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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Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Several weeks ago we shared a photo of a Mexican sunflower Brooksyne planted from a tiny seed in mid June. It continues to grow. For scale see Brooksyne on the left. It's a bit droopy since we took it during the hot afternoon but otherwise beautiful.

"Outstanding Among The Apostles"

Message summary: The vast, vast majority of people who faithfully serve Christ are not widely known, many known only to those in their own local church or immediate sphere of influence. Do you know some servants of Christ like Andronicus and Junias? Of course you do!

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“Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was” (Romans 16:7).

In a special broadcast this last weekend Voice Of The Martyrs interviewed a seasoned mission worker in Afghanistan. John Weaver is a longtime resident of Afghanistan who remained in the country even after 9/11 and has worked with and ministered to the Afghan people for decades. John is in daily contact with Afghans inside the country who give him a unique perspective about what is really going on right now, especially for the Christian remnant.

As I listened I thought of the dedication of this man, whom I never heard of prior to this interview. He's like so many through the ages of the church who have served unheralded and with scarcely any fame.

Consider the rather obscure and rarely considered daily verse, “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Although we don’t use the term “apostles” to describe ministry leaders in our particular circle, these two certainly had apostolic qualities. Paul recognized them as “outstanding among the apostles".

Even though this is all we know about them through the Scriptures they apparently made a tremendous contribution to the body of Christ in their time, for Paul to describe them as “outstanding". Other versions state “who are of note among the apostles” (KJV), “held in high esteem among the apostles” (Amplified).

I am convinced there are scores of people like Andronicus and Junias and John Weaver populating heaven who have faithfully served the Lord during their relatively brief tenure of service on earth.

The vast, vast majority of these people are not widely known, many known only to those in their own local church or immediate sphere of influence. Do you know some servants of Christ like Andronicus and Junias? More than likely you do or perhaps your service is like that of these dedicated men of God!

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You have called us to a journey of faith where we learn to trust You for all that we have need of, for the present and the future – in our relationships, our health, our earthly provisions and our spiritual needs. Like the songwriter, Louisa Stead, wrote; “I’m so glad I learned to trust You, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend...How I’ve proved You o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to trust You more.” Help us to find the sweetness of wholeheartedly trusting in You; the trust that comes not only in the pleasant times but also in the hard circumstances of life so that we are faithful to our calling no matter the difficulty that might accompany it. Help us to be fervent, dedicated and sacrificial in our walk with You through Christ Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"A PRAYER FOR AFGHANISTAN" Video The Worship Initiative

"Cast My Cares (My Portion)" Video The Worship Initiative feat. Shane & Shane and Joni Eareckson Tada

Afghanistan Update from Voice of the Martyrs featuring John Weaver He shares how we can pray for our Afghan brothers and sisters during this crucial time.

Today we will again share a few photos of the flowers still growing in this humid month of August.

The limelight hydrandea tree (above). Our daughter, Ester, is very patriotic and often posts American flags among Brooksyne's shrubs and flowers. While she was in Texas Brooksyne planted some red salvias and posted Ester's flags next to them. She named it the Weber Patriotic Corner and also hung a wooden plaque, "God bless America" above the flower arrangement on the bench and then sent Ester the photo. She was quite pleased with her mom's efforts!

Chicks and hens

This arrangement has been sitting on our counter since Lapps' visit yesterday

Brooksyne enjoys the various hybrids of the sweet potato vine and plants them in front and back.

Mexican Sunflower blooms as seen in the tall plant in our lead photo

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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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