A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Thursday, April
11, 2019
Yesterday's early morning view of our front lawn and
the field across the road.
(Click
to enlarge)
"Green
Grass!"
Message
summary:
Here's a vital
spiritual truth to
encourage you today:
Our progress in
spiritual growth, like
the green grass or the
green leaves on a
tree, is mostly a
result of the
composite,
accumulative effect of
being exposed to
spiritually enriching
nutrients over time.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass" (Mark 6:39). "He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him'" (Psalm 92:14,15).
In our region everything is really getting green, a season I especially enjoy. I even enjoy mowing our lawn and soon Marvin, our neighborhood lawnmaster, will have his huge ztr riding tractor out, signalling to the neighborhood the official start of mowing season!
In Bible College I recall a specific statement made by a professor that really impacted me and heightened my love for God's Word. He pointed out the importance of looking at the detail contained in the Scriptures and called our attention to the "green grass" description in the first daily text.
Although all four gospels share the story of the feeding of the five thousand, only Mark includes the detail that the grass was green. The professor pointed out that this was likely a clue indicating the season that this event took place. That may be so, but perhaps Mark just also really liked green!
What makes the grass so green? Well scientifically we are aware it is Chlorophyll. But what drop of rain, what ray of sunshine, or what specific nutrient drawn from the rich Lancaster County soil made the difference? Of course that question cannot be answered. We know there are many factors that contribute to the vitality of the grass and plant life.
And there are also many factors that contribute to the spiritual health and vitality of the believer, especially staying fresh and green and still bearing fruit in old age. Today let us consider spiritual "green grass".
Most of us are able to recall specific points in our faith journey; a very memorable spiritual experience, a certain sermon that changed our outlook, or a book we read that had a "life changing" effect upon us. These "big events" are mile marker blessings, but most of our growth is a result of the accumulative effects of small things. These are the blessings of living in green pastures.
Depending upon how long we have followed Christ we may have read and studied the Scriptures for thousands of hours, heard hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Bible-based sermons and teachings, read many good books, heard many good radio programs, etc.
In my accumulative 30+ years of pastoral ministry (including interim roles) I calculate that I have prepared and presented some 4,000 sermons and teachings during that course of ministry. (We had at least two scheduled services weekly and in some cases three.)
And now with nearly 22 years of preparing Daily Encouragement messages that's over 5,500 messages and about 1,500 radio messages.
Yet I sure don't remember all I've read from the Word (too often it seems I forget right after I read it and have to re-read). I have read thousands of books by now, but I only remember a few. I certainly can't recall every sermon I've heard or preached. Actually I can only specifically remember a small percentage, even of my own sermons. Has it all been a waste? Of course not! I was spending time in green pasture!
Here's a vital spiritual truth to encourage you today: Our progress in spiritual growth, like the green grass or the green leaves on a tree, is mostly a result of the composite, accumulative effect of being exposed to spiritually enriching nutrients over time. Read attentively as you study the Scriptures and listen carefully to God's servants as they preach the Word. But remember, spiritual growth is taking place as you day by day fully commit yourself to our blessed Saviour and live in His green pastures.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
Your
principles
teach me that
time spent
reading the
Word,
meditating
upon it and
applying it to
my life makes
a vital
difference in
my Christian
walk. Spending
time with
other
believers and
learning from
their
examples, as
well as their
testimony, is
another way
You've brought
positive
change into my
life. Hearing
sermons that
cause me to
think and
often move me
to more fully
surrender my
heart to You
has brought
about
foundational
growth in my
life. I'm
grateful for
those who love
me enough to
keep me
accountable to
the commitment
I've made to
live a godly
life. Thank
You for the
spiritual
health and
vitality You
provide as I
graze on the
bounty of Your
abundant
life-giving
"green
pastures." It
is in the name
of Jesus that
we pray. Amen.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass" (Mark 6:39). "He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him'" (Psalm 92:14,15).
In our region everything is really getting green, a season I especially enjoy. I even enjoy mowing our lawn and soon Marvin, our neighborhood lawnmaster, will have his huge ztr riding tractor out, signalling to the neighborhood the official start of mowing season!
In Bible College I recall a specific statement made by a professor that really impacted me and heightened my love for God's Word. He pointed out the importance of looking at the detail contained in the Scriptures and called our attention to the "green grass" description in the first daily text.
Although all four gospels share the story of the feeding of the five thousand, only Mark includes the detail that the grass was green. The professor pointed out that this was likely a clue indicating the season that this event took place. That may be so, but perhaps Mark just also really liked green!
What makes the grass so green? Well scientifically we are aware it is Chlorophyll. But what drop of rain, what ray of sunshine, or what specific nutrient drawn from the rich Lancaster County soil made the difference? Of course that question cannot be answered. We know there are many factors that contribute to the vitality of the grass and plant life.
And there are also many factors that contribute to the spiritual health and vitality of the believer, especially staying fresh and green and still bearing fruit in old age. Today let us consider spiritual "green grass".
Most of us are able to recall specific points in our faith journey; a very memorable spiritual experience, a certain sermon that changed our outlook, or a book we read that had a "life changing" effect upon us. These "big events" are mile marker blessings, but most of our growth is a result of the accumulative effects of small things. These are the blessings of living in green pastures.
Depending upon how long we have followed Christ we may have read and studied the Scriptures for thousands of hours, heard hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Bible-based sermons and teachings, read many good books, heard many good radio programs, etc.
In my accumulative 30+ years of pastoral ministry (including interim roles) I calculate that I have prepared and presented some 4,000 sermons and teachings during that course of ministry. (We had at least two scheduled services weekly and in some cases three.)
And now with nearly 22 years of preparing Daily Encouragement messages that's over 5,500 messages and about 1,500 radio messages.
Yet I sure don't remember all I've read from the Word (too often it seems I forget right after I read it and have to re-read). I have read thousands of books by now, but I only remember a few. I certainly can't recall every sermon I've heard or preached. Actually I can only specifically remember a small percentage, even of my own sermons. Has it all been a waste? Of course not! I was spending time in green pasture!
Here's a vital spiritual truth to encourage you today: Our progress in spiritual growth, like the green grass or the green leaves on a tree, is mostly a result of the composite, accumulative effect of being exposed to spiritually enriching nutrients over time. Read attentively as you study the Scriptures and listen carefully to God's servants as they preach the Word. But remember, spiritual growth is taking place as you day by day fully commit yourself to our blessed Saviour and live in His green pastures.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
Your
principles
teach me that
time spent
reading the
Word,
meditating
upon it and
applying it to
my life makes
a vital
difference in
my Christian
walk. Spending
time with
other
believers and
learning from
their
examples, as
well as their
testimony, is
another way
You've brought
positive
change into my
life. Hearing
sermons that
cause me to
think and
often move me
to more fully
surrender my
heart to You
has brought
about
foundational
growth in my
life. I'm
grateful for
those who love
me enough to
keep me
accountable to
the commitment
I've made to
live a godly
life. Thank
You for the
spiritual
health and
vitality You
provide as I
graze on the
bounty of Your
abundant
life-giving
"green
pastures." It
is in the name
of Jesus that
we pray. Amen.
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.)
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.
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"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 2019 Stephen
C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA