| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, October 3, 2008  (photo by Rick Steudler)  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Warning Beeps" "Watch your life and doctrine closely" (1 Timothy 4:16a). Yesterday I mentioned hurting my back and some readers were curious as to what I had done and how seriously I was injured. On Monday I was trying to repair our utility sink and leaned over to try to lift it out. Instantly I felt a searing pain in my lower back and the pain has continued all week. We know so many people who deal with back problems and it's easier to "feel their pain" when you undergo similar testing. I've had this kind of injury before and, thus far in life, I always recover without medical intervention. However today I am still in pain and trying to work it out. In retrospect I'm quite aware that I was trying to do something really stupid. Many, many years ago I learned that to lift a heavy weight you must bend the knees and then lift. This position shifts the weight properly so that the back is not injured. At 53 years of age I knew in my head that the experience of lifting an awkward heavy object in the incorrect position would have consequences. As I leaned in to lift out the sink I should have paid attention to the inner "beep, beep, beep" warning that I was doing something stupid! I recall another warning we did heed and it saved our lives. About 20 years ago we came home from a long trip and were very tired. We fell asleep quickly but about an hour later were awakened by the beeping of a smoke alarm and found our house full of smoke. It's amazing how disoriented I was at both being awakened and in panic. I still recall how difficult it was to dial the number and speak to the fire department. Within minutes the first volunteer firemen arrived, entered our home, and almost immediately determined it was the motor to the blower on our furnace. We are so thankful for the smoke alarm and for the extremely competent and conscientious volunteer fire department in St. Marys, PA. We were informed that the smoke itself could have killed us had we not been awakened by the alarm. We get a lot of warning beeps in our lives. We have them in our homes and cars. There are warning signs for cancer and other diseases. Our computers have lots of warnings. We can ignore or disable warnings, but we do so to our own peril. There are also spiritual warning beeps. Today's verse is a vital one from Paul to Timothy and through the inspired Scriptures to all of us. Many people pay no heed to spiritual warnings. Some have never taken the supreme warning to the human race seriously, which is expressed in these words from the Lord Jesus: "But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3). The daily text is a simple command to understand but it can be very difficult to habitually practice. "Watch your life and doctrine closely." Another way this might read is, "Watch how you live and what you believe." The NASV states, "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching." We need to continue to watch our life and doctrine closely. Upon self-examination ask yourself, How does my life reflect the character traits demonstrated by Jesus? How does my doctrine line up with that taught in the Holy Scriptures? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, may we be earnest in our study, diligent in our discernment, and consistent in our Christian testimony so that You may be honored and we may be found faithful. Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Everlasting God" Audio "Everlasting God" Audio  Today's photo was taken by our friend Rick Steudler on a recent trip to the Yukon. On Monday I shared a similar photo he had taken during the same trip.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 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 10/2/2008: $15,384.00)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 from the list immediately. To remove your address 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 |
Friday, October 03, 2008
Daily Encouragement (10/03/08) "Warning Beeps"
