“The God Of All Grace”
May 15, 2012
Many birds feed at the feeder directly in front of our home office but we find ourselves preferring the colorful ones, such as this goldfinch! Brooksyne took this photo through the window, being careful not to disturb the bird. We just hung a hummingbird feeder about 1 foot from the window so we hope to see our hummingbirds return this season and get some good photos.
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“The God Of All Grace”
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10,11).
Most of this happens below the radar and receives little attention here in the US. Many of us give little thought to the plight of our brethren undergoing this persecution. I hope today’s message will reach some of you who live in areas of persecution and will be a source of encouragement to you. We also hope it is a reminder to all to “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).
Peter is writing to the persecuted church of his time; a church very familiar with suffering that surely faced discouragement. According to reliable church tradition Peter was crucified under Emperor Nero, the cross being upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ.
Let us consider the phrase, “the God of all grace” found in the daily text. A wonderful aspect of God’s character alongside His comforting assurance to the believer is found in this tiny clause. We may often think of grace as pertaining only to our salvation, but the God of all grace is constantly bestowing His unmerited favor on His needy people.
What are you facing today? As mentioned early on we certainly want to consider those being persecuted. But what situation has your attention and is causing you stress and worry? Personally, we have been in prayer for grieving friends who lost a son to cancer this past Saturday. For others it’s dealing with a severe medical condition, in some cases an ongoing, chronic struggle. For some couples it’s an aging parent facing a major living arrangement transition. And yet others are nervous about their job security. Many carry a heavy burden for children and other loved ones who aren’t walking in the truth. The list goes on and on.
Whatever situation weighs heavy on your hearts this day, let’s consider from our daily verse several blessings from the God of all grace:
1) He has called us to His eternal glory in Christ. This should prompt us to keep an eternal perspective.
2) Our suffering is very real but is only for “a little while”, a reminder of the temporary nature of our time on this earth!
3) He will restore. A promise of future restoration. What we see or are presently enduring is not the final picture. Even the most vivid imagination cannot envision the blessed future restoration God has for those who remain obedient and faithful to Him.
4) He will make us strong, firm and steadfast. Staying faithful and true by God’s grace regardless of what we may face is a result of His work in us. Turn over your weakness to Him, confess your doubts and fears, and invite Him to do the work needed to make you strong, firm, and steadfast.
Remember this important truth: Suffering is for a little while, but sharing in His glory is for all eternity!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we see the greatest example of temporal suffering in the person of Jesus Christ. By giving His all to pay the full ransom for our sins He underwent inhumane persecution to the fullest extent of giving His life through death that we might live. What seemed a hopeless cause turned into a victory above all other victories when His resurrected body made it possible for us, as His followers, to join in His eternal glory. It’s just a little longer that we must wait before we enter through the pearly gates. May we be found faithful along the way! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Most all who feed birds do not welcome squirrels at the feeder. However they are welcomed in our yard as they feed on the dropped seeds like this one who is joined by a neighborhood bunny! Brooksyne would rather the bunny eat the dropped seed than munch on the growing lettuce in our back yard.
Our cat Dottie celebrates her 11th birthday today – she was our first pet after moving to Mount Joy from Massachusetts 11 years ago. A wild barn cat dropped off a litter of four on May 15, 2001, and she’s the beauty we kept. First time we’ve ever been able to keep a cat for more than a couple years before they wandered off. Dottie seems quite content with us even though the dogs get most of the attention. Here she is….. sunning on the barn door ledge.
After two days of showers we have much to enjoy as a result. This lupine is one of the beauties we have been growing in our garden. Brooksyne says it is “elegant”! And, though I have a non-flowery vocabulary, I would have to agree with her assessment.
“What Grace Is Mine” Video Keith and Kristyn Getty tune of “Londonderry Air”
“Grace Alone” Video Maranatha Singers
“Follow Me” Video Kelly Willard This is among my many favorite old hymns written by Ira Stanphill.
“Just A Little While” Video Statesmen Quartet Brooksyne’s Note: As I was writing the prayer today, out of the blue, the lyrics to this old quartet hymn “Just a Little While” came to mind, stanza by stanza. It’s in such moments I’m reminded that reinforcement of Scripture and doctrine is stored in our memory banks through music. Stephen found an old recording of the Statesmen quartet that may bring back sweet memories for those who listened way back then. I’m sure that the Homecoming Series would have a little more up to date version, but you might just enjoy this one and its excellent lyrics thanks to songwriter Eugene Bartlett who also penned, “Victory in Jesus”.
Just a little while to wait
Just a little while to labor
In the path that’s always straight
Just a little more of sorrow
In this low and sinful state
Then we’ll enter Heaven’s Portals
Sweeping through the Pearly Gates.
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Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
“The Living One”
April 13, 2012
The dogwood tree in our backyard is near peak stage when I took this photo this morning. We sort of wish it would stay this way!
Listen to this message on your audio player.“The Living One”
I talked with a friend recently who is dealing with the fear of growing older. Besides the mounting health concerns, she’s troubled by her seeming inability to grasp the technological skills needed to operate modern appliances, telephones, computers, etc. It seems that, as wonderful as it is to live in our information age, the understanding of how to navigate her way through it has alienated her from settings where she once felt very much at home.
How about you? What might be stirring up the cauldron of fear in your heart today; world conditions, the state of our country and its rapid spiritual and moral decline, a personal matter affecting you or a loved one? We all have experienced the emotion of fear in one way or another.
I find great assurance in the tiny phrase found often in Scripture translated, “fear not” (or generally “do not be afraid” in the NIV). This phrase is found from Genesis to Revelation. Fear itself is first expressed in the Bible shortly after the transgression in the garden when Adam said to God, “I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10). The remainder of the Bible is full of many expressions of human fear for a wide variety of reasons. But the child of God may find such divine relief in God’s command to “fear not” which is again found in our daily text.
Revelation is a very complex book; thus there are many various interpretations by equally earnest and faithful followers of Christ. Some parts are certainly easier to understand than others. In the first chapter we have the abbreviated characteristics of Christ listed in the passage we selected today as our daily text.
