“Better Than I Deserve”
February 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm | In Assurance, Christanity, Contentment, Devotional, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ, Religion | No Comments
Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission)
Listen to us share this message on your audio player.
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:10,11).
Here in America we often greet one another with the common expression, “How are you?” When we meet one another face to face, in our conversation over the phone, or when we write a letter to a friend we regularly ask the question, “How are you?” It’s so common that, at times, I have taken a phone call and out of habit responded with the customary, “Fine” only to realize after doing so that I answered the question before they even asked it! Occasionally I respond with such phrases as “I’m doing great” or “I’m blessed” attempting to give a more genuine response to the customary greeting.
I recall a few friends, dealing with some emotional ups and downs in life, responding with a very candid admission, “I’m gonna make it” or “I’m overcoming.”
But the other day I read of a true expression which can also be a thought-provoking response to the typical greeting. It also provides an opportunity for a witness, assuming you have the boldness to use it and opportunity to explain it.
Next time someone asks you “How are you doing?” respond with, “Better than I deserve.” I’ve been doing that recently and the reaction has been quite interesting, although it may take a few seconds for the words to sink in.
In one sense I consider the phrase as a counter to the whiny, entitlement outlook that permeates our culture. It seems so many, no matter how full the cup is, focus on the half empty view. They center on that which is lacking in their life and what they feel they’re entitled to. Politicians are great at pandering to this attitude with promises such as “Help is on the way.” Incredibly it’s a sizable voting constituency.
But it’s the spiritual application that really blesses me. Consider just the first phrase in the daily text: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.” That’s a portion of Scripture verse that you can memorize as you repeat it to yourself throughout the day. In fact you may want to personalize it, “He does not treat me as my sins deserve.”
What do our sins deserve? The Bible answers in a simple Scripture phrase you should have memorized upon first coming to Christ. “The wages of sin is death.” That is: spiritual death, separation from God, eternal judgment, hell. Not a popular theme in the modern church, infiltrated with the “I’m OK, You’re OK” doctrine launched in the 70’s.
Probably the most famous sermon in American history was preached by the 18th century theologian, Jonathan Edwards, where he focused on that which we truly deserve. He wasn’t concerned with making believers “feel good” when he titled his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” or when he preached the message God gave him regarding the penalty of sin.
The next time you’re asked, “How are you?” consider the great love the Father has for you and gratefully respond, “Better than I deserve.” It might lead to a discussion that takes you beyond a surface level to a conversation of the heart.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we are thankful for Your great compassion and enduring patience; that You do not treat us as our sins deserve but with Your never-ending mercy. From everlasting to everlasting Your love is with those who walk with You, who keep Your covenant and obey Your precepts. Amen.
“Sinners in the hands of an angry God”
Click on photo to enlarge
I took this photo about ten years ago when we visited the very site where this sermon was preached in Enfield, Connecticut. (The church building has long been gone.) We were in the area for the wedding of Joel and Adrienne Charest, a young couple who had served in our church for several years, and are now on the mission field in Africa.
As I was completing today’s message I visited a favorite photo blog by Doris High. Her latest post relates to today’s message with a pictorial perspective of half-full, half-empty. (Scroll down to the photos of the glasses and read her perspective.) Steve Cornell is a pastor here in Lancaster Country and a prolific blogger. He provides a deeper perspective on today’s topic. Here’s his blog post which prompted the idea for today’s message.
If you care to do so you can read Jonathan Edward’s sermon here.
Note: Although we have prepared these messages most weekday mornings since October 1996 (11 plus years) this is only the second message prepared on February 29!
Today’s Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
Mystery song See if you recognize this old hymn you just don’t hear much these days that really blesses me in light of the daily topic. (Instrumental audio) More instrumental piano hymns.
“Praise To The Lord The Almighty!” (Audio) I like the phrase “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if in His love He befriend thee.” From this site.
“How Deep The Father’s Love” (Audio)
Today’s photo is by Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here.
“Purchased by God!”
February 28, 2008 at 1:22 pm | In Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Heaven, Redemption, Religion, Uncategorized | No Comments
Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission)
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation’” (Revelation 5:9).
I first met Floyd Miles about fifteen years ago when I lived in New England. At that time he was on the staff at a local Teen Challenge Center and had been saved for several years. We established a friendship and I’ve kept up with him through the years. He went on to establish the Teen Challenge in New Haven, Connecticut and is presently serving as a pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana. He sent me a book that has his testimony in it.
The title of the chapter dealing with his life’s story is “No Chance on Earth” and indeed his testimony is another evidence of the “wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled.” Floyd is my age but what vastly different backgrounds we have: he growing up in a rough inner city area in Harlem, New York City and me being raised in the small suburb of Belton, Missouri.
But now we are related through the blood of Christ! What a wonderful thing to be purchased by God! We become a part of God’s family comprised of every tribe and language and people and nation. The divine blood of Christ is the medium of exchange and it is absolutely, altogether adequate for the purchase.
Today’s text is a portion of a worship song sung by the twenty-four elders as they knelt before Jesus. It expresses the foundational act of redemption: “You were slain.” It also covers redemption’s glorious scope: “with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Today, members of my family are everywhere. The following song stirs my heart every time I hear the words:
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir*
We enjoy hearing from our readers, whether local or from around the world. No experience in this life will compare to the day we meet face to face in our future dwelling place, since the vast majority of our readers we interface with only through the internet. You are representative of the redeemed who are summoned from “every tribe and language and people and nation.” We do know that people from many tribes and languages and nations receive it. Each of our readers, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, are equally purchased by God! Just ask Floyd Miles when you see him in heaven.
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all;
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for this medium of internet communication that makes it possible for us to join our brothers and sisters all around the world in honoring You as we grow together in Your grace and knowledge. We are all grateful recipients of Your mercy and grace. On a future date we will join together with the angels around the throne and our redeemed brothers and sisters and proclaim in word and song, “Praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.” Amen.
*”He Reigns” by The Newsboys
(satellite photo from Google maps)
For as long as I can remember I have liked maps and geography. My favorite subject in school was social studies, that at that time included a lot about geography (no telling what they teach in “Social Studies” now)
The last several years I and I am sure many of you have enjoyed puttering around with Google earth and Google maps, examining where you live and other interesting places as seen from a satellite. Well, for my personal amusement I located each place where I have lived and compiled it on a web page called my life story as seen through google maps.
“Tell The Truth”
February 27, 2008 at 12:42 pm | In Character, Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Integrity, Religion, Truth, Uncategorized | No Comments
Listen to this message on your audio player.“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue … who keeps his oath even when it hurts” (Psalm 15:1-4).
Since we moved to Mount Joy in early 2001 I have had my car service done at a locally owned garage on West Main Street. I always ask for Eric, a young man who seems to know my vehicles, since he’s done most of the service work on them from the time I purchased them. He does a good job and I feel he’s always been honest with me.
He’s also a got a positive, friendly disposition and I like it when he says, “Have a great day, Mr. Weber.” That kind of reminds me of how Wally Cleaver talked to those his senior. Wally’s television character grew into the kind of young man I would want to do business with.
Shortly after I started going to the garage I requested an oil change for my camry. When I got home I saw that they had forgotten to place the oil filler cap back on. I called expecting it might be a hassle but Eric said, “Bring it right in, Mr. Weber, and we will put on a temporary replacement and order a new one for your model.” And that’s just what he did; promptly, no charge, and no hassle.A Christian businessman friend of mine told me about a previous job he had where he was pressured to falsify records and distort manufacturing specifications. He refused to compromise his integrity and as a result lost the job he had for many years.
Particularly painful to him were the attempts by the company to “justify” their actions by maligning him to other employees who were his close friends. This is a man who demonstrated the daily verse. His oath was acting with integrity in the business world because of his Christian convictions and because he did so he experienced significant injustice.
Many times we will find being truthful really does hurt on the short-term. Someone else got that job promotion because he was adept at misrepresentation. (In my observation falsified and misleading educational credentials are rampant in our society.) A neighbor shares with a twinkle in the eye how he got a better deal on his insurance because of an incomplete disclosure. Mankind has been lying ever since the original sin and is becoming more and more skilled in ways of deception.
Psalm 15 contains a list of characteristics required by God of the one who would dwell in God’s sanctuary and live on God’s holy hill (v. 1). In this present age these characteristics would surely apply to those desiring a close walk with God; those with a heart to live in His presence. The portion of the verse selected this morning is so very important and yet greatly lacking in our modern world.
David is reminding us of the unchanging verity of the ninth commandment, “Thou shall not bear false witness.” God wants us to keep our word and speak the truth even if it hurts. In our day of slippery words, half truths, and embellishments we need to keep our word even when it hurts. The pressures to violate the 9th command are great, but by God’s grace and in His strength we can keep from doing so. God still “desires truth in the inner parts” (Psalm 51:6a). Jesus wants us to live in the truth, to speak the truth, and to listen to the truth!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You; for it teaches me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before You. Even when it brings about hurtful circumstances help me to do the right thing in keeping with the Christ-filled nature I received upon the day of my salvation. May I not be found lacking in integrity but rather be characterized by my integrity as it honors my Father in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
I am sure his parent’s prayer is “May it ever be so!”
I enjoy storytelling and have been enjoying the online missives of Nelson Lauver, “the American storyteller”.
Here’s a sample based on today’s theme (4 minute audio)
Today’s Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
“From The Inside Out” (audio)
“Voice Of Truth” (audio)
“My Savior, My God” (audio)
“Eutychus”
February 26, 2008 at 12:40 pm | In Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Religion | No Comments
Photo by Fwren (used by permission)
Listen to this message on your audio player.“Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead” (Acts 20:9).
For some time the clock on the back wall of our church has not been working. As I recall the last time I preached I commented on it (using it to the preacher’s advantage.) The trustees have been working on the matter, having replaced the first broken clock, but apparently a second clock has not kept time either. Yesterday my friend, Ken, called me about a clock they were considering purchasing online. Ken is an enthusiastic, diligent young man who is a joy to be around. He was concerned about online security and was calling me for advice.
He was excited about the clock they had in mind. “It’s an atomic clock” he told me. When I hear atomic I think nuclear and I semi teased him, “Ken, do you think it’s wise to have a nuclear powered clock in our church?” Our area was personally impacted nearly 30 years ago by the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident and people around here can be sensitive about these matters.
He laughed and informed me that by atomic it somehow got the time from a satellite and was accurate to one millionth of a second. I’m just hoping that doesn’t cause too much stress for our pastor!
Many churches have clocks, although I’ve attended a few who for “theological” reasons do not allow them in the sanctuary. As a pastor for many years, I grew accustomed to seeing people discreetly glance at the clock on the back wall as the worship service was nearing an end. I have never seen a clock on the front wall behind the preacher. Hmmm, I wonder why!
Acts 20 has an interesting story. The apostle Paul was traveling and stopped by Troas, where he stayed for seven days. On the last day he was with them they gathered to break bread and Paul spoke to the people. He kept talking till midnight in an upstairs room with many lamps when a most unusual event took place.
“Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on.” I can imagine that lengthy service. I’ve sat through a few of those, myself, and I am usually pretty tired by midnight. Lamps of their time surely would not have provided the type of light conducive to wakefulness. And Eutychus sat in an upstairs window; surely a recipe for disaster as “Paul talked on and on.”
Sermons have gotten shorter during my lifetime and certainly have throughout Bible and church history. Most people don’t want more than half an hour now in much of the western church and the pastor sure better have some bells and whistles to keep the people’s attention, like PowerPoint and video supplements. But people still fall asleep in church!
“When he (Eutychus) was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.” Now I’ve experienced some interesting disruptions in church services. I recall, as a boy, someone dropping the offering plate off the balcony with a loud clanging of change spilling out in all directions on the tile floor (thankfully it didn’t hit anybody below.) A common disruption in our churches today are the cell phones that don’t get turned off. It’s one thing for parishioners to forget to turn off the ringer; quite another annoyance when they feel obligated to take the call right in their pew, which actually happened one time when I was preaching. Well, I’m getting off subject and the clock on my computer is ticking away (accurate timing and all) so let me get back on subject.
If the internet were available in the New Testament period this would have been a top of the news story, hitting every public and cable network and major newspaper. Reporters surely would have been on the scene with their interpretation of the situation. See below for a link to the entire Scripture text and “the rest of the story!”
The full meaning of the story perhaps only God knows, but clearly this is an account of human weakness and divine intervention. The next time you get sleepy in church perhaps Eutychus’ story will come to mind and it will prompt you to sit a little taller and lean forward as you listen more intently to what God has to say through His appointed messenger.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for godly messengers who faithfully feed Your children by diligently teaching the whole counsel of Your Holy Word. Some attend church with an intense spiritual hunger, while others may come out of a sense of duty or to be seen by others. Give us a hungry heart that yearns for more of You so that our lives are set apart to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do. May we be attentive to Your life-transforming truths as You impart them to our hearts in our personal devotions and through Your annointed messengers. Amen.
Brooksyne’s Note: I have very vivid memories of growing up in church with a father who frequently slept during the pastor’s sermons. Daddy was a laborer who would fall asleep in most any setting if he wasn’t in conversation or physically laboring. As we grew older my siblings and I would sit a few rows in front of my parents, but we’d know when Daddy fell asleep. There’d be a deep, masculine snore and then it would suddenly stop. Mom kept Dad’s snoring under control by kicking her foot against his. He’d wake up momentarily but fall back to sleep in a short time.
One Sunday evening Daddy fell asleep in the front pew of the church. Even in his sleep he could often follow the order of the service. In his sleepy stupor he mistakenly thought the pastor said, “Brother Sherrell, would you close our time in prayer?” He suddenly stood up and began to pray out a dismissal prayer……..only to be informed that the pastor was in the middle of his sermon! Imagine how mortified my family was at Dad’s mistake!
Perhaps that extremely embarrassing experience kept him a bit more alert for, at least the following Sunday!
Their five year old daughter, Janae, is cuddling them as she excitedly poses for the camera.
The story of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12)
Many years ago Christianity Today had a humor column I enjoyed called “Eutychus and His Kin”. I suppose a few of you may recall it! I do enjoy using humor to convey spiritual truths. I have a blog I don’t have much time to update called “A Little Foolishness”. I also enjoy this blog, which is generally updated daily. Caution: this is satire!
Supplemental Resources
“Holy Is The Lord” (audio) This song has absolutely no relation to today’s topic but we both like the song and we really couldn’t think of any songs that specifically go with today’s message!
“Many Hardships”
February 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm | In Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Religion, Trials | No Comments
Listen to this message on your audio player.“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:24). “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22b).
We have a fun time in our home with the easy button. Push the easy button and a voice emphatically states, “That was easy.” (Click here to hear it.) Most of you know that this is a popular ad campaign run by the super office store, Staples. Of course the intent of the button is to show us how much easier our lives will be if we remember to shop at Staples.
I have considered using this button in my preaching. When I conclude a point that I feel listeners should have grasped I could merely push the easy button. In order to experience a more interactive participation I could distribute an easy button to each attendee and they could all push it simultaneously, sort of an affirming response to my message similar to collectively saying “Amen!” Wouldn’t that make an interesting church service! (It might be a bit distracting as well.)
Of course I am teasing but the easy button has got me to pondering. We live in a time when easy is valued, expected and even an entitlement to many. We strive to do whatever is needed to make life easier, whether it’s our chores, our jobs, our relationships, or physical exercise; in other words whatever takes physical, mental, or emotional exertion on our part. This mentality can spill over into the spiritual as well and rather than considering the harder demands of Biblical discipleship we may tend to look for the easy way. When facing a call that may be hard or require great sacrifice we may choose an easier solution.
John and Esther Spurrier have served as missionaries in Zambia, Africa since the mid-seventies. John is a medical doctor who serves at Macha hospital in Zambia where he seeks to compassionately minister to the sick and needy. Yesterday he and Esther shared about their ministry in Zambia during our worship service. The power point presentation gripped our hearts as they featured photos of the sick, weak and dying they minister to daily. They issued a strong and convicting challenge to the congregation to respond to the voice of the Lord who says, “Whom shall I send and who shall go for us?” Like Isaiah, our response should be, “Here am I. Send me.”
Is there an “easy button” in the Christian life? Many of us would say, “If so, I sure want to find it.”
In the first daily text are the very words of Jesus, but a portion I really doubt if too many have memorized. He’s teaching His disciples: “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!”
In the second text Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey and are returning to some of the cities where they had earlier established churches. Their basic message to these young churches is summed up in this phrase: “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:22a).
But Luke sums up the essence of their verbal message in a single phrase, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22b). This portion bears careful attention in an age when the call to follow Christ is often presented to unbelievers as “simple” or “easy.” We might not be too comfortable sharing the above verse with those we are seeking to lead to Christ!
Notice the part “you must go through.” This hard reality seems to be an acknowledgement that there is no easy button in life. Testings of all kinds are present from our childhood to the final breath we draw in this life. Thankfully, during our times of hardships, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
I am sure some of you today are “going through many hardships.” You wonder how the particular matter you are dealing with is going to work out. You sure would like to find that “easy button.”
My fellow believer, let me encourage you today. God is faithful! He will make a way. It may not be the way we would prefer, and it may not be easy, but we have a promise of entry into the kingdom of God and His promises are absolutely sure. Let this truth encourage you today.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone. For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Keep me faithful to the end. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.
See Hebrews 6:12,19
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Friday we mentioned an extended table and had inquiry about where to get these.
John Z. Horning Tables
164 N. Shirk Road,
New Holland, PA 17557
717-354-9323
Supplemental Resources
“Be Unto Your Name” (audio) Yesterday we ended our worship service with this song. What a great song to end a service with!
Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.
“The Ultimate Extended Table”
February 22, 2008 at 2:51 pm | In Christanity, Devotional, Eternity, Heaven, Religion | No Comments
This morning I took a walk down the path across from our house and shot today’s photo.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. These are true words of God” (Revelation 19:9).
Yesterday I met Randy Williams; a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. We talked for a few minutes and in the course of our discussion he told me about a local furniture store he would shop at when he needed extended dining room tables. Extended tables, common in our area, are used for seating a large family and/or friends around a meal. We ate a Sunday meal with a family last year that seated twenty-two comfortably at their main table. The most interesting feature is that their table leafs are self-storing so the table can extend from seating a small family to a pretty large group.
I asked Randy why he would need several extended tables of this type and he explained that he and his wife gave them as wedding gifts to their children. Later Brooksyne and I commented on what a practical, long-lasting and valuable gift a dining table is. So many great memories are made around the dinner table. Family, friends, homemade food, and flowing conversation are key ingredients for making memorable settings and deepening human relationships.
Early in our marriage we purchased an old 48”x48” oak dining table for $50.00 at an estate sale that had five 12” leafs (but not the self-storing kind.) We later found a table almost identical to ours advertised for $10.50 in a 1906 Sears catalog, so our table has actually appreciated in monetary value over the past century!
Upon the initial purchase the table was an absolute mess with the laminate top and carved legs etched in deep scratches. Multiple colors of stains were smeared over the wood. The leafs had ancient linoleum glued over the oak which looked rather hideous. I saw little hope for the pitiful table before Brooksyne spent a good month stripping, sanding, and staining it. Jeff Worrall, a long-time friend of ours, assisted her with the structural restoration and even I got on board by drilling new holes and inserting better fitting dowels for the leafs. Fully extended it comfortably seats 14 people. As I consider the photos I have taken through the years, including many used on this site, it’s pretty remarkable to consider how many have eaten and fellowshipped around this old oak table. Today’s photo was taken 20 years ago of my family who joined us for Christmas in 1988.
I sure like today’s verse. There are many mysteries in the Word that make us wonder how it will all come about, but most of us can identify with sitting around a large table with great food and lots of family and friends. We can be assured that all the words of the Scripture are true but in this case it’s reinforced in the text itself, “These are true words of God.”
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The photo to the left is a common depiction of the table set for this marriage supper of the Lamb. You might say it’s the ultimate extended table! The extent of God’s hospitality is in the ultimate invitation, “Whosoever will, may come.” And even more familiar to many of us are those wonderful words from the Golden text (John 3:16), “whosoever believes in Him.”
Brooksyne and I received an early invitation to a wedding this summer. These solemn occasions are very memorable events and the reception to follow gives us great opportunity to celebrate with the family and friends of the couple. But nothing in this life will compare with a future marriage supper to be held in heaven at the ultimate extended Lord’s table.
Brooksyne and I expect to see you there and, by all means, please stop by so we can visit!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Daily prayer: Father, salvation belongs to You who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb! Words are inadequate to express our joy in knowing that one glorious day we will attend the Wedding Supper of the Lamb because You have provided for our salvation. Though words cannot adequately express our joy, the way we conduct our lives is an expression of thanksgiving to You. We look forward to that glorious day when we receive our wedding garments which will be robes of white. Until then, we prepare ourselves by serving You, praying faithfully, and keeping ourselves in Your love as we wait for the future wedding supper of the Lamb.
(From 1906 as we recall)
Supplemental Resources
“What A Day It Will Be” (Audio)
“Come To Jesus” (Powerpoint with audio)
“Come Just As You Are” (Audio)
“Worthy Is The Lamb” (Audio)
“Can You Hear Me Now?”
February 21, 2008 at 11:02 am | In Christanity, Devotional, Emergent, Prayer, Religion | No Comments
Michigan winter scene
(photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt)
Listen to this message on your audio player. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them” (Psalm 34:17).
Anyone who’s ever talked to someone on a cell phone knows the frustration of a bad signal and has likely used the phrase, “Can you hear me now?” Of course the phrase became a famous ad slogan that Verizon has run for many years. It features a geeky technician sent to the most inaccessible places with a cell phone repeatedly asking, “Can you hear me now?” (Not surprisingly, he never gets a bad signal.) In the latest ad he is frantically trying to get to the hospital to meet his wife, who is having a baby and thankfully (but again, not surprisingly) his cell phone works great!
I am so thankful that an immutable characteristic of God is His ability to always hear us. We don’t need to cry out “Can you hear me now?” for the Scripture forthrightly declares, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them.” The Lord always hears the cries of His children. No bad signals, spotty coverage or low batteries. “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).
But what of the times when the heavens seem as brass and we just don’t think we are getting through to God. Is He hearing us? Most will testify to having these feelings at times. Nothing speaks to us louder than the silence of God.
Nearly thirty years ago I was at a very low point in my young pastoral role. All ministry doors seemed to be slamming shut and I recall crying out in desperation to God for direction.
Brooksyne and I had followed our calling to plant a church 900 miles from our home in Missouri. We started meeting in our apartment because we couldn’t find a suitable building to plant a church. After outgrowing the apartment we finally found a place to meet which was a former department store. Our small group of believers renovated the first floor and met together for a year, but now we were being evicted.
I was very troubled about what would happen to our fledgling group of believers. Fear had replaced my hope and discouragement had dimmed my vision at the time. Not one to cry easily the tears began to pour out as I wrapped my arms around two wood studs in a dirty, shabby, unfinished 2nd floor of the building where we had been meeting. The owners had told us we could meet upstairs so Brooksyne and I climbed the long stairway and took a look at the deplorable mess around us.
God gave me an assurance of His faithfulness that unforgettable day as He spoke to me through Brooksyne. He gave her a vision for the shabby second floor that was unthinkable for a church setting at the time. It became our place of worship for the next six years after a great deal of elbow work and further renovations. Not only the second floor but as we grew in number we also renovated the third floor. In my finite reasoning I could not understand God’s plan in what seemed to be a setback for the work He had begun. There are many reading this who came out of that church, now 31 years in existence. I know they would attest to the fact that it wasn’t the building that drew them to worship together, but it was the body of committed believers!
Dave Kyllonen, the bass singer for The Couriers, has been in the same gospel singing group for 50 years. He shared in our Tuesday night banquet of an experience early in their singing days when they had a very difficult trip and were struggling financially. They had made the tough decision to disband the group once they returned to their homes the next day.
On their long drive home, through the night, one of the members began singing, “I Know the Lord Will Make a Way For Me.” A popular chorus at the time, the words declared God’s faithfulness toward those who live for Him. One by one they joined their voices together and their heavy burden dissolved into hopeful trust. By the time they had returned home they knew that they were to continue and the Lord has mightily blessed their ministry to this day.
The key I believe is a firm knowledge of what God’s Word says. There is a multitude of Biblical references to God hearing the prayers of His children. We can always emphatically and confidently say when we call out to God, “Father, I know You hear me!”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, surely Your arm is not too short to save, nor Your ear too dull to hear our prayers. Our iniquities have separated us from You, Father, so we repent of those things that have distanced us from a holy God. May our faith be renewed and our resolve to follow You be firm as we call upon Your name. We desire to walk, not in our own finite wisdom, but in the infinite wisdom of Almighty God whose understanding knows no bounds. May we be found faithful as we call out to You, for we know You hear us. Amen.
The chorus we mentioned that Dave Kyllonen spoke of:
I Know The Lord Will Make A Way For Me
(by Ben Speer)
I know the Lord will make a way for me.
I know the Lord will make a way for me.
If I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right,
I know the Lord will make a way for me.
He died to save me from my sin and shame.
He died to save me from my sin and shame.
Though my needs be great or small
He has suffered for them all,
He died to save me from my sin and shame.
Today’s photo: Alvin Worthley is my national chaplain representative who has been a tremendous encouragement to our online chaplaincy ministry the last several years. He was at a meeting recently and met Howard J. Blichfeldt, a professional photographer who has many stunning nature scenes. Alvin suggested I contact Howard about using his photography on our site and Howard has given me written permission to periodically use his photos on this site. He has a desire to see his photos used for the glory of God and has a series of inspirational photos with Scripture verses. He is considering using these in a regional magazine with a large circulation. “I am very excited about it because of the vast audience (believers and non-believers) who will see them and if only for a moment, have to wonder just Who it is that governs the heavens and the earth.” Here’s Howard’s website.
As we prepare to send this message out later this morning it is a beautiful, but very cold, day here in Lancaster Country.
Supplemental Resources
“God Will Make A Way” (Audio)
“He’s Been Faithful” (Audio)
“My Help” (Video)
For many years, beginning in the early nineties as I recall, Integrity Music had a series of CD’s with Scripture verses set to music. I believe over time we bought the entire series and played them often and in the process learned many Scripture verses. One came to mind today when I recall a song in the series that states, “The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them.” I couldn’t find this song online but did find a great full demonstration of this music, which is entirely Scripture.
“All Creation Worships You” (Audio)
Here’s a link with a couple of other Scripture songs you can play.
“God’s Patience”
February 20, 2008 at 1:12 pm | In Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Patience, Religion | No Comments
Snowy Dance
(photo by Chris Klobetanz)
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8&9).
I am often blessed as I pass local churches with a sign that not only identifies the name of the church but also presents a brief message of truth. In New England, shortly after I accepted the pastorate in Taunton, MA our church purchased a new sign that had a changeable message and for many years a dedicated senior couple, Bill and Veda, changed it weekly. Since we were located on the very busy highway entering into the city of Taunton we received a number of positive comments from passersby over the years, but also a negative comment from one who was offended by a Scriptural message we displayed.
Here’s a great message for a church sign I saw here in Lancaster County: “Don’t mistake God’s patience for His permission.” Can you just picture this truth on a sign scrolled across the sky or uttered by a booming heavenly voice?
Yet so many want God’s permission, approval, and even His blessing for a sinful, rebellious lifestyle that the Holy Scriptures clearly prohibit. These include sins like greed, sexual immorality, dishonesty, and other offenses perhaps summed up in this phrase from the Apostle John, “The cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.”
Let us consider today one phrase from the daily Scripture portion: “He is patient with you.” The word “patient” is translated “longsuffering” in the King James Version. This word needs little explanation since it means exactly what it sounds like when we rotate the compound word; “suffering long.” He indeed suffers long in regard to His dealing with the human race. We also consider His patience toward us as He deals with us individually.
Another aspect of God’s patience comes to mind regarding our patience with others. I recall listening to a song about God’s grace as I drove to a meeting several years ago with Larry Wright, a friend of mine. His words have stayed with me as he commented: “Even though we are recipients of God’s unending grace we can have such difficulty applying that same kind of grace to others.”
But let’s consider one more sense of God’s patience today as we again look at the phrase: “He is patient toward you.” The distinctive Greek word used for “you” is in the plural and I believe this is the sense in the daily text. In previous times of judgment there have been long periods when God’s patience might have been mistaken for His permission. How many years did Sodom slide into decadence before judgment day finally came? What about the long coast toward sin that Israel drifted into before judgment was pronounced on them?
Today I am confident that God is not winking at the rebellion in our lives or in the world around us. He is not placing His blessing on that which defiles His Holy Word. But He is suffering long so that those who have turned their backs away from holy living might come to repentance.
I know that many of our faithful readers are diligently praying for loved ones to turn away from a life of sin and come to faith in Christ. Keep praying for that wayward child, parent(s), unsaved spouse, other family members and the needy people God lays upon your heart.
As we pray for others to come to righteousness, let us also examine our own hearts. The Lord God is patient with us, but we bring a lot of chaos, inner turmoil, and judgment upon ourselves when we delay repentance.
As we seek to follow Christ, the grace of God teaches “us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldy passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12&13).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I can’t determine the exact day You will judge the earth, but the Bible judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart each time I read it or meditate upon its truths. Help me to apply Your promises and commands to my life so that when the day of the Lord comes like a thief I will be prepared. The heavens and earth will disappear with a roar and everything in it will be laid bare. I look forward to a new heaven and a new earth which will be the home of righteousness instead of sinfulness. Help me to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with You. Father God, Your patience means salvation for the many who will soon come to repentance. I want to diligently pray for their souls, be bold in my witness, and exemplary in my Christian walk as I await the day of Your appearing. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
See II Peter 3:8-18
Last month we shared another perspective on the Patience of God.
Last night we attended a Valentine’s Sweetheart Banquet for ministers in the Harrisburg area.
The speaker was Dave Kyllonen, one of the three original members of The Couriers. They’ve been singing together for 50 years. Dave shared a perspective on long lasting marriages and the importance of staying sweethearts. This year he and his wife will celebrate their 50th anniversary. He also shared the need for being patient as we serve the Lord and deal with discouragement in ministry. Here’s info about the three original Couriers.
What a joy to see Joe and Jesse, who were a part of the church we served in an interim role in the Harrisburg area in late 2006 - early 2007. This year they will celebrate their 60th anniversary. Joe has an interesting testimony that I shared in a message last year.
I visited with Bob Mlynek. For many years he worked in law enforcement, retiring in 2006. He now serves as the pastor of an inner city church in Harrisburg and has many attending the church whom he had previously arrested!
Chris Klobetanz, a professional photographer took a complimentary photo of each couple. I shared with her concerning our internet ministry and she gave me permission to periodically use photos from her site. That’s her photo of the interesting dancing bird above! If you have a fast connection click here for the same photo with amazing detail (you may have to click on the photo again after it opens). Her website is here. Today’s photo was featured in Birder’s World magazine.
As we considered today’s topic we were unable to recall a song dealing with the patience of God. Can anyone help us?
“Firm Foundation” (Audio)
“Hallelujah, Your Love Is Amazing” (Audio)
The chapter on the Patience Of God in AW Pink’s classic book, “The Attributes of God”
“Chapters Of Life”
February 19, 2008 at 4:30 pm | In Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Religion | No Comments
Rose arrangement
(photo by Doris High)
Tonight Brooksyne and I will be going to a sweetheart banquet with other ministers in our area.
Listen to this message on your audio player. “When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed” (Acts 13:36).
Last night we replaced our aging laptop computer and I consider chapters in my life based on computers beginning with my very first computer, a used XT-286 machine (similar to the one pictured). I read that the XT was initially priced at $8,000 when it first came out in 1983. That was for the deluxe version with 640 KB RAM, 10 MB HDD and a color monitor! Now we are on our 7th desktop and 4th laptop. And the new models are practically light years away in capability. For instance our new laptop has 2GB RAM and a 160GB hard drive.
In Michael W. Smith’s song “Friends” there’s a line that states, “A chapter in your life is through.” Consider your life’s journey as a series of chapters. You can do this in a variety of ways such relational, vocational or geography.
I’ve had several long chapters based on where I have lived such as my childhood in the Kansas City area, my college years in Springfield Missouri, and my years of pastoral ministry in St. Marys, Pennsylvania and Taunton, Massachusetts. For seven years now we’ve lived here in Lancaster County, serving in chaplaincy and developing this internet ministry.
As in a book, the chapters of our life are intertwined. I am grateful that there are recipients of this devotional from each chapter in my life; my family, a 1st grade friend, college friends, people who were in our churches, right up to those whom I have met just recently. If you think about it, you have people like that in your life as well don’t you? I sure hope so!
Each chapter in our life is a part of the overall fulfillment of God’s purpose. Consider the daily text. In the historical books we have a lot of information on David. In fact perhaps apart from Moses, we have more biographical information on David than any other Old Testament personality. But the apostle Paul, preaching in a Jewish synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, makes a simple statement concerning David’s life, “When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation.”
God places us all on this earth for a season, a period of time known as our “own generation.” Like David all of us (except the final generation) will eventually fall asleep (die) and our bodies will decay.
We can live our life for self or in consecration to God’s purpose. Recall the old saying, “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Today, let us, like David, seek to serve God’s purpose in our generation in each chapter of life!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord, today help me to live my life in a manner that fulfills Your purpose!
Note: Today Brooksyne had an early morning appointment and was unable to help me prepare the message. So please pardon the likelihood of grammar errors and the short prayer!
Yesterday we showed a photo of a farmhouse in illustrating it was good to be back home to Lancaster County, which is quite distinct in scenery from Myrtle Beach South Carolina! Several wondered if the photo was our home. No, it’s our Amish friends, Jesse and Anna. Above is a photo of our present earthly home in the summer time!
Here’s a photo of our new laptop. It will take me several hours to set it up for Brooksyne, loading all the programs we use to prepare these messages and the data. She normally works besides me each morning using a laptop while I use a larger desktop. However this laptop has a 17 inch screen so it’s not much smaller! For history buffs info about the IBM XT, similar to my first computer, is here.
Supplemental Resources
“My Life Is An Offering” (Audio)
“Offering” (Audio)
“The Law Of Rewards” (A thoughtful article on living a life of purpose.) Here’s a quote by Randy Alcorn. “Gather your family and go visit a junkyard or a dump. Look at all the piles of “treasures” that were formerly Christmas and birthday presents. Point out things that people worked long hours to buy and paid hundreds of dollars for, that children quarreled about, friendships were lost over, honesty was sacrificed for, and marriages broke up over. Look at the remnants of gadgets and furnishings that now lie useless after their brief life span. Remind yourself that most of what you own will one day end up in a junkyard like this. And even if it survives on earth for a while, you won’t. . . . When you examine the junkyard, ask yourself this question: ‘When all that I ever owned lies abandoned, broken, useless, and forgotten, what will I have done with my life that will last for eternity?”
Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.
“A Good Reputation”
February 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm | In Character, Christanity, Devotional, Encouragement, Religion, Reputation | No Comments
We’re back home to the familiar surroundings of Lancaster County!
(Quite a contrast to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
Listen to this message on your audio player. “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:7).
Today is President’s Day here in the USA. When I grew up we especially honored two presidents whose birthdays were in February; George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. For many years now we’ve had a generic “Presidents Day.” Some presidents have a good reputation, some not so good.
My dad’s birthday was also in February. He was born on February 17, 1919, the third of eight children. He served in World War II and then married my mother and had four children, passing away in 1998 at 79 years of age. I am blessed that my Dad had a good reputation. He ran a small plumbing, heating and air conditioning business in the Belton, Missouri area in the sixties. The year before my mom died in 2005 she received a heartwarming letter from a business owner in Belton commending Dad for his integrity and reporting that the air conditioning unit he installed at his business in the sixties was still operating! Daddy was honorable not only in his business relations but also in his family relations.
The daily Scripture is taken from a list of characteristics that Paul says must be used to qualify the fitness of a church leader. Sadly in our day the attempt to establish a “good reputation” is often more a result of spin or illusion than real substance or true character. The word for reputation is ‘marturia’, from which we get our English word ‘martyr’. It is often translated “witness, testimony or evidence.”
God calls us as His followers to have a good reputation that is truly a solid witness for Him. Our character is to reflect the standards of Christ and Scripture. The word “outsider” in the text most certainly means those outside the faith (unbelievers) or as the KJV puts it “them which are without.” An excellent Biblical example of this type of reputation is Daniel who resolved in his heart to be faithful to his God.
Today, what kind of reputation do you have with the “outsider”? Most of you work around “outsiders” every day. Are you demonstrating a good, steady witness? Do your fellow workers see the character of Christ in your life daily?
Now certainly this may include a Christian symbol at your desk, but it’s so much more. Are you honest? What about your temper? Your language? Your diligence? Your promptness? Are you following through? Do you honor Christ with your lips as well as your life? Do you speak well of your family and church? Remember, you are developing a witness daily; let it be a good one!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, Your Word indicates the way we interact with those outside the faith will have a positive or a negative influence on whether they choose to follow You. There appears to be no neutral mode in our lives, for we do not live unto ourselves, but regularly give account for our actions and attitudes daily. Inconsistency and double standards are ancient, effective traps Satan has set for believers. For those ensnared by this trap the unbelieving world points their accusatory finger crying, “Hypocrite!” Sadly, it is often a true characterization. May we, as Your disciples, be faithful in our walk and consistent in our talk as we serve You at home, in the workplace, in our churches, and in our sphere of influence. We do not want to disgrace the holy name of Jesus, but we want to honor His name as we glorify You in all we do. It is in Jesus’ holy name that we pray. Amen.
Brooksyne’s Note: “Reputation is what others think of you. Character is who you are when no one but God is looking.” A quote I often contemplate when dealing with attitudes of the heart.
While in Myrle Beach we visited with Rick and Jackie Steudler and Rick’s 90 year old mother, Jeanette. You can see where Rick gets his smile. They reside in Lancaster but were also visiting Myrtle Beach. We enjoyed our evening as we became better acquainted with Rick’s family. Jeanette’s ability to get around was especially impressive as we observed her physical endurance. Brooksyne and I commented that we’d really like to age as gracefully as she has.
As Brooksyne and Ester were inside Pier 14 Restaurant I stepped outside on the landing and took a shot through the window. The film coating on the window certainly turned our photo into an interesting shot we had not anticipated, as it reflected me taking the shot. I was wearing an Old Navy Sweat shirt as you can see, only spelled backward.
Supplemental Resources
“God Pleaser” (Audio)
“Psalm 5″ (Audio)
