement. Last night I slept poorly and was "worried and upset by many things" because I failed to really focus on the one thing needed. (Instead I was reading up on the news and current events and got myself worked up.) I am sure there are a number of readers who identify with me. All through life we continue to overcome life's struggles and in my case an ongoing issue is keeping my focus on the Lord. One of the very first Scriptures I committed to memory while still in High School was Isaiah 26:3; "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." It's interesting to me the times we find the phrase "one thing" in the Bible. The Psalmist testified, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after!" (Psalm 27:4). "One thing you lack," said Jesus to the self-righteous, rich, young ruler (Mark 10:21). "One thing I know!" exclaimed the man who had received his sight (John 9:25). "But one thing I do…" Paul stated to the Philippians (3:13). And Peter wrote: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8).  Consider the "many things" that worry and upset us. I already mentioned some above that we all may share. Probably you too can identify some specifics in your own life today. It might be a child, your marriage, the state of our nation, world conditions and terrorism, something at your workplace, a medical problem. And the list goes on and on. "But only one thing is needed." I think we all know what that is. As we seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness He will take care of [you fill in the blank] which otherwise robs us of the wonderful peace He has to give. God loves us and wants our complete devotion. Let's give it to Him! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, the perfect peace that You grant to the believer comes when our hearts and minds are one with Yours. Though we cannot avoid the strife around us we can experience wonderful peace in our hearts as we meditate upon Your Holy Word which is the one thing You ask of us. Full devotion to You makes our spirit steady, trusting, and secure. You are the unchangeable God in a changeable society, so we hold onto Your steady all powerful Hand in the ups and downs of life. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen. Here's the context that includes the verse I used today for the daily text. "As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42). Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Knowing You" Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. Please note: Several days last week (September 8-12) the web contact form was not working properly and we did not receive any messages sent to us using it. Please use this email address until I can get the form fixed (or merely reply to any message.) |
 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 daily 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 9/17/2008: $15,004.00)SUBSCRIPTION INFO  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address immediately. 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 |
