Thursday, May 31, 2007

"Spiritual Weed Control"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Corn rows
Growing corn in field across from our house

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"Spiritual Weed Control"

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:18,19).

Amish teamFarmers use a number of different methods to prepare their fields for planting. The traditional plow completely turns the soil over. It always captures my attention when I see the Amish in our county using a large team of mules to pull the plow as they continue to use this labor intensive method.

Many farmers plant using a technique known as "no till". The soil is merely scored and the seed inserted, along with a squirt of fertilizer. A large field across from our home was planted with corn using this method several weeks ago and afterwards you could see the tiny score line, but apart from that there was hardly any evidence that recent work had been done in the field.

The farmer then applies a selective herbicide, which kills the weeds without harming the germinating corn kernels. The field turns brown but soon the tiny sprouts of very green corn emerge from the soil. In several weeks the growing corn completely covers the dead weeds. As you can see from the photo above the corn is about 12 inches tall already and by the end of the summer it will likely be over ten feet tall.

A fundamental reality in farming is the importance of weed control and that's also a fundamental truth in Christian discipleship! In the Parable of the Sower Jesus uses a farming illustration that connects not only with His initial hearers but to all diligent students of the Bible. If you live in the city or a suburb and have no knowledge of agriculture you need to learn a little about farming to understand.

In this parable Jesus emphasized His plan that we be fruitful as His followers. The thorns (weeds) illustrate hindrances to our growth and fruitfulness as Christians. Some seed was sown among the thorns, which choked the Word as it developed. Jesus elaborates on this deadly choking using three conditions we can all identify with and they're every bit as applicable today as when He shared the parable two thousand years ago; "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things." These are thorns that choke God's Word in our lives.

So I wonder… Is there a spiritual herbicide that will kill the weeds that hinder my spiritual growth? The answer is surely "Yes". As we submit to the Lord and His Word, denying the desires of the old nature and applying godly principles we see the weeds dying.

However it's a persistent effort since those pesky weeds keep coming back! That's the same with the application of the herbicide to the farmer's field or to our small vegetable garden for that matter. Weeds just keep coming back!

Is there a single method, perhaps a course or a spiritual experience, which will once for all rid us of all the weeds that hinder our spiritual life? I think not - not on this side anyway. Stay faithful.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father God, I'm often tossed and torn by the worries of this life, the false hope of material wealth, and the desires that pull me in a direction opposite the straight and narrow path You laid out for me. But I am able to defeat these recurring temptations when I repeatedly say "no" to those things which distract me from the goal of the prize of the high calling I have in Christ Jesus. I choose not to have a life equivalent to a barren wasteland, but instead I want my life to be full of wholesome productive fruit. I want to be a Kingdom builder. Help me, Father!



Personal note: Last night I went to a prayer service for a friend of mine who for the last several years has been afflicted with a crippling condition. What a marvelous time we had as several hundred people gathered to show support for this family and help bear their burden. We joined with the family at the front of the sanctuary and the area was packed with earnest friends expressing their prayers, love and support for this family. Joe Sherer, the pastor of the church, is a friend of mine.



Brooksyne's freshly planted gardenBrooksyne's Gardening Note: Stephen called me inside the house to read the message and edit as needed. I didn't realize he was writing on the very thing that I was doing in my garden as I was planting tomatoes. Even though we just tilled the garden last week I was already pulling fresh weeds that were in the path of my planting row. Yes, they're always present, but with a spread of newspapers and thick straw I'm going to do my best to keep them under control. In a spiritual analogy the weed control exercise is comparable to my spiritual exercise of reading Scripture first thing upon awakening this morning and applying its personal message to my life. (It also helps me to endure the painstaking job of pulling those persistent weeds as I got to work on my planting.) Here is a photo Stephen took this morning of one of my freshly planted gardens. We actually have several small areas around our house where I plant a variety of vegetables, flowers and herbs. In a couple of months we sure hope the area in the photo will be covered in green and what I am looking forward to the most is what's in this photo. When I prepare them we will go yummy, yummy, yummy! Do I have an "Amen"?



Final note: Last night we spoke to Rick Masciantonio, a friend of ours from New England, who is attending a minister's conference in our area at Messiah College. For many years Rick and his family attended the church I pastored in New England. He is an outstanding expositor of the Scriptures although his messages are not for the faint of heart! He now preaches in various churches and a message related to today's topic (worries of this life) is available online.
"Heavenly Help for Human Anxieties" (mp3)


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.

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Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

"Always With You"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Bill Shibilo with Ester
Bill Shibilo with Ester

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"Always With You"

"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

"The Lord your God is with you." What a great promise this is! It's a promise I often use when encouraging others going through a trial, especially those times "when sorrows like sea billows roll." At times like this it's especially wonderful when we experience the reality of God's presence.

I recall when I shared this verse with Bill Shibilo, a dear friend of ours from the church we served in New England. I met with him and his family in an emergency room in our local hospital prior to his being life-flighted to Boston. We prayed together and I shared this simple truth, "The LORD your God is with you." He went on to be with the Lord shortly after this but we had many times of meaningful ministry with him during our 7½ years of service in that church.

Bill demonstrated a number of exceptional character qualities such as kindness, steadfastness and gentleness. But one characteristic especially stands out. He was faithful. He graduated from a Bible Institute and then served in the military. For nearly forty-five years he was active in his local church serving with every pastor in the church's history. He taught, served as Sunday School Superintendent, served on boards, sprayed for bugs, polished pews, passed out bulletins, ushered, and a whole lot of other forms of service. For several years he turned the soil in our small garden plot as the above photo shows. Some of his service was visible to others, but much of his labors for Christ were carried out behind the scenes. I never heard Bill grumble, not once.

I want to share one memory in particular. In one of our last visits to New England Medical Center prior to his passing, Brooksyne and I gathered with his family to share Scripture verses and sing hymns to him. At that point he was very weak and had trouble breathing, let alone talking. But spiritually he was very strong and rested in the assurance of God's abiding presence and steadfast love. Following prayer for him, he mustered the strength to proclaim to me, "In Jesus Name, God bless your ministry." That's a blessing I will always treasure.

The promise of God's abiding presence provides sufficient assurance to meet any challenge. Jacob testified of "God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day." David expressed "Thou art with me." In His darkest hour Jesus said; "I am not alone, for my Father is with me." Our Lord Jesus told His disciples before returning to heaven, "Surely I am with you always." In his final letter Paul confidently asserts, "The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength." This glorious promise can be accepted by all believers, for God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" *

Some of you especially need this assurance and reminder today. You're getting battered about quite a bit. Some have written and told us, others we know personally. Broken homes, sick bodies, wayward children, loneliness, big decisions, financial struggles.

"Let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, our faith is strengthened and our hope is renewed as we personalize one of Your many promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." You have stood beside us in the worst of times and shown us that Your grace is sufficient to see us through every moment of everyday. We remain confident in Your overflowing love, Your unending provisions and Your mercies that are renewed each morning. Great is Your faithfulness! Amen.



Personal note: Last night I called Bill's wife, Veda. She served as my personal secretary and continues in that role with my successor. She has been a part of that particular church her entire life. She and Bill were the kind of blessings we pray upon fellow pastors! Both of their sons are active in ministry as well: one in local church ministry, the other a pastor in Connecticut.



* Genesis 48:15, Psalm 23:4, John 16:32, Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 4:17, Hebrews 13:5,6



Today's suggested song is: "It Is Well With My Soul" which is alluded to twice in today's message.
Listen Willingdon Church
Listen Anchor Men's Quartet




Baby gold finch
Just as I was making the final preparations on today's message Brooksyne excitedly came in for the camera and snapped this photo of a baby gold finch.

Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe.

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Please feel free to pass this message on! See
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Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com

Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

"Great are the Works of the LORD"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Walking Trail

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"Great are the Works of the LORD"

"Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them." "To Him belongs eternal praise" (Psalm 111:2,10).

The above photo shows a portion of my favorite walking trail, an old road between two rows of trees across from our home. This area is teeming with plant and animal life.
Our dog, Roxie, gets visibly excited when we come to this part of our walk and dodges on ahead of us where we often see a squirrel scrambling up a tree.

Over the years this trail had accumulated quite a bit of garbage but we've cleaned it up and just last Saturday we walked through and trimmed the tree branches to keep the trail open for our frequent walks. It's a good place to consider the truth in our daily verse.

