The online Bible
teaching ministry of Stephen &
Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
About
Us Archives Free
email
subscription 
Listen
to these messages
Mobile users: Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant Daily Encouragement App!
Listen
to these messages Mobile users: Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant Daily Encouragement App!
Search Daily Encouragement
A new message
is updated most weekdays usually by Noon Eastern Time (USA).
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Friday, September
13, 2019
While
traveling the back roads yesterday morning this horse
and foal ran to the fence to greet us. Not only were
the animals a pleasurable sight but also the sunflower
field in the background and the willow tree to the
left.
(Click
to enlarge)
"Filing
The Rough Edges"
On
the way to Smucker Laser, our first job site yesterday,
we were discussing the final message in our week long
"tools of the Bible" series and I told Brooksyne I was
going to write about the file. During our walk-through I
saw Clarence filing some metal parts which seemed to be
kind of a confirmation. Clarence, like all of us, has a
story. He came to this job after
a long period in prison and it's
a joy to see him steady at work each week. (Clarence
gave me permission to share this and the photo.)
When most of us use the word
"file" we probably use it in the sense of an office
file. Early in our marriage we purchased an office file
cabinet which we have now used for over 40 years. At the advent of the
computer age "file" became an important word in
computing. Now an internet search for the word "file"
will mostly yield results for this type.
But
today let us consider an older use of the word file in
the sense of a tool. This file is defined as "a tool
with a roughened surface or surfaces, typically of
steel, used for smoothing or shaping a hard material."
This week
we have shared a series of messages seeking to learn
lessons from several of the tools mentioned in the
Bible.
Message
summary: I would like to report that after
nearly 50 years of walking with the Lord all the rough
edges are gone. But that's just not true. He's still
working on me and regularly using His file.
"Yet
they had a file for the mattocks, and for the
coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to
sharpen the goads" (1 Samuel 13:21).
On
the way to Smucker Laser, our first job site yesterday,
we were discussing the final message in our week long
"tools of the Bible" series and I told Brooksyne I was
going to write about the file. During our walk-through I
saw Clarence filing some metal parts which seemed to be
kind of a confirmation. Clarence, like all of us, has a
story. He came to this job after
a long period in prison and it's
a joy to see him steady at work each week. (Clarence
gave me permission to share this and the photo.)When most of us use the word
"file" we probably use it in the sense of an office
file. Early in our marriage we purchased an office file
cabinet which we have now used for over 40 years. At the advent of the
computer age "file" became an important word in
computing. Now an internet search for the word "file"
will mostly yield results for this type.But
today let us consider an older use of the word file in
the sense of a tool. This file is defined as "a tool
with a roughened surface or surfaces, typically of
steel, used for smoothing or shaping a hard material."I have
several of these types of files in my tool collection
and still use them on occasion. File is found only once
in the Bible and is used in a literal sense for the same
purpose a similar tool file is used today.
It is both
a noun and verb, that is, we use a file (noun) to file
(verb) something. Our friend Jesse, at the Old Windmill
Farm, told me a tool file is still a commonly used tool
on the farm.
So, since
the word is used only once and in a literal sense, what
inspirational thought can we glean here?
We use the
term "rough edges" to describe areas in our life that
still need worked on. Do you have any rough edges? I
would like to report that after nearly 50 years of
walking with the Lord all the rough edges are gone, but
of course that's just not true. He's still working on me
and regularly using His refining file to remove
attitudes and actions which better reflect the world
than that which reflects Christ.
In a
sermon Charles Spurgeon alluded to the file, "I bear
willing witness that I owe more to the fire, and the
hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lord's
workshop.
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, like
Spurgeon wrote in his sermon, we owe more to the fire,
the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in
Your workshop. These tools help to remove our
impurities and build up the character qualities that
best reflect Christ and all
that He represents. We still have rough edges that
need Your smoothing so we invite You to file away at
that which seeks to hold onto the old nature so that
our spiritual nature is aligned with that of John the
Baptist's who declared, "He must increase, I must
decrease." More of You, Jesus, less of me is my
heart's cry. Amen.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, like
Spurgeon wrote in his sermon, we owe more to the fire,
the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in
Your workshop. These tools help to remove our
impurities and build up the character qualities that
best reflect Christ and all
that He represents. We still have rough edges that
need Your smoothing so we invite You to file away at
that which seeks to hold onto the old nature so that
our spiritual nature is aligned with that of John the
Baptist's who declared, "He must increase, I must
decrease." More of You, Jesus, less of me is my
heart's cry. Amen.
Tyler just
finished high school
last spring and is
now operating this
huge brake press for
Smucker Laser.
Yesterday he showed
me how the machine
could form a thick
metal part in just
seconds.
We stopped
by for a few minutes
to see the Lapp
family on Old
Windmill Farm and
greeted the recently
born twin goats.
Brooksyne commented
after picking up
these baby goats,
that they weigh less
than Ester's 8 month
Shih Tzu mix, Sadie
Willow, also born on
the Old Windmill
Farm.
When I was
challenged to feed
this piglet with a
cheez-it from my
mouth that idea just
seemed a little
creepy and a little
too close for
comfort, but
Brooksyne, my farm
girl for life,
stepped right up and
took on the
challenge. She
assured me she never
touched the pig's
mouth and, as you
can see, the happy
little piglet was
not interested in
the human contact,
only the cheez-it.
Brooksyne admitted
to me that she and
Ester have done this
a few times with the
dogs at home, only
they use longer
treats such as a
cheetos to give a
little more distance
for the transfer of
food. You
might never see
Brooksyne the same
as before this photo
but she was fine
with it, since she
loves all kinds of
animals, including
piglets.
There's
nothing like being
on the rural back
roads of Lancaster
County early in the
morning seeing
different groups of
children walking to
school.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Spirit
Of The Living God"
Video
FFH A song we sang at
Bible College around the
altar. When considering the
words "Melt me, mold me, fill
me, use me" I wonder if we
could sing "file me"!
Spirit of the living
God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
"Yes I Will"
Video
Vertical Worship For
those of you feeling the pain
of the divine file!
"Yes
I Will" Video
Calvary Church worship team
with strings Introduced
by Dave, one of our worship
leaders, who does a great job
introducing the song with
Scripture.
Finally Today:
Our peaceful scene
of the horse and foal was
taken early yesterday
morning. When visiting
Vallorbs, our second
company, about an hour later
the road was closed in front
of the factory. We managed
to park in a church parking
lot and walk down to see an
accident scene where a car
had collided with a horse
and tourist buggy. No humans
were injured but the driver
of the car sure had to be
counting his blessings as
the impact sent the horse
into his windshield. A vet
was brought in to put the
horse down since his
injuries were severe. The
employees were very saddened
to hear of the horse being
put down, as were we, but we
were also thankful the
driver walked away from the
accident only shaken and not
physically injured.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen
and
Brooksyne
Weber
Longwood
Gardens,
August 2019
About
Us
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update
Daily Encouragement chaplaincy website.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
Personal Ministry Update
Daily Encouragement chaplaincy website.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To
receive the "Daily
Encouragement" each
Monday-Friday see this
page to subscribe to our
free email list.
You can also subscribe to the
Wordpress rss
feed or through a Wordpress email
subscription. (See the email
subscription on the top right side
after opening this page.)
We realize there are
many fine ministries and causes
requesting support but if
the Lord would lead you we surely
need and appreciate the financial
support from our readers and
listeners.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
Donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note:
We also provide this easy option
due to the convenience, for
international supporters, and
for those who may not be
concerned regarding receiving an
official tax deductible receipt.
Click here
to send an offering using
PayPal. This will open to a
page that states "Brooksyne Weber"
We realize there are
many fine ministries and causes
requesting support but if
the Lord would lead you we surely
need and appreciate the financial
support from our readers and
listeners.Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
Donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note:
We also provide this easy option
due to the convenience, for
international supporters, and
for those who may not be
concerned regarding receiving an
official tax deductible receipt.
Click here
to send an offering using
PayPal. This will open to a
page that states "Brooksyne Weber" 2019
offerings YTD to Daily
Encouragement Net:
$9,650.00
iHeart
radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2019 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA