Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, February 1, 2010  Wilma and Jesse Dourte  Listen to this message on your audio player. "Given A Trust, Proven Faithful" "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). In the last six months we've developed a warm friendship with an older couple, Jesse and Wilma Dourte. They are presently retired from the pastoral ministry, but in their pre-retirement they served churches for many years in our region of Pennsylvania and in the Midwest (central Kansas). Jesse and Wilma met in a Christian college, raised six children, and will soon celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary. We had them over for dinner Friday night and enjoyed hearing their mature perspective on life in general and serving the church in particular. One thing that really stands out about this godly couple is their continued burden for lost souls and their personal interest in others. Jesse was raised in a God-fearing home and became a Christian as a little boy. After marrying he and his wife were full-time farmers and much of that time he also served as pastor in a bi-vocational role.  Wilma endures a hearing impediment, but with the assistance of a hearing aid she seeks to overcome. I've known people who completely withdraw from others after their hearing is impaired due to their inability to hear well which greatly affects their communication skills. Yet Wilma joyfully interacts with people realizing that, in those instances where she might not fully hear or understand clearly, that the awkward moments will pass. Her genuine love and interest in the person speaks even louder than words can convey. Both Jesse and Wilma demonstrate the sweet grace of faithfulness and regularly dispense godly wisdom and understanding that Solomon often wrote about. A church sign posted this thought-provoking statement: "Better to be faithful than famous." Although there are famous people who are also faithful, it occurred to me how often those whom so many recognize as "famous" are certainly not faithful. Merely consider famous names in sports, entertainment, and politics. Sadly this is also true for some in ministry for Christ. That's why we are especially blessed by longstanding faithfulness of believers like Jesse and Wilma Dourte. Our children, young people, young adults, really all ages need to be regularly impacted by people like this. That's why I strongly believe in the intergenerational church. It's not uncommon for many churches to entirely segregate their congregation by age groups, and when doing so, there can be an important spiritual dynamic missing. The blending of generations brings about a needed balance in our worship services, and a mutual respect for each generation. Older believers are strengthened and encouraged as they visibly see how God is calling and shaping a young life committed to Christ. And the young ones can visibly witness how God beautifully refines those, who though thoroughly tested through the years by the enemy's arson, remain faithful and victorious in their spiritual journey. As followers of Christ we've all been given a trust. The apostle Paul wrote, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). We are stewards of God's truth and it is required that we be faithful. This is fundamentally expressed spiritually but in reality spiritual faithfulness is expressed in practical ways as well. Let us ask ourselves: Are we faithful to our spouse and family? Are we faithful to our church and our ministry responsibilities? What about our work related duties and financial commitments? May the Lord help us all to keep the commitments we make. In fact the greatest approbation we will ever receive is when we hear the words from our Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). Indeed, it's far more desirable to be faithful than to be famous. We've been given a trust, let us prove ourselves faithful! Be encouraged today, Stephen C. Weber Daily prayer: Father, You've given us so many venues in which we have opportunity to prove ourselves faithful. In our relationships, our work, our ministries and the marketplace we want to be faithful in the responsibilities entrusted to us. When tempted to compromise due to seemingly insurmountable pressures we face, help us to remember that faithfulness to You is the greatest reward. To hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" are the most joyous words of affirmation we will ever receive! Keep us faithful, Lord Jesus, for it is in Your name that we pray. Amen.  Here is a current photo of the Dourte family. They also have many grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "Find Us Faithful" Video Steve Green We suggested this song with a message last week but it also goes so well with today's message! Pastor and Wilma have "lined the way" for many. I encourage you to prayerfully listen to this song; as a reminder of those who have gone before us faithfully serving Christ, and as a song of personal aspiration that those behind us might indeed find us faithful! This version has the lyrics. Recommended Book:  Find Us Faithful: Leadership That Leaves a LegacyBy David Olford / B & H Publishing Group Illuminating Paul's farewell address to the church elders of Ephesus found in Acts 20, Olford describes three gifts those in Christian ministry should leave behind: a personal example, a preached word, and a prepared leadership. He clarifies the responsibilities we must fulfill; reveals encouragements to be embraced; and reflects on the urgency of faithfulness. More info |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09  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 daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.2010 YTD financial offerings as of 1/31/10 $320.00 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 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 update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use 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. 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. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "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!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (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 2010 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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