Friday, September 28, 2007

"The Final Outcome"

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

<Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Friday, September 28, 2007

Amish farm at harvest (Click on photo to enlarge)
Amish farm at harvest time
(Click on photo to enlarge)
We pass this beautiful farm near Strasburg PA.
This is only a few miles from the site of the
Nickel Mines school shooting last year.

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

"The Final Outcome"
(Today's message is a bit longer than usual)


"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God'" (Acts 7:55,56).

Yesterday I went to a neighboring city to attend a CBMC meeting (a group of Christian businessmen). I rode over with my friend, Mike Stillman, who was also the speaker. Mike played college football in the eighties at Penn State and was a member of the 1982 national championship team starring as the longsnapper.

As we drove along we were talking football and I shared how my family had driven through South Bend Indiana on the way to Wisconsin last year. We drove through the campus at Notre Dame and admired the beautiful setting. A great deal of emphasis is placed on their football team and the stadium has a prominent place right in the center.

Mike played in two games there and he asked me if I saw the "Touchdown Jesus." At first I thought he cited a license plate with this message as we were traveling, but he went on to explain that at Notre Dame they have a building you can see from the football field that has a large mural of a Jesus figure raising his arms in what appears to be the touchdown gesture.

As a matter of fact I did not see the building when I was there however it did get me thinking!

Al and Thata Book, were a missionary couple who first went to Africa in the early 50's. After serving in Africa for many years they had various duties for Christ in the states and while in their sixties they learned Spanish and went to Central America as missionaries. We met them in our church when we moved to this area in 2001. They really weren't slowing down at all in 2003 when they returned to Africa for six months of missionary service even though they were in their late 70's. Only days after arriving in Africa they were killed in an automobile accident. We were stunned upon hearing of the tragedy and again considered how things work out in the mysterious plan of God.

Many of you reading this today have had similar experiences in life. Some are more pronounced than others, but these are blows in life that just knock us to the ground. We wonder in hurt and exasperation, "Where is God and what is He doing in all this?"

But allow this truth to penetrate deeply into your spiritual being as you read this message. The final outcome for the true child of God is always good!

Certainly there will be rough spots in the journey of faith and many of you know as you read this what I mean. Some are presently experiencing it! There are times in the midst of a serious trial that we may wonder "Is this really going to work out?" Sometimes "working out" is not as we expect, but yes, ultimately it always works out. Our responsibility is to stay faithful to God.

Stephen was one of the first followers of Christ. The Scripture records nothing concerning his background or conversion. He is first mentioned when he was chosen by the early church to serve as a deacon. The historian Luke records that he was "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit." He soon had a preaching opportunity and bears a powerful witness for the Lord, likely his first and certainly his last sermon.

But rather than getting appreciative pats on the back or seeing the altars full of repentant sinners, he faced a very unreceptive crowd who were "furious and gnashing their teeth at him." He was forcefully drug out of the city and stoned.

Consider the human dimension in Stephen's experience. Surely he had to overcome the question, "Is this what serving God is all about?" As the first recorded Christian martyr he and other believers watching might have wondered "Is God really going to allow this to go on?" Surely Stephen loved his family and friends and had a promising ministry. At his burial "godly men mourned deeply for him" (Acts 8:2). Surely he had to overcome tremendous fear as the situation turned from bad to ugly to deadly. And imagine the horrific physical pain and agony he endured as large stones were hurled at him.

Note Stephen's faith-filled vision of "the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Here's where I apply the football analogy. I receive joy when I picture Jesus raising His hands in a touchdown gesture as Stephen slumps to the ground. In spite of the apparent visible defeat that onlookers could not deny, the eternal outcome was truly a victorious win!

Stephen was not delivered from his troubles in the way he might have expected or would surely have desired. Yet this was part of God's ultimate plan. Jesus wasn't "off duty" and oblivious to Stephen's plight. I'm so glad Scripture tells us that Stephen saw the windows of heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. What tremendous confidence and anticipation this must have given him in his final moments of pain-filled life on this side!

So, back to our lives and our struggles this day. The outcome of whatever we're going through may or may not be as we desire or expect. But let us, like Stephen, look up to heaven and get a glimpse of our Lord, who is never "off duty". And remember the final outcome for the true child of God is always good!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I'm so glad for those in the cloud of witnesses that cheer us on in our spiritual marathon. Just as Stephen had a glimpse of Jesus standing he was filled with confidence to remain true to his convictions and calling in the midst of utter rejection and unbearable pain. Help us to turn our hearts toward heaven so that we desire Your approval and blessing above worldly applause and man's favor. This will keep us diligent in our Christian walk even in the midst of disappointment and times of waiting. Amen.



Overhead projectorWe again welcome daily encouragement readers to visit our new humor blog and my very first attempt at satire. The situation is set in in Fair Grove Missouri at the fictional Fair Grove Community Church (FGCC) where there is serious church division concerning the new pastor's proposal
to replace the overhead projector and incorporate PowerPoint. Read the blog post here. We actually began our ministry as a newly married couple in May of 1976 at a little country church outside of Fair Grove, which is about 20 miles north of Springfield.



A photo of the Notre Dame mural "touchdown Jesus".



Today Brooksyne and I travel to Ocean City, New Jersey to share our ministry at a conference sponsored by SEND.



Flower bed
Here's a photo taken at yesterday's CBMC meeting in Hanover PA.
Mike is at the right in the photo.
CBMC is an international association of Christian businessmen seeking to live for Christ.



Recommended book regarding today's topic:
The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good?The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good? By R.C. Sproul / P & R Publishing - In a world steeped in anguish and evil, how can God be in control? Do all things really work for good? With head-on honesty and biblical insight, Sproul examines the difficult doctrine of divine providence. Discover how your Lord lovingly guides the events of your life without creating human wickedness or destroying human freedom. Click here for ordering information.



Today's suggested music:
Al and Thata indeed "fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7). This song so powerfully describes the homecoming of a faithful soldier for Christ.
"Another Soldier's Coming Home" (Audio)

Administration Information
Weber family on hayride 9/22/07
Stephen and Brooksyne
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.

Donate Each weekday morning 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? Thanks! See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message.
Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass this message on!


Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.)

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.

WWJD nasal strip
"A Little Foolishness" I invite daily encouragement readers to visit our new blog which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers.

© 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, September 27, 2007

"Lessons From Lightning"

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

<Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Flower bed
Here's a literal "bed of flowers" we passed yesterday near Paradise.
(Yes indeed there is a town in eastern Lancaster County called Paradise!)

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

"Lessons From Lightning"

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27).

Lightning bolt
Early last evening we had a major storm pass through our area. Brooksyne and I sat on our front porch eating microwaved s'mores and drinking a cup of coffee as we watched for the effects across the fields. Magnificent lightning bolts off to the distant west were even more entertaining than fireworks on the 4th of July.

But as the storm got closer and the accompanying thunder indicated it was near we considered it would be safer inside the house. In fact Brooksyne insisted that it would be and insisted we head inside. Storms like this are a powerful display of God's created order. However this particular storm set the stage for a fierce display but did not produce one drop of rain in our area!

These types of storm, as I recall from my childhood years in the Midwest, seem to appear less frequently in recent decades. Or perhaps because I was so young the peals of thunder and bolts of lightning left a greater impact on my first impressions of rainstorms. These storms remind us of just how fragile life is as we know it. I grew up in Belton, Missouri near an air force base during the cold war sixties and we were especially mindful of the possibility of a catastrophic war. I recall the drills and was most impressed with a friend who had a real fallout shelter in his house. Every now and then we got to go down and play in it!

Overall we have had peace and good times for so many years here in America that it's practically unimaginable that these times will not last. Certainly most are very assured that the good times will last at least through their lifetime.

History teaches us that civilizations rise and fall. The Bible describes earthly kingdoms one after another rising and falling. The Bible also clearly and abundantly teaches us that this world as we know it will come to an end, although this continues to be scoffed at by naysayers.

The coronation of this most important transition will be the return of Jesus Christ. In the daily verse Jesus used lightning to describe one aspect of His return. "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." It won't be some isolated event that only a few will witness through a vague cloud formation. Elsewhere we are told that "every eye will see Him" (Revelation 1:7). Devout believers who take the Bible seriously live their lives in anticipation of the Lord's expected return. Next time you have a lightning storm consider this!

Finally today, let us heed these solemn words from the Apostle Peter: "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him" (2 Peter 3:11-14).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I greatly anticipate the visible return of Your beloved Son at the sound of the trumpet call. Help me not to grow weary in the wait but remain vigilant in my Christian journey. May I be found spotless, blameless and at peace with You as I seek to live a holy and godly life in this present age. Knowing of my deficiencies and failings, even as I pursue a godly lifestyle, I find great consolation in the tender mercies of a loving God who welcomes me to a new heaven and new earth. It is at this great transition that the lifetime battle of flesh vs. spirit will finally end and we will be fully righteous because of the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come!




Recommended book:

The Things That Matter: Living a Life of Purpose Until Christ ReturnsThe Things That Matter: Living a Life of Purpose Until Christ Returns By David Jeremiah / Thomas Nelson
The Bible is clear about what Christians need to focus on until Jesus' return---family, faith, and fellowship. In this thought-provoking study of Matthew 24 and 25, Pastor Jeremiah pinpoints priorities and encourages you to keep to the path of the simpler things in life. A message of hope and confidence in anxious times. Click here for more information or to order.



Today's suggested music:
"We Shall Behold Him" (Vocal) (Audio)
"We Shall Behold Him" (Instrumental) (Audio)

Administration Information
Weber family on hayride 9/22/07
Stephen and Brooksyne
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.

Donate Each weekday morning 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? Thanks! See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message.
Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass this message on!


Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.)

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.

WWJD nasal strip
"A Little Foolishness" I invite daily encouragement readers to visit our new blog which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers.

© 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

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

"God's Strength"

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

<Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Decorated cart
Here's the first of our autumn 2007 Lancaster County roadside decorations. As we travel throughout the region we always enjoy people's fall decorations that make their landscape even more colorful.

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

"God's Strength"

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees" (Hebrews 12:12).

The last several weeks my knee has been hurting. This is a result of an injury I had in college over 30 years ago. Periodically it flares up and at one point about 10 years ago I had arthroscopic surgery which helped for many years. Now I suppose I am also dealing with the pain that comes with aging as we encounter a lot of people in my age bracket that have knee problems in one way or another. Well there's only one reference in the Bible to weak knees so let's take a look today!

The nature of the ministry Brooksyne and I have places us in contact with a lot of hurting people. It may be those we see as chaplains or those we hear from through this writing ministry. Just yesterday a long time reader (whom we have never met) wrote and shared in detail concerning her young child's recently diagnosed heart problems. She wanted prayer and some perspective from Brooksyne since we also have dealt with Ester's heart disease for 18 years now.

An occupational hazard of "people work" is either failing to really sense the pain others are going though (becoming desensitized) or of burning out. Many in ministry for Christ will know what I mean. We need to prayerfully be cautious about either of these dangers.

Our daily text comes from a section of Hebrews where followers of Christ are implored to be persevering. The chapter begins with a call to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This is one of the great Biblical texts describing the long-term nature of our service for Christ. The strenuous race we run is not a brief sprint but a life-long marathon.

The verse that immediately precedes our daily text states that "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (12:11). As we run the race for Christ sometimes everything just seems to be going great; runners describe this by using the terms, "having the wind" or being "in pace".

But at other times the going is really tough. These providential hard times are ultimately a part of God's disciplinary work in our lives.

Are your arms feeble or your knees weak today? Are you dealing with setbacks that weary you along the way? Strengthen or lift up your arms today in faith and praise to God. This must primarily be an act of willful obedience rather than an emotional response. As you lift them up in obedience I believe you will experience the uplifting spiritual, physical and mental revitalization that Isaiah writes about in 40:29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed,
For the Lord will go before you, and His light will show the way,
Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives within you will be strong in you today.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are encouraged and emboldened when we consider that in everything we experience today You go before us preparing the way. As we wait upon You in prayer and faith we are renewed in our strength physically and spiritually. Thank You for physical renewal that meets our needs here and now. And thank You most especially for Your spiritual renewal that not only meets our needs here and now but for all eternity. Amen.



Septic cleaning truck
"A Little Foolishness" My second posting is an informative reflection on my septic tank cleaning experience yesterday. This new blog is in part inspired by one I've been enjoying the last several weeks. Now not everybody appreciates or even "gets" satire but today's posting is really funny and a sad comment on the state of many churches and the techniques they use to reach people. We ate at Lambert's Cafe last month and I have a photo up of our experience.



Last night I went to a meeting with the authors of a new book concerning the Amish schoolhouse shootings here in Lancaster County last year. It's really a remarkable demonstration of grace and the authors, who are scholars on Amish life, dealt with the underlying Amish spiritual understanding that prompts this forgiveness. Today Brooksyne and I plan to drop by and visit our Amish friends Jesse and Anna and their children.

Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended TragedyAmish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy
By Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt & David L. Weaver-Zercher / Jossey-bass - On October 2, 2006, a gunman killed five Amish girls in a Pennsylvania hamlet. A stunned nation watched as the children were laid to rest---and as their grieving parents forgave the murderer. How could they pardon such a heinous act? The authors explore this question and reveal how God's mercy can triumph in our vengeful world. This book examines the Amish understanding of forgiveness and explores how and why the Amish responded to the killing at Nickel Mines with grace. It also asks if Amish practices parallel or diverge from other religious and secular notions of forgiveness, and addresses the matter of why forgiveness became news. "All the religions teach it," mused an observer, "but no one does it like the Amish." Regardless of the cultural seedbed that nourished this story, the surprising act of Amish forgiveness begs for a deeper exploration. How could the Amish do this? What did this act mean to them? And how might their witness prove useful to the rest of us? 288 pages, hardcover from Jossey-Bass
More information and ordering info.




Today's suggested music:
"Be Strong and Take Courage" (Audio) The chorus to this song are posted today in the message.


Administration Information
Weber family on hayride 9/22/07
Stephen and Brooksyne
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.

Donate Each weekday morning 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? Thanks! See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message.
Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass this message on!


Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.)

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.

WWJD nasal strip
"A Little Foolishness" I invite daily encouragement readers to visit our new blog which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers.

© 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

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

"Humility"

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

<Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Mums on chair
Our weathered chair loaded with hardy mums
surrounded by trailing blackberry vines

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

"Humility"

"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12).

Recently Kathy Griffin, an actress I had never heard of, won a Hollywood award. Now generally I have low regard for worldly awards of this type and rarely give any attention to them at all. In a nutshell I would sum up my attitude with a Biblical phrase, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20).

During her acceptance speech, Griffin noted that many recipients thank Jesus for their award -- then made it a point to emphatically declare, "No one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She then raised her trophy and proclaimed: "This award is my god now!" There was more to this vile discourse but it was so crude and blasphemous I will not allude to the exact quote.

Thank God for the eternal truthfulness of His Word! The daily Proverb has proven true countless times.

Consider the first phrase, "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud." Resisting a prideful attitude is something we all have to deal with at least to some degree. It may be our position, education, looks, talents or possessions. Or it might even be the lack of these things!

Consider those who've had a "downfall" (the KJV more bluntly translates "destruction"). The downfall might be a business failure, broken marriage or prison term. Or it might be something that will not be revealed until the final judgment and ultimate destruction. Pride always has its consequences, whether immediate or future.

"But humility comes before honor." The highest honor is that from God Himself. He values humility.

Consider for a moment the people that you have come to truly honor. So often in my life they are people who demonstrate humility. And generally the people that I honor the most are relatively unknown. If I were to list the top ten people whom I esteem with great honor very few readers would even recognize their names. They've never attained traits that would bring them fame from the world, but they've faithfully served God and impacted those whose lives they have touched. We're going to meet a lot of people like this in heaven.

May God help us to hide this Proverb deep into our hearts and recall it frequently as we seek to live lives of honor before God and man.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I wholeheartedly acknowledge before others all that I have, all that I am and all that I ever hope to be I owe it all to You. You are a gracious and generous Father who deserves all the praise, glory and honor due Your name. Today I humbly proclaim You to be my Lord and Master. To God be the glory! Amen.



Source for actress blasphemy



WWJD nasal strip
"A Little Foolishness" Yesterday I first invited daily encouragement readers to visit our new blog which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers. The first post is a parody of using the nasal strip for ministry purposes.



Hot Pepper FredOur friend Fred found a creative way to work with hot peppers as he cut them up for a meal we had at our church this last Saturday!














Today's suggested music:
"We Bow Down" (Audio)

Administration Information
Weber family on hayride 9/22/07
Stephen and Brooksyne
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.

Donate Each weekday morning 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? Thanks! See here for details.

Join:
To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message.
Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass this message on!


Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.)

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

Monday, September 24, 2007

"A Joyful Heart"

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

<Previous Message · Easy read/print edition

Monday, September 24, 2007

Tom with grand-daughter Kylee
Our long-time friend Tom with his grand-daughter Kylee
and "Andy".

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

"A Joyful Heart"

"A joyful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4).

I have learned that among the greatest sources of encouragement in ministry are those who remain faithful and fruitful for the Lord many years after we have ministered to them.

Over twenty-five years ago Tom and Marsha, a young couple, came into a coffeehouse type ministry we had at our church in northern Pennsylvania and made a serious commitment to the Lord. They went on to become a part of our church and are remain very active in Christian Service to this day. We still stay in touch, although separated by many miles.

All three of their daughters are now married and serving the Lord as well. They have been blessed with three grandchildren in recent years. About seven years ago Marsha had a very serious auto accident and had a long, difficult recovery. She shared the following perspective with me, a testimony of the Lord's work in her life and marriage as well. It's instructive for both long-term marriage and long-term commitment to the Lord.

"God is so faithful and our walk with Him is stronger, as well as our relationship together. Well, it's like cement, you pour it and then have so much time to work with it before it 'sets'...then it's a matter of waiting until it's 'cured'...that is solid and strong. It gets better with time. So many people never get to this point in a relationship--they give up on each other (or the Lord) way too soon."

I am encouraged by this thoughtful illustration. I am encouraged at this evidence of fruit that has lasted. This morning Brooksyne and I talked to Marsha and got an update concerning the Lord's work in her's and Tom's lives.

Some of you reading this are discouraged today. You have served God faithfully but have had some setbacks and disappointments. You might be a discouraged pastor who feels like your ministry is making no difference and going nowhere. Or you might be a dedicated Sunday School teacher dealing with some very stubborn resistance or unfaithful students. And I know there are more than a few parents with wayward children reading this.

Today will you consider some people that you have ministered to in the past? You will surely recall some that are doing well in their walk of faith. I hope you've stayed in touch. (That's vitally important.) What great joy it will bring to your treasured memories as you consider the part you've had (however large or small) in their lives. And now they're going on, staying faithful to God and bearing fruit. That's so encouraging isn't it? You can declare, along with the apostle John that you have no greater joy than to hear that they are walking in the truth.

For those of you who are praying for loved ones who've taken a turn off the right way, entrust them to the Lord who is ever watchful of their every step even in the midst of their disobedience. Pray for God's Spirit to woo them back to the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life.

We shared in our opening story about Marsha and Tom's three daughters serving the Lord, but what we didn't share is that their youngest chose to live in disobedience for a number of years. We remember well the heavy burden her parents carried for her during this time and the fervent prayers spoken on her behalf before she returned to her childhood faith. She recently married and Marsha gave her a prayer journal she had kept over the years for her (including the "wandering" years.) Once a week she'd write a prayer for her and now her daughter can continue this spiritual discipline on behalf of her husband and future children as they go through life together.

Let us always pray with joy, even as Paul did in his address to the Philippian believers:

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (1:6).


Be encouraged today


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber



We had a wonderful service yesterday and I left the church with a joyful heart. Pastor spoke on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As the service concluded he invited any who might want to share to do so. Several expressed the way the Spirit was working in their lives and one in particular touched my heart and brought me joy that I still have this morning.

Florence is an elderly lady who has come to our church for many years. In fact she and her husband John were married in the church nearly 50 years ago. She shared of her burden for a family in our church who lost their dad several years ago leaving behind his wife and two sons. She tearfully said, "and one of those boys is here today."

As the service was dismissed I walked back to depart and noticed that the 20 year old son and Florence were hugging each other, both with tears in their eyes. Afterwards I greeted him, placed my hands on his shoulders and told him to treasure people like Florence. I know he does and increasingly will. This young man struggled alot following his father's death and I'm sure it is the prayers of faithful people like his mom, Florence, and others in the church that wooed him back to the heart of God. I sure hope you have some people like Florence in your life!

Is there a former spiritual mentor such as a parent, pastor, Sunday School teacher, youth worker, etc. that you can contact today and tell them how God is working in your life?



WWJD nasal strip
New blog: I want to invite daily encouragement readers to visit my new blog titled "A Little Foolishness", which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers. The first post is a parody of using the nasal strip for ministry purposes.



AlpacaAlpaca
This Saturday our church had a neighborhood barbecue with various activities, including some animals. This one especially makes me smile!

Weber's
The photo we have been using on this site for the past year (see below) was taken at last year's church hay ride so we felt it was time for an update. (Ester was off with her friends.)



Today's suggested music:
"He who began a good work" (
Audio)


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
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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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