Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home Archives About Us Free email subscription

Listen to these messages

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

Friday, January 10, 2020

The snow from Tuesday afternoon was still on the ground in eastern Lancaster County yesterday.

(Click to enlarge)

"The Goal Of Your Faith"

Message summary: Today let us consider the greatest goal, "the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls".

Listen to this message on your audio player.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8,9).

Wednesday evening we went to a hockey game in Hershey, Pennsylvania taking along Jesse and the five oldest of his seven children. It was a great treat for the kids and by attending that night each of us got a free pass for a day at Hershey Park this summer!

I've never been a big hockey fan as I prefer a bit more scoring and sports that can't end in ties. But once I'm there I can sure get into the excitement. The Giant Center was practically full, probably due to it being Hershey Park pass night so there was a lot of excitement especially when the Hershey Bears scored their only goal and Ester snapped the photo of the celebration. However they went on to lose in the last minute to the Hartford Wolf Pack by 2-1.

"Goal" is used as a descriptor of a score in many sports apart from hockey such as soccer, football and basketball.

But today let us consider the greatest goal, "the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls".

The life in Christ has always been a faith walk. This has been especially true since Jesus ascended back to the Father in Acts 1. Since that time His followers have not been able to see Him in a physical sense. During a very special period about 2,000 years ago some people had the wonderful privilege of seeing the Word become flesh and dwell among them. However even during that time many did not believe in who He was or what He stood for. Seeing does not necessarily mean believing.

The Apostle Peter, an eyewitness and close friend to Christ during His earthly ministry, wrote our daily verse to those who "believed in Him" some 30 years after Jesus had ascended. These believers had not physically seen Christ in His earthly ministry but, like us, they believed. O, how we thank God for this belief that fills us with "inexpressible and glorious joy!"

We want to note a very significant verb tense in the text this morning. Notice Peter says, "You are receiving" (not "you have received" or "you will receive") "the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls". We believe this is a vital ongoing truth in the believer's faith life. While living, these fellow believers were receiving this goal. At their deaths they received it fully. The process is true for us today, fellow believer. Hold tight, for the best is yet to come!

This new year let us continue in our faith walk and remember the timeless perspective of the Apostle Paul as we "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). This takes a conscientious, purposeful, ongoing effort and spiritual perspective as we walk the narrow path laid out for us. Let us stay faithful to God today, throughout our journey in 2020, and for the remaining time God has allotted us on this earth!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, help me to walk faithfully with You day by day. As I earnestly seek You I will receive the reward You promise to those who do so. Daily temptations, recurring doubts, and fleeting distractions seek my heart's affection but I remain wholly committed to You, my Lord and Savior. Though I've not seen You physically Your Spirit indwells me and I am filled with Your glorious and inexpressible joy. No matter the mocking and undermining of my faith by the unbelieving world, I believe in You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Thank you that I am indeed receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul. Amen.

Yesterday morning we came up behind this trailer in New Holland Pennsylvania hauling steel-wheeled tractor tires. Here's a video explaining this distinctive among some branches of Mennonites.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"The Reason" Video Travis Cottrell

"Your Spirit" Video The Christ Church Choir

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.)

Ministry Update

We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.

If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.

To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376

Please Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber".

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. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.

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 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."

dailyencouragement.net

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"