The Psalmist proclaims "Great are the works of the Lord." Psalm 48:1 declares, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised." But today's passage specifically focuses on the greatness of God's works. It's truly amazing what the Lord has done in creation and the redemption of His people.

"They are pondered by all who delight in them." Part of delighting in the Lord is pondering His works. Another version uses this phrase "they are studied." The works of the Lord are all around you regardless of where you live, although I must admit our setting in the country makes the sights created by divine hands much more visible. Ponder each of these marvelous gifts from God. To ponder means to "reflectively examine and investigate."

What a great Creator God we serve! One of the theological "proofs" for the existence of God is the teleological, which asserts that the very design so evident in the order shows a Designer behind it. I see God's handiwork and design everywhere I look.

I declare today a familiar phrase from another Psalm, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). The Psalmist attributes honor to the Lord with these concluding words, "To Him belongs eternal praise." Amen!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You made each little flower that brightens our path and each bird that serenades our country walk. You made the purple headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset and the morning light that brightens up the sky. How great are You, Lord God Almighty, who has made all things well! Amen.

(Adapted from the hymn, "All Things Bright and Beautiful")



Wild PhloxBrooksyne's note: I'm in awe of God's generosity as He abundantly supplies us with wild colorful flowers in the fields and along the road. Wild lavendar phlox brightens the green landscape along the path. I didn't have to plant, fertilize, mulch or weed these beautiful flowers. They're just part of the colorful blessing of our daily lives that God has generously made available to all in His marvelous handiwork.



Today's suggested music:
"God of Wonders" (Listen) from Orange County Christian Fellowship
"How Great Thou Art" (Listen) by the Statler Brothers
"How Great Is Our God" (Listen) Willingdon Church
"How Great You Are" (Listen) from Orange County Christian Fellowship


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe.

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Please feel free to pass this message on! See
permissions

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com

Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
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Contact us
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in God's solid foundation"


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Monday, May 28, 2007

"The House of The Heroes"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Monday, May 28, 2007

Uncle Jim & Aunt Frances
My Uncle Jim and Aunt Frances

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"The House of The Heroes"

"The House of the Heroes" (Nehemiah 3:16).

My Uncle Jim was a navy pilot who flew off aircraft carriers in the Pacific during World War 2. He married my mother's youngest sister in September 1944 just prior to being shipped off to war. After the service they settled to raise their family in Lincoln, Nebraska. Uncle Jim is now the oldest living member of that generation in our family (actually he has been for the last nine years since my Dad died).

This year he and my Aunt Frances will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary. I spoke to my Aunt Frances this morning and they are doing relatively well in what she calls the "bonus years" (80+). They now enjoy their great-grandchildren and the family will gather this afternoon for fried chicken. Although Uncle Jim's had some health problems he has not missed a single family reunion since the tradition began in 1975 following the deaths of my grandparents. We sure hope to see him again this August when we meet in Branson Missouri and Aunt Frances tells me they're planning on coming!

Our culture is obsessed by heroes. Just consider the typical hero in the sports or entertainment world. Although having great talent on the field or on the stage, they often have poor character traits such as immoral lifestyles, unfaithfulness, lack of self-control, etc.

Today's Scripture verse is intriguing. It's found in a rather matter of fact description of the city of Jerusalem as it was being rebuilt after the exile. I was unable to find any information about this "House of the heroes." Other versions use the phrase "the house of the mighty" or a similar expression. I suppose it was some type of memorial to honor their great leaders.

I want you to consider people like my Uncle Jim. You surely have some family members or close friends you personally know like this. These are the people who have lived faithfully and demonstrated character in the long haul of life.
Today, let us remember who these real heroes are, both living and deceased, and let us honor them.

Finally consider what constitutes real heroism and live your life in such a manner that by the grace of God you might also leave a legacy of faithfulness and virtuous character to those who follow.
Hopefully those who know you well will speak of you as one who exemplifies a spirit-filled life and walks with uprightness of character.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we know that You've not called us to do a sprint in this lifelong spiritual marathon. Nor have Your rules required that we compete with our brothers and sisters but You've shown us that we are to come alongside them instead. You qualify us for the ultimate prize of eternity in heaven as we remain faithful and as we endure to the very end. Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true! Amen.