As I contemplated today’s message a chorus we sang many years ago came to mind:
My Jesus is alive, alive forevermore!
Jesus is truly the perpetual Living One. As we read of His characteristics in Revelation, first revealed to John and recorded, late in the first century over 1900 years ago, we can be assured that they are equally true today and will be throughout eternity! Certainly technology is ever-changing as well as the “norms” of society, but our Living One changes not.
I am strengthened and encouraged through the vision the Apostle John received while imprisoned on the isle of Patmos. When he saw the Son of man he fell at his feet as though he were dead. Jesus’ words of assurance to John and to each of us nearly two thousand years later helps to still my fears and reminds me that I serve a living, risen Christ. “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever.” Because Jesus lives we live also and as Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote some 40 years ago:
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, there are so many experiences or circumstances in life that instill fear in our hearts. But we don’t have to cringe in fear because You are with us. Your protection assures us that things will turn out for good in the end, whether in this life or the life to come. Though Jesus’ followers were devastated when He hung limp on the cross You had a powerful plan all along and it turned out for the good of all, even those responsible for His death. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but He is alive forevermore, preparing a place for each of us who remain faithful. Father, we seek You because we know that You hear us and will deliver us from our unhealthy fears. We thank You for it in advance, through the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
All this week our daily encouragement messages will be on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as taught in each of the major sections of the New Testament.
Monday’s message was from the Gospel accounts. We tend to be most familiar with the resurrection accounts that each of the four gospels have and these are the passages that most preachers use on Easter Sunday. Obviously we could develop more than one message from these accounts but thought it would be beneficial to study the resurrection in the rest of the NT.
Yesterday’s message examined how the resurrection was a core element in apostolic preaching in Acts.
Wednesday and Thursday we studied the resurrection teaching in the epistles and finally today’s study from the Book of Revelation!
Today’s Suggested Music
This week have placed the same songs up through the week on the resurrection but add a new one today!
“My Faith Has Found A Resting Place” Video Haven Of Rest Quartet In this grand hymn we have this expression concerning the Ever living One.
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
“Alive, Alive, Alive, Forevermore” Video Maranatha Kids – Does anybody else remember this one! This is the chorus referred to in the message.
“Because He Lives” Video Gaither Vocal Band
“Resurrection Song” Video Second Chapter of Acts
“See What A Morning” Video Kristyn Getty
“I’ll Rise Again” Video Dallas Holm
“Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” Video
“Christ Arose” Video Daniel Thornton
“He Arose” Video
“He’s Alive” Video Don Francisco
“He Gave His Life” Video Vocal Union
“There Never Was A Pulpit Like The Cross” Video Vocal Union
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
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.
“Living By Faith In Jesus Above”
March 30, 2012
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“Living By Faith In Jesus Above”
About 25 years ago I served as a Civil Air Patrol chaplain and periodically flew along with the pilots during training, sitting in the back seat as a non-pilot. Our squadron was based out of St. Marys in northern Pennsylvania. My role was to provide moral and spiritual support and encouragement. Among my responsibilities as chaplain was to notify and update family members about the condition of their loved ones aboard a missing or crashed plane. However thankfully I never had to do this.
I recall one time when we were flying to an airport in Clearfield Pennsylvania (in the Allegheny Mountains) where there was a steep drop off at the end of the runway. The pilots were practicing their instrument rating skills but didn’t tell me till I got on the plane! After taking off both pilots placed hoods over their heads to block their visual view outside the airplane, forcing them to focus solely on the plane’s instrument panel (simulating conditions such as fog when their vision would be greatly impaired).
I could see from my seat, but certainly I had no control of the flight. Each time I looked toward the front of the plane and saw the pilots in their strange-looking hoods I grew a bit uneasy. I wanted them to see where we were going! It wasn’t so bad when we were high in the air, but when we began our descent to the landing strip I couldn’t take my eyes off the drop-off at the end!
I began thinking about Brooksyne at home and visualized a police chaplain showing up, at our front door, to notify her of a downed aircraft with her chaplain husband aboard. I was so relieved when, just prior to landing, both pilots lifted their hoods and of course we had a safe landing!
Ken is a friend of ours who is also a pilot. He lent me his instrument flight rating clip-ons which have the same function in limiting vision as the hoods mentioned above. I tried them on in our van (while it was not moving) as Brooksyne snapped the photo. However I don’t have an “instrument only” rating for driving! I don’t think we’d have any Daily Encouragement readers who’d volunteer to ride in the empty passengers’ seat if I actually attempted to drive wearing these clip-ons.There’s a spiritual lesson here. We like to see where we are going don’t we? We like to know what’s going on, and we especially like to be in control of our circumstances. Much of the time we believe we actually are. We’ve think we’ve got it all figured out. But Scripture reminds us that it is imperative to remember the Proverb, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
“We live by faith, not by sight.” Not seeing the full picture runs counter to our natural instincts. God wants each step of our earthly journey to be a step of faith so that our eyes are not focused on the troubling situation but rather that they are focused on Him. He wants us to trust Him for the continuing work He is doing in our lives and also in those who may be a part of that troubling circumstance.
I consider a phrase from a great old hymn that expresses my heart today: “When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.” Do you recognize this hymn?
Oh, for that blessed rest to be upon each reader today is our prayer as you live by faith in Jesus above!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, help us to have the kind of faith prescribed in Hebrews 11:1 where “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It is the kind of faith that is triumphant in the worst of circumstances because our faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world. We will not be overcome by life’s circumstances but we will overcome life’s circumstances by the blood of the Lamb. If we fully forsake this world, if we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, and if we saturate our hearts in prayer, I believe we can experience a faith view of heaven that is nearly as real as a physical view of our home here on earth. Help us to pursue such a spiritual goal in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Living By Faith” Video Homecoming series This is an old hymn that’s been on my heart the last several weeks; I suppose in part due to the transition in our lives in as we have ended our role in pastoring a small country church and now more fully focusing our ministry on Daily Encouragement Net and Business Chaplaincy. You rarely hear it sung in churches anymore but some of you our age will recall the following hymn text:
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.
