A happy face barn also makes my heart cheerful!
This barn is near Reinholds in northeastern Lancaster County, PA.
(Note: This photo is not doctored by photoshop. This barn really does have this smile face painted on it!)

Listen to this message on your audio player

“Serving Wholeheartedly”

Brooksyne took this photo of the goldfinches in front of our office window.
Here’s a larger version.

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“When It’s All Been Said And Done”  Video  Slater  Armstrong

“Find Us Faithful”  Video  Steve Green

“When The Tears Fall”  Video  Tim Hughes  This song has a wonderful message of faith and assurance.

Recommended Book:
Find Us Faithful: Leadership That Leaves a Legacy
By David Olford / B & H Publishing Group
Illuminating Paul’s farewell address to the church elders of Ephesus found in Acts 20, Olford describes three gifts those in Christian ministry should leave behind: a personal example, a preached word, and a prepared leadership. He clarifies the responsibilities we must fulfill; reveals encouragements to be embraced; and reflects on the urgency of faithfulness. More info

Mollie and Dottie relaxing on a cold winter afternoon.

Pet Humor (not related to today’s message!):  Both our dogs got a real kick out of this video and you might as well!

While I am sharing some dog humor how about this, this or this. (Photos)

And finally, if you never read about my dog who was ordained see here.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

We are pleased to have some snow cover which makes for wonderful photos. Michelle, a friend of ours sent us this interesting photo taken by her friend Lindsay. The finely crystallized snow looks like cotton!

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1). Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8). “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40).

For many years Brooksyne has led hymn sings in area nursing centers. As expected, most of the residents are elderly but these centers sometimes have severely disabled people who make the center their home though they are not necessarily elderly.

In one particular setting she became acquainted with Bill* who regularly attended the hymn sings. Bill has a horribly disfigured face due to a congenital birth defect. He has a severe form of Sturge-Weber’s syndrome, named for the two doctors who discovered the disfiguring disease. His head is nearly double the normal size, his face blotched with deep red pigmentation as though he has been through a fire. His facial and hand features are so out of proportion that he deals with curiously immature people who point and stare at him in revulsion when he is in public settings.

It seems to me people like Bill might fit in the category of those whom Jesus refers to as “the least of these” (as people rate one another’s value). Mephibosheth might be among them as well. He is among my favorite “lesser known” Bible characters. Dropped as a very small child he was “lame in both feet”. His story is told in 2 Samuel 9 and, if you’re not familiar with his life, you may need to read this entire chapter and some study material about him. Today’s message is a summary.

He had a lot more than his share of problems and was now the sole surviving member of Saul’s family with David as the king. His personal esteem couldn’t sink any lower as he saw the importance of his life to be no more than that of a “dead dog”. Since dogs were not valued by the Hebrew culture (in the sense we do as pets) this self-description packs a double whammy, kind of like me referring to myself as “a dead skunk”.

But David models the love of God when he sought Mephibosheth out and made a place at the King’s table for him, “like one of the king’s sons”, not just for the evening but for the rest of his life. He gave him land and appointed servants that provided for his needs. This is an excellent illustration of generosity and grace exhibited in the Old Testament.

Some of you reading this may not be able to identify with Mephibosheth at all. Life for you has been pretty good. Most importantly you have an assurance of God’s love and a network of caring people around you.

We encourage you to consider others who may need a lift today by your expression of personal interest or your gesture of kindness. David so powerfully illustrates God’s grace in the fact that he didn’t wait for Mephibosheth to cross his path, but actually made the necessary effort to locate him and then chose to personally bless him. How can you demonstrate that grace today to one who might be regarded as among “the least of these”?

Others reading this readily identify with Mephibosheth. Life’s always been hard and you’ve wondered when and if things will ever work out. It’s been one hard blow after another and you could reckon the value of your own life as that of a “dead dog”. You question in your mind, ”Does anyone love me? Does anyone really care?” And here you are reading this message. God has brought you to this message and wants you to receive His love and care. He wants you to hold onto this unchanging truth that is filled with eternal hope:

The fact is, apart from the love and mercy of God every one of us are as “dead dogs”. John
Newton put it this way, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!” We might despair if we look only to this life, so we must be mindful daily of the way God has set up His kingdom.