Personal note: Today is "Memorial Day" here in the USA, a day when we are especially called to remember the sacrifices of those who have died in war. I am sure there are readers today who have loved ones killed in war. For some of you it is perhaps a recent death. In my case I am not aware of anyone in my family or anyone I have known personally who has died in war. But today as we still live in a dispensation of "wars and rumors of wars" I do remember and honor those who have perished. Let us continue to serve the Lord as we await that promised time when all war will cease.



Today's suggested song:
"Lord Reign In Me" (listen to audio)


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)


Please feel free to pass this message on! See
permissions

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com

Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
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"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"


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Friday, May 25, 2007

"Amen"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.




Previous Message · Easy read/print edition


Friday, May 25, 2007


ListenClick here to listen to us read this message on your audio player.


"Amen"

"Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).

When I was little the only time the word "Amen" was used in the type of church I attended was at the end of a prayer. Thus for many years I took it to mean the prayer is over and you can open your eyes. I suppose I am not the only one to make that assumption!

Of course many of us are familiar with "amen" also being a spontaneous response to a statement in a sermon, essentially expressing agreement. I've been around a few folks though who I suspect use it more out of religious habit, since I've heard some "amens" in rather inappropriate places! I recall the story of the preacher who woke a rather sleepy member with a loud "How many of you really want to go to hell?" to which the now awakened and startled member shouted "AMEN".

I enjoy the study of words and their background which is known as etymology. Today I want to consider the word "Amen", one of the most frequently used words in a church setting. It's interesting to me that traditionally its use is pretty much limited to church and spiritual.

Our daily verse is full of wonderful material for those with an interest in etymology. R.C. Sproul, one of my favorite theologians, asserts that this is his very favorite Bible verse. "Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness."

Three key theological words are found here for the very first time in the entire Bible: "believed", "credited" and "righteousness." That's significant due to a basic principle of Bible interpretation known as "the law of first usage", which asserts that the first time a word is used in Scripture is very important in determining its meaning throughout the rest of the Bible.

Today, let's just consider the word "believe". It translates the Hebrew word "Aman" which is the basic root of "Amen" and is merely transliterated in the Greek, English and probably many other languages as well. Again this is the very first time it's found in the Scripture and it lays a foundation for all subsequent uses.

"Abram believed the Lord." This is a fundamental description of the man known as the father of faith. He believed the Lord. The background of "amen" is foundationally belief, faith or trust. It's absolutely significant that the object of Abram's faith was the Lord. It's not just belief but belief in "the Lord."

Consider that the next time you end a prayer with the word or express agreement to a sermon point by saying "Amen.". You're saying "I believe." Do you really believe the Lord today? I sure do. Praise God! He continues to credit His righteousness to them that believe (Hebrews 11:6).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Today's prayer: Amen!





Golden Nuggets
Yesterday Brooksyne and I shared a message with a senior group in our church called 'The Golden Nuggets"




Strawberry/Rhubarb jamBrooksyne made 175 jars of strawberry-rhubarb jam for my niece's wedding reception next week. For years Brooksyne has been rather famous among our family and friends by often giving away small jars of home-made jam. My niece, made a special request to her Aunt to make small jars of jam as a favor at the reception for each guest!












Today's suggested song: Come Home Running



In today's message I referred to R.C. Sproul. I have been greatly blessed by his perspective on "The Holiness of God."

39655: The Holiness of GodThe Holiness of God By R.C. Sproul / Tyndale House
Good news! Sproul's classic has been expanded and updated for today's readers. Sproul takes you on a journey into the awesome presence of God, and helps you wrestle with the tension that exists between God's terrifying holiness and his inexplicable grace. This edition includes two new chapters and challenging end-of-chapter study questions. 226 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

444134: The Holiness of God - audiobook on CDThe Holiness of God - audiobook on CD
By R. C. Sproul / Hovel Audio Inc.






Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass this message on! See
permissions

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com

Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
Chaplaincy logo


"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"


www.dailyencouragement.net

Thursday, May 24, 2007

"The Living and Active Word of God"


A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Irises at Donegal Springs Presbyterian Church
Row of irises at Donegal Springs Presbyterian Church and Cemetery

ListenClick here to listen to us read this message on your audio player.

"The Living and Active Word of God"

"For the Word of God is living and active" (Hebrews 4:12).


In the course of our chaplaincy yesterday Brooksyne and I shared with a lady whose father had died in the previous week. Pat showed us her most treasured remaining possession he left her; his Bible which she had carefully wrapped in plastic. We looked through the Bible and got a glimpse of his spiritual perspective through marked passages and notes he had written such as this one:

"Let my life be a window to let Your light shine through
And a mirror to reflect Your love through me."

BibleAs Brooksyne shared with her she pointed out that of all the material treasures a parent could leave to a child nothing could be more valuable than a cherished Bible. The wisdom transmitted from parent to child is but for a season, but the Bible is living and continues to reveal truth and wisdom. Its message is always relevant as it explores and engages the heart of those who choose to read it. Though her dad had died he left a living Bible as a remembrance of his earthly life and eternal values.

The Word of God is living and active. One of my favorite sounds is Bible pages turning simultaneously in a Bible Study or a church service. One of the blessings of PowerPoint, used in many churches, is that Scripture can be displayed using one single version that all can read together as well as Pastor's sermons can be reinforced with the helpful notes. But on the other hand it can contribute to people no longer following along in their own Bibles as was the practice in past generations right up to the last 5 years or so. I just wonder how much this is contributing to Biblical illiteracy.

My spirit is stirred when I see people earnestly incorporating the teachings of the Bible in their lives. The Bible is not a mere token of our religiosity that we display on a coffee table but as the Word of God it is an instrument that is living and active.

The Word of God is living (zoe). The Word of God is always alive! In Stephen's only recorded sermon he referred to Moses as a penman who "received living words to pass on to us." Although Stephen preached this message some 1400 years after Moses received the words from God he acknowledges them as living words. Now nearly 2000 years after Stephen's sermon they are still "living words." The apostle Peter calls it "the living and enduring word of God." An old hymn uses the repeated phrase "Wonderful Words of Life."

The Word of God is active (energes). In fact we get the English word "energy" from this Greek word. My Greek reference tool points out that this word is used of "activity that produces results and is often used for divine activity which produces effective results." Today, all over the world God's active Word is being proclaimed and lives are being changed. Yesterday we also visited with a woman who enthusiastically shared how the Lord was changing the lives of the people in her Chinese congregation in Lancaster.

As I prepare this encouragement message today I'm reminded of what a tremendous blessing it is to have God's Holy Word. I truly want the Word to be living and active in my life as I appropriate the truths revealed in its pages. I encourage each reader who has the marvelous blessing of possessing his or her own Bible to read it regularly. Appropriate its truth and give thanks to God for the privilege you have to read from it freely.

We also consider fellow believers living in closed countries who must conceal the Scriptures or read them in hiding. To be caught with the Scriptures would result in imprisonment or physical punishment. Many others do not even have full Bibles. I believe God has a very special reward awaiting them in heaven much like the martyrs who will receive a special crown. May God help us to be diligent readers of His Holy Word and faithful followers of His wise counsel.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. The radiant light of Your Scripture goes before me discerning and dispelling the darkness that surrounds me on this earthly journey. Help me, Father, not to turn to the right or to the left, but to keep my eyes fixed on the narrow illumined path before me so that I will eventually hear Your words of commendation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Amen.



Many years ago I wrote an encouragement concerning a remarkable testimony of the power of God's Word and a faithful witness.



When Brooksyne served as choir director she led our church choir in a beautiful song that relates to today's topic. Perhaps you've heard it and it's also a great prayer. "Word of God Speak." Here's an online audio version.



Brooksyne's note: I, too, want God's Word to be active in my life and engrafted into my heart. I am a strong believer in the memorization of God's Word and try to regularly memorize portions of the Bible. Imagine some closed countries where thirty or more rely on one Bible as they pass it among congregational members since the Bible is prohibited in their country. Many of us have multiple versions of the Bible sitting on our shelves, many of them unused for weeks, months or years at a time. May God help us to be faithful to read and obey His Holy Word – it is the best and most accurate living "self-help" book you will ever possess. At the very top of my treasured possessions is the Bible my father passed onto me which was passed onto him from his godly father. It's a well-used three generational Bible!



Last night we had some excitement in our area when a large chicken house burned down. You could see the smoke for miles and dedicated volunteer firefighters from all through the area responded and managed to limit the destruction to only one of the six huge houses. Each house holds some 100,000 chickens.

Chicken house fire

Chicken house fire


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Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
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Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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