Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Friday, August 21, 2020

Ester captured this photo of the trail across from our house to Donegal Springs. Our dogs are very familiar with this trail as Brooksyne takes them on it several times a week.

"A Challenge And A Reminder"

Message summary: This much is sure, we really have no guarantees of security in regard to the physical realm. But to this I hold:

My hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Listen to this message on your audio player.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 1:12).

Yesterday I visited for a few minutes with Phil, a salesman for Smucker & Sons Home Improvement. Phil wholeheartedly identifies as a Christian and upon departing I quoted, like I often do, my life verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

He told me that's about the fifth time I had quoted that verse to him. I told him I was following the example of Peter who wrote, "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 1:12).

As we mature in our faith we hopefully will continue to hear a truth for the first time, gain new insights into old truths and be reminded of that which we have already learned. But if all we do is run after "new" truth we are subjecting ourselves to possible deception.

Several years ago I visited with another friend and he shared a perspective that’s quite helpful in describing our encouragement ministry. He described our brief visit as a daily vitamin for his soul!

Well, that's how we to hope to encourage you today, by providing some vitamins for your soul. Vitamins, although in some cases therapeutic in nature, are generally intended to be more preventive and have the effect of strengthening our bodies. Such is the case with regular teaching in God’s Word and we hope these daily encouragement messages daily uplift and fortify your walk with the Lord.

There is such uncertainty in the current Covid pandemic with virtually all of us being affected in some degree. As we walked through three companies this morning we heard many stories of how employees' families are affected by Covid, mostly where they can and cannot go or the changes it has brought to their lives from day to day.

We all know that the "steady" job can quickly vanish. One new hire that we met today had moved here from Arizona right at the time of the pandemic in March and only now has she finally been hired for a job. An unfaithful spouse, a tragic accident or medical diagnosis can alter our present and future plans instantly. Then we consider the conditions in our nation and world! This much is sure, we really have no guarantees of security in regard to the physical realm.

But in the spiritual realm our security is absolute with no deficiency whatsoever. These blessings are safe and abundantly adequate regardless of where we live or how “blessed” we happen to be in the physical. Our Christian brother or sister reading this in Africa, India or anywhere else on this planet is equally blessed in the spiritual realm.

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You promise to give us all things that we have need of as we seek You and Your Kingdom above all. May Your light shine in our hearts to give us the light of Your glory in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remind us continually through the presence of the Holy Spirit and through reading the Scriptures to trust You for that which weighs heavily on our hearts this day so we walk and stand in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

Note: One of the greatest perspectives we can have is a daily recognition of God’s faithful and abundant blessings and the absolute veracity of His promises. In the physical realm these blessings vary among us. Some experience better health than others, others more of this world’s goods, and there are those who have greater or more frequent heartaches. We especially consider those who deal with chronic matters such as a reader we periodically hear who daily cares and provides for her two special needs adult children.

Because we live in the physical realm we inevitably focus on these. Nevertheless, how quickly these things can change! Any security we have in the physical world is very tenuous.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" Video CityAlight (Song from which portion is quoted in message)

Lancaster County Tobacco Harvest

Though we have yet to find any physical benefit to this plant it is grown throughout Lancaster County and provides a beautiful green landscape. As the plant is harvested it is aired out in these barns as the vents are opened in the front and sides of the barn.

(Photo taken by Ester)

Click to enlarge

This morning we stopped by the Cherry Hill Orchards farm market, always a colorful scene.

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Last week we shared several butterfly photos Ester had taken. Our backyard phlox are our main butterfly magnet.

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Finally today:

This morning we visited employees in a call center and saw this poster expressing the tech services challenges they face and yet remain pleasant!

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Ministry Update

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 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".

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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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