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Wednesday, October 30, 2013
"The cross we carry is never as heavy
as the chains from which we were freed."
Listen to this message on
your audio player
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
We
first met John Rigard when he was a new Christian in the early 80's. He
was
divorced and had lived quite a life of dissipation prior to his
conversion to Christ. The father of two teens, he had lost their
respect and devotion. He was an 18 wheeler truck driver and in
desperation had
decided to end his life by driving his truck loaded with
steel off the I-80 bridge over the Allegheny River, the highest bridge
on I-80 east of the Mississippi River (photo on left). But he went into
a mental fog
and his next recollection was knocking on the door of a pastor's home
in Brockway, PA,
who led him to faith in Christ.
John planted his roots in our local church and, like all of us in one way or
another, had some rough spots. But true conversion results in
transformation, which in one sense is immediate and in another sense is
gradual.
He had a deep desire to be reconciled to his wife, but the situation looked hopeless, as she was in another relationship and seemed to have no interest in him or the things of the Lord.
John worked in our boy's program (Royal Rangers) and grew spiritually from his interface with other leaders in the ministry. It was so beneficial in steadying him through the tumultuous early years. We regularly prayed for him and the possible reconciliation with his wife he so deeply desired. In the photo to the right John is dressed as a frontiersman.
After several years Rose, his former wife, also placed her faith in Christ and broke off the relationship she was in. Lo and behold I had the great privilege of reuniting John and Rose in marriage and what a wonderful ceremony it was. Best of all a solid, happy union followed as we counted each year that passed. That was over 25 years ago and their marriage was strong and enduring till John passed away about ten years ago. We drove up to visit John and Rose shortly before he passed away. Though very weak in body, he was strong in his spirit as he expressed a steady resolve to follow Christ to the very end.
Their testimony was featured on the national radio drama program
"Unshackled" in the early 90's and was actually broadcast twice with John and Rose each sharing their story. I wish the story
was on an online archive but Pacific Garden Mission doesn't go that far back.
Here's our encouragement to you today. More than a few times in those early years of ministry some 30 years ago we wondered if John would make it. Coming out of the world as he did he was very unstable. But there's a great promise in the daily text. Christ had indeed begun a great work in John's life and that work continued till John breathed his last here on earth.
The same is true for all of us who have committed ourselves to Christ and for those to whom we minister. Some of you are discouraged today either due to the spiritual progress in your own life or that of someone to whom you are reaching. Don't give up, press on, stay faithful, and claim this promise!
Be encouraged today!
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
thank You for making the gift of salvation available to whosoever
believes. You break every fetter and set our souls free from the sin
laden chains that bound and enslaved us. We are no longer held captive
to sin but we are now joint heirs with Christ. Our pilgrimage is long
and the way is rugged; there are times when we become discouraged and
even want to give up. But we press on by keeping our eyes on the prize
of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. We don't go by feelings
nor are we swayed by other's opinions or their failings. Keep us
hungering and thirsting for more of You so that we remain steady in our
Christian walk and undeterred by the daily temptations and hindrances
the devil hurls at us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Update on Ester: Many readers are aware that our daughter Ester was hospitalized last week due to a problem with a lead to her pacemaker. Since the lead was not working properly she went into Atrial Flutter, which the pacemaker was intended to prevent. They will have to replace that lead which requires open heart surgery. This morning she has a follow-up appointment with her cardiologist and hopefully we will have the surgery in the next week or so. Presently the flutter is being controlled by powerful drugs that can have serious side effects if used long-term.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Glorious Freedom" Video Gaither Vocal Band This is an old hymn but we first recall hearing it last December at a "Homecoming" concert in Hershey, PA
"He Who Began A Good Work" Video Steve Green
"Boundless" Video Shannon Wexelburg We prepared our podcast early this morning since Ester's appointment is at 8:15. Brooksyne called me from the road and suggested this song in relationship to today's message.
"Unshackled" We still listen to this program on WDAC, our local Christian radio station.
Today's photo of the cross made from a chain was taken at a Transport
For Christ trucker chapel near Omaha Nebraska. Above is a photo of Chaplain Dave Hertle holding the heavy chain cross. The links are welded together. The story is here.
Information about the Interstate 80 Allegheny River Bridge at Emlenton. In the larger photo on this site notice the scale based on the trucks crossing the bridge.
Yesterday we shared a powerful video of "Amazing Grace" being sung in a variety of languages. A reader observes, "Do you suppose that at any given time in every tongue someone in this world is singing Amazing Grace, and if that is the case-and I believe that is entirely possible - would it sound in God's ears like today's music resource? That video was awesome. Thank you."
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 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 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
"The cross we carry is never as heavy
as the chains from which we were freed."
"Unshackled!"
Listen to this message on
your audio player"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
We
first met John Rigard when he was a new Christian in the early 80's. He
was
divorced and had lived quite a life of dissipation prior to his
conversion to Christ. The father of two teens, he had lost their
respect and devotion. He was an 18 wheeler truck driver and in
desperation had
decided to end his life by driving his truck loaded with
steel off the I-80 bridge over the Allegheny River, the highest bridge
on I-80 east of the Mississippi River (photo on left). But he went into
a mental fog
and his next recollection was knocking on the door of a pastor's home
in Brockway, PA,
who led him to faith in Christ.John planted his roots in our local church and, like all of us in one way or
another, had some rough spots. But true conversion results in
transformation, which in one sense is immediate and in another sense is
gradual.He had a deep desire to be reconciled to his wife, but the situation looked hopeless, as she was in another relationship and seemed to have no interest in him or the things of the Lord.
John worked in our boy's program (Royal Rangers) and grew spiritually from his interface with other leaders in the ministry. It was so beneficial in steadying him through the tumultuous early years. We regularly prayed for him and the possible reconciliation with his wife he so deeply desired. In the photo to the right John is dressed as a frontiersman.
After several years Rose, his former wife, also placed her faith in Christ and broke off the relationship she was in. Lo and behold I had the great privilege of reuniting John and Rose in marriage and what a wonderful ceremony it was. Best of all a solid, happy union followed as we counted each year that passed. That was over 25 years ago and their marriage was strong and enduring till John passed away about ten years ago. We drove up to visit John and Rose shortly before he passed away. Though very weak in body, he was strong in his spirit as he expressed a steady resolve to follow Christ to the very end.
Their testimony was featured on the national radio drama program
"Unshackled" in the early 90's and was actually broadcast twice with John and Rose each sharing their story. I wish the story
was on an online archive but Pacific Garden Mission doesn't go that far back. Here's our encouragement to you today. More than a few times in those early years of ministry some 30 years ago we wondered if John would make it. Coming out of the world as he did he was very unstable. But there's a great promise in the daily text. Christ had indeed begun a great work in John's life and that work continued till John breathed his last here on earth.
The same is true for all of us who have committed ourselves to Christ and for those to whom we minister. Some of you are discouraged today either due to the spiritual progress in your own life or that of someone to whom you are reaching. Don't give up, press on, stay faithful, and claim this promise!
He who began a good work in you.
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it.
He'll be faithful to complete it.
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you.
If the struggle you're facing is slowly replacing
your hope with despair;
Or the process is long and you're losing your song in the night.
You can be sure that the Lord has His hand on you,
Safe and secure. He will never abandon you.
You are His treasure and He finds His pleasure in you.
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it.
He'll be faithful to complete it.
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you.
If the struggle you're facing is slowly replacing
your hope with despair;
Or the process is long and you're losing your song in the night.
You can be sure that the Lord has His hand on you,
Safe and secure. He will never abandon you.
You are His treasure and He finds His pleasure in you.
Be encouraged today!
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
thank You for making the gift of salvation available to whosoever
believes. You break every fetter and set our souls free from the sin
laden chains that bound and enslaved us. We are no longer held captive
to sin but we are now joint heirs with Christ. Our pilgrimage is long
and the way is rugged; there are times when we become discouraged and
even want to give up. But we press on by keeping our eyes on the prize
of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. We don't go by feelings
nor are we swayed by other's opinions or their failings. Keep us
hungering and thirsting for more of You so that we remain steady in our
Christian walk and undeterred by the daily temptations and hindrances
the devil hurls at us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Update on Ester: Many readers are aware that our daughter Ester was hospitalized last week due to a problem with a lead to her pacemaker. Since the lead was not working properly she went into Atrial Flutter, which the pacemaker was intended to prevent. They will have to replace that lead which requires open heart surgery. This morning she has a follow-up appointment with her cardiologist and hopefully we will have the surgery in the next week or so. Presently the flutter is being controlled by powerful drugs that can have serious side effects if used long-term.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Glorious Freedom" Video Gaither Vocal Band This is an old hymn but we first recall hearing it last December at a "Homecoming" concert in Hershey, PA
"He Who Began A Good Work" Video Steve Green
"Boundless" Video Shannon Wexelburg We prepared our podcast early this morning since Ester's appointment is at 8:15. Brooksyne called me from the road and suggested this song in relationship to today's message.
"Unshackled" We still listen to this program on WDAC, our local Christian radio station.
Information about the Interstate 80 Allegheny River Bridge at Emlenton. In the larger photo on this site notice the scale based on the trucks crossing the bridge.
Yesterday we shared a powerful video of "Amazing Grace" being sung in a variety of languages. A reader observes, "Do you suppose that at any given time in every tongue someone in this world is singing Amazing Grace, and if that is the case-and I believe that is entirely possible - would it sound in God's ears like today's music resource? That video was awesome. Thank you."
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 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 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA