“Faithful Men”
August 31, 2012
Ester’s Border Collie, Mollie, loves to play. She regularly meets us at the fence gate with one of her toys such as this rope toy. Ester took the above photo this morning and we are pleased to see her growing interest in photography. This week she had her first photo published in a company newsletter.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Faithful Men”
Yesterday I was visiting with Greg Esh, a friend of ours, who was excited about showing me an item he recently acquired. He walked over to the corner of his office and picked up a leather scabbard from which he pulled out a real sword. Written on the sword was this inscription from 2 Timothy 2:2: “Commit these to faithful men”. It was a gift from Greg’s pastor honoring him for serving many years as a leader in the church. Now that’s a gift I suppose most men would really appreciate!
It brings to mind a visit with Floyd Miles, a friend I met when I lived in New England. Several years ago he served a church in Indianapolis and at the time I had the opportunity to speak to his congregation. Prior to the service, when we prayed in his office, he showed me his “armor of God.”
Many years ago I heard a short message that I found personally challenging that has had a lasting impact on my life. A pastor was speaking to the students at a Bible College. He candidly shared with them, “I may not be very handsome, I may not be the most dynamic speaker, I may not be musically gifted or have other characteristics normally associated with “success” in ministry.”
Then he lowered his voice and said with great conviction, “But one thing I can be is faithful.” I sure hope these young people took that message in. It’s a good word and a vital challenge for young people preparing for Christ’s service. It’s a good challenge for all of us, wherever we are at in life.
Faithfulness is very under-rated today and is often overlooked, though it should never be taken for granted. Few of us would have any trouble recalling examples of unfaithfulness. Many thousands of dedicated pastors and laypeople serve God week after week with little acclaim but they are faithful.
In the afternoon yesterday I visited with Dan Wagner who serves as supervisor in his company. For thirty years he and his wife have led services in nursing homes and rescue missions, hardly glamorous fields for ministry. But Dan’s been faithful.
In his final book the Apostle Paul gave instructions to Timothy about preparing the next generation who would bear witness for Christ to the world. Although there are certainly many characteristics that are important he emphasizes just one; “faithfulness”. Other versions use the word, “reliable”.
Down through the ages of the church each generation has had devoted servants of Christ who have faithfully plugged along in service for the Lord. Is your pastor reliable? Does he faithfully preach God’s Word week after week? Does he “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints?” or is he “blown here and there by every wind of strange doctrine?” Can he be counted upon? If so you are blessed. Let him know you appreciate his faithfulness.
Whether you are a minister or a lay person, are you faithful? Faithfulness makes a difference to those whom you influence and it matters a great deal to God.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we who have received Your grace, place our faith in You. We choose to walk uprightly with integrity and conviction. Our words and actions declare the pure, unadulterated counsel of Your Holy Word to other faithful leaders, trusting them to pass on that which has been entrusted to us. In doing so we are faithful stewards of that which You commanded of us through the great commission: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every nation…”. We do this through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.
“Faithful Friend” Video Twila Paris and Steven Curtis Chapman
The flower photo we share today is an example of a personal hobby we both have. We like to repurpose old articles we either have saved or attained. Several years ago I found the old garden cart along the road free. We crammed it into the van and have found it very useful both to haul stuff and as a display cart. Brooksyne enjoys reviving plants and flowers, especially those on clearance at Lowes! Several years ago we remodeled our bathroom but I kept the old mirrors from the medicine cabinet and stored them up in our barn loft. Then I asked some friends at a home improvement company we serve to see if they could salvage some windows from an old farmhouse they were renovating. I placed the mirrors behind the old window, hung the frame on our fence and we have an interesting garden accent (to me anyway!)
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Energy-Givers”
August 30, 2012
In the course of our travels through Lancaster County among our favorite places to stop is the Village Farm Market along Rt 322 east of Ephrata PA. It’s on the lower level of a bank barn. On our last visit I especially noticed the ceiling, which is actually the exposed beams from the barn floor above and the decorative baskets that cover it.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Energy-Givers”
A popular new consumer product the last several years (as best as I recall) is the “energy drink”. In partaking you supposedly get a burst of energy. It must sell well since you see it practically everywhere. Yesterday we were at a store here in Lancaster Country that had a full shelf of these drinks.
Earlier this month one purveyor of this product, “5-hour energy”, had a booth at the Ohio State Fair and I received a free sample. I didn’t necessarily feel unenergetic at the time but decided to try it anyway. It felt like I got an energy jolt but maybe that’s just because I thought I should! I remember studying into the late hours while in college and looking for anything that would keep me awake.
These drinks may give a few hours of extra energy for one who has grown weary driving a long distance or studying into the wee hours of the morning. But today I want to consider a particular group of people; people who energize us not for just a few hours but over a lifetime.
About ten years ago I met a corporate officer from the company I worked with at that time. We visited various companies in the area where I served as a corporate chaplain manager. He later joined us for dinner in our home. It was such an uplifting evening and after taking him back to his hotel Brooksyne and I began to reflect on the evening, both expressing that Larry was such an “energy giver”. He expressed personal interest in us, in our ministry, shared about how God had worked in his life. You know the kind of person I’m describing – one who knows how to listen and when to speak in conversation, one who’s more interested in others than himself. He’s our friend to this day and the type of person who brings a smile to your face when speaking his name.
Think about people like this whom you know. Some are “energy givers”, others are “energy drainers”. You’ve probably heard the expression, “Some people brighten a room when they enter, others when they leave.” To the left is a photo of Jim and Dorothy Schmidt, friends from Ocean City, New Jersey, who always brighten the room with their enthusiasm and joy. Jim’s keen sense of humor could also be added to his energy giving resume’.
In his letters to the churches Paul often expressed heartfelt affection toward particular individuals who were like those we describe as energy givers. They not only blessed and energized him in his work for the Lord, but also the rest of the body of Christ. According to the daily text he and the whole church were enjoying the hospitality of one named Gaius. Gaius is one of the few believers that Paul baptized in Corinth. Surely Paul had an outstanding, long-term relationship with this brother, who likely was also one of the first converts to Christ in Corinth.
