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(Click refresh or reload for current message) Thursday, March
17, 2022
Yesterday we attended a Lenten
luncheon at a church with this view of the Lancaster County
farmlands north of Mount Joy. As you can see the fields are
getting green, fitting for this Saint Patrick's Day!
Click to enlarge
"In
Shady Green Pastures"
Message
summary: 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.
"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 shady,
green pastures so rich and so sweet
God leads His dear children along Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet God leads His dear children along Today is
Saint Patrick's Day when many wear green. I have very few
articles of clothing that are green but finding this color
is no trouble for Brooksyne or Ester. One of the reasons
we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day is because of Ireland’s
nickname, The Emerald Isle. (The ideal color of emerald
green is a slightly bluish, vivid green.) Also St. Patrick
is thought to have used green shamrocks to teach people
about the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit), another justification for
greenifying everything.
In our region
everything is really getting green, a season I especially
look forward to. I enjoy mowing our lawn and tending to
our landscaping. And it won't be long before Brooksyne is
planting flowers. It will be mostly green through the
fall. It also looks like it's time for me to consider a
new riding lawn mower purchase and I am considering a
green colored brand. (We'll see what kind of farmer you
are if you can guess the brand!)
Although all four gospels share the story of the feeding of the five thousand, only Mark includes the detail that the grass was green. This was likely a clue indicating the season that this event took place. That may be so, or maybe Mark just really liked green, like I do! What makes the grass so green? Scientifically we are aware it is chlorophyll. But what drop of rain, what ray of sunshine, or what specific nutrient drawn from the rich 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. Likewise 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 on our faith journey; a very memorable spiritual experience, a certain sermon that changed our outlook, a book we read that had a "life changing" effect or our observation of a person's attitude or behavior that really spoke to our hearts. These "big events" are mile marker blessings, but most of our growth is a result of the accumulative effects of many 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 or perhaps thousands of Bible-based sermons and teachings, read many good books, heard many good radio programs and listened to inspirational music, etc. In my 45+ years of ministry I calculate that I have prepared and presented over 4,000 sermons and teachings. And now with over 25 years of preparing these Daily Encouragement messages that's over 6,000 messages and over 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 articles and 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 Savior and live in His green pastures. Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
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 and their testimony is another
way You've brought positive change into
my life. Sermons that cause me to think
often move me to more fully surrender my
heart to You which 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". Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"God Leads His Dear
Children Along" Video
Selah
Yesterday
afternoon Don Alban, a friend from our
Sunday School class stopped by. He had
a long season of missions and mission
education ministry and yet at 82 years
of age he continues to stay active in
a mentoring program at Lancaster Bible
College. He came over to introduce me
to Andrew, a young man he has been
working with for four years to learn
about our form of chaplaincy. Don is a
demonstration of, "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). Andrew demonstrated
respect and a teachable spirit as we
shared together in the early
afternoon.
Last
week we shared a photo of an
interesting log house with a pig
looking in the window. John, a local
reader and photographer was intrigued
and drove over to examine (google map).
Amazing the little pig still hasn't
moved!
Click
to enlarge
John
stopped to explore, checking out the
inside since the door was wide open,
but we don't know what plans are in
store for this interesting
restoration. The bright red trim, both
inside and outside, adds a bold
statement.
Click
to enlarge
Sadie
and Gracie sharing a curious moment.
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Stephen & Brooksyne 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 2022 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |