A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Wednesday, April 18, 2012  This morning following some chaplain visitation we stopped by the Mount Joy Country Store where I always enjoy seeing the old-fashioned produce cart!  Listen to this message on your audio player."Strict Training" (Lessons from Life's Marathon Part 3) "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). "Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:7b, 8).  This week we are preparing lessons regarding spiritual principles we can apply from the marathon, since in many ways the Christian life is like a marathon. The study is prompted by the running of the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday. Today let us consider the strict training that goes into preparing for the Marathon.The first daily Scripture portion is an allusion to sports, specifically running and boxing. Paul writes of the "strict training" involved for those entering competition. The NASV uses the phrase "exercises self-control in all things". Running in the marathon requires an astounding degree of training and self-control.  Yesterday I spoke to Bill Preston, a friend and a college track and cross country coach, who has run in marathons including Boston. He shared of the intensive and ongoing training required for such a race; how he arose early in the morning to run and then again after work, running some 10 miles daily! I don't know about you folks, but that's quite a hike for me. I think twice before I even make a 10 mile drive in my car.The daily Scripture portion says, "Physical training is of some value." Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and certainly properly caring for our physical nature is a means of glorifying God. But comparatively speaking physical training is of little value in relation to spiritual training expressed in the phrase, "Godliness has value for all things." Godliness impacts every area of our personal life; our family, our church, our work and our society at large. And this godliness holds "promise for both the present life and the life to come." That's why we need to "train ourselves to be godly." The NASV uses an expression that has blessed me over the years, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."  Surely the apostle Paul is speaking here of the spiritual development and disciplines we volitionally participate in that contribute to a growth in godliness such as Bible reading and study, Scripture memorization, prayer and praise, church participation, Christian service and other forms of spiritual discipline."Train" translates the Greek word (gumnaze) from which we get the English word "gym". It indicates a present, ongoing action we participate in and is strongly enjoined upon us. A linguistic resource I use has a powerful thought on this point: "It is not the self-centered ascetic struggle of the individual for his own moral and religious perfection, but the training necessary for the unhindered pursuit of God's purposes. This exercise was a vigorous development and application of all Paul's strength and ability that he might bring glory to God with every thought and action." * Today I encourage you as a fellow participant in life's marathon to "exercise self-control in all things" and "train yourself to be godly!" A foundational component of this training is the implementation of God's Word to our hearts so that it is carried out in our actions. Remember, in regard to the pursuit of godliness we are always in training! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we know there is a deeper work within our soul which cannot be accomplished by mere physical exercise. Just as we train our bodies to submit to a rigorous routine of endurance, abstinence, and sacrifice, we must apply the same training tools to bring our spirits into submission to Your will for our lives. We must train ourselves to be godly. Though physical training is of value in this life, godliness has value for all things, and holds promise not only for the present life but also the life to come. Help us to pursue this noble task in Jesus name we pray. Amen.This week our series will be on lessons from life's marathon. Monday: "Running In The Path Of His Commands" Tuesday: "The Start of Life's Marathon" Today: "The Disciplines of Life's Marathon" Thursday: "The Trials of Life's Marathon" Friday: "The Finish of Life's Marathon" * Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament I am not sure where this comes from but it's worth sharing for a smile. You may be getting more exercise then you realized! (I don't know the source of this list. It came to me as an email forward many years ago). Enjoy and smile! MY EXERCISE PROGRAM "Physical training is of some value" (1 Timothy 4:8) Physical exercise is good for you. This unique training program recognizes and utilizes the exercise value of routine daily tasks. 1) Beating around the bush 2) Jumping to conclusions 3) Climbing the walls 4) Swallowing my pride 5) Passing the buck 6) Throwing my weight around 7) Dragging my heels 8) Pushing my luck 9) Making mountains out of molehills 10) Hitting the nail on the head 11) Wading through paperwork 12) Bending over backwards 13) Jumping on the bandwagon 14) Balancing the books 15) Running around in circles 16) Eating crow 17) Tooting my own horn 18) Climbing the ladder of success 19) Pulling out the stops 20) Adding fuel to the fire 21) Opening a can of worms 22) Putting my foot in my mouth 23) Starting the ball rolling 24) Going over the edge 25) Picking up the pieces. If you have a sense of humor you may enjoy this satire blog post with a great spoof on today's verse. It also illustrates how not to interpret the Scriptures! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Take Time To Be Holy" Video Choir "The Hour I First Believed" Video Karen Peck and New River "He Who Began A Good Work In You" Video Steve Green "A New Name In Glory" Video Gaither Homecoming singers "Find Us Faithful" Video Let There be Praise Singers I chose this song recalling these lines, We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road And those who've gone before us line the way Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses Let us run the race not only for the prize But as those who've gone before us Let us leave to those behind us The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives "It Will Be Worth It All" Video A group of Canadian young adults at a camp in Nova Scotia. This song has a line I recalled in the message that states "so bravely run the race till we see Christ". |
 Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 4/17/12: $3,852.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry!SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were 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:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. 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!) (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. 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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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