Daily Encouragement

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

About Us

Listen to these messages Archives

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)

Monday, April 28, 2025

_{^{"Living
To Please God"
(Part 1)}}

Message summary: Today we begin a week-long series on living to please God.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“Finally*¹, then, brothers*², we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:1,2).

I serve with a group of several teachers in our Adult Bible Fellowship class and am taking my turn. Yesterday's lesson I taught from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 so this week in our Daily Encouragement message I would like to present that material to you, our faithful readers.

Paul had established the church in Thessalonica as recorded in Acts 17:1-9. The church sure got off to a rocky start! Essentially, the founders were run out of town! The gospel of Christ is presented by evangelist Paul: "On three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.' And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women" (vs 2-4).

"Some of them were persuaded" which established the church. Later Paul wrote follow-up letters which we have in our Bibles as 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The first three chapters of 1 Thessalonians are essentially personal greetings concluded with a prayer. In chapter 4 he gets to the nitty-gritty and main purpose for his writing.

It's an exhortation we do well to receive today. Let me post it again and urge you to read it this time slowly as if it was a letter written directly to you (which it is) "We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more".

Good and necessary teaching includes instructions on how we ought to walk and please God. Paul had given these instructions through the Lord Jesus. The NASB version elaborates, "by the authority of the Lord Jesus". The words of instruction and care Paul offered were not his alone. They came directly from Jesus Christ, as revealed to the apostle. Rejecting the Bible's instructions is a rejection of God (4:8) and a refusal to follow the Holy Spirit's presence in your life.

These instructions were initially given when he was in Thessalonica and now he is reminding and reinforcing them in writing. That's again something we all need!

As he continues in this section he will give two specific instructions that are vitally needed in every age and every location. They are certainly needed in the US in 2025 and they're needed wherever you live. We will develop these points over the next several days:

1) Abstain from sexual immorality.

2) Work, be responsible and not dependent on others.

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, through the inspiration of Paul's writings, we are urged to walk in a manner that pleases You, not just when we are in the mood or when others are watching us. We are to walk in a way that pleases You when no human eye is witnessing our actions. We thank You for those whose lives exemplify godliness just as Paul and his fellow workers did in Thessalonica. May our words, attitudes and actions align with a godly mindset not just for a season but year after year, as we grow more and more like Christ in all we do, for it is in His name that we pray. Amen.

*¹ "Finally" Ever heard a preacher say “finally” and then go on for another 15+ minutes? Paul is about halfway through his book here if we count the number of verses! Chapters 1-3 have 43 verses, but chapters 4 and 5 have 46 more verses.

*² A footnote in the ESV states "brothers and sisters" which in context is surely Paul’s intent. (He's surely not writing just to the men in the church). But the Greek text uses adelphoi (brother). I value a translation that merely translates and in study and interpretation the reader can make the distinction. There is a separate Greek word for sister, adelphē.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"To Be Pleasing You" Watch on YouTube Maranatha Singers

"Pleasing" Watch on YouTube Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Friday afternoon we stopped by a greenhouse in Willow Street. (Yes, that's the name of a town here in Lancaster County.) In the early part of the 20th century, the main thoroughfare in town was lined with willow trees on both sides for the length of the town, hence the community's name. At this time of year I am used to stopping by a lot of greenhouses or produce stands with Brooksyne! This photo is special because I realize that our friends Joe and Mary Lou Sherer live in the house in the background.
Click on photo to enlarge

On a river trail bike ride late yesterday afternoon I stopped by the majestic White Cliffs of Conoy overlooking the Susquehanna River. These are not natural but are actually piles of industrial waste! See here.
Click on photo to enlarge

Along the trail I also visited with Allan and his bird Maggie who appears very comfortable doing anything Allan instructs. Allan and Maggie are often seen walking on the trail near Bainbridge and he delights in sharing Maggie with other walkers and bikers.
Click on photo to enlarge

This morning I rode up Kraybill Church Road to visit with Levi and Leah. As I rode back out the long farm lane the Amish children were playing baseball during recess. I wish our readers could observe the various ages playing together (grades 1-8). The older "scholar" gently pitches the ball until the younger "scholar" hits it with the bat, but the older ones get only three strikes. They all play vigorously! (Amish families refer to the students as "scholars".)
Click on photo to enlarge

Closer to home I noticed our neighbors harvesting their rye. Our little malti-poo, Rosie, along with Sadie, our shiatsu-lhasa apso, have thoroughly enjoyed themselves jumping in the rye that's way over their heads (they look like bunnies hopping). A couple days ago Rosie started leaping in the rye even though it had been mowed down the previous day. There was a strange look on her face, as if she were thinking, "Why does this feel like sharp stubble instead of a carpet of grass?"
Click on photo to enlarge

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

About Us

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update

Daily Encouragement email!

(each weekday)

Name:

Email:

We respect your email privacy

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 through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the top right side after opening this page.)

Our ministry in daily encouragement is primarily for those who have placed their faith in Christ but we are aware there may be those who come across these messages who may not know or understand the plan of salvation. Here's a site with a good explanation. How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/

We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support, especially at this time of year, but if you would like information about making a donation to our ministry see here.

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.

You can also send a check payable to "Daily Encouragement Net" to:

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

495 Kraybill Church Road

Mount Joy, PA 17552

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.

Thank you,

Stephen & Brooksyne

2025 YTD offerings: $14,875.00

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.

How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/

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."

dailyencouragement.net

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"