“The Solid Rock” Video Sovereign Grace Music ”When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.”
“Step By Step” Video This was among our congregation’s favorite songs in New England, although I don’t recall singing the verses.
“In Your Arms” Video Oslo Gospel Choir
“Voice Of Truth” Video Casting Crowns
What a Civil Air Patrol chaplain does. Military type chaplaincy has changed a lot in my lifetime with more emphasis on tolerance and diversity and an expectation to soft pedal convictions about Christ and the Bible.
I did not take the photo of today’s Civil Air Patrol plane, although observant readers can tell where it was taken! Click here for a larger version.
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
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.
“Faithful To Provide Strength For Today”
March 26, 2012
Listen to this message on your audio player.blessings all mine with ten thousand besides.”
“O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress” (Isaiah 33:2).
A little over three years ago we began pastoring a small country church that has a rich spiritual heritage going back to its beginning in 1878. Located in the small hamlet of Mastersonville, Pennsylvania whose only school and general store were closed years ago. The church has been afflicted in recent decades by troubles and instability forcing its closure about ten years ago. Though it reopened a couple of years later it never regained the stability of a growing, viable congregation over the next five years, and was once again slated to close at the end of 2008.
After being informed of the situation we agreed to a short-term interim role in hopes that a longer-term pastor might eventually serve the church. That did not come about and, due to our over-filled schedule, we made the difficult decision to resign from the church early this year. Once again the doors to the church were closed after a final bittersweet service yesterday morning.
We closed with dignity as we acknowledged the scores of believers, both ministerial and lay persons, who had served Christ in that location for over 130 years. A number of folks visited the final service who had grown up in the church and told of the spiritual impact it had made on their lives; one man pointing to the altar where he had given his heart to Christ in 1974. Another spoke of her wedding and that of her 3 sisters that took place in this church. One spoke of the years that she, as a young girl, learned to play the organ for congregational singing. A teen-ager stood to her feet and recalled the time she spent in the nursery and directed her appreciation to the now elderly woman who was her nursery attendant, forever endeared to this teen’s heart.
Preparing for a local congregation’s final service is something we had never done before and have no intentions of getting good at, but it was a moving service followed by a potlock dinner and lingering fellowship through midafternoon. I feel I can state that God was glorified and His people were edified.
In my sermon I reminded the congregation that we are called to faithfully serve Christ every day, particularly in times of distress and uncertainty, as we live by faith. We, as believers, must have the faithful resolve of Simon Peter who in, a distressing and confusing time, stated: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68).
What songs do you pick for the last service? Our concluding hymn medley was, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds/God Be With You Till We Meet Again”. We also purposely selected a hymn that speaks so powerfully of God’s steadfast faithfulness, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. What a blessing to hear the acapella voices blend in full harmony as they sang this familiar hymn with deep and special meaning. Indeed God has been and ever is faithful!
In a letter dated 1941 Thomas Chisolm, who penned the song wrote: “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Some of you are dealing today with a distressing and confusing season in life. You may be as the Apostle Paul testified, “hard pressed on every side and perplexed” (2 Corinthians 4:8).
But let us focus on this portion of the petition in today’s text: “Be our strength every morning.” That is our ongoing need. Yesterday’s strength is inadequate for the challenges of this day.
“Our salvation in time of distress.” God is always our present help in the time of any trouble or distress. Today be encouraged by these truths as you join me in crying out “O Lord” to the One who is able and willing to provide for all our needs because He is forever faithful.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we look to You this day to bring us word of Your unfailing love, for we have put our trust in You. You are our strength every morning and our security at night. Your steadfast love reaches to the heavens and Your faithfulness fills the skies. There is no one like You that provides for our every need. You are our salvation in times of distress, so it is under Your protective wings that we find refuge and safely abide. Amen.
Personal Note: We have known for several months this day was coming. Our schedule was becoming increasingly difficult to adequately maintain. We will now focus on this daily encouragement writing ministry and our business chaplaincy. We’ll still keep plenty busy since we are seeing growth and expansion in both areas, but we’ll now have time for a day off from our daily duties and will also travel some over the weekends.
Yesterday I was joined at the pulpit for a photo with Jesse Dourte, who had served the church as a pastor about 40 years earlier, and preached from behind this same pulpit. He and his wife, Wilma, came to the church a few months after we began pastoring and became our “unofficial” visitation pastors, as they were very faithful in making visits to people in the community, inviting them to church.As Brooksyne was cleaning and preparing the kitchen for our fellowship meal on Saturday she reached up on top of a cabinet to clear away a couple grocery bags. In so doing she also picked up an aged magazine tucked into the recessed area of the cabinet. She was prepared to toss it but then saw a lengthy article and photos of the Dourte family written nearly fifty years earlier. Some of our readers are very familiar with the Dourtes and will find the article (pdf) very interesting.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Video Selah
“He’s Been Faithful To Me” Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
“God Be With You Till We Meet Again” Video Selah The moving song was sang at the conclusion of our service yesterday. This is a beautiful version.
“Blest Be The Tie That Binds” Video Unknown
I shared on Friday that we had quite a time dealing with a stopped-up kitchen sink drain line. Even though we worked on it together as a family till late Thursday night, getting frustrated and messy in the process, we just couldn’t clear the drain line.
It’s a blessing to have capable friends with the right tools. Our friend Ken Pierce came over Friday and opened the line making us very happy! When you don’t have something (a properly fuctioning plumbing system) you really realize how easy it is to take for granted.
Mystery Photo: I should have known the answer since we had a bumper crop of readers who wrote! Friday I shared this photo from a farm sale and here’s what Zane, who apparently has a lot of knowledge of cider presses informed us, “This photo is that of an apple/fruit press. The press is in a down position (meaning that it would have smashed the fruit to the bottom of the container with a hand crank). Typically, 2-3 types of apples are placed inside the barrel and pressed down with a fitted lid. The juices flow outside of the bin into a pan that leads to a retention container. Most people from generations past consider this to the best apple cider you can find. I agree.” We received many well-written, informational letters and appreciate your participation.
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
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.
“Hold On!”
February 7, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Each of our daily verses instructs the reader to “hold on”. We hope you noticed that!
We must press on daily in our walk with the Lord and we must hold on to His truths if we are to be victorious. Today we consider the spiritual concept of “holding on.” We often hear this expressed in the phrase, “I’m hanging in there.” In some instances it can be a very trite saying but at other times, when talking to one who is going through a very difficult trial, I am blessed to hear them repeat these words with a resolve to stay faithful especially in the midst of adversity.
Let us consider the “hold on” in our three daily verses:
1) “Hold on to instruction” I feel this is best understood as the instruction we have received based upon the Holy Scriptures from godly people who have gone before us; people we know personally (2 Timothy 3:10) where we are able to witness the outcome of their way of life (Hebrews 13:7). I hear this expressed in the New Testament by the apostle Paul: “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14a).
2) “Hold on to the good” I respond to this command today with a resounding AMEN, as evil increasingly abounds and permeates our world. We find out what is good by learning the Scriptures. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah 6:16: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls’.” Romans 12:9 puts it so succinctly, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
3) “Hold on to what you have” I believe this is foundationally a call to hold on to our faith in God. This is a command from Christ to the church in Philadelphia (ancient Philadelphia of course). This is an actual city in present day Turkey presently named Alasehir (see here for map). At the time of John’s writing the church had remained faithful to the Lord during a time of persecution, receiving this wonderful commendation from the Lord, “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My Name.” He goes on to state, concerning these ancient Christians, “You have kept My command to endure patiently” (Revelation 3:10).
Indeed let us hold on and remain steadfast as we maintain our faith in God! God is strategically planning a future date when conflict will be vanquished, righteousness will prevail, and the everlasting crown will be awarded those who patiently hold on in their faithfulness to God.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Father, help us to contend with those obstacles that are a part of our strict training so that we will receive an everlasting crown. Help us to patiently endure and prayerfully endear the important truths You teach us in our spiritual training. We want to hold on to Your unchanging hand as we build our lives not on the shifting sands of time, but on that which will never perish! Amen.
Personal note: The theme of “holding on” is applicable on many fronts and we’re especially mindful of recent calls and emails that we’ve received from our readers; those asking for prayer regarding disrespectful neighbors, troubled children, critical medical diagnoses, etc. These are the testing grounds in which we play out our claims of faith, to see if it is genuine or just talk. The “play by play” actions of our faith will bring glory, honor and praise to our Heavenly Father as we hold onto His truths and act in accordance to His will. Hold on to His unchanging Hand, dear friend, for He will see you through. This is but a journey; reaching our final eternal destination will make the toils of our present life worth it all!
“Find Us Faithful” Video Let There Be Praise Singers
“Hold On To Jesus” Video Steven Curtis Chapman
“Jesus, Hold Me Now” Video Casting Crowns
“Hold On” Video James Pullin and Remnant
“I’m Still Holding On” Video Luther Barnes and Red Budd Choir
“The Lord’s Prayer” Video Selah This beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer played on our local radio station, WDAC-FM, yesterday and it captured my (Brooksyne’s) full attention. As the solemn words from our Lord’s model prayer in the Gospels were sung, it reminded me that this is a prayer we should pray regularly. Jesus’ prayer honors our Father in heaven even as He is mindful of our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. Remember, friends, whatever is on your heart today, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
“It Will Be Worth It All, When We See Christ” Video Musicians not identified.
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Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
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.
“Living By Faith”
January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A sunrise view from our home on a cold winter’s morning
(though we have no snow on the ground presently).
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“Living By Faith”
Yesterday I received a call from Jim, a long time friend from New Jersey. He shared a burden concerning his oldest son who has been very sick the last couple of weeks and has a cancer diagnosis. Jim and his wife are carrying a heavy burden for their son and his family. When uncertainty about the future surmounts it can seem like we are in a dense cloud. And yet Jim gave testimony of how he already sees the Lord working in the matter. We prayed together over the phone for God’s guidance and sustaining strength. We dedicate today’s message to Jim and Dorothy and all who face sorrows like sea billows rolling.
We’ve all experienced times when our vision is impaired due to thick fog. It can be extremely unsettling when we’re behind the steering wheel of a car and we can’t see if we’re veering into the other lane or toward the ditch. In northern Pennsylvania we sometimes dealt with a whiteout in the winter. But we also have experienced the thick clouds of trial, as described by the hymnwriter who wrote, “when darkness veils His lovely face.”
I recall a trip many years ago when I lived in New England and had a meeting in Washington DC. Returning to Providence, RI I had difficulty getting out due to the heavy fog which canceled many flights. I actually had to stay all night at the airport (too cheap to rent a room) and early the next morning the fog was still so thick that you could barely see the planes pulled up next to the terminal.
But by mid morning the fog in the Washington area lifted and it was a beautiful day when I finally boarded the plane to return to Providence. The pilot announced that the weather in Providence was very similar to the way it had been in Washington earlier that morning. That was assuring!
On the way to Providence I could see out the window the thick clouds below us. After we descended we were surrounded by dense clouds and I could see nothing out the plane window as I intently looked for the first glimpse of the ground on the way down. We were getting very close to landing, yet we were still engulfed in clouds. Just as we crossed the access road around the airport, at the very end of the runway the ground finally appeared and within seconds we were on the ground. That’s always a great feeling, and especially so on that trip!
The pilot could see no more from the front of the plane than I could see out the side of the plane. He had to rely entirely on the instruments to land the plane safely. He was carefully following a glide path, which indicated his course as he lined up to the runway. Too high, too low, or off-center were all indicated by the instrumentation that he meticulously followed since he couldn’t visually line up for the landing. He was essentially flying by faith in the accuracy of these instruments and not by sight!
What a wonderful illustration of faith as we navigate through the clouds of life. God has provided absolutely reliable instrumentation in His Word. Truly we can say, “The Lord is faithful to all His promises” (Psalms 145:13b).
“We live by faith, not by sight”. Some of you are doubtlessly going through very thick clouds right now in your life and perhaps there’s even unexpected turbulence. By faith recognize the integrity of God’s promises and trust God. He’s forever faithful!
But we like to see don’t we? We like to know what’s going on, and we especially like to be in control of our circumstances. Much of the time we believe we really are. We think we have it all figured out. However we must remember the wise proverb, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
God wants each step of our earthly journey to be a step of faith so that our eyes are not focused on the situation nearly so much as they are focused on Him and the continuing work He is doing in our lives. If our physical vision is limited then we will more fully rely on our spiritual vision and see that God providentially allows these foggy periods in our life for His glory and for our good. Just as the fog required the pilots to rely on their instruments rather than their sight, so our trials will cause us to focus on God, our faith and the eternal, which is where our focus should be.
Earlier I quoted a phrase from a hymn that expresses my heart today: “When darkness veils His lovely face”. Those who know the hymns can complete the sentence, “I rest on His unchanging grace.” Oh, for this blessed assurance to be upon each of our readers today is our prayer, especially those experiencing life in the clouds!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father help us to have the kind of faith prescribed in Hebrews 11:1 where “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It is the kind of faith that is triumphant in the worst of circumstances because our faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world. We will not be overcome by life’s circumstances but we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Praise God! Amen.
“It Is Well” Video Musician not identified. Something that struck me when viewing the lyrics to this song and following yesterday’s study on the Gospel is the clear presentation of the Gospel in this song!
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
This is a familiar hymn story but this account has some additional details some may be unaware of:
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone . . .”. Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
The Spaffords later had three more children, one of whom (a son) died in infancy. In 1881 the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Israel. The Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor.
Although the original manuscript reads “know” at the end of the third line, almost all recordings and written reproductions read “say”. (SCW note: Interesting in light of Romans 8:28)
“Living By Faith” Video This old hymn came to mind as I prepared today’s message. I don’t suppose too many these days have even heard of it.
“Till The Storm Passes By” Video An unspecified choir
Brooksyne’s Note: This morning I invited my sister, Elaine, to sip some coffee with me from mugs I got at our local Thrift Store. They’re made by Frankhoma Pottery which is located only about three miles from the home where we grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma so I was delighted when I spotted them a few months back. You know what it’s like to find an item or a person that takes you back in memory to your childhood years. In fact we’ve been on a sentimental journey for the past three days during our visit together. She and her husband, Steve, reside in New Braunfels, TX and headed back in that direction today in their massive RV. Steve has prostate cancer so we dedicate today’s message to him and Elaine (in addition to Jim and Dorothy), as they courageously deal with the all the medicines, treatments, and painful symptoms that result from this disease. Elaine is an attentive, loving caregiver to Steve and my heart is warmed by her diligence and dedication to his many needs.Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
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“The Good Deposit”
August 23, 2011
View from our bedroom window
With abundant rains over the last several weeks our backyard is a verdant oasis.
We often sit on the deck swing and enjoy the picturesque view.
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“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you” (1 Timothy 6:20). “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14).
Several years ago I rode to the bank with an Amish friend in his horse and buggy. I could have driven him which would have been a lot faster, but he drove the team and I rode along for the visit. His young son Moses joined us (mostly for the lollipop offered by the cashier). The trip was pleasant as I observed sights along the way I hadn’t noticed before all the while listening to the excited chatter from Moses as he asked his dad questions in Pennsylvania Dutch.
At the bank drive through I found myself embarrassed a bit as the horse made an exhaust emission as we were taking our turn right in front of the cashier. My friend Jesse just smiled, probably a bit amused at my consternation. After all, he was used to this.
Yesterday I shared the photo to the right taken last week in New Holland, PA of an Amish buggy at a bank drive-through lane. A careful observation will reveal that this horse had also made an exhaust emission, or as we may say “left a carbon footprint”. Nelson, a friend of ours and local reader, observed after viewing the photo, “One would have to guess what kind of transaction they were there for. However it is already very clear that they did make a “deposit”!
It’s funny what may prompt a spiritual message but let’s transition that rather coarse thought to a much higher level, one of great importance, I’m talking about a spiritual deposit, that is, the good deposit of faith entrusted to our care.
In the two Biblical epistles to Timothy the apostle Paul was passing the torch of faith to the succeeding generation. Paul calls this faith the “good deposit”. Although the direct recipient of these letters was Timothy, each believer in every generation does well to heed the solemn charge in the daily Scriptures. Perhaps you will do so as well.
I recall preaching from this text and coincidentally we had a visitor by the name of Timothy. He told me later that when I emphasized, “O Timothy…” it shook him up a little, as he thought, “Oh no, the preachers preaching right at me.” He was doubly attentive after that point! Well the fact of the matter is I was preaching to him and all others in attendance!
Today I place my name into this charge that Paul so solemnly gave to Timothy and encourage you to do so as well. In my case the passage would read, “O Stephen, guard the deposit entrusted to you.”
Each generation has a responsibility in guarding the deposit of faith passed on by the preceding generation and in turn passing it on unchanged to the succeeding one. That’s at the very heart of what Biblical Christian faith and ministry is all about. We must vigilantly continue to, “Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).
Paul set forth the pattern to Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). In a sense I am both receiving the faith and passing it on simultaneously.
As I study the Bible I’m still reaching back and receiving. I also benefit from many believers in past generations who have guarded the good deposit as well as my elders in my generation who are still living. And I’m passing it on as well. Brooksyne and I view this online writing ministry as a part of our passing on the faith.
However I consider my generation and more specifically my own life. I consider this both individually and for the church at large. In my heart I believe there are significant ways the modern, visible church is slipping in this regard and it brings grief to my spirit. For many years now some have felt the need to concede to modern science certain long held biblical views in regard to the Creation account. I have always maintained that once you start conceding where do you stop? Not surprisingly to me is that now supposedly “evangelical scholars” are denying that there was a literal Adam and Eve. (See below for link to article.)
