A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Monday, July 23, 2007  Jason and Becky Brooks at their wedding reception  Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player."The Impact Of Little" "For God has chosen the weak things in the world, the foolish, the nothings. That no flesh will glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). On Saturday we attended a wedding in the Washington DC area. I served communion to the couple immediately following the taking of their vows. They wanted their first act as a married couple to be an expression of their faith in Jesus Christ. It was a beautiful time as the musicians sang an inspiring song of surrender, "Offering" in the background. I wrote about Becky last week. I was her first pastor but we moved on when she was about 12. She met Jason while living in the Washington DC area two years ago. I first met him last fall and he sure seemed like a nice young man. At their wedding reception I sat next to the school administrator where Becky teaches and I inquired about Jason, since I knew little of his background. He shared that Jason had accepted Christ many years earlier at a camp but only in the past couple years, since meeting Becky, had he begun to live out his Christian faith. He went on to say that he and his wife had taken Jason and Becky into their home many times for meals and godly mentoring in preparation for their marriage. I was so heartened to hear of this and it was another reminder of the "little things" being done in Christ's Kingdom that make a big difference in people's lives. I also considered how fervently Becky's mother, who lives some 400 miles from her, prays for her and how this devoted couple was an answer to those prayers. Consider those who have made a significant impact in your life. I expect that among those listed would be godly parents and grandparents, pastors, Sunday School teachers and many others, including those who witnessed to you, either in words or in their actions, even when you didn't want to hear. On the big scale of need our specific service and offering to God may seem insignificant and inconsequential. But I believe that most of that which takes place today to honor God and help others will likely be small things. They may even seem insignificant at the time. Most of those gathered at the wedding were unaware that an older couple in northern Virginia were taking the time to disciple a young couple over the past couple years. How very important this was since they both came from broken families and needed to witness the stability of a solid marriage. I recall a phrase from my years of ministry training, "Do something big for God" which is a great aspiration.* But something big for God is often a series of small, apparently insignificant attempts to be the salt of the earth Jesus called us to be. Most of us are just not in a place today that we can do something really big for God, but we can all seek ways to let our light shine to a darkened world around us in the small things. Let us listen to God's promptings and obey His voice! Several years ago I received this bit of advice from an older person in regard to my Mom's passing. "The older I get, the more I realize that it is in the small moments that we can affect others' lives forever. Grand accomplishments mean nothing. Brightening a single moment in even one person's life in a day, means the world to Christ, I am discovering."  Consider the Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians. "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. 'Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him'" (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Let us be humble in ourselves, but boastful in the things of the Lord. Remember, "Little becomes much when we place it in the Master's hand!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Jesus, my little becomes great as You inspire me to do good works in Your name. Help me not to be crippled by my limited abilities, wisdom, or resources. I don't give to others according to my limitations but I give to others from the unlimited blessings that You've poured into my life. Direct my footsteps according to Your Word as You give opportunity for divine encounters this day. In my nothingness, You are Everything! Amen. Brooksyne's Note: We enjoyed a delicious meal after rehearsal the evening before the wedding as we sat across from Jason, the groom to be. We were talking about the first time we initially met him in Becky's hometown last fall. He told us that Becky asked him later, "Did Pastor Weber ask you lots of questions?" He responded that "Yes, in fact, he did." She seemed confident that he would and pleased that he did. Becky did not see Stephen's inquiries as prying but caring. Much like a caring father wants to know that his daughter is marrying a man who will provide for her needs, a caring pastor wants to know that his parishioner is marrying a man who will be a spiritual leader in the home.   At the wedding reception we visited with Maureen, another young lady who was in our church many years ago. From an arly age Maureen was a NASCAR fan and dreamed of moving to the Charlotte area and working for NASCAR. After graduating from the same college as Becky she now works directly for the Dale Earnhart Jr. team.Today's music: "My Offering" mp3 audio file (the song that was played as I served Jason and Becky communion at their wedding.) * "Do something big for God" I've met some people that seem to have this aspiration and prepare their whole lives for that big thing and yet I see little evidence of faithfulness in little things. |
Administration Information  The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester  Each weekday morning 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? Thanks! See here for details.Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. 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! Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.) 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  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" We want to share a brief update concerning our ministry for readers who may be interested. This is an opportunity for us to share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry. www.dailyencouragement.net |
