"Famous Or Faithful?"

RSS Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, December 7, 2007 Snow scene in our backyard. (Click on photo to enlarge) Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. "Famous Or Faithful?" "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!" (Galatians 6:11). A thought-provoking message on a church sign states: "Better to be faithful than famous." Although there are some noted famous people who are also faithful consider those whom so many recognize as "famous" who are certainly not faithful. Merely consider so many of the famous names in sports, entertainment and politics. The desire for fame drives others to seek it using evil means such as the recent mass murderer in the Omaha shopping mall. News reports indicate his suicide note stated, "Now I'll be famous." Today I'd like to introduce you to a friend who is not famous but he is faithful. In fact only a few readers have ever heard of him. Everett was a part of the church I served in Taunton Massachusetts in the nineties. He's been in that church since the early 70's and continues to attend now over 30 years later. Everett never finished high school and has a reading disorder known as dyslexia. He's had a lot of overcoming in life, yet he sought to provide for his family and is an outstanding "handyman". In 1999 Everett was diagnosed with a neurological disorder that further hindered him and he is now retired, but like the Energizer bunny, he just keeps on going. He had a burden to read through the Bible. Reading is very hard for him and his reading pace is very slow and extremely laborious, but he managed to get through it. The few minutes it takes the average person to read a chapter may require several hours for Everett. He wants to live his life for Christ and use the skills that God has given him to make a difference, rather than make excuses for the skills or talents he doesn't have. Many scholars speculate that the apostle Paul had a chronic eye problem. In his epistle to the Galatians he refers to an illness which was a major trial when he visited them. He wrote, "If you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me" (Galatians 4:15). In the daily text he likely refers to this ailment when he concludes the letter in his own handwriting and says, "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!" In the case of the daily text it seems that that most of the book was dictated to an associate, technically called an "amanuensis." As I examine this passage I consider just how meaningful having the esteemed Apostle's very own handwriting must have been to the initial reader. It was a mark of authenticity but also a very personal expression. (Only the original handwritten document would have conveyed this since as the document was copied it would have all been in the same handwriting and of course no distinction is made in the text type in our printed Bibles.) In 2 Corinthians he speaks of a "thorn in the flesh", which may also be referring to this very same physical ailment. He prayed to have this affliction removed, but instead God gave him these words of assurance: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul had this and other excuses to hinder his work but he didn't let them. His negative critics said, "His letters are weighty and forceful, in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing" (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Apostle Paul and our brother, Everett, are both faithful overcomers. Paul of course became famous but Everett, like the vast majority that serve God, has not. We all have excuses, but God doesn't want us to lean on them. Rather He wants us to lean on Him, for when we are weak, then He is strong. Let us all be faithful overcomers by His grace. It is better to be faithful than famous! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, we are inspired by those very special people that You have called out from among the ordinary. They look to You for physical strength and extraordinary faith to overcome the obstacles that would otherwise hinder their ability to live a productive life. They're living examples of the redeemed who have invited Your strength to be perfected in their weakness. When we are powerless, You are all-powerful and You receive the glory due Your name. So help us not to resent our weaknesses or limitations, for it is in these challenges that we can take no credit but rather give honor to the One who makes all things possible for those who believe. Amen. Everett gave me permission to tell his story. I called him this morning for an update on his condition and we had a nice time of sharing over the phone. We had our first significant snowfall this season and it's still very cold outside. This photo was taken by Doris High and used by permission. Suggested Music "A Servant's heart" (Audio) "Take My Life And Let It Be" (Audio) "Potter's Hand" (Audio) "Famous One" (Audio) A song concerning the Lord! Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" http://www.dailyencouragement.net/

"Peace"

RSS Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Thursday, December 6, 2007 A snowy pasture in Virginia Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. "Peace" "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). I suppose we all have different scenes or experiences that we would describe as being peaceful. For me it's sitting next to a warm fireplace as I watch the snow fall outside. It's also bundling up and taking a long walk along a snow-covered trail. We awoke this morning to partially snow-covered landscaping and I experienced both, although the cabin where we are staying in Virginia does not have a fireplace! For some of you my description is quite chilling as you would rather consider a peaceful scene of walking along a sandy beach kicking back the splashing waves as the sunrays beam their warmth upon your shoulders. I have a good friend who feels a great deal of peace when the rain is pouring down. He feels more energetic and has a brighter countenance whereas others might feel drained and be miserable (especially after several days of rain.) In the early eighties it was very popular in churches to learn Scripture verses set to music. Today's text is a verse I learned this way and I am quite certain that many who were in the church I pastored at that time can still recite the verse based on its accompanying tune. We still hear from people in our former congregations share how easily they recall Scripture verses that Brooksyne and other worship leaders taught them using musical tunes. So do we and I'm sure many of you do as well! I am so thankful for the words of our Lord Jesus in this passage! "These things I have spoken unto you." He is giving His final teaching to His disciples prior to the cross. He knows what their lot would be as His followers. Our Lord readily acknowledged and prepared His disciples for tribulation (trouble, trials) in His matter of fact declaration, "In the world you will have tribulation." This may seem a strange thought, but have you ever considered that the presence of tribulation in your life is an evidence of Christ's truthfulness and faithfulness? Have you ever met a believer going through a hard trial who in faith joyfully declares to others, "God is keeping His promise" in regard to the very presence of the trial? But the great promise included an underlying peace: "in Me ye might have peace." Christ's desire is that His followers have this peace, surely meaning in this case the sense of emotional and spiritual rest and much needed assurance that can only come through a fervent relationship with the Peacemaker Himself. The apostle Paul wrote, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:8). We know some of you are facing trouble today. We know and speak to some of you personally and we hear from others via email. It may be concerning your health, a family matter, a financial issue or a work-related problem. For some it's undergoing persecution as a result of living for the Lord, which I believe is certainly what Jesus foundationally had in mind when he first uttered these prophetic words, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." Hear the assuring words of our Lord, "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!" I've added the exclamation point because I believe that's the tone of how Christ spoke these encouraging words. He said it with absolute confidence even before His agony in Gethsemane and His suffering and death on the cross at Calvary. He knew His Father had everything under control. And our Father still has everything under control. He always does! Let us experience this wonderful peace of God today as we commit ourselves to His unfailing love. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank You for calming the raging storm in my soul when You took up residency within my heart, as You removed my sins and replaced them with Your righteousness. This eternal exchange has brought me countless joy, abiding peace, and a home in heaven. It is once and for all established in the heavens and serves as an anchor to provide unwavering hope even while the torrential waves of world tragedies, wars, fears, strife, and personal difficulties attempt to shatter my peaceful state of mind. You have promised to keep me in perfect peace when my mind and heart are fixed upon You* rather than the besetting problems that confront me daily. Help me to wholeheartedly seek You and rely on Your Holy Word so that I will experience perfect peace. It is in this spiritual attitude that I will fully trust You to work out the problems that greatly concern me and it will help me not to take matters into my own hands which only leads to more trouble. You have overcome the world and You will also help me to overcome my troubles. Amen. *"Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because He trusteth in Thee, O Lord" (Isaiah 26:3). (Another of those golden texts from Scripture set to music in the 70's that has freed me from the weariness of worry many, many times. As I sing these words from Scripture I find strength, courage, and redirect my focus from worry to trust.) In Monday's message I shared a photo of a "John Deere yellow" Christmas tree in a local supermarket that was decorated with many green John Deere ornaments. Alvin Worthley, is my national chaplaincy supervisor and also an avid "farm boy" who grew up in rural Minnesota. He made the following observation after seeing the photo: "The tree in your devotional, which certainly is good advertising for John Deere, would look better with some red, blue, and orange. Just think of the variety -- Farmall, Case, Ford, New Holland, International, Oliver, Minneapolis Moline, etc. As we reach out to the 'red and yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight' I trust our mission will be to harvest the “whosoever will.” Amen to that and I would add an Allis Chalmers as well, the tractor I grew familiar with on my Uncle Gentry's farm in southern Missouri when I was a boy! We don't have any special music again today since we do not have an internet connection in the cabin where we are preparing the message. (We use the internet and a search engine to find online music files to share that we feel relate to the message or would otherwise be a blessing.) We are able to prepare the message offline and we expect to find a Panara Bread or similar place with wireless internet access to send the message out as we travel back to Pennsylvania later this morning from our brief getaway here in Virginia. Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" http://www.dailyencouragement.net/

"Garments Of Skin"

RSS Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Horses in northern Virginia Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. "Garments Of Skin" "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). We are spending a couple of days in a wilderness cabin in Virginia near Charlottesville. There are a lot of horses and it's a beautiful sight to see them peacefully graze in the open field. I noticed when we arrived Monday afternoon that due to the cold weather several had a covering over their back but most did not. I took the daily photo during a long walk yesterday afternoon and apparently it was warm enough that none of the horses needed the clothing. The very first immediate consequence of the fall was that Adam and Eve became cognizant of their own nakedness and need for a covering. The Bible describes their pre-fallen condition as "naked and not ashamed." An easily observable condition to this day is the natural and unashamed nakedness in the animal kingdom. If animals are clothed it's due to a novelty for humans such as putting sweaters on dogs or perhaps an assumption that they need additional warmth in severe climates. Even the "higher" animals, those that evolutionists claim are "more related" to us, do not clothe themselves. The need to clothe and the ability to do so is distinctively human and goes back to the consequence of the fall. At the very moment of Adam's transgression (interestingly not Eve's) their eyes were "opened, and they realized they were naked" (Genesis 3:7). They crudely sewed fig leaves together to make coverings and sought to hide from God. But God initiated the search and the very first words from God to fallen Adam were "Where are you?" God proceeded to pronounce judgment for their disobedience. But God also acted redemptively. Consider the provision in the daily text: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). Where did the "skin" come from? Up to this point there had been no death in the Garden. Surely an animal or animals were slain to provide these skins. (It sure wasn't road kill!) Blood was shed. I believe it was likely a lamb, but that's not specified. The two verbs are so rich in meaning. God made and God clothed. What a wonderful type of a provision that was to come for all mankind! Isaiah proclaimed and so can we today, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). We fast forward to the birth of Christ when Almighty God became the supreme articulation of Deity to all humankind. Charles Wesley, in his first published hymn text, reveals God's greatest Gift to the world in the following words: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity. Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel. Among the poignant wonders of the incarnation is that Mary wrapped the newborn Jesus in cloths and placed Him in a manger. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, my soul rejoices in the wondrous Gift of Your Son, Jesus, who descended from the sinless atmosphere of heaven and clothed Himself in the garment of humankind. Prior to this marvelous undertaking You spoke to us through the prophets who revealed only a partial and prepatory revelation of the Triune God. But the perfect revelation of who You are is revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ which is made understandable in human terms. For the Son is the radiance of Your glory and the exact representation of Your Being. As we have come to know Jesus, the Son of man, we also know You, Father, because Your character and power are revealed in the life and works of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for mercifully adopting us as Your children and clothing us in robes of righteousness, for without this clothing, we cannot enter heaven. Amen. See Hebrews 1:2,3 and John 14 :10 Brooksyne's Note: As I read through the devotional today many references from Scripture come to mind regarding the clothing that is not an outward adornment that brings glory to oneself. Rather I'm thinking of the clothing that dresses the inner self where the character of Christ is revealed to others as we converse and mingle with others throughout the day. Consider I Peter 3:1-6 where Paul speaks to wives regarding their inner dress. In Colossians 3:1-12 Paul tells believers to clothe themselves with humility, compassion, kindness, etc. Ephesians 6:10-17 reminds us of the ensuing battle of the enemy and the only way we will be victorious is by clothing ourselves in spiritual armor. Explanation: For any readers unfamiliar with the term "road kill" that is an animal that's been run over by a vehicle. In certain parts they will salvage the meat of a road kill deer if they know it's still fresh enough to eat safely. Brooksyne called a horse up for a visit Our wilderness cabin Here's a sense of the background. It's snowing as we finish this message! We don't have any special music today since we do not have an internet connection in the cabin where we are preparing the message. We expect to go into Charlottesville this morning and send the message from a Panara Bread! Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" http://www.dailyencouragement.net/

"Instead Of"

RSS Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Tuesday, December 4, 2007 The Christmas wreath in front of our home. Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. "Instead Of" "Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son" (Genesis 22:13). Can you recall a time in your life when you were called to obey in a way that just didn't make sense at all. This may have been an act of obedience to human authority or to God. As I am looking out of our office window I see leaves flying by as the winds must be 40 MPH which reminds me of such a time in my young life. As a twelve year old I recall my dad having me rake the leaves in front of our house even while the wind was blowing and it seemed so futile. To this day I sadly recall the disrespectful mutterings I made concerning my Dad. Abraham's great test of obedience is so powerfully instructive and a wonderful spiritual preparation as we consider the rich meaning of Christmas. After waiting so long for the son of God's promise Abraham was asked to sacrifice this very son. Apart from the lessons of faith and obedience he learned from this ordeal I find a remarkable typological lesson for all of Abraham's children. At the point of today's verse Abraham had dutifully obeyed God in taking his son Isaac up on the mountain at God's command. He was at the point of sacrifice, with his son bound, as he took the knife to slay Isaac. There's no indication at all that he was not prepared to follow through. But an angel of the Lord intervened and called out from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!...Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him." Never were sweeter or more welcomed words spoken! Abraham had passed the test. At this point, "Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son." A ram is a male sheep. At just the right time God had provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac. I marvel at the words "instead of" in the text. That's the heart of the gospel! And that ram is a powerful type of Christ who some 1,900 years later would be provided and die instead of us. Consider the message of Christmas found in Romans 5:8. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Indeed Christ died for us! He was provided as a sacrifice instead of us. Let us fully commit our lives to Him today! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins. At just the right time, while we were still powerless and dead in our trespasses, He died for us. Through His sacrificial death we are reconciled to You, our loving Father. Just as many in the human race died by the trespass of one man, Adam, how much more has Your grace overflowed, through the one man, Jesus Christ, so that we live in abundance. Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace reigns through righteousness so that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I'm so glad You're an on-time God sending Your Son, Jesus, at just the right time to save us from our sins and eternal separation from You. In the loving name of Jesus, I thank You. Amen. (Inspired by Romans 5) Note from Brooksyne: A couple years ago I shared from Genesis 22:1-18 about Abraham's Testing with a congregation in York County. As I was studying this very brief but vital portion of Scripture I considered the things that had to be going through Abraham's mind after God told him to take his son, whom he loved, and offer him as a burnt offering. The first thing that came to mind was the possible thought, "What am I going to tell Sarah when I return home alone? How could she possibly think I heard this deadly order from You, God? Will she ever speak to me again?" I have little doubt that this sort of dialogue crossed his mind, so in reality he was not only offering the sacrifice of his son, but also the very possible sacrifice of his marriage in his desire to obey God. This marvelous example from Scripture is truly an inspiration when I am reluctant to obey God when the stakes are personally high for me. Suggested Music "Wonderful Cross" (Audio) "Your Love, O Lord" (Audio) Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" http://www.dailyencouragement.net/

"Order My Steps"

RSS Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Podcast · Free email subscription <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Monday, December 3, 2007 Here's an interesting sight I suppose most of you won't see where you live. As we walk into Darrenkamp's, a locally owned grocery store, we are greeted by this yellow tree with John Deere-themed ornaments. Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. "Order My Steps" "Order my steps in Thy Word" (Psalm 119:133). We really enjoy taking lengthy nature walks and try to do so several times a week. We are getting our first blast of wintry weather and yesterday's walk was brisk as we were showered with a cold misty rain just bordering on slushy snow. Although Brooksyne doesn't take well to the cold outdoors our intent is to keep up these beneficial walks all through the winter. It brightens our outlook, gives us opportunity to talk together, increases our appreciation for God's creation, and certainly is a great health advantage. This brings to mind a more vital need in regard to our steps as expressed in the daily text by the Psalmist. I want to have an earnest, ongoing, daily desire that my steps be ordered by the Lord and based on the truths, principles, and spirit of God's Word. Other versions translate the phrase, "Establish my footsteps in Your word" (NASV) and "Direct my footsteps according to your word" (NIV). The Bible often uses the example of walking to describe how we are to live out our Christian life in step with God. The very first use of the word in a spiritual sense is in regard to Enoch who "walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Enoch's great grandson, Noah, was "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." A wonderful reassuring promise we can lean upon is from Leviticus 26:12: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." In Moses' final message to the children of Israel he often uses this same theme: "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess" (Deuteronomy 5:33). As I studied for this message I was blessed with the abundance of references all through the Bible related to this theme, far too many for this short message, but certainly worthy of study. The final Bible writer, John, uses this theme often in his letters: "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "Order my steps in Thy Word." Certainly one aspect in the personal application of the brief but power packed daily verse is having a submissive heart to learn more about God and to obey His Word. Surely we cannot merely pray this portion without have a growing knowledge of the Word and a determination to obey God. Earlier in this very Psalm we read, "I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes" (v. 59). Today, may the Lord God help each of us to truly consider our ways, direct our steps according to His statutes, and walk in step with Him! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, because I love Your commands more than worldly pleasures or temporal possessions I despise the paths that lead me astray like a lost sheep. You have gone before me and cleared the way so that I might follow in Your steps and the steps of other righteous, godly saints. I am comforted in knowing that I don't walk alone, but I walk hand in hand with You as my Guide. Through eyes of faith I see a great cloud of witnesses, those spoken of in the Bible and those I've known in my lifetime, who've already finished the race cheering me on as I persevere in this path of righteousness. May I endure hardship as a form of discipline and may I wholeheartedly seek You above everything else, for You are a Rewarder of those who diligently seek You. Amen. Brooksyne's Weekend Note: Saturday we had our friends, Mike and Michelle Stillman over for a late breakfast, along with four of their six children. As we prepared to eat Brooksyne suggested we sing "Great is Thy Faithfulness", which we frequently do with meal guests. It was wonderful to sing a hymn and to observe Annalise, their six year old daughter, confidently singing these words of praise from her heart. It turns out that this is the theme song for Philadelphia Biblical University, where Michelle's father, Sherrill Babb, serves as president. So the kids had an extra special reason to be familiar with the words of "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Our custom of singing this great hymn goes back to the mid-nineties when we pastored in New England. A father had brought his daughter, Danielle, to a secular college in our area and wanted her to attend church while she was far from home. So he, along with his wife and Danielle's siblings, brought her over to meet us. He was actually scouting us out and responsibly protecting and providing guidance to his daughter. Although these folks were recent immigrants from Grenada we immediately sensed our spiritual kinship in Christ and had the entire family over for a meal. As we were preparing to eat he suggested we sing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and it was a tremendous blessing we recall to this day. (Danielle ended up attending our church all four years of college and was a genuine blessing to our congregation.) A suggestion to our readers: Try doing this! It will be a blessing and you will also see how the first verse of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and the chorus with the line, "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided" certainly ties in a musical prayer of thanksgiving over the meal. Stephen's Weekend Note: Yesterday we had a neat experience as our church was being dismissed. Our custom, like many churches is for the pastor and his wife to stand in the back and greet the folks as they depart. Sometimes it can take a while to get out as lines form in two sanctuary aisles and it becomes a big gathering place for fellowship as we slowly wait our turn. Suddenly we heard people singing "Happy Birthday" in one line as several pointed toward Helen, a woman who was celebrating her 86th birthday. Another birthday song in a different location followed Helen's and we ended up singing it four times. There's a lot of December 2 birthdays in our church! This especially captured my thoughts because the night before we had a Community Tree Lighting on Main Street in Mount Joy. Lots of people were gathered so we saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd. I saw a man I had met only once or twice before and we got to talking. Out of curiosity I asked him how old he was and he answered "53." "So you were born in 1954?" I asked and he responded, "Yes." "What month?" "October" he replied. Watching my facial expression by now he was expecting the next question, "What day?" When he said "the 14th" it was an amazing feeling to face someone born the same day and year as I. Now that just doesn't happen every day and we were both "wowed" by this new revelation. Suggested Music "Walk By Faith" (Audio) "Thy Word Is Lamp Unto My Feet" (Audio) "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" (Audio) "He Leadeth Me" A great old hymn that comes to mind today as we prepare this message. (lyrics) (Audio) This is a long sample with some great fiddle that will leave you wanting more. It turns out that this musician Marie Barlow, only lives about 3 miles from us! Here's another sample of her music, along with her husband. A full version of the song by the Drummond Family. Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send an email message to Stephen and Brooksyne

Administration Information Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" http://www.dailyencouragement.net/