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Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
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"Listen And Believe The Voice Of Truth" Message summary: God who often speaks in a "still, small voice" and at times in a whisper says, "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them…" How good and reassuring it is to not only hear the voice of our Shepherd, but to know that He is also very familiar with my voice and all my ways (Psalm 139:3). ![]() "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). "All who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so by the God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16a). For many years we have enjoyed a song by the group "Casting Crowns" titled "The Voice Of Truth". But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory." Out of all the voices calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth. Driving through our region on this planet we are at a peak of vibrancy in both plant and animal life. The lawns look like fluffy green blankets, the trees are filled out and many farm fields are planted with crops. Yesterday we noticed the baby corn plants already popping up in many fields. It's wonderful to see so many people outside and children playing the way we did way before electronics, game stations and television squeezed out our natural drive to be outdoors enjoying physical activity. Animal sightings are frequent in our area and surely our favorite view is that of grazing sheep in green pasture which brings to mind a theme found throughout the Bible. The daily text is in the portion of Scripture where Jesus states "I am the good Shepherd". Today let us consider these words from our Lord: "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." We're all creatures of habit and those who surround us come to know our schedules, our habits, our likes and dislikes, our walk, our voice, and our way of looking at things. Certainly, as believers, we should become familiar with our Master's voice as we devote ourselves to reading the Scriptures, particularly the gospels, which record the very words of Christ. The gospel writers documented many instances where Jesus spoke to His followers regarding who He was and instructed them in the ways they were to follow Him. ![]() We must strive to keep our attention on the Voice of Truth; the voice of the Good Shepherd, who knows each one of us. As the line in the song states, "I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth." I reaffirm my choice this day to follow that voice of truth, God. The song "The Voice Of Truth" has a line that states, "But the voice of truth tells me a different story." The challenge is to stay focused on the Voice of Truth! Those other voices can really be loud, persistent, alluring and even demanding, but they have no vested interest in my eternal welfare. The voice of truth is the God of truth taken from the Hebrew name 'El 'emet. It expresses His faithfulness. There are other various names ('amen, 'emunah) that refer to God's truthfulness. Amen is a word we use at the end of a prayer giving expression to "it is so" or "so be it". In fact when we join our Amish brethren around the dinner table everyone bows their heads, but grace is not spoken aloud. After a fairly lengthy silence the father concludes our silent prayer with "Amen". Then we dig in! We often take "Amen" to signify "the end" of our prayer time, kind of like "The End" posted at the conclusion of a movie. But in reality Amen is spoken to express solemn ratification or agreement, derived from the Hebrew āmēn, which means “certainty,” “truth,” and “verily.” ![]() One of the most effective long-term ways to do this is to fill our minds with memorized Scripture. One of the very first Scriptures we both memorized over 40 years ago is Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee." When my mind wanders off into fear territory this verse draws it back into the sanctum of perfect peace where Jesus resides and trust is gained. Today may we all "choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() ![]() A family photo from several years ago at the farm of some friends of ours. Tirza was very excited about showing us her little lambs. ![]() Another photo of the lambs we passed yesterday. These photos were taken on a well-groomed Amish farm on Stumptown Road here in Lancaster County. The sheep wanted little to do with us until Brooksyne began to "baaa" to get their attention. ![]() Ester spent some time in our back yard with her camera yesterday and captured this dahlia in its peak beauty. She selected Job 36:27 to capture this photo, "For He draws up the drops of water, and makes them pour down rain and mist." ![]() This dahlia bloom, nearing the end of its lovely form, reminds us "...The flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). It also reminds us that God's Word is founded in truth and will stand in truth forever! (We also commend Ester's artistic creativity as she placed the bloom on the lava rocks in our firepit!) ![]() Stunning yellow Dahlia bloom! ![]() Rhododendron Shrubs, grown for their clusters of spring blooming, bell shaped flowers as well as their attractive evergreen foliage are also at their peak right now. However we don't normally pay that much attention to the blooms up close. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "The Voice Of Truth" Video Casting Crowns "Creation Calls -- are you listening?" Video Brian Doerksen Suggested by my friend Lou Guiliano "What A Beautiful Name" Video The lyrics of this song moves me, Brooksyne, to worship and adore Jesus, the Name above all names. The intensity builds so powerfully as the singers approach these words:
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory For You are raised to life again You have no rival, You have no equal Now and forever, Our God reigns Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory Yours is the Name, above all names What a powerful Name it is What a powerful Name it is The Name of Jesus Christ my King Finally today: ![]() Last night Ester and I, (Stephen), went to the Giant Center in Hershey to see the Hershey Bears play in a potential semi-final series win against the Providence Bruins. However the Bruins won and there will be a game seven in Hershey this evening! Our seats were two rows up so we saw and heard lots of action up close, but not so close we got our teeth knocked out! ![]() Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne 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.) ![]() ![]() 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. 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 2017 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |