| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionTuesday, July 29, 2008  Hyacinth Bean Vine on one of our lamp posts  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."The Promised Harvest" "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Last night we had a missionary couple over for dinner and fellowship. Bruce and Merly Bundy have served in Spain for over twenty years as church planters in Madrid. Spain is a notoriously challenging country for missions and we shared together about the inevitable discouragements of ministry as well as the tremendous blessing of impacting others for Christ and eternity.  Bruce reminded me of an incredible message I heard several months ago about the story of Mr. Genor, a man who faithfully witnessed in a simple way in Sydney, Australia for forty years. He saw no visible fruit from his spiritual labors, but learned only weeks before his death that scores of people's lives were changed through his faithful testimony. (The link to the story is below and will bless you tremendously.) Those of us living for Christ are called to impact the world around us for His cause. Husbands and wives are to demonstrate unity in their love for one another. Parents are to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ministers are to "preach the word". Yet we at times may wonder if we really are making any difference. Some do not have a marriage characterized by love and unity. Some have children that reject the Lord. There are ministers who faithfully "preach the Word", yet see little receptivity. The perspective we must have is the future harvest promised in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." But we do at times become weary in doing good, don't we? The apostle Paul knew the Galatian believers were growing weary and encouraged them to keep on keeping on for the future harvest. In our "instant gratitude" society we especially have difficulty waiting for "the proper time" for God's blessings to be revealed. Our mindset is more like a lot of commercials selling high priced items on credit, interest free, for the first year. They appeal to customers who have the attitude, "I want it and I want it now", rather than save up money for a future purchase. At times our lives just don't seem to be making much difference from our visual perspective. But Paul reminds us that, "at the proper time we will reap a harvest." That "proper time" ("due season" in the KJV) will most assuredly come. Don't give up! Your life, lived for Christ, is making a difference. Our primary motivation for all that we do in the name of Christ must be based on our desire to obey Him. A competitive spirit, statistics, people's expectations or a desire to impress others can too easily become the driving power that misguides our actions. But, as always, God works from the inside out. We can't impress Him but we can respond to His love for us. And our love for God must always be the motivation for all that we do. "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." He will bless us with an abundant harvest at His appointed hour as we stay faithful to Him. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, help us to be faithful in the big and small things You have called us to do, that You may be honored. Amen. The amazing story of Mr. Genor's (Jenner's) faithful witness for Christ. Audio Text of story Being from Missouri (the Show-Me state) I tend to take incredible stories like this, however inspiring they may be, with a grain of salt, and apparently others have as well. However this man dug into the story and documented it. See here.  Bruce and Merly Bundy Bruce, Merly, and I took a walk last night and saw some interesting sights along the way. (Photos by Bruce and our neighbor Laura.)  One day old baby goat, Miriam, with our pleasant neighbor, Ciara.  Along the way Roxie encountered Rerun, our neighbor's giant 85# St. Bernard. They may look angry but they just greet each other and peacefully depart. Not seen in the photo is the very pronounced ridge on Roxie's back that raises up when she is frightened. She is part Rhodesian Ridgeback.  Baby chick Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to play) "It's Gonna Be Worth It" Video This musician (Rita Springer) has an interesting voice and this song has a powerful message. "Field Of Souls" Video This song often ministers to me when I consider agricultural analogies and travel throughout our region. I especially enjoy the Brooklyn Tabernacle version but this fellow does a great job as well. "Fishers Of Men" Video I came across this song several months ago and enjoy the distinct bluegrass sound. "Make Me A Blessing" Video An instrumental version of this old-time gospel song. Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 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  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? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.(2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 7/27/2008: $13,424.00)  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 inserted 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 these messages on! "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.  Daily 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."  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  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
