Daily Encouragement

Friday, February 29, 2008

Lone tree on Lake Huron shoreline
Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission)

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Better Than I Deserve"

"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:10,11).

Here in America we often greet one another with the common expression, “How are you?” When we meet one another face to face, in our conversation over the phone, or when we write a letter to a friend we regularly ask the question, “How are you?” It’s so common that, at times, I have taken a phone call and out of habit responded with the customary, “Fine” only to realize after doing so that I answered the question before they even asked it! Occasionally I respond with such phrases as "I'm doing great" or "I'm blessed" attempting to give a more genuine response to the customary greeting.

I recall a few friends, dealing with some emotional ups and downs in life, responding with a very candid admission, "I'm gonna make it" or “I’m overcoming.”

But the other day I read of a true expression which can also be a thought-provoking response to the typical greeting. It also provides an opportunity for a witness, assuming you have the boldness to use it and opportunity to explain it.

Next time someone asks you "How are you doing?" respond with, "Better than I deserve." I've been doing that recently and the reaction has been quite interesting, although it may take a few seconds for the words to sink in.

In one sense I consider the phrase as a counter to the whiny, entitlement outlook that permeates our culture. It seems so many, no matter how full the cup is, focus on the half empty view. They center on that which is lacking in their life and what they feel they’re entitled to. Politicians are great at pandering to this attitude with promises such as "Help is on the way." Incredibly it's a sizable voting constituency.

But it's the spiritual application that really blesses me. Consider just the first phrase in the daily text: "He does not treat us as our sins deserve." That's a portion of Scripture verse that you can memorize as you repeat it to yourself throughout the day. In fact you may want to personalize it, "He does not treat me as my sins deserve."

What do our sins deserve? The Bible answers in a simple Scripture phrase you should have memorized upon first coming to Christ. "The wages of sin is death." That is: spiritual death, separation from God, eternal judgment, hell. Not a popular theme in the modern church, infiltrated with the "I'm OK, You're OK" doctrine launched in the 70’s.

Probably the most famous sermon in American history was preached by the 18th century theologian, Jonathan Edwards, where he focused on that which we truly deserve. He wasn’t concerned with making believers “feel good” when he titled his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” or when he preached the message God gave him regarding the penalty of sin.

The next time you’re asked, “How are you?” consider the great love the Father has for you and gratefully respond, “Better than I deserve.” It might lead to a discussion that takes you beyond a surface level to a conversation of the heart.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we are thankful for Your great compassion and enduring patience; that You do not treat us as our sins deserve but with Your never-ending mercy. From everlasting to everlasting Your love is with those who walk with You, who keep Your covenant and obey Your precepts. Amen.

Stone marking the location where Jonathan Edwards preached
"Sinners in the hands of an angry God"
Click on photo to enlarge
I took this photo about ten years ago when we visited the very site where this sermon was preached in Enfield, Connecticut. (The church building has long been gone.) We were in the area for the wedding of Joel and Adrienne Charest, a young couple who had served in our church for several years, and are now on the mission field in Africa.

As I was completing today's message I visited a favorite photo blog by Doris High. Her latest post relates to today's message with a pictorial perspective of half-full, half-empty. (Scroll down to the photos of the glasses and read her perspective.)

Steve Cornell is a pastor here in Lancaster Country and a prolific blogger. He provides a deeper perspective on today's topic. Here's his blog post which prompted the idea for today's message.

If you care to do so you can read Jonathan Edward's sermon here.

Note: Although we have prepared these messages most weekday mornings since October 1996 (11 plus years) this is only the second message prepared on February 29!

Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

Mystery song See if you recognize this old hymn you just don't hear much these days that really blesses me in light of the daily topic. (Instrumental audio) More instrumental piano hymns.

"Praise To The Lord The Almighty!" (Audio) I like the phrase "Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if in His love He befriend thee." From this site.

"How Deep The Father's Love" (Audio)

Today's photo is by Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here.

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Administration Information

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 02/20/08

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. (2008 YTD financial offerings through 2/26/2008 $2,315.00)

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 automatically 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!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message.
"A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination.
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.

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Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix

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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"

Thursday, February 28, 2008

"Purchased by God!"

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Oregon shoreline
Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission)

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"Purchased by God!"

"And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation'" (Revelation 5:9).

I first met Floyd Miles about fifteen years ago when I lived in New England. At that time he was on the staff at a local Teen Challenge Center and had been saved for several years. We established a friendship and I've kept up with him through the years. He went on to establish the Teen Challenge in New Haven, Connecticut and is presently serving as a pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana. He sent me a book that has his testimony in it.

The title of the chapter dealing with his life's story is "No Chance on Earth" and indeed his testimony is another evidence of the "wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled." Floyd is my age but what vastly different backgrounds we have: he growing up in a rough inner city area in Harlem, New York City and me being raised in the small suburb of Belton, Missouri.

But now we are related through the blood of Christ! What a wonderful thing to be purchased by God! We become a part of God's family comprised of every tribe and language and people and nation. The divine blood of Christ is the medium of exchange and it is absolutely, altogether adequate for the purchase.

Today's text is a portion of a worship song sung by the twenty-four elders as they knelt before Jesus. It expresses the foundational act of redemption: "You were slain." It also covers redemption's glorious scope: "with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Today, members of my family are everywhere. The following song stirs my heart every time I hear the words:

It's the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It's the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God's holy fire
It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir*

We enjoy hearing from our readers, whether local or from around the world. No experience in this life will compare to the day we meet face to face in our future dwelling place, since the vast majority of our readers we interface with only through the internet. You are representative of the redeemed who are summoned from "every tribe and language and people and nation." We do know that people from many tribes and languages and nations receive it. Each of our readers, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, are equally purchased by God! Just ask Floyd Miles when you see him in heaven.

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all;
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for this medium of internet communication that makes it possible for us to join our brothers and sisters all around the world in honoring You as we grow together in Your grace and knowledge. We are all grateful recipients of Your mercy and grace. On a future date we will join together with the angels around the throne and our redeemed brothers and sisters and proclaim in word and song, "Praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever." Amen.

*"He Reigns" by The Newsboys

Our current home
(satellite photo from Google maps)

In today's message I mentioned growing up in Belton Missouri, a small suburb south of Kansas City (BTW, most of Kansas City is in Missouri)

For as long as I can remember I have liked maps and geography. My favorite subject in school was social studies, that at that time included a lot about geography (no telling what they teach in "Social Studies" now)

The last several years I and I am sure many of you have enjoyed puttering around with Google earth and Google maps, examining where you live and other interesting places as seen from a satellite. Well, for my personal amusement I located each place where I have lived and compiled it on a web page called my life story as seen through google maps.

Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

"He Reigns" (audio)

"Holy, Holy, Holy" (audio)

"How Great Thou Art" (audio)

Today's photo is by Howard J. Blichfeldt. His website is here.

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Administration Information

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 02/20/08

Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

"Tell the Truth"

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Open Bible on the Communion Table in our church.

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"Tell the Truth"

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue … who keeps his oath even when it hurts" (Psalm 15:1-4).

Since we moved to Mount Joy in early 2001 I have had my car service done at a locally owned garage on West Main Street. I always ask for Eric, a young man who seems to know my vehicles, since he's done most of the service work on them from the time I purchased them. He does a good job and I feel he's always been honest with me.

He's also a got a positive, friendly disposition and I like it when he says, "Have a great day, Mr. Weber." That kind of reminds me of how Wally Cleaver talked to those his senior. Wally's television character grew into the kind of young man I would want to do business with.

Shortly after I started going to the garage I requested an oil change for my camry. When I got home I saw that they had forgotten to place the oil filler cap back on. I called expecting it might be a hassle but Eric said, "Bring it right in, Mr. Weber, and we will put on a temporary replacement and order a new one for your model." And that's just what he did; promptly, no charge, and no hassle.

A Christian businessman friend of mine told me about a previous job he had where he was pressured to falsify records and distort manufacturing specifications. He refused to compromise his integrity and as a result lost the job he had for many years.

Particularly painful to him were the attempts by the company to "justify" their actions by maligning him to other employees who were his close friends. This is a man who demonstrated the daily verse. His oath was acting with integrity in the business world because of his Christian convictions and because he did so he experienced significant injustice.

Many times we will find being truthful really does hurt on the short-term. Someone else got that job promotion because he was adept at misrepresentation. (In my observation falsified and misleading educational credentials are rampant in our society.) A neighbor shares with a twinkle in the eye how he got a better deal on his insurance because of an incomplete disclosure. Mankind has been lying ever since the original sin and is becoming more and more skilled in ways of deception.

Psalm 15 contains a list of characteristics required by God of the one who would dwell in God's sanctuary and live on God's holy hill (v. 1). In this present age these characteristics would surely apply to those desiring a close walk with God; those with a heart to live in His presence. The portion of the verse selected this morning is so very important and yet greatly lacking in our modern world.

David is reminding us of the unchanging verity of the ninth commandment, "Thou shall not bear false witness." God wants us to keep our word and speak the truth even if it hurts. In our day of slippery words, half truths, and embellishments we need to keep our word even when it hurts. The pressures to violate the 9th command are great, but by God's grace and in His strength we can keep from doing so. God still "desires truth in the inner parts" (Psalm 51:6a). Jesus wants us to live in the truth, to speak the truth, and to listen to the truth!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You; for it teaches me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before You. Even when it brings about hurtful circumstances help me to do the right thing in keeping with the Christ-filled nature I received upon the day of my salvation. May I not be found lacking in integrity but rather be characterized by my integrity as it honors my Father in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

During last week's home Bible Study Ester and Ruth enjoyed reading Bible stories to David and he is very attentive!
I am sure his parent's prayer is "May it ever be so!"

I enjoy storytelling and have been enjoying the online missives of Nelson Lauver, "the American storyteller".
Here's a sample based on today's theme (4 minute audio)

Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

"From The Inside Out" (audio)

"Voice Of Truth" (audio)

"My Savior, My God" (audio)

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Administration Information

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 02/20/08

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. (2008 YTD financial offerings through 2/26/2008 $2,285.00)

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 automatically 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!

Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"Eutychus"

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Feeding Doves
Photo by Fwren (used by permission)

Listen to this message on your audio player.

"Eutychus"

"Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead" (Acts 20:9).

For some time the clock on the back wall of our church has not been working. As I recall the last time I preached I commented on it (using it to the preacher’s advantage.) The trustees have been working on the matter, having replaced the first broken clock, but apparently a second clock has not kept time either. Yesterday my friend, Ken, called me about a clock they were considering purchasing online. Ken is an enthusiastic, diligent young man who is a joy to be around. He was concerned about online security and was calling me for advice.

He was excited about the clock they had in mind. "It's an atomic clock" he told me. When I hear atomic I think nuclear and I semi teased him, "Ken, do you think it's wise to have a nuclear powered clock in our church?" Our area was personally impacted nearly 30 years ago by the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident and people around here can be sensitive about these matters.

He laughed and informed me that by atomic it somehow got the time from a satellite and was accurate to one millionth of a second. I’m just hoping that doesn't cause too much stress for our pastor!

Many churches have clocks, although I've attended a few who for "theological" reasons do not allow them in the sanctuary. As a pastor for many years, I grew accustomed to seeing people discreetly glance at the clock on the back wall as the worship service was nearing an end. I have never seen a clock on the front wall behind the preacher. Hmmm, I wonder why!

Acts 20 has an interesting story. The apostle Paul was traveling and stopped by Troas, where he stayed for seven days. On the last day he was with them they gathered to break bread and Paul spoke to the people. He kept talking till midnight in an upstairs room with many lamps when a most unusual event took place.

"Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on." I can imagine that lengthy service. I've sat through a few of those, myself, and I am usually pretty tired by midnight. Lamps of their time surely would not have provided the type of light conducive to wakefulness. And Eutychus sat in an upstairs window; surely a recipe for disaster as "Paul talked on and on."

Sermons have gotten shorter during my lifetime and certainly have throughout Bible and church history. Most people don't want more than half an hour now in much of the western church and the pastor sure better have some bells and whistles to keep the people’s attention, like PowerPoint and video supplements. But people still fall asleep in church!

"When he (Eutychus) was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead." Now I've experienced some interesting disruptions in church services. I recall, as a boy, someone dropping the offering plate off the balcony with a loud clanging of change spilling out in all directions on the tile floor (thankfully it didn't hit anybody below.) A common disruption in our churches today are the cell phones that don’t get turned off. It’s one thing for parishioners to forget to turn off the ringer; quite another annoyance when they feel obligated to take the call right in their pew, which actually happened one time when I was preaching. Well, I’m getting off subject and the clock on my computer is ticking away (accurate timing and all) so let me get back on subject.

If the internet were available in the New Testament period this would have been a top of the news story, hitting every public and cable network and major newspaper. Reporters surely would have been on the scene with their interpretation of the situation. See below for a link to the entire Scripture text and "the rest of the story!"

The full meaning of the story perhaps only God knows, but clearly this is an account of human weakness and divine intervention. The next time you get sleepy in church perhaps Eutychus’ story will come to mind and it will prompt you to sit a little taller and lean forward as you listen more intently to what God has to say through His appointed messenger.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for godly messengers who faithfully feed Your children by diligently teaching the whole counsel of Your Holy Word. Some attend church with an intense spiritual hunger, while others may come out of a sense of duty or to be seen by others. Give us a hungry heart that yearns for more of You so that our lives are set apart to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do. May we be attentive to Your life-transforming truths as You impart them to our hearts in our personal devotions and through Your annointed messengers. Amen.

Brooksyne’s Note: I have very vivid memories of growing up in church with a father who frequently slept during the pastor’s sermons. Daddy was a laborer who would fall asleep in most any setting if he wasn’t in conversation or physically laboring. As we grew older my siblings and I would sit a few rows in front of my parents, but we’d know when Daddy fell asleep. There’d be a deep, masculine snore and then it would suddenly stop. Mom kept Dad’s snoring under control by kicking her foot against his. He’d wake up momentarily but fall back to sleep in a short time.

One Sunday evening Daddy fell asleep in the front pew of the church. Even in his sleep he could often follow the order of the service. In his sleepy stupor he mistakenly thought the pastor said, “Brother Sherrell, would you close our time in prayer?” He suddenly stood up and began to pray out a dismissal prayer...…..only to be informed that the pastor was in the middle of his sermon! Imagine how mortified my family was at Dad's mistake!

Perhaps that extremely embarrassing experience kept him a bit more alert for, at least the following Sunday!

Our neighbors have four week St. Bernard pups for sale.
Their five year old daughter, Janae, is cuddling them as she excitedly poses for the camera.

The story of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12)

Many years ago Christianity Today had a humor column I enjoyed called "Eutychus and His Kin". I suppose a few of you may recall it! I do enjoy using humor to convey spiritual truths. I have a blog I don't have much time to update called "A Little Foolishness". I also enjoy this blog, which is generally updated daily. Caution: this is satire!

Today's photo: The photo of the feeding doves at the top of today's message was taken by Fwren (her online name), an online photographer I have been enjoying for about six months. She is a friend of our local friends Cerwin and Doris High. She has given me permission to periodically use her photos on this site. Her photos can be seen here.

Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

"Holy Is The Lord" (audio) This song has absolutely no relation to today's topic but we both like the song and we really couldn't think of any songs that specifically go with today's message!

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Administration Information

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 02/20/08

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. (2008 YTD financial offerings through 2/25/2008 $2,285.00)

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 automatically 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!

Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"