The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Mobile users:
Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to
home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant
Daily Encouragement App!
Search Daily Encouragement
A new message
is updated
most weekdays,
usually by
Noon Eastern
Time (USA).
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Monday,
December 4, 2023
Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse, Berks County PA
"The
Light Of The
World"
Note: Due to a very busy day due to our home addition project a message was not posted last Friday. Friday we had both HVAC and electricians. Today we have roofers and electricians. It's quite a different experience being the customer in your home as opposed to visiting the employees at a work setting.
Message
summary:
Today shine
brightly the
light of the
world which is
Jesus!
Note:
Due to noise a
podcast not
prepared for
this message!
"I
am the light
of the world.
Whoever
follows me
will never
walk in
darkness, but
will have the
light of life"
(John 8:12).
Late yesterday afternoon, along with Jesse and Anna Ruth and their two youngest children, went to an acappella Christmas singalong with some one hundred people gathered to pack a small country meetinghouse built in 1855. The Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse was built in Brecknock Township, Berks County on land donated by Solomon Weber (I know of no relation, but am pleased to see Weber is spelled the same way as mine!)
The building, which has been closed for regular services since 1954, is on the National Register of Historic Places. But special services are scheduled several times a year, including the singing of Christmas carols. With no indoor bathrooms or electricity we were blessed that the temperatures were relatively warm. Wherever I have lived people like to sing and really, the best congregational singing we've heard in church settings can be found right here in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
A
view on the
inside of the
candlelight
service.
Notice where
Jesse and I
hung our hats.
This meeting
house's
seating
arrangement
would have
seated men
sitting on the
right side
(where we were
sitting) and
the women on
the left side
(not speaking
politically in
this context,
of course).
The
majority of us
have not had
the benefit of
learning to
sing in
harmony but
the
Amish/Mennonite/Brethren
people here in
Lancaster
County not
only learned
four part
harmony but
sang only
acappella over
the centuries.
Some still
practice this
method though
most
congregations
among the
Mennonites and
Brethren now
incorporate
instrumentation.
It goes
without saying
these people
know harmony
very well and
several times
I just
wondered if we
were going
raise the roof
off the small
meetinghouse
as soprano
voices amidst
deep bass
tones were
lifting their
joyful noises
to the Lord.
In addition to the robust singing, contemplating the meaningful lyrics, and seeing several friends from Lancaster County we had the special pleasure of hearing "Stille Nacht" sung by Greg Gehman. Of course most of our readers will recognize or guess that I'm speaking of Silent Night sung in the original language of which it was written by Joseph Mohr.
In addition to the robust singing, contemplating the meaningful lyrics, and seeing several friends from Lancaster County we had the special pleasure of hearing "Stille Nacht" sung by Greg Gehman. Of course most of our readers will recognize or guess that I'm speaking of Silent Night sung in the original language of which it was written by Joseph Mohr.
"Silent
Night, Holy
night, Son of
God, Love's
pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Je-sus, Lord, at Thy birth."
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Je-sus, Lord, at Thy birth."
Christ
is the Light
and indeed He
shines in the
darkness.
Wherever you
live there is
darkness,
although some
places are
certainly much
more
spiritually
dark. We noted
such a
difference in
this regard
when we moved
from Northern
Pennsylvania
to New England
and now to
Lancaster
County.
However,
wherever you
live there
spiritual
darkness also
resides, since
the prince of
darkness
remains active
till his
ultimate
destruction,
but we thank
God that he
does not
reside in us
who have
declared
allegiance to
the King of
light.
Jesus teaches His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Today, all over the world, serious believers are allowing the light of Christ to shine through them. This light exposes the fruitless deeds of darkness and this is the essence of spiritual warfare. Darkness hates the light. Yet faithful followers of Christ will continue to let their light shine, essentially reflecting the Light, who is Christ the Lord.
The Apostle Paul makes a very unambiguous statement: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). It’s a call desperately needed in our culture and increasingly so in the Church. By obeying it will subject us to ridicule among many who “love the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19). In fact the world wants to silence those who speak out for truth who expose the darkness by the Light of His Word.
You see, if we grow accustomed to the darkness the darkness may not seem so dark anymore. Remember the childhood phrase, “My eyes got used to the dark.” I believe that can be true of our spiritual eyes as well. As the old song says we must “in the light of His presence continually dwell.”
May each reader today shine brightly the light of the world which is Jesus!
Jesus teaches His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Today, all over the world, serious believers are allowing the light of Christ to shine through them. This light exposes the fruitless deeds of darkness and this is the essence of spiritual warfare. Darkness hates the light. Yet faithful followers of Christ will continue to let their light shine, essentially reflecting the Light, who is Christ the Lord.
The Apostle Paul makes a very unambiguous statement: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). It’s a call desperately needed in our culture and increasingly so in the Church. By obeying it will subject us to ridicule among many who “love the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19). In fact the world wants to silence those who speak out for truth who expose the darkness by the Light of His Word.
You see, if we grow accustomed to the darkness the darkness may not seem so dark anymore. Remember the childhood phrase, “My eyes got used to the dark.” I believe that can be true of our spiritual eyes as well. As the old song says we must “in the light of His presence continually dwell.”
May each reader today shine brightly the light of the world which is Jesus!
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, You
created us to
be people who
function and
thrive by
light. Your
placement of
the sun by day
and moon by
night is the
way You
provide for
our physical
needs enabling
us to see
clearly as we
carry out our
multitude of
duties. As
important as
light is for
the eyes to
see, it is
even more
essential that
the eyes of
our heart see
the
magnificent
light of Your
glory. As we
walk in Your
light we will
be able to
discern that
which is evil
from that
which is good.
We know that
goodness
cannot partner
with
wickedness for
there is no
harmony
between You
and the devil
so help us to
be consistent
not only in
what we speak
but the manner
in which we
live so that
the fruit of
light is
evident in all
we do. In
Jesus’ name,
we pray. 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
"Silent
Night"
Watch
on YouTube
Brooksyne's
Note: I
recorded a
video of the
congregation
last night
singing v. 2
of Silent
Night. If you
watch toward
the end you'll
see Stephen.
We sat on the
last row on
the side which
would have
been benches
for the men
when the
church met on
Sundays.
"Silent
Night"
Watch
on YouTube
Herbie
Basso
Herb was a
very colorful
Italian who
attended our
church in New
England who
has since
joined the
saints in
heaven. He had
a wonderful
voice and
great skill on
the harmonica.
Before we
moved from New
England he and
his wife,
Cecelia, took
us to the
Federal Hill
section of
Providence,
Rhode Island
to eat at an
authentic
Italian
restaurant in
Little Italy.
I remember
Herbie eating
Escargot,
slurping the
snails down!
This is among
the numerous
fine memories
we have from
our years in
New England.
In this
version hear
Herbie's rich
voice and
harmonica
along with
violinist
Laura Silvia,
the daughter
of a pastor
friend.
"Mennonite
Doxology"
Watch
on YouTube
Messiah
College choir
The singing
concluded last
with this
enhanced
doxology.
Jesse
and Stephen
entering the
meeting house
Following
our hymn sing
fruit, cheese
and pretzels
were provided
along with
some hot apple
cider.
While
picking up our
dear friends,
the Lapps, who
attended the
hymn sing with
us we saw
George. He's
their very
active and
most popular
goat and
decided the
bush is
"greener on
the other
side".
After
we returned to
the Old
Windmill Farm
from the singalong,
I
(Brooksyne)
visited with
Naomi and
Elizabeth, two
of the older
girls who were
busy in the
barn with the
nightly
chores. I'm
not sure I've
ever been in
the barn at
night which is
a very
different
experience
than in
daylight. The
animals were
hunkering down
for the long
night
following
their evening
meal. Calves
were fed and
one who has
been ill was
given special
attention.
Horses were
fed and
watered until
one by one the
animals who
needed
attention for
were taken
care of. I get
a kick out of
seeing the
piglets who
are born to
the same
"litter" yet
some of them
have stripes,
others
polk-a-dots,
and still
others have
big spots. You
have a very
special
appreciation
for much of
the hard work
required of
those who own
a farm, when
you're with
them during
chore time.
These girls
were "pros" as
they went
about their
different
duties and are
much like
grandchildren
to us in our
affection for
them and their
involvement in
our family,
especially
during holiday
season.
To
receive the
"Daily
Encouragement"
each
Monday-Friday
use our
sign-up form
or this
page to
subscribe to
our free email
list. You can
also subscribe
to the Wordpress
rss feed
or through a Wordpress
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:
Wordpress
iHeart
radio
Permissions: 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.
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."
© Copyright 2023 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA