Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Daily Encouragement (08/31/11) "Workplace Anger"

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Laughlin Mill, Cumberland County PA
Laughlin Mill in Cumberland County PA

This grist mill was built around 1763.

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Workplace Anger"

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:26,27).

It's a beautiful clear morning here in rural Pennsylvania. Early this morning I stepped outside and looked toward the sky and there I saw a familiar, quite predictable sight; a large FedEx plane heading into Harrisburg airport. (I typically see the UPS plane a bit earlier.) Such a sight often prompts a prayer for those who labor and this morning I specifically prayed for the blessing of commerce and industriousness in our land.

It is a great blessing to have a job during this extended time of economic downturn. Yet the workplace has many challenges in areas of productivity, proficiency, problem-solving, personality clashes, etc. Some of these challenges produce angry emotions in workers. Many of you read our material at work during a break so today let's address a topic that might be relevant to your situation.

Anger is an ancient human condition first seen in Cain prior to the first murder.  Throughout the Bible we see evidences of unconstrained anger and certainly it is a human condition all readers are familiar with. It gets a lot of attention in the media - whether it's road rage, anger in the workplace, anger in the home, or wherever one chooses to unleash his or her fury on others. 

As many readers know, one facet of our ministry takes us regularly into the workplace environment where we serve as business chaplains. We rarely see uncontrolled anger in the workforce since our presence often brings out the "good side" of employees much like those who have it altogether on Sunday mornings when they shake hands with the preacher!  But occasionally we witness the ugly side of anger at work; let me recount a story from many years ago that I encountered.

I witnessed a contractor verbally berating a young man who worked for him as he was teaching him the trade. Later I talked to the young man briefly whose eyes watered up from the abusive treatment of his supervisor. His confidence was nearly zilch.  I placed my arm around his shoulder and sought to encourage him. The particularly sad thing is that the contractor claimed to be a Christian.

Looking the young man right in the eye and I asked him, "What is the golden rule?"  He immediately answered, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  It was encouraging he had that verse memorized and he got my point.  It's a sad aspect of fallen human nature that so often we do unto others as has been done unto us, thus the destructive cycle continues. This is particularly true in regard to both child and spousal abuse. 

Much of what I've read and heard concerning workplace anger centers around the conditions in the present workplace such as job insecurity, poor training, understaffing, and managerial arrogance.  However, in our observation, anger is often a carryover from one's personal life. The above conditions may very well be true, and to some degree haven't they always been?

However as a follower of Christ and student of the Bible I believe there's a greater contributing factor to the increase in unconstrained anger. Through much of our history the teachings and principles of the Bible had a mighty impact upon our culture, extending even to the workplace. This even impacted those who were not specifically followers of Jesus Christ. Most knew about the "Golden Rule" - it's just plain common sense. There was an unspoken understanding that we are to be kind and respectful to one another and practice self-control even if it was not reciprocated.

In our daily verse the apostle Paul is giving practical instructions on life to the Ephesian believers.  He acknowledges that there will be times the believer is angry.  Anger itself is not a sin. The Bible records several occasions when Christ was angry (see Mark 3:5). In fact I believe sometimes it would be unhealthy not to be angry! 

Yet in this text the Bible lists three vital constraints on anger:
1) "In your anger do not sin." This indicates there are to be self-imposed constraints on the extent of anger. Obviously harming other people in our anger is sin! (Excepting self-defense circumstances.)
2) "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." 
This indicates there are to be self-imposed constraints on the duration of anger. This precludes the long term, harmful effects of seething anger that easily leads to destructiveness and bitterness.
3) "And do not give the devil a foothold" This indicates there are to be self-imposed constraints on the _____ of anger.* If we fervently gather evidence to support or justify our anger we are giving the devil a foothold on our emotions which in turn feeds our actions. Instead of a godly response it will produce a knee jerk reaction from the enemy who holds us down.

The workplace anger or any other form of ungodly anger that we write about would not become an issue if these three constraints are applied.  Let God's Word saturate your life today. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:19,20).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man
Daily prayer: Father, when we are angry You tell us to stay above the fray and sin not.  There are times when it is appropriate to be angry such as when we see a person harming another individual; when we have been lied to; or when we have been unfairly accused. These circumstances along with many others stir up strong emotions with us and often require a response to the matter. Keep us prayerful as we are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. May we respond as Jesus did to His many accusers, though innocent, He spoke not a word in His defense.  And may we be careful not to keep a scoreboard of other's offenses. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus who forgives us and does not count our sins against us, but rather took them upon Himself.  Amen.



* The blank in point three is an illustration of what all preachers and writers experience at times. We simply could not determine a single word to describe this constraint and didn't want to hang the message up all day while we try. Any readers have a suggestion?  
Send it to us!

