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(Click refresh or reload for current message) Monday, June 13,
2022
Creamy trumpet like Calla Lily
bloom
"Consideration
Of A Hose-maker And A Tent-maker"
Message
summary: Today I want to thank tent-makers
like Paul, hose-makers like Luis and so many of you who are
working hard to provide for your family and contributing
toward others with your skill-set. Consider how Paul used
this work experience to spiritually influence Aquila and
Priscilla who later became a powerful ministry team.
Ultimately God, in His providence, has positioned you at
your workplace where you can influence others for the
kingdom of God.
"Because he (Paul) was of
the same trade he stayed with them (Aquila and Priscilla)
and worked, for they were tent-makers by trade" (Acts
18:3).
Today many begin another work week. We are slowing down a bit in our chaplaincy ministry to companies as we're phasing into a retirement pace, though we still visit with several hundred employees each week in a variety of work settings. We have visited with Luis for many years who faithfully discharges his duties putting fittings on hoses for Kleen-Rite, a company that supplies the car wash industry. He worked there many years before we started visiting so only the Lord knows how many hoses he has made that many of us have unknowingly used when washing our cars. There are many products we use but rarely give thought as to their origin or how they were made, unless they no longer work for us! Luis is only a few years younger than me so he is weary at the end of the week when we usually see him. But he's always pleasant and pleased to share about his many grandchildren. Last week his colorful hat prompted the photo and this message. With so many companies striving to fill positions those who do work often have additional duties or hours expected of them so I often make it a point to express thanks to employees just for working. It seems to be a surprise to some, since my attempt to encourage is subject to being misunderstood, but is appreciated by others. (A few have initially taken my earnest expression of gratitude as being sarcastic.) Today's text may be easily overlooked to get to the "spiritual" part of the record. In fact I am not sure I have really stopped to ponder its significance although I knew Paul was a tent-maker, a description often used for those in bi-vocational ministry. Paul was a seasoned missionary at this point on his second missionary trip to Corinth. He had just come from Athens where he encountered the "intellectuals" of the age and met a Jew named Aquila. He was a native of Pontus and had recently arrived from Italy with his wife Priscilla. "Because he was of the same trade". This indicates Paul had previous experience as a tent-maker although it is not revealed prior to this. A trade is defined as a "a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training". Today we consider the vital necessity of those in "the trades" such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, mechanics and so forth. If they all stopped working life would quickly change as we know it! "and worked, for they were tent-makers by trade". We know that Paul was highly educated for his time. In Acts 22:3 he testified, "I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors". He could have seen the job of tent-making as beneath his training and abilities, but there's no suggestion in the text that he had this outlook. I also consider that after his frustrating encounter in Athens he might have found it refreshing to be in the company of some common-sense hard-working people! Today I want to thank tent-makers like Paul, hose-makers like Luis and so many of you who are working hard to provide for your family and contributing toward others with your skill-set. Just consider how Paul used this work experience to spiritually influence Aquila and Priscilla, who later became a powerful ministry team. Ultimately God, in His providence, has positioned you at your workplace where you can influence others for the kingdom of God. Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13) Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily
prayer: Father, You equip us to
serve in Your kingdom which will last
for all eternity. You also equip us to
serve in the workforce all our adult
years until we can no longer be
productive in the marketplace.
Opportunities abound for us to make a
positive difference in every season of
our life as we seek to be a beacon of
light in places of darkness. You call on
us to be ambassadors for Christ as we
represent Him wherever we go and
whatever You enable us to do. We
dedicate ourselves to You for Your
service and for Your glory. Amen.
For further study: In searching for Bible occupations I found this rather extensive list in response to a question on a forum of all places: Ambassador
2 Corinthians 5:20
Archer Genesis 21:20 Armor-bearer Judges 9:54 Astrologer Isaiah 47:13 Athlete 2 Timothy 2:5 Baker Genesis 40:1 Bandit Hosea 7:1 Banker Matthew 25:27 Blacksmith 1 Samuel 13:19 Bodyguard 1 Samuel 28:2 Bowmen Isaiah 21:17 Brick-maker Genesis 11:3 Builder 2 Kings 12:11 Butcher Matthew 22:4 Carpenter Mark 6:3 Chariot driver 1 Kings 22:34 Charioteer 1 Chronicles 19:18 Cook 1 Samuel 8:13 Counselor 2 Samuel 15:12 Courier 2 Chronicles 30:6 Creditor Deuteronomy 15:2 Cup-bearer Genesis 40:1 Designer Exodus 35:35 Diviner 1 Samuel 6:2 Doorkeeper 2 Kings 22:4 Embroiderer Exodus 35:35 Emperor Acts 25:25 Engraver Exodus 28:11 Executioner Mark 6:27 Farmer 2 Timothy 2:6 Fisherman Isaiah 19:8 Fortuneteller Acts 16:16 Gardener John 20:15 Gatekeeper 2 Samuel 18:26 Gem cutter Exodus 28:11 Goldsmith Isaiah 40:19 Governor 2 Kings 23:8 Grape picker Jeremiah 49:9 Grinder Ecclesiastes 12:3 Guard 1 Samuel 22:17 Harpist Revelation 14:2 Harvester James 5:4 Herdsmen Genesis 13:7 Horseman 2 Kings 9:17 Hunter Genesis 10:9 Idol maker Isaiah 45:16 Innkeeper Luke 10:35 Instructor Proverbs 5:13 Interpreter Genesis 42:23 Jailer Acts 16:23 Judge Exodus 2:14 Keeper of flocks Genesis 4:2 King Genesis 14:1 Landowner Matthew 20:1 Lawyer Acts 24:1 Magician Daniel 2:10 Magistrate Luke 12:58 Maidservant Deuteronomy 15:17 Manservant Exodus 20:10 Mason 2 Kings 12:12 Merchant Matthew 13:45 Messenger 1 Samuel 23:27 Metal forger Genesis 4:22 Midwife Genesis 35:17 Minister Isaiah 61:6 Moneylender Exodus 22:25 Musician Psalms 68:25 Oarsmen Ezekiel 27:8 Officer 1 Chronicles 26:24 Overseer Acts 20:28 Perfumer 1 Samuel 8:13 Pharaoh Genesis 12:15 Philosopher Acts 17:18 Physician Jeremiah 8:22 Planter Amos 9:13 Plowman Amos 9:13 Poet Acts 17:28 Potter Isaiah 29:16 Preacher 2 Peter 2:5 Priest Genesis 14:18 Proconsul Acts 13:7 Prophet Genesis 20:7 Prostitute Luke 15:30 Queen 1 Kings 10:1 Rabbi Matthew 23:7 Reaper 2 Kings 4:18 Refiner Malachi 3:3 Robber John 10:1 Satrap Ezra 8:36 Scribe 1 Chronicles 24:6 Seer 1 Samuel 9:9 Servant Genesis 15:3 Sheep-shearer 2 Samuel 3:23 Shepherd 1 Samuel 21:7 Silversmith Judges 17:4 Slave Genesis 44:10 Soldier John 19:23 Spy Numbers 21:32 Steward Genesis 43:16 Stone-cutter 2 Kings 12:12 Stonemason 2 Samuel 5:11 Swordsman 2 Kings 3:26 Tax collector Matthew 10:3 Teacher 1 Chronicles 25:8 Tent-maker Acts 18:3 Treasurer Ezra 1:8 Trumpeter 2 Kings 11:14 Vine grower Joel 1:11 Warrior Judges 11:1 Watchman 2 Samuel 13:34 Water carrier Joshua 9:21 Weaver Exodus 35:35 Woodcutter Joshua 9:21 Woodsman 2 Chronicles 2:10 Writer Psalms 45:1 Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Faithful
Now" Video
Concluding
prayer and song from our service
yesterday at Calvary Church in
Lancaster.
Although not necessarily relating to our message today I came across this video of a P-51 flight. About 50 years ago I flew in the backseat of a P-51 over Tulsa with my cousin as pilot and owner. Doubtlessly some skilled work went into making this plane, maintaining it for over 70 years and still flying it! Brooksyne's
Flower Musings: In our lead photo we
feature a single bloom from what I
consider my favorite summer flower, the
Calla Lily. It had been growing for a
couple weeks outside when I could no
longer resist cutting it to bring inside
over a week ago and it still looks great.
What I enjoy so much about the Calla Lily
is the longevity of the bloom. I've seen
many of them bloom for a month or more on
the plant but also stay fresh for that
long when brought in as a cut flower.
I received this beautiful arrangement from friends who came over for dinner in February. It had two yellow calla lily blooms in the center and I was excited that I could plant it outside in the summer. Lo and behold, nearly three weeks later the yellow blooms died so I picked them out only to find that it was not a plant but simply two blooms placed in flower vial tubes. So about two weeks ago I simply replaced the tubes with a fresh double bloom calla lily from my outdoor plants and it gives a fresh look for the arrangement. The tubes keep their water for a week or more. (I know the pumpkins are out of season but I have a hard time tossing when they're still healthy.) Four
Calla Lilies
In
Friday's message we shared this photo of
Joe, whom I described as a 6 year old
prodigy who does computer work in a
company we serve. In two years he will
have his 7th birthday! I asked if anyone
could tell me what the year and date of
his birthday is? Many correctly
responded February 29, 1996 or guessed
that he has a leap year birthdate.
The chances of a baby being born on leap day is pretty slim: about one in 1,461, as Feb. 29 only comes around once every 1,461 days. Less than 0.07 percent of the world's population was born on February 29. Joe told me he celebrates his birthday on Feb. 28 or March 1, whichever is closest to the weekend. Two events we can't schedule in life are our birthdays or deaths. (Brooksyne's note: Tragically, some troubled souls do schedule their death by suicide.) During my years in New England I was blessed with a very faithful secretary, Veda Shibilo, who went to be with the Lord on Feb. 29, 2000.
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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 |