"Troubled Hearts"

xml Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, June 29, 2007 Three Mile island nuclear power plant Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player. "Troubled Hearts" "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1). We live near the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Periodically we drive right past the plant and it is a very imposing sight, particularly the huge cooling towers (which actually are not the "nuclear" part of the plant.) We find it interesting that right up the road from the plant is an establishment known as "The Radioactive Bar and Grill." Sure does stir up one's appetite doesn't it! Yesterday Three Mile Island had a test of the alarm system and the local radio stations frequently announced that it was only a test. In 1979 there was an accident at the plant and many locals were affected. We didn’t live in this area at that time but recall how newsworthy the event was nationally and it still casts a lasting shadow in the area to this day. The loud warning sirens are certainly capable of causing distress and increasing anxiety when listeners associate it with Three Mile Island. Unwelcome remembrances from the accident 28 years earlier must surely flood the memory bank for those who lived through it. Many, many hearts are troubled all around the world today. Very likely some of you reading this today have a troubled heart. You're struggling with anxiety about certain matters. Instead of seeing earthly troubles grow dim in the light of God's glory and grace, troubles of this earth dim the light of God's glory and grace. There are numerous issues that trouble our hearts, such as accidents, health matters, addictions, financial woes, family problems and tough decisions that you can no longer put off. And of course all over the world we are aware of just how vulnerable we are to determined, murderous terrorists. Jesus gave a word of assurance in the daily text as He was preparing His disciples for the climactic events over the next several days. However I believe His words are very applicable to any situation or trouble that His followers all through the ages are dealing with. Let us hear these words from Scripture: "Do not let your hearts be troubled" Jesus forthrightly commands. We need to recognize that "peace of heart" is available to the Christian believer and most desirable in the midst of troubling circumstances. When emergency workers are in training instructors continually remind them, "Keep your head at all times." This repetitious statement reminds workers that the dire circumstances they're dealing with should not overtake the proper response to the disaster at hand. In a similar way God wants His children to respond to unexpected and unwelcome troubles with a peaceful heart at all times. Hearts that are full of peace will respond to tumultuous situations and ongoing troubles with a faith-filled trust in God who is more than able to handle any sudden disaster or ongoing struggle. To "keep your hearts in peace at all times" is a matter of obedience to Christ's command. I consider the volitional choice I have in regard to a troubled heart. When I am confronted with an anxiety provoking or distressing event I want to recall these words and act upon them. "Trust in God; trust also in me," Jesus said. The key to having peace in our heart in the midst of trouble is to keep our trust and focus on the Lord. Today in whatever trouble you face I pray that trust and assurance will flood your heart so that you will be filled with the peace that surpasses understanding. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him. How I've proved Him o'er and o'er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus O for grace to trust Him more! The antidote for a fearful heart is a trusting heart. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: I look to You, God, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. I have experienced Your miraculous touch time and time again as You console me in all my troubles. In my distress I learn patient endurance as I place my confidence in You rather than the changing circumstances of the day. "Trust in God; trust also in me" is a creedal statement by which I want to live my life each day. I choose to trust You in obedience to Your command and because You are ever trustworthy. Amen. Recommended resources pertaining to today's message In our experience trusting God through life's challenges remains an ongoing need. Here are some resources that we have found helpful. Brooksyne shares some personal insight about these books today. Trusting God By Jerry Bridges / Nav Press (Stephen has appreciated this book for years and I am presently reading it alongside my morning devotions. Already I'm captivated by the resounding theme of learning to trust God no matter what...) Do you find it easy to trust God---until adversity strikes? When life clouds over, do you suddenly begin to suspect that you only imagined His care for you? Bridges uncovers three essential truths about God: He is completely sovereign; He is infinite in wisdom; and He is perfect in love. Building on these three rocks, Bridges shows how we can learn to trust God, even when we don't understand what He is doing. Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 By Robert J. Morgan / Thomas Nelson This set includes Then Sings My Soul Volume 1 and 2. (I've read through both of these books and refer to them often. Morgan presents hymn writers who were famous theologians as well as unrecognized names who have left an indelible mark on all believers who enjoy singing hymns. I like his style of presenting the songs in historical sequence. Also he features four or fives songs in a row penned by the same writer so that you get more than just a glimpse but get a pretty good history and inspiring lessons. Rob Morgan's inimitable style will help people reacquaint themselves with the hymns of the faithful. His goal is to keep these traditional hymns vital and meaningful to all generations. Don't look for a dry recounting of boring stories. These devotional-style stories will show the emotion and drama behind the hymns of faith that have changed many lives throughout history--the people whose faith led them to write these wonderful hymns and the people whose faith was affected by reading, hearing, and singing the songs. Designed to be personally reflective, these stories will speak to your soul and add depth and meaning as your worship God through song. When Life Gets Tough By Henry Gariepy / David C. Cook Troubling times can happen in our lives-challenging times, life-shaking, even faith-shaking. It's during these times we need an anchor for our soul...and our faith. With short reflections that take just a minute to read, Henry Gariepy helps you understand the big picture of life. Just when you think you can't go on, God will be there and His words providing the peace you needed to move ahead. Faithful God CD By Shannon Wexelberg / Discovery House Audio sample of "Faithful God" song. Suggested music to reinforce today's theme: "Forever Faithful God" (mp3) (lyrics) from the "Gift of Music" site. This is an example of a brother who really wants to share his music and the fine sounding music that can be recorded in a non-professional studio setting. May God bless his labors! "He is Able" "The Steadfast Love of the Lord" "He's Been Faithful" by "The Celebration Choir" "God is Faithful" by "The Collingsworth family" Final note: Steve Sparks is a friend of ours who pastored a church in Middletown Pennsylvania near Three Mile Island at the time of the accident. He had quite a sense of humor and I recall he would quip that they had quite an active "Women's Aglow" group in his church! (Women's Aglow is an organization of Christian Women.) Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Each weekday 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 encouragement ministry? See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! See permissions Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

"Serving Wholeheartedly"

xml Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Thursday, June 28, 2007 Willlows along Donegal Creek Click on photo to view a larger version with Scripture verse. Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player. "Serving Wholeheartedly" "So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 8:15). "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does" (Ephesians 6:7,8). Everett works here in the Lancaster area. His interesting distinction is that he has worked for the very same company at the very same location for 55 years. He started working at 16 and at 71 he's still going strong and tells me he really enjoys his work. In my chaplaincy visit yesterday he told me he had considered retiring at 62 but his wife felt that he should go ahead and work till 65. At 65 he determined he just enjoyed working and has stayed on. Each time I visit with him at his workplace I sense this joy. Today so many have a bad attitude toward their work. In fact many people use the familiar expression TGIF, which is an acronym for "Thank God it's Friday" (there's even a restaurant chain named after this theme, although you can eat there seven days a week.) The attitude this expression conveys is that life really begins with the end of the dreaded work week. Well, I prefer a Bible phrase that declares, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" That's a truth we can declare with each new day! In today's first text the writer of the Ecclesiastes commends the enjoyment of life. I especially note the phrase "joy will accompany him in his work." What a blessing it is when joy accompanies our work! We enjoy preparing these messages and usually work side by side: Stephen at the desktop and Brooksyne at the laptop. Writing and preparing these messages daily has its challenges but we find great reward in this ministry as well. What a joy to regularly hear from readers all over the world who have been blessed or challenged with a message from God's Word. In fact just as we are writing this message we heard from a brother named Ebenezer from Nigeria who writes often. We're always uplifted to hear from readers locally, nationally, and around the world. The nature of any type of work presents challenges and it delivers reward. Challenges give us opportunities to trust God and reward gives us opportunities to thank Him. The Scriptural teaching in the second daily text is a call to diligence. This is actually a teaching of the Apostle Paul to Christian slaves but this principle can easily be applied to secular work. Consider the phrase "serve wholeheartedly." This is specifically pertaining to our work. Now certainly Paul had his priorities right and he was surely not asking the slaves to be any less devoted to Christ. But in our work responsibilities we should indeed serve wholeheartedly. Christians should be diligent, and in fact, as a part of their testimony, be among the best exemplary workers any company has! What kind of employee are you? I encourage you to consider the end use of the product you are making or service you are providing and the blessing it is to so many people. "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, when we're tempted to be halfhearted in our vocational work or find ourselves bored by monotonous repetition help us to find creative means that will make us even more productive and content in our work assignments. May our conduct and attitude reflect values set forth in Scripture. Make us a blessing so that we bring joy to our co-workers, supervisors, and to the workplace in general. During times of personality conflict or when disagreements arise bring to our memory file the Scripture that reminds us our primary motivation for being a good worker is that we are serving You when we are diligent in our work. Though the weekly paycheck is a monetary reward for saying "Well Done" we look forward to the ultimate reward given to us by You when we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joys of heaven." This morning I was blessed to get an email update concerning a young man now serving in missions in Korea. Joey Cullen was a boy when he started attending the church I pastored in New England in the mid-nineties. He went through a period of severe rebellion before accepting Christ and going through the Teen Challenge program. He then went on to Bible College and is faithfully serving the Lord. (It appears he is involved in some type of skit with a Korean man in the photo.) His mother, Yvette, has a remarkable testimony which we have posted on the website. Joey's older sister Nicole is also faithfully serving the Lord and is getting married in early July. As I consider the Lord's work in Joey's life I recalled a photo of him and my Mom taken many years ago when he came down to visit us shortly after we moved from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Mom had such a love for people and I have no doubt that she prayed for Joey many times. Recommended resources pertaining to today's message Christianity 9 to 5: Living Your Faith at Work Is your Christianity like a light switch that's ON when you're at home, but OFF once you enter the workplace? Dr. Michael Zigarelli's Christianity 9 to 5: Living Your Faith at Work helps you approach your job as a ministry so that the light of Christ is always shining in you! Zigarelli offers a Bible-based model that helps you maintain job satisfaction, establish healthy relationships with co-workers, and most important, apply Christian principles to everyday work situations. 152 pages, softcover, Beacon Hill. Rich in Every Way: Everything God Says About Money and Possessions By Gene Getz / Howard Books Our relationship to our possessions topics are more timely for today's blessed Christians . . . or more neglected. Yet author Gene Getz tells readers that the Bible says more about the things we own than any other subject except the Godhead. His thorough exploration of biblical history reveals overarching "supraprinciples" of ownership that apply to all people everywhere, then and now. Getz shows how Christians can resist the deadly tendency towards selfishness inherent in today's culture and how to use their possessions as effective tools for witness and spiritual growth. Avoiding both the extreme of "selling all and giving to the poor" and the greed-centered "prosperity gospel," he explains the biblical attitude toward possessions: a releasing of "this is mine" view of our possessions and allowing God's gifts to flow through our hands to meet human needs, demonstrating His love to an unbelieving world. As I considered music to supplement today's message I recalled the old Scripture chorus we often sang in church many years ago, "This is the day that the Lord hath made" but was unable to find an online version. Here's a song many are singing now titled "Lord You Have My Heart" (mp3) (Check out the full context of today's second passage in Ephesians 6:5-9.) Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Each weekday 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 encouragement ministry? See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! See permissions Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

"A Lesson From A Basket"

