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Daily Encouragement Net - Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Thursday, April 28, 2005

"Every Opportunity"

"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:3-6).

Brooksyne and I continue to have a burden for encouraging and equipping Christians to serve and let their light shine in the marketplace. What a blessing in the course of our ministry to see this taking place. I just received an email from a friend in the corporate world that powerfully illustrates this and I have his permission to share it with you. He has an earnest desire to let the light of Christ shine through him.

Last year a young lady that worked in the HR office of the large company he works for was diagnosed with cancer. I recall periodically speaking to her when I would visit the company, a very quiet lady with a pleasant smile. She was able to work a while longer but then her condition worsened to the point she was no longer able to work. Yesterday morning she passed away.

Her last day in the office she left a remarkable message of faith and peace with her fellow workers thanking them for their association with her. She included a clear witness of her faith. When I got this message last night and verbally shared it with Brooksyne I teared up. Here is a portion of it:

"According to the doctor I may not have real long to live, however that is ultimately in God's hands. I want you to know that although I don't want to die yet, if that occurs I am ready. I'm ready because I'm reconciled with God. And that is because of Jesus, and the fact that He died on the cross for me. I believe in Him, and that He's paid the price for my sins. This is a wonderful gift of mercy and grace available to us all. Because of this, I am not afraid of death and know that when I die I will go to heaven. My hope and prayer is that each one of you will also accept this gift from God. Believe me, it's what really matters."

Wow, what blessed peace and assurance she conveys. What clarity in sharing this message with others!

Well, it just happens that the Director of Human Resources in this company is also a believer and he sent a moving notification out to the entire company yesterday informing them of her death and included this witness. I can just imagine how many in this company were impacted by this thoughtful action that made the most of the opportunity.

I want to focus on just a phrase in our daily Scripture portion, "make the most of every opportunity." These are the opportunities to "proclaim the mystery of Christ." The apostle Paul requested prayer from the Colossian believers, "that God may open a door for our message." That should be a daily request for us as well. This is not just for those in formal positions of "ministry" such as a pastor or missionary, but for all who follow Christ and seek to let His light shine through them. Just like that dear lady who is now with the Lord and that Human Resource director.

May the Lord help all of us this day to indeed "make the most of every opportunity." 


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Note from Brooksyne:  We often pray for "opportunities" but the truth is they're around us everyday.  Whether it's our communications at work, in the public square, our daily correspondence or the choices we make in the way we live our lives.  Since I memorized the text over 20 years ago I've tried to implement it in my life much like balanced meals.  Paul tells us to use salt and grace - the salt being the preserving Word of God and grace being the way in which we present our message to outsiders.  When we use both there will be less door slamming in our face and we'll see opportunities grow as we present the balanced message of Christ's salvation for mankind.

Personal note: Yesterday Brooksyne and I presented our ministry to over 40 students at Drew Seminary in the metro NY area. The students were very attentive and receptive to our presentation on ministry in non-parish settings. However our most outstanding blessing was meeting the professor who has taught at the school for 49 years! He was just amazing in his personal approach and interest in the students and it was obvious that they loved him. I am so energized when I see older people keeping the zeal and enthusiasm. When the class ended he said to the class, "Who would like to stick around and share with me so I can get to know you a little better?"  One student raised her hand and as I left the class she was sitting down and sharing with him!

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Your comments are welcome! If you are the original recipient (a member of the mailing list) merely reply to this email. If not or you would prefer to use a webform please visit the comments page. I sure appreciate the input and read each comment and am so often encouraged.  However due to the volume of email I receive I am not necessarily able to reply personally to each one. I regret this since often readers will share a particular need or have a specific question. I certainly do pray when I receive a prayer request and often my wife Brooksyne joins me.

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. Used by permission; 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 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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