 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Thursday, January 13, 2011  We had our first significant snow of the season. This is a view from our dining room!  Listen to this message on your audio player."True Wisdom" "This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).  I enjoy a series of books that many of you have heard of and perhaps used. It seems like they're about everywhere and cover just about any subject you can imagine. I am speaking of the "Dummies" series, which began with computer books in the early 90's as I recall. Ollie's is a discount store in our area that has a huge display of these books and I enjoy perusing them, looking for topics that may be of interest. I like the way the information is laid out. In most cases, in regard to learning about technical issues related to this online ministry, the information in these books is more than adequate and at times still beyond my understanding or present needs!I must admit the title of these books is insulting! Who likes to be considered a dummy? But the truth is, bluntly speaking, we are all "dummies" in certain areas. Sorry to offend but it's true. In regard to knowledge I consider myself a "generalist" in that I know a little about quite a range of subjects as I have an eclectic range of interests. I have a pretty good grasp of a few subjects and know essentially nothing about many, many others. In life we need to give our attention to knowing that which matters most and, admittedly, that's a struggle. But above all I want my life to be characterized as one who "understands and knows" God. There's so much to know, and as Scripture declares, "knowledge will increase" (Daniel 12:4). In our day we have an explosion of knowledge with no end in sight. We expect this, particularly in regard to technology. But the main thing remains the main thing and is so powerfully expressed in our ancient daily Scripture text. Jeremiah received this message from the Lord some 2,600 years ago, yet surely we can see how timely it is for our generation! The three aspirations so sought after by people of all generations are mentioned here; wisdom, strength and riches. These are three perennial sources of human pride which leads to boasting, whether inward or visible for all to see. But God reminds us of that which matters the most; that we understand and know Him. May we be mindful of this today and order our lives according to this central truth. Today, as those who love God, may we have a growing knowledge of God and seek understanding regarding His will for our lives as we daily surrender our will to Him. Now, that's true wisdom! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Lord, help us to remember the only boasting that really matters is that we boast in this alone: that we truly know You and understand that You are the Lord who is just and righteous! Our own pride and forgetfulness of Your wondrous works and miraculous provisions will eventually lead to defeat. Our self-confidence, based solely upon our own abilities or wisdom, leads to misplaced trust and compromise in our spiritual lives. We consider the Bible heroes and fallen Christians throughout history who allowed pride to master their thoughts and actions. The enemy they faced was not on the battlefield, but a stronghold within the confines of their own hearts. Wisdom, strength, and riches are providential blessings that we do not deserve, but gifts that You distribute with delight. May we always heed the warning from I Cor. 10:12, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin." In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Brooksyne's Note: It is true that knowledge continues to increase and be more readily available with every passing day. There are also many modifications and debunking of information we once thought to be true but is proven false in the light of further exploration and technological research. But the ancient Scripture does not need modification and its message is ALWAYS relevant for every believer in every corner of the world. Technology does not know the spiritual heart of man, but the Creator certainly does! We gratefully receive the blessings that come when we heed His warnings. Some more scenes from our home after the snow  Our backyard  Our frontyard And here's another photo from the Pennsylvania Farm Show.  A duckling slide! 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.) "Oh, I Want To Know You More" with prayer Video Steve Fry "Knowing You Jesus" Video We used this song the other day but it also fits so well with today's message. The singer is not identified but I sure like this version. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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 to Daily Encouragement Net through 12/31/10 $19,494.00 Note: A final accounting for 2010 offerings to our ministry will not be available for several days until we receive a final report from our chaplaincy account of offerings given directly online. We want to thank all who have supported our ministry!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 by us 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 through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. 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 2011 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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