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Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription ![]() Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() <Previous Message Next Message> Monday, January 25, 2016 "Digging Out"
Message Summary: God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God help us dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even trap us from reaching the other side of victory. ![]() "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me" (Psalm
138:8). "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 1:6).
![]() Yesterday our church service was cancelled, as were over 200 churches in our area, but I actually took on the chore of digging out and clearing a path around our van so if needed I could get out. Originally Ester was scheduled to go to work in the afternoon though she was later notified that the store was closed. Today she goes back to work and I am sure the store will be busy! ![]() Digging out can be a long process since many pile upon themselves layer after layer of poor decisions that have brought about years of sorrow and regret. God offers forgiveness and a new start, but in life and ministry we are all digging out or have dug out of something and hopefully are helping others dig out as a consequence of redemption. Consider our life being a project; a long-term, lifetime project. What tremendous confidence the Psalmist expresses in the first daily text. I want to appropriate this truth to my life and encourage you to do the same. Read it slowly and consider its personalized truth. "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me." The KJV states, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." The NASV reads this way, "The LORD will accomplish what concerns me." ![]() I believe Paul was directing the believers' attention to Jesus who works in our lives and perfects our walk as we keep our eyes on Him. Whatever mess we are in when we turn to Christ He can dig us out! Paul traveled continuously starting churches and returning for visits so that he could inspire, instruct, and when needed rebuke those who in were in error. Surely, at the end of each visit, a number of them wondered how they could grow in their faith walk without their leader's presence. Pastors, teachers, evangelists, and lay leaders are the human messengers God uses to advance His kingdom and to mature His people. But God's work is seen individually in those who seek after Him in their own devotional time, through Christian service, and through the daily experiences of life where we especially learn about Him. What a wonderful joy to know that the work of God in our lives is more than just a temporary project based upon a particular Bible study we're attending or whatever godly leader instructs us. The good news is that God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God guide and sustain us as we dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even trap us from reaching the other side of victory. The good work which God began He begins in the individual heart. It will be completed over our lifetime and it will be fulfilled according to His purpose and His time! If the struggle you're facing is slowly replacing your hope with despair;
Or the process is long and you're losing your song in the night. You can be sure that the Lord has His hand on you, Safe and secure, He will never abandon you. You are His treasure and He finds His pleasure in you. He who began a good work in you. He who began a good work in you Will be faithful to complete it. He'll be faithful to complete it. He who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() Some Scenes from Our Place ![]() Here's the front view we had on Saturday afternoon during the storm. ![]() Our side deck after Mollie diligently made a path to the deck steps. ![]() The heavy snow storm did not keep Mollie from wanting to play on Saturday! It only made her more eager since "Find the Frisbee" through inches of snow was the perfect game for her. She still tried to catch the frisbee in the air if she could get there in time. ![]() Here's the lower door I kept cleared out along with the path to my barn. ![]() What a blessing to see the big snow blower come roaring in on Saturday evening! ![]() Sunday morning it was bright and clear and I began digging out. ![]() On Sunday afternoon Mollie played with her rings in our back yard. ![]() After digging out I even took a short bike ride but didn't stay on the road long since it was very cold and I didn't outfit my bike with snow tires! (Notice the planter in the forefront with the buildup of about 28" of snow.) Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "He Who Began A Good Work" Video Steve Green Just for fun: Ester is developin some film-making skillls, thanks to helps from Iphone software, as evidenced by this one minute trailer about an upcoming movie featuring her border collie Mollie. Video ![]() I had asked the young Amish girls staffing the stand at the Central market and thought it would make a good quiz so on Friday we asked our readers if anyone could tell us what this sign says. The answer is... "Come Eat" A colorful memory from our current pastor's wife was during the years they pastored in Pennsylvania's Big Valley region with lots of Pennsylvania Dutch. "When we pastored in Belleville, the Deacon would often tell the people to Kom-Essa when we had carry in meals." Thanks for the many correct responses. To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. 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 half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive a fee (of course this percentage of time varies week by week). 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 phase would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information. Donations through my chaplaincy endorsing ministry are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by them. Thank you! ![]() Permissions: 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. I 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 2016 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |