Daily Encouragement

Daily Encouragement (07/02/09) "A Safeguard For The Soul"

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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Amish hay harvest
All through the summer there are different times for harvest.
This is alfalfa hay being harvested by my friends Eli and Jesse.
The team pulls the operation but a gasoline-powered generator is used to run the hay baler. Do you notice the puff of smoke in the background (center left)? That's the steam engine from the Strasburg Railroad.

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"A Safeguard For The Soul"

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you" (Philippians 3:1). "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things" (2 Peter 1:12-15).

What do you think of when you hear the word "safeguard"? For many years it has been a popular brand of bath soap and we periodically use it in our home. I like the fragrance and supposedly using it is a "safeguard" against offensive body odors. We also serve as chaplains at a company called Safeguard that, among other things, makes pet homes and thus the name. But today's first text deals with another type of safeguard, one we will call a "safeguard for the soul."

For many as we get older we tend to be more forgetful and may speak of "senior moments" or as a friend shared in last night's Bible Study, "data overload". This is generally short-term memory loss (like forgetting where we put our wallet, coffee cup, car keys, cell phone, etc.). These are common sources of minor frustration in our home.

Post-it note "Remember the Lord your God"

Apparently a different part of our brain is used for long-term memory and it is not necessarily related. When my mom's fall resulted in a major head injury over ten years ago we were advised to expect the greatest impact would be her short-term memory and that proved to be true. We need certain prompts to keep us on track, like some tying a string around a finger or post-it notes (we use a lot of those!).

Today we want to share about the most important memory prompts, reminders of spiritual truths.

I have on occasion taught a senior class. Most class members have been believers for many years and are familiar with the teachings of the Bible. I realize particularly with this group my function as a teacher is to remind and reinforce truths they already know and spur them on to faithfulness toward God. Now certainly I hope that I periodically share a new insight or perspective on an old truth but I am fundamentally committed to "earnestly contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). I am not interested in "tickling ears" (see 2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Let me ask you a question as a maturing believer (if we are a believer we should all be in the process of maturing whether young or old in age). How do you respond when you receive teaching that you are familiar with? Among some I have noticed a critical spirit expressed by a cavalier, "I already know that" attitude, while many clamor after "new teachings". I so appreciate those who have a sweet, receptive spirit and accept the reminders of truth with joy. That's how I want to be as I "mature" in years and Christian experience. May old well-known truths bring reassurance and refreshing to my inner soul.

The daily texts, although written by two different apostles (Paul and Peter), are similar and express an attitude we should have when we are reminded of truths of which we are already familiar. The apostle Paul was aware that he had shared the same things before with the Philippians but spoke of them as a "safeguard". That's a great attitude for us to have as we receive unchanging truth in this day where the shifting sands of relativism abound.

Although Peter was confident his readers not only knew the truths he shared but were also established in them, he pledged to be steadfast in reminding them of these things. He was determined to "make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things." That's a faithful minister!

Do you receive the reminders of truth with joy? I recall the line in an old hymn that puts it this way, "I love to tell the story, for those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest." That's how I want to be!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, may our hearts reflect that of songwriter Catherine Hankey who found it a privilege to repeat the gospel message to all who would hear. With each telling of the salvation story she found its message more wonderfully sweet within her own spirit. May we never weary of the basics of the gospel and never lose the awe and wonder of seeing a life that is changed when redemption takes place. We want to hunger and thirst after righteousness and never lose sight of the old, old story that will be our theme throughout eternity. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

An old memory! Brooksyne's paternal grandpa, Elbert Sherrell, was one of the godliest men I ever met. He and his wife lived in a very simple concrete block home on a desolate mountain ridge in northwest Arkansas which was reached after traveling about twenty miles of rugged dirt roads. He didn't drive and used a team of mules for farming. He and Brooksyne's grandma made a monthly trip to town with one of his children for food supplies. He had a very simple but extremely earnest faith that set him apart as one who loved the fundamental truths of the gospel. Over thirty years later I can still hear his earnest voice as he prayed nightly for his children and grandchildren. He was mentally as sharp as a tack until he died suddenly of a heart attack while going about his farm work.

One night shortly after we married we drove down from the Springfield MO area and visited her grandparents. We thought it would be exciting (or perhaps I did) to go back into a corner of the property and sleep out under the black canopy of stars in the back of our little pickup. Brooksyne had heard many stories of weird things (unsolved mysteries) that had happened on the mountain since childhood which she began to speak of as we lay in the wide open space. The sound of the summer insects and wild animal sounds in the mountains was practically deafening. Needless to say we didn't sleep very well. It was very scary and we were most anxious to see the sunrise in the very early morning hours! For the curious here's a google map of the location.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"I Love To Tell The Story" Video The Chuck Wagon Gang

"Wonderful Words Of Life" Video Gaither Homecoming

Safeguard Products We will visit this company today.

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 7/1/09: $5,770.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

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Daily Encouragement (07/01/09) "A Good Name"

Daily Encouragement Net Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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· Podcast · Free email
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Archive/print edition

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Late yesterday afternoon we witnessed this brilliant cloud pattern
in the sky as the sun hid behind it.

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"A Good Name"

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1).

Last week we passed a sign in New Jersey that caught our attention. I don't think I've ever seen a road named for Delilah and would find it interesting to learn of its origin. I wonder if it was named after a real person. Did they have knowledge of the Bible character? (See Judges 16)

Normally when we name a child after someone, especially a Bible name, we consider the character of the person who bears (or bore) the name. I've met a lot of men with names like John, Mark or Paul and women named Mary, Sarah and Rachel.

But certain Biblical characters have few people or places named after them. They just aren't "good names". I've never met a woman named Delilah or Jezebel, or a man named Nabal or Ahab.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches." When I was younger I assumed this meant having a name one liked. I've always liked my name since I am named after Stephen, a bold, uncompromising Bible character. My middle name is Clark and I like that because I think of the explorers Lewis and Clark.

But frankly there are certain names I am sure glad my parents didn't choose to name me. I won't mention these names, since it might actually be someone's name and I certainly don't want to offend!

But a "good name" in the text means a name that connotes a person of honorable character and good reputation. For instance when we refer to a business that is known for honesty and integrity, we often say, "It has a good name."

Having a good name is truly more desirous than possessing great riches which only have short duration. A good name is developed over time, really a life time, and the true judgment of success will not be known until this life is over and we personally meet the Lord. The highest standard will be to hear our Lord say these words directly to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Consider your name. What do you suppose others think when they speak your name or hear it spoken in various group settings (home, church, work, neighborhood, etc.)? Does it reflect a person who has a good name based upon integrity, truthfulness and godly character, one who is not self-absorbed but is concerned for the interests of others?

When you get right down to it, it's not what we've accomplished or how much we've accumulated that counts in the end. It's who we are as a person that will determine whether or not our name is spoken in a favorable way. Indeed, "to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Jesus, Your name stands out above every name. When we speak Your name the demons flee, the sick are restored, the weak are strengthened, and those held captive to sin are freed. It is only in the name of Jesus that we find salvation, for there is no other name in heaven or on earth whereby we can be saved. We, as Christians, take on the derivative of Your Messianic name, when we receive You as our Savior. We want to honor You as we bear Your name before a cynical unbelieving world. May our actions and attitudes not bring blemish or present opportunity for the unconverted to mock and ridicule those who identify themselves as Christians. Instead may our lives be set apart for Your glory like Daniel, who purposed in his heart, not to defile his God. May we also have a good name like Daniel whose godless Babylonian administration could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Though the world may not agree with our stand for You may we be seen as people who are honorable and trustworthy. It is in the name of Christ that we pray. Amen.

