| RSS feed Podcast feed  A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.  Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Wednesday, November 15, 2006  (Click here to listen to this message on your audio player) Today's podcast features the beautiful background song, "Your Love, O Lord" "Spiritual Munching Allowed!" "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). Brooksyne's favorite candy is "Bit-O-Honey" a small, chewy morsel with a rich, creamy, honey-nutty flavor. It's been around since 1924 so she even had it when she was a little girl! Preparing for a long trip we might buy a bag and share it among family members since "the chew" makes the long journey just a little sweeter (especially if we are caught in a traffic jam!) Physically, munching can lead to over indulgence and undesirable weight gain. On some days I am capable of munching throughout the day. In fact I sometimes wonder if I might be taking in more through munching than regular meals! I have tried posting signs in the past that say, "No Munching!" on the fridge, in the car and here at the desk. It's an ongoing problem that I need to overcome. But there is an area of my life where munching is allowed and is in fact a good thing, contributing to spiritual growth. It doesn't replace the established habits of the spiritual life such as Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other mature believers. But I believe the ability to partake of spiritual nutrition, such as meditative munching on God's Word throughout the day, is healthy. It might be a Bible verse shared by a friend, a brief prayer at work with a fellow worker or an edifying Christian song we hear on the radio. I hope for many of you healthy munching on spiritual morsels throughout your day includes this brief devotional! The Psalmist wrote, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Indeed throughout the day may we all taste of the goodness of the Lord! Perhaps we all need a sign that reads, "Spiritual Munching Allowed!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Jesus, deep in my soul I have peace and reassurance as I "chew" on a particular Scripture verse throughout my day. You speak to me through Your Word and it refreshes and often challenges me as it lingers on my mind. It helps me to focus not just on the here and now. Sometimes You use the words of a Christian song and it's recurring tune to fill my thoughts as I go about my work. At times You bring to mind the words of a Christian friend or a written message that draws me from indifference or complacency and inspires me to meditate on the Living Word. You satisfy my hungry heart and fill my thirsty soul with Your living water. Help me to indulge regularly in life changing eternal truths from Your Holy Word. Amen. Note from Brooksyne: As I read the devotional this morning a word comes to mind that Stephen used on more than one occasion when he pastored in New England. In fact our former pastor here in Mount Joy referred to this word more than once in his sermons. The word is "masticate", meaning to "chew" much like dairy cows and other ruminating animals chew their cud. Contented dairy cows can chew their cud eight hours a day totaling 30,000 chews daily. Now, if we could turn God's Word over and over in our minds throughout the day I believe we'd have a lot more victory and joy in our lives and it would certainly spill out to those around us! Let me add that I have not been around since 1924, the birthdate of Bit-of Honeys, just in case you were drawing conclusions from Stephen's writing that I've been able to enjoy the candies since I was a child! Here's a song I found related to today's message titled "Taste and See that the Lord is Good" (mp3 audio sample) |
| ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION  Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on!  The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" |
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Daily Encouragement (11/15/06) "Spiritual Munching Allowed"