Here's the daily text in two other versions:

Amplified - When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.  Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].

New Living Translation - And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.


Here's an observation on the third constraint from Clarke's Commentary:  Neither give place to the devil - Your adversary will strive to influence your mind, and irritate your spirit; watch and pray that he may not get any place in you, or ascendancy over you. As the word διαβολος is sometimes used to signify a calumniator, tale-bearer, whisperer, or backbiter; (1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3); here it may have the same signification. Do not open your ear to the tale-bearer, to the slanderer, who comes to you with accusations against your brethren, or with surmisings and evil speakings. These are human devils; they may be the means of making you angry, even without any solid pretense; therefore give them no place, that you may not be angry at any time; but if, unhappily, you should be overtaken in this fault, let not the sun go down upon your wrath; go to your brother, against whom you have found your spirit irritated; tell him what you have heard, and what you fear; let your ears be open to receive his own account; carefully listen to his own explanation; and, if possible, let the matter be finally settled, that Satan may not gain advantage over either.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Take My Life And Let It Be"  Video  Christ For The Nations Worship Team.  This is a beautiful hymn of consecration.

Laughlin Mill  I really enjoy old gristmills such as the Laughlin Mill featured in today's top photo! Here's another view. 
We pass it on the way back to a camp we often attend in the summer.
Laughlin Mill, Cumberland County PA

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Our photo taken at the Old Mill Inn in Pigeon Forge TN (11/10)
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/31/10)

DonateEach 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.
2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 8/30
/11: $8,436.00

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscriptionWere you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net?  If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed or as an email subscription through feedburner.

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)


Weekly Version:
The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.


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Reader Survey:  Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

Christianbook.comDaily 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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2011 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Chaplaincy logo
Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"

www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

 

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Daily Encouragement (08/30/11) "Holding On To Your Convictions"

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Longaberger apple basket
World's Largest Apple Basket
at the Longaberger Homestead in Frazeysburg, OH!

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Holding On To Your Convictions"

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of" (2 Timothy 3:14).

I’m hearing it more and more; the continuous assaults on the Bible's teaching. It used to be occasional, but now it’s rapid fire mockery from many directions. Until the last 15 to 20 years Biblical views were commonly held by many and usually respected by most. Even though disobedience has existed since Adam and Eve there was a commonly held sense regarding what constituted right and wrong.

Last night a commentator on a news show (considered by most to be conservative based) touted that those who hold to a particular Bible teaching, "are just plain ignorant." (This happens to be one that I hold.)

Far too many bow at the altar of academia which, for scores of people, now establishes what's reasonable and unreasonable to believe. Increasingly, it's being deemed just plain unreasonable to believe in the “faith once for all entrusted to the saints”. Perhaps that's what Paul had in mind in a Scripture prior to our daily text, "evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).

Today I would like to talk about personal convictions. We hear the word "conviction" a lot these days. It's a talking point in both secular and religious circles. Opposing parties may have strong convictions though their views may stand in stark contrast. Conviction is defined as "the state of being convinced; of having a fixed or firm belief." This word has certainly trickled down from its original meaning, most especially in the political world.

About 25 years ago a well-known politician expressed this view
in writing to a constituent when he was in the House of Representatives, "It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong." This same politician has now completely changed his view on this "conviction" and many more I might add. You may think of similar examples, among politicians, theologians and even in your own life, which I hope will lead to you being "convicted" by the Holy Spirit in a theological sense about those subject matters in the Bible that “change not”!

What do you stand for today? What is that which you are convinced of and have a fixed and firm set of beliefs regarding? I believe this is one of the most important questions of life. Today although the expression "having convictions" is bantered about and sounds good, many, including those who claim to be Christians, have convictions that vacillate with the wind. Their views are more established by current notions than a Biblical foundation.

Chuck Swindoll makes a distinction between convictions and opinions with this point; “I’m willing to die for my convictions but I am willing to consider changing my opinions.” These days when many speak of their convictions they merely mean their present opinion which may very well change at any time. They are "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14).

Let us consider Paul's statement to Timothy in today's text. I want to receive it myself and urge you to do the same. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of." This is in a section designated with the heading "Paul's Final Charge To Timothy".

Paul established two foundations for these convictions:

1) The Source: “Our Godly Heritage”  For Timothy “the source” of his biblical faith was from Grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice who passed it down to him from childhood on (2 Timothy 1:5, and 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul discipled Timothy as a son in the faith along with other godly people of his time period. Timothy was a self-studied, earnest student of the Word.

