Friday, June 27, 2008

Daily Encouragement (06/27/08) "Choosing What Is Better"

RSS feed Podcast feed
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us · Donate · Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Message · Archives · Print Archive/print edition

Friday, June 27, 2008

Donegal Creek

Donegal Creek Trout Stream
The lavendar "weeds" along the creek are butterfly weeds and will soon be teeming with butterflies. Last night Ester and I rode our bikes along this trail along with our dog Roxie.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Choosing What Is Better"

"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

Yesterday we came home hot and tired after a long day on the road. Brooksyne continues to have restless nights and deals with some pain associated with her broken ankle. Yesterday, as she worked with her crutches and wheelchair at several companies we visited, she became very weary by late afternoon. She didn't know that Ester had called me excited about a surprise she had for us when we got home. She made me promise, "Now don't tell Mom!"

Mary Sweigart, a neighbor and good friend, stopped over in the late morning and told Ester she would like to prepare a meal for us. Ester made chocolate cake for the dessert while Mary prepared our impressive dinner from groceries in her kitchen along with several items from our fridge and freezer. Mary is a diligent worker, well-known in our parts for her fine cooking, flower arranging, and her compassionate heart. She prepared the fine meal, served it to us, and then joined us as we ate together. We were blessed by her generous heart, the delicious food, and warm fellowship we enjoyed!

Following the meal we shared about Mary and Martha who were sisters in the Bible. (Interestingly, our friend Mary also has a twin sister named Martha.) The sisters in the Bible had personality distinctions and their minor riff makes for an interesting study that leads the earnest believer to self-examination.

Both Mary and Martha had important duties in making the Lord Jesus feel welcomed in their home. Actually it was Martha's gift of hospitality that made it possible for Mary to have presence with Jesus since she is the one who opened her home to Him in the first place. Martha was tending to physical needs while Mary was tending to spiritual needs. Both were important but when one duty rivaled the importance of the other, it was then that Jesus addressed the attitude of the sister's hearts.

I easily identify with Martha's attitude in the daily Scripture portion. I spend way too much time in the "kitchen"* and am easily distracted by the stuff of life in the material, visible realm. Distractions constantly lull me away from "what is better." I really imagine many of you can identify with me. We commonly prioritize visible accomplishments over inward attitudes of the heart. This can be seen in an obituary where titles, accomplishments, and interests of the deceased may be listed, but the person's attitude toward life may not even be mentioned.

As I study this portion of Scripture I am especially intrigued with the phrase "Mary has chosen what is better." She made a willful, purposeful choice to sit at the Lord's feet, listening intently to His every word. She likely dealt with distractions since I can imagine Martha was clanging pots in the kitchen just a little extra loud to get Mary's attention as she was surely muttering under her breath. But Mary chose to shut her mind to the world and open her heart to Jesus as He spent tender moments in her presence.

"What is better" is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to what He has to say. It's focusing on the spiritual, non-visible realm. It's like another Mary, who following the birth of her son, Jesus, "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." It includes reading, studying, meditating and memorizing the Bible along with praise, worship and prayer. What we store up in our hearts spills out to those around us making an eternal difference. It goes beyond impressing people to inspiring persons to meet Jesus on a personal level. When we spend time with our Lord we experience the fulfillment and blessing that is at the very heart of living the abundant life.

But at least for me the "kitchen" constantly beckons and the distractions return.

"The Heart of Worship" is a song that reminds me of where my focus needs to be, although I realistically accept that distractions will continually beckon. I am so thankful for God's patience and grace. He has time and time again called me back to the heart of worship and He constantly reminds me that this race on earth is really all about Him!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Jesus, You know the very intention of all that I say and do. As I invite You to examine my heart, I lay before You the people and pursuits that drive me further away from a heart of worship. You have not removed me bodily from this world, but You have raised me up spiritually to abide in Your presence even as I carry out my daily duties. As Your presence graciously overshadows me it is there that Your love and faithfulness sustains me and gives me a true heart of worship. Even as a vehicle needs fuel to properly function, I need prayer to uphold and equip me for the day that lies ahead. Amen.

* Certainly I am speaking of the "kitchen" in a representative sense for the things that distract and take us away from the good part. As I ponder this subject here are some cautions:

1) Certainly some may be less easily distracted than others and some more spiritually focused, but I have seen this become a dangerous source of pride.
2) I certainly don't believe that Jesus is teaching that all kitchen work is wrong. We really need to consider a balance in Biblical teaching and other Scripture teaches the importance and value of work.
3) We need to graciously recognize we have different callings from God, and not esteem one above the other or feel that others must feel as passionately about our cause as we do. This leads to arguments, jealousy, and resentment rather than expanding the kingdom of God.
4) Some distractions are God-ordained ministry opportunities.

Brooksyne's Note: Speaking of "God-ordained ministry opportunities" I had one while preparing our message this morning. To verify that Mary's sister, Martha, was a twin we put in a call to her home but reached an incorrect number where an elderly man, somewhat confused, picked up the phone. I apologized for the error and thought no more of it. About 30 minutes later this same man called me back for further understanding as to why I had called his number in the first place. (He obviously had Caller ID.) He explained that he lives alone and his wife has been in the nursing home for over a year and she is presently experiencing some health difficulties. He was afraid that my call had been placed from the nursing home with some troubling news.

I explained the nature of our call but then I picked up on his need for some reassurance regarding his wife. As we talked it turned out that I knew who his son and family were as well as some mutual friends. I felt led to pray with him over the phone concerning his wife. Following our prayer time he responded with these words, "I told God this morning I needed some help. I needed some word from Him to help me in dealing with my wife's problems. And now you've called and prayed with me." I certainly took from his words that this was a God-ordained opportunity to reach out to another in need. I will follow up with a note through the mail since he gave me his address. Initially his call was a distraction, but I'm so glad it turned into an inspirational moment.



Note: This weekend we will be travelling to northern Pennsylvania to speak in two churches; in Saint Marys in the morning and Mount Jewett in the evening. We are not sure we will get a message off next Monday morning since we need to drive back to Lancaster County for an afternoon meeting.



Mary Sweigart
We had a fancy table setting last night! Mary is amazing and does wonders with table settings and flower arranging. Her maiden name, "Stauffer" will be quite familiar with locals as her mother and father were the original owners of "Stauffers of Kissel Hill" There are many other locations as well. It continues to be a family owned store and is well known for its beautiful flowers and other nursery plants.

Roxie in Donegal Creek
On a hot summer day Roxie loves to jump in Donegal Creek and lapp it up as she walks through!



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources


(Click on the link to play in your audio player)

"Heart Of Worship" Audio Video This is the song referred to in the final paragraph.

"I Miss My Time With You" Video As Brooksyne was editing the message she recalled this song by Larnelle Harris that is written as if the Lord is speaking to us.

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
32nd anniversary photo
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 04/15/08

DonateEach 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? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.
(
2008 YTD financial offerings through 6/26/2008 $10,107.00)

Free email subscription
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 automatically 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!


Please take our surveyDaily Encouragement Net Reader Survey
We want to thank all of you who have taken a few minutes to fill in our online survey. Here's a brief summary of the results including some comments and tips regarding technical problems several mentioned having. If you haven't taken the survey yet and would like to do so click here. I will continue to monitor the results.




Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message.
"A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination.
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.


Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
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, June 26, 2008

Daily Encouragement (06/26/08) "Faithful Watchmen"

RSS feed Podcast feed
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us · Donate · Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Message · Archives · Print Archive/print edition

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Three Mile Island

Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant
We can see the twin pillars of steam arising from the cooling towers in the distance from our front lawn.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Faithful Watchmen"

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me" (Ezekiel 33:7).

TMI siren testWe live within a ten mile radius of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power plant where there was a rather infamous accident in March 1979. All throughout our area we have TMI warning sirens and they are periodically tested to ensure they work properly. Today there will be a test at 12:15. Of course they need to warn us concerning the siren test lest there be a massive panic all throughout our very populated area. Each year we get a very detailed instruction pamphlet that tells us what to do if there was a real emergency and the evacuation procedures to follow.

Warnings are for our good though we may not necessarily like them. We might even find them unnecessary or annoying. In fact yesterday when I told Ester, "Be careful" she responded with, "That really gets annoying, Dad." Now that she's 19 years old she's heard it thousands of times, but because of my love and concern for her it just comes out before I even realize it.

When we hear repeated spiritual warnings we can give attention or grow annoyed at the message directed to us. Today's text is a powerful portion of Holy Scripture about a watchman who is called to give warnings from God. We still very much need these types of obedient watchmen today who faithfully proclaim God's Word.

The watchman, Ezekiel, served our Lord during a time of great transition. God's people had been taken captive to Babylon but He hadn't forgotten them and still had a plan for their lives (corporately and individually). A fellow prophet, Jeremiah, had already pointed this out in a very familiar passage (Jeremiah 29:11). He served just prior to the Babylonian exile and Ezekiel spoke God's truth to the people in Babylon during the exile. His prophecies are sometimes quite figurative, and can be hard to understand, but he had a powerful message for all who will listen! It's for those who will read and listen to his message today as well.

In today's verse we find expressed the very heart of Ezekiel's mission from God. The word "watchman" is used both literally and figuratively in the Old Testament. Literally it has the sense of a lookout, often on the city wall. It means to "lean forward, to peer into the distance."

In the figurative sense it conveys one who has the bigger picture, a bigger perspective (particularly God's). God had called Ezekiel to be a watchman and a part of the watchman's message was to give warning.

There are many circumstances in which people do not like warnings. (An ancient Jewish tradition asserts that Ezekiel was slain by his own people, those he tried to warn.) The essence of the message of the false prophets Ezekiel confronted was their message of "peace, when there is no peace" (Ezekiel 13:10). According to the apostle Paul this will also be a message of end time error preceding the coming of our Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Today I call on each of you to live as "watchmen" in our day. Provide to those around you the perspective of God, which will certainly include a serious warning of God's impending judgment. But it will also include a message of hope for those who turn to God (chapters 37-48). Hear the voice of the Lord and be His "faithful watchman" whose message to the world is filled with both warning and hope!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, thank You for Your repeated warnings in Scripture that informs, instructs and protects us from the evil one. Help us not to ignore your warnings or procrastinate in our obedience to Your commands. Embolden our spiritual leaders to be fearless watchmen who speak out Your truths, even when they're not popular or politically expedient. May we be receptive to Your Word and obedient in our response. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.



Photo: In yesterday's Creation Festival portapotty photo Brooksyne is fifth from the right (with the blue hat) and I am second from the right (raising my index finger "one way").



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources


(Click on the link to play in your audio player)

"Blow The Trumpet In Zion"
Video

"Days Of Elijah" Video

"To The King" Audio

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
32nd anniversary photo
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 04/15/08

DonateEach 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? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.
(
2008 YTD financial offerings through 6/25/2008 $10,002.00)

Free email subscription
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 automatically 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!


Please take our surveyDaily Encouragement Net Reader Survey
We want to thank all of you who have taken a few minutes to fill in our online survey. Here's a brief summary of the results including some comments and tips regarding technical problems several mentioned having. If you haven't taken the survey yet and would like to do so click here. I will continue to monitor the results.




Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message.
"A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination.
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.


Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
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, June 25, 2008

Daily Encouragement (06/25/08) "A Lamp Unto My Feet"

RSS feed Podcast feed
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us · Donate · Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Message · Archives · Print Archive/print edition

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Summer morning

The view from our home this beautiful summer morning.
The corn at this stage is a lush green.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"A Lamp Unto My Feet"

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Stephen and Brooksyne have reversed roles today. Brooksyne is the writer and Stephen is the editor in the following message:

Brooksyne's castSeven weeks ago today I began a very unfamiliar journey that brought about major changes in my life; from mobility to immobility, independence to dependence, from brokenness to healing. When I broke my ankle on May 7th it completely changed my ability to get up, stand up, and walk without the assistance of crutches or a wheelchair. It has brought about major changes in my life and that of my family as well.

But this morning when the birds awakened me with their lovely songs at 5:30 a.m. I was thrilled to realize that I no longer have a cast molded to my left leg, ankle, and foot. It was so easy to lift my leg over the bed and refreshing to feel the natural air in place of a hardened cast. Yesterday I it removed and Dr. Lyons said he would trust me to proceed with caution so that I don't even have to wear a brace or air cast! I am still not allowed to bear any weight on the leg or foot for three more weeks, but I am on the way to independence once again. Yipppeee!!

In the course of my seven week journey I was fitted with four splints (plaster casts with a slight opening to allow for swelling) and then finally my fiberglass cast that I've worn for the past four weeks. Of all the casts my favorite one was the fiberglass cast featured in the photo today (yes, I did give permission for Stephen to feature this one for illustration purposes). It was much lighter than the previous four plaster casts which made it much easier to bear the cumbersome weight while using crutches. But the thing I liked most about it was that it was a "Glow in the Dark" cast!

The first night I got up in our dark bedroom and expected to turn on the light, but when I looked down at my cast I was pleasantly surprised to see that my casted leg actually glowed with light – it was luminescent. Stephen, Ester and I had a lot of fun looking at it in a darkened room. They said, "It looks like a bodiless cast walking in the dark." But more importantly it became a functional help to me as it slightly lit the path for me as I scooted along with my crutches in the darkened bedroom or hallway.

That got me to thinking. When darkness surrounds us the Lord Jesus is our light and He lights the path before us. The cast I wore for four weeks certainly was not bright enough to light the entire room, but its glow did cast enough light for me to take one step at a time carefully. In a psalm of praise after fleeing from King Saul's rage David wrote, "You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light" (2 Samuel 22:29).

David continued to flee the rampage of Saul's violent temper and unharnessed jealousy for quite some time. The overall darkness was not lifted, but he had escaped the most recent flare up of his enemy and he devoted time to giving thanks for His deliverance.

Much like David we rejoice when we experience victory after the assault of our enemy, the devil. He is vigilant in his pursuit of entrapping the believer. Charles Spurgeon wrote concerning this enemy: "The great tyrant has not forgotten you, and he designs your capture and re-enslavement."

Satan wants to surround our lives with darkness so that we will be immobilized or stumble over the objects he strategically places in our path, such as discouragement, strife or fear. But Jesus goes before us and illuminates our path, one step at a time, making us aware of what looms in the darkness. We're cautious as we follow in His steps knowing that getting ahead of Him will plunge us into darkened and dangerous territory. But even if we should get off course or fall behind we have the blessed assurance that "though we stumble, we will not fall, for the Lord upholds us with His hand" (Psalm 37:24).

"God never gives guidance for two steps at a time. I must take one step, and then I get light for the next. This keeps the heart in abiding dependence upon God" (C.H. Mackintosh). Keep holding onto His hand, dear brothers and sisters, and follow in His lightened path, one step at a time.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, there are many paths from which we can choose to walk. But I choose to walk the illumined path You have laid out for me, for it is the righteous path that leads to eternal life. It may take me through valleys that are overshadowed by doubt, discouragement, danger, or difficulty, but You uphold me with Your hand as You lead me one step at a time. Thank You for Your daily provision! Amen.


Personal Note: Yesterday I asked Dr. Lyons if there was a functional reason why they made casts that glow in the dark. He was quite surprised by my question and stated that he didn't realize he had fitted me for a cast that glowed in the dark. He said that the adult casts are "no frills" type of casts and any "glow in the dark" or colorful casts are used for children. Well, I'm glad for whoever substituted the materials for my cast since this "child at heart" smiled every time I looked at my cast at night when it glowed in the dark. Perhaps it also happened so that I could share my observation with you today!



Church unity
Church Unity
For many years when we went to a large music festival in central Pennsylvania known as "Creation". They still have the festival and this weekend tens of thousands will gather in the mountains, including many of the youth from our church. We enjoyed attending the festival till our late twenties when the huge crowds, portapotties and camping among thousands lost it's luster. The above photo was taken in the early eighties of a group from our church in northern Pennsylvania. We've maintained fellowship with most all of these folks although Jim Lutton, one of our friends in the photo, passed away in the mid-nineties but we're still in contact with his wife and two daughters. I wonder if any of our readers can find Brooksyne and me in the photo? (Click on photo to enlarge.) Creationfest



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources


(Click on the link to play in your audio player)

"Thy Word" Video A beautiful version by the Maranatha Singers.

"Step By Step" Audio This was one of our favorite congregational songs when we lived in New England.

"Here I Am To Worship" Audio I chose this song because it begins with "Light of the world you stepped down into darkness."

"I Stand Amazed In The Presence" Audio (Yesterday I had the wrong link up for this song. Sorry!)

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.



"Lead, Kindly Light"

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene – One step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that
Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will:
Remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blest me,
Sure it still will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and tor-rent,
Till the night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since,
And lost a-while

Hymn Story: Songwriter, John Henry Newman struggled with depression and danger upon the high seas. He was a leading influence in the religious life of nineteenth century England, but in his early years his pace and spiritual struggles took a heavy toll so he traveled to Italy for rest and recuperation. There he was stricken with a serious fever. Further depressed, homesick, weary, and worried he boarded a ship to return to his native England.

Sailing vessels in those days were dependent on the wind. Sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, the ship suddenly was becalmed. Sails hung limp on the masts. Not a breeze stirred for a week. Sick and depressed, closed in by the encircling fog, and faced with the prospect of starving at sea this dispirited young man nearly broke under the strain.

On June 16, 1833, alone in his cabin, he wrestled with God until he gained victory in his heart. From his experience, he penned one of the most famous hymns in the English language, later composed into a tune by Rev. John Dykes, who also wrote the tune to "Holy, Holy, Holy". (Sources: Robert Morgan & Henry Gariepy)

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
32nd anniversary photo
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 04/15/08

DonateEach 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? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.
(
2008 YTD financial offerings through 6/24/2008 $10,002.00)

Free email subscription
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 automatically 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!


Please take our surveyDaily Encouragement Net Reader Survey
We want to thank all of you who have taken a few minutes to fill in our online survey. Here's a brief summary of the results including some comments and tips regarding technical problems several mentioned having. If you haven't taken the survey yet and would like to do so click here. I will continue to monitor the results.




Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message.
"A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination.
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.


Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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

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

www.dailyencouragement.net