A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Thursday,
August 15, 2019
Message
summary: God calls
us to receive His
compassion and in
turn express
compassion to
others.
Listen to our message on your audio player. "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). As most of our regular readers know, in addition to our daily writing ministry we serve as corporate chaplains, a field of ministry most are unfamiliar with since it's relatively rare. In it's most visible expression we have the opportunity each week to walk through various companies (we presently serve ten), greet the employees and express care and as the doors open we can be a witness for Christ. The companies we work with are not large corporations but rather smaller family run businesses. The owners have a real burden for their employees and see our chaplain role as one way to express care. In addition to our company visits, which I have seen described as "roaming around looking for someone to talk to", we provide a variety of services such as hospital visits, crisis intervention, counseling, conducting weddings and funerals, writing for newsletters, and so forth. In one company we even have an opportunity to share a short devotional each week. We see a real slice of humanity working with all ages, the churched and unchurched, the religious and the not so religious. We see virtually all races and ethnic backgrounds. Our view is red and yellow, black and white they're all precious in His sight! Last week a company owner expressed his concern for a new employee that was struggling. We were unable to see him during our visit but had intended to seek him out during our next visit. However we received a call early this week that the young man had died over the weekend of an overdose. Our owner friend expressed genuine compassion as he shared the loss with us. Brooksyne had the opportunity to call his mother and express our condolences personally and on behalf of the company. His mother was broken but very receptive and appreciative. Brooksyne will follow up with a card and additional literature. We are called to serve a broken world. Jesus provided an example to us in the various ways He demonstrated His compassion to the human need of His day. Such an instance is found in our daily verse. Matthew gives us a summary of the itinerant ministry of Jesus in chapter 9:35-38. He showed His compassion by healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the multitudes, forgiving sin and preaching the truth. We are called to do the same. He said to His disciples before His ascension back to the Father, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). Today let us respond to His call. The words "moved with compassion" translate the single Greek word 'splagchnizomai', which literally means "to have the bowels yearn". (At that time it meant the internal organs in a general sense and not what we specifically mean when we use the word 'bowels' today! Interestingly our word for 'spleen' is derived from this word.) It means being deeply moved, to feel sympathy, to pity. Today, look around and respond with the compassion of Christ! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: God, we are so blessed to know You as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. Your glory, displayed in the face of Jesus, is seen in the compassion He expressed for the crowds of people who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. It's one thing to have troubles but it's another thing to have no Shepherd to guide, encourage, or help us in our troubles. Thank You for being our Great Shepherd who leads and cares for us, who made a way for us to be freed from the penalty of sin through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Amen. Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
Tommy
Carpenter is a friend of
ours from Arkansas we met
many years ago. He shared
about a recent event in
his life on a mission trip
to Belize where he had
served as a missionary
over 50 years ago. Tommy
is now 80 years old and
retains his zeal and
energy for the cause of
Christ. In the last three
years Tommy and his wife
Jane have led short-term
teams back to Belize for
14 building projects.
Responding to yesterday's message on "It's Harvest Time" Tommy shared a recent experience reminding us we may not always know the extent of our impact for many years. Harvest Time "He that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing the fruits of his labor with him" (Psalm 126:6) Fifty-two years ago, Missionary Russell Schirman and I traveled through the jungle of northwest British Honduras (now Belize) going as far as the old logging road went until it turned into a footpath. Then using a machete to widen the path to accommodate my vehicle, we made it to Santa Cruz Village on the edge of the Rio Hondo. With our pastor from Corozal, Sylvester Encalada, we were the first to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to about 50 people assembled in a thatched roofed house! It was crowded! As I remember, there were 42 people who prayed with us as we introduced them to Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save those who are lost. I wondered, who would follow us to teach them God’s word and disciple them in their newfound Christian faith? Two years ago, in a pastors’ meeting in the Orange Walk District, Pastor Jose Palanco told me he had started a church in Santa Cruz! A lady had brought her elderly mother to the church and the mother told Pastor Palanco that she had been saved many, many years before when two white missionaries had come to their village. It was thrilling! Proverbs 25:25, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country!” On Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the close of the service in San Lazaro Village, a lady asked if she could have a few moments to talk with me. She told me that her grandmother had been saved in Santa Cruz many years before when missionaries had come with the gospel. Her grandmother’s name is Umberta Macul and she is still attending the Santa Cruz church! The lady who shared this is Josilie Vasquez, whose mother is Pastora Vasquez and her cousin Wendell Vasquez is our pastor at Yo Creek Rose of Sharon Assembly of God. Our construction team built the Yo Creek church in September of 2016. We planted the seed and God gave the harvest! I am coming with rejoicing that GOD has given the increase! 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. 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" 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."
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