A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Monday, February
4, 2019
An old stone
mill on Habecker Road, one of many we see in the course of
our travels.
(Click
to enlarge)
"A
Message To Long Snappers"
Message
summary:
This week we
are going to glean
long snapper character
traits from a man
named Epaphras who is
mentioned in the
letter to the
Colossians. Before
looking him up I
wonder if you know
anything about him?
Listen to our
message on your audio
player.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:6).
The big football game, the "Super Bowl" and all the hype that comes with it, is now history. Throughout the season I had hoped the Kansas City Chiefs would have made it to the Super Bowl since I grew up in the the KC area. I was in high school the last time the KC Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
Many of our readers, especially in the USA, could name the teams. Most who follow football could name the quarterbacks. And many could name several other players last night like Edelman or Gurley. Some could even name the kickers, Gostkowski and Zuerlein.
But there were many key players whose names were not mentioned during the game at all such as Joe Cardona and Jake McQuaide, who played in a position that many give little thought to, unless they're highlighted because they messed up!
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:6).
The big football game, the "Super Bowl" and all the hype that comes with it, is now history. Throughout the season I had hoped the Kansas City Chiefs would have made it to the Super Bowl since I grew up in the the KC area. I was in high school the last time the KC Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
Many of our readers, especially in the USA, could name the teams. Most who follow football could name the quarterbacks. And many could name several other players last night like Edelman or Gurley. Some could even name the kickers, Gostkowski and Zuerlein.
But there were many key players whose names were not mentioned during the game at all such as Joe Cardona and Jake McQuaide, who played in a position that many give little thought to, unless they're highlighted because they messed up!
Cardona
is the Patriot's long
snapper, the player who
snaps the football on the
special team for PAT's,
(point after attempts)
field goals and punts.
Since, in many games the
score is close, their
skill in snapping the ball
accurately into the hands
of the placeholder is
critically important.
Games have been lost due
to long snapper error and
won because of his
proficiency, although he
scarcely gets much credit.As the article "Why NFL Teams Still Can’t Live Without A Long Snapper" observes, "The biggest thing about long snapping is that most people can’t do it." (link below)
It's that way in the Body of Christ. The Bible says, "We have different gifts". Some have gifts that are prominent like famous preachers, musicians, authors, etc. They're like the quarterbacks of God's Kingdom. We tend to value these gifts and often hold these people in high esteem since they're most prominent in God's Kingdom work. And I am indeed thankful for prominent members of the Body whom God has blessed mightily with certain gifts.
But most of us have gifts that are far less prominent. Only a tiny, tiny percentage of the Church even knows who we are! We're like football's long snappers, whom most people don't pay a lot of attention to. But every one of us has gifts we are called to use to advance God's Kingdom. Matthew Henry further elaborates on this (long before there was football!):
"In the
spiritual body, some are
fitted for and called to
one sort of work; others
for another sort of
work. We are to do all
the good we can, one to
another, and for the
common benefit. If we
duly thought about the
powers we have, and how
far we fail properly to
improve them, it would
humble us. But as we
must not be proud of our
talents, so we must take
heed lest, under a
pretense of humility and
self-denial, we are
slothful in laying out
ourselves for the good
of others. We must not
say, I am nothing,
therefore I will sit
still, and do
nothing. I am
nothing in myself, and
therefore I will lay out
myself to the utmost, in
the strength of the
grace of Christ.
Whatever our gifts or
situations may be, let
us try to employ
ourselves humbly,
diligently, cheerfully,
and in simplicity; not
seeking our own credit
or profit, but the good
of many, for this world
and that which is to
come."
All believers are part of the greatest team in the ultimate contest and every contribution is important and makes a difference. We'll see how it all fits together far more clearly when we reach the other side. Appreciate what God is doing in you as He develops, grows and uses the gift(s) He has bestowed upon you.
This week we are going to glean long snapper character traits from a man named Epaphras who is mentioned in the letter to the Colossians. Before looking him up I wonder if you know anything about him?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, we
recognize and
thank You that
little is much
when You are
in it. Your
grace is
measured out
to us in the
gifts You
develop in our
lives.
Sometimes we
bemoan the
gift (or
seeming lack
of gifts) we
have in
comparison
with others
who are more
prominent or
admired by
others. Help
us not to rate
the gifts You
bestow, for we
want to
receive from
You that which
You have for
us, for You
are the Giver
of all good
things.
Anything we
accomplish in
this life is a
result of Your
empowering and
enabling us to
carry it out,
and we do all
for Your glory
in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
The
temperatures
in our area
are warming up
with a
projected high
today of 56°
so we won't
have the snow
cover much
longer. So
today and the
next couple
days we will
try to share a
few more of
our snow
photos.
Habecker
Road Mill
We
passed this
mill along
Chiques Creek
on our way to
the Kleen-Rite
company in
Columbia PA.
this past
Friday while
we still had
cold temps and
icy roads.
(Click
to enlarge)
Yesterday
morning we
left quite
early for our
church service
due to
Brooksyne
needing to
arrive early
for sound
check with the
choir and
orchestra.
Right away we
saw this
beautiful
sunrise as we
turned onto
Donegal
Springs Road,
prompting
Brooksyne to
break into one
of her
favorite
Scripture
verses:
"Let the
morning bring
me word of
Your unfailing
love, for I
have put my
trust in You.
Show me the
way I should
go, for to You
I lift up my
soul" (Psalm
143:8).
After
church
yesterday we
stopped in to
visit our
friends on the
Old Windmill
Farm. The
children were
playing ice
hockey on the
farm pond and
invited us to
watch them as
they played
ice hockey.
This view was
taken from
their porch.
It
was probably
their last
opportunity
this winter
unless we get
another cold
period, as the
ice was
getting quite
slushy making
it tricky to
wear ice
skates. But
the children
had lots of
fun and
adapted to
their less
than ideal
frozen pond.
On the plus
side it was no
longer frigid
outside, so
they could
enjoy a longer
time on the
ice.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Little
Is Much When God Is In It"
Video
Larry Ford
"If We Are The Body" Video Casting Crowns
"We Are God's People" Video David Haas
"If We Are The Body" Video Casting Crowns
"We Are God's People" Video David Haas
"GET YOUR
HELMET!" Steve Ephraim,
one of our Daily Encouragement
readers, shared this story with
us which also draws a spiritual
illustration from his football
experience!
Many
of us can identify with his
experience: He was a bench
player and longed to play in the
game. It seemed he had his
opportunity:
Midway
through the third quarter it
happened. The moment I had been
waiting for. All of those hard
practices would finally pay off.
Coach G’s voice rang out clear
as a bell, “Ephraim! Get your
helmet!”. Like a soldier jumping
off the landing craft into the
shallow water, I came running.
It was hard to contain my
enthusiasm as Gary Fast (that
was his real name) was trotting
off to the sideline. He was a
starting guard and this was my
moment to replace him. I was the
“next man in”.
In
a flash, I rehearsed the
offensive play book in my head.
“T24 on 1" when the quarterback
says “1”, I’ll bury my left
shoulder into my opponent’s side
while our halfback runs off my
right hip. Plays I had memorized
for weeks were suddenly flashing
like a slot machine.
As
I strapped on my helmet, Coach
gestured for me to take it off.
He quickly explained the real
reason he had called me. “Gary
here just broke his helmet and
yours looks to be about his
size. Give him your helmet.”
Obediently and without emotion,
I reluctantly handed it to Gary.
He sheepishly muttered “thanks”
and trotted back onto the field.
I watched in awe as my helmet
went off to battle. I wouldn’t
see it again until after the
game.
Not
necessarily related to today's
message but very pertinent:
"Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity!" Free Webinar on February 5 at 12:00 noon.
Cynical
atheists ask this question to
imply that a world without Jesus’
teachings would be a man-made
utopia. But could this be true?
In this age when you and I can be attacked for our beliefs, it’s important that you know how believers like you have created a more peaceful, loving and just world – and the important role you have today in promoting Jesus’ world-changing teachings.
Join Jeremiah Johnston and Warren Cole Smith for a free Colson Center webinar designed to equip and encourage believers to share how Jesus' teachings continue to be the most powerful force for good today.
In this age when you and I can be attacked for our beliefs, it’s important that you know how believers like you have created a more peaceful, loving and just world – and the important role you have today in promoting Jesus’ world-changing teachings.
Join Jeremiah Johnston and Warren Cole Smith for a free Colson Center webinar designed to equip and encourage believers to share how Jesus' teachings continue to be the most powerful force for good today.
Finally
today:
Friday afternoon Ester saw
this on the way to work. We
know there's a spiritual
lesson here!
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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