He calls us to endure the temporal difficulties in our life on earth, but He’s invited us to enjoy the eternal delights in our life in heaven. He has saved the best for last, but that’s OK because that’s where we’ll be forever and always, long after the troubles of this life have faded from view! I’m sure glad it’s not the other way around, though, for those who choose not to enter the kingdom of God, it surely is!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, there is much that we don’t understand on this side; why some go through life seemingly with ease and little trouble, and others seem to be born with trouble that never goes away. It is not for us to understand Your ways for You are a God of mystery with greater purpose than we can comprehend, and yet You have made clear to us through Scripture that which we are to understand. Some of the very trouble we seek to avoid is what brings us to faith and causes us to live a life that is honoring to You and purposeful to others. Keep our hearts sensitive and compassionate toward those who are undervalued by the world’s standards. When we put ourselves in their place, we identify with their struggles and feel the deep hurt they experience when looked down upon and rejected by others. May we be Your tender arm of compassion and Your gentle voice of acceptance and unconditional love. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Context of today’s passage: 2 Samuel 9

* Brooksyne’s note: Bill is a fictional name used for privacy reasons. An interesting coincidence is that he’s the first person I’ve ever met who was born on the very same day and year as I. When I learned this fact you might imagine that it got me thinking hard and long, “Why him and not me?” At the time, he was thought to be the oldest person living with this disorder, as most born with Sturge-Weber’s Syndrome have a shortened life span. Info about Sturge-Weber’s Syndrome

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.

Last week I shared a series of photos of barns. Galen, a local friend shared with me about his unique barn, a three level bank barn build in 1830. We had our first winter snow this weekend and I stopped by to get a photo of the barn in the snow. I know Galen wants to share more about the barn, so one of these days I expect I will share more photos and some barn history!

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18).

Today tens of thousands are gathered in Washington for the annual “March for Life” commemorating the 39th anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. I don’t know how many will be there this year but in the past it’s numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Most assuredly there will be a very large crowd gathered, although likely the secular news media will do one of three things: ignore it, focus on some strange fringe group that in no way represents the true cause, or give coverage to the minuscule pro-abortion demonstrators who’ll be out as well.

For several years I went down to Washington to participate in the Pro-Life March when I lived in northern Pennsylvania and once from New England. People come in from all over the country, such as my Aunt Mary, who though in her mid seventies, traveled each year all the way from western Missouri.

It’s been several years since I last participated in this March with the committed thousands. But you can count on them every year, rain or shine, bitterly cold or pleasant weather. They take a visible stand to publicly proclaim, “We have not forgotten the estimated 55,000,000 unborn babies ‘legally’ murdered here in the US since 1973.” I have enjoyed my association with these dedicated pro-lifers over the years, and I bless them in their stand for life and righteousness today.

Today’s text may seem an unusual one for today’s topic and certainly there are verses more specifically related to unborn life which I have used on similar themes in the past.  But I consider the discouragement that we may face any time we take a stand on a controversial matter. Any of us standing up against the waves of evil flooding our world may wonder if we are really making a difference. Our nation is confronted with two fundamental violations today in God’s created order: the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage.

We may wonder if our efforts matter. We may wonder if we are alone; whether it is in our own household where other family members are not believers or in the workplace where there is no other coworker who takes a visible stand for Christ.

Elijah was discouraged here on Mount Carmel. Although he had just seen a mighty demonstration by Almighty God he felt alone in his stand and expressed his despair by exclaiming, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (v. 10).

God’s word of assurance to Elijah is powerful and timely for us as well: “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” As we take a stand for Christ and stridently avoid bowing to the Baals of our age we may feel that we are alone. Be assured that God always has a faithful remnant who remain true to His Name. Keep standing for Christ and His righteousness today. You are not alone!

Be encouraged and stand faithful today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we look at Elijah who took a mighty stand for You during the plague of unbelief that spread throughout the land of Israel. And yet there were moments when he allowed the mindset of the unbelievers, instead of the absolutes stated in Your Word, to weaken him, leading him to think that he was alone in standing true for You.  But You sent word word to Elijah, that You have a remnant more interested in obeying You than bowing down to the ever-evolving philosophies of their generation.  When we stand with You, Almighty God, we are a majority no matter the number of evil forces we oppose.  Keep us looking upward as we walk onward in the truths of Your Holy Scripture. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

A Pro-Life Prayer:  Father, we thank You for the courageous girls and women who, in the most difficult of circumstances, choose to give life over choosing to dispense of their “problem.”  We thank You for the vast groups of men and women who lend support to crises pregnancies, to those who take in and raise children who are given up for adoption. We thank You for those who have dedicated their lives to this tremendous cause, keeping it very much alive, so that those who accept it as a viable option due to its legalization in 1973 will come to realize that Your Word is the first and final authority on life, not the legislation of our day.

Bless those who speak today, those who march, and those who work among pregnant girls and women who are presently in the very midst of making a life or death decision regarding their unborn child. We also pray for those who made the wrong choice to abort, that they may find Your enduring grace that brings healing and restoration. In many instances, You have used their troubling experience to be an influencing voice for others to make a right choice. We commit the Pro-Life cause to You this day, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

In Friday’s message we used a verse that pointed out how Peter stood by a fire to warm himself at the time he denied Christ. A Canadian reader observes: “Peter’s denial takes place over a charcoal fire and it’s a charcoal fire that Jesus builds on the beach before reinstating Peter. Charcoal would have been hard to find on the beach, you normally would gather sticks to build a fire, but Jesus is recreating the sensory reminder of the previous fire, and the gospel account includes this seemingly trivial detail.” That’s a very interesting point!

Sanctity of Life Note:  The church I pastored in Massachusetts was located on US 44, a  busy highway that was the main east/west route through the city of Taunton (and main route from Providence Rhode Island to Plymouth, MA).  We had a lighted message sign along the highway that was changed virtually every week by Bill and Veda, a very dedicated couple in the church.  Scores of people were regularly exposed to spiritual truth in a very spiritually desolate region of the country. Through the years we got a number of positive remarks from passersby concerning these messages which was very encouraging.

However a message we placed up in January one year got some very interesting feedback. We posted this simple, unambiguous, irrefutable message: “Abortion Stops A Beating Heart.” A lady who’d seen the sign called my office extremely upset. She thought there should be a law against posting such a message and threatened that she was going to check into it. She claimed her children were so upset they cried. Truth really hurts and in this case illustrates the awful blindness that sin causes.

Here’s a photo I found that was taken many years ago at the “March For Life” in Washington. I am the tall man in the red jacket holding the sign! I note that there are two friends from our church standing behind me, Chris and Kandy. Jim, a pastor friend from the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, is standing in front of me. Today there will be thousands in Washington bravely participating in this peaceful demonstration. Join with Brooksyne and me in praying for them.

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.

I took this photo of an Amish farm yesterday in our travels through eastern Lancaster County. It was a cold day but the sky was bright and clear, same as today but snow is in the forecast!

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself” (John 18:18). “Is not my Word like fire? declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:29).

We have a fire burning in our home all the time from late October through late April. Our coal stove uses anthracite coal and heats our home with a steady supply of heat produced by burning coals. Brooksyne stands right next to the hot coal stove on a cold winter morning or after we’ve been out in the frigid air. Our annual delivery of coal came today and among our blessings is having a warm home in our cold winter climate!

Today’s first Scripture text is not a Scripture most believers would put to memory. It’s an incidental detail that provides a backdrop to Peter’s infamous denial of the Lord. The troubling scene in the court of the high priest shows the disparity of Peter’s willingness only a short while earlier to fight the whole Roman garrison alone. Now he is cowering in fear, denying the Lord. Many Bible scholars feel that Mark’s Gospel is likely influenced by Peter’s own experience. I’m sure this was a sorrowful experience burned deeply in Peter’s memory bank.

Biblical illustrations are generally cross cultural and multi-generational. Such is the case with today’s second verse: “‘Is not my Word like fire?’ declares the Lord.” Regardless of where you are reading this you are familiar with fire, something that is used for good (like heating a home, cooking a meal, or extensively used in manufacturing) or something that can be disastrous such as a house fire.

An interesting consideration not specified in this text is how God’s Word is like fire. Certainly we could consider the purifying aspect of fire or its use in hardening. However, today let us consider fire in the sense of its warming qualities.

