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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Wednesday, March 2, 2011  Donegal Creek This creek is along our favorite country walk, about 1/2 mile from our home. "Patience and Forbearance" "Be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).  We were out on a ride with some friends several years ago in our Chrysler Town and Country van. I was driving with my friend sitting in the front passenger seat, our wives sitting behind us, and the children in the back seat.  I purchased a 16 oz. plastic container of chocolate milk at a previous stop and put in in a bag in the seat beside Brooksyne. As I was driving along I asked her to pass it forward so I could drink it. (Whenever I have a flavored milk drink I always shake it prior to taking the cap off.) She passed it up to me as I continued to focus on the road. Feeling the container was solidly in my hand, I began to shake it vigorously. The Apostle Paul wrote to the community of believers in Ephesus about church relationships, but the two characteristics speak to every relationship. First he calls believers to "be patient". I happen to like the descriptive word "longsuffering" which the King James Version uses. This sure is needed today isn't it? I am so thankful for people who have been patient toward me. Aren't you? Secondly we are told to be "bearing with one another in love." One of the definitions in my Greek dictionary for this word is "to hold oneself up against, i.e. put up with." There would have been no need to write this if "bearing with" was not needed, but it was essential then and continues to be today. That's just the nature of humanity. And it's inevitably at least to some degree a mutual situation, although we may not see it that way. You may read this and think, "Yes, I know exactly what he's talking about and I sure am bearing with so and so", without realizing, from their perspective, they are also bearing with you! Among God's blessed attributes are His patience and forbearance. We are all recipients of them. Let us follow the Lord's example today in practicing patience and forbearance in all our relationships. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, I feel such deep gratitude when I consider how patient You are with my frequent shortcomings. You don't toss me aside and move on to a more deserving person, but You continue to come alongside me and Your Word continues to renew my hope day by day. When I'm tempted to think that my spouse, my child, or my friend doesn't deserve another chance I'm reminded of Your continual forbearance with me. May I be forgiving even as You continually forgive me. May Your divine grace bring the virtues of forgiveness, forbearance and love together in perfect unity so that Your peace dwells in my heart daily. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.Brooksyne's Note: Anna and I looked on in disbelief as Stephen repeatedly tossed chocolate milk in Jesse's direction. It was so unexpectant that we were both stunned wondering why he would intentionally soak his friend not just once but over and over. Finally, when Stephen became aware of what he was doing and we understood his serious error we erupted into a laughter that followed us for many miles, as someone would inevitably bring it up. Prior to the milk toss Jesse had fed little Sadie Ruth being very careful so as not to make a mess in the van, or on either of them. Well, Stephen sure blew that careful plan to pieces. When we visit this couple inevitably this story resurfaces now and then, and they or we will say, "We need to take another trip together. It's been too long since we had any milk throwing in the van." Wouldn't it be wonderful if the "big" misunderstandings in life with friends and loved ones would be so easy to patch up and we could laugh about it later. I believe God wants us, in as much as it is possible on our part, to be forgiving and to be quick to ask forgiveness. So many relationships are destroyed due to misunderstandings where one party assumes incorrectly about a matter and forms negative attitudes based upon assumption rather than fact. Note: The Chrysler Town and Country pictured in our message today is a 1952 model. We have a slightly later model! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "An Evening Prayer" Video Carroll Roberson In considering supplemental music today Brooksyne said "There's an old hymn your Mom enjoyed that begins with, 'If I have wounded any soul today', but you'll never find that on the web." Well I did find it and a very good version at that! It's a song in prayer that would do us well to recite every evening. If I have wounded any soul today, If I have caused one foot to go astray, If I have walked in my own willful way, Dear Lord, forgive! If I have uttered idle words or vain, If I have turned aside from want or pain, Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain, Dear Lord, forgive! If I have been perverse or hard, or cold, If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold, When Thou hast given me some fort to hold, Dear Lord, forgive! Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee; Forgive the secret sins I do not see; O guide me, watch over me and my keeper be, Dear Lord, Amen. "Holding Hands" Video Steve Green 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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 2/27/11: $1,600.00 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 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. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.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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