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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Thursday,
November 30, 2023
The answer is ... We should!
Photo by Sabra Penley
"Sovereign
Over Us"
Message
summary:
The powerful
assurance
believers have
is that the
circumstances
of life are
ultimately
ordained by
God. He is
reigning. He
is in control.
He will be
with you. Stay
faithful and
experience the
wonderful
assurance of
His love and
care through
the
God-ordained
transitions of
life. Receive
the deep
assurance that
God is
sovereign over
us!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"By
faith Abraham,
when called to
go to a place
he would later
receive as his
inheritance,
obeyed and
went, even
though he
did not know
where he was
going"
(Hebrews
11:8).
There
is strength
within the
sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that cast out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that cast out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust
We
first began
serving as
part-time
chaplains in a
large printing
plant in New
England 25
years ago in
1998. We were
there for 2˝
years before
the corporate
office in
Maryland chose
to close its
doors. Many of
these people
had worked
together for
over 20 years.
I still recall
the deep felt
emotions that
Bruce, a
machine
operator,
expressed as
he left work
for the final
time. He
walked through
the plant
slowly and
said a
heartfelt
farewell to
his fellow
employees.
Some wept as
they
acknowledged
the end of
long term work
relationships
which lent
itself to long
enduring
friendships. I
walked to the
door with
Bruce and saw
him off as he
left a company
for the last
time, one
he had poured
his life into
throughout
many of his
adult
years. I
found this to
be a valuable
ministry time
in reminding
these
employees of
the things
that matter
most in life.
In fact the
difficult
circumstances
became a
ministry
opportunity.
Though
we moved 400
miles away
from New
England in
2001 we kept
in contact
with several
of these
employees,
some who may
still read our
messages. (We
will be
visiting the
church we
served in New
England in
early
December. I
was invited to
speak on Dec.
10 as they
celebrate
their 95th
anniversary!)
Transitions
are a part of
life. Some
people have
little
stability and
in a sense
they're
accustomed to
transition. So
many have gone
from marriage
to marriage,
job to job and
place to
place. It's
become a way
of life to
them. Some
people who
have had more
jobs by their
mid-twenties
than I've had
over my entire
life.
As
former foster
parents we had
children who
by the age of
six had lived
in more places
than we have
our entire
lives
combined, and
consider the
instability
present in far
too marriages.
Years ago I
had a request
to perform a
wedding
ceremony. They
informed me
they wouldn't
need pastoral
counseling
since they
already knew
all there was
to know about
marriage since
they had both
been married
several times
before!
(I declined to
officiate
since this
marriage was
very likely
doomed to fail
even before
the vows were
spoken!)
But others know the blessings of long term stability. We have friends who have raised their families in the same house where they were born or neighborhood where they grew up. Although increasingly rare we know people that keep the same job their entire work life like Fred, a friend my age, who started at Messicks, a farm implement company as a mechanic. He started as a teenager and still works for the same company for over 50 years.
Daily prayer:
Father, year
after year our
lives are
marked by
change which
brings growing
transformation
in our lives
just as You
faithfully
rotate the
seasons of the
calendar year
bringing about
distinct
change in the
weather
pattern
transforming
all of nature.
As Solomon
writes, there
is a time for
everything,
and a season
for every
activity under
heaven. Our
pilgrimage
includes a
time for gain
and a time for
loss, a time
for plenty and
a time for
want, a time
of
understanding
and a time of
perplexity, a
time for
listening and
a time for
speaking, a
time for
searching and
a time for
finding.
In the midst
of all these
changes we are
assured that
You do not
change, for
You are the
same
yesterday,
today and
forever. And
in all these
changes we are
assured that
You are
working for
our good, for
we know that
in all things
You work for
the good of
those who love
You, to those
who have been
called
according to
Your purpose.
We thank You
for Your
immutable
nature that
stays the same
when all else
changes. Amen.
We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
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.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
But others know the blessings of long term stability. We have friends who have raised their families in the same house where they were born or neighborhood where they grew up. Although increasingly rare we know people that keep the same job their entire work life like Fred, a friend my age, who started at Messicks, a farm implement company as a mechanic. He started as a teenager and still works for the same company for over 50 years.
And
although we
have seen our
share of
broken
marriages we
also know many
who have taken
their marriage
vows very
seriously.
But
we will all
have some
transitions
and they can
present an
especially
difficult
faith
challenge.
Later in life
Abraham, who
was quite
settled in
Haran, was
called into a
transition. "He
obeyed and
went, even
though he did
not know where
he was going".
Not knowing where we're going is the hard part of transition isn't it? And some of you are there right now. On the short term you simply don't know where you are going. You don't know what tomorrow holds. (I sure hope you do in the long term!)
Your transition, like Abraham's, may be prompted by a direct call or leading of the Lord. Or more likely it may be due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a plant closing, a lengthy illness, the death of a loved one or the abandonment of a loved one. For some it may involve a transition with the church you've attended for many years where you have given so much of your time, finances, and developed your spiritual gifts. A friend recently shared a testimony and alluded to leaving a church after nearly 70 years (he was carried in as a baby).
Not knowing where we're going is the hard part of transition isn't it? And some of you are there right now. On the short term you simply don't know where you are going. You don't know what tomorrow holds. (I sure hope you do in the long term!)
Your transition, like Abraham's, may be prompted by a direct call or leading of the Lord. Or more likely it may be due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a plant closing, a lengthy illness, the death of a loved one or the abandonment of a loved one. For some it may involve a transition with the church you've attended for many years where you have given so much of your time, finances, and developed your spiritual gifts. A friend recently shared a testimony and alluded to leaving a church after nearly 70 years (he was carried in as a baby).
The
text
concerning
Abraham from
Hebrews
continues,
"By faith
he went to
live in the
land of
promise, as in
a foreign
land, living
in tents with
Isaac and
Jacob, heirs
with him of
the same
promise. For
he was looking
forward to the
city that has
foundations,
whose designer
and builder is
God" (Hebrews
11:9,10).
The powerful
assurance
believers have
is that these
circumstances
are ultimately
ordained by
God. He is
reigning. He
is in control.
He will be
with you. Stay
faithful and
experience the
wonderful
assurance of
His love and
care through
the
God-ordained
transitions of
life. Receive
the deep
assurance that
God is
sovereign over
us!
Your
plans are
still to
prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
Oh, you're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
Oh, you're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, year
after year our
lives are
marked by
change which
brings growing
transformation
in our lives
just as You
faithfully
rotate the
seasons of the
calendar year
bringing about
distinct
change in the
weather
pattern
transforming
all of nature.
As Solomon
writes, there
is a time for
everything,
and a season
for every
activity under
heaven. Our
pilgrimage
includes a
time for gain
and a time for
loss, a time
for plenty and
a time for
want, a time
of
understanding
and a time of
perplexity, a
time for
listening and
a time for
speaking, a
time for
searching and
a time for
finding.
In the midst
of all these
changes we are
assured that
You do not
change, for
You are the
same
yesterday,
today and
forever. And
in all these
changes we are
assured that
You are
working for
our good, for
we know that
in all things
You work for
the good of
those who love
You, to those
who have been
called
according to
Your purpose.
We thank You
for Your
immutable
nature that
stays the same
when all else
changes. Amen.Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.
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.
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.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
"Sovereign
Over Us"
Watch
on YouTube
Shane and
Shane
Jesse
sent me these
photos a guest
had taken on
the Old
Windmill Farm.
The
eagles have
congregated on
the farm for
many years due
to eating the
turkey remains
from the next
door
Esbenshade
turkey farm.
To
receive the
"Daily
Encouragement"
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email
subscription.
(See the email
subscription
on the top
right side
after opening
this page.)
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.
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.
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
Daily
Encouragement
on:
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radio
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Wordpress
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 and a variety of other versions.
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