A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Thursday,
December 6, 2018
"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it" (Genesis 28:16). But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life" (Jude 1:20-21).
During
the holiday season
Brooksyne enjoys baking
for us and others.
Yesterday she made
English Toffee
candy from a
recipe her aunt had
given her when she was
in Colorado last month.
She had great incentive
after her Aunt Mary made
a delicious batch while
she visited. In fact she
tucked a few pieces of
toffee away in her
suitcase for me.
Daily
prayer:
Father, I am very
grateful for Your
continual guidance in
my life and for Your
steadying hand when
the foundations are
shaken. Lead me to the
towering rock of
safety, for You are my
safe refuge. In Your
presence I find
renewed hope,
resurging strength and
safety beneath the
shelter of Your wings!
Your unfailing love
will uphold me and
Your sovereign
presence will never
leave me nor forsake
me. What joyous
blessings these
promises unfold in my
life day by day as You
will never lead me
where Your grace
cannot keep me. Thank
You for Jesus in whose
name we pray! Amen.
"A
Lesson
From Keeping Cake"
Message
summary:
We may not be able
to keep "keeping cake"
very long but "keeping
grace" will always keep
us!
Listen to our
message on your audio
player.
"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it" (Genesis 28:16). But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life" (Jude 1:20-21).
During
the holiday season
Brooksyne enjoys baking
for us and others.
Yesterday she made
English Toffee
candy from a
recipe her aunt had
given her when she was
in Colorado last month.
She had great incentive
after her Aunt Mary made
a delicious batch while
she visited. In fact she
tucked a few pieces of
toffee away in her
suitcase for me. One
of her favorite baking
projects for many years
has been "Keeping Cake"
which she gives away at
Christmas. It's a
combination of
cranberries, brown
sugar, glazed pecans,
etc. She tries to make
it early since the fruit
mellows and blends over
time. It will keep up to
3 months in a dry, cool
place, thus the name
"keeping cake").
However
in our home it doesn't
usually have the
opportunity to improve
over time since we tend
to eat it too quickly.
We don't always practice
the "keeping" but rather
apply the "eating"
aspect to this cake! But
the recipe name does
prompt a spiritual
thought we'd like to
consider today, keeping
grace. We
may not be able to keep
"keeping cake" very long
but "keeping grace" will
always keep us!
One of the great joys in ministry is encouraging others based primarily upon the Scriptures, God's most certain Word. Encouragement can come from all parts of the Bible as we will share in today's encouragement.
The first daily text is from a story involving Jacob, who had just fled from his parent's home. He was a real rascal at this time, having stolen the birthright from his older brother, Esau, and later deceiving his father, Isaac, in obtaining the blessing that should have gone to his firstborn son, Esau. He was fleeing in fear from his angry brother Esau, who had vowed to kill him. Traveling till the sun had set he finally laid down to sleep using a cold, hard stone as a pillow. Ouch! These are not normally the conditions conducive to hearing from God, let alone getting a good night of sleep. Jacob was surely not seeking any spiritual encounter that night.
But at this very time God spoke to Jacob in a vision, essentially assuring him of His plan for Jacob's life which would also bring about the fulfillment of His promises to his grandfather, Abraham. When Jacob awoke Scripture declares that he made the observation in our daily text, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." The part of the passage that particularly intrigues me is the phrase, "I was not aware of it." May we always be aware of the Lord's presence, even when we can't see Him at work in our lives!
Nearly
4000 years later God is
still speaking and
meeting with His people
today; not only in
churches but wherever,
whenever, and however He
wants to get our
attention. We have a
much fuller revelation
of God's promises than
Jacob and we know His
Word declares some great
assurances.
David spoke of God's presence in his most famous Psalm, "Thou art with me." Jesus assured His disciples before returning to heaven, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Finally, today let us consider the simple word of "keeping grace" from Jude in our second daily text, "Keep yourselves in the love of God". God is always faithful to do His part.
