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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Monday,
April 15, 2024
"So
Bravely Run
The Race"
Message
summary:
Let us press
on toward the
goal and stay
faithful to
Christ as we
bravely run
our race with
purpose and
perseverance!
So
bravely run
the race till
we see Christ.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly” (1 Corinthians 9:26). "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).
“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly” (1 Corinthians 9:26). "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).
Today
will be the
running of the
128th Boston
Marathon,
always an
exciting time
to be in the
Boston area
where we lived
in the
nineties. We
have been to
the race
several times
and I always
manage to
glean material
for a daily
encouragement.
One year we
were at the
finish line
and another at
a section
known as
"Heartbreak
Hill".
One
interesting
detail many
may not know
is that
just
past mile 25
is Kenmore
Square. As a
spectator, the
air is thick
with
excitement and
you can barely
move. Per
tradition, the
Red Sox play
an 11am game
at Fenway
Park, and fans
spill out onto
the sidewalks
to catch the
middle pack of
runners. It's
also "Patriot's
Day" in
Massachusetts,
a state
holiday. We
were there one
year and it is
full of energy
and
excitement.
Over
50 years ago I
was a decent
runner in both
cross country
(fall) and
track (spring)
at Truman High
School in
Independence
Missouri. I
recall long
training runs
out on the
country roads
east of the
city. I was
actually a
fairly decent
runner at the
time, won some
races, and at
one point,
participated
in the state
track meet.
I suppose, due to my participation in long distance running, I have always found it interesting that Scripture writers, particularly Paul, use "running the race" as an example of the Christian life. In my teaching I frequently liken the Christian life to “a marathon, not a sprint”.
I suppose, due to my participation in long distance running, I have always found it interesting that Scripture writers, particularly Paul, use "running the race" as an example of the Christian life. In my teaching I frequently liken the Christian life to “a marathon, not a sprint”.
Two
important
components in
being a good
runner include
having purpose
and
perseverance:
1)
Running the
race with
purpose:
In our first
daily verse in
speaking of
his ministry
in the Gospel
(I Corinthians
9:26) Paul
states, “Therefore
I do not run
like a man
running
aimlessly”.
A key word is
“aimlessly.”
Another
version uses
the word
“uncertainly”.
The Amplified
Bible states,
“without a
definite
goal”. Perhaps
positive
phrases to
describe how
Paul ran and
how we should
run are "with
an aim, with
certainty,
with purpose,
with a goal".
The runners,
who have
trained many
years for the
marathon,
definitely
have an aim or
goal in mind.
This speaks of
the vital
importance of
purpose.
2)
Running the
race with
perseverance:
"And
let us run
with
perseverance
the race
marked out for
us"
(Hebrews
12:1). This
speaks of the
vital
importance of
perseverance.
I’ve
met plenty of
sprinters and
middle
distance
runners in the
Christian
race. Some may
start and run
for awhile but
give up before
crossing the
finish line. A
challenge I've
often heard
and a
challenge I
give myself is
to be "in it
for the long
haul". There's
an interesting
allusion to
running in
Galatians
where Paul
writes, "You
were running
well. Who
hindered you
from obeying
the truth?" By
God's grace I
certainly
don't want the
word "were"
in a
description of
how I am
running the
race.
As
the Apostle
Paul prepared
to die he
declared, “I
have finished
the race”
(2 Timothy
4:7). That’s a
great
expression of
assurance and
confidence by
a dying but
victorious
man! In the
great
Christian race
all who
faithfully
finish are
winners. Let
us press on
toward the
goal and stay
faithful to
Christ as we
bravely run
our race with
purpose and
perseverance!
It
will be worth
it all when we
see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, when
I’m distracted
from my goal
or tempted to
withdraw from
the spiritual
race, impress
this biblical
truth upon my
heart: It’s
not the one
who runs the
swiftest nor
the one who
shines for a
day, but the
one who
endures to the
end, the same
shall be
saved. May I
be found
faithful not
only when
celebrating
victories but
also on the
days and
seasons of my
life when I am
simply
plodding on.
It is only by
Your grace,
through my
surrendered
will, that I
can accomplish
this. Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"It
Will Be Worth
It All"
Watch
on YouTube
The Browns
"Worth
It All"
Watch
on YouTube
The Brooklyn
Tabernacle
Choir
Saturday
afternoon we
saw this young
man loading
his spring
wagon after a
busy shopping
trip at
Costco. After
he unloaded
his items he
told us he was
going to strap
down the items
before
boarding the
buggy and
taking hold of
the reins.
It would have
been
interesting to
see where he
sat on the
wagon to get
home!
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
Yesterday
in our ABF
class we heard
a mission
presentation
by Don and
Karen Stauffer
who work with
That
All May See,
a mission
providing
eyecare to the
needy, as well
as a
presentation
of the Gospel.
Don told us
they always
make it clear
that their
work must
include the
opportunity to
freely share
the Gospel.
Presenting
the Gospel
through an eye
chart!
MY
EXERCISE
PROGRAM
“Physical
training is of
some value”
(1 Timothy
4:8). This
speaks of the
relative value
in regard to
spiritual
training.
Physical
exercise is
good for you.
This unique
training
program
recognizes and
utilizes the
exercise value
of routine
daily tasks.
You just might
be surprised
at how much
exercise you
are getting!
1) Beating around the bush
2) Jumping to conclusions
3) Climbing the walls
4) Swallowing my pride
5) Passing the buck
6) Throwing my weight around
7) Dragging my heels
8) Pushing my luck
9) Making mountains out of molehills
10) Hitting the nail on the head
11) Wading through paperwork
12) Bending over backwards
13) Jumping on the bandwagon
14) Balancing the books
15) Running around in circles
16) Eating crow
17) Tooting my own horn
18) Climbing the ladder of success
19) Pulling out the stops
20) Adding fuel to the fire
21) Opening a can of worms
22) Putting my foot in my mouth
23) Starting the ball rolling
24) Going over the edge
25) Picking up the pieces.
1) Beating around the bush
2) Jumping to conclusions
3) Climbing the walls
4) Swallowing my pride
5) Passing the buck
6) Throwing my weight around
7) Dragging my heels
8) Pushing my luck
9) Making mountains out of molehills
10) Hitting the nail on the head
11) Wading through paperwork
12) Bending over backwards
13) Jumping on the bandwagon
14) Balancing the books
15) Running around in circles
16) Eating crow
17) Tooting my own horn
18) Climbing the ladder of success
19) Pulling out the stops
20) Adding fuel to the fire
21) Opening a can of worms
22) Putting my foot in my mouth
23) Starting the ball rolling
24) Going over the edge
25) Picking up the pieces.
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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.
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Weber
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To
donate
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here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
2024
offerings YTD:
$7,430.00
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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 and a variety of other versions.
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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