 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Messages · Archives ·  Archive/print editionTuesday, August 25, 2009  Ferris wheel made of tomato cans There were about ten of these large displays made entirely of cans as part of a CANstruction exhibition at the Indiana State Fair.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player"Fruitfulness" "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8).  Last night as we gathered around our table for dinner we expressed our thanks to God as we considered our bounty of food. Locally grown corn purchased at a farm stand, zucchini squash from our garden along with yellow squash given to us by friends, our own home-grown tomatoes, fresh oregano and basil from our herb garden which Brooksyne made into a pesto and spread on our toasted bread.  Later we had some watermelon Clarence Koch, our friend in Missouri, picked from his garden when we visited them last week. It was one of those delicious meals that with every other bite we kept saying, "Oh, this is sooo good!" This year we have had abundant rain all throughout the growing season and today I spoke to Galen, a farmer friend and he is projecting a fruitful harvest, although later in the season due to the cooler summer. We are all dependent upon the farmer's fruitfulness. It wouldn't do for a farmer to awaken early in the morning and just roll over in bed saying "I'll plant tomorrow or when I'm in the mood, whenever the weather is just right." A farmer must be diligent, faithful and hard-working, often in inclement weather. He must remain hopeful as he works the soil trusting God to bring about the fruit of his labors. One of the common illustrations in the Bible regarding the evidence of spiritual health and life is fruitfulness. In the daily text Jesus is giving a teaching on this just prior to His death. In bearing fruit we bring the Father glory and demonstrate that we are indeed Christ's disciples. In Scripture fruitfulness is used in the sense of the impact of the Gospel (Colossians 1:6) and in the development of Christ-like character (Galatians 5:22,23). There are three foundational characteristics to this fruitfulness: • We are to bear much fruit (quantity) • We are to bear good fruit (quality) • We are to bear lasting fruit (endurance) Jesus completed the teaching in John's gospel with a powerful commission: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last" (John 15:16). We have been appointed to go and bear fruit. The word "appointed" is also translated "ordained" (KJV). We all have a high calling from our Lord. This day let us indeed seek to be fruitful! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Jesus, You taught Your followers that You are the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in You we will bear much fruit. Fruitfulness in our lives is not automatic nor can it be purchased or inherited since You are the sole source of our fruitfulness. Help us to be healthy vines bearing much fruit so that we bring glory to You and also bear witness to the world that we are truly Your disciples. Amen. Indiana State Fair Last Tuesday we spent about five hours walking through the grounds of the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. It is one of the largest fairs I have ever been to and has a lot of interesting things to see.  Cheese sculpure at Indiana State Fair  The fair has an interesting display area called Pioneer Village with living history of rural life. I enjoyed watching this woodworker. The meal photo I placed up Friday was from this demonstration. Here's a written description of Pioneer Village.  I saw a plaque with these words as we entered Pioneer Village and since I could not find this particular writing on the web I typed my own copy. I dedicate it to all farmers, but especially consider my Uncle Gentry, who farmed Vernon County in southwest Missouri and my friend Galen Martin and his son Darrel who farm here in Lancaster County. Here is a larger pdf version suitable for printing.  The Indiana State Fair is huge and they have trolleys pulled by tractors that constantly go around the perimeter. I thought these red hatters looked like they were having a good time, but many also looked pretty tired after hours of walking in the hot sun.  The Indian State Fair has a large variety of antique tractors. I was intriqued by this old Aultman Taylor. Here's a brief video of this model plowing.  International tractor  This is similar to the tractor my Uncle Gentry had on his farm near Harwood in southwestern Missouri, although he had an Allis Chalmers as I recall, which was painted orange (see here). However I think the yellow color on the Minneapolis- Moline is stunning.  Ester managed to get me to take one ride with her. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "Give And It Will Be Given Unto You" Audio from the Integrity Scripture Memory Series. "Bringing In The Sheaves" The Chuck Wagon Gang Video I smile when I hear this song as I recall trips with our Amish friends Jesse and Anna Ruth. They sing in their home and this is one of the songs the kids just love to sing. As we travel along I often hear them singing it in the back of the van. "The Fruit Of The Spirit" Video Brooksyne often taught kids using Scripture set to music such as this children's version. This is quite a creative video! Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 05/08/09  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. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 8/23/09: $7,460.00)SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "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 either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by EmailCancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may 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. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.  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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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