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 Wednesday, January 18, 2012  Pennsylvania red bank barn in snow (Taken by our friend Greg Schneider)  Listen to this message on your audio player."A Lesson From A Dull Axe" "If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success" (Ecclesiastes 10:10).  Bible teacher Herbert Lockyer, who is now with the Lord, wrote a book titled "All The Promises In The Bible". In fact he wrote a series of books along this theme, "All The _____ Of The Bible" comprised of 21 volumes! Dr. Lockyer’s gifts for clearly explaining the profound truths of Scripture and helping readers apply these precepts to their everyday lives have made these inspiring books international bestsellers.I think it would be interesting someday to develop a study on all the tools of the Bible. But in my research I don't recall ever seeing a study, let alone a book, that provides spiritual lessons from the various tools mentioned in the Bible. I feel it would be a best seller, especially for men! So let's go for one today!  Like most men, I like tools and have quite a collection accumulated through the years. My dad was a "blue collar" working man and had quite a tool shop. Through the year I inherited a number of his tools and of course through the years have bought many on my own.The tools mentioned in the Bible such as hammer, goad, plumb line, adjustable wrench and so on each would illustrate a spiritual truth. Actually adjustable wrench is not in the Bible but probably could be a spiritual illustration! I should also note that the tool shop pictured to the right is not mine!  Today let us consider a spiritual lesson from an illustration in the Bible regarding an axe. I do not recall ever considering this passage till Jesse, an older friend of mine, called my attention to it several weeks ago as were discussing the Bible. It's a relatively straightforward statement that is pretty self evident. "If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength."As matter of fact I have used a dull hatchet (a hatchet is essentially an axe with a short handle) and can testify to this. I've never had the patience or skills to sharpen my hatchet so I just endure the dull edge the few times I need to use it. It certainly does require more exertion of strength as I more or less hack away at whatever I am trying to chop down! The specific spiritual lesson is found in the latter part of the verse. "However, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success." Wisdom is a major theme in the Book of Ecclesiastes which itself is part of the section in the Bible known as the "Wisdom Literature". As God's children we need to be growing in our spiritual wisdom. This will in turn lead to success. I feel this is primarily speaking of spiritual success, living in a manner pleasing to the Lord and attaining the ultimate most important form of success which is hearing our Lord's words, "Well done, good and faithful servant". We are blessed to have the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Timothy 3:14-16). May the Lord help us all to keep our axes sharp! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father we thank you for the truths expressed in Scripture that reveal the way to wisdom. Your Word states that if any of us lacks wisdom, we should ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to us. So we ask that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. This wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. As we attain that wisdom may our lives be as a sharpened axe, useful for the purpose You ordained, leading to a life that pleases You. In Jesus Name, AmenI wrote a Daily Encouragement message called "Lessons From A Broken Axe" A list of tools in the Bible. For those who enjoy Bible quizzes: I was searching for a quiz on tools of the Bible. Some of you may find this Bible quiz site interesting. It does have a quiz that has some tool questions!!! (Quiz 52 Workers and Tools) Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Blessings" Video Laura Story This is one very thought-provoking song regarding how we perceive blessings from God. Here's the story behind the song, a good teaching! "Everything We Need" Video Acapella "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" Video Jaron and Katherine Kamin |
 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.2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 1/17/12: $490.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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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