xml Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Brooksyne's flowers she arranged in a basket for a friend this morning. Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player. "A Basket Story" "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him" (Exodus 2:3,4). Baskets are huge collector items. Here in Lancaster County, which has a lot of tourism, there are stores just for baskets, including one called "Basketville" which we often pass by out on Rt. 30. In Ohio the Longaberger Company specializes in baskets and their headquarters is actually shaped like a huge basket! Brooksyne is very practical in the use of baskets and in our home the main use for baskets is for flowers and plants. She really isn't very interested in the heirloom quality. On a practical level we also have laundry baskets and trash baskets. Today I want to consider a time in the Bible that a basket was used in a functional way as a means of deliverance. Pharoah had decreed that all male babies were to be destroyed. After the birth of her son Jochebed had tried to hide him. But at three months of age she could hide him no longer. Babies have a will of their own and though Jochebed may have sung and rocked the baby to try to pacify his infant whimpers, surely it turned into loud inconsolable crying as the child grew. All parents experience this with their growing babies. God could have intervened in this matter by silencing the baby but He didn't work things out this way. So Jochebed came up with a plan. She got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch (to make it waterproof) and placed him in the basket among the reeds along the Nile River. I am intrigued by the actions taken by Moses' older sister, Miriam, in the next several verses. Even a child had a part in God's redemptive plan! After Jochebed placed Moses in the basket and down into the water Miriam "stood at a distance to see what would happen to him." I wonder what she was thinking? How much had her mother explained to her? How long did she wait? Well, in time, Pharaoh's daughter came down to the river, found the crying baby and "had compassion on him." Miriam, who had been watching all along boldly sprang into action with an ingenious plan. She cleverly volunteered, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" Notice she doesn't say "my mother" or "his mother" but "one of the Hebrew women." Of course upon approval she went to get the baby's mother! It has long been my conviction that Moses' later greatness is a result of the godly influence of his mother (and perhaps father) during that formative time. But Miriam also played such a vital role in God's plan. It's a small role but significant and that's how so much of life is. Small, seemingly insignificant, acts of faith and obedience have a major part in the mosaic of God's master plan for our lives. We may desire to do something great for God, but often His plan is the simple day by day acts of obedience to Him in following His leadings, both large and small. We'll just have to wait and see how it all fits together. May the Lord help us all today, like Miriam, to do what is appropriate for the moment! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we're grateful for the supernatural work You perform in our lives. Two of the greatest works we thank You for is our natural physical birth and our supernatural spiritual birth. There are so many other marvelous works You carry out and ways in which You intervene on our behalf. Alongside Your providential care for us we rely on Your wisdom, understanding, and direction as we encounter difficulties along the way and situations that are beyond our control. Help us to follow Your leading in the small day to day promptings we receive from Your Spirit as we go about our activities. The way You cared for Moses is a great reminder that we are never without hope when we walk in Your ways and trust You for that which concerns us. Amen. Today's music: As we prepered today's message a contemporary song from the seventies came to mind: "Ordinary People" (lyrics) We especially like these words: He chooses people just like me and you. Who are willing to do everything that He commands. God uses people that will give Him all. It doesn't matter how small your all may seem to you. Because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand. Another old song that came to mind takes us both back to our pre-Bible School days and we sure appreciate this local home-made version. "Jesus Use Me" (mp3) As I listened to the song I was especially touched by this line, "I'll follow Thee though death should come my way" since I am reading the biography of Chet Bitterman. He was a missionary martyr who was slain by guerillas in Colombia over 25 years ago. He was from Lancaster County and graduated from Conestoga Valley High School, the same school that Mike Stillman, a friend of mine attended. Chet was just two years older than I am and we both prepared for ministry in a Bible College. I am quite sure this was a song he often sang in preparing for ministry for Christ. He had written in his diary while in language school in Costa Rica: "Maybe this is just some kind of self-inflicted martyr complex, but I find this recurring thought that perhaps God will call me to be martyred for Him in His service in Colombia. I am willing." Country Life One of the great sights of the country is new life. Yesterday we passed a calf immediately after birth with the mother cow licking it. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Each weekday 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 encouragement ministry? See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! See permissions Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

"Knowing The Way"

xml Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Flower arrangement at the Neizmik farm in northern Pennsylvania. Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player. "Knowing The Way" "You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4). Tom and Marsha Neizmik are long-time friends from the church we pastored in northern Pennsylvania. God has done a remarkable work in their lives and early this month their youngest daughter Rachel was married. I had the privilege of conducting Rachel's infant dedication. Several years ago they came down to visit us when we lived in an old farmhouse we had rented when we first moved back to Pennsylvania from New England. I had sent them directions and they drove down about 3-1/2 hours. Since we had a prior commitment I told them we might not be at the house upon their arrival but we'd return shortly. They actually arrived sooner than they expected, found what they assumed to be our house, sat on the porch and made themselves right at home, as we would expect them to do. Looking for signs to make sure they were at the right location they were reassured when they saw a decorative plaque in the kitchen that said "Esther". Since they were leading in worship the next morning Tom got out his guitar and they practiced their music. They smiled and waved at the folks who drove by and their daughter walked around taking several pictures of the "Weber's" country home. We got home a bit later than we'd planned and were surprised that they weren't there. I figured they would call and took a short nap on the couch. Over an hour later Brooksyne excitedly hollered, "They're here!" It turns out that my directions were a bit misleading and they had been at the wrong house for nearly 3 hours! It just happens that a young man stopped by where they were sitting who had run out of gas. He who knew of a "preacher" who had recently moved down from Massachusetts and pointed them around the corner to our house. With their new directions Tom and Marsha and their daughter finally found our house. All along they were at our neighbor Esther's house and we had actually driven right by them without seeing them as we returned home! Knowing where we are going is very important and in most cases being close is just not acceptable. Tom and Marsha had driven about 200 miles to visit with us. They would hardly have considered it a worthwhile trip knowing that they were "just" 100 yards from us but were unable to see us face to face and visit. The daily text records an incident that took place shortly before Christ went to the Cross. He offers His disciples one of the great promises of the Bible. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). After three years of being with His disciples and teaching them Jesus was confident that they knew where He was going and forthrightly says, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (v. 4). But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification and direction. I believe he spoke for more than himself and I appreciate his candid honesty. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). God is ever a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker. Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives haven't we? I suppose many of you have a good story about getting lost that you could tell. But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy. I believe the key words are, "I am". With Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Guide we are assured of reaching our heavenly home. Are you trusting Christ today? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, to know You is to know the way to eternal life. Help us to hold fast to the directions we receive through Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus who bridged the gap that stood between heaven and earth. And thank You that, because of Your mercy, we have entrance into heaven as we walk over the bridge of Your mercy and forgiveness. Amen. After the resurrection Thomas is the one who needed additional clarification and evidence. John 20:24-29 I've always thought "doubting Thomas" is an unfair designation. Here's a photo I found of Tom and Marsha, along with me, taken by Brooksyne at the Creation Christian music festival in the mountains of central Pennsylvania in the early 80's. Somewhere along the way the call-out was placed on the photo! We sure enjoyed going to the Creation Festival for many years and they still have it (in fact it's this weekend) although we no longer find camping out with tens of thousands of other people and using porta-potties pleasurable! Tom and Marsha serve the Lord together and also write and sing music in their local church. Here's a song they wrote and sing together based on the life of Stephen. (mp3) It has a great theme concerning leaving bitterness at the altar. As I prepared today's message I also considered this song: "Come Just As You Are" (mp3) Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Each weekday 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 encouragement ministry? See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! See permissions Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

"His Faithful Follower I Will Be!"

xml Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Monday, June 25, 2007 Early morning bike ride 6/24/07 This farm is along our favorite trail about 1/2 mile from our home. (Click here for a larger version of the photo.) Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player. "His Faithful Follower I Will Be!" "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). "Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" (Psalm 12:1). Last night we went to a park in Lebanon, PA to hear one of Brooksyne's favorite gospel groups, a family known as The Martins. They're three adult siblings, a brother and two sisters, who have a beautiful harmonious sound and a genuine love for the Lord Jesus. I suppose Brooksyne also likes them because of their country roots since they grew up in Arkansas where much of her family comes from. They sang an old hymn that many of you will recognize called "He Leadeth Me." There's a line in the hymn that always stirs my soul and reinforces my desire to faithfully serve the Lord. It simply states, "His faithful follower I would be." Hopefully you were in church yesterday and received fresh strength from the Lord as You heard His Word proclaimed from the pulpit. Unfortunately, in the New Testament period, even as now, some had forsaken this important element of growth and discipleship. As we see the Day of Christ's return drawing ever closer we need the God-ordained encouragement that comes from fellowshipping with "one another" on a regular basis. David expresses himself in our second daily text in a way that we might also in our own day. His cry for help is directed to the Lord. His observation is that the "godly man ceaseth". David grew up during a time of great moral and spiritual apostasy. Certainly Saul's reign was not marked by spiritual revival or consistent obedience to God. It transitioned from the period of the Judges, which is summed up with the phrase "each man did what was right in his own eyes." However there was a remnant of faithful followers during this period such as Samuel. Thank God for those who remain faithful followers in our own day. Faithful ministers who preach God's Word in an uncompromising manner, dedicated lay people who live out their faith before an oft-scorning world, married couples who take the marital covenant seriously, parents who raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and church communities that continue to "forsake not the assembling together." Christ said "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). This statement has often intrigued me. Will He? Join me today in making a renewed commitment in staying faithful to our God as we daily heed to His call upon our lives. Rest in the assurance that He will continue to lead us and join me in declaring this day, "His faithful follower I will be!" He leadeth me, He leadeth me, By His own hand He leadeth me; His faithful follower I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me. * Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, You lead us through the valleys and mountain top experiences of everyday life. Your ways are far superior to the path we might choose when guided by our own errant wisdom. We're so grateful for the strength and encouragement we receive from our brothers and sisters who bear our burdens and share in our joys. When considering the choice of walking faithfully with you or turning our backs on You, we join with Simon Peter who weighed the options and declared, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68,69). Saturday I went to a Transport for Christ trucker's rally along with Ester and a friend, Ken Pierce. Transport for Christ is a chaplain ministry to the trucking industry. They had a parade of trucks, many blaring their horns along the way. Pictured above is one of the colorful examples. Mike and Sue Hayden serve with Transport for Christ. For several years they were field chaplains in the south. Now they work in the national office near our home. They have an interesting way of blessing others. They both purposefully allow their hair to grow out and then donate it to "Locks of Love" which makes wigs for children with cancer. Mike even donates his beard! This last Saturday night Mark Pulliam and his family came over for dinner with our family. Mark was my supervisor for a year and 1/2 when I worked for a national agency about 5 years ago. He is now working in the field of hospital chaplaincy. At my request he brought over a pineapple pie since he knows it's a favorite of mine! Let me share a cute but instructive story that happened around our dinner table. Mark and his wife Carolyn were sharing about a time when they vacationed in Madison, Wisconsin. On a Sunday they decided to attend chuch and chose to attend one outside their normal association. It was a church that had historic Christian roots but had entered into apostacy (which they were not aware of when they chose to visit.) The church promoted goddess worship and clergy referred to God as "she." As Mark and Carolyn were sharing their experience with us, young Michael who was listening attentively, piped up with a serious question, "Isn't God a guy?" That gave further opportunity for some good solid Biblical teaching! Sadly many institutions that bear the name of Christ have forsaken Biblical truth and replaced it with heretical teachings. Brooksyne's Note: The inspiring hymn "He Leadeth Me" has been a favorite of mine for years. Hearing the Martins sing it acapella in their Martinized arrangement has made me appreciate it even more. This hymn was written by Pastor Joseph Gilmore in 1862 when he was 28 years old. He had preached a sermon on the 23rd Psalm in First Baptist Church in Philadelphia on a Wednesday evening. Following the service he and his wife were invited to fellowship in the home of Deacon Watson. During their conversation the blessedness of God's leading overwhelmed his spirit, so much in fact, that he quickly penned the words of "He Leadeth Me" and then passed it on to his wife. He thought no more of it, but Mrs. Gilmore decided to submit the verses to a popular Christian journal at the time. Three years later as Joseph Gilmore was candidating for a new pastorate in New York he opened the church's hymnal and much to his surprise found the words he had penned years earlier. William Bradbury who wrote the music added the last two lines, "His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me." *"He Leadeth Me" Gilmore, Joseph H. / Bradbury, William B. © Public Domain "He Leadeth Me" audio files (Vocal) The Drummond family (this sounds very similar to the Martin family) (Instrumental) from Country mountain hymns "The Martins" Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Each weekday 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 encouragement ministry? See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! See permissions Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net