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 Thursday, May 10, 2012  This "Fork in the road" is in Centerport, PA.  Listen to this message on your audio player."The Fork In The Road" "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws" (Psalm 119:30). "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21). "This is what the LORD says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go'" (Isaiah 48:17). "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).  We use the phrase "a fork in the road" to describe the point at which a road branches into two. In Centerport PA, a tiny village north of Reading, there is a literal super-sized fork in the road marking such a point! We passed by it this last Sunday and snapped the photo we feature in the lead photo. But we also use the phrase "a fork in the road" as a figure of speech referring to an important decision before us. At such a point we can go in one of two or more directions. Interestingly, the Bible actually uses this figure of speech in Ezekiel 21:21 (in several translations).Today I want to consider a fork in the road that most of us have experienced or will at a future date. Now through early next month all over our country and around the world young people are graduating. Graduation is an important milestone preparing us for adulthood and independence. In so many ways it is a vital fork in the road of life. Often, due to lack of proper direction in the early formative years, so many choose the wrong way at this point. I want to encourage graduates and all reading this to hear a very clear message from God's Word. This specific phrase "the way" has great meaning in the Scriptures. God chose Abraham to "command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD." Moses urged the people to "walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you." The Psalmist declares, "I have chosen the way of truth." The sense of the Hebrew word for "way" in the above passages is "a course of life or mode of action."  In 1 Peter 2:21 we read, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). This verse was the inspiration for Charles Sheldon's classic book, "In His Steps".In the New Testament Jesus said, "I am the Way" and a descriptive designation for the early church in the book of Acts was "the Way". One of the last uses of the phrase in the Bible is so pertinent to our time. It describes when, "Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute" (2 Peter 2:2). The two daily verses from Isaiah express a truth that we all do well to hide deep in our hearts. "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you." Truly, our heavenly Father knows best. We all need to keep this truth before us, but our young people are especially at a point in life where there is a battle raging over this issue in their souls. They hear so many voices asserting "this way is best for you." Many of these ways are absolutely contrary to God's way! But God directs us in the way we should go. My prayer for graduates and all our readers is well stated by the prophet Isaiah in another verse: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Jesus, I pray for families whose children graduate from high school or college this year. What a tremendous and long-range accomplishment this is in the lives of our young people. I ask that You would empower our graduates with great foresight, godly wisdom, daily discipline, and a sense of purpose as they enter a new season in their lives. May their hearts be fully consecrated to You as they use their natural giftings and learned skills in the marketplace. Though much about their future is not yet revealed, You have given absolute direction about their personal spiritual walk. No matter what field of study or where they locate geographically may Your voice be clearly heard, "This is the way; walk in it." No matter what season of life we're in, help us to never forsake the unchanging, fundamental truths we learn from steadfastly walking in Your way. We joyfully acknowledge it is the best way! The fork may be in the road but the other two pieces of dining ware are on a tavern across the street!  These old trucks appear ready to go.  This appears to be a home-made SUV parked in front of the Moselem Farms Mill. It would surely get a lot of attention and best of all and perhaps of interest to some readers, it's for sale!  This is a lifesize mailbox  These folks must really like Purple Martins. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Lead Me O Lord" Video Scripture memory songs "Lead Me Lord" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" Video Heritage Singers The story behind the Centerport "fork in the road" |
 "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 supporting 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 5/9/12: $5,240.00 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. These messages are 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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