Daily Encouragement

Monday, November 4, 2024

We passed this old caboose from the Pennsylvania Railroad last week on our bike ride along the Susquehanna River near Fort Hunter Park north of Harrisburg.

_{^{"The
Best Use Of
The Time"}}

Message summary: Where is your primary kingdom orientation; the kingdom of this world or the Kingdom of God? An old quote attributed to missionary CT Studd we first heard in Bible College is, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last". We believed that over 50 years ago and believe it even more now as we have experienced the inevitable passing of life. Let us live with a Kingdom of God outlook! It's not a waste of time.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). "And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me’" (Matthew 25:40). "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15,16).

For several years John and Ethyl sat behind us in church. We had known Ethyl before this through her brother Don, one of the first friends we met here in Lancaster County. While on a vacation trip a couple years ago John passed away and we have now gotten accustomed to Ethyl sitting alone.

But Ethyl has a ministry heart and she befriended a man named Marko in a gym where she is active. Ethyl is very friendly and likely wished Marko "a blessed day". When he asked the question, "What do you mean to have a blessed day?" she began a spiritually oriented conversation and invited him to church where he is growing in his faith. Yesterday we heard his testimony and witnessed his baptism. (link to video below)

Today all over the world there are those like Ethyl living out their faith for Christ, not wasting their time but using it to honor God and serve others.

Mike and Kathy are longtime friends who now live in North Carolina. Mike trained and served for many years as an electrical engineer and specialized in quality control in the corporate world. But Mike and Kathy's passion has always been for people, leaving a long trail of impact for Christ in many places and in many ways. They presently serve together in prison ministry.

Mike told me about a conversation with a supervisor many years ago when he was still working but also beginning a prison ministry. His boss just couldn't understand why Mike did not want to prioritize his time in advancing in the corporate world and told him, "I just don't understand why you would waste your time on that". (that being prison ministry)

Now most won't be as blunt as this supervisor but this is an attitude many have toward ministry and people work, especially ministry to those whom Jesus called "the least of these" which specifically includes prison ministry. (Matthew 25:36)

One of the major decisions of life is determining what comprises a waste of time or more broadly a waste of life. We may describe someone addicted to drugs as "wasting their life" but what about a "successful person" as we often understand success? Are they also wasting their life?

That depends on where your primary kingdom orientation is; the kingdom of this world or the Kingdom of God.

Mike's supervisor years ago likely understood a valuable use of time as being a focus on business success, often described as climbing the corporate ladder.

An orientation to this world can express success in many ways which are not necessarily bad and can also be God honoring such as working diligently with integrity. We are all blessed in various ways by this kind of outlook in life.

However for the genuine follower of Jesus our primary focus should be the Kingdom of God which Jesus clearly taught includes caring for the least of these and He demonstrated this by seeking and saving the lost. We have a call to follow His example.

An old quote attributed to missionary CT Studd we first heard in Bible College is, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last". We believed that over 50 years ago and now we believe it even more now as we have experienced the inevitable passing of life. Let us live with a Kingdom of God outlook!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father help us to live with a Kingdom of God focus and a realization that truly this life we now live will soon be past, and only what's done for Christ will ultimately last. Help us to never see the work we do for You or the people we are called to serve as a waste of time. In all that we do, we want to do it for Your glory and honor through Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day, traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, and stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, and to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, when Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, and from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";

Attributed to CT Studd (see here)

Today's "One For The Road" message by Richard Dresselhaus has a similar theme to today's message:

Praying like Jesus prayed. Let that be a pattern for you to follow.

Here is a sample of the petitions Jesus offered in His high priestly prayer.

That His disciples would be protected by the power of His name.

That they might be one…as He and the Father are one.

That they might have the full measure of His joy.

That they would be protected from the evil one.

That they might be sanctified.

Note this. His petitions focused on the eternal…the consequential…and the significant.

For what do you pray? Like Jesus…pray for others. Go beyond the moment. And pray about issues that are consequential and eternal. Focus on what is at the heart -- not just the fleeting…but the permanent.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"There Is One Gospel" Listen on YouTube CityAlight

Marko's baptism testimony with introduction from our church service yesterday.

Saturday evening our friends Rick and Rachel stopped by. We have known them over 16 years through our association with Convene and White Oak Display. They have faced adversity but demonstrate steadfastness.

Early this morning Brooksyne headed out to share her pilgrim presentation at a women's group at Calvary Homes. She began sharing these presentations to public school students in New England about 30 years ago. These presentations seek to share actual history and are not politically correct, revisionist history. (We wonder if she would still be allowed to share them in the public schools now, especially in Massachusetts!) She is carrying a Bible in the box which would have been the practice in those days. Steve Higgins, a friend from New England, made the box for us.

Pumpkin display at Reiff's Greenhouse neat Mifflingburg

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