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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Thursday,
September 21, 2023
Lots
of colorful
mums near the
Lewisburg, PA
Farmer's
Market.
"Dealing
With
Disruptions"
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“You
intended to
harm me, but
God intended
it for good to
accomplish
what is now
being done,
the saving of
many
lives”
(Genesis
50:20). “We
know that in
all things God
works for the
good of those
who love Him,
who have been
called
according to
His purpose”
(Romans 8:28).
Yesterday
we had planned
to visit my
brother and
his wife at a
cabin in the
northern
Pennsylvania
mountains. We
arrived at our
hotel near
Lewisburg and
received a
phone call
late Tuesday
night from my
brother, Pat,
informing me
that after
their 4 hour
drive they
found their
rented cabin
unsuitable to
stay in, due
to, among
other problems
an infestation
of hornets!
They decided
to return home
so our plans
were also
changed.
We
decided to
stay only one
night in our
hotel near
Lewisburg and
do on
Wednesday what
we had planned
to do on
Thursday.
After a nice
walk yesterday
morning
through the
scenic town
and a long
trail ride we
returned home
last night; a
very
minor and
essentially
non-consequential
disruption in
our plans.
Life has
disruptions;
unplanned
events that
may interfere
with what we
had planned,
expected or
originally
desired. Some
disruptions
are pleasant
like a call or
visit from a
longtime
friend, but
others are
most
unpleasant.
Many disruptions, like the two day trip we had planned, are minor and a mere annoyance such as coming upon an unexpected detour. But others are major and some are truly life altering.
Yet, truth be told, the disruptions of life, both big and small, are ultimately under God’s control.
Joseph surely experienced a major life disruption when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Prior to this he was “riding high”, confident in God’s plan for his life and perhaps a bit proud of it. At the very least he was insensitive in the way he shared his interpretation of a dream that made him an authority figure over his dad and older brothers!
He got a "job" at Potiphar’s house and things started to brighten up for him in Egypt but he hit another disruption, being falsely accused of rape and imprisoned unjustly.
But there’s absolutely no evidence that Joseph ever lost his faith or in any way became bitter. He had some further disappointments until it all came together and many years later he and his family members could see how this was all part of God’s plan.
Of course we know "the rest of the story". He could look back to his original dream, the terrible betrayal from his brothers, and then make the tremendous declaration in the first daily text. Speaking to his brothers who indeed intended to bring him harm he kindly spoke to them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives". Joseph’s maturity and willingness to overlook such a huge offense from his own blood brothers is a great model for any who have been deeply offended by a family member or otherwise.
Hindsight is one thing, but you may be in the middle of the story and that’s where your faith is especially critical. Like Joseph others may intend to harm us. The difficult circumstances of life also seem to bring us harm.
However our God is always active in the lives of His children, intending to work out even the most difficult situations for our good. What blessed assurance fills our hearts when “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Many disruptions, like the two day trip we had planned, are minor and a mere annoyance such as coming upon an unexpected detour. But others are major and some are truly life altering.
Yet, truth be told, the disruptions of life, both big and small, are ultimately under God’s control.
Joseph surely experienced a major life disruption when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Prior to this he was “riding high”, confident in God’s plan for his life and perhaps a bit proud of it. At the very least he was insensitive in the way he shared his interpretation of a dream that made him an authority figure over his dad and older brothers!
He got a "job" at Potiphar’s house and things started to brighten up for him in Egypt but he hit another disruption, being falsely accused of rape and imprisoned unjustly.
But there’s absolutely no evidence that Joseph ever lost his faith or in any way became bitter. He had some further disappointments until it all came together and many years later he and his family members could see how this was all part of God’s plan.
Of course we know "the rest of the story". He could look back to his original dream, the terrible betrayal from his brothers, and then make the tremendous declaration in the first daily text. Speaking to his brothers who indeed intended to bring him harm he kindly spoke to them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives". Joseph’s maturity and willingness to overlook such a huge offense from his own blood brothers is a great model for any who have been deeply offended by a family member or otherwise.
Hindsight is one thing, but you may be in the middle of the story and that’s where your faith is especially critical. Like Joseph others may intend to harm us. The difficult circumstances of life also seem to bring us harm.
However our God is always active in the lives of His children, intending to work out even the most difficult situations for our good. What blessed assurance fills our hearts when “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we
so easily
consume our
mind and
energies with
offenses we
suffer at the
hands of
insensitive,
cruel or
hurtful
people. But
then we see
how Joseph
matured in the
midst of his
cruel
treatment,
rose above
vengeful
plotting and a
tit for tat
attitude, to
focus on the
bigger picture
which was Your
plan to save
lives. May we
rise beyond
the
foolishness
and cruelty of
others to see
the bigger
picture of
Your overall
plan for our
lives.
Whatever
slight or evil
intended by
another cannot
thwart Your
good plan for
our life if we
are led by
Your Holy
Spirit and not
the offense.
And at times
it is in the
offense that
You conform us
to be more
like Jesus.
You want us to
forgive our
offender so
that we have
deep abiding
peace in our
hearts and
unobstructed
focus for Your
divine
guidance in
our lives. It
is only
through You
that we can
forgive others
and mature in
our Christian
walk. Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Gonna
Be Alright"
Watch
video on
YouTube
Ryan Ellis
"Your Love Never Fails" Watch video on YouTube Jesus Culture
Daily
Encouragement
Net Bible
Knowledge Quiz
(Posted
yesterday as
well)
This quiz is
intended to
check your
overall
knowledge of
the Bible,
based upon
your personal
reading and
exposure to
Biblical
teaching over
time. This is
not material
you "cram"
for, since it
is a broad
overview of
Biblical
knowledge and
understanding.
Knowing the answers to many of these questions indicates your overall familiarity with the Bible. I would not expect a newer Christian who has only recently started reading and studying the Bible to know as many answers as a long-time student of Scripture.
This quiz will take awhile so take it when you are able to concentrate for an extended period of time.
I suggest you initially take it with your Bible closed and then do so with an open Bible by going back over it.
You may also print the quiz out and share it with others if you would like.
This quiz is completely anonymous and collects no personally identifying information.
Click here to get started with the quiz.
Knowing the answers to many of these questions indicates your overall familiarity with the Bible. I would not expect a newer Christian who has only recently started reading and studying the Bible to know as many answers as a long-time student of Scripture.
This quiz will take awhile so take it when you are able to concentrate for an extended period of time.
I suggest you initially take it with your Bible closed and then do so with an open Bible by going back over it.
You may also print the quiz out and share it with others if you would like.
This quiz is completely anonymous and collects no personally identifying information.
Click here to get started with the quiz.
Lewisburg
has a
beautiful,
very active
Market Street
(the main
road) with
many homes
like this,
along with a
variety of
shops and
restaurants.
Bright
red double
doors along
Market Street
in Lewisburg.
Lewisburg
is a college
town (Bucknell
University).
Are you able
to discern the
false
equivalency on
this Barnes
and Noble
bookstore
sign?*
We
stopped by the
Vicksburg
Buggy Shop and
chatted for
awhile with
Harlan, the
owner's son.
This buggy
with the brown
frame and
white top will
be used by a
smaller group
of Amish known
as the
Nebraska Amish
that have
settlements
through
central PA but
none in
Lancaster
County.
*
Very likely
the bookstore
sign alludes
to an attempt
by
some local
school
districts to
remove smut
from school
libraries
that are
accessible to
children. Just
ten years ago
this would not
have been
controversial.
Now, in our
rapidly
rotting
culture, this
is considered
"banning"
books! It
brings to mind
a Babylon Bee
satire piece:
Shuttered
Adult
Bookstores
Cite Fierce
Competition
From School
Libraries
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WEBER -
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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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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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