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Thursday, June 11, 2015
Assateague Island Wild Horses
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Are
our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? 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.
Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Assateague Island Wild Horses
"Fighting The Good Fight"
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player.
"So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak" (Genesis 32:24). "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). "I have fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7).
We
enjoy meeting people and in our chaplaincy we visit with several
hundred every week. Not surprisingly some have interesting
backgrounds. Joe, who hails from Brooklyn, NY works at Smucker Laser. It's a company that uses huge laser
cutting machines to cut metal parts from large, heavy sheets of metal (as seen in the background).
Joe is a former Golden Gloves national boxing champion and is presently on the Ring of Honor wrestling circuit which he calls "theatrical entertainment". Brooksyne tells me as a teen that she and her siblings often watched this kind of wrestling which was aired on television in Tulsa every Saturday. Of course they rooted for the good guys and "gnashed their teeth" at the bad ones who didn't play by the rules. Although it's not a form of entertainment I've ever followed, I recently watched a match with Joe, AKA J Diesel, since I know the wrestler personally!
Wrestling is not a new sport, in fact, it's mentioned in ancient times. A very different form of wrestling is referred to in the Bible, the most famous match being recorded in Genesis 32, where Jacob had a most unusual all-night spiritual wrestling match, "So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak"
Matthew Henry comments: "A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helps our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer."
Many of us have studied or even memorized a portion of Scripture referred to as the "Armor of God" in Ephesians 6. In referring to this type of wrestling in the Bible I told Joe that we are all wrestlers, in one way or another. The apostle Paul reminds us that our struggle is not ultimately physical in nature but spiritual. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
I've
never enjoyed fighting. I recall a period in Junior High School when
the class bully put out the word that he wanted to fight me. Truth be told, I was terrified! At that
time I was getting taller but was as skinny as a rail. I had no desire
to get in a fight! It was likely my first experience as a child to
undergo real personal stress that extended over a period of months, but
thankfully the
rumored fight never transpired. To this day I would rather avoid
conflict than face it and am even uncomfortable reading books or
viewing movies that have major conflict.
But there is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm that is unavoidable and we have no choice in whether or not we engage. By virtue of the fallen condition of mankind we are engaged. There is no neutrality in this conflict and in this "good fight" pacifism or non-resistance is not a virtue, but rather a surrender and an alliance with the forces of evil.
I believe this is what the Apostle Paul calls "the good fight." This ancient conflict goes back to the heavenly realms and the fall of Satan. As the great old hymn declares, "For still our ancient foe [Satan], doth seek to work us woe, his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal."
Today I pray for all of you fighting the good fight, seeking to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. We indeed "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places". I pray that you will stand up for God's truth and righteousness in the home, the workplace, the marketplace and in some instances you might even have to take a stand in your own church. I am convinced the battle will become increasingly more fierce before Christ's return. Let us resolve in our hearts to remain faithful to our divine call no matter how great the conflict!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank
You for the spiritual armor that defends us in battle and arms us for
the struggle we encounter against the devil's relentless schemes.
This armor enables us to withstand the forces of evil, no matter the
means or persons the enemy works through to try to weaken or destroy
our faith. In addition to the belt of truth, the breastplate of
righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit we know that our prayers and
petitions are heard by You who intercedes on our behalf before our Father in
heaven. We use our armor for protection and we use the sword of
the Spirit and prayer for weapons to reveal, attack and defeat Satan's
strongholds. It is through Your name, Jesus, that we are more than
conquerors. Amen.
For inspiration regarding the spiritual armor see Ephesians 6:10-18
This past Monday we rode our bicycles up over the long Verrazano Bridge onto the Assateague Island National Seashore, famous for the herd of wild horses easily viewed from the road or bike trail.
We came upon the group of horses in our lead photo and chatted with a member of the park's "pony patrol" as seen on the back of his green vest. Visitors are not allowed to pet the horses, and must keep a distance of 10' or more. Since many ignore this law (which can get you a hefty fine), there are frequent injuries related to bites, kicks, etc.
Parasailing on Assateague Bay
I believe this is parasailing; one of the many sports we never got into!
We enjoyed our fellowship over breakfast at Cracker Barrel with our good friend, Jackie Steudler, who has a summer house along with her husband Rick, in Rehoboth Beach. She and Brooksyne had a good time checking out the clearance corner of the gift shop where items with a gardening theme were 40% off. Seems like to me we just started gardening but with retail you're always planning the next season so we'll soon see fall items on the shelves.
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player."So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak" (Genesis 32:24). "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). "I have fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7).
We
enjoy meeting people and in our chaplaincy we visit with several
hundred every week. Not surprisingly some have interesting
backgrounds. Joe, who hails from Brooklyn, NY works at Smucker Laser. It's a company that uses huge laser
cutting machines to cut metal parts from large, heavy sheets of metal (as seen in the background).Joe is a former Golden Gloves national boxing champion and is presently on the Ring of Honor wrestling circuit which he calls "theatrical entertainment". Brooksyne tells me as a teen that she and her siblings often watched this kind of wrestling which was aired on television in Tulsa every Saturday. Of course they rooted for the good guys and "gnashed their teeth" at the bad ones who didn't play by the rules. Although it's not a form of entertainment I've ever followed, I recently watched a match with Joe, AKA J Diesel, since I know the wrestler personally!
Wrestling is not a new sport, in fact, it's mentioned in ancient times. A very different form of wrestling is referred to in the Bible, the most famous match being recorded in Genesis 32, where Jacob had a most unusual all-night spiritual wrestling match, "So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak"
Matthew Henry comments: "A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helps our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer."
Many of us have studied or even memorized a portion of Scripture referred to as the "Armor of God" in Ephesians 6. In referring to this type of wrestling in the Bible I told Joe that we are all wrestlers, in one way or another. The apostle Paul reminds us that our struggle is not ultimately physical in nature but spiritual. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
I've
never enjoyed fighting. I recall a period in Junior High School when
the class bully put out the word that he wanted to fight me. Truth be told, I was terrified! At that
time I was getting taller but was as skinny as a rail. I had no desire
to get in a fight! It was likely my first experience as a child to
undergo real personal stress that extended over a period of months, but
thankfully the
rumored fight never transpired. To this day I would rather avoid
conflict than face it and am even uncomfortable reading books or
viewing movies that have major conflict.But there is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm that is unavoidable and we have no choice in whether or not we engage. By virtue of the fallen condition of mankind we are engaged. There is no neutrality in this conflict and in this "good fight" pacifism or non-resistance is not a virtue, but rather a surrender and an alliance with the forces of evil.
I believe this is what the Apostle Paul calls "the good fight." This ancient conflict goes back to the heavenly realms and the fall of Satan. As the great old hymn declares, "For still our ancient foe [Satan], doth seek to work us woe, his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal."
Today I pray for all of you fighting the good fight, seeking to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. We indeed "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places". I pray that you will stand up for God's truth and righteousness in the home, the workplace, the marketplace and in some instances you might even have to take a stand in your own church. I am convinced the battle will become increasingly more fierce before Christ's return. Let us resolve in our hearts to remain faithful to our divine call no matter how great the conflict!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank
You for the spiritual armor that defends us in battle and arms us for
the struggle we encounter against the devil's relentless schemes.
This armor enables us to withstand the forces of evil, no matter the
means or persons the enemy works through to try to weaken or destroy
our faith. In addition to the belt of truth, the breastplate of
righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit we know that our prayers and
petitions are heard by You who intercedes on our behalf before our Father in
heaven. We use our armor for protection and we use the sword of
the Spirit and prayer for weapons to reveal, attack and defeat Satan's
strongholds. It is through Your name, Jesus, that we are more than
conquerors. Amen.For inspiration regarding the spiritual armor see Ephesians 6:10-18
This past Monday we rode our bicycles up over the long Verrazano Bridge onto the Assateague Island National Seashore, famous for the herd of wild horses easily viewed from the road or bike trail.
We came upon the group of horses in our lead photo and chatted with a member of the park's "pony patrol" as seen on the back of his green vest. Visitors are not allowed to pet the horses, and must keep a distance of 10' or more. Since many ignore this law (which can get you a hefty fine), there are frequent injuries related to bites, kicks, etc.
Parasailing on Assateague Bay
I believe this is parasailing; one of the many sports we never got into!
We enjoyed our fellowship over breakfast at Cracker Barrel with our good friend, Jackie Steudler, who has a summer house along with her husband Rick, in Rehoboth Beach. She and Brooksyne had a good time checking out the clearance corner of the gift shop where items with a gardening theme were 40% off. Seems like to me we just started gardening but with retail you're always planning the next season so we'll soon see fall items on the shelves.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"The Battle Belongs To The Lord" Video Maranatha Singers
Our friend David Penley has a thoughtful series on "Protecting Your Marriage With The Armor of God"
Our friend David Penley has a thoughtful series on "Protecting Your Marriage With The Armor of God"
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Are
our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? 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.Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA