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,
March 4, 2024
Amish
buggy jam near
Intercourse,
PA.
"Why
Me Lord?"
(Part 1)
Message
summary: Today
if you are
dealing with a
situation that
prompts a "Why
me, Lord?"
attitude, slow
down and take
inventory of
your prior,
present and
future
blessings. It
should keep
you from going
down the road
that leads to
bitterness.
Recall Naomi’s
story and
remember the
powerful truth
in our second
daily text, "See
to it that …no
bitter root
grows up to
cause trouble
and defile
many".
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter” (Ruth 1:20). “See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15).
We all bear burdens, some great and others small, some temporary and others life changing. As a pastor for many years and now a chaplain, situations like this are among the greatest challenges we have when attempting to minister to the family and loved ones. Just this morning we received a text from a general manager concerning an employee rushed to the hospital.
Many
of us have had
situations in
our lives
where we have
uttered a
deeply felt,
“Why me Lord?”
I’m not
speaking of
the many trite
situations
where we are
inconvenienced
in some manner
or when things
just aren’t
going our way.
Really, these
situations
amount to mere
grumbling if
we honestly
examine our
hearts!
We want to draw your attention to a song and link provided after our message today that speaks of God’s faithfulness in the deepest of trials. Brian Doerkson sings a stirring song he wrote after the birth of his son born with special needs. He and his wife have six children, four daughters and two sons. Eventually both sons would be diagnosed with the same severe form of autism making them unable to talk or care for themselves. What a burden that surely is.
In our previous church in New England we had a member whose young daughter was backed over by a service truck in her own driveway and died. That may bring to mind the deep heartache that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family endured when their young daughter died after being struck by a vehicle in their driveway. These are the “Why me Lord?” experiences that test the very limits of our faith in God who is good. I myself have had to deal with a few situations like this in my own life and so have many of you.
The severity of the testing may vary among Christians but the grace of God is all-sufficient to meet every affliction we have. Annie Johnson, a woman orphaned at a very young age and severely crippled by rheumatoid arthritis by the time she was a teen-ager, wrote the following poem set to music:
We want to draw your attention to a song and link provided after our message today that speaks of God’s faithfulness in the deepest of trials. Brian Doerkson sings a stirring song he wrote after the birth of his son born with special needs. He and his wife have six children, four daughters and two sons. Eventually both sons would be diagnosed with the same severe form of autism making them unable to talk or care for themselves. What a burden that surely is.
In our previous church in New England we had a member whose young daughter was backed over by a service truck in her own driveway and died. That may bring to mind the deep heartache that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family endured when their young daughter died after being struck by a vehicle in their driveway. These are the “Why me Lord?” experiences that test the very limits of our faith in God who is good. I myself have had to deal with a few situations like this in my own life and so have many of you.
The severity of the testing may vary among Christians but the grace of God is all-sufficient to meet every affliction we have. Annie Johnson, a woman orphaned at a very young age and severely crippled by rheumatoid arthritis by the time she was a teen-ager, wrote the following poem set to music:
“He
giveth more
grace when the
burdens grow
greater,
He
sendeth more
strength when
the labors
increase;
to
added
affliction He
addeth His
mercy,
to
multiplied
trials, His
multiplied
peace.”
Simply
put, the grace
of God always
more than
matches the
depth of our
need.
The best step I have found in dealing with these troubling situations, whether in my own life or as counsel to others, is to humbly acknowledge, “I don’t know why,” take my focus off the situation (which could eventually lead to bitterness), and fix my attention on the character of God. He can turn the situation around or He may be shaping my character in ways that can only come about in times of difficulty.
Naomi had great loss. Over time she lost her house, her homeland, her husband and two sons. She expresses her deep hurt and confusion in our daily text with these heart-felt words, “The Almighty has made my life very bitter.”
The best step I have found in dealing with these troubling situations, whether in my own life or as counsel to others, is to humbly acknowledge, “I don’t know why,” take my focus off the situation (which could eventually lead to bitterness), and fix my attention on the character of God. He can turn the situation around or He may be shaping my character in ways that can only come about in times of difficulty.
Naomi had great loss. Over time she lost her house, her homeland, her husband and two sons. She expresses her deep hurt and confusion in our daily text with these heart-felt words, “The Almighty has made my life very bitter.”
But
the little
book of Ruth
ends with a
contented
grandma
holding an
ancestor to
Jesus. I
expect that
her attitude
had changed by
then and could
be expressed
in Romans
8:28: “In
all things God
works for the
good of those
who love Him,
who have been
called
according to
His purpose”.
Today if you are dealing with a situation that prompts a "Why me, Lord?" attitude slow down and take inventory of your prior, present and future blessings. It should keep you from going down the road that leads to bitterness. Recall Naomi’s story and remember the powerful truth in our second daily text, “See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many".
Today if you are dealing with a situation that prompts a "Why me, Lord?" attitude slow down and take inventory of your prior, present and future blessings. It should keep you from going down the road that leads to bitterness. Recall Naomi’s story and remember the powerful truth in our second daily text, “See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many".
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, when
burdens
increase and
answers don’t
come I have a
choice to let
a bitter root
grow up or to
remain firmly
rooted in You.
Focusing
solely on my
troubles is
sure to
germinate
doubt, fear
and unbelief
which leads to
bitterness.
But when I
clothe myself
in the
spiritual
armor You
provide I have
a powerful
defense
against the
enemy; I can
stand firm
against his
evil schemes.
Though he
plots daily
evil You plan
my eternal
good. We are
cautioned
repeatedly in
Scripture that
we will have
many troubles,
but that we
should take
heart because
You help us to
overcome them.
Father, though
You’ve proven
Yourself over
and over I ask
for grace to
trust You even
more for those
matters that
weigh me down,
knowing that
You are
working all
things out for
my good and
for Your
glory. Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Your
Faithfulness"
Watch
on YouTube
Brian Doerksen
Brian is known
for his
worshipful
songs such as
"Come, Now is
the Time to
Worship"
"Refiner's
Fire" and many
other
worshipful
songs. He
wrote this
lesser known
song following
the birth of
his son born
with FXS,
Fragile X
syndrome, also
known as
Martin–Bell
syndrome, or
Escalante's
syndrome.
You'll want to
view the brief
interview
Brian gives
regarding his
sons, "They
slow us down
to the pace of
love". Video
"He Giveth More Grace" Watch on YouTube The Living Stones Quartet
"Goodness of God" Watch on YouTube Ce Ce Winans We sang this song in our church service yesterday. It's hard to sing it with dry eyes when you sing that line, "All my life You have been faithful, all my life You have been so, so good..." For me (Brooksyne) I don't think I ever sing this song without doing a quick mental rewind of hardships over the years where I didn't think God was going to work it out, but He always did and always will: not always according to my will, but according to His plan. Amazingly, I learned to like His plan or adapted to it in the end and realized He knew what was best all along.
"He Giveth More Grace" Watch on YouTube The Living Stones Quartet
"Goodness of God" Watch on YouTube Ce Ce Winans We sang this song in our church service yesterday. It's hard to sing it with dry eyes when you sing that line, "All my life You have been faithful, all my life You have been so, so good..." For me (Brooksyne) I don't think I ever sing this song without doing a quick mental rewind of hardships over the years where I didn't think God was going to work it out, but He always did and always will: not always according to my will, but according to His plan. Amazingly, I learned to like His plan or adapted to it in the end and realized He knew what was best all along.
Brooksyne's
Note: On
Saturday the
Women's
Ministries of
Calvary Church
hosted a
"Gathering"
for teen girls
and women. It
included three
speakers who
took us
through the
book of
Philippians.
The church
provided lunch
and plenty of
worship time.
There were
just over 1000
women who
attending the
Gathering so
it was lively,
crowded, and
joyful! The
same ladies
who led in
worship at
Gathering also
led in worship
on Sunday
morning. Watch
on YouTube
(cued to start
of music)
I
especially
enjoyed the
song, "Bless
God" as I've
been hearing
it on the
radio and only
the day before
listened
carefully to
the words. How
wonderful that
we would sing
it the next
day. Be sure
to listen and
be blessed as
you hear
and/or sing
along with
"Bless God"
written by
Brooke
Ligertwood:
Come
on and praise
the Lord with
me
Sing if you love His name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He's worthy of all our praise
Sing if you love His name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He's worthy of all our praise
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 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 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.
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
2024
offerings YTD:
$1,940.00
Daily Encouragement on:
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 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA