Monday, May 03, 2010

Daily Encouragement (05/03/10) "Upper or Downer?"

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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Monday, May 3, 2010

Donegal Creek Goslings 5/2/10
Several weeks ago we shared a close-up photo of a geese laying on her eggs looking warily up at us while the male geese floated in the water nearby protecting her. We have been watching for the geese family ever since and last night we were pleased to see the happy couple with twelve goslings! (The cows
were also interested and walked down to the edge of Donegal Creek to be in the photo.)

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"Upper or Downer?"

"But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it" (Deuteronomy 1:38).

Elevator operatorI heard an interesting teaching of how we impact other people using an elevator as an illustration.

Consider being around those who always take you "up" on the elevator. When you are around them they are energy givers, encouragers, people who have a powerful way of uplifting others. As I consider my long string of friends through life I am blessed to have so many that have this characteristic.  I consider a friend named Mark. He called yesterday to catch up and just a few minutes of conversation with him tends to be uplifting.

Then there are those who seem to have only one button on their elevator; down, sometimes all the way to the basement! They are energy drainers, discouragers and just have a way of sucking the life right out of you. And yes, I have also met my share of these as well. Getting on the down elevator with them is not an "uplifting" experience!

Selecting an example of such a person is a bit of a challenge. After all, someone might know them! However, I'll go back about twenty-five years ago and consider a man who came to our church for a short season. I can't remember his name (and if I did I wouldn't use it!) but do recall he had a rather gloomy, negative type disposition.  I hadn't seen him in church for awhile when I met him in a store. I told him I had missed seeing him and he informed me that he was upset at me because he had waved at me one day but I didn't wave back. Truth is I didn't recall ever seeing him wave at me, but he had drawn the conclusion that I had snubbed him!

I see something very significant in the daily text; two words from God to Moses regarding Joshua. "Encourage him."   This is the first use of the word "encourage" in the entire Bible (in KJV and NIV versions). This was repeated later, "But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see" (Deuteronomy 3:28).  The emphasis in both texts seems to be the heavy demands of leadership which necessitates encouragement.

Moses did a great job as an encourager and Joshua went on to be a great leader. In his final recorded message he encourages the people with the familiar call to join him in commitment to the Lord, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Some 3,400 years later that verse continues to encourage me and many others!

Today you will interact with many others in various settings.  You are going to encounter and be encountered.  I hope you are blessed with those who will encourage and refresh you.  May they strengthen you and take you up on the elevator!

And may you seek to be that provision today for the weary, discouraged soul whom you meet in the course of this day who is in need of uplift. Today you have a choice; will you be an upper or a downer?


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Lord as I meet people you providentially place in my path help me speak words that will uplift and encourage.



Mantis tiller
Brooksyne took a photo of me preparing our garden using this small two cycle "Mantis" tiller. It does quite a job and is easy to handle.
Ken, a friend of ours, had brought over some natural fertilizer (aka manure) and I am working it into the rich Lancaster County soil.




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.)

Note: Brooksyne is out this morning for a routine cardiac exam for Ester. I normally rely on her to suggest related music and was unable to recall songs pertaining to encouraging one another. However, here's a nice song I found in the process!

"Word Of God Speak"  Video  

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Personal Ministry Update

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Our other blogs:
"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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

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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."

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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.


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