Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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

Home Archives About Us

Listen to these messages

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Honey Bear orchard barn in Lebanon County.
(click on photo to enlarge)

"The Word Of The Lord Endures Forever"

Message summary: We encourage you this day to place your trust in the One whose Word, love and faithfulness will endure forever!

Listen to this message on your audio player.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3).

With recent rains our grass has turned green and lush again which is unusual in August. I mowed again yesterday after mowing just five days ago. Brooksyne's flowers are still colorful and vibrant, though the extreme humidity and heavy downpours have damaged a few.

One thing is for sure; the grass will wither and the flowers will fade! In a couple of months we will be doing our fall lawn and landscaping duties, pulling up the faded annuals for disposal.

Yesterday we stopped by Honey Bear Orchards in Lebanon County. We have boxes of ginger gold apples and sun high peaches from the orchard. Brooksyne has been preparing peach jams, pie fillings, fruit salads, and adding sliced peaches to many otherwise plain dishes. Peaches have a relatively short season of availability and also a short shelf life so they must be used up quickly. On the other hand apples will keep for awhile.

But everything created on this side of heaven has an expiration date and will eventually wither like the grass and fade like a flower. The orchard has a sign that reminds you of what will endure forever (see photo above). Isaiah served God about 700 BC and was considered one of the greatest prophets. His words are quoted extensively in the New Testament and Isaiah 40 is among the grandest writings in English literature.

In our daily verse he contrasts the temporariness of God’s creation with the eternality of His Word, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever”. For many years Lancaster Bible College had this verse on a large sign visible from a busy 4 lane Rt 222, and I was very disappointed when they removed it. What a great reminder to our fallen world!

The apostle Peter quotes this verse in his epistle and goes on to write, “This is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:25). If you are reading and studying and hearing your pastor preach and teachers teach from the Bible this applies to you! Through our Daily Encouragement messages we want to be a part of this input in your life.

Indeed this beloved Word continues to be pondered, preached and practiced all over the world today, some 2,700 years after Isaiah wrote and nearly 2000 years after Peter wrote. We especially have on our hearts that tiny, beleaguered remnant of Christ-followers in Afghanistan, as we pray for their deliverance from the surrounding enemies.

We can be absolutely assured of the timeless value of the Word. Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33). Should our Lord tarry in His return to earth we can be assured that fifty or five hundred or five thousand years from now His Word will remain and have eternally great value!

Our second daily text assures us of two other attributes of God that will last forever; God’s love and faithfulness which is everlasting.

We encourage you this day to place your trust in the One whose Word, love and faithfulness will endure forever!

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You are King, Your throne is eternal; You are the First and the Last. You spoke through Christ Jesus, Your everlasting Son, Christ as God in human form. God, You continue to speak by Your Spirit in Your ageless Holy Word expounding Your own message, now as then. Through the rise and fall of nations one sure faith still holds us fast. You abide, Your Word is unchanging. Though all hell should endeavor to shake this firm foundation built on Your Holy Word, we will never forsake it, for the darkened veil will soon be lifted and we will see You face to face in the fullness of Your glory. Praise be to God! Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Do It Again" Video Michael W. Smith

"Is He Worthy?" Video Shane and Shane

"Forever" Video Shane and Shane

"Forever" Video Michael W. Smith

Freshly picked peaches at the Honey Bear Orchards.

Our mail box is practically covered with Black Eyed Susan vine which Brooksyne planted in the early summer. The purple morning glories peeking through the vine replant themselves year after year and always make their appearance in late summer.

As we sat on the porch last evening we enjoyed the Paragliders appearing over the corn field at sunset.

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)

Ministry Update

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.

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".

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."

dailyencouragement.net

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"