Friday, September 28, 2012

Daily Encouragement (09/28/12) "Trust And Obey"

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Friday, September 28, 2012

Produce display at Lampeter Fair 2012
Colorful home grown produce displayed at the West Lampeter Fair.

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Trust And Obey"

"You did not trust Him or obey Him" (Deuteronomy 9:23). "Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23). "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness" (Psalm 143:10). "Find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10).

TrainI like trains. I suppose that's been the case since I was a small child and we stayed at my grandparents in Harwood, Missouri. They lived near a rail line and upon hearing the train whistle I'd run as quickly as my little legs would go so I could count the engines and railroad cars. Some of them had over 100 cars.

Adrian Rogers, a minister now with the Lord, had a witty way of sharing. He was known to say, "
The way to Heaven is not the ladder of logic or the rocket of reason, but the railroad of redemption, the old T&O."  T&O is likely a takeoff of the B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) railroad, which happened to have a rail line through northern Pennsylvania when we lived up that way.

So what is "the old T&O"?  The T&O stands for "Trust and Obey", the title of a beloved hymn that always has a current and much needed message. The title for this hymn remains a simple formula in how to successfully live for Christ.

The hymn, "Trust and Obey" originated from a testimony meeting, following an evangelistic crusade held in Brockton, Massachusetts, by Dwight L. Moody. We only lived about 15 miles from Brockton when we served a church in New England.

Daniel TownerA young man stood to speak, and it soon became clear he knew little Christian doctrine. But he finished by saying, "I'm not quite sure—but I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey." Daniel Towner, who was in the meeting, jotted down the words, and gave them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics from them. * I suppose many of our readers still sing this beloved timeless hymn.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Today's first text is a rebuke from the Lord to the children of Israel. I purposefully only chose a part of the verse; a stunning, simple indictment of the people from their leader, Moses. "You did not trust Him or obey Him." The failure to trust and obey is at the heart of sinful behavior. The practice of trusting and obeying is at the heart of godly living.

Our heavenly Father calls out to us in the second daily text: "Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." In the third text the Psalmist calls out to God, "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."  And finally the Apostle Paul writes of the ongoing need for children of God to "Find out what pleases the Lord."

Let's all step on board that old T&O, as we trust and obey Jesus and His Holy Word!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, though I am sometimes perplexed by that which I don't understand I have an unshakable confidence in You. Your Word is truth and Your promises never fail. There are many things of which I am uncertain, but I have absolute certainty that I can trust You for everything that concerns me. May obedience be an expression of my unwavering trust and devoted love toward You, my Lord and my God.  Amen.



West Lampeter Fair

We both enjoy perusing through a country agricultural fair and yesterday we went to the West Lampeter Fair south of Lancaster.

Produce display at Lampeter Fair 2012
Fresh produce from Lampeter gardens

Produce display at Lampeter Fair 2012
Wouldn't it be great to have a neighbor ring your doorbell and deliver this colorful, healthy and fresh arrangement of vegetables!

Produce display at Lampeter Fair 2012
For those who choose to decorate pumpkins in ways other than Jack-o-Lanterns here's an idea.

Giant watermelon at Lampeter Fair 2012
We put our cellphone on top of this 115 pound watermelon to show how big it was but you still can't really see how massive it is in a photo. Notice the 49 pounder next to it. The 1st prize watermelon is so large it wouldn't fit onto a fridge shelf due to width, heighth or weight.

Old threshing machine at Lampeter Fair 2012
A old threshing machine

Lampeter Fair 2012
Wouldn't this jalopy impress your date on your first night out!! You wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to open her car door. In fact she'd have to ride on back since it's a one-seater!

Exhibit at Lampeter Fair 2012
A nice cross-stitched Scripture verse.

JK Mechanical exhibit at Lampeter Fair 2012
We visited for a few minutes with Chris, a salesman from JK Mechanical, one of the companies we serve as chaplains. Chris is answering some of Stephen's questions, for he always has many!




Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources

"Trust And Obey"  Video  Chelsea Moon w/ the Franz Brothers
"To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice"  Video  Keith Green
"I Will Obey"  Video  Concordia Impact Music

Finally today:
PSU team reunion 2012
Yesterday I visited for a few minutes with a friend who shared this photo taken this last weekend. Here's a sports quiz: (Click here to enlarge)
Do you know the significance of this photo?
And for our local readers do you recognize my friend in the photo?
If you want to venture an answer do so here and I will explain next Monday.


Se
nd
a message to Stephen & Broo
k
syne.
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber 9/11/12
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 4/12)

Make A DonationAre our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.

Donate online
Click here to donate online.
2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 9/27/12: $12,741.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!



SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Free email subscriptionWere 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. These messages are 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:
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The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
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 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!

Our other blogs:
"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!) (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.

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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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

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

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Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

 

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Daily Encouragement (09/27/12) "Staying On The Right Way"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Having trouble reading this message?  Read mobile edition online
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
.
Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email · Daily Encouragement on Facebook  ·  Daily Encouragement on Twitter   ·  RSS feed
 Click here to donate online.
 
<Previous Message       ·       Archive edition

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Snowshoe ATV trail
Snowshoe ATV Trail

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Staying On The Right Way"

"Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way" (Proverbs 4:27). "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Saturday we were hiking with our dogs on a local trail when I decided to get off the main path and walked down a bank to get to the creek. It was slippery but I managed to stay upright by holding onto a tree. Brooksyne followed me and with a piercing shriek slipped and fell right on her behind. Thankfully she was OK but a bit annoyed at me for getting us off the main path in the first place!

Musing over this incident a Scripture verse came to mind.

Over thirty years ago Brooksyne led backyard Bible studies for children in the community we lived in at that time. She worked with some of the folks in our church and later with a neighbor in our own neighborhood using a teaching booklet of Proverbs which she set to music in order to aid the children in memorizing them.  I don't recall being a part of the preparations for the lessons or teaching any but I sure heard her singing the songs and, in considering Brooksyne's recent fall, a Scripture verse came to mind that I am quite sure I haven't heard in years. Due to the verse being put to music the words came back, tune and all!

"Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way" (Proverbs 4:27). What great advice for all young and old!

The concept of absolute or relative truth may seem merely philosophical to some, another inane discussion for academia. Actually though it is at the very heart of our battle against the forces of evil. Are there many right ways or just one?

Proverbs 14:12 states "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death". Many hold a view that there are many ways that lead to heaven and no single right way. In fact to many even asserting that there is a single right way is unloving and intolerant.

A faithful minister of the Gospel who boldly and unashamedly asserts the Biblical exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven is maligned as an ignorant and narrow-minded bigot. Well, label me. So be it. That is just what my Lord Jesus and the New Testament epistles teach.

Our Lord's statement recorded in our third daily verse might be labeled the very essence of intolerance.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The early apostles proclaimed "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). And later the apostle Paul wrote, "there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Let us recognize the right way, avoid evil, walk straight ahead and not go one step off the right way.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we contend earnestly for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints! The opinions of people are vast and man-centered, but we choose to follow the Scriptures that teach us, Jesus is the only way to the Father, whereby we receive salvation and life forevermore. We seek to avoid evil and walk straight ahead, not going one step off the right path. By Your grace we will be found faithful. Amen.



Tom and Fred visiting their Mom at Longwood
I met Tom (left) due to his visits with his mother each Sunday at Longwood Manor where we serve as chaplains.  He joins her for the afternoon church service and lately his brother Fred, a longtime friend from church, has been joining him as well. It's a pleasure to look out and see a son sitting on each side of Mom, certainly making her day.

Tom read my post last week about the snowshoe rail trail and shared some photos he took this last weekend. I like wooded trails and the photos prompted today's consideration of Proverbs 4:27, a Bible verse that I see from my notes I have never considered in the nearly sixteen years we have been writing these daily encouragement messages.

Here are several of the photos Tom shared of his ride on the Snowshoe ATV trail.

Snowshoe ATV trail bridge
The view from the bridge (non guardrail side). The yellow warning tape is new since the photos I shared last week but is of little assurance! See (Job 8:13-15). I-80 can be seen in the distance. I had previously only seen the railroad bridge from I-80 which is about the same height above the creek.

Snowshoe ATV trail bridge
Tom drove down into the Moshannon Creek to get this view looking up at the bridge.

Snowshoe ATV trail bridge
Bridge approach. Note the warning signs.

Snowshoe ATV tunnel
Not far away the bridge is an old railroad tunnel which is now part of the trail.

Snowshoe ATV tunnel
The view coming out of the tunnel. As you can see the autumn colors are arriving in northern PA.

This Snowshoe ATV (rail to trail) is located here. (Google map)



Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources

"Show Me Your Way"
 Video  
Brian Doerksen

"My Help"  Video  The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Making Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Filling (from yesterday's message)

28 cups (7 quarts) chopped fresh rhubarb (about 1" size pieces)
12 large peeled and cored, finely chopped apples
8 cups granulated sugar
1 cup orange juice
4 tbsp. grated orange peel
*l6 C. washed strawberries, hulled and halved

In a large Dutch oven size pan, combine the prepared rhubarb, apples, sugar, orange juice and orange peel.
Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil gently for about 30 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender (soft).
Add the prepared strawberries to the rhubarb mixture, and bring to a boil.
Remove mixture from heat.
Ladle the hot strawberry-rhubarb mixture into clean, hot jars, allowing for a 1 inch headspace.
Should Make about 10 quarts. Process about 15 minutes.

*This recipe was adapted from a recipe from: "Bernardin Guide to Home Preserving".
(a highly recommended book)
(I adapted recipe 4 X original size.
*If you don't have strawberries during canning add 2 C. for a quart of pie filling when you bake the pie.)


Se
nd
a message to Stephen & Broo
k
syne.
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber 9/11/12
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 4/12)

Make A DonationAre our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.

Donate online
Click here to donate online.
2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 9/26/12: $12,691.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!



SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Free email subscriptionWere 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. These messages are 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:
Daily Encouragement on Facebook
The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 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!

Our other blogs:
"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!) (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.

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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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

Chaplaincy logo
Endorsed chaplain

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

www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

 

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery
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