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 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription  Listen to these messages  Text only for printing  See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, June 13, 2014  Willow Valley Stone Farmhouse (click to enlarge) "A Challenge To Men Of God" Listen to us read this message on your audio player."But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:11,12). This coming Lord's Day is Father's Day here in the US. It's a day that we are to especially practice the Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Exodus 20:12). My dad went to be with the Lord sixteen years ago and Brooksyne's fourteen years ago. As time goes by we continue to reflect on their example in living life and specific teaching moments borne out of actual experiences. My dad was a quiet man and his teaching was rarely verbal but rather by example. Today we offer a Biblical challenge to men to rise up as men of God on "Father's Day", considering a solemn charge to Timothy expressed in the daily Scripture portion. Note the four words beginning with the letter "f" in the text; flee, follow, faith and fight. Today we just want to consider the final point, "Fight the good fight of faith." I have never enjoyed fighting. I recall a period in Junior High School when a class bully had the word out that he wanted to fight me. That was sure a hard several months. I was terrified. Thankfully, we never had the fight he desired. I would rather avoid conflict than face it. I don't even enjoy books or movies that have physical conflict. It brings about feelings of angst. But there is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm that is unavoidable. We who have decided to flee evil and follow Christ are engaged in this conflict by virtue of being a part of the fallen human race. Supposed neutrality in this conflict is actually surrender and an alliance with the forces of evil. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). The Apostle Paul calls this "the good fight". This specific phrase is only used in the letters to Timothy. (see here) It is good in the sense that God desires His people not to surrender to evil but to take an unyielding stand for righteousness. The good fight is the ancient conflict that began with the fall of Satan that resulted in his expulsion from the heavenly realms. It was seen soon after Creation in the Garden and all through the Bible and human history. Isaiah 5:20 declares, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Evil is called good and good is called evil. We are awash in moral confusion and we must determine the difference between good and evil and which side we are on. As the great old hymn declares, "For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe, his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal." Today we pray for all those fighting the good fight, seeking to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints and standing up for God's truth and righteousness. We are convinced the battle will get increasingly fiercer. Let us all remain faithful to our call and, men, let us be spiritual leaders in our household! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father in heaven, we pray for our fathers on earth, our grandfathers, husbands and sons that they will pursue godliness above all earthly pursuits. We pray that they will resist the temptation to fall into the devil's trap where foolishness and harmful desires will plunge them to ruin resulting in disappointment, loss and heartache. Help them to flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Help them to lead their families in the good fight of faith as they take hold of eternal life. Make them strong in their faith so that they throw away anything that hinders their spiritual walk or that of their wife or children. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Some songs for Father's Day "I Sure Miss You" Video Jason Crabb Dedicated to the memory of our dads, Brooklyn N. Sherrell & Eugene C. Weber. A good listen for all who have seen their fathers move on. "I Want To Be Just Like You" Video Phillips Craig & Dean Every father should consider the awesome power of his example "Father of the Fatherless" Video Jason Upton "When You Were A Child" Video Jason Upton "Wrap Me in Your Arms" Video Michael Gungor "Let Them Be Little" Video Lonestar "Rise up O Men of God " Video Maranatha Singers Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne  Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge)About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/13) 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 an offering 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. 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If you want to send a personal message use the 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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