Two despondent disciples were walking on the Road to Emmaus when they encountered the risen Lord on Resurrection Day. Initially they didn’t know who He was, but when He opened the Scriptures to them they recognized Him to be the Christ. After He departed they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

This illustrates a spiritual quality of the Word of God many have experienced. This may be through a personal reading of the Scriptures or while hearing the Word preached. This spiritual warming can be experienced in several ways:

1) Spiritual warming in the sense of conviction of sin: This aspect of God’s Word can be seen in the description of the conviction that came over the 3,000 assembled on the Day of Pentecost as Peter preached God’s Word. “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

2) Spiritual warming in the sense of comfort and assurance: John Wesley wrote in his journal concerning his conversion: “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

3) Spiritual warming in the sense of compulsion to serve the Lord: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, ignite within us the fire of Your Holy Spirit to be convicted of sin, comforted in our hour of trial, and zealous in our Christian service. We want to warm our hearts with the fire of Your Holy Spirit that is uplifting and filled with eternal hope, rather than the enemy’s fire that spreads destruction and ruin to all who are in its path. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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.

I took this photo of an old bank barn several years ago in Berks County Pennsylvania. Bank barns are common throughout Pennsylvania with the typical uneven terrain. The design allows direct access to both levels. I sure enjoy old barns and have been featuring photos this week and expect to share another barn photo tomorrow!

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“Compelled by the Spirit”

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:22-24).

When Brooksyne and I were in college we read a book that left a lasting impact on both of us.  “For This Cross I Will Kill You” is an autobiography written by Bruce Olson, a young man compelled by the Holy Spirit, to live among a primitive tribe in South America. Only 19 years old at the time he was captured by the Motilone Indians and faced disease, terror, loneliness and torture to evangelize this Stone Age tribe. When we, like Olson, are compelled by the Holy Spirit, no troublesome circumstance or dissuading individual can deter us from following the divine will of God as He leads us.

Today’s verse was written as the Apostle Paul was concluding his third missionary journey. He is preaching what I believe to be one of his greatest sermons; his instructional and heartfelt farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38).  This passage is a model passage for those in ministry who’ve had to bid farewell to a group of believers, as the Lord moved them on to other positions of service. The chapter concludes with a moving scene at the dock as Paul left.

Paul tells these Ephesian elders the reason for his departure to Jerusalem: He is “compelled by the Spirit.”  Many of you have experienced this kind of leading, although it’s difficult to explain to someone who has not, particularly a non-believer. Being compelled means being driven beyond our ability to resist the leading prompted by the Holy Spirit as He directs our lives. “If we can bring ourselves to that place of ultimate surrender, then we will be compelled and propelled by the Spirit into our destiny and into God’s divine will for our life” (Mark E. Hardgrove).

This leading does not always make sense.  Paul acknowledged that he did not know what would happen to him.  He had been warned in every city by the Holy Spirit that he was to face prison and hardships.  Later in his journey the disciples at Tyre through the Spirit urged him not to go (Acts 21:4) and still later a prophet at Caesarea named Agabus with great drama accurately prophesied Paul’s experience and again pleaded with Paul not to go (Acts 21:9-11).  Interestingly the text reads, “We and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:12). Apparently even Luke, the writer of Acts, who was traveling with Paul, joined in the pleading!

But the Spirit compelled Paul and in obedience he followed the leading of the Spirit.  As had been prophesied he indeed faced prison and hardships as the remaining chapters of Acts record.  Not only did he use each opportunity to witness for the Lord, but most of the New Testament epistles were written after this point.  His greatest legacy is in his writings that are read as part of the Holy Scriptures by hundreds of millions throughout the church age. Paul summarized his response to the compelling work of the Holy Spirit; “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Is the Spirit compelling you today?  Are you open to following God’s will for your life and stepping out of your comfort zone at His leading? The apostle Paul provides a positive example of a life lived well.  In his final epistle to Timothy he is able to write, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Today may we be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we walk in obedience to Christ!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we pray for listening ears to hear the voice of Your Spirit. Help us to understand the meaning of Your leading as You walk with us along the path of Your commands, where we find contentment, peace and connectedness to You, our Lord and Master. Turn our hearts away from those things that lead away from pursuing Your purpose for our lives. We desire to be in the center of Your will.  Amen.

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.

Pennsylvania red bank barn in snow
(Taken by our friend Greg Schneider)

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Bible teacher Herbert Lockyer, who is now with the Lord, wrote a book titled “All The Promises In The Bible”. In fact he wrote a series of books along this theme, “All The _____ Of The Bible” comprised of 21 volumes! Dr. Lockyer’s gifts for clearly explaining the profound truths of Scripture and helping readers apply these precepts to their everyday lives have made these inspiring books international bestsellers.

I think it would be interesting someday to develop a study on all the tools of the Bible. But in my research I don’t recall ever seeing a study, let alone a book, that provides spiritual lessons from the various tools mentioned in the Bible. I feel it would be a best seller, especially for men! So let’s go for one today!

Like most men, I like tools and have quite a collection accumulated through the years. My dad was a “blue collar” working man and had quite a tool shop. Through the year I inherited a number of his tools and of course through the years have bought many on my own.

The tools mentioned in the Bible such as hammer, goad, plumb line, adjustable wrench and so on each would illustrate a spiritual truth. Actually adjustable wrench is not in the Bible but probably could be a spiritual illustration! I should also note that the tool shop pictured to the right is not mine!

Today let us consider a spiritual lesson from an illustration in the Bible regarding an axe. I do not recall ever considering this passage till Jesse, an older friend of mine, called my attention to it several weeks ago as were discussing the Bible. It’s a relatively straightforward statement that is pretty self evident. “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength.”

As matter of fact I have used a dull hatchet (a hatchet is essentially an axe with a short handle) and can testify to this. I’ve never had the patience or skills to sharpen my hatchet so I just endure the dull edge the few times I need to use it. It certainly does require more exertion of strength as I more or less hack away at whatever I am trying to chop down!

The specific spiritual lesson is found in the latter part of the verse. “However, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.”  Wisdom is a major theme in the Book of Ecclesiastes which itself is part of the section in the Bible known as the “Wisdom Literature”.

As God’s children we need to be growing in our spiritual wisdom. This will in turn lead to success. I feel this is primarily speaking of spiritual success, living in a manner pleasing to the Lord and attaining the ultimate most important form of success which is hearing our Lord’s words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.  We are blessed to have the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Timothy 3:14-16).

May the Lord help us all to keep our axes sharp!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father we thank you for the truths expressed in Scripture that reveal the way to wisdom. Your Word states that if any of us lacks wisdom, we should ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to us. So we ask that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. This wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. As we attain that wisdom may our lives be as a sharpened axe, useful for the purpose You ordained, leading to a life that pleases You.  In Jesus Name, Amen

I wrote a Daily Encouragement message called “Lessons From A Broken Axe”

A list of tools in the Bible.

For those who enjoy Bible quizzes: I was searching for a quiz on tools of the Bible. Some of you may find this Bible quiz site interesting. It does have a quiz that has some tool questions!!! (Quiz 52 Workers and Tools)

“Blessings”  Video  Laura Story  This is one very thought-provoking song regarding how we perceive blessings from God.  Here’s the story behind the song, a good teaching!

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.

Red Barn in snowy Wisconsin
(taken by my cousin)

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

I’m an avid football fan and especially enjoy the level of play in the post season. Using a football illustration may be somewhat ineffective (for some) since many readers likely do not enjoy football and international readers may be unfamiliar with the game. American football is quite different than what is called football in many other countries which we call soccer here in the states. In our football strategy we extensively use the hands.

A critically important and fundamental skill of football is holding onto and keeping a tight grip on the ball. This last weekend, as I watched a game, the announcer commented prior to halftime that the coach needed to stress the fundamentals again due to the many dropped balls. A news story following the game read: “The Packers lost their grip on the football Sunday, and as a result, they lost their grip on the Lombardi Trophy. The Packers played uncharacteristically, losing three fumbles and dropping five passes in a stunning 37-20 divisional playoff loss to the Giants at Lambeau Field.”

In life there are many ways in which it is imperative that we hold unswervingly and keep a tight grip such as our commitment to our marriage, our family and our integrity.

But the most essential tight grip is seen in our daily text: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” Other versions state, “Let us hold fast without wavering” and “Without wavering, let us hold tightly.”

The text begins with the words “Let us” which is known as the hortatory subjunctive. This is my favorite preaching and writing style whether I am the listener and reader or whether I am the preacher or writer. One of the first sermons I ever preached was from Hebrews and throughout the message I repeatedly used the phrase “Let us”. After the message a listener thanked me for the salad sermon (lettuce)!

The author of Hebrews uses this phrase “let us” twelve times. When I read this book or hear sermons preached using this phrase (also known technically as the cohortatory) I am encouraged, as it seems the author or preacher is leading me, not pushing me. The writer conveys that he was facing the same circumstances as his readers so he presents a form of personal resolve in his writing.

I believe today’s text is the singular key text in the entire book. This call to faithfulness is directed to the earliest believers who were the initial recipients of this Scripture and to all others through the ages of the Church, including us today. That’s a vital way we read the Scriptures.

We are to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” Of course primarily this hope we profess is the hope we have in Christ. Earlier in the book we read, “we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11).

And this hope we profess is absolutely secure, “for He who promised is faithful.” Rest in this wonderful assurance today and join me in holding unswervingly to our hope in Christ!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, in this ever-changing society where transition is continually beckoning, You are the Changeless One. As we hold tightly to the hope we have in You we will not be pulled to the right nor to the left. You will keep us on course as You go before us instructing, inspiring and empowering us in our spiritual walk, for You who promised are faithful. May we keep a tight grip to Your hand that upholds us when we stumble, keeping us from being cast down. We thank You for Jesus who keeps a firm grip on us allowing no enemy to snatch us out of His hand. We hold unswervingly to You, the faithful One.  Amen.

Yesterday we joined our friend Mary Ann Miller for her 60th birthday luncheon.  We enjoyed our visit with Mary Ann and her husband, Lloyd, along with family members and co-workers, complete with a Lancaster County favorite,  Whoopie Pies that she had made!  The derivation of this food is quite interesting in light of the fact that Mary Ann was old order Amish as a child and still has many connections to that faith. Amish women would bake these desserts (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in farmers’ lunch pails or lunch boxes. When they would find the treats in their lunch, they’d shout “Whoopie!” Furthermore it is thought that the original Whoopie pies may have been made from cake batter leftovers. (That would be consistent with the resourcefulness of the Amish.)  Here’s a photo of whoopie pies and an article.

We passed a most unusual rural mailbox yesterday here in Lancaster County! I suppose I could create a photo collection of colorful mailboxes we pass such as here, here, here and here (Doris High).

Yesterday we met a creative entrepreneur who is building up a local IT business named “Nerds R Us”. He had his car covered with advertising and contact information which you see a lot more  these days, but I thought his most creative approach was placing a small clear plastic business card holder on the window inviting passersby to take a business card! When you consider how many times your car is parked in the public where people walk by, you might as well get some free advertising in the process.

A reader shared this note in regard to yesterday’s message: I was fired from a company for not discharging 35 white/gray-collar workers fast enough. At age 55 I was devastated and forgot God was in absolute control. I didn’t realize it at the time what an incredible blessing my firing would be. I started my own business and never looked back and have developed more than 10,000 customers I never would have met had I still had a “real” job. Our God is an awesome God and trusting Him explicitly regardless of the circumstances is the key to happiness. Praise God. (Stephen: I happen to know this reader personally and he got into insurance sales. He also sees his work as a means of letting Christ’s light shine through him and ministering to others, so the increase in contacts actually gives him a larger ministry platform.)

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.

On the way home from church yesterday we passed an Amish farm with distinct evidence that they were also having a church service. (The Amish meet in homes for church services purposefully rotating among the homes of church members.) This farm is along Sunnyside Road near Mount Joy, PA.

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“Intended For Good”

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

I heard a dynamic testimony from Larry Wright, a Christian businessman friend that really touched my heart. He shared how he had worked hard all his life, arising in position and stature until he was the president of a large national company. Under his leadership the company did very well and he was really enjoying his work. However, due to a principled stand he took on an issue, he was fired.

He shared of his deep hurt and the budding bitterness that began to consume his emotions. But he kept his faith through the painful testing, and in God’s timing another position opened up where he was able to use his business skills for the Lord in a parachurch ministry. He felt led to write a letter to the man who fired him and testified of God’s work in his life. He actually expressed thanks for this man’s part in the fulfillment of God’s plan!

When we are hurt by others our faith and character are tested by how we respond, forcing us to settle this question: Is God really in charge or isn’t He? Of course He’s in charge, absolutely, completely, all the time, even when others have hurt us with intent, the most painful type of hurt.

Joseph certainly knew hurt and he had a long wait to see God’s greater plan come about. Yet he stayed faithful to God and when things finally came together he could reassure his fearful brothers as he did in the daily text. He realized that, although his brothers had intended him harm (and they surely did!), God has an amazing way of overriding the evil intent of others and aligning the “fallout” from their actions to His intended purpose.

Living here below we’ve all been hurt by the words or actions of others. Yesterday we sang, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, written by Joseph Scriven in 1855. The line gripped me: “Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?” Brooksyne shared an interesting background to the hymn: Scriven, who lived in Canada, had been away from his mother in Ireland for ten years and learned that she was going through difficulty; some accounts speak of a misunderstanding that she had with a close friend and others indicate that she was ill. He wrote a comforting letter, enclosing the words of his newly written poem, with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of a never-failing heavenly Friend.

I still wince when I pull from my painful memory file some particularly vicious sheep bites over the years of my pastoral ministry. But since I now view them in hindsight, I can more clearly see how God worked through the situation and how He worked in my life, building strength of character as He tested my faith for genuineness as I was put through the scourge of refining fire (I Peter 1:7).

Keep your faith and wait for God’s timing as He most assuredly is working out His purpose in your life. Don’t allow bitterness to brew lest you sip on the poison afterward and develop a tainted view toward God and others in general. One day perhaps you’ll write a letter of thanks to the one who hurt you and, like Joseph, testify that God intended it for good, for He always has a much bigger and better plan!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we’re reminded of the amazing and unpredictable way You work all things together for good when we read the story of Joseph, from the time of his youth to his final breath. Instead of scheming for revenge he sought to relieve his brothers. He comforted their troubled hearts with the reassuring message; You sold me, but God sent me. Help us to recognize that when we are hurt by other’s words or actions, You surpass their debilitating impact on our lives by the greater plan You’re working in us; teaching us to trust You implicitly, forgive unreservedly, and to be molded into the character of Christ who gave His all in the midst of hateful injustice. Evil was present, but the much greater purpose was that we might be saved from our sins through His submission to Your overall plan. We thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday morning we had our friends John & Faithe Keefer and Jesse & Wilma Dourte over for breakfast and several hours of great fellowship.

Yesterday afternoon Mike and Nicole Martin as well as Ron and Shirley Sipe joined us as we enjoyed some pizza and several hours of fellowship again!

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 words of the wise are like goads.”
These oxen are being spurred along by means of an ancient farm implement, the ox goad.

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails–given by one Shepherd” (Ecclesiastes 12:11).

Several days ago I received an email informing me that Edward Menaldino, an esteemed senior brother in the Lord was quite ill. Over thirty years ago this brother spoke a word of truth into my heart by quoting a Scripture text that has since become my life verse (1 Corinthians 15:58). Yesterday in the course of my chaplain work I had an opportunity to challenge a young man with that very same verse who is seeking to live his life for Christ. Furthermore it occurs to me that I am now very close in age to the older minister when he spoke to me, and the young man is the same age as I when I received the word! *  What comes around goes around! I received a word from the wise and sought to pass it on.

There are teachings in the Bible that require a bit of historical research to understand even though they would have likely been more easily understood at the time they were written. Today’s verse is an example concerning the words of the wise. Let’s consider three characteristics of these “words of the wise”:

1) “They are like goads.” I suppose many of our readers would not know what a goad is, since it’s not a part of our daily vocabulary! The goad is a traditional farming implement, used to spur or guide livestock, usually oxen, which are pulling a plow or a cart. Today some farmers use a cattle prod. I joined my neighbor once as he was preparing to load finished hogs in a truck on the way to market and saw the workers use a prod to goad them along into the truck.

The goad is a long stick with a pointed end. Perhaps it’s most peculiar use involved Shamgar who killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Judges 3:31). I still recall an Old Testament professor explaining this verse and pointing out an ox goad is a “stick with a prick on the end.” An obscure verse likely rarely considered indicates their value in the economy of the day.

By way of a spiritual analogy the goad is similar to the conviction of the Holy Spirit revealing truths that function like “goads” (pointed sticks) prodding us on to live in the right way. Consider Acts 2:37 describing the response of the crowd at Pentecost to Peter’s message; “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”  Later the word actually is used at Saul’s testimony of his conversion, “I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’” (Acts 26:14). When God uses His Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, or as a means of directing us, it may initially be a very painful or uncomfortable stirring within our hearts!

2) They are “like firmly embedded nails.” What a powerful word picture for those who have tried to remove a nail firmly embedded in a piece of wood. Just like embedded nails, may the principles of God’s Word be firmly embedded in our minds and hearts.

Nails in their crudest form date back to 3,000 BC, some 2,000 years before Solomon lived. Our spiritual application is in regard to having the truths of God’s Word firmly embedded in our hearts.

Consider the photo of two rusty nails driven into some rough, gnarly wood, perhaps a fence post or a power line pole.  At some point the nails were bent and now after many years they show the rust as they’ve weathered moisture and age. At this point these nails are very firmly embedded in the wood. If you’ve ever removed nails you might picture the effort likely required to pull them out and the creaking sound you would hear!

We have a role in allowing God’s Word to be firmly embedded in our hearts. We read, study, listen to godly teaching, memorize and hide God’s Word deep in our hearts. The Word in time becomes firmly embedded like the nails in the photograph. When Satan’s siftings are experienced we might be put through the grinder of fear or doubt, but in Christ we remain steadfast, firm, and immovable!

3) They are “given by one Shepherd” It seems to me that the “words of the wise” and “collected sayings” ultimately refer to the Word of God. Due to the divine inspiration of Scripture these wise words and collected sayings are indeed given by one Shepherd, although various human agents were involved.

Ecclesiastes ends with this powerful truth that completes the thought: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).  Keep this in mind as you live for Jesus today!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we recognize the spiritual, emotional, and physical strength that comes from relying on truths and principles established in Your Word.  Impress them deep upon our hearts like embedded nails so that we hold firmly to them.  Otherwise we get lax and are led astray from the paths You’ve laid out for us. Much like the oxen we need the goading or prodding of Your Holy Spirit to keep our hearts in check and our will submitted to Your leading. Keep us faithful we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

* “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  I very specifically recall the time I was being examined for my ordination nearly 33 years ago.  Only 24 years old at the time, I was sitting at a massive conference table with the elders who had served in ministry for many years. After written tests (4-5 hours), essays, background checks, references and so forth this was the final step in my approval for ordination. These tried and proven elders (we use the term Presbyter) asked various questions concerning my call to ministry, Bible knowledge, doctrinal understanding and so forth. It was very stressful and wearying.

As the meeting came to a close I recall one of the presbyters, Edward Menaldino, a very distinguished Italian minister who pastored a large church on Philadelphia’s south side, stood up, paused, and made direct eye contact with me. He then solemnly and slowly quoted this Scripture portion from memory with the Spirit’s anointing.  Given his age and the time probably the KJV:  ”Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Perhaps that’s why this passage has stood out over the years as it has been a source of encouragement through our many years of Christian service. Only God would know that the church we were planting at the time would have many ups and downs, difficulties would abound. Of course in various ways that has been the case wherever or however I have served the Lord. I would need the Spirit’s prompting to never shrink back, but “always give myself fully to the work of the Lord knowing that my labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

That’s a word for you as well, dear friend. No matter what God has called you to do, give yourself fully to it, and know that your work is not in vain.  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. You may not see the fruit of that victory at the present, but trust God that He will reveal it to you in due time. (See Galatians 6:7-10)

Literal & spiritual meaning of the nail illustration: I consider just looking at today’s photo of the nails driven into the post and how hard it would be to remove them. I would probably need to drive a flat-bladed screw driver in and bend them out enough to get a claw hammer in. Then I would probably need to strike the claw hammer on the handle with another hammer and hope the nail head doesn’t break off. I might have to hit the nail back and forth to loosen it.  I would then hope to hear a creaking sound as the whole nail slowly is removed!

Yesterday I visited with Lee, a friend who shared about an area near Sarasota Florida where a lot of the Plain or old-order folks visit in the winter.  He showed me several interesting photos he had taken including this interesting looking mode of transportation. It is powered by solar panels on top although I don’t know if there’s an alternative power source. Notice the front of a John Deere lawn tractor. Apparently it balances similar to a Segway but I can’t tell from the photo how they steer it.

These children look like they’re really enjoying a blueberry flavored ice cream cone

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.