He had stayed faithful and now opened his home to Paul while he stayed there. Gaius had distinguished himself for his hospitality not only to Paul but to the other believers in the Corinthian church, as well. In fact his name means, “I am glad”. He surely must have been an “energy giver”. And through the years I’ve met quite a few people like Gaius. Just being around them spiritually energizes.
Sharing hospitality is a wonderful dimension of God’s plan for our lives. As Christians we often call it “fellowshipping together” and I maintain that an essential component of our Christian development takes place in the realm of fellowship, as we interface with one another in our homes, churches and other places of community with true believers. I sure hope you have some folks in your life like Gaius! Brooksyne and I have so many, including many of you dear friends who read our daily messages, that we consider ourselves tremendously blessed. I encourage each of you to be an energy giver to those in your circle of influence on this day and everyday!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we want to be set apart as a people who care about others, regularly expressing care to them as we follow the Biblical mandate that each of us should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. Paul charged his readers to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus who is the supreme example of putting other’s needs before His own. May we be more interested in giving energy to others than taking it for ourselves, for when we refresh others, we ourselves are refreshed. We are replenished as we give to others, for Your reservoir never runs dry and we thank You for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Brooksyne’s Note: We’ve described in part what an energy giver is. Perhaps we should give the contrast meaning of what an energy drainer is: one who is very argumentative, monopolizes every conversation, finds fault with anything and everyone, only talks about himself, boasts endlessly about his achievements or possessions, feels his opinion is always the right one and worst of all, doesn’t take a breath between sentences to let you excuse yourself from the energy draining situation you’re stuck in! I’m sure you could add to the list. (I used the masculine pronoun for ease of writing purposes. Of course there are both male and female energy drainers as well as energy givers.)
The Village Farm Market is owned and operated by an old-order Mennonite group. Keith, the owner, is an earnest follower of Christ and told me he recalls when it was a steer barn! The store is filled with fresh produce, baked goods and deli items made fresh at the market. They provide ample samples! What I especially like is this mission statement.“Our Mission: At Village Farm Market we set the example of a Christian – for each other, customers and the community. We inspire individuals to find self-worth and fulfillment by providing a meaningful workplace.”
The entrance to the Village Farm Market.
For the serious canner!
I think they mean it.
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Why Do You Worry?”
August 29, 2012
I saw this thought-provoking message on the back of a T-shirt.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Why Do You Worry?”
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
A phrase we use in chaplaincy but it’s true in any type of ministry where care is extended to others: “You’re either in the midst of a problem, just coming out of one or going into another!” That being the case, most people are well acquainted with worry. One description I read is that “worry is thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats”. Once we acquire the habit of worrying it is very difficult to stop.
Essentially worry is mistrust. We’re acting as though God isn’t big enough to handle our problems. “Why do you worry?” is a heart probing question that Jesus asks and then answers later in the context of a rebuke, “O you of little faith”.
Worry is an ancient human condition. It seems that people have always had something to worry about so Jesus addressed the matter head-on in His “Sermon on the Mount”. It’s a good portion to memorize and I’ve preached on it several times. But today let’s consider the phrase, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
What an honest assessment of life from our Lord and perhaps a bit of humor as well. Every day does have some trouble, doesn’t it. Certainly some days more than others so we can be thankful for the less troublesome days. If we’re not presently undergoing troubles in our own lives, it’s sure to be present in those we care about. And if your circle of association is small, merely watch the news where we see trouble circling the globe, yet made very personal in those undergoing its discomfort.
A recurring theme throughout Scripture is that believers are to live one day at a time. God calls us to trust in Him day by day, moment by moment. He encourages us not to look ahead to “possible” troubles, but to realize His grace is here for us at this moment, this hour.
We can’t store up grace any more than the Israelites were permitted to store up God’s daily provision of manna in the wilderness. God chose to deliver fresh manna daily and He chooses to provide fresh grace daily as the need arises. Jeremiah spoke of the mercies of the Lord that are “new every morning”. So, if you have a new trial you will also experience a new mercy from God to undergird you and guide your response to the challenge at hand. His loving care is steadfast and sure. You can rely on that today, tomorrow and always.
How I proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
O for grace to trust Him more.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, You are the Great Provider who meets all our needs. There is nothing we lack when we commit our ways to You and ask You to provide for us. You know what we have need of before we ask it, but You are pleased that we bring it to You and acknowledge You to be the One who provides for all our natural, physical, and spiritual needs. When our hearts are secure, we will have no fear, for in the end we will look in triumph on our foes. That’s because we serve You, our faithful, caring, and generous God, who faithfully watches over us providing us with Your daily mercies. We thank You as we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Blessing of PeachesOne of our favorite fresh fruits is the peach and there’s just nothing like biting into a sweet juicy peach!
We headed over to our friend Nelson Heisey’s large peach orchard for fresh peaches. He was pleased to get his gator and drive me out to see the fruit-filled trees.
The trees are well laden with low hanging fruit.
Nelson sells his produce along the road using a self service honor system. He has a good reputation and these peaches will quickly be gone.
Lancaster County peaches
This year apart from enjoying fresh peaches Brooksyne canned peaches for pie filling and peach jam.
Last night Brooksyne made a sumptuous southern peach cobbler which took us back in memory to our years of living in Missouri and Oklahoma when peach and blackberry cobbler were favorite desserts especially in the summer months. (See below for recipe)
For anyone interested we shared a more complete set of photos from last year’s peach prep here.
“Tis So Sweet” Video Casting Crowns
“Day By Day” Video Antrim Mennonite Choir
“His Eye Is On The Sparrow” Video Selah
“Perfect Peace” Video Laura Story
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup Crisco
1/3 cup ice water
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and Crisco.
Mix until crumbly, add water and mix well.
On a floured surface, knead the mixture several times for about 3 minutes.
Cut mixture in half, form into two flat discs, cover with plastic wrap, and chill.
4 pounds fresh peaches (about 7 to 8 large peaches)
2 cups sugar (or less according to sweetness of peaches)
4 tablespoons flour or clear jell*
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1/2 cup butter, divided.
Preheat oven to 350. Peel and slice peaches.
Toss peaches into large saucepan. Add sugar, flour, spices and ¼ C. butter.
Simmer for 7 minutes or till juice is thickened; remove from heat to cool.
Add vanilla or almond extract.
Remove dough from fridge and roll out one crust on a floured surface into a rectangle.
Place in a greased 11×9 baking dish.
Pour filling over the crust.
Roll out second disc on floured surface and cut into strips.
Place strips in lattice pattern on top of peach mixture.
Dab remaining softened butter on crust strips with a brush.
Sprinkle buttered lattice with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Coarse sugar gives a nice finished look.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
Cool for about 10 minutes so crust will set.
*Clear Jell (or Thermoflo used interchangeably) is a modified food starch used in pie fillings and as a thickener, available in many bulk food stores. Its texture is superior to flour or cornstarch (in my opinion). I use it in canning and often in cooking. Make sure you purchase clear jell not dutch jell that is used for making jams and jellies.
(recipe adapted from a recipe in Muskogee, Oklahoma newspaper)
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“The Dash of Life”
August 27, 2012
Hummingbird at feeder
From our friend Doris High’s photo blog
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“The Dash of Life”
Donegal Presbyterian Church is about a mile from our home and was “gathered before 1730″. It’s a dignified structure with box seating in a country setting. Their first structure was made of logs, the first log cabin church built in America, before it burned to the ground. The grounds and gardens are beautiful and include an active spring that also serves as a trout stream.
The cemetery in front of the church contains the physical remains of the deceased going back to the 1700′s. We walked through the cemetery this morning observing statements of faith inscribed on the tombstones.
One was the tombstone of Rev. Nehemiah Dodge who lived about 200 years ago. He was the founder and principal of Cedar Hill Girl’s School near Mount Joy, and an inscription was posted on his gravestone by pupils in appreciation for his noble life work: “He opened his mouth with wisdom and on his tongue was the law of kindness.” His spiritual qualities were then summed up by one word, “faithful!” I took a photo of the tombstone but it is so weathered it’s very hard to read.
I often allude to the fact that the Christian life is like a marathon requiring perseverance. But life is also like a dash, the sense of a quick run, as life goes by so very quickly. As the Apostle James observed, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
Many of you watched the Olympics earlier this month and among the many events were fast, short races known as “dashes”. The shortest one (100 meter) takes less than 10 seconds to run. A tremendous commitment along with intense training is required, in addition to God-given talent, for one to excel in a race like this.
But the dash I am referring to in today’s perspective is the punctuation mark on most tombstones. Tombstones typically record the year of birth followed by the year of death. * What separates these two notable years on the stone? A small dash representing the entirety of one’s life. What you do with your “dash” will determine your eternal destiny, and whether or not you will truly “Rest In Peace”.
That short punctuation mark represents the life we live on this earth. And God has given each of the redeemed a fundamental task in life. Like the apostle Paul, we all have “the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace”. We are certainly called with various specific giftings. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you, like Paul, are called to testify to the Gospel of God’s grace. Like Nehemiah Dodge, let us be faithful!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, Your grace abounds like a fountain that never exhausts its flow. We testify to the gospel of Your grace as it overflows into every area of our being. It refreshes, forgives, ignites, strengthens, fortifies, and sets our hearts ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Where would we be and what would our future hold without Your amazing grace? We shudder to imagine life without Your ever-present, all-sufficient grace. We proclaim to all the world that Your grace is available to all who call upon the name of Jesus. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
*Older tombstones tended to record the date of birth and death and many also recorded the number of years, months and days the person lived.
Another old tombstone of a minister of the gospel expressed faith this way. At the time of his death it stated “entered into life”. How very true!
Ryan Zook, a student intern from Lancaster Bible College, preached in our church yesterday. His text was from James 1 and he challenged us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. I like the summarized challenge at the end of his message from James 1:25: “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.”
Action through the word requires:
- Attention – “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law” (Bible)
- Perseverance – “…continues to do this”
- Memorization – “…not forgetting what he has heard”
Upon further consideration of the text we see two more points:
- Obedience – “…but doing it”
- Blessed Result - “He will be blessed in what he does.”
Early yesterday morning Stephen picked up Jesse and Anna, our Amish friends and we filled an entire pew at church! (Pastors like that) The Lapps now have five children. They joined us for dinner and a nursing home service afterward. At the Longwood service the elderly residents enjoyed their presence, especially the five young children, along with Ken and Nila and their two young boys who also joined us. Ester and Brooksyne prepared a Panda Bear cake for the children.
Let me try to draw a picture: The children live rather simply in a large old farmhouse w/o electricity or many other modern features we take for granted. They enjoy walking through our home curious about different stuff. On the way home yesterday afternoon I heard the kids ask their mom a question in PA Dutch? Anna interpreted, “The children would listen to music on the radio”. “What kind?” I asked. “Church music” was their enthused reply. Our newer van has a sound system with two sets of headphones in the back seats. The children had quite a time putting them on and sharing them with each another. Their broad smiles were priceless even though the music is not even set up to play through the headphones!!!
The Halbleibs
Tom, their mother Winnie, and Fred. It’s a pleasure to see the children of residents attend the church service with them. These guys can sure sing out on a hymn which surely blesses their mom.
As we returned from the Donegal Church Cemetery this morning we saw two Mennonite girls harvesting tomatoes along Donegal Springs Road. It’s a tedious, dirty job but they smiled as they saw us take their photo. We sure are blessed by the tomatoes at their farm stand!
