A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Thursday, September 6, 2012  "What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web."  Listen to this message on your audio player."A Lesson From A Spider Web" "Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold" (Job 8:13-15). We've had some rainy days recently, the result of Hurricane Isaac. It was raining heavily when I stepped outside on our front porch to observe the wet outdoors but I ended up viewing it through the veil of a spider web. The web was attached to our gutter above the porch and then on some flowers growing below. What an industrious spider it was, now clinging to the delicate loose threads weaved before the downpour. The spider built the web as a type of "magnet" that other flying creatures sure wouldn't want to get tangled in! Who among us hasn't walked into a spider web and flailed our arms about trying to get out of it? Most of us consider spiders icky, but today let us draw a spiritual lesson from one of the only two obscure references to the spider in the Bible. Job is a remarkable book. When we consider Job we recall the tremendous trial he endured, but there are also many gems of wisdom throughout the book. Today's portion follows another illustration from nature. "Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass." This is immediately followed by the statement in the daily text, "Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless." What an incredibly pertinent verse in regard to so many who forget God. An appeal is made to the observation of a spider's web. The Bible uses illustrations that virtually all people in all times can identify with. Regardless of where you live on this earth, whether in a city or out in the country, you have encountered a spider. "What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web." Now a spider web is very efficient for God's designed purpose for the spider. But it would be absolutely foolish for me to try to lean against the web in front of our porch, let alone count on one to provide hope for my eternal destiny! Truly, "He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold." That's a picture of what so many do today rather than put their hope, trust and reliance in the eternal Almighty God. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: God, You are the only source of eternal life to whom I can cling. I am confident that You will be with me to the end of my life here on this earth. I am grateful for the many people who bring me support, encouragement and companionship from day to day. They are a source of joy as they enrich my life daily. But as I grow older I'm recognizing that nothing stays the same and much of what I came to rely on is no longer present. Losses of those people very dear to me and things once considered important mount up as I reflect upon the passing years. I find great comfort as I cling to the words of the 73rd Psalm, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none that I desire on earth beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Amen. Here's a view of the spider web mentioned in today's message from my front porch during the rainfall.  A closeup of the spider clinging to the web while getting poured on. I doubt if he was a very "happy camper". (Brooksyne questioned the appropriateness of placing in such an icky photo!)  On a dryer day but same location in front of our home. This area is a haven for all sorts of small flying creatures due to many flowers. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource "My Hope Is In The Lord" Video Tommy Coomes Band "Who Compares To You?" Video Worship team "I Know The Plans" Video Bobby Michaels Note: The only other Biblical reference (in most translations) to the spider is in Isaiah 59:4-6 Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber Our 36th anniversary photo (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 4/12)  Are 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 supporting 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. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 9/05/12: $11,311.00. We express thanks to all who support 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. 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:  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! 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."  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  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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