Note from Brooksyne: Speaking of names, mine has always distinguished me from all the rest (in school, church, work, etc.). People often inquire about the pronunciation and the origin as well. Brooksyne is pronounced Brook-seen'. I would be unable to count the number of times I've explained it and had to pronounce it since I was young enough to speak for myself. My father's name was Brooklyn and my folks were hoping for a baby boy, but surprise, I was a girl! Mom had to come up with some derivative and thus the name "Brooksyne" originated 53 years ago. In the past twenty-five years the name "Brooke" has become popularized and has made my name a bit less distinct. I would have welcomed that as a child, but I've come to appreciate the distinctness of an original name. But my heartfelt prayer is that my life will always reflect that of a person with "a good name" (not just because it's unusual, not because I'm perfect cause I certainly am not, but because I have lived a life set apart for Christ and tried to honor Him in all my ways.)

Stephen's note: Today's message causes me to ponder concerning a pet peeve I have concerning naming; that is naming a building or institution after yourself (or allowing others to do so) while you're still alive. I recall in Bible College a church in Springfield where the pastor had named a new educational wing after himself, or at the very least allowed others to name it after him.

In my lifetime several have named colleges they founded after themselves and in some cases later took a hard and notorious fall. I recall meeting a young man who had gone to one of these colleges and noted his embarrasment whenever someone asked him, "Where did you go to college?"

Now after you have passed away and finished the race faithfully if someone else wants to name something after you that's a different story!

Yesterday afternoon our longtime friends Ken & Nila came over and joined us for supper, along with their son David. Ken brought over a truckload of straw for our garden and David helped him unload it.

David is growing up quickly and learning to work and serve others just like his dad. He'll soon have his second birthday. Here's a photo I took on his literal birthday.

Later some new friends stopped by for an evening visit. Mike & Nikki are involved in ministry to motorcylists and lead the local Bikers For Christ chapter. We learned a lot about the biker culture and commend this couple for their efforts in reaching out to this people group. Here's the site for the Susquehanna Valley Chapter that Mike leads.

In today's message we referred to a road sign in New Jersey. We pass this road sign in Centre County as we travel through central Pennsylvania. We consider how it would be neat to live on Bible Road!

Many of you will recall a childhood song and if you're like us you'll immediately recall the words:

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that's the book for me.
I stand upon the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E.

Here's a second verse I found to the B-I-B-L-E song that I don't recall singing as a child. I like it!
The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that's the book for me
I read and pray, trust and obey
The B-I-B-L-E.

The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me! (audio mp3)

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

As I prepared today's message this book came to mind:

Bad Girls of the Bible
By Liz Curtis Higgs / Random House, Inc

Women everywhere marvel at those "good girls" in Scripture---Sarah, Mary, Esther---but on most days, that's not who they see when they look in the mirror. Most women (if they're honest) see the selfishness of Sapphira or the deception of Delilah. They catch of glimpse of Jezebel's take-charge pride or Eve's disastrous disobedience. Like Bathsheba, Herodias, and the rest, today's modern woman is surrounded by temptations, exhausted by the demands of daily living, and burdened by her own desires.

So what's a good girl to do? Learn from their lives, says Liz Curtis Higgs, and by God's grace, choose a better path. In Bad Girls of the Bible, Higgs offers a unique and clear-sighted approach to understanding those "other women" in Scripture, combining a contemporary retelling of their stories with a verse-by-verse study of their mistakes and what lessons women today can learn from them.

Whether they were "Bad to the Bone," "Bad for a Season, but Not Forever" or only "Bad for a Moment," these infamous sisters show women how not to handle the challenges of life. With her trademark humor and encouragement, Higgs teaches you how to avoid their tragic mistakes and joyfully embrace grace. Includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

Bad Boys of the New Testament: Exploring Men of Questionable Virtue
By Barbara J. Essex / Pilgrim Press

When teaching or preaching about biblical characters we tend to present them as perfect human beings and role models. If we look closer we will find that the Bible does no such thing. Along with the courageous and heroic character traits of a person the outrageous and underhanded instincts are depicted as well. This 8 week study of seven biblical men will deepen, broaden, and expand your faith as you examine the whole picture of humanity and are reminded of God's gracious and merciful love for us. Commentary, background, reflection questions, and suggestions for preaching and teaching the "bad boys" are included.

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 6/29/09: $5,770.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
or send a blank email to leave-1547921-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Daily Encouragement (06/30/09) "Covenant Keepers"

Daily Encouragement Net Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us ·

· Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Messages · Archives ·

Archive/print edition

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Little Chiques Creek, Lancaster County PA

Little Chiques Creek in Lancaster County, PA.
We often pass this refreshing creek and enjoying its winding view when we're on our way to church in Mastersonville. The large white rocks covering the banks makes this setting even more appealing.

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Covenant Keepers"

"With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him" (Daniel 11:32).

From the time of the successful corruption of Adam and Eve the enemy has sought to continue the corruption in each of their descendants. And from the very beginning flattery has been one of the effective tools in Satan's diabolical arsenal. In the Garden Satan appealed to their pride declaring that, "You will be like God."

Today the great spiritual war rages on and as I prepare this message I consider this cosmic struggle underlying all that we may read about or see with our eyes.

Daniel faithfully served God about 2,500 years ago. The latter portion of his book is a series of prophetic messages dealing with events that stretch from his time through the various historically verifiable world empires to the present and beyond. It can be a tough read requiring much concentration. Today's verse is power-packed.

The flattering "he" in the daily text is a king who "will corrupt those who have violated the covenant." Although the specific "he" in the text may not be Satan, surely it represents his ongoing attempt to corrupt God's kingdom. Any violation of a covenant results in further corruption if there is no repentance offered. But the focus of this daily encouragement is the latter part of the text, which has such an application for all times.

"But the people who know their God." In every generation God has called out a people who know Him. Oh, how I cry out today to know God! Not in a static sense, not through other's experiences, but through a deepening of my understanding and through a more fully surrendered heart.

The apostle Paul wrote many years after his conversion experience when he initially came to know Christ, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death" (Philippians 3:10). This surely speaks of an ongoing aspiration to know God in a greater and deeper way. When we walk in the resurrection power that comes from Christ we will overcome the sufferings that also come to the believer as we share in His sufferings. Too often we want the resurrection power, but resist the suffering that comes to those who identify with Christ in His death.

"Will firmly resist him." This growing knowledge of God will equip us as His people to unyieldingly resist the ploys of Satan. It is so easy to be deceived and led astray if we are not aware of Satan's tactics. We can learn about them since they are revealed all throughout the Scriptures. In my heart I have such a deep sense of the urgency of this warning and remind our readers to "be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:9).

Fellow follower of Christ, today let us pursue a growing knowledge of God as we surrender ourselves fully to His control, and let us firmly resist the enemy of our souls. Let us determine that we will keep our covenant with God.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, deep within our soul there is a yearning to know You more, to identify with You in Your power, and even in Your suffering, and also in Your victory over Satan. What a powerful example You give us when Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. Satan had a plot, but You had a plan to refute every scheme he laid out when Jesus responded with Scripture. Scripture that was spoken and recorded long before the wilderness battle ensued. Help us to be like-minded, to learn and embrace the Scriptures, so that we will do battle with the enemy not by our might or strength that might actually be weakened in the midst of the battle, but in the powerful strength that comes through the inspiration of Your Holy Word meant for all time. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Berry Picking!

Yesterday we went berry picking. Along the back edge of our church property there is an abundance of black raspberries that I've been watching as they slowly ripened.

Some berries were easy to get to right along the edge and easy to pick, but the most plump and densely inhabited raspberries were deep into the patch, requiring considerable effort to pick.

Briars and thorn-covered branches taller than Brooksyne abounded, but as she picked she showed me a handful of the delectable juicy berries.

Roxie came along to warn us of any possible snakes that might make be hiding under the thick weed filled bedding of the berry plantings.

Here's a photo of Brooksyne working deep in the berry patch getting the best berries and below is a handfull of reward!

We had fresh berries on home-made ice cream last night. This morning all three of us enjoyed black raspberry jam on our buttered toast. Thanks to a generous friend who gave us 12 quarts in addition to our own picking Brooksyne canned over 22 cups of jams and jellies. It's more than we need for ourselves, but she enjoys making extra to give away.

Besides making jars of jam (which includes the pulp of berries), Brooksyne also made a batch of jelly where the pulp is separated and only the juice is used, as seen above with the pulp in the cheesecloth and the juice extracted for the jelly in the large bowl. With jelly you don't have seeds getting caught in your teeth, but then you don't get the full berry either.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"Resist him" 1 Peter 5:8,9 from the Integrity Scripture Memory Series (Open this page and click "play") These songs are a great way to hide Scripture verses in your heart.

"Oh, I Want To Know You More" Video Steve Green

"Knowing You" Video This is a great song of aspiration that many of you have sung. In fact we did so in our church this last Lord's Day.

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 6/29/09: $5,770.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
or send a blank email to leave-1546576-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Daily Encouragement (06/29/09) "Rich Reward For The Faithful"

Daily Encouragement Net Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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· Podcast · Free email
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Archive/print edition

Monday, June 29, 2009

Willows along Donegal Creek
Click on photo to view a larger version with Scripture verse.

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Rich Reward For The Faithful"

"Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be. For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men" (Psalm 12:1). "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised" (Hebrews 10:35,36).

David expresses himself in our daily text in a way that we might also in our own day. His cry for help is directed to the Lord. His observation is that the "godly man ceases to be". David grew up during a time of great moral and spiritual apostasy. Certainly Saul's reign was not marked by spiritual revival or consistent obedience to God. It transitioned from the period of the Judges, which is summed up with the phrase "Each man did what was right in his own eyes." However there was a remnant of God's faithful followers during this period such as the prophet Samuel.

Thank God for those who remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ in our own day. Faithful ministers who preach God's Word in an uncompromising manner, dedicated lay persons who live out their faith before an oft-scorning world, married couples who take their marital covenant seriously, parents who raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and church communities that continue to "forsake not the assembling together."

Today's verse is a great truth for all readers to memorize. We all deal with different temptations and issues in life as we seek to remain faithful to Christ. The believers addressed in Hebrews were facing persecution and were tempted to go back to their old way of life. Perhaps part of the temptation was that in doing so their persecutions might ease. There are many believers today under similar circumstances.

But going back to the old way of life remains a temptation in varying degrees for all believers, although for different reasons. For many readers it may be the busyness of life, affluence, the persistent barrage of godless, secular teaching and other issues we confront daily that lull us into complacency or pull us back into the world.

One that I have noticed is the heavy load that people bear as they overcome the consequences of many years of disobedience to God. It may be tobacco, drug or alcohol use, sexual immorality or indebtedness due to wasteful spending. Turning to Christ does not immediately negate the long-term consequences of these past sins. Though some receive miraculous deliverance, there are those who will endure weaknesses and temptations that require diligent prayer and daily overcoming.

The enemy of our soul may persistently murmur, "What's the use?" and tempt us to just throw away our confidence and simply give up. Sadly, I know some who have done just that. A major theme throughout Hebrews is, "Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." The word translated "hold firmly" is in the present active and conveys the ongoing need to actively participate in this "holding on" to our faith.

But note the great promise in the daily text. I have been blessed by it often and committed it to memory: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." Any earthly rewards pale in comparison to the eternal rewards our heavenly Father bestows on the faithful believer. May the Lord's present and future promises strengthen your faith today and fill you with anticipation for the future when you will be "richly rewarded."

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, You lead us through the valleys and mountain top experiences of everyday life. Your ways are far superior to the path we might choose when guided by our own limited wisdom. We're so grateful for the strength and encouragement we receive from our brothers and sisters who bear our burdens and share in our joys. When considering the choice of walking faithfully with you or turning to our old way of life, we join with Simon Peter who weighed the options and declared, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68,69).

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"Today I Choose" Video Brian Doerksen

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 6/28/09: $5,670.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
or send a blank email to leave-1545021-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Daily Encouragement (06/26/09) "Grace upon Grace"

Daily Encouragement Net Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us ·

· Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Messages · Archives ·

Archive/print edition

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sunrise over the Atlantic (Myrtle Beach SC)

"Like a mighty sea, like a mighty sea.

Comes the love of Jesus sweeping over me!"

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Grace upon Grace"

"For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16).

Yesterday I was sitting on a bench with Brooksyne looking out over the ocean at Ocean City, NJ. I glanced at her and took note of her quiet but pleasant expression and asked, "What is it that you like about the ocean?" She responded quickly, "It's so much bigger than man. People can take no credit for its vastness, for the way the waves just keep on coming to shore. It's one of the great wonders of creation."

Growing up in the Midwest I rarely saw the ocean as a child; only two times. Brooksyne didn't see it at all till after we were married so we especially enjoy spending time at the shore. We have walked nearly fifteen miles the last several days along the shore, mostly on boardwalks. Yesterday we walked the Ocean City boardwalk and enjoyed seeing scores of young families, seniors, middle-aged, and young people all enjoying the warm sunshine. There is such a great variety of food stands, beachwear, and amusement park rides. But far more interesting than all of these man made boardwalk attractions is the mighty ocean.

I've long associated the daily verse with the ocean due to a sermon I heard as a young Christian. Jeff Ronald was a fellow Bible School student who was preaching from John 1 and used the persistent, rolling waves of the ocean as an illustration of the phrase "grace upon grace."

John wrote his gospel late in the first century. Most believe his writings were the last in the Biblical canon. Some sixty years after his encounter with Christ and His earthly ministry he sits down as an old man to write his record.

Three other accounts had already been written (Matthew, Mark and Luke) but surely John's perspective in writing was long awaited by the early church. His purpose in writing is clearly stated in Chapter 20:30 & 31. "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." Thus his intent was in part evangelistic; hopeful that unbelievers would receive his account and respond in belief.

The daily text begins with the phrase, "For of His fullness we have all received." What an incredible blessing to be a recipient of His fullness!

The last phrase is "grace upon grace." The Amplified expresses, "one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift heaped upon gift." What a marvelous blessing grace is; this unmerited favor and undeserved gift. In understanding grace many have found helpful the descriptive acrostic "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" or "Gifts Received At Christ's Expense."

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? By believing you may have life in His Name. That's the greatest gift of grace!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: God, You've given the greatest treasure that is available to all people. We don't have to fit into a particular segment of our population nor are we required to live during a certain time period to receive this unsurpassed gift. The gift of Your grace is available to every generation and exceeds any temporary material blessing that we'll ever receive. Your grace not only brings reconciliation through Your Son, but it continues to pour into us grace upon grace, much like the waves of the ocean. Thank you that You gave in abundance so that we could be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ. How unlimited and ceaseless is your grace upon grace!

Ocean City is a very family-oriented area, a marked contrast to Atlantic City, which is just ten miles away. Brooksyne always checks out the decorative planters when we travel to popular vacation sites. This year the planters at Ocean City are filled with colorful Wave Petunias. They're huge and surely thrive with the ocean air. Just about every home and condominium that border the oceanfront are accessorized with beautiful and heavily blooming hydrangeas. We didn't get photos but sure enjoyed the views as we walked along the sidewalks.

After a rather dreary week it was beautiful yesterday and this is what the beach looked like mile after mile. An otherwise bland sandy beach was decorated with multi-colored umbrellas and beach towels as sunlovers and swimmers took advantage of a perfectly warm sunny day!

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" (Video) Silvie Paladino

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 6/25/09: $5,450.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
or send a blank email to leave-1541490-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Daily Encouragement (06/25/09) "A Pleasant Hope"

Daily Encouragement Net Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Home · About Us ·

· Podcast · Free email
See here for more info.

<Previous Messages · Archives ·

Archive/print edition

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cape May lighthouse
This lighthouse is on the very southern tip of New Jersey.
We walked over five miles yesterday on sand and boardwalks during the peaks of sunshine and in the downpours of rain!

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

"A Pleasant Hope"

"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2,3).

When Brooksyne and I got married in 1976 we lived near Pleasant Hope, a small town in Southwestern Missouri about twenty-five miles north of Springfield. In fact our very first joint checking account was opened at the Bank of Pleasant Hope. I don't know the basis of this name but the names of many geographical locations have a religious significance, as they were settled by devout people of faith. In Lancaster County we have a village named Mount Hope. Since devoted religious immigrants settled this area in the 18th century it likely represents an expression of faith.

Hope is one of the greatest of God's blessings. Our relationship with God always involves faith, and active faith in Him always leads to hope. When our faith in God is weak, inactive or non-existent we have either no hope or a misplaced hope.

Today we want to share about a pleasant hope that is the heritage of all true followers of Christ. We are included in the "beloved" that John writes to who are "Now (present tense) the children of God."

As children of God there's a lot about our future, both the immediate and distant, which is very unclear to us. I believe this in part is the sense of the expression from our text, "it has not appeared as yet what we will be." An old gospel hymn puts it this way, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand."

The aged apostle John writes with much certainty about the future, "we know that when He appears." His future appearance, although mocked and scorned by the world, is a fixed reality.

At that time "we will be like Him, and we will see Him just as He is!" Elsewhere the Scriptures refer to the return of Christ as the "Blessed Hope" and it truly is.

Today I am so blessed and challenged by the latter phrase in our daily text, "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." This hope is not a mere wish but an absolute certainty and leads to an unshakable confidence concerning the future promise of God.

As a result of this we, as God's children, will purify ourselves because our coming Lord is absolutely pure. A commentary notes, "The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. This process will not be complete until we see Christ face to face, but knowing that this is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves. To purify means to keep morally straight, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain morally fit."

This action, I believe, is staying true to the pure doctrine of Scripture, not just reading it but living it. We must be vigilant in keeping God's standards as our rule book, rather than the ever changing standards of this world that reflects people's human nature, not the spiritual nature that has been redeemed and refined by the inerrant Holy Word of God.

Genuine Christ-directed faith leads to a real hope and that leads to an amazing, unexplainable ability to rejoice whatever the circumstances. Surely some of you are facing very trying circumstances as you read this. Today I encourage you to focus on the hope we have in Christ and I end with a thought-provoking saying I really like: "Man's way leads to a hopeless end, but God's way leads to an endless hope." Amen!!!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we share the sentiment Paul expressed when he wrote, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." Our hope is not limited to this earthly existence, but rather it flourishes and yields growing anticipation as we contemplate the blessed future event of our Lord's soon return. Being aware of our unworthiness and inclination to sin gives us all the more motivation to fix our hope on You. We want to set our affections on things above, not on things of this earth, for we are dead to the world and our life is hidden with Christ through You, Father. Purify our thoughts, actions, and conversation as we with renewed determination fix our hope on the Everlasting One.

Yesterday's message prompted a Missouri reader who has a race car to share a photo of his car with Acts 20:24 along the side. He does so as a means of witnessing to other drivers and spectators!

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

"The Lighthouse" (Video)

"My Hope Is In The Lord" Video

"The Solid Rock" Video "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" A beautiful acapella arrangement.

Regardless of what country you may live in we sure need a revival! On Sunday morning July 5 our church will join many others in participating in "Call2Fall", a nationwide prayer meeting. We encourage others to look into this, especially pastors here in America. Essentially this is a definite time during worship on Sunday, July 5^th when we get on our knees before the Lord in repentant prayer, pleading with God to reshape our lives, renew our land, and send times of refreshing (See 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19).

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 05/08/09

Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 6/24/09: $5,450.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by Email

Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.

Please feel free to pass these messages on!

Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

How to become a child of God

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.

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us

Endorsed chaplain

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"
www.dailyencouragement.net

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Daily Encouragement

Friday, July 03, 2009

Daily Encouragement (07/03/09) "People of Conviction"

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Daily Encouragement (07/02/09) "A Safeguard For The Soul"

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Daily Encouragement (07/01/09) "A Good Name"

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Daily Encouragement (06/30/09) "Covenant Keepers"

Monday, June 29, 2009

Daily Encouragement (06/29/09) "Rich Reward For The Faithful"

Friday, June 26, 2009

Daily Encouragement (06/26/09) "Grace upon Grace"

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Daily Encouragement (06/25/09) "A Pleasant Hope"

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