A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to donate online.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Wednesday, October 3, 2012  This beautifully restored 1953 Chevy truck was parked out in front of my neighbor's barn the other night. Remember when it was a common sight to see children (and sometimes adults) riding in the back of a pick up truck?  Listen to this message on your audio player."Groping In Darkness" "They grope in darkness with no light" (Job 12:25). "But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness" (Proverbs 4:19) "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:8-11). Last week we visited the Ivan Hoover place along Rt. 322 east of Ephrata. Ivan has an interesting assortment of antique type items for sale along with what most would consider junk (you get to do the sorting). Any of our readers who have ever seen "American Pickers", a show about "Antique Archaeology" on the History Channel, would see it as the kind of place they'd select for one of their shows. We stopped for some 50 cent pumpkins we saw on a road sign but while we were there we also looked through some stuff.  I noticed Ivan and his wife with another couple looking down at something so I walked over to investigate. Ivan had the cover off an old hand dug, rock lined well and they were looking down into it. He told us, "It's sixty feet deep." I peered in and pointed the camera down to take the photo but surely had no desire to go down into the darkness (by plan or accidentally)! In fact I kept my feet back from the edge of the well as I held the camera out at an arm's distance to take the shot. In reviewing the photo I was reminded of the verse, "But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness."That's an outlook I hope to have in regard to spiritual things as well. It's interesting that one of the many distorted pictures Satan presents as "having a good time" is going into a place of darkness such as a casino, bar, nightclub or places like it. What a deceitful lie many have come to believe! In reality an ancient word from Job is so pertinent, "They grope in darkness with no light." Christians are often portrayed as a disgruntled, judgmental type of people who really don't know how to enjoy life. I contrast that portrayal with my observation and experience of being in a joy-filled church service, gathered around a big dining room table in a home fellowship meeting, or being with men on a campout (Stephen). I consider a happy marriage and the blessing of family and friends to be among the many joys of living in the light. I'll take that over the dark and often dangerous places anytime! The radiant light of God's Holy Word exposes and dispels darkness. When God's servants live as children of light, darkness is dissipated. All of us, in one way or another, have some darkness around us. By God's grace and through His might, as believers we want our light to shine brightly to expose and then dispel the darkness! We cannot dabble in darkness and still live in the light. God has not called us to blend in but rather we are to stand out as those whose lives are filled "with goodness, righteousness and truth". When we try to blend in we are putting ourselves at danger since one force will eventually overtake the other. The third daily text says we were once darkness but are now light in the Lord and thus we are to live as children of light. We must have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. At this time when crusaders of darkness are applauded and in some instances upheld as role models, let us hear the resounding call God has placed upon us to "live as children of light!" There is a candle in every soul Some brightly burning, some dark and cold There is a Spirit who brings a fire Ignites a candle and makes His home Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Jesus, You are the Light of the world. And because You reside in our hearts we are a reflection of Your holy light. The world we live in is dark and growing even darker as Satan's sinister and deceitful schemes are being played out. Help us not to look the other way when darkness is spreading lest the darkness overshadow us in time. Instead would You empower us through the light of Your Holy Spirit to shine in a wicked and decadent society. We come against the darkness by speaking against wickedness in all forms. And, Lord, help us to be consistent not only in what we speak but the manner in which we live. May the fruit of light be evident in all we do. It is in Your name, Jesus, that we pray. Amen. Today's message title "Groping in darkness" comes from an interesting phrase found in a section of Job that deals with leaders. "He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away. He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth's people and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in darkness with no light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man" (Job 12:23-25). That is certainly a portion worthy of further consideration.  Ivan demontrated for me that the pump still works (notice the big hole for the 60' well just beyond the pump).  Here's an example of the kind of old stuff you see at Ivan's place. Brooksyne wants me to make a display for her flower pots like this. We have the old sash so... Monday we shared a selection of photos from a Russian church service we attended this last Lord's Day. We were curious about the Scripture texts on the wall in the front. Yelena, who invited us to the service, explains: The one on the left is Matthew 12:33 "for a tree is recognized by its fruit" The one in the center is 2nd Chronicles 6:20 "That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night." The one on the right is Galatians 6:7 "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." We always have a verse in the center (year round) and change it every once in a while. The verses on the sides are usually ones that get added on holidays or special celebrations. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Light Your World" Video NewSong "Carry Your Candle" Video Chris Rice "Go Light Your World" Video Kathy Troccoli (same song as "Carry Your Candle" but another style) American Pickers is a show about "Antique Archaeology" A reader observing this photo from last week informed me that "the model A Ford one seater with the model T Ford back wheels is what depression era farmers called a "cut down" tractor meaning it was cut down from a car." Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 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)  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 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. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 10/2/12: $12,791.00. 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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