Daily Encouragement

Monday, May 1, 2023

Sunset Cliffs Boulevard

Click on photo to enlarge

"Watch Yourselves"

Travel note: We were in San Diego through the weekend but today plan to travel to the Palm Desert area for several days and among other things visit Joshua Tree National Park. We will return to San Diego later this week to attend our friend Marilyn's celebration of life service on Saturday. Since we are at a different time zone than Pennsylvania and working on only one computer the message delivery times may vary, as well as the depth of our messages! Since we are in a motel this week we probably won't post daily but depending on conditions hope to send a couple of messages out.

Message summary: Be sure to keep watching yourself.

Note: Due to travel the podcast is not prepared for this message.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16a). "Examine yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). "Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (2 John 1:8).

Here in San Diego we have been enjoying our time near the ocean. We are, of course, much closer to and more familiar with the East Coast where from Southern Maine all down the Atlantic coast the ocean meets land on a coastal plain, a flat, low-lying piece of land next to the ocean. But the west coast is different.

For the last several days we have stayed at our friend's home along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, so named due to it being right along cliffs facing the sunset. In this long section of Point Loma the steep cliffs are right at the shore and there are no beaches such as the one in our lead photo today.

There is a walking path between the boulevard and the edge of the cliffs where many warning signs abound like that seen in the photo to the left. On occasion people tragically fall off these cliffs who ignore the warnings, necessitating a rescue or recovery of their bodies.

It's ironic that some of the most expensive residential real estate and homes in the world are built along eroding cliffs. In some places the cliffs have eroded right up to the road with homes built some 150 feet away as seen in our lead photo, requiring the trail to be diverted.

But they sure have a good view. In fact we notice as we walk on the upper streets that each house is designed with many large windows in the multi-level floors as residents seek to get an ocean view!

Walking on the trail beside the cliffs along the ocean is enjoyable but you sure have to watch your step. I have severe Cremnophobia, that is, a fear of edges or precipices. I am thankful for the warning signs but I would still stay away from the edge without them. Now with Brooksyne, that's another story.

There's a lot of spiritual cliffs in life, some we can avoid, others we cannot.

Let's hear a word from the two apostles this morning and heed their simple spiritual warning, "Watch yourselves". We may see it as more spiritual to look to the Lord or more caring to look after others, but here we are told to look inward, to watch ourselves. Paul had said to the Corinthian believers years earlier "Examine yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Self-examination can be painful; it can be humiliating, or, sadly, it can lead to pride. But if we follow the words of Scripture it can be healthy.

The first text is written by Paul. It's a simple command to understand but it can be very difficult to habitually practice. "Watch your life and doctrine closely". Another way this might read is, "Watch how you live and what you believe". The NASV states, "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching".

We need to continually watch our life and doctrine closely. How does our life reflect the character traits demonstrated by Jesus? How does our doctrine line up with that which is taught in the Holy Scriptures?

Our third similar text was written by the apostle John. Some may struggle with the phrase, "that you do not lose what we have accomplished". It just may not fit their neat theology that we can lose or accomplish anything! However I believe we do well to take these words and all Scripture seriously. Never let your theological package blind you to the plain meaning of a text. The context deals with deception and the false teaching that had come into the church and is ever a danger. Today there are many deceptions and false prophets.

I want to receive a "full reward". I don't fully understand the nature of rewards in heaven, but the Scriptures clearly indicate that they will have a place. Let's press on today in our faith in God and service to the King! And be sure to keep watching yourself.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, help us to regularly watch ourselves and examine our hearts to see if we are wholeheartedly walking with You and leaving a path for others to follow. Especially help us when we are near cliffs. May we stay on the path that leads to righteous living here and life everlasting there. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Yesterday we attended church at Shadow Mountain Community Church. We usually attend this church when we're in the San Diego area.

Click on photo to enlarge

New song (to us) from the service yesterday. Click to listen on Vimeo This is followed by Pastor David Jeremiah's message.

Here are some more songs from the Shadow Mountain Community Church Choir:

"What He's Done" Click to listen on YouTube

"I Got Saved" Click to listen on YouTube

"I Speak Jesus" Click to listen on YouTube

Friends along life's way:

Friday evening we enjoyed dinner with Richard and Elnora Dresselhaus, who are longtime friends of our friend Marilyn. In fact Richard was her pastor for many years and will conduct her service this next Saturday. We first met the Dresselhauses during a visit in 2016 but have been familiar with his ministry for many years before that as Brooksyne and I would read his articles in the weekly Evangel. He still writes abbreviated messages every single day and hasn't missed a single day since 2011 on his One For The Road blog!

Saturday evening we joined two longtime Daily Encouragement readers for dinner in Carlsbad, Steve and Betsy Nickless. We have really appreciated their friendship and earnest walk with the Lord as we've come to know them over the years. Their children are committed to Christ, active in Christian service and raising their children in the ways of the Lord. They celebrate their 41st anniversary today!

More sights from Southern California

We took a hike along the tidal pools on Point Loma.

Click on photo to enlarge

Ship entering San Diego harbor from Point Loma.

Downtown San Diego is in the background.

Click on photo to enlarge

Our view from the pool area at the home where we are staying.

Flowers along the shore are vibrant and plentiful this year due to the abundance of rain. A walk in the neighborhood is so refreshing as flowers of every color, size and shape along with the multiple types of cactus's accentuate the resident's yards.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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