Today, receive these great promises with joy and anticipation, fellow believer! Whatever your circumstances, however difficult or even hopeless they may seem; remember, the LORD is always with us. May we always be aware of His presence, even in the night hour, along with His keeping grace!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
One of the great joys in ministry is encouraging others based primarily upon the Scriptures, God's most certain Word. Encouragement can come from all parts of the Bible as we will share in today's encouragement.
The first daily text is from a story involving Jacob, who had just fled from his parent's home. He was a real rascal at this time, having stolen the birthright from his older brother, Esau, and later deceiving his father, Isaac, in obtaining the blessing that should have gone to his firstborn son, Esau. He was fleeing in fear from his angry brother Esau, who had vowed to kill him. Traveling till the sun had set he finally laid down to sleep using a cold, hard stone as a pillow. Ouch! These are not normally the conditions conducive to hearing from God, let alone getting a good night of sleep. Jacob was surely not seeking any spiritual encounter that night.
But at this very time God spoke to Jacob in a vision, essentially assuring him of His plan for Jacob's life which would also bring about the fulfillment of His promises to his grandfather, Abraham. When Jacob awoke Scripture declares that he made the observation in our daily text, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." The part of the passage that particularly intrigues me is the phrase, "I was not aware of it." May we always be aware of the Lord's presence, even when we can't see Him at work in our lives!
Nearly
4000 years later God is
still speaking and
meeting with His people
today; not only in
churches but wherever,
whenever, and however He
wants to get our
attention. We have a
much fuller revelation
of God's promises than
Jacob and we know His
Word declares some great
assurances.David spoke of God's presence in his most famous Psalm, "Thou art with me." Jesus assured His disciples before returning to heaven, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Finally, today let us consider the simple word of "keeping grace" from Jude in our second daily text, "Keep yourselves in the love of God". God is always faithful to do His part.
Today, receive these great promises with joy and anticipation, fellow believer! Whatever your circumstances, however difficult or even hopeless they may seem; remember, the LORD is always with us. May we always be aware of His presence, even in the night hour, along with His keeping grace!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, I am very
grateful for Your
continual guidance in
my life and for Your
steadying hand when
the foundations are
shaken. Lead me to the
towering rock of
safety, for You are my
safe refuge. In Your
presence I find
renewed hope,
resurging strength and
safety beneath the
shelter of Your wings!
Your unfailing love
will uphold me and
Your sovereign
presence will never
leave me nor forsake
me. What joyous
blessings these
promises unfold in my
life day by day as You
will never lead me
where Your grace
cannot keep me. Thank
You for Jesus in whose
name we pray! Amen.Observation:
As I look back over my life it seems
that God's voice tends to be clearest in
the tough times. Likely that's because I
am most sensitive to the Spirit's leading
in these situations. Although we want to
avoid the tough times, I believe God
providentially allows us to go through
them so that He can instruct us and guide
our lives. That's why I so often pray for
myself and others that God would give us
grace and maturity to actually rejoice
during hard times and when the doors seem
closed.
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Year-end Financial Appeal
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have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for
many years!). We realize there are many
fine ministries and causes requesting
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would lead you we surely need and
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spike in giving at the end of the year
for which we are most thankful.
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.
To 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
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This will open to a page that states
"Brooksyne Weber"
Thank you,
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.
To 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"Thank you,
Stephen
& Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Surely
the Presence of the Lord Is in
This Place" Video
Thapelo Makateng
"He
Sees What We Don't"
Video
The Carr Family
"O
Come All Ye Faithful"
Video
Calvary Church worship team
Finally
today:
Here's more about the "Keeping
Cake"
I make
these small loaves for food
gifts at Christmas. One year,
after baking and washing the
rectangular ceramic dishes, I
asked Stephen to put them away
in the highest cabinet shelf
to save me the extra time it
takes to get a stool. He
willingly agreed and as he did
so I heard this loud, crashing
sound that just seemed to go
on and on. Imagining the
worst I turned to see him
using his hands as a shield to
protect his face as the dishes
tumbled forward onto him and
then the ceramic tile
floor. The next thing
you know Ester races into the
kitchen with camera in hand
flashing pictures of Stephen
and the mess he had just made
(she's learned "quick camera
action" from her dad.) It
became a very laughable
experience. Fortunately only
two out of five dishes broke,
probably because he became the
padded buffer.
1 pkg. (12 oz. or 3 ½ C.) cranberries, separated – (6 oz. chopped)
¾ C. Granulated Sugar
½ teaspoon orange peel
½ C. (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 ½ C. All-Purpose flour
2 C. brown Sugar
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
¾ C. Sour Cream
1 C. pecans, coarsely chopped
Crystal Like Sugar (optional)
tsp.= teaspoon
Prepare loaf pans by spraying with Pam. In large saucepan combine 6 oz (1/2 pkg.) of cranberries, ¾ C. sugar and ½ tsp. orange peel. Bring to boil, stirring constantly until berries pop and mixture thickens. Remove. Add 1 stick butter to melt and other 6 oz. of cranberries, chopped. Cool.
Combine in large bowl 2 ½ C. flour, 2 C. brown sugar, spices, 2 tsp. soda and 1 tsp. salt. Stir in 2 eggs with ¾ C. sour cream. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in cranberry mixture and 1 C. pecans (glazed are excellent if you can find them. (Diamond brand makes them.)
This will make about seven very small loaves or two large loaves. Bake at 350 for about one hour or till done (less time for small loaves). Cool in pans for ten minutes before removing from pan and inverting on cake rack. Wrap cakes in foil at least one week to age in cool, dry place.
I sprinkle unrefined raw sugar or large sugar crystals inside the sprayed loaf pan before pouring batter in pans and on top of the batter after filling the loaf pans. Keeps up to three months in cool, dry place. Freezes nicely as well.
From Leisure Arts, "Gifts of Good Taste", P. 29. No Mixer needed for this recipe. I usually serve this more as a sweet bread with soft cream cheese than I do a cake. When I give this as gifts at Christmas it comes up a winner!!
Keeping
Cake (Single Recipe)
1 pkg. (12 oz. or 3 ½ C.) cranberries, separated – (6 oz. chopped)
¾ C. Granulated Sugar
½ teaspoon orange peel
½ C. (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 ½ C. All-Purpose flour
2 C. brown Sugar
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
¾ C. Sour Cream
1 C. pecans, coarsely chopped
Crystal Like Sugar (optional)
tsp.= teaspoon
Prepare loaf pans by spraying with Pam. In large saucepan combine 6 oz (1/2 pkg.) of cranberries, ¾ C. sugar and ½ tsp. orange peel. Bring to boil, stirring constantly until berries pop and mixture thickens. Remove. Add 1 stick butter to melt and other 6 oz. of cranberries, chopped. Cool.
Combine in large bowl 2 ½ C. flour, 2 C. brown sugar, spices, 2 tsp. soda and 1 tsp. salt. Stir in 2 eggs with ¾ C. sour cream. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in cranberry mixture and 1 C. pecans (glazed are excellent if you can find them. (Diamond brand makes them.)
This will make about seven very small loaves or two large loaves. Bake at 350 for about one hour or till done (less time for small loaves). Cool in pans for ten minutes before removing from pan and inverting on cake rack. Wrap cakes in foil at least one week to age in cool, dry place.
I sprinkle unrefined raw sugar or large sugar crystals inside the sprayed loaf pan before pouring batter in pans and on top of the batter after filling the loaf pans. Keeps up to three months in cool, dry place. Freezes nicely as well.
From Leisure Arts, "Gifts of Good Taste", P. 29. No Mixer needed for this recipe. I usually serve this more as a sweet bread with soft cream cheese than I do a cake. When I give this as gifts at Christmas it comes up a winner!!
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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, 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."
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