| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, September 12, 2008   Listen to us share this message on your audio player."The Least Of These" "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). Earlier this week we shared of a longterm work friendship of Lloyd and Elvin. Today we would like to share of another special friendship. I met Don shortly after moving to Lancaster County in 2001 at one of the companies I served as a chaplain at that time. Don is an outgoing, friendly type and although we have both left the companies we worked for when we met and Don and his wife Carole moved to Colorado Springs we have stayed in contact. Don now works with the Navigators, a Christian discipling ministry. Shortly after meeting Don I met a friend of Don's named Jimmy. Jimmy, who is similar in age to me lives by himself in a small apartment in right off Main Street in Mount Joy and has a disability known as Tourette Syndrome, as well as diabetes and several other health related issues. He was so sad when Don and Carole moved to Colorado.  The other day when we stopped he excitedly told us that Don and Carole were in town for a visit and he was flying back out to Colorado with them for a visit. What a kind gesture on their part and example of AGAPE love in action. I've met people who aspire to someday do something great for God, but in the meantime just sit and wait. The daily verse and context give us a glimpse of the specific forms of service that matter to Christ. They're usually not really big things, but the accumulative impact of serious followers of Christ obeying His commands and this is making a tremendous impact on our world. What are you doing today for Christ? How we as individuals respond to the least of these in the trenches of life is a great demonstration of our Christ-like character. I am heartened by examples of grace demonstrated to "the least of these." All over the world today both institutionally and individually (but mostly individually) true followers of Christ are actively showing compassion to a hurting, broken world. I am convinced that one of the truest evidences of an authentic follower of Jesus Christ is how we treat "the least of these." One of the last lessons Christ taught before His death was on this subject. In Matthew 25 He uses representative examples of what we may call the "down and out", "losers", "unlovable", etc. According to Jesus how we respond to the "least of these" is a proof of our true discipleship and criteria for entrance into God's Kingdom. How we deal with the "least of these" determines whether we are a sheep or a goat. Today we all may very well come in contact with people regarded as the "least of these". How will we respond? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord, help me to be sensitive to those around me who need my expression of love and care in Your Name. Theological note: From the perspective of our desperate need and God's amazing grace we are all in the "least of these" category! Personal note: I have both Don and Jimmy's permission to share today's story although they had no idea when I would be writing it. This morning as I was preparing the message Don called me from Colorado Springs and reported that Jimmy is having a great time and Carole sent me this photo of a rainbow they saw the other day.   In the course of our travels throughout Lancaster County we see some very interesting sites. Yesterday we saw this pony followed by a cart with an Amish woman on it pulling a riding lawnmower pulling a cart! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources People Need The Lord Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. Please note: The last several days the web contact form has been acting up and any messages sent to me using it were not received. Please use this email address until I can get the form fixed (or merely reply to any message.) |
 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 daily 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 9/10/2008: $14,669.00)SUBSCRIPTION INFO  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address immediately. 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 |
