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Hyacinth Bean Vine on one of our lamp posts
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"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Last night we had a missionary couple over for dinner and fellowship. Bruce and Merly Bundy have served in Spain for over twenty years as church planters in Madrid. Spain is a notoriously challenging country for missions and we shared together about the inevitable discouragements of ministry as well as the tremendous blessing of impacting others for Christ and eternity.
Bruce
reminded me of an incredible message I heard several months ago about
the story of Mr. Genor, a man who faithfully witnessed in a simple way
in Sydney, Australia for forty years. He saw no visible fruit from his
spiritual labors, but learned only weeks before his death that scores
of people's lives were changed through his faithful testimony. (The
link to the story is below and will bless you tremendously.)
Those of us living for Christ are called to impact the world around us for His cause. Husbands and wives are to demonstrate unity in their love for one another. Parents are to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ministers are to "preach the word". Yet we at times may wonder if we really are making any difference. Some do not have a marriage characterized by love and unity. Some have children that reject the Lord. There are ministers who faithfully "preach the Word", yet see little receptivity.
The perspective we must have is the future harvest promised in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." But we do at times become weary in doing good, don't we? The apostle Paul knew the Galatian believers were growing weary and encouraged them to keep on keeping on for the future harvest. In our "instant gratitude" society we especially have difficulty waiting for "the proper time" for God's blessings to be revealed. Our mindset is more like a lot of commercials selling high priced items on credit, interest free, for the first year. They appeal to customers who have the attitude, "I want it and I want it now", rather than save up money for a future purchase.
At times our lives just don't seem to be making much difference from our visual perspective. But Paul reminds us that, "at the proper time we will reap a harvest." That "proper time" ("due season" in the KJV) will most assuredly come. Don't give up! Your life, lived for Christ, is making a difference. Our primary motivation for all that we do in the name of Christ must be based on our desire to obey Him. A competitive spirit, statistics, people's expectations or a desire to impress others can too easily become the driving power that misguides our actions.
But, as always, God works from the inside out. We can't impress Him but we can respond to His love for us. And our love for God must always be the motivation for all that we do. "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
He will bless us with an abundant harvest at His appointed hour as we stay faithful to Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, help us to be faithful in the big and small things You have called us to do, that You may be honored. Amen.
The amazing story of Mr. Genor's (Jenner's) faithful witness for Christ. Audio Text of story
Being from Missouri (the Show-Me state) I tend to take incredible stories like this, however inspiring they may be, with a grain of salt, and apparently others have as well. However this man dug into the story and documented it. See here.
Bruce and Merly Bundy
Bruce, Merly, and I took a walk last night and saw some interesting sights along the way. (Photos by Bruce and our neighbor Laura.)
One day old baby goat, Miriam, with our pleasant neighbor, Ciara.
Along the way Roxie encountered Rerun, our neighbor's giant 85# St. Bernard. They may look angry but they just greet each other and peacefully depart. Not seen in the photo is the very pronounced ridge on Roxie's back that raises up when she is frightened. She is part Rhodesian Ridgeback.
"It's Gonna Be Worth It" Video This musician (Rita Springer) has an interesting voice and this song has a powerful message.
"Field Of Souls" Video This song often ministers to me when I consider agricultural analogies and travel throughout our region. I especially enjoy the Brooklyn Tabernacle version but this fellow does a great job as well.
"Fishers Of Men" Video I came across this song several months ago and enjoy the distinct bluegrass sound.
"Make Me A Blessing" Video An instrumental version of this old-time gospel song.
Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
Tuesday,
July 29, 2008
Hyacinth Bean Vine on one of our lamp posts
Listen to
us share this message on your
audio player. "The Promised Harvest"
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Last night we had a missionary couple over for dinner and fellowship. Bruce and Merly Bundy have served in Spain for over twenty years as church planters in Madrid. Spain is a notoriously challenging country for missions and we shared together about the inevitable discouragements of ministry as well as the tremendous blessing of impacting others for Christ and eternity.
Bruce
reminded me of an incredible message I heard several months ago about
the story of Mr. Genor, a man who faithfully witnessed in a simple way
in Sydney, Australia for forty years. He saw no visible fruit from his
spiritual labors, but learned only weeks before his death that scores
of people's lives were changed through his faithful testimony. (The
link to the story is below and will bless you tremendously.)Those of us living for Christ are called to impact the world around us for His cause. Husbands and wives are to demonstrate unity in their love for one another. Parents are to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ministers are to "preach the word". Yet we at times may wonder if we really are making any difference. Some do not have a marriage characterized by love and unity. Some have children that reject the Lord. There are ministers who faithfully "preach the Word", yet see little receptivity.
The perspective we must have is the future harvest promised in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." But we do at times become weary in doing good, don't we? The apostle Paul knew the Galatian believers were growing weary and encouraged them to keep on keeping on for the future harvest. In our "instant gratitude" society we especially have difficulty waiting for "the proper time" for God's blessings to be revealed. Our mindset is more like a lot of commercials selling high priced items on credit, interest free, for the first year. They appeal to customers who have the attitude, "I want it and I want it now", rather than save up money for a future purchase.
At times our lives just don't seem to be making much difference from our visual perspective. But Paul reminds us that, "at the proper time we will reap a harvest." That "proper time" ("due season" in the KJV) will most assuredly come. Don't give up! Your life, lived for Christ, is making a difference. Our primary motivation for all that we do in the name of Christ must be based on our desire to obey Him. A competitive spirit, statistics, people's expectations or a desire to impress others can too easily become the driving power that misguides our actions.
But, as always, God works from the inside out. We can't impress Him but we can respond to His love for us. And our love for God must always be the motivation for all that we do. "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
He will bless us with an abundant harvest at His appointed hour as we stay faithful to Him.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, help us to be faithful in the big and small things You have called us to do, that You may be honored. Amen.
The amazing story of Mr. Genor's (Jenner's) faithful witness for Christ. Audio Text of story
Being from Missouri (the Show-Me state) I tend to take incredible stories like this, however inspiring they may be, with a grain of salt, and apparently others have as well. However this man dug into the story and documented it. See here.
Bruce and Merly Bundy
Bruce, Merly, and I took a walk last night and saw some interesting sights along the way. (Photos by Bruce and our neighbor Laura.)
One day old baby goat, Miriam, with our pleasant neighbor, Ciara.
Along the way Roxie encountered Rerun, our neighbor's giant 85# St. Bernard. They may look angry but they just greet each other and peacefully depart. Not seen in the photo is the very pronounced ridge on Roxie's back that raises up when she is frightened. She is part Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Baby chick
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
(Click on the link to play)
(Click on the link to play)
"It's Gonna Be Worth It" Video This musician (Rita Springer) has an interesting voice and this song has a powerful message.
"Field Of Souls" Video This song often ministers to me when I consider agricultural analogies and travel throughout our region. I especially enjoy the Brooklyn Tabernacle version but this fellow does a great job as well.
"Fishers Of Men" Video I came across this song several months ago and enjoy the distinct bluegrass sound.
"Make Me A Blessing" Video An instrumental version of this old-time gospel song.
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Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
©
1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
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and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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