Message summary: We are all welcome on Coach Shepherd's team and into God's family…and this by His marvelous grace!

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"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7).

Ester told me a sad story the other day. She has a friend with a crippling disability. He spends a lot of time with his grandparents and Ester told us it's because his brother does not accept him. Now that would be crushing. There may be more to the story, but on the face of it the circumstances are disheartening.

We visit several large distribution centers with "pickers" darting about the huge warehouses pulling products or loading pallets. Once I visited a company where one of the pickers had a large "Rejected" sticker plastered on her green jumpsuit (The rejected sticker was intended for use on boxes of materials that had been rejected.)  Apparently a co-worker had placed it on her jumpsuit as a joke and I don't think she even realized it was there.

But it got me thinking. How many people often are or feel rejected by others? How many have experienced rejection by significant people in their lives? Though they don't wear a visual banner declaring "REJECTED" it's visible in their expressions, in their communication or lack of it, and they're often accessorized by a downward cast. Certainly a lot of people have experienced rejection repeatedly, including some of you reading this today. Read this message carefully and receive encouragement from a powerful Scripture phrase.

Chris Maxwell is a friend of mine who also has a writing ministry. I sure appreciated a message he shared using an analogy from the sports world. I believe it will bless daily encouragement readers today as well.


Consider the phrase in the daily Scripture verse, "just as Christ accepted you". What were we like before Christ accepted us? Romans 5 gives us a "thumbnail sketch" where Paul describes unbelievers as "helpless... ungodly... sinners... enemies".

What a glorious truth it is to be accepted by Christ and become part of His family. Whether or not we have known the acceptance and support of a loving family or faithful friends, when we come to God in faith and repentance we are accepted. He has said, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). We are all welcome on Coach Shepherd's team and into God's family…and this by His marvelous grace!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You have shown us through the example of Jesus that we are to accept others in the same way that Christ accepted us. Show us ways that we can effectively reach out to others, especially those who feel rejected by family or society as a whole. Help us to show them genuine love and to initiate a friendship in the same way that You reached out to many people groups and befriended them. As we do this in obedience to your command and as we are led by Christ's example Scripture indicates that we bring praise to You which is our heart's desire. Amen.

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"I'm Accepted"  Video   DeGarmo & Key  An old song with a great message

"The People In The Line"  Video   The Talleys  A song reminding us to be aware of the hurting people around us.

"The Broken Ones"   Video  The Talleys

"She Still Remembers Jesus' Name"  Video  The Booth Brothers  We dedicate this song to all who have a loved one dealing with Alzheimer's Disease

"Tears Are A Language"  Video  The Booth Brothers  This was popular when we were in Bible College in the mid-seventies and was among the first "specials" Brooksyne ever sang

Note to local readers: The Booth Brothers will present a concert this Sunday evening in Lebanon at Coleman Park, part of Music in the Park series. There is no charge for this service but an offering is taken. We plan on attending with John and Faithe Keefer, a pastor friend and his wife. Perhaps we will see some of you there! Also take note of additional concerts all through the summer.