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Monday,
February 25, 2008
Saturday we took a long walk along Donegal Creek and enjoyed seeing a duck family swiming together in the cold water.
![]() "Many Hardships"
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24). "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22b). ![]() I have considered using this button in my preaching. When I conclude a point that I feel listeners should have grasped I could merely push the easy button. In order to experience a more interactive participation I could distribute an easy button to each attendee and they could all push it simultaneously, sort of an affirming response to my message similar to collectively saying "Amen!" Wouldn't that make an interesting church service! (It might be a bit distracting as well.) Of course I am teasing but the easy button has got me to pondering. We live in a time when easy is valued, expected and even an entitlement to many. We strive to do whatever is needed to make life easier, whether it’s our chores, our jobs, our relationships, or physical exercise; in other words whatever takes physical, mental, or emotional exertion on our part. This mentality can spill over into the spiritual as well and rather than considering the harder demands of Biblical discipleship we may tend to look for the easy way. When facing a call that may be hard or require great sacrifice we may choose an easier solution. ![]() Is there an "easy button" in the Christian life? Many of us would say, "If so, I sure want to find it." In the first daily text are the very words of Jesus, but a portion I really doubt if too many have memorized. He's teaching His disciples: "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!" In the second text Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey and are returning to some of the cities where they had earlier established churches. Their basic message to these young churches is summed up in this phrase: "strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith" (Acts 14:22a). But Luke sums up the essence of their verbal message in a single phrase, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22b). This portion bears careful attention in an age when the call to follow Christ is often presented to unbelievers as “simple" or “easy.” We might not be too comfortable sharing the above verse with those we are seeking to lead to Christ! Notice the part "you must go through." This hard reality seems to be an acknowledgement that there is no easy button in life. Testings of all kinds are present from our childhood to the final breath we draw in this life. Thankfully, during our times of hardships, we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). I am sure some of you today are "going through many hardships." You wonder how the particular matter you are dealing with is going to work out. You sure would like to find that "easy button." My fellow believer, let me encourage you today. God is faithful! He will make a way. It may not be the way we would prefer, and it may not be easy, but we have a promise of entry into the kingdom of God and His promises are absolutely sure. Let this truth encourage you today. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone. For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Keep me faithful to the end. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen. See Hebrews 6:12,19 Chris Bert and John
Dommel are two friends who each have recently been through some severe
testing. Yesterday I saw them encouraging one another and asked
if I could take their photo.
Saturday morning Lyndon
Risser and his daughter Natalie stopped by our house for a brief visit.
Lyndon is a friend from CBMC, (an association of Christian businessmen).
What's
this? A turkey taking a pony ride! Maybe the turkey doesn't like
walking in the wet snow. We watched for a few minutes as the pony
slowly walked along the fence
and the turkey just rode along appearing to enjoy the ride.
(Click on photo to enlarge) But as I moved in a bit closer off he flew!
A final smile (perhaps even a chuckle):
Yesterday afternoon we took a long country walk and of course our dog
Roxie accompanied us, freely dashing through the snowy fields. When we
got
back we knew our boots were muddy and took them off as we entered our
home As we did so we detected a doggie waste type smell on them.
Brooksyne then became suspicious that it wasn't us, but Roxie. Upon
examination it turned out to be true that Roxie picked up some farm
fertilizer. She looked at Roxie and said, "You are going to take a
bath." Roxie knows the word "bath"
and instantly she ran into the utility room. To make matters worse she
tried to hide by laying down in Dottie's litter box and refused to get
out. What a pitiful sight that was! Finally Brooksyne's demanding
voice convinced her she had no choice in the matter so she trotted up
to the bathroom and jumped in the tub. She smells so much nicer (to
us, anyway.) She's lying in her little bed this morning beside the
computer nice and clean.
Friday we mentioned an extended table and had inquiry about where to get these. John Z. Horning Tables 164 N. Shirk Road, New Holland, PA 17557 717-354-9323 Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources "Be Unto Your Name" (audio) Yesterday we ended our worship service with this song. What a great song to end a service with! Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
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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." © Copyright 2008
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
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