The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
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Monday,
July 24, 2023
What a bright
and cheery
sight to see
Sunday morning
at sunrise!
The dinner
plate hibiscus
flowers have
opened their
large pedals
to greet the
warm sun.
(Click
on photo to enlarge.)
"Always
Speaking"
Note:
This morning
we are heading
out to
Nebraska to
attend a
family
reunion. In
fact since
this message
is scheduled
we should be
there by the
time most of
you read it.
We will be
gathering with
my cousins
(Stephen's) on
my Mom's side
as we have
annually since
1975 after my
grandparents
died. Due to
travel and
expected
busyness and
weariness we
do not expect
to post daily
messages each
day this week.
Message
summary:
Today
God continues
to speak and
summon.
“Today, if you
hear His
voice, do not
harden your
hearts!”
(Hebrews 4:7).
He knows your
name and just
what you are
going through.
There are no
limitations
with God. Today
let us hear
His voice and
not harden our
hearts!”
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 'Our God comes; He does not keep silence'” (Psalm 50:1,3). “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23). “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).
Living out in the country we are blessed with a very visible sunrise and sunset. However a good sunrise/sunset photo is not just of the sun but the long shadows also make for interesting photography. Brooksyne took today's lead photo of our hibiscus at sunrise yesterday, which was an absolutely ideal summer day.
“The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 'Our God comes; He does not keep silence'” (Psalm 50:1,3). “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23). “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).
Living out in the country we are blessed with a very visible sunrise and sunset. However a good sunrise/sunset photo is not just of the sun but the long shadows also make for interesting photography. Brooksyne took today's lead photo of our hibiscus at sunrise yesterday, which was an absolutely ideal summer day.
Today’s
first text is
a solemn
introduction
to the
fiftieth
Psalm. It
speaks of the
Mighty One,
God, the Lord,
speaking and
summoning the
earth, “The
Mighty One,
God the Lord,
speaks and
summons the
earth".
This
summons goes
forth, "from
the rising of
the sun to its
setting".
That’s every
place that the
human race
inhabits. This
speech and
summons is
present tense.
He is
speaking and
summoning.
This very day
He is at work
speaking to
all who will
listen and
heed His
voice.
“Our God comes; He does not keep silence”. God does not keep silence!
However
Psalm 50 is
probably not
on anyone’s
short list for
favorite
Psalms. It
deals with a
topic many
prefer not to
give a lot of
attention to.
The NASV has
this heading:
“God the Judge
of the
Righteous and
the Wicked.”
The ESV heads
it as, “God
Himself Is
Judge”. Some
of the
expressions
may seem harsh
to our ears
but as God’s
people we must
heed all of
God’s Word,
not just those
sections in
which we
prefer or
necessarily
find
encouragement.
Today let us consider several portions from the Psalm:
Today He continues to speak and summon, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!” (Hebrews 4:7). He knows your name and just what you are going through. There are no limitations with God. Today let us hear His voice and not harden our hearts!”
Daily
prayer:
Father,
we want to
wait upon You
and listen to
Your still
small voice,
whether You’re
speaking
directly to
our spirit or
speaking to us
through Your
holy Word. At
times You
speak to us
through song,
through
nature,
through other
believers and
through the
unfolding of
major and
minor events
that affect
us, whether
personal,
national or
international.
As You speak
to us, we want
to be careful
and listen to
Your voice so
that we do not
harden our
hearts.
Instead we
want You to
fulfill in us
all Your
purposes for
our growth and
for Your
glory. In the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.
Today let us consider several portions from the Psalm:
1) “The
heavens
declare His
righteousness,
for God
Himself is
judge!”
(v.6). The
righteousness
(holiness) of
God is one of
His
foundational
attributes.
But so is His
justice. We
need to ever
keep before us
that “God
Himself is
judge”. I grew
up in a church
that regularly
recited the
Apostles Creed
which
forthrightly
states that
“He shall
come to judge
the quick
(living) and
the dead".
A spiritually
healthy
outlook in
life includes
a perspective
of future
judgment. The
apostle Paul
wrote to
Timothy (and
through
Scripture to
all of us): “In
the presence
of God and of
Christ Jesus,
who will judge
the living and
the dead”
(2 Timothy
4:1).
2) “But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you’” (vv 16,17). Today especially consider the phrase, “You cast My words behind you". Just observe the condition of the human race as overall the words of God are cast away or used in mockery.
3) “Now consider this, you who forget God” (v. 22). Oh, how we need to communicate this to our world about not forgetting God and His commands. This was a caution to believers but also consider the state of those who willingly forget God, giving Him no heed at all.
4) “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” This is a contrast to the first three points and is something we are positively called to do; offer thanksgiving and order our way rightly in obedience to God. Brooksyne and I, in our first year of marriage, memorized this verse since it was set to music from the KJV, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”
2) “But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you’” (vv 16,17). Today especially consider the phrase, “You cast My words behind you". Just observe the condition of the human race as overall the words of God are cast away or used in mockery.
3) “Now consider this, you who forget God” (v. 22). Oh, how we need to communicate this to our world about not forgetting God and His commands. This was a caution to believers but also consider the state of those who willingly forget God, giving Him no heed at all.
4) “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” This is a contrast to the first three points and is something we are positively called to do; offer thanksgiving and order our way rightly in obedience to God. Brooksyne and I, in our first year of marriage, memorized this verse since it was set to music from the KJV, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”
Today He continues to speak and summon, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!” (Hebrews 4:7). He knows your name and just what you are going through. There are no limitations with God. Today let us hear His voice and not harden our hearts!”
Speak, O Lord,
as we come to
You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Be
encouraged
today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Daily
prayer:
Father,
we want to
wait upon You
and listen to
Your still
small voice,
whether You’re
speaking
directly to
our spirit or
speaking to us
through Your
holy Word. At
times You
speak to us
through song,
through
nature,
through other
believers and
through the
unfolding of
major and
minor events
that affect
us, whether
personal,
national or
international.
As You speak
to us, we want
to be careful
and listen to
Your voice so
that we do not
harden our
hearts.
Instead we
want You to
fulfill in us
all Your
purposes for
our growth and
for Your
glory. In the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Praise
You Anywhere"
Click
to watch on
YouTube
Brandon
Lake
We first heard
this song at a
Brooke
Ligertwood
concert early
this year.
"Shh, Be Still" Click to watch on YouTube Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Shh be still
God is in this place
Ahhh can’t you feel
His loving sweet embrace
Ooh come be
Amazed again by grace
Shhh be still
God is in this place
God is in this place
Ahhh can’t you feel
His loving sweet embrace
Ooh come be
Amazed again by grace
Shhh be still
God is in this place
Saturday
we had a big
car show on
Main Street in
Mount Joy. I
like this
photo in part
for the huge
grain bins in
the
background!
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
It's
amazing the
variety of
vehicles
people find to
restore!
Ken
is a retired
machinist I
met shortly
after moving
to Lancaster
County in
2001. Although
he hasn't
worked at the
company where
we met for
some 17 years
we have
remained
friends
through Daily
Encouragement.
He was pleased
to show me his
Mercury he had
fully
restored.
Fred
is a friend
from a church
we attended
for many
years. Last
week I shared
about a man
that had
started his
work career in
a factory
location and
hoped to
finish at the
same location
although
working for a
completely
different
company. Fred
is a farm
equipment
mechanic who
has worked for
the very same
company (Messicks)
for 50 years!
While
in town I
checked out
our newly
opened Copper
Cup
coffee shop
which is in a
repurposed
bank building.
This was the
lobby and
notice the
vault in the
background.
They also
serve tomato
pie! Have you
ever had that?
The
Copper Cup has
a dining table
in the bank
vault and
plans to have
it available
soon for
sitting at.
Yesterday
morning I
talked to
Gordy, our
lead teacher
in our ABF
class, and
suggested this
would be a
good place for
a memorable
teacher's
meeting!
Finally
today:
Friday
morning we
stopped by the
Old
Windmill Farm
just as it was
opening for
business.
Jesse and Anna
Ruth
transitioned
from a dairy
farm to
agritourism
some 7 years
ago and the
Lord has
really blessed
their
operation with
people from
all over the
world visiting
the farm. One
aspect I
wouldn't have
considered in
working with
them in
setting this
up is how many
guests return
again and
again. I think
in part it's
just the peace
on a farm. In
this photo I
am sitting on
a rocking
chair on their
porch as
Brooksyne and
Anna Ruth and
the younger
children
visit. Jesse
and several of
the older
children were
in the barn
doing chores.
You can see to
the right the
farm tour
guests are
arriving.
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
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We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
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Weber". We
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convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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iHeart
radioPermissions: 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.
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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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA