A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Thursday, January 12, 2012  Apples of gold in a pitcher of silver! Brooksyne arranged a bowl of real Granny Smith & Red Delicious Apples in her Paul Revere Silver Bowl. I added the "golden" apples!  Listen to this message on your audio player."Fitly Spoken Words" "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures (settings) of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).  When I graduated from Truman High School in Independence Missouri I received a book called "Apples of Gold", a popular book given to graduates at that time. Brooksyne received one as well but can't remember the occasion. We wouldn't be surprised if other readers from our generation may recall the same book. It's a collection of inspirational stories and quotes. The title is based upon our daily Scripture text. (Note: The book pictured at the left is not the book I received: A. I'm not that old. B. It's not even the same book. But I just happen to like old books!)Today we want to consider and challenge you in regard to how our fitly spoken words may be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver" or, as expressed in the New Testament words, "helpful for building others up according to their needs, benefiting those who listen." Several years ago I attended a businessmen's breakfast meeting and heard Ed Herr speak. Ed, also a friend of mine, shared several illustrations from his own life that I believe really connected with the large audience. He recalled a very discouraging time, as a child, when his mother noticed him crying. She offered several fitly spoken words of healing wisdom that left a lasting impact on him. Many years later he had a similar opportunity to share fitly spoken words of wisdom with his own daughter during a time that she was discouraged.  In my own life I recall some fitly spoken words in a conversation with my Dad while in Bible College. It is such a poignant memory that I can still recall the precise placement of the pay phone in the dorm lobby. I was recovering from a serious injury and my progress seemed so slow at the time. My dad was a man of few words but he had just the right words at that time for a discouraged son.I'm sure that we've all been recipients of "words fitly spoken." The word "fitly" in the text translates a Hebrew word found only once in the entire Bible which conveys the sense of "in season." The New American Standard Version uses the phrase, "a word spoken in right circumstances." The Amplified states, "A word fitly spoken and in due season". I am intrigued by the phrase, "apples of gold in pictures of silver". One commentary states, "a word spoken with propriety, opportunely and suitably to the occasion, is as much in its place and as conspicuously beautiful as the golden fruit which appears through the apertures of an exquisitely wrought silver basket." These are God-ordained words that go right to the heart to meet the need for that season. God often uses others to bring these words to us. I can think of many times in my life when I have received a word fitly spoken. I surely hope that I have offered many fitly spoken words as well, although I really believe we are very often unaware at the time that we have offered them. What a powerful aspect of personal ministry is offering these words to others. Who needs to hear such a word from you today? As I reflect on my own life and times when I have been the recipient of these words it occurs to me that generally they are very brief. I encourage you to reflect on times in your own life when someone has been a blessing in sharing such words with you. Seek to allow the Holy Spirit to enable you to be a dispenser of fitly spoken words! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, You know the exact number of words that will flow from my lips today; some of them meaningful while others are simply forgettable words. Would You make me sensitive to those who need caring words. Help me to look not only to my own interests but also to the interests of others as I offer words fitly spoken to those who need to hear a word from You through a servant like me. Amen. A photo of the "Best In Show" neck pumpkin at the 2012 PA Farm Show.  Several years ago I received an email from his grandson with this very interesting note about his grandfather: "He made over 4 million of those Bible verse texts, they are still available today. I am working on writing a paper on his ministry. The amount of glass panes he used for the texts is 3.9 million Square Feet! Equivalent to the area of 80 football fields! The amount of framing wood he used stretches over 3,000 miles!" Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources |
 Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.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 by us 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 through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! 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!) (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.  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 2012 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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