Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement. A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Monday, September 2, 2013  Our front view before the 2013 corn harvest (click for larger image) "The Sanctity Of Work"  Listen to this message on your audio player."Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Exodus 20:9)."Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12). "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). On Saturday afternoon the view from our front yard changed from the photo above to the one below this paragraph since the Brubaker farm workers harvested the 36 acre cornfield across from our house. The operation included a huge 600 HP John Deere harvester machine that cut eight rows of corn, chopped it up and blew it into harvest trucks that ran beside the harvester. Four of these trucks worked in rotation with a delivery of the freshly harvested silage to the farm about a mile away. Through the afternoon and into the night the operation continued until about 11:00 PM. The silage will be used in a large dairy operation with 850 milking cows.  Our front view after the 2013 corn harvest (click for larger image) Harvest is a very busy time for farmers but also rewarding as they see the fruit of their labors. This morning I spoke to Mike, the farmer who is harvesting the fields across from us, and he reported how busy the field workers were. They are harvesting two more fields across from us today. Harvest is hard work but we all benefit from hard work, both that of others such as the farm workers and that of our own participation. I suppose based on the quantity and variety of produce available we are at the peak season for harvest in our area although of course something is practically always being harvested. Tomorrow we will share about our personal harvest and prep for the future. The fourth commandment is best known for the Sabbath Day of Rest but actually it also has a command to work as seen in the first text: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Exodus 20:9)  I appreciate the message of two books written many years ago which are titled "Your Work Matters to God" and "Why America Doesn't Work". In the course of our work as business chaplains we regularly affirm people who are hard at work.Stan is a friend who runs a small pallet shop. He employs several laborers and works very hard to keep his business running. He's also our Sunday School teacher and sees his business and workplace as part of his overall ministry. The title of our message "Sanctity of Work" indicates that our work can and should be set apart as part of our devotion and obedience to God. God has ordained work in His created order. One of the great curses on our land brought on by misguided liberal "compassion" is the many who have become dependent on the government rather than taking responsibility for their own lives. Responsibility includes hard work, refraining from destructive behavior, and being patient in the process of delayed gratification. Efforts to address the problem by massive dependency were (for some) well-meaning but look at the colossal monster that it has created! Now we have several generations that have no clue as to how the economy works nor do they recognize their own personal responsibility in their need to work.  Paul reminded them of the value of work and the consequences of not working. Notice that in both portions Paul was merely reminding them of his teaching while he was with them. I believe this indicates that this teaching was an integral part of Paul's ministry. He modeled it himself when he made tents in Corinth for a time. Read the text again. It's from God's holy Word and just as much a part of the inspired Scriptures as the rich "theological" portions. As you work (or return to work tomorrow) rejoice in this act of obedience to God. And pray that our country will return to its godly foundations, including a Biblical worldview of work. Today as you work remember the words of the Scripture and see your labor as an act of faith and obedience, indeed recognizing the sanctity of work. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, help us to view work as a blessing from You that gives us opportunity to participate in gathering adequate provisions for our family as well as making a positive difference in our work setting. We seek to overcome challenges in the workplace and are able to do so because we do our work heartily, as for You, Lord primarily. We seek to be just and diligent in our work not just when we're being observed by our supervisors or fellow-employees, but we remain aware that You are always watching over us. We don't resent or dwell on the negatives of our work or workplace, but recognize how we serve You well when we work with a cheerful heart. And we can do so knowing that our reward is not just the weekly paycheck but most importantly the glorious eternal inheritance we receive in heaven. Keep us faithful we pray. Amen.Additional Note: Paul's statements are so needed today in today's culture where "the world owes me a living" mindset affects far too many. However, his views would surely seem to be lacking compassion by many, who have no problem with dependency on the government. Today the concept of consequences is foreign to many, who have been conditioned to believe the government should intervene in every human condition and fix it. Indeed many of the immediate consequences of sinful, irresponsible behavior have been temporarily removed. But the Scripture warns us, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). A gratifying feedback message: We shared a message about death and pointed out Stephen's first exposure to death was a plane accident near an AFB near Belton Missouri in December 1961. He wrote:  "On December 19, 1961 a large 4 engine cargo plane crashed in a field out west of Belton, killing all seven crew members. When my dad got home from work that afternoon we drove out to the crash site where we could see recovery workers among the still smoldering wreckage.We stood silently observing the carnage on a day I can still recall as cold and drizzly. After awhile my dad placed his hand on my shoulder and explained death to me. He solemnly pointed out, 'Son, these men had families who will not see them this Christmas.' My dad had trained as a pilot during World War 2 so perhaps this scene also gave him some pause for consideration." This morning I received this email message: "I read your story on the Belton Air force accident on December 19, 1961. My Father was on the plane. I was born a few days after the accident on December 27, 1961. Although I never meet my dad it's encouraging that someone still remembers." 2013 Harvest Photos  The silage harvest began at the left front side of the field in the above photos.  Since there was no room for the truck at the side of the harvester when the first row is cut the silage is discharged behind the harvester. You can only imagine how powerful that blower must be!  After the first row is harvested the truck can receive the silage from the side.  This view shows the harvester and truck from behind. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Lord Of The Harvest" Video The Imperials A reminder of our call to work in the spiritual harvest. "We'll Work 'Til Jesus Comes" Video Gaither Homecoming Singers (While this song is probably primarily referring to our work for the Lord I believe a good application is work in general as well!) "Glorious Freedom" Video Yesterday we sang this in our church and it was... glorious! I can hardly imagine how a small congregation could sound any better! "Harvest Time" Video Luke Bryan (not a spiritual song but some great photos and video of the harvest!)   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 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 9/2/13: $13,653.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  If a friend forwarded this to you, you can subscribe here.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 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: These messages are only sent from us to people who request it; please accept our apologies if it reached you in error. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time. 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  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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