“The Light Of That City” Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Doris High’s “Outside Our Front Door” collection where today’s photo of the hummingbird came from.
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Farther Along”
August 24, 2012
Yesterday we stopped by a rural produce stand. As Brooksyne purchased some produce we were entertained by this rooster, including several cock-a-doodle-doos.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Farther Along”
Today an old gospel song “Farther Along” comes to mind. It has this poignant line expressing “Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer.” Well in truth when I am in the midst of a trial I wonder this more than sometimes!
Last Sunday our pastor, John Keefer, preached a sermon on trials. These types of messages tend to pull on the heart strings and following the service Brooksyne had a time of ministry with a friend who has been going through a long painful trial. As they departed Brooksyne gave her a comforting hug as she also prayed with her. It would have made a great photo for a theme we shared Tuesday on ordinary Christians demonstrating the love of Christ, but it was just too personal.
The daily Scripture portion presents a vital perspective on trials. The last portion is a simple truth all of us, even a young child, can attest to: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.”
The context draws a parallel between the discipline of a loving earthly father and that of our loving heavenly Father. Among the clear Biblical mandates for a father is the discipline of his children. Our heavenly Father also disciplines His children and we know at times His discipline (not to be confused with punishment) may certainly not be pleasant and may indeed be painful.
A tremendous truth that we do well to settle deep in our hearts is that “God disciplines us for our good.” One of Pastor’s points dealt with God’s sovereignty in our trials and the aspect which we know deep in our hearts to be true; that God is good and has our best interests in mind.
There is a promised consequence to God’s discipline in trials: “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Especially note the two words “later on”. “Later on” is unspecific as to the timing and this is what makes it so very hard. So many of us are waiting for that “later on” to take place in our life, not knowing when it will take place. But God’s Word is sure and His promises are steadfast. “God disciplines us for our good.”
Some of you are in the very midst of a discipline that is by no means pleasant. In fact it may be very painful. Perhaps you’ve been let down and disappointed. You just can’t figure out what God is up to in your life. You may even feel forsaken. And at this time you don’t have any idea how your situation will ever work out. (I’ve experienced all the above).
Consider those words “later on” and the wonderful promise of God that follows. Let it minister to your heart and fill you with hope and encouragement as you diligently wait for that most certain “later on” that will come to pass. Indeed,
farther along we’ll understand why.
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we live in a world where “waiting” seems almost inconceivable for everyday needs. Because of marvelous technological breakthroughs we get instant mail, same day deliveries, immediate test results, meals in two minutes, and the list goes on and on. But, Lord, You work in our lives day after day, year after year and season upon season. Father, You are developing fruit in our lives as we are in the waiting process. We’ve seen faithfulness, self-control, endurance, patience and other fruit grow in our spiritual walk as we endure the rod of discipline. May it bring about the peaceful fruit of righteousness that is a result of our sharing in Your holiness as we undergo discipline. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“A Story of Eternal Perspective” is one of the most remarkable testimonies I have ever read concerning this topic of “Farther Along”. This version is on Randy Alcorn’s blog.
Brooksyne just processed 7 & 1/2 dozen ears of corn for freezing and I asked her to share the process for any who may be interested but are unfamiliar with the process. We began with a large batch of freshly picked corn from a friend’s farm. I had the rather inglorious, laborious, inauspicious job of shucking it outside in the hot sun! (Brooksyne’s edit begins here: Beware, alert readers, that Stephen wrote the description of his labor, not me.)
Some of the ears of corn Stephen shucked
Next comes the scrubbing and removal of extra silks. Don’t resent those messy silks since there is a kernel for every silk you remove. So, the more silk you have the more kernels you have!
The corn must be blanched (boiled in hot water) 5 minutes. (Five minutes for 2″ diameter corn though canning books vary on amount of boiling time. All agree that boiling time starts after ears have been dropped in water and boiling restarts.
Corn is then dropped in ice water to stop the cooking process for the same amount of time as blanching process (5 minutes).
Then comes the removal of the kernels
Corn here, there and everywhere
Corn is then bagged. I found a neat bag holding gadget while traveling in Indiana that holds plastic bags open for filling. It adjusts for various sizes and is a great help when you need more than two hands – well worth the modest $3.00 I paid for a handy canning/freezing tool.
Da Da! 55 bags of corn (2 Cups in each sandwich bag. I then stuff 4 of the filled sandwich bags into 1 gallon freezer bags.) That’s one vegetable serving per week over the next year for our small family. Corn is one vegetable that is superb in flavor when processed at home compared to canned corn or frozen corn in the grocery aisle.
Another version by Legacy Five Video
Another version by the Heritage Singers! Video
The lyrics to the song were written in 1911 by Rev. W.A. Fletcher, an itinerant preacher, while he was travelling to the Indian Territories by train. Fletcher was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting their first-born child in a few weeks and he wouldn’t be present for the occasion. He felt that his priorities were with his ministry in the Indian Territories and wrote the lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at the time. Sitting next to him on the train was J. R. Baxter, a gospel music promoter who was quite taken with the lyrics that Fletcher was writing and offered him $2.00 for them. Mr. Baxter subsequently had them put to music and the song has been quite popular in the gospel music arena ever since. The song deals with a Christian’s dismay at the apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of the righteous. The repeated theme is that, in Heaven, the truth will be revealed.
Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.
Refrain:
Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,
Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,
When there are many living in comfort,
Giving no heed to all I can do.
Tempted and tried, how often we question
Why we must suffer year after year,
Being accused by those of our loved ones,
E’en though we’ve walked in God’s holy fear.
Often when death has taken our loved ones,
Leaving our home so lone and so drear,
Then do we wonder why others prosper,
Living so wicked year after year.
“Faithful till death,” saith our loving Master;
Short is our time to labor and wait;
Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,
When we shall pass the heavenly gate.
Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior,
Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky;
Then we will meet those gone on before us,
Then we shall know and understand why.
Finally today:
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Christ’s Gospel Presentation”
August 23, 2012
What a nice surprise we received in the mail yesterday; a cozy handmade lap quilt made by Marsha Neizmik back in Northern Pennsylvania. The church we planted right out of Bible College at the young age of 22 is celebrating their 35th year of shining the light of Christ in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Marsha was kind in remembering us and our 16 years of pouring our hearts into the ministry there.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Christ’s Gospel Presentation”
Years ago I preached a sermon titled “Mushy Christianity” examining the call to discipleship by the Lord Jesus Christ and the early messages of the apostles in the New Testament. I contrasted these with the state of the contemporary church, especially here in America.
The daily verse is a call to discipleship directly from Jesus initially given to the crowd and the original 12 disciples. It’s so clear and unambiguous. The phrase “take up his cross” particularly grips my attention. Of course Jesus said this before His death on the cross and by all accounts it seems that the disciple’s eyes had still not been opened regarding the type of death Jesus would die. The cross was known as the Roman instrument of execution and the metaphor indicated a truth that the apostle Paul later expressed when he told the Corinthians believers “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31).
Jesus and Paul surely weren’t speaking of so much that defines contemporary Christianity; an emotional response to an altar call, a weekly trip to church, adherence to a set of culturally based values, wearing a WWJD bracelet or plastering a “Honk if you love Jesus” bumper sticker on your car. These may bear witness to who we are, but they don’t define Biblical Christianity. Today we want to focus on a daily decision each of us has in common, regardless of where we live on this planet. Every morning when we awaken to a new day we are confronted with this same choice.
We memorized the daily verse many years ago. It’s a clear call to discipleship from the words of our Lord. Jesus was speaking to the disciples very plainly about how He would be rejected by the priests and chief elders. He then spoke of His suffering, His death and resurrection that would follow. It was a very intense setting as these disciples were trying to absorb and understand such disturbing information about their Master, all the while in denial that it would actually happen.
Then Jesus surely added to the intensity of the moment when he then issued this call to His disciples; “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Both Matthew and Mark record the same statement (Mt. 16:24, Mk. 8:34), but only Luke records a detail that includes a vital element to this call.
Today and everyday those of us who earnestly claim to serve Christ need to:
- deny ourselves,
- take up our cross daily
- and follow Him.
Notice the word “daily”. By providing this detail Luke emphasized a concept that is often seen in Scripture. The day is a unit of time that the Word seems to stress as important in making a steadfast commitment to our Lord. Here are several phrases from the Scriptures in this regard: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). “I call to you, O LORD, every day” (Psalm 88:8). “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
In the New Testament Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to request, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). The apostle Paul emphasized this daily walk in urging the Thessalonian believers to “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12). And in the Pastoral Epistle to Titus he taught, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (Titus 3:14).
Our daily encouragement series is prompted by a command found in Hebrews 3:13 which states: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” We are just two ordinary people making a decision this day to follow Christ. And we want to encourage all of you to do the same. Today and every day!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, there are many choices I will make today based upon the variables that I cannot foresee. But above all I must deny my own selfish desires, take up my cross daily, and follow Christ. In denying myself I will be careful never to deny Christ nor the work He wants to do in me. I don’t know what my cross will look like today, whether it be in the form of physical pain, ridicule of my faith, rejection from one that I love, a major letdown, or another difficulty that may arise. The wonderful blessing is that I don’t carry my cross in my own strength but You carry it for me as I lean upon You for strength, guidance, endurance and the assurance that today’s cross will soon be exchanged for tomorrow’s crown. Until then I remain faithful through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name I pray. Amen.
Peach pies for sale
“The Old Rugged Cross” Video Dallas Holm
“Today I Choose” Video Brian Doerksen
“I Have Decided To Follow Jesus” Video Selah
“Take Up Your Cross And Follow Jesus” Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
“The Lord’s Prayer” Video Michael W. Smith
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Raising My Ebenezer”
August 22, 2012
Here’s an interesting idea for a rural mailbox.
Plant groundcovering on the roof!
(notice the paradox of ground and roof)
Sedum groundcovering is shown in photo
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Raising My Ebenezer”
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Most of you have sung the lyrics posted above but may not immediately recall the song. Many probably have never considered the meaning of the words, “Here I raise my Ebenezer”. They are from the second verse to the hymn, “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” penned in 1757 by Robert Robinson who was just 22 years old at the time.
Today is my spiritual birthday and each year on this day I like to give testimony to God’s redeeming work in my life. Forty-one years ago I placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.
I was raised in a home where we attended church weekly. In fact I remember my long string of “Sunday School perfect attendance” pins. But it wasn’t until I was in High School that I recall being specifically challenged by Christ’s claims upon my life and the need to personally repent of my sin and seriously follow Christ. Like many, I assumed I was a Christian based upon my church background or being “good” in comparison to those I perceived as “bad.”
After a clear presentation of the Gospel I knew better. After hearing the salvation message, I didn’t accept Christ initially but continued to live in rebellion for awhile. During this period of time I was very aware that I had not submitted my heart to Christ.
As I was wrestling with spiritual matters God used a song, popular at the time, titled “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”. Each time I heard the words it brought conviction to my heart. I knew I wasn’t ready. Many of you “old-timers” have probably heard the song and I place a link to a video clip below.
On August 22, 1971 I was persuaded to attend a large convention in Kansas City, Missouri where an evangelist by the name of Lowell Lundstrom spoke. In the service that evening I was convicted of my sin and convinced of my need for Christ. I walked forward and placed my faith in Christ.
My testimony in one sense can be summed up by the simple phrase in the daily text, “Thus far has the LORD helped me.”
Samuel served God some 3,100 years ago as the last leader during the period of the Judges. In fact he anointed both Saul and David as kings. Samuel served his generation faithfully, overcoming dangers from without and apostasy from within (falling away from the faith).
