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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday, April
12, 2023
Just
after sunrise
yesterday
morning we
passed this
Amish farm on
Harvest Road.
Amazingly, the
laundry is
already hung
on the line
and many Amish
women still
wash using the
ringer washer.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
"Reducing
Gear"
Message
summary:
Today
we consider
the importance
of reducing
gear!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1,2).
We
had a
beautiful day
yesterday with
temps in the
70's.
Following an
early morning
chaplaincy
visit, we took
a walk on the
Appalachian
Trail ("hike"
would be an
overstatement).
We met a
serious hiker
who was
heading to
Georgia on the
trail, which
runs 2200
miles from
Maine to
Georgia. Over
two million
people walk at
least a
portion of the
trail every
year. I guess
we are two of
them!
In this part of Pennsylvania the trail runs along the ridge of Blue Mountain and is accessible at various points along gaps in the mountain. We parked our van at a gravel lot and left the main highway.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1,2).
We
had a
beautiful day
yesterday with
temps in the
70's.
Following an
early morning
chaplaincy
visit, we took
a walk on the
Appalachian
Trail ("hike"
would be an
overstatement).
We met a
serious hiker
who was
heading to
Georgia on the
trail, which
runs 2200
miles from
Maine to
Georgia. Over
two million
people walk at
least a
portion of the
trail every
year. I guess
we are two of
them!In this part of Pennsylvania the trail runs along the ridge of Blue Mountain and is accessible at various points along gaps in the mountain. We parked our van at a gravel lot and left the main highway.
After
you get off
the highway
several
hundred yards
no longer will
you hear any
man-made
noise, only
birds singing,
the chirping
of insects,
and the
rustling of
tree branches
and fallen
leaves, either
due to the
wind or
squirrels
scurrying here
and there,
though you may
hear the
crackling of
leaves under
our feet as
walk on the
trail. Due to
the distance
from
machinery,
human sounds,
and thick
foliage it's a
very natural,
peaceful and
relaxing walk.
However the
Pennsylvania
portion is
famous for
being a rocky
trail so you
really have to
watch your
footing.
After
we completed
our hike we
got back in
the van and
headed down
the mountain
toward Pine
Grove and saw
a sign that
prompted a
memory from
early in our
marriage.
After
we completed
our hike we
got back in
the van and
headed down
the mountain
toward Pine
Grove and saw
a sign that
prompted a
memory from
early in our
marriage. Both
of us grew up
in relatively
flat areas of
the country
(Stephen in
the Kansas
City, MO area
and Brooksyne
in Tulsa, OK).
After college
we moved to a
mountainous
section of
northern PA
where we
planted a
church. In
that area when
driving down a
long mountain
grade we grew
accustomed to
seeing signs
that alerted
truck drivers,
"Trucks Reduce
Gear" meaning
to lower their
transmission
gear for the
long downhill
grade.
My sister Genelle was visiting us and she asked an understandable yet humorous question. Upon seeing the sign she asked, "What do they do with the gear they take off the truck?" She took "gear" to mean the load (weight) that was on the truck and assumed the truck driver was being instructed to reduce the truck's cargo before heading down the mountain! We often chuckle about that when we see "Trucks Reduce Gear" signs on the highway. But in her defense she had only driven an automatic transmission, and was unfamiliar with mountain driving and the terminology associated with a standard transmission, so her question was valid. Better for her to ask than not know the correct answer.
Today let us consider another vital sense of reducing gear, noting a phrase from our Hebrews text, "lay aside every encumbrance" (NASV). Other versions translate this: "lay aside every weight" (KJV); "lay aside every impediment" (Mounce); "stripping off every unnecessary weight" (Amplified).
My sister Genelle was visiting us and she asked an understandable yet humorous question. Upon seeing the sign she asked, "What do they do with the gear they take off the truck?" She took "gear" to mean the load (weight) that was on the truck and assumed the truck driver was being instructed to reduce the truck's cargo before heading down the mountain! We often chuckle about that when we see "Trucks Reduce Gear" signs on the highway. But in her defense she had only driven an automatic transmission, and was unfamiliar with mountain driving and the terminology associated with a standard transmission, so her question was valid. Better for her to ask than not know the correct answer.
Today let us consider another vital sense of reducing gear, noting a phrase from our Hebrews text, "lay aside every encumbrance" (NASV). Other versions translate this: "lay aside every weight" (KJV); "lay aside every impediment" (Mounce); "stripping off every unnecessary weight" (Amplified).
This
verse has long
been
meaningful in
part due to my
younger years
of running. In
fact, during
my running
days, I was
concerned with
how much my
running shoes
weighed, as I
wanted to be
very light on
my feet. The
writer of
Hebrews is
drawing an
illustration
from running a
race to
illustrate the
Christian
life. In the
context of a
race extra
weight is, of
course, a
hindrance to
efficient
running.
In today's text twice we have the heartening phrase "let us". Bible teacher Harry Ironside contrasts the "let us" of grace, as being very different from the "thou shalt" of law. Whether I listen to a preacher or I am the preacher I like hearing or repeating the phrase "let us". It conveys "We are in this together".
The word "lay aside" translates the Greek word "apotithemi" which is used elsewhere in the NT to instruct what we are to lay aside. That includes:
David Guzek writes, "Sin can hold us back. But there are also things that may not be sin but are merely hindrances (every weight) that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder and something that may not. We need to ask ourselves, is there a weight in my life that I must lay aside?"
In today's text twice we have the heartening phrase "let us". Bible teacher Harry Ironside contrasts the "let us" of grace, as being very different from the "thou shalt" of law. Whether I listen to a preacher or I am the preacher I like hearing or repeating the phrase "let us". It conveys "We are in this together".
The word "lay aside" translates the Greek word "apotithemi" which is used elsewhere in the NT to instruct what we are to lay aside. That includes:
"deeds
of darkness"
(Romans 13:12)
"the old self" (Ephesians 4:22)
"falsehood" (Ephesians 4:25)
"anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech" (Colossians 3:8)
"all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness" (James 1:21)
"all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:21)
"the old self" (Ephesians 4:22)
"falsehood" (Ephesians 4:25)
"anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech" (Colossians 3:8)
"all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness" (James 1:21)
"all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:21)
David Guzek writes, "Sin can hold us back. But there are also things that may not be sin but are merely hindrances (every weight) that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder and something that may not. We need to ask ourselves, is there a weight in my life that I must lay aside?"
Be
encouraged
today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, there
are many sins
and vices that
weigh us down,
slow our
spiritual
maturity,
throw us off
stride, cause
us to stumble
and end up
being a
stumbling
block to
others as
well.
And yet the
enemy of our
soul makes
them so
appealing,
seemingly
irresistible.
But You call
us to lay
aside the
deeds of
darkness that
were part of
our old self,
to put off
falsehood,
anger, wrath,
malice,
slander or
abusive
speech,
anything of
wicked origin
that would
make us who
claim to be
children of
the light to
be caught up
in the evil
deeds of
darkness from
which we were
delivered.
Help us as we
struggle in
this choice
between light
and darkness;
show us the
way to victory
as You
undergird us
with Your
strength and
fill us with
Your peace.
May our
resolve be the
same as that
of Paul who
declared, "I
can do all
things through
Christ who
gives me
strength."
Through the
power of the
Holy Spirit
and in the
name of Jesus
Christ we
pray. Amen.Yesterday
we shared that
apart from the
resurrection
we have a:
1) Lifeless Messiah (15:12,13,16)
2) Useless Gospel (15:14)
3) Truthless witness (15:15)
4) Worthless faith (5:17)
5) Hopeless eternity (15:18,19)
Fill in the positive outcome.
Because
of the
resurrection
of Jesus
Christ we have
a:
1) ________ Messiah
2) ________ Gospel
3) ________ witness
4) ________ faith
5) ________ eternity
1) ________ Messiah
2) ________ Gospel
3) ________ witness
4) ________ faith
5) ________ eternity
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
"All
Hail King
Jesus"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Calvary Church
choir and
orchestra
(This was our
opening song
this last
Sunday)
What a
powerful way
to begin an
Easter
service!
Listen
carefully to
the words of
the song and
the narration.
Driving
to Lebanon
County
yesterday we
passed this
very nice
display of the
victorious
cross amidst a
mound of
spring bulbs.
I
find the view
of the
Appalachian
Trail
invigorating
though I sure
don't have the
inclination to
walk its
entire length.
We did walk
the width
yesterday!
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
We
stepped off
the trail and
walked over to
see if we
could get a
good vista
point
overlooking
the Lebanon
Valley but due
to the
treacherous
footing and
thorny
underbrush
this is the
best we did.
In several
weeks the
foliage will
make a view
like this
impossible.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
On
the other side
of Blue
Mountain we
drove through
the very
remote Swopes
Valley.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
Swopes
Valley
flowering tree
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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)
If
you desire you
can also
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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: 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."
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