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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Monday,
September 21,
2020
Friday
morning we passed this small stand on Strasburg Pike here
in Lancaster County.
"Whatever
Happens"
Message summary: Let us stay faithful and continually seek to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.“Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of
the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27).
Last
week Eric, a friend of ours, went home to be with
the Lord after a yearlong cancer ordeal. We visited
many times with Eric over the past thirteen years in
the course of our chaplaincy ministry. He was very
active in the church we attend and sang in the choir
for many years until his illness last year.
Eric
was a husband to Marty and father of three growing
children, when he was first confronted with the
diagnosis of cancer. An avid reader, he studied up
and waited to see if surgery would be an option or
if he would undergo the typical chemo/radiation
treatment. But above all, Eric told our choir
director and many others, "I want to glorify God
no matter the outcome, I want to glorify God in
life or in death." And he did just that to the
very end of life on this side of eternity.
None
of us knows what will happen tomorrow or even today
for that matter, whether in our own lives and
family, or on the national and international stage.
Consider what a normal day September 11, 2001 was
when we awakened early that morning. It was
beautiful here on the east coast, but in a matter of
minutes that all changed for everyone of us.
As
hymn writer Ira Stanphill wrote,
I
don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray.
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray.
"Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of
the gospel of Christ." I memorized this verse
as a young Christian some 40 years ago. I
suggest applying the verse in the first person, "Whatever
happens, I will conduct myself in a manner worthy
of the gospel of Christ." In personal
application I see it as a challenge to resolve in my
heart that I will stay faithful to Christ, seeking
to conduct my life in a manner worthy of the gospel
of Christ, whatever happens.
Today let us especially consider the phrase, "Whatever happens...". I have always considered the “whatever” to mean whatever happens to me (Stephen Weber or any reader of the passage.) That is, whether I am having a good day or a bad day, whether things are going well or I’m going down a rough road; whatever happens to me I am to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Now this is certainly a valid outlook in life and I will continue to see the passage this way, yet as I consider the contextual interpretation, I consider another intention that Paul likely meant.
Just prior to this verse Paul had written concerning his own realization that he would continue to live for Christ or he might die for Him (martyrdom). When Paul originally wrote this passage I believe he was instructing the Christians at Philippi, "Whatever happens to me (Paul) you are to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
He goes on to write, "Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence..." Now, what really intrigues me is that Paul had every intention of seeing the Philippian believers if it was God’s will that he remains alive.
However it was also his firm expectation, should this not be the case, that I will "only hear about you in my absence." The "absence" in this context would be his departure to be with the Lord (his death). This is similar to his statement in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
He is confident that if that were the case (his being with the Lord) he would still hear the good report that the Philippians were "standing firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you".
Our service for the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal consequences. When we, in our divinely appointed time, are absent from the body and at home with the Lord, we will see the ongoing results of our ministry, just like Paul. Let us stay faithful and continually conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, no matter what deadly illness may
destroy the flesh, it cannot rob our soul of inner
peace and the uncompromising determination to “stand
firm unto the end.” Jesus prayed in the
garden, "Not my will but Thine be done" which
was a matter of life or death regarding his flesh.
It is our resolve to follow You faithfully, whatever
happens, to choose to glorify You no matter the
circumstances we endure while seeking to bring as
many as possible into the kingdom of God.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Today let us especially consider the phrase, "Whatever happens...". I have always considered the “whatever” to mean whatever happens to me (Stephen Weber or any reader of the passage.) That is, whether I am having a good day or a bad day, whether things are going well or I’m going down a rough road; whatever happens to me I am to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Now this is certainly a valid outlook in life and I will continue to see the passage this way, yet as I consider the contextual interpretation, I consider another intention that Paul likely meant.
Just prior to this verse Paul had written concerning his own realization that he would continue to live for Christ or he might die for Him (martyrdom). When Paul originally wrote this passage I believe he was instructing the Christians at Philippi, "Whatever happens to me (Paul) you are to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
He goes on to write, "Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence..." Now, what really intrigues me is that Paul had every intention of seeing the Philippian believers if it was God’s will that he remains alive.
However it was also his firm expectation, should this not be the case, that I will "only hear about you in my absence." The "absence" in this context would be his departure to be with the Lord (his death). This is similar to his statement in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
He is confident that if that were the case (his being with the Lord) he would still hear the good report that the Philippians were "standing firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you".
Our service for the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal consequences. When we, in our divinely appointed time, are absent from the body and at home with the Lord, we will see the ongoing results of our ministry, just like Paul. Let us stay faithful and continually conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Further
musing on today's topic: Hebrews 12 refers to
"the great cloud of witnesses"; that is those who
served God in previous generations, ancient and I
also believe recent. As they witness our lives do
they observe us "standing firm in one spirit,
contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
without being frightened in any way by those who
oppose you"?
Bill
Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had a
significant influence in my life since I received
much of my early Christian discipling through this
ministry. He had pulmonary fibrosis, a very painful, degenerative
disease of the lungs. The air sacs and tissues in
the lungs swell, scars form, and the tissue become
thick and stiff. This affects how much oxygen you
get and makes it hard to breathe. I have heard it
described as similar to slowly drowning.
In
an interview toward the end of his earthly life he
offers this perspective,
"The most important moment in anyone's life as a
believer is the last breath because the next
breath is in heaven. To be absent from the body is
to be present with the Lord. A Christian can't
lose, if we live, we go on serving Him. That's an
adventure. If we die, we're in heaven with Him,
and that's incredible."
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Yes, I Will" Video Vertical
Worship Brooksyne's Note:
Yesterday we sang this song that speaks of
glorifying God on the highest mountain or in the
lowest valley. The words of this song prompted me
to pray for Marty (Eric's widowed wife) and the
three children even as we were singing since it
especially reflected their resolve to glorify God
no matter what. Only later in the service did I
realize they were actually sitting on the opposite
end of our pew when Pastor Beau compassionately
recognized the family publicly and expressed
condolences. I'm sure they were moved by the song
right there in person, not just through
intercessory prayer being lifted up for them.
"He
Will Hold Me Fast" Video
Sovereign Grace Music This is an old hymn that
has been revived and many, like us, are finding
it very reassuring during this age. See here. "The Story Behind
the Song" Video
"I
Know Who Holds Tomorrow" Video Larry Ford Ira
Stanphill for a short time pastored here in
Lancaster County.
"Yet
Not I But Through Christ In Me" Video
CityAlight We have enjoyed this song
through the pandemic and were so pleased to see
it introduced in our church service yesterday.
We are working on a message based upon the
recurring line "To This I Hold" which we hope to
share tomorrow.
CityAlight
has its roots centered around their church in
Sydney, Australia. Fifteen parishioners and also
songwriters, wrote fifty songs in 2014, all of
which contained a focus on Scripturally sound
lyrics with simple music as its backdrop. Only
ten passed the rigorous test of pastors,
musicians, and lyricists who reviewed their
songs. See here.
Coming
up this Saturday for those who may be
interested: We are joining a group from
our area going down to Washington DC on
Saturday, September 26 for a prayer march
called, "The Return, National and Global Day
of Prayer and Repentance". See here for info. America is
in deep trouble so let’s call on God’s power and
a movement of the Holy Spirit to bring
repentance and revival to our land! You can do
this wherever you live.
Two
young Amish boys here on Kraybill Church Road
hauling what looks like corn on a small
hand-pulled wagon.
Lebanon
County tractor
Rural
roads abound with stands selling produce and
autumn decor items such as these pumpkins and
gourds in Lebanon County. Make your choice: eat
or decorate with them or as we do every fall, so
both!
Send a message to
Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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."
© Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA