Lancaster County Amish dairy farm at harvest time
taken by my brother, Mike Weber
Click here for larger view.
Being raised in the country Brooksyne stated,
“A walk down that dirt path looks so inviting.”
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“An Asset To The Planet”
I received a gracious commendation recently from one who holds a political, religious, and ideological outlook very different than my own. Nevertheless he expressed genuine appreciation toward the modest contribution I make in my sphere of influence. “You’re an asset to the planet” he said to me over the phone yesterday. Well, that got me to thinking in a Biblical sense about people who are an asset to the planet. Of much greater importance, and Biblically speaking, they’re an asset to the Kingdom of God.
Consider those who have made a significant impact in your life. If we were able to do a survey of all who read this message we would probably have some common names, those better known who may have a national and even an international ministry. I expect that among those listed would be godly parents and grandparents, pastors, Sunday School teachers and many others, including those who witnessed to you, either in words or in their actions, even when you refused to listen, both literally and figuratively.
I recall a phrase from my years of ministry training, “Do something big for God” which is a great aspiration. But doing something big for God is often a series of small, seeming insignificant attempts to be an asset to the Kingdom. Most of us are just not in a place today that we can do something really big for God, but we can all seek ways to let our light shine to a darkened world around us in the small things. Let us listen to God’s promptings and obey His voice!
Years ago I received this bit of wisdom from an older person: “The older I get, the more I realize that it is in the small moments that we can affect others’ lives forever. Grand accomplishments mean nothing. I am discovering that brightening a single moment in even one person’s life in a day is important to Christ.”
Consider the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians. “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Let us be humble in ourselves, but let us be boastful in the things of the Lord.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, our little becomes great as You show us how to do good works in Your name. We choose not to be crippled by our limited abilities, wisdom, or lack of creativity. We don’t give to others according to that which we don’t have, but we give to others from the abundance You pour into our lives. May it overflow into those around us as we seek to be a blessing. Direct our footsteps according to Your Word as You give us opportunity for divine encounters this day as we reach out to others in the name of Christ Jesus. It is in His name we pray. Amen.
Recent feedback: We don’t often post feedback although we sure appreciate it and find it encouraging.
My former District Superintendent whom we visited last week:
Dear Steve & Brooksyne,
Thanks for stopping by to visit us yesterday. We thoroughly enjoyed your visit and if Jesus tarries and spares us, we trust you can do it again….It was nice to see our photo in Daily Encouragement. Because of your wide and growing circulation it will let some of our mutual friends that we are still “kicking” at 85 and 84. We are so grateful for the nearly 65 years he has allowed us to serve Him together! May similar blessings be yours! Keep up the great work ever remembering: “Be not weary in well doing for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not”!
Remembering you in our prayers with Thanksgiving,
Ed & Gladys Berkey
Tommy Carpenter, a minister friend from Arkansas:
Regarding our message on the Delilah Road:
Was the Delilah Road the way to the barber shop? Just a thought? However, the faithfulness of Daniel is an excellent example for us….
A South African reader in reference to yesterday’s message:
Hi Stephen,
Regarding your message of 24 July 2012 you made mention of Morning Glories. I too like their colors and have used their profusion with great effect on garden fences and screens. Unfortunately due to their invasive nature and their detrimental effect on indigenous vegetation (much like the tares in Jesus’ Parable) and the fact they are not indigenous to our country which has water as a scarce resource, they have been declared “invasive aliens” and anyone found still cultivating them is liable for prosecution.
Keep on encouraging!
Shalom.
Ministry Update (Revised 5/12)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
Daily Encouragement 