And yet I am convinced that there will always be a remnant church, consistently holding to the faith and truths of Holy Scripture until our Lord returns. Christ has stated that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). This true church may very well be hated by the world, for as it contends for the truth and the faith once for all entrusted to the saints, it will be labeled stupid, ignorant, intolerant, mean-spirited, hateful and even dangerous. In fact it already is.
May the Lord help us to be faithful in holding onto the Living Word, not compromising its message through our speech, lifestyle, or our doctrinal views. As we pass it on to the next generation in our present generation, may we do so without changing or watering down the truths and commands God sets forth in His Word. Let us not customize or interpret God’s timeless truths to more comfortably adjust our viewpoints to the trends of our society.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, the commandments that You give are to be impressed upon our hearts. Your love motivates us to obey Your commands and Your holiness teaches us to align our desires with Your own. Help us to be extremely cautious about new teachings that are pleasing to the ear and popular with our present generation, but do not bear witness with our spirit or Scripture. As we study Your Holy Word, from cover to cover, and meditate upon Your principles we will hold on to that which is of most importance and pass on to those who come behind the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints of all generations. Amen.
Selected portions of verses implemented into our daily prayer: Deuteronomy 6:6, Colossians 1:13,14
Beginning this week and all through the fall Lancaster County has many community fairs. These are more like County Fairs in other areas I have lived in and the E-town fair is one of the largest with thousands of people crowding the walkways. Last night Ester and I went on opening night and over the next couple of days we will share some photos. Our first set is some of the people we meet at these community gatherings. It’s a wholesome sight to see people gathering and visiting with one another.
The Rohrer family are a real blessing to the Webers since they are our dog sitters when we are away! This is doubly appreciated during Mollie’s rather rascally puppy days.
Note regarding Mollie: Several weeks ago we shared a video about Mollie learning to catch a Frisbee. Well she’s become quite proficient and now loves to play Frisbee (I toss and she catches it in the air and will do so non stop day and night. (Indeed one night she had to go to the bathroom and we played about 3:00 in the morning. In fact if you just say “Frisbee” she practically goes crazy with excitement so we spell it out and what do you know; now she also knows what we are spelling.
You just may see people you haven’t seen for a long time. Clay worked in a plant I visited as chaplain about 8 years ago. He told me his joy is now working as a QC manager in a large feed mill operation here in our area.
I stopped by to see Galen and another Gideon at the Gideon booth. They were distributing Gideon New Testaments.
Nice to visit with Pastor Joe and Mary Lou Sherer. I commended him and his church for passing out free water and a witness for Christ
I can’t claim this man as my friend but it was interesting to see him.
Anyone recognize him?
“I Will Not Offer Anything That Costs Me Nothing” Video Bobby Michaels This is an outstanding song of commitment. This version also includes the lyrics.
“Find Us Faithful” Video Steve Green Brooksyne received an interesting phone call. An elderly friend, although healthy at the present time and having no reason to believe her death is imminent, is wisely making preparations for her funeral. She wanted the lyrics to this familiar Christian song by John Mohr titled, “Find Us Faithful”. It has a recurring line that states “May all who come behind us find us faithful.”
“False Start? The Controversy Over Adam and Eve Heats Up” The article referred to in today’s message by Albert Mohler The denial of an historical Adam and Eve as the first parents of all humanity and the solitary first human pair severs the link between Adam and Christ which is so crucial to the Gospel.
Finally today, a reminder to do a spell check when you place lettering on a church sign:
Any one have any ideas?
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“Spiritual Myopia”
July 13, 2011
This silo along Route 322 in Lebanon County, PA has an interesting Scripture witness!
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“Spiritual Myopia”
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16). ”For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).
I began to wear glasses when I was about twelve years old. I was near-sighted, meaning that I could see OK up close but distant views were blurry. I resisted wearing them at first but soon realized I really did see better with them. Near-sightedness is also called myopia. In my forties I started needing bifocals, since I now need correction both for close-up and distance.
Let me illustrate today’s message with a wonderful Creator-designed capability we all have and probably have never even considered. I am sitting at my desk in my home office with a clear view of my computer screen and close-up items on the desk. My eyes are automatically focused to this view.
I can raise my head and look out to a distant farm field view. Automatically, without any conscience effort on my part, my eyes refocus when I move from the close-up to the distant view. What if we were created with an adjustable knob on the side of our head that had to be turned each time we wanted to refocus, much like looking through a set of binoculars! I concur with David’s thoughts he penned three thousand years ago, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).
I can purposefully not refocus when I move from a close-up view to a distant one but it’s really hard. Look out to a distant view and stare at your hand and see how blurry and out of focus the distance is at the periphery. Try to move your hand and keep your eyes focused the same as the close-up, although you are looking at a distance. For me it’s next to impossible. My eyes just automatically refocus!
Today I want to consider a condition that many of us have which I’ll call “spiritual myopia”. We may have a focus on the close up view but have trouble seeing and focusing on the bigger picture spiritually; that which is at a distance. It seems that spiritually speaking having a distant “faith” focus does not come automatically. I have to very purposefully focus on that by faith.
Hebrews 11 is known as the Faith Chapter and is a great commendation of men and women who lived by faith. “This is what the ancients were commended for” (v.2). Hebrews 11: 13-16 is an incredible interjection by the divinely inspired author of Hebrews. Prior to this Scripture passage and afterward Abraham is the focus, but this section broadens the scope using the phrase, “all these people”, which may mean those who were with Abraham, or it may be referring to all the people of faith mentioned in this chapter. Either way you consider it, this powerful portion is certainly true of all people of faith.
But the part that grips my heart is the phrase concerning the “things promised” they had not received at the time they died. “They only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” They did not have spiritual myopia.
In overcoming our tendency to being diagnosed with spiritual myopia:
1) We must have divine correction.
2) We must train our eyes for distant focus.
3) We must train our will to focus on the distant future.
4) We must place our affections on that which is yet to come.
I struggle with spiritual myopia when I am not focusing on God’s promises that are yet to be fulfilled. I am not seeing them and welcoming them from a distance. In fact the spiritual distance may become invisible since my focus is fixed upon that which I see without effort.
Like the people who long ago lived by faith I need to regularly confess, “I am an alien and stranger on earth.” Like them I want to be “longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” May the Lord give each of us a distant heavenward focus! “For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, so much of what I need to do today and in the near future consumes my time and energy. The commitments and problems I face can easily crowd out the solemn moments that helps redirect my attention and focus upon the future You have planned for me. My soul is refreshed and my hope renewed when I consider that all of heaven with its splendor, majesty, absence of sin, and the presence of Jesus is mine to receive. You prepared it all and promised it as an inheritance for all who live by faith. Though my eyes cannot presently see, my heart believe by faith all that You have in store for those who are looking for the city which is yet to come, our eternal dwelling place. Amen.
Personal note: Yesterday Stephen had a troublesome tooth extracted and has found blessed relief!
Yesterday our journey took us through Lebanon County, a rural area directly north of us. Wheat harvest is complete and we passed many of these large stacks of straw bales on Mount Pleasant Road. They will be used for animal bedding and perhaps landscaping.
We passed this scene on Echo Valley Road here in Lancaster County.
I like red barns and I like buggies. I especially like the open swinging door to the loft!
Across from the red barn these team horses congregated waiting for their next field assignment. Not sure why, but it looks like the middle horse has a hat on its head. Didn’t notice it when I took the shot!
“Be Thou My Vision” Video Robin Mark A newer rendition of a great old hymn!
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” Video Michael W. Smith I enjoy the violin intro to this version as well as the congregational expression
Additional resource: A subscriber, after reading yesterday’s message, sent this interesting photo gallery titled, “What The World Eats” A very interesting perspective!
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Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)
“I Believe In God”
January 5, 2011
Farm scene at the end of our road.
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“I Believe In God”
There is an increasing boldness and public “witness” among those who espouse there is no God. Last night we watched a program with an avowed atheist who proudly asserted his view that “belief in God is a scam.” A recurring theme among modern atheists is a mocking of those of us who do believe in God as foolish and that they have the sole position when using intellect and reason. However the Scriptures have this to say about them in Psalm 14:1.
Notice I began by stating “those who believe there is no God”. Not believing in God is a belief. As proud and assertive as the atheist may be, he still is expressing a belief, a form of faith, however insistent he may be that faith is not in the equation. Several years ago a book was written with this interesting title, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.”
Hebrews 11:1 is a succinct definition of faith. Certainly the overarching theme in this chapter is faith in God, powerfully expressed in v.6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
The life in Christ has always been a faith walk. This has been especially true since Jesus ascended back to the Father in Acts 1. Since that time His followers have not been able to see Him in a physical sense. During a very special period about 2,000 years ago some people had the wonderful privilege of seeing the Word become flesh and dwell among them. However even during that time many did not believe in who He was or what He stood for. Seeing does not necessarily mean believing.
The Apostle Peter, an eyewitness and close friend of Christ during His earthly ministry, wrote our third daily verse to those who “believed in Him” some 30 years after Jesus had ascended. These believers had not physically seen Christ in His earthly ministry but, like us, they believed. O, how we thank God for this belief that fills us with “inexpressible and glorious joy!”
I want to note a very significant verb tense in the text this morning. Notice Peter says, “You are receiving” (not “you have received” or “you will receive”) “the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” I believe this is a vital ongoing truth in the believer’s faith life. While living, these fellow believers were receiving this goal. At their deaths they received it fully. The process is true for us today, fellow believer. Hold tight, for the best is yet to come!
This new year let us continue in our faith walk and remember the timeless perspective of the Apostle Paul as we “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). This takes a conscientious, purposeful, ongoing effort and spiritual perspective as we walk the narrow path laid out for us. Let us stay faithful to God today, throughout our journey in 2011, and for the remaining time God has allotted us on this earth!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, help me to walk faithfully with You day by day. As I earnestly seek You I will receive the reward You promise to those who do so. Daily temptations, recurring doubts, and fleeting distractions seek my heart’s affection but I remain faithfully committed to You, my Lord and Savior. Though I’ve not seen You physically Your Spirit indwells me and I am filled with Your glorious and inexpressible joy. No matter the mocking and undermining of my faith by the unbelieving world, I believe in You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Amen.
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
“I Believe” Video Lenny LeBlanc
“I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary” Video Gaither Vocal Band I have been blessed by this song since I was a young Christian in the seventies.
“Blessed Be Your Holy Name & I Believe” Video Vineyard Singers
“Living By Faith” Video Gaither Homecoming Series
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Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)
“Genuine Faith”
June 9, 2010
Yesterday we passed a number of beautiful farm scenes and I liked the various color contrasts in this scene due to the barley harvest (yellow field in center), although the photo really doesn’t do it justice!
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“Genuine Faith”
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6,7).
Last night we went to a minister’s picnic near Carlisle, Pennsylvania and enjoyed the pulled pork from a freshly roasted pig in addition to all the other side dishes and desserts that were brought!
We visited with Harold Crosby, a longtime friend and mentor, in our ministry. I first met Harold shortly after moving to Pennsylvania when Brooksyne and I planted a church in 1977. He is a zealous servant of Christ and at nearly 94 he’s slowed down a bit but still demonstrates the qualities of earnest faith. He excitedly told us that he just read through the Bible (again) within the past seven months.
My most poignant memory of Harold took place shortly after I met him. I sat right behind him in a council meeting shortly after his first wife died and he was so emotionally distraught that he freely expressed his feelings of loss to the ministers present. But he went on, living by faith, and God sent him another wonderful mate in due time.
Now over thirty years later his wife, Liz, is in a nursing home and he goes every morning to visit with her. They share devotions and pray together during his morning visits. He still lives in the very home he has lived in for nearly fifty years. Although he has his family and many friends nearby it’s a hard phase in his bonus years. His faith is being proved genuine as he continues to trust God to watch over him and Liz and their daily needs in addition to the unexpected challenges they will inevitably face.
Brooksyne has been memorizing the daily text (actually 1 Peter 1:3-9) and in the process I hear her repeating the verses aloud as she goes about her work or as we travel in the car. We are also sharing it in the course of our pastoral and chaplain care duties and it’s a portion I seem to be learning by osmosis!
This morning I awoke with the phrase, “your faith – of greater worth than gold” which kept going over and over in my mind. Indeed what a blessing it is to have faith which is far greater than any material possession we might own, including gold that has great value in part due to its extensive and extreme purifying process!
The apostle Peter writes to all believers through the sacred Scriptures in the daily text: “For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” I am sure there are common types of trials that we share today that are similar to the early recipients of this letter. They also endured trials specifically related to their time period of which we cannot relate.
Trials do not appear to be distributed equally. Some sure seem to deal with trials more than others. I just got off the phone with Joe, a longtime friend, whose wife will have a lung transplant today. Joe is keeping his faith and believing God will see his wife through this very critical surgery.
But I am gripped with the phrase in the daily text, “these have come” referring to “all kinds of trials.” The Apostle Peter goes on to explain their purpose, “so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” The trials that come our way have a purpose and we can be assured that all we endure through trial is under God’s control.
Today I know some of you are going through an extensive trial and at times you are very discouraged. A sermon Charles Spurgeon once preached reminds us of the value of trials: “Expect trial, also, because trial is the very element of faith. One cannot be sure that faith is true faith until it is tried faith. It is not worth having till it has been fitly tested and brought to the touchstone of trial.”
This testing of our faith is difficult but necessary. May the Lord fill our hearts today with assurance of His steadfast love and care, so that we may indeed “greatly rejoice” even in the midst of our trial. Remember, above all and through all, God is proving the sincerity of our faith. Let us not resent the refining process as we prove the genuineness and depth of our faith.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, in our trials we can greatly rejoice when we remember that you are giving us opportunity to prove the sincerity of our faith. We have living hope that is not diminished by trial but grows with anticipation as we contemplate our eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for us as it is shielded by Your power. As our faith is proven genuine we bring praise, glory, and honor to Jesus and we learn to exercise and grow the fruit of endurance in our lives. Be glorified in and through us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Yesterday we stopped by Messiah Village, a nursing home near Harrisburg, and visited for awhile with Naomi Wolgemuth. Naomi is always pleased to see us and introduces us to her many friends, over and over stating, “This is my pastor and his wife.”
Naomi had a very interesting ministry for many years that we will hope to write about in a coming daily encouragement message. For fifty years she planted flowers
in front of her home on a bank along a well-travelled road that had an inspirational message!That reminds me of an appeal I meant to make yesterday to my fellow pastors who read this material. Visit your shut-ins. Although we serve as chaplains in a nursing home and find it is a rewarding form of ministry we do not replace the connection the residents desire to have with their pastor and friends from their home church. Yet I regularly hear from these people that they do not receive visits from their pastors and they feel feel forgotten by their church friends. However, let me recall and honor, Bob Malick, a pastor in my community I would regularly see sitting and patiently visiting with a member of his church even though the man was in a state of dementia. That man has since passed on. See
Hebrews 6:10
On the way to our picnic we stopped by to visit Joe and Jesse Carroll, who now live in Carlisle, PA. They were in an interim church we served several years ago near Harrisburg. For many years Joe served with faithfulness and integrity as the treasurer of the church. They are a gracious couple with a deep love for each other and the Lord. It’s a blessing that we can still stay connected through daily encouragement net!
We received this note from a reader in response to yesterday’s message on an Amish Youth Hymn Sing: I have friends in Pennsylvania who are Old Order Mennonite and recently the father built a large structure on their farm for the specific reason of holding these youth singings. (He has 9 daughters and two sons!) I was there in April and although my friends are Old Order, one of them, a local teacher, accompanied me to a Horning Mennonite Church. The Horning group, as you probably know, are also called Black Bumper Mennonites as they drive cars that are black only. I also have a white van, so I know what it feels like to pull up in such a contrasting color! (Although it is better than red, I suppose). Anyhow, the Hornings share a church building with the Old Orders and also wear plain clothing. What was interesting, but a little odd, was that at the end of the first hymn all the young men came literally trooping in making a lot of noise as they made their way to their seats. An elder, got up and paced in front of the area where the young men sit and gave them glaring looks. I suppose this is a regular occurrence that the church has not put a stop to yet. What I did notice was that during the service, one or two plain dressing boys were text messaging their friends!!! It was such an unusual sight. Anyhow, the sermon was in English which was good since my German is rusty. Oh, and I also forgot to turn off my cell phone and had to do it quietly less the ring interrupt the service. That would not have been good!
Stephen’s note: We have also attended Horning Mennonite church services on several occasions and that is the faith of our neighbors. This summer we will be attending their daughter’s wedding and will probably have the only white van in the parking lot (again)! I also have a friend who is a Horning Mennonite minister who demonstrates an earnest faith in Christ.
Also, I regularly visit with Elvin, a man who is in the Mennonite group that still uses horse and buggies, and have a standing invitation to attend his church. He told me the services were normally in German but that if I came the preacher would speak in English. Here’s a photo I took one Sunday morning as I passed the meeting house.
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
“Living By Faith” Video This old hymn came to mind as I prepared today’s message.
“Wrap Me In Your Arms” Video Last night at the picnic I visited with Kristian Walker, a local Christian musician, we have appreciated for a number of years. He sings an outstanding song I have never heard apart from his version titled “God Is In Control” that would have fit so well with today’s message but I was unable to find an online version.
“Our God Is In Control” Video
I did come across this very thoughtful song by Steven Curtis Chapman, who has kept faith through the very mysterious death of his young daughter. This song was written from his heart following that event.“Revelation Song” Video Another song sung by the Kristian Walker Band.
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