Daily Encouragement (05/31/13) "Learning To Please The Lord"

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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 ·   ·     ·    Click here to support our ministry. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Friday, May 31, 2013 Listen to this message on your audio player. Note: In spite of a new mic I'm still having problems with the podcast and thus it's not available today! "Learning To Please The Lord" "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Ephesians 5:6-11). The other day we were visiting a company and saw the old blue VW beetle shown in our opening photo parked in the parking lot. I inquired inside and learned it was owned by Jerry, a supervisor who is actually taller than I am bu certainly a bit thinner. I told him seeing the VW prompted an old memory and asked if it would OK if I sat inside it. Of course he consented, so I crammed my 6'2, 250 pound frame inside so Brooksyne could take the photo! She grew up on a farm and by the time she was 13 was driving a tractor so using a clutch was her experience from the beginning. But I learned to drive using an automatic transmission. My older brother Pat had bought a VW beetle while in the service in Belgium and gave me permission to take it for a drive. He told me using a clutch was different than automatic but being a cocky teenager I brushed his advice aside confident I could handle it. I went with my Mom and two girls I can't recall. I thought one of them was my younger sister Genelle but she couldn't recall this incident and if she had been a part of it she almost certainly would have remembered! We took off for a drive through Independence Missouri and I popped the clutch persistently. I just couldn't get the hang of it. At one point I came upon the railroad tracks crossing 35th Street west of Noland Road when of all things I stalled on the railroad tracks with a huge freight train coming. I panicked and couldn't get it going so I jumped out and some other drivers helped me push that little VW bug off the tracks. Thankfully the train was advancing very slowly so it really wasn't a close call.  I managed to make it home and after that frightening experience quickly got the hang of using a clutch. In fact I drove a propane delivery truck while in college and a school bus in the early years of our ministry. Although I haven't driven a manual transmission in many years I am quite sure I could resume quite naturally without popping the clutch! Today's entire passage is so powerful and informative but let us focus on on a single phrase, "trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Some skills in life may be a bit hard to learn at first, such as those learning to drive with a clutch, or learning to stay afloat while swimming, or keeping a bike in motion while riding. But once the skill is learned it comes naturally and does not need to be relearned. We don't forget how to swim or ride a bike even if we haven't done so for many years. But in regard to spiritual truths and pleasing the Lord it is a lifelong learning pursuit. The Precept commentary states: "Believers are required to walk as children of light, examining and determining what is acceptable to the Lord. They are to regulate their conduct by a regard to what is well-pleasing to Him. That is the ultimate standard of judging whether anything is right or wrong, worthy or unworthy of those who have been enlightened from above. 'Trying to learn' means putting to the test for the purpose of approving, proving, commending or accepting as good and authentic. As our minds are renewed through God's Word, we prove in our experience what pleases God." * Romans 12: 2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Here are several principles from Ephesians 5 for those who have a heart in "trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord". These can Biblically inform us as to how we may please the Lord regarding any issue we may have questions about: 1) We are called to be imitators of God.  (V. 1) 2) There should not be a hint of evil in our behavior. (V. 2) 3) We are not to be deceived by empty words. (V. 6) 4) The Bible prohibits ungodly partnerships. (V. 7) 5) We are called to live as children of light (V. 8) 6) We are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness  (V. 11) 7) We are to be very careful, then, how we live—not as unwise but as wise (V. 15) May the Lord enable each of us who follow Him to have a lifelong pursuit in "trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Today may we all deeply understand just how much our heavenly Father loves and cares for us and again freely submit to Him as obedient children earnestly seeking "to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we are called to imitate You.  When we imitate You there is not a hint of evil in our behavior; we are not deceived by empty words but live as children of light and have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them. Help us to be careful, then, how we live; not as unwise or uninterested learners, but as wise, quick and enthused learners of that which pleases You. We want to learn what is pleasing to You all the days we inhabit the earth. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. * Precept commentary notes on Ephesians 5:10 I had forgotten today's clutch learning story until seeing the VW Beetle the other day and called my brother this morning over 40 years later. He may have wondered why the clutch slipped after I had used it. This prompted a memory on his part concerning his wife Laverne, who was raised by missionary parents in Africa. For some reason she liked sports cars when she came to America. She was considering buying a Pontiac Firebird and took it for a test drive. Although she had driven a manual she nevertheless kept popping the clutch as she left the dealer lot. Interestingly to this day, although she is now in her mid-sixties, she prefers a manual transmission which she has on her current car. Another car memory this prompted: My sister in law had a Pontiac GTO (a sixties "muscle" car). I was allowed to take it for a ride along with a friend. By this time I was confident in using a manual transmission. It was a powerful car with a huge engine and "four on the floor" manual transmission. I was excited to show my friend what the car could do so I drove out to the edge of town and pulled up to a four way stop. (I specifically recall it was the intersection of 39th Street and Lees Summit Road for those from that area!) I looked ahead and to both sides. Then I took off, laying down rubber in each gear. We laughed as we zoomed along in fourth gear, but then I heard a siren and looked behind to see a police car chasing me. In my enthusiasm I had forgotten to look behind when I took off! Amazingly I got a very stern warning from the officer but no ticket. I am sure he had a good chuckle at such a foolish teenager and can only imagine the story he had to tell the other officers that day! An Amish Drag Race! Yesterday was a beautiful, quite warm day and it seems more than the usual amount of Amish buggies were on the road. South of New Holland PA we followed a buggie driven by an Amish woman who, apparently due to the heat, was sitting 1/2 way outside the buggie.   She must have challenged the buggie immediately in front of her to a drag race and pulled over to the passing side and the buggies picked up speed and raced side by side for a moment. However you might notice that there is a car coming in the opposite lane! Due to oncoming traffic she had to slow down and pull in behind the other buggie. I spoke last night to an Amish friend who laughed when I shared about this and he told me that this is not unusual, especially among the young men. Many of the horses used to pull the buggies are former race horses. The children in the buggie ahead of the drag racing buggies enjoyed watching the action out the back window! Yesterday we shared about our visit with Rick Masciantonio who returned to his home in Massachusetts after attending the "Banner Of Truth" minister's conference held in our area. Rick is a longtime friend I first met 20 years ago in the church we served in Taunton Massachusetts. He now preaches/teaches as many as seven times per week! He is surely one of the most studious men I have ever met. Our Transport for Christ chaplain friend, Bunny O'Hare, stopped by yesterday and told us a story that deeply stirred his and Peg's heart regarding the Bible he purchased earlier that day at the local Thrift Store. While thumbing through it he came across a TFC newsletter dated back to 1978 with a poem written by Joyce Mast who (along with her husband Melvin) were Bunny and Peg's very first supporters (both since deceased). In addition there was another newsletter in the same Bible about a missionary couple who served for many years in New Guinea with Peg's sister and husband. Perhaps you can relate to those tender moments when "coincidental" happenings are really more providential in origin reminding You of God's workings in your life. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Oh, I Want To Know You More"  Video  Steve Fry Oh, I want to know You more Deep within my soul, I want to know You Oh, I want to know You To feel Your heart and know Your mind Looking in Your eyes stirs up within me Cries that say I want to know You 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 12/31/12) 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. 2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 5/30/13: $8,713.00 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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 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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Daily Encouragement (05/30/13) "Seeing The Bigger Picture"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.

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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 ·   ·     ·    Click here to support our ministry. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Thursday, May 30, 2013 Listen to this message on your audio player. "Seeing The Bigger Picture" (Note: Due to the historical detail that is in this study it is longer than normal.  The spiritual application is summed up in the last several paragraphs.) "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). 1) Opening Illustration Several years ago I noticed my lower shower faucet leaked even after it was turned off, beginning with a slight drip and then worsening to a slow stream. Since this was the hot water side I knew it would increase my electric bill. I intended to get it fixed but since I didn't know how to repair or replace the faucet myself I cut a small hole in the wall behind the shower stall and placed two valves in the supply lines right before the faucet. For several years I have had to open these valves prior to taking a shower and also had to advise our guests to do the same, calling it our "innovative water saving system". Since this hole can be seen when the door is closed we cover it with the picture (right) especially when others visit. Rick, our friend who is visiting us from New England, has plumbing skills and told me he would replace the faucet. As we began working on the project he examined the small rectangular opening I had cut out and determined that he would need to make an even larger access cut. He then teasingly suggested that we might want to get a bigger picture to cover the even larger hole. Being spiritually minded he quipped, "It's always good to see the bigger picture." I began to think about his words and considered that it's easier to fix our eyes on the "smaller picture" that affects us personally and ignore the bigger picture that has more far-reaching effects. But we should be learning to focus on the bigger picture as our perspective matures over the years. Today we will draw a lesson from a little known ancient account concerning Joseph. Of all the accounts that describe Joseph's unwavering faith this is the only one the author of Hebrews uses: "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). 2) A Lesson From History In recent years Muslim extremists have desecrated a sacred Jewish site called "Joseph's Tomb." Up until this time I had not been aware that the location of the tomb of Joseph was even known or still had significance to devout Jews. (But I shouldn't have been surprised!) Allow me the opportunity today to trace its history in the Bible. It's one more incredible way in which the ancient events of the Bible have a bearing on modern man. Joseph, the clearly favored son of the patriarch Jacob, is well-remembered for his coat of many colors. Many of us will remember from our childhood memories how the plain flannelgraph board suddenly brightened with many hues of color as the Sunday School teacher added the coat of many colors visual aid to help us remember and treasure this timeless story. The suspense builds as Joseph gets sold into Egyptian slavery by his jealous brothers and through a series of providential events including a time in prison he becomes the Prime Minister in Egypt, prospering immensely. But he never loses his identity and faith in God nor does his heart wane. Because of this, God raises him up for the deliverance of the fledgling people of God as recorded in the latter chapters of Genesis. Joseph knew where his real home was and, just prior to his death, made this very explicit request: "And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place'" (Genesis 50:25).  The truths of God were transmitted orally in those days, passed down from generation to generation before Moses first placed the Scriptures in written form. I believe Joseph surely was aware of a very specific promise made by the Lord to his great-grandfather Abraham. "Know for certain that your descendents will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.  But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions" (Genesis 15:13,14). This promise was made even before Abraham's son Isaac was born! Many years later Joseph died and the people of God were enslaved in Egypt. Moses, as their leader, was ready to pull out of Egypt during the Exodus, but he remembered this important request from Joseph and acted to fulfill it. "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place'" (Exodus 13:19). Somebody had to haul those bones around! First across the Red Sea and through the wilderness for 40 years under Moses, then across the Jordan River and all during the time of conquest under Joshua.  Finally, after Joshua died, they fulfilled an old promise by laying these bones to rest.  "And Joseph's bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants" (Joshua 24:32). And for some 3,400 years this tomb has been a place of remembrance for faithful Jews. 3) The Spiritual Application What motivated Joseph? After all, when he made the request he had become very comfortable and prosperous in Egypt. He was revered by both the Egyptians and the Israelites, who were at the time of his death honored and welcome guests of the Egyptians. Bluntly speaking Egypt had been good to Joseph. The answer is found in the only biographical statement made concerning Joseph in Hebrews 11, the great "Faith Chapter". "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). Joseph, by faith, saw the bigger picture. He knew where his real home was as a great-grandson of Abraham. I believe one of our biggest faith challenges on this side of eternity is seeing the bigger picture and keeping it our major focus as we journey below.  This is true during the good and bad times.  By faith we who have trusted in Jesus are also children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Today, let us, like Joseph, get our focus on the bigger picture and align our priorities accordingly! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer:  Father, there are so many enticements this world has to offer that rival for my devotion. I must be careful not to let the  allurements this world has to offer deter me from the bigger picture; my eternal home in heaven or the promises that are yet to be filled. So that I don't lost sight of the kingdom of God I desire godly discernment day in and day out in the choices I make that will help me remain faithful and fully committed to You in my Christian walk. I ask for Your help in the strong name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Amen. Stephen's note: I have some interest in my genealogy and today there are websites to assist in this such as ancestry.com.  I wonder how many of us have any knowledge at all of our ancestors beyond three or four generations? In my case I knew my grandparents on both sides but none of my great grandparents, who had passed away by the time I came around. What little I remember about my great-grandfather is that he went back to visit his homeland in Germany on a steamship with my grandfather, as told by my mother. That would have been around 1900. I have been told on my father's side I am an descendant of Abram Clark who signed the Declaration of Independence. But incredibly Joseph lived and died some 3800 years ago! The Israelites were carrying his bones prior to his final burial in Shechem some 400 years after his death. Amazing!! Yesterday we had a time of fellowship with Rick Steudler, a friend of ours, and also visited with his 96 year old mother. We all enjoyed her resident duck who sings "You Are My Sunshine" which left us all with a sunny disposition. John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace" was 82 years old and blind who said shortly before he died, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." See here. Rick took our photo in Jeanette's back yard while we were admiring her Chinese Dogwood. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Going Home"  Video  Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "There Will Be A Day" Video  Jeremy Camp "No More Night"  Video  David Phelps "Save A Place For Me"  Video  Matthew West   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 12/31/12) 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. 2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 5/29/13: $8,528.00 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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 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

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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Daily Encouragement (05/29/13) "How Great Thou Art"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.

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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 ·   ·     ·    Click here to support our ministry. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Wednesday, May 29, 2013 Listen to this message on your audio player. "How Great Thou Art" "Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:2,10). Psalm 111 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed: We both enjoy observing God's creation, otherwise referred to as nature. You can see the works of the Lord all around you regardless of where you live, although I must admit living in the country it seems the observance of His works is even more abundant and evident. Presently we see the tiny corn plants emerging through the loose soil that in several months will stand over 7 feet tall! Psalm 48:1 declares, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised." Absolutely, God is great in His divine nature, but in our passage today we focus on the greatness of His works. The Psalmist proclaims, "Great are the works of the Lord." It's truly amazing what the Lord has done in creation from the micro to the macro. "They (His works) are studied by all who delight in them." George Washington Carver wrote "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour if we will only tune in."  As a devout Christian, Carver considered his laboratory, "God's Little Workshop." Part of delighting in God is studying His works which should lead us to delighting in them. Another version uses this phrase "they are pondered". We are called Scripturally to study these marvelous gifts from God. Study means to reflectively examine and investigate. When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: What a great Creator God we serve! One of the theological "proofs" for the existence of God is known as the teleological, which asserts that the very design so evident in the order shows a Designer behind it. I see God's handiwork and design everywhere I look. But there's a part of this Scripture portion that I find especially insightful: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" Worded another way; Fearing the Lord and obeying His commandments result in gaining wisdom and good understanding. Or to word this concept negatively; choosing not to fear the Lord or obey His commands leads to foolishness. Of course we see in our age a massive departure from fearing the Lord and keeping His commands. The verse comes to mind "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:20-22). We make this declaration today through another Psalm of David, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). "How Great Thou Art" continues in the third verse with an extolling of God's work in the redemption of His people. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died, to take away my sin. Indeed, "His praise endures forever."  Amen! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, Your works surround us and add such depth and beauty to our daily experiences in life.  You not only tend to our daily needs but through Your great works You delight our senses by that which we see, touch, hear, and feel as we admire Your handiwork. Help us to pause in our busy schedules to listen to the rippling brook, smell the tree blossoms, observe the mountain grandeur and  recognize Your creative power in the plentiful ornamentals that we have the privilege of planting, growing and tending over the warm months each year. Your great works are observed in the Scriptures and admired in our daily lives.  How wonderfully extravagant is Your works that we enjoy each day, for it is truly the heavens declaring Your glory and the firmament showing Your handiwork. For them we are grateful. Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "How Great Thou Art"  Video  (a bit more contemporary)  Not specified Video  (traditional) Homecoming Having shared most of the hymn in the body of our message today we really should share the last verse and refrain! When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!" Refrain Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! "How Great Is Our God"  Video  Chris Tomlin "All Creatures Of Our God And King"  Video  Sovereign Grace Music Rick Masciantonio, a long-time friend we met in the church we served in New England is visiting us for several days while he attends a "Banner Of Truth" pastor's conference. He is a very serious student of God's Word and quite a number of his sermons are posted online. Here is the latest that supplements this message well in regard to the point on fearing God. "The Everlasting Gospel and the Fear of God" Audio  This message is a very powerful explanation of the crumbling foundations all about us. In a couple of days we will share about an experience we had with Rick helping us out with a long overdue project that serves as a spiritual lesson. Off today's topic but very interesting and timely in "understanding the times". Jay Smith is a missionary with a very unusual and bold approach, seeking to present the message of Christ to the Islamic radicals in London. Jay is an expert in Christian-Muslim Apologetics, having worked with Muslims for [over] 23 years. He is famous for his unique evangelistic ministry. Every weekend he leads dozens of Christians to the Speakers Corner in Hyde Park in London, where they meet with hundreds of Muslims face to face, to make friends, answer tough questions, debate the latest research and ideas, and share their faith. Smith heads up Hyde Park Christian Fellowship, and emphasizes the use of Polemics with Muslims, over Apologetics. I have met him personally and he is the real deal. He has a very interesting perspective on recent barbaric events in London in this video. 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 12/31/12) 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. 2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 5/28/13: $8,52 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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 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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