A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Friday,
December 17,
2021
This Tucker automobile is at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA
"Passing The Baton"
Message
summary: May
the Lord help us to be faithful in holding onto the
Living Word, not compromising its message through our
speech, lifestyle, or our doctrinal views. As we pass
the baton of faith on to the next generation may we do
so without changing or watering down the truths and
commands God sets forth in His Word. Let us not
disregard or reinterpret God's timeless truths to make
them more palatable based on the current trends of our
society.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"O
Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you" (1
Timothy 6:20). "And the
things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will
also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy
2:2). "By the Holy Spirit who
dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to
you" (2 Timothy 1:14).
Yesterday we attended a banquet for Convene, a business leadership group we have been associated with for about 15 years. Their mission is "to connect, equip and inspire Christian CEOs and business owners to grow exceptional businesses and become higher-impact leaders to honor God".
Yesterday we attended a banquet for Convene, a business leadership group we have been associated with for about 15 years. Their mission is "to connect, equip and inspire Christian CEOs and business owners to grow exceptional businesses and become higher-impact leaders to honor God".
Although
we are not officially members of the group, the leader,
Ron Hoover, has seen the value of our chaplaincy
ministry and has connected us with several companies we
serve as chaplains since we first met with the group in
early 2007. Ron and his wife Bonnie have a very
impactful mentoring ministry not only to business
leaders but also married couples.
As
part of the program yesterday Ron passed the baton on to
the next Convene leader, Brian Gerhart, in a
demonstration of ending well. Although Ron is in his
eighties we learned that he is actually not finishing
fully but will now have a role in developing new Convene
leaders!
Most
races are individual but in track there are also races
involving multiple runners (usually four) called relays.
I recall running relays in high school. Since I was a
long distance runner it was usually the 2 mile relay
with four runners each running 1/2 mile, and each part
called a "leg". There was a passing zone in which the
baton was received from the previous runner and where it
was passed on to the next. The baton is a small metal
cylinder carried for the entire race.
In the Christian relay we are far into the race with many baton passes prior to us since the faith was first passed on. The gospel baton does not change. It's probably easiest to see this as one generation passing the baton on to the next. The apostles started the race when the church was established and today's text describes the passing of the gospel baton. There will be a finishing leg. Only God knows but we may be that finishing leg in the long relay!
In the Christian relay we are far into the race with many baton passes prior to us since the faith was first passed on. The gospel baton does not change. It's probably easiest to see this as one generation passing the baton on to the next. The apostles started the race when the church was established and today's text describes the passing of the gospel baton. There will be a finishing leg. Only God knows but we may be that finishing leg in the long relay!
In the two epistles to Timothy
the Apostle Paul was essentially passing the torch (or
baton if you will) of the faith to the succeeding
generation. Although the direct recipient of these
letters was Timothy, each believer in each generation
does well to heed the charge in the daily Scripture
portions. Today I place my name into this charges that
Paul so solemnly gave Timothy. Perhaps you will as well.
I find it helps me to really personalize it.
Many years ago when I served as a pastor I was preaching from this text and coincidentally we had a visitor in the service by the name of Timothy. He told me later that when I emphasized, "O Timothy…" it shook him up a little, as he thought, "Oh no, the preacher's preaching right at me!" He was doubly attentive at those points! Well the fact of the matter is I was preaching to him and to everyone else in attendance! That's why placing our own name in may be beneficial.
When
we study the Bible we benefit from many believers in
past generations who have guarded the good deposit. We
also benefit from elders in our present generation, like
Ron, who are still living. And we are passing it on as
well. Brooksyne and I view this online writing ministry
as a part of our passing on the faith.
Each
generation has a responsibility in guarding the deposit
of faith passed on by the preceding generation and in
turn passing it on to the succeeding one. That's at the
very heart of what Biblical Christian faith is all
about. In fact Paul set forth the pattern to Timothy, "And
the things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also
be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:2).
In
a sense I am both receiving the torch and passing it on
simultaneously. As I study the Bible and other resources
I'm still reaching back and receiving. And I'm passing
it on as well. How about you? Are you receiving and
passing on the baton of God's truth?
Be encouraged
today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, the commandments that You give
are to be impressed upon our hearts. When our acts
of obedience come from the heart Your love motivates
us to obey Your commands and Your holiness teaches
us to align our desires with Your own. Help us to be
extremely cautious about new teachings that are
pleasing to the ear and popular with our present
generation, but do not bear witness with our spirit.
As we study Your Holy Word, from cover to cover, and
meditate upon Your principles we will hold on to
that which is of most importance and pass on to
those who come behind the faith that was once for
all entrusted to the saints of all generations.
Amen.Selected portions of verses implemented into our daily prayer: Deuteronomy 6:6, Colossians 1:13,14
Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We
want to thank
all who have
financially
supported our
ministry this
past year (and
some for many
years!). We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like to make a
donation to
our ministry
see here for
more
information. Like
many
ministries, we
typically see
a spike in
giving at the
end of the
year for which
we are most
thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from 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.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from 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.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Please Note: If
you desire you can donate directly through
PayPal using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber".
We
keep this option available due to the
familiarity, convenience, international
supporters, and for those who may not need an
official receipt. You can also set up for
recurring donations. You also can use PayPal on this
link. Stephen & Brooksyne
The Convene meeting and meal was
held at the AACA Museum in
Hershey, a very interesting place to
gather!
Brooksyne snapped this photo of
Peter Teague and me visiting in the diner at
the AACA Museum. Peter served for many years
as the president of Lancaster Bible College
and now has an amazing ministry for children
with disabilities called "Jessica and Friends".
Vision: By faith, we strive to
fulfill and proclaim the good news of the
gospel by providing service to families
impacted by intellectual disabilities
regardless of financial standing.
Mission: Provide faith-based services and supports for individuals and families with autism and intellectual disabilities. We seek to be a community which affirms the worth of all people, supports personal growth and wholeness, advocates for community and church inclusion, and provides opportunities for spiritual growth and service.
Mission: Provide faith-based services and supports for individuals and families with autism and intellectual disabilities. We seek to be a community which affirms the worth of all people, supports personal growth and wholeness, advocates for community and church inclusion, and provides opportunities for spiritual growth and service.
Tom and Carol Shea. I met Tom at
the first Convene meeting I attended.
The Tucker has a middle headlight that turns with the steering wheel!
The museum also has a large train
layout.
Resources for Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources posted below
our daily messages through Christmas)
Each
year
we share several online resources that
we have used over the years. Perhaps
they may be a blessing to you, your
family or church during this Christmas
season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
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& 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."
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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