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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Wednesday,
September 27, 2023
Our
friend Mary
Lou Sherer
sent us this
photo from her
backyard in
Willow Street
PA. A young
bluebird is
getting some
tasty meal
worms from her
devoted mom.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"The
Sight Of
Encouragement"
Message
summary: I
know many
people whose
very presence
is a source of
joy. Just
seeing them,
even from a
distance,
brings a
measure of
encouragement.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"The brothers there [Rome] had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged" (Acts 28:15). "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).
Last
Sunday
following our
church service
I was visiting
with some
people who sat
near us. Then
I noticed a
couple walking
down the aisle
to greet me,
which caused a
moment of
spatial
disorientation
since I would
not have
expected to
see them
there!
"The brothers there [Rome] had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged" (Acts 28:15). "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).
Last
Sunday
following our
church service
I was visiting
with some
people who sat
near us. Then
I noticed a
couple walking
down the aisle
to greet me,
which caused a
moment of
spatial
disorientation
since I would
not have
expected to
see them
there!Joe
and Mary Lou
Sherer are
long time
friends that
we first met
when Joe was
the pastor of
Mount Joy
Mennonite
Church where
he pastored
for thirty
years. For the
last ten+
years he has
been the
pastor in
Willow Street,
which is south
of Lancaster.
I have spoken
for him in
both churches.
Turns out he
is on a
sabbatical and
they chose to
visit our
church this
last Sunday!
Joe
and Mary Lou
are a
faithful,
steadfast
ministry
couple who are
just a few
years younger
than us. When
I saw them I
was encouraged
by their
presence,
bringing to
mind our daily
Scripture
text. At the
mere sight of
some people,
like Joe and
Mary Lou, one
is instantly
encouraged! I
sure
hope you have
people like
that in your
life.
Paul's journey to Rome is recorded in the latter chapters of Acts. It was a wearying journey with lots of disruptions along the way, including a harrowing shipwreck. As Paul approached the great city some brethren had heard he was coming. They adjusted their schedules, laid aside other commitments and traveled from Rome so they could come out to personally greet him: "The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us."
Today's Scripture portion records Paul's joy-filled response when this group of brothers met him and his fellow workers. Paul had never been to Rome prior to this and these brothers are not identified by name. Perhaps they were men he had met elsewhere in previous ministry locations. However I wonder if he even knew these men. Perhaps he was just overjoyed that the church cared enough to send these Christian brothers out to meet him.
"At the sight of these men" Try to picture this scene with us. Before there's any evidence that Paul had even spoken to them his heart must have been warmed at the sight of these welcoming brothers. What an energizing joy this must have brought him. Early on in Paul's Christian walk he was discipled by Barnabas, a man who had attained a nickname meaning, "Son of encouragement". Many passages of Scripture indicate that Paul was a man who encouraged others (e.g. Acts 20:1,2). And now others were encouraging him! That's the real blessing of mutual and reciprocal ministry.
Paul's journey to Rome is recorded in the latter chapters of Acts. It was a wearying journey with lots of disruptions along the way, including a harrowing shipwreck. As Paul approached the great city some brethren had heard he was coming. They adjusted their schedules, laid aside other commitments and traveled from Rome so they could come out to personally greet him: "The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us."
Today's Scripture portion records Paul's joy-filled response when this group of brothers met him and his fellow workers. Paul had never been to Rome prior to this and these brothers are not identified by name. Perhaps they were men he had met elsewhere in previous ministry locations. However I wonder if he even knew these men. Perhaps he was just overjoyed that the church cared enough to send these Christian brothers out to meet him.
"At the sight of these men" Try to picture this scene with us. Before there's any evidence that Paul had even spoken to them his heart must have been warmed at the sight of these welcoming brothers. What an energizing joy this must have brought him. Early on in Paul's Christian walk he was discipled by Barnabas, a man who had attained a nickname meaning, "Son of encouragement". Many passages of Scripture indicate that Paul was a man who encouraged others (e.g. Acts 20:1,2). And now others were encouraging him! That's the real blessing of mutual and reciprocal ministry.
But
musing on this
passage
another detail
comes to mind.
Several times
in the
epistles Paul
alludes to
having an eye
problem. How
well did he
see? We
presume he saw
these men
coming at a
distance. Did
he squint and
wave as he
recognized
their good
intent? Did
those
traveling with
him say,
"Look, Paul,
we have a
greeting party
coming our
way!"
I know many people like these men and I hope you do as well. Their very presence is a source of joy. Just seeing them from a distance brings a measure of encouragement.
The
term "energy
givers"
describes
these kinds of
people. A
reading of
Romans 16 will
indicate
Paul's rich
reservoir of
human support
and friendship
among his
Christian
brothers and
sisters in
Rome alone.
"At the sight of these men" Paul did two things:
We offer several challenges to our readers today:
"At the sight of these men" Paul did two things:
1) "He
thanked God."
The sight of
these men
prompted an
exclamation of
thanks to God.
Now that's a
high standard
regarding the
impact of our
presence to
others. When
people see us
do they thank
God?
2) He "was encouraged." Regular readers know this is a major emphasis in my life and that of Brooksyne's. It's at the very heart of our "daily encouragement" ministry. We often pray that our presence may bring spiritual courage to those with whom we interact day by day.
2) He "was encouraged." Regular readers know this is a major emphasis in my life and that of Brooksyne's. It's at the very heart of our "daily encouragement" ministry. We often pray that our presence may bring spiritual courage to those with whom we interact day by day.
We offer several challenges to our readers today:
1) Value the
people that
God has placed
in your life.
Are you
developing and
adding to
those who
bless you? Do
you recognize
them as
"instruments
sent from
God"? Do you
thank God for
them and let
them know how
much you value
their
friendship?
2) Seek to be a friend such as these men whom Paul saw on his way to Rome. Find ways to encourage others and share God's love with a world in need. May we be the sight of encouragement to others!
3) Do not compartmentalize your efforts to be an encourager! Everywhere you go seek to leave your mark; at work, in the marketplace, wherever.
4) Pastors and church folks: Are you visiting the shut-ins, those no longer able to attend regular services who may be homebound or in nursing homes? Many of these places have chaplains, but the importance of continuity from the past cannot be overestimated. You are their connection to the "real world" and their life as they once knew it. Your visit will be a blessing and you will also be refreshed!
2) Seek to be a friend such as these men whom Paul saw on his way to Rome. Find ways to encourage others and share God's love with a world in need. May we be the sight of encouragement to others!
3) Do not compartmentalize your efforts to be an encourager! Everywhere you go seek to leave your mark; at work, in the marketplace, wherever.
4) Pastors and church folks: Are you visiting the shut-ins, those no longer able to attend regular services who may be homebound or in nursing homes? Many of these places have chaplains, but the importance of continuity from the past cannot be overestimated. You are their connection to the "real world" and their life as they once knew it. Your visit will be a blessing and you will also be refreshed!
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Daily prayer:
Father, we
think of the
people in our
lives that
refresh us at
the very sight
of them or at
the mention of
their names.
They have
poured into
our lives
fruitful
blessings by
their kind
actions and
words, by
their
exemplary
lifestyle and
so often by
their personal
overcomings of
life's
hardships. May
we be not only
recipients of
such tender
mercies, but
diligent
dispensers of
lovingkindness
toward others.
May our
actions and
words refresh
them.
Not that it
should be our
major
motivation,
but we know
that when we
refresh
others, we
ourselves are
refreshed. So
as we bless
others, we too
are blessed
and we bless
and honor You
as well. Amen.
Willow Street Mennonite Church
Years ago we had an opportunity to share our chaplaincy ministry with this congregation which celebrated their 300th anniversary in 2010. The church is pastored by Joe Sherer, whom we wrote about today. I'm pretty sure it is the oldest church in which I have been a guest speaker. It is currently a vibrant, muti-generational church where we received a warm welcome. I was enriched by the history but also the evidence of strong faithfulness to historic Christianity. Sadly many older churches either cease to exist or lose their Biblical foundations.
Even as we prepare our daily encouragement messages together and serve as a team in our chaplaincy work we enjoy making church presentations together.
Pastor
Sherer has a
warm, engaging
style of
ministry. At
one point
during the
sermon he
picked up
several of the
items from the
tables and
mused aloud as
to what type
of vocation
they
represented
including a
dollar bill
(from a
banker). He
used these
items in
affirming the
dignity of
various kinds
of labor. The
photo shows
him holding a
pet tombstone!
Joe and his wife Mary Lou have three daughters.
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we
think of the
people in our
lives that
refresh us at
the very sight
of them or at
the mention of
their names.
They have
poured into
our lives
fruitful
blessings by
their kind
actions and
words, by
their
exemplary
lifestyle and
so often by
their personal
overcomings of
life's
hardships. May
we be not only
recipients of
such tender
mercies, but
diligent
dispensers of
lovingkindness
toward others.
May our
actions and
words refresh
them.
Not that it
should be our
major
motivation,
but we know
that when we
refresh
others, we
ourselves are
refreshed. So
as we bless
others, we too
are blessed
and we bless
and honor You
as well. Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Let
It Start In
Me"
Watch
video on
YouTube
Gaither Vocal
Band
Willow Street Mennonite Church
Years ago we had an opportunity to share our chaplaincy ministry with this congregation which celebrated their 300th anniversary in 2010. The church is pastored by Joe Sherer, whom we wrote about today. I'm pretty sure it is the oldest church in which I have been a guest speaker. It is currently a vibrant, muti-generational church where we received a warm welcome. I was enriched by the history but also the evidence of strong faithfulness to historic Christianity. Sadly many older churches either cease to exist or lose their Biblical foundations.
Even as we prepare our daily encouragement messages together and serve as a team in our chaplaincy work we enjoy making church presentations together.
The
theme of the
service was
the dignity of
labor. As we
sang a hymn
the church
folks were
asked to bring
an item
related to
their work and
place it on
tables in the
front of the
sanctuary.
Looking at
this photo can
you imagine
what they
represent?
(Speaking of
peaches, the
peach pie was
representative
of the work
done at home.
Pastor Joe and
Mary Lou got
to take this
one home with
them.)
Pastor
Sherer has a
warm, engaging
style of
ministry. At
one point
during the
sermon he
picked up
several of the
items from the
tables and
mused aloud as
to what type
of vocation
they
represented
including a
dollar bill
(from a
banker). He
used these
items in
affirming the
dignity of
various kinds
of labor. The
photo shows
him holding a
pet tombstone!Joe and his wife Mary Lou have three daughters.
Over
the years Joe
Sherer has
provided some
helpful
content on our
website:
Finally today:
A
Commitment to
Integrity
(Wouldn't it
be nice if
politicians
followed
this!)
Mary
Lou is an
outstanding
photographer
as seen in our
lead photo
today.
Finally today:
This
was the
message that
greeted
customers
yesterday
morning at
Sunset Grocery
in Lebanon
County, PA.
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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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click here.
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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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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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