The online
Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Free email subscription ![]() Daily Encouragement on ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() <Previous Message Next Message> Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Message summary: May God help each of us to be faithful and stay the course! "God, help me to stay the course and persevere today!" ![]() "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). In the course of our chaplain visitation we meet many people in companies right where they work. Yesterday I met a new Hispanic employee at a company and introduced myself as a chaplain, but quickly perceived that the young man had limited English proficiency. He just wasn't comprehending what I was saying and looked confused, perhaps even a bit distressed. Another employee familiar with our role as chaplains was working close by so I asked her to explain to the young man who I was. She spoke to him in Spanish and then explained how he had misunderstood me. He apparently thought I was saying I was El Chapo and he thought I was in the cartel. We all got a chuckle and I'm sure glad that was cleared up right away. Well, of course I am not in a cartel as the word is typically used today nor should I be confused with a rather infamous Mexican drug lord, El Chapo! But in a historical sense a cartel is defined as "a coalition or cooperative arrangement between political parties intended to promote a mutual interest." Although our focus is certainly not political we are indeed in a vast coalition or cooperative arrangement intended to promote a mutual interest, the most important work on this earth, promoting the Kingdom of God. Many of us sang about that on Easter, "Christ has triumphed and we conquer by His mighty enterprise" in the song, "Alleluia! Alleluia!" As such we have a vital mission to stay on course. ![]() A vitally important duty of spiritual leaders is to stay on course. The daily verse of Scripture has long gripped my heart. I first specifically recall its richness when I was preparing for my ministerial ordination in 1979. At that time I wrote down Bible verses pertaining to ministry and memorized many of them. Paul is addressing the Ephesian elders in a powerful farewell message. "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." The apostle was determined to faithfully finish the course of life and ministry God had called him to. "Stay the course" is a phrase meaning to pursue a goal regardless of any obstacles or criticism. If you stay the course, you finish something that you have started, even though it has become very difficult. (Collins dictionary) Pastor Steven Cole writes, "To finish the course, you must put the ministry that you received from the Lord above even life itself." May God help each of us to be faithful and stay the course! "God, help me to stay the course and persevere today!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() ![]() Another view of distant the yellow fields in Lebanon County. Perhaps an informed reader can inform us as to what the yellow flowered plants are. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "All I Once Held Dear" Video Graham Kendrick, Kristyn Getty & Jonathan Veira the All Souls Orchestra "Keep Me True" Video Jabu Hlongwane "Redeemed" Video Big Daddy Weave ![]() Finally today: Yesterday
we shared a quiz based only on the numeric references to well-known
Scripture verses. Below are the verses that I associate the numbers
with. Obviously
as long as there is such a reference there is not an incorrect answer
and in several cases there are several well-known verses associated
with the number. We enjoyed reading your responses to this fun quiz.
Linked to Bible Gateway
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