In today’s text he made a tangible memorial to God’s faithfulness to himself and the people. He set up a stone and named it Ebenezer (which means “stone of help”), and stated, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” That must have been a wonderful moment and it’s my testimony today. I raise my Ebenezer and personally proclaim, Thus far has the LORD helped me.
When Robert Robinson wrote the line “Here I raise my Ebenezer; here by Thy great help I’ve come” he was surely referring to this Scripture text and declaring his faith and resolve in serving the Lord.
Whether you know the date of your spiritual birthday or not (and I realize many do not), have you placed your faith in Christ? Are you faithfully serving Him today? I sure hope so! I encourage you to raise your Ebenezer and join Samuel and me in proclaiming, “Thus far has the Lord helped us!”
My goal in serving Christ is further realized since I have now walked with Him for 41 years. But the completion of my goal, to follow Him all the days of my life, will be fully realized only when my time of transition comes, “safely to arrive at home.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, thank You for Your wonderful salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You created in my body a thirst and hunger for physical food just as You created in my soul a hunger and thirst for spiritual food. My soul thirsts for You, the living God. As I drink from Your living water my soul’s desires are satisfied. I am refreshed as I taste and see that You are good and Your mercies are everlasting and very personal. As I partake of the Living Water and the Bread of Life I am led by Your hand. I am no longer my own, for I have been bought with a tremendous price – Your Son, Your only Son, who gave His life that I might experience forgiveness for sin. Thank You for forgiving me and leading me in the paths of righteousness where I find love, joy and peace forevermore. My heart and my flesh, they may fail, but You are my strength and my portion for ever and ever. Amen.
Many have sought to condense the gospel message into a simple presentation followed by a sinner’s “prayer” such as “The Four Spiritual Laws”, “Steps to Peace With God” and more recently the “Need Him” website. These formulas can be very helpful but in my view can also have some detriments:
1) They essentially present the claims of the gospel but since they vary a bit people can stumble as to there being one right formula and more specifically the way to say the “sinner’s prayer”. i.e. “Did I say it just right”, “Did I cover everything” etc.
2) Some place their faith in having heard the formula and saying the prayer. I’ve seen more than a few give little thought to following God after this. In fact I suppose if everyone who ever went through one of these formulas or responded to an altar call at some point in their lives were totaled we would refer to the vast majority of people in America as “Christian”!
A Christian is one who believes in Christ, has repented of sin, who follows Him, and applies the Scripture to his or her life. Tomorrow I will share a message about a gospel presentation Jesus used: “Then He said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).
Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom, who preached the Gospel the night I got saved passed away July 20th of this year (obituary). His wife Connie passed in December 2011. He remained faithful as an evangelist till his death. On several occasions I saw Lowell since the time of my conversion and was pleased to share of his impact on my life and he was equally pleased to hear it. The last time I saw him was in 1998 when he had a connecting flight at the KC airport following my dad’s death. He provided some comfort and perspective in sharing that my dad was taking an early flight.
He had a long faithful ministry and a reader sent me these links:
1) Lowell preaching the Gospel as a young man similar in age as the time he preached when I was converted in 1971. Video segment
2) He shared his testimony in this message in 2010 Video
Today’s photo of the mailbox was taken at the Penn State trial gardens near Mount Joy. It includes an “idea garden” with creative ways to use plants. We enjoyed our walk through this free tourist attraction that is probably rarely visited since it’s off the beaten path.
“My Tribute” Video Oslo Gospel Choir
“Praise To The Lord, The Almighty” Video Passion Band
“I Wish We’d All Been Ready” Video Interestingly I spoke in a church in York County several weeks ago and a lady sang this song. I hadn’t heard it sung in church for many years. Larry Norman, who wrote the song, passed away in 2008. He dictated a message to a friend just before his death. “I feel like a prize in a box of Cracker Jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up, I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.”
Photo of Ebenezer barn in Arkansas with devotional thought by photographer.
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Tychicus”
August 21, 2012
Seen in the Church Foyer
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Tychicus”
No one would be impressed by my camera, an old point and shoot with scotch tape holding the battery cover on. I am an old fashioned type and the new cameras of this type lack the viewfinder, which I am accustomed to using. I can take photos with my phone and do so occasionally but have a hard time getting used to turning a phone into a camera!
I almost always have my camera with me ready to snap a photo that might be used on daily encouragement. I walked into church Sunday morning and saw a simple sight which wouldn’t necessarily be photogenic. Yet the sight warmed my heart. Several boxes of fresh corn with a simple sign “Help Yourself” brought in by a local farmer. It got me thinking of a series of photos of the actions of ordinary people who follow Christ.
Let us consider Tychicus today. You’ve read his name, which is found only five times, as you read through the New Testament, but I really doubt if most have paid much attention. It can be determined from these few references that he had a chronologically long and geographically varied ministry.
Tychicus and Paul had worked together a long time. We first find him referenced in Acts 20:4 when he was traveling with Paul on a missionary journey. We have no record of his background or time of conversion, although he was from the province of Asia. One resource indicated that tradition teaches he died a martyr.
Tychicus is one of the many ministry associates that Paul worked with. Paul wrote “He is a dear (literally “beloved”) brother, faithful minister and fellow servant”. These are impressive credentials coming from Paul, who is always sending him out as a faithful messenger (see Ephesians 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12). In the daily passage and in Ephesians 6:21 we note that the express purpose was to take information about Paul’s condition and to encourage the recipients of the letters.
I suppose you could say Tychicus was a pretty ordinary person, but I would add that since he did his work heartily as to the Lord, God made him of extraordinary use to the kingdom. A good messenger delivers the message without distorting it. He has no personal agenda that might cloud the message. He doesn’t get delayed by his own personal interests, nor does he get into petty distraction or engage in gossip. Would your credentials hold for this duty?
Thank God for the millions of ordinary people in the Church like Tychicus, who take their callings seriously and do it heartily as to the Lord! We hope today’s message will open your eyes to the blessing you can be to others. Ordinary faithful people who seek to live like Christ. They teach Sunday School, count offerings, swab toilets, mow the lawn, run the sound system, visit prisoners, pick up the elderly for church, and perform a thousand other duties, large and small, to advance the Kingdom of God.
Yesterday Brooksyne and Ester attended the funeral of Virginia Miller, who at 93 years of age received her glorious promotion. For many years we have visited with Ginnie in the course of our chaplain service at a local personal care center. She had a delightful positive outlook even though she endured much suffering. At the service her pastor spoke of still seeing in his mind’s eye the years Ginnie drove up during the week in her blue car. She’d pick up the church bulletins, take them home and return them folded for Sunday’s Worship Service!
Are you weary in your walk today? Or do you sometimes think, “What’s the use? What can I do with what little I have to offer?” Listen, watch, and pray. God will show you or He might just speak to you through another Christian leader about a duty that you are able to meet. Be faithful in whatever God lays on your heart, just as Tychicus was.
In Paul’s final letter we find his name in a brief but telling verse. Others had abandoned him, but Paul writes “I sent Tychicus to Ephesus” (2 Timothy 4:12). Tychicus had his bag ready. Faithful! That’s the kind of people Christ’s Kingdom needs today.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father God, we thank You for our brothers and sisters who, because of Your redemptive love, share together in the work of furthering the kingdom of God. Thank you for those who see a need and are quick to respond. We also know of those who see the need but feel inadequate for the task. Would You empower and embolden them to take a step of faith by moving in the direction You’re leading to the point of commitment. We’re mindful of Tychicus’ example of faithfulness in his duties and his loving spirit toward Paul and his fellow servants. We also want to be faithful in our thoughts, our conversation, and our duties this day. We pray to You through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Note: Paul sent Tychicus from his prison, writing from a damp cell with his own earthly future very uncertain. Yet he is considering the needs of others before his own.
Most homes have colorful wraparound porches with string lighting.
Hard to see this photo but I like the effect. It’s from the inside of the still used tabernacle showing the many homes that surround it. A choral concert was planned for the evening.
A favorite place on the grounds is the Jigger Shop for ice cream treats!
I like the green ivy climbing up many of the trees.
Many took photographs of this “green” cottage/home. If you look carefully you might just see a few of the bubbles in the right top middle of the porch that were blowing in the air. They must have had a bubble machine since there were bubbles all afternoon!
The front porch railing on this home is made of tree limbs.
Here’s one more photo from the art show! What an ornery little monkey this fella was, but isn’t that what we like about monkeys (as long as someone else is taking care of him.) This little guy brings a lot of money to his owner as he gives out wet kisses to those who hand him a dollar bill.
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Spiritual Disorientation”
August 20, 2012
“At the Trailhead”
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME
(photo by Howard Blichfeldt)
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Spiritual Disorientation”
Yesterday afternoon Brooksyne and I went to the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show in the little resort village of Mount Gretna PA. There were thousands of people attending the show and parking was at a distant location requiring a shuttle bus. So I decided to park on a side road at the fringe of the village and then we enjoyed the meandering paths between the cottages till we found the art show.
Here’s a photo of the path between the cottages.Following the show we assisted our photographer friend Howard Blichfeldt dismantle his display and by the time we were done it was dark. Confident in my tracking abilities I set back through the now dark village to find the van. I headed in what I thought was the right direction but the cottages are so similar and the paths so winding I got lost, really lost. I decided I would do the smart thing and use the gps on my phone but that just got me more confused since I didn’t know where I was parked by a named street, just the landmarks I had seen along the way.
After awhile Brooksyne called worrying about me as I took so long and Howard was ready to search for me, but alas I finally found some landmarks I recalled from the afternoon and what a blessed sight that van was!
To use an old term I had “lost my bearings” which I found very unsettling! More technically speaking I had a form of spatial disorientation.
Many of you may recall the plane accident that killed John F. Kennedy Jr. and two passengers years ago. At that time I lived in New England, not far from the crash site off Martha’s Vineyard. Most aviation experts feel it was likely that Kennedy experienced a phenomenon known as “spatial disorientation”. In flight a pilot can become so confused in haze or darkness without landmarks that he has absolutely no sense of direction. This is very serious for pilots who do not have instrument rating. A pilot may feel he is going straight ahead when in fact he is diving down!
But there’s a much more serious form of disorientation, which affects all of mankind in the spiritual realm. Rather than spatial disorientation I call it “spiritual disorientation”. Amazingly though, most are not even aware of its affect or even that they are disoriented. Worse yet they give little consideration to the eventual consequences of this disorientation. What a serious “woe” is expressed in our daily text. “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”
Other Scripture verses describe this disorientation. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25).
Circumstances in our world seem to be ever more confusing and the earnest believer must be vigilant in keeping the proper spiritual orientation. As believers we must cry out today with the Psalmist, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). We trust in the One of whom it is written, “He will be the sure foundation for your times” (Isaiah 33:6). And “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). Praise the Lord! Keep your spiritual orientation today.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Jesus, You are the Solid Rock that keeps us anchored in this vast landscape of shifting sands. Our unfading hope is secured in Your finished work on the cross and our guide map is the inspired Holy Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation. Help us to resist the temptation to look further or to add to Your clearly prescribed plan for living a life that pleases You. We offer to You our lives as living sacrifices. May they be holy and pleasing to You. Amen.
Howard (left in photo) had a lot of folks stop by his display. He became our friend several years ago through daily encouragement and we had him over for dinner Friday evening before the show.
He desires to use his photographic skills to honor the Lord. You can see some examples of his inspirational photos here. He has a powerful way of relating his photographs (which are outstanding in themselves) with a Scripture text or inspirational saying.
By helping Howard we sure gained a new appreciation for the world of those who display their skills in art shows. Not only do they demonstrate their artistic skills which have a quite a variety, but the labor in putting up and taking down these displays is formidable!
There were sure a lot of people viewing the art and we had a beautiful day!
People have appreciation for various types of art. Let me show several examples that I especially appreciated.
This artist completely devoted his work to barns and the frames were made of old barn wood!
This man made spin tops which for me prompted a memory of a dear man in our church in New England. Antonio Figueredo, a Portuguese immigrant who is now with the Lord made these and gave me one which I still treasure on my memory shelf.
This artist creates his art from old pieces of industrial equipment!
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“Whatever Happened To Joseph?”
August 17, 2012
Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
(photo by Howard Blichfeldt)
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Whatever Happened To Joseph?”
I’ve been visiting with a friend in one of our companies who is waiting for an open door of ministry. He trained at Lancaster Bible College, then seminary. For several years we’ve discussed various pending ministry openings but it seems the open door always closes, thus far anyway. This week we discussed a current pastoral position he is being considered for. “May the Lord’s will be done” is his attitude during the wait. In the meantime he remains active in lay ministry and has a supervisory role in his company.
I just received a commentary on Acts from a daily encouragement reader which is written by his pastor. A commentary, for those who may not be aware, is a Bible study reference book that takes a selection of Scripture followed by further explanations or comments. Preachers appreciate commentaries as a resource in sermon preparation but others can also benefit from reading them just for personal enrichment. I read the notes related to Acts 1 and considered a somewhat obscure portion at the end of the chapter that relates to my friend’s situation.
Today I’d like us to consider a man that few give thought to. There are several Josephs in the Bible but this Joseph is a man whose name appears in the first chapter of Acts and then disappears. The only reference given to this particular Joseph, he was a disciple who had been with the Lord from the beginning of His ministry, and witnessed His resurrection. These are pretty astounding credentials.
He, along with Matthias, was being considered for a very important job. Actually, the opportunity of a lifetime. The disciples had an opening to fill among the Twelve and he and Matthias were up for it. Here’s the Scripture reference, “So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.” After an earnest prayer and a selection procedure Matthias was chosen.
I wonder what happened to Joseph? Did he get bitter or resentful? Was he envious of Matthias? Did he question the selection procedure? Did he stew, “Life just isn’t fair”.
Or did he go on, like millions have since his time, and faithfully serve the Lord the remainder of his life in relative obscurity? I really expect this to be the case.
And I believe there are a lot of people like Joseph. Really, each of us can relate in one way or another. We’ve all had disappointments haven’t we? That job offer that fell through, the personal rejection that still stings, that election or promotion that went to the “other guy”.
How we handle it is what really matters. Sometimes it is made clear to us why a door didn’t open, though not always immediate, but more often over time. At times more training or skills were needed for a particular job situation. There are those circumstances where God was protecting us from a potential danger we ourselves could not see at the time.
We’ve found both in house hunting and in pastoral ministry that God closed the doors we had walked through only to provide a much better opportunity that was not available until several months later. The above examples and many more turn into life lessons that can’t be learned just by reading a book or taking a written examination.
Ultimately it’s God who opens and closes doors. What peace that brings to the quivering heart! I am quite certain that is the attitude of my friend and will be regardless of what happens. Let us all keep serving God in whatever door He opens and trust that He knows best when a door is closed.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we desire to have You lead us in the paths of righteousness that lead us in the way everlasting. Sometimes the next step we take is clearly visible and other times it is a step of faith as darkness seems to veil Your leading. As we earnestly pray we can trust You who stilled the tempest and turned darkness into light. We pray for discernment and a willing spirit to follow Your leading in all matters, no matter the outcome. Amen.
Mount Gretna, PA
Dan invited me to an ordination service in which a decision was being made regarding the selection of a pastor. His church, an old order type Mennonite church, used a selection process similar to that used in Acts 1 that I had never witnessed before. As in Acts 1 two men’s names were proposed, one being Dan’s. The congregation is in earnest prayer during this time that the will of God will preside over the will of man.
In the ordination service the bishop solemnly placed a card in one of two identical Bibles. Each man was then instructed to choose a Bible. The one who chose the Bible with the card was determined to be the man of God’s own choosing. I was very impressed by the service and this earnest means of determining God’s will in a spiritual matter. As I was introduced to this uncommon pastoral selection process I recalled some of the petty politicizing I’ve seen over the years that can easily infect many other selection processes.
I know Dan was excited about this potential opportunity to serve. Potential opportunities always give us reason for contemplation, planning, and talking about the possible changes just ahead. We invest a lot of time, energy, and emotion to such opportunities. It’s hard to be willing without also being excited. Yet Dan was not chosen. What a touching moment to see the brother who had been chosen and Dan hugging each other following the process. But Dan was OK, because he and his family, along with the other believers, had been praying about the outcome and had placed the matter in the Lord’s hands. Now, many years later Dan continues to serve the Lord in his church and in the workplace as a truck driver.
Background Note: Disappointments are often His appointments. God uses circumstances, sometimes disappointing ones, to divert us to other opportunities He has for us. In the beautiful classic hymn “Have Thine Own Way” God moved upon Adelaide Pollard’s heart to write a prayer of consecration. Born in Iowa during the Civil War in 1862 Adelaide committed her life to Jesus at a young age and became involved in ministry. She felt God calling her to Africa as a missionary, but to her intense disappointment, she was unable to raise her financial support. She was in her forties at the time and attended a small prayer meeting where an elderly woman prayed, “It doesn’t matter what You bring into our lives, Lord. Just have Your own way with us.”
Following the prayer meeting Adelaide went home that evening with that phrase shaping words in her heart. She opened her Bible to the story of “the potter and the clay” in Jeremiah 18 and before she retired that night she had written out the prayer, “Have Thine Own Way.”
Brooksyne’s Personal Experience: This hymn has ministered to my heart so many times when I’m in the doorway of uncertainty – the kind of door that swings both ways and I’m not sure which way God wants me to push. Sometimes it’s the waiting He calls me to do and other times it’s the walk that He wants me to pursue. But always I want to be filled with His “Spirit, till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