2) The Basis: “The Holy Scriptures”  From his infancy Timothy was introduced to “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

The faith message and lifestyle was passed down generationally to Timothy. This led to his own faith experience based on deep convictions about eternal matters. Today's church needs men and women, young people like Timothy, who will continue in what they have learned and have become convinced of. When barraged with attacks on these foundational convictions we should not weaken but strengthen our resolve to remain firm. Will you join me in being a person of deep Biblical convictions?

Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man
Daily prayer: Father, it has been written that he who stands for nothing will fall for anything. Most within our generation stand for very little that has eternal value though we have been given thorough instruction from Your Holy Word to guide our lives, teach us right from wrong, and how to prepare for eternity. We are convinced of these teachings by the Holy Spirit, by men and women of deep faith, and by our own defining experiences in life. Help us to stand unashamedly and fearlessly as people of deep conviction we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.



Additional perspective on today's topic:
I recently had a conversation with an older friend of mine, a man who demonstrates spiritual wisdom, integrity, faithfulness and honorably raised a large family.  We were discussing how his son, who is a professor at a nominally Christian college, had a view on a Bible topic which is Biblically incorrect, but is the current academically correct view and probably a necessity in maintaining his position at the rather liberal college he teaches at. Now certainly this is not what my aged friend had been taught to believe but he told me that his son was a lot smarter then he was, essentially implying that his view must thus be the correct one.

We use a term "politically correct" and I think another term is "academically correct". Academic correctness is established by the elite schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton and so forth and then since other schools tend to be "elite college wannabes" even the most unorthodox views may be held in order to be seen as academically respectable. After all if you are in the education field who wants someone from Harvard saying you are ignorant or a moron? For that matter too many in non-educational fields worry about this as well. But Scripture says, "evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

Sadly this has deeply affected many historically Christian colleges as well, including those in the denomination I have my credentials. Several years ago I was at a chaplain's training seminar and heard a professor at one of our denomination's liberal arts colleges spitefully and I would say even hatefully mock a belief on a matter that I had been taught in one of that denomination's Bible College back in the seventies. In fact many ministers still hold this view. Sadly this summer a decision was made to close that Bible College and consolidate with the very liberal arts college that the professor taught at. That Bible College has been a bulwark against the liberalism creeping into our denomination, especially since it is in our headquarters city. Of course this situation is not at all unique to that denomination. In fact I would observe it tends to be the norm.

Here are some personal understandings I have regarding words on this topic you may find helpful:

Smart - Being "smart" has nothing to do with the amount of education one has. I feel there are smart people who may have none or very little formal education. In some cases this may be because it wasn't an interest, in other cases they just don't have access to formal education such as a tribesman in Africa.  Of course there are very smart people who are also formally educated. In addition to this I observe that we may be smart concerning different interests and skills. A person deemed very smart, especially based upon formal education, may have no knowledge or skills about certain matters. Conversely one deemed "not very smart" may be very proficient on a particular matter. I wonder how many professors at Harvard know how to run a farm?

Formally Educated - Having been through various levels of formal education, attaining degrees and so forth. This may or may not mean one is smart and certainly is not an indication of genuine wisdom, let alone spiritual wisdom.

Learned/studied - This is a qualification virtually all can have now, especially with abundant access to information on the internet, books and so forth.

Wise -
Wisdom has been described as applied knowledge. This is a quality not entirely related to smartness. Smart people may not be very wise and wise people may not be smart, however they can go together. 

Spiritually wise - Knowing "the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." This is the highest form of wisdom and spiritual knowledge.

Note: We realize we have readers in this series who have a high degree of formal education, including friends who went to elite colleges like Harvard, Brown and Princeton. In fact there are several on this list who have earned doctorates from these schools. My point is not dissing formal educational achievement but rather asking you and all readers to consider this topic of "academic correctness" and how it may relate to the Scriptures and the faith once for all entrusted to the saints that we are all to contend for. (See Jude 3)



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Jesus I My Cross Have Taken"
 Video  Indelible Grace  An outstanding hymn rarely heard today (at least in any church I have been in) written by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) whose father abandoned him at an early age and never let his son call him "father", the song is a testament to the power of the gospel to address even situations where the rot of sin has spread into family relationships. Consider playing this as you read the lyrics (although this version does not use every stanza).

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.

3. Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

5. Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

6. Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

"Arise, My Soul Arise"
 Video  A Charles Wesley hymn


"Lead Me Lord"  Video  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"I Shall Not Be Moved"  Video  Homecoming Series

For further study on today's topic:

"The New Tolerance vs. Christian Convictions"  Article by Josh McDowell

"Christian Convictions and Unpopularity in the Public Square"  Podcast by Albert Mohler

Cultivating Christian Convictions"  Article by Steven C. Riser


Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Our photo taken at the Old Mill Inn in Pigeon Forge TN (11/10)
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/31/10)

DonateEach 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.
2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 8/29
/11: $8,436.00

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscriptionWere you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net?  If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed or as an email subscription through feedburner.

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)


Weekly Version:
The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.


Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:
Daily Encouragement on Facebook The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 The daily message and prayer on Twitter.

Reader Survey:  Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

Christianbook.comDaily 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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2011 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Chaplaincy logo
Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"

www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

 

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Daily Encouragement (08/29/11) "Till The Storm Passes By"

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Monday, August 29, 2011

Storm scene

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Till The Storm Passes By"

"Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39 NKJV). "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV).


Till The Storm Passes By
As most of you know, due to the intense media coverage of Hurricane Irene, we had a severe storm come through our area this weekend.  We were to the west of the hurricane's main path up the east coast but still had a lot of rain and high winds. Some of our friends had power outages but the damage in our area is minimal and few lives were lost due to the many warnings we received. Driving after the storm we encountered a roadway of small broken tree branches and we have a lot of lawn cleanup today.

Fallen tree over church parking lot (Hurricane Irene)
A church we served in Massachusetts (1993-2001) had a large tree fall right over the entrance to their parking lot. Today all throughout our region many are dealing with storm damages of varying degree. But early Monday morning as we prepare this message the sky is bright blue, the winds are completely stilled, the school buses are loaded with students and drivers are heading to work. The storm has passed! For our devotional message today let us consider a famous storm in the Bible.

Sea of Galilee (photo by Chaucee Stillman)
Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the story of Jesus climbing into a boat with His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. It's 700 feet below sea level and its deepest point descends 150 feet. The sea is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, surrounded by hills. Jesus had called four of His disciples into ministry from this very sea. 

The winds blowing across the land intensify in close proximity to the sea, often causing violent and abrupt storms. 
Several of the disciples were seasoned fishermen who had spent their lives on this lake. They'd undoubtedly survived many storms, but in today's Scripture account a severe squall released its windy furor which caused the still waters to erupt thrusting powerful waves of sea water above the boat.

Can you just imagine the scene; the men running about the boat to find watertight containers to bale out the water as it swirled about their feet and was rising. They surely panicked and feared for their lives. All except One; the Son of Man who, of all things,
was sleeping soundly on a cushion in the stern!

Nerves completely shattered by now, the disciples awakened Jesus and asked passionately, "Teacher, don't You care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38b). Jesus responded to the disciples with a reprimand for their lack of faith, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). He then got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, "Peace!  Be still!" and the winds and waves obeyed their Creator. 

Peace be Still
The disciples, still shaken, after their death defying ordeal, now witnessed the instant calming of the horrific storm once Jesus commanded the elements to be still. Consider the roller coaster ride their emotions took as the sudden storm broke loose, the waters rose, and then the miracle that followed.  Their emotions went from concern to worry, then fear, then terror, then disbelief, tremendous relief, and finally amazement. Stunned by what they had seen, they surely shook their heads in astonishment as they began to ask each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey Him" (Mark 4:41).

When our hearts become troubled they're much like the storm tossed sea. It causes unrest within our soul and our passions become unruly. Fear and anxiety are inevitable as the deadly water of doubt, unbelief, rebellion and other harmful attitudes rise up within us thereby drowning our faith in God.

Challenges, trials, and tragedies will always exist. But God has promised that His peace is available to all who seek Him – He offers a peace that transcends human understanding or human intervention. This peace will guard our hearts from anxiety, fear, terror, and strife. "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day" (Psalm 91:4,5).

Jesus looks on but eagerly awaits our beckoning call. He comes into our lives upon our invitation as we ask Him to save us.  He says, "Peace!  Be still!" to the conflict, doubts, fightings, and fears that grip our hearts.  We no longer strive to save ourselves, but we ask Jesus to save us.  Fear is overcome by faith when we ask Jesus to be our Savior, to guide us over the troubled sea of life.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for the powerful God that You are.  Even the winds and waves recognize You as Creator and obey Your voice.  Your Word is a lighthouse that directs us safely toward heaven when the furious waves swirl about us and the water rises up to our necks.  Keep us firmly anchored in Your ways so that we stay above the waters and endure to the very end. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Today's text can be read at Mark 4:35-41



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Till The Storm Passes By"
 Video  Vestal Goodman

"Praise You In The Storm"  Video  Casting Crowns

"Peacespeaker"  Video  Instrumental We use this song as background to our podcast today.  Here's a vocal version.

"Wonderful Peace"  Video  Dene Taylor

"He Hideth My Soul" 
 Video  Haven of Rest Quartet

"Just As I Am"  Video  Brian Doerksen

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Our photo taken at the Old Mill Inn in Pigeon Forge TN (11/10)
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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."

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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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2011 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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