Daily Encouragement (01/05/10) "Loyal Yokefellow"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Tuesday, January 5, 2010 Martin farmpond in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Our friend Nancy Martin took this photo of their farm pond after a beautiful snowfall. Click here to see a larger desktop-sized photo.  We are getting a spate of very cold weather in our area and presently have snow on the ground. Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Loyal Yokefellow" "Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life"  (Philippians 4:3). Today I would like to consider the subject of loyalty which conveys a warm emotion just reflecting on its meaning.  Loyal friends in the midst of particularly difficult circumstances are streaming through my memory presently.  In my observation this is a character quality that is greatly diminishing in our fickle age.  With our disposable society, the family and all levels of society are seeing a breakdown in loyalty.  As we begin another year I am thankful first of all for the loyalty of God, although we usually don't use this term as an attribute of God, but rather His faithfulness. But I am also thankful for the loyalty expressed by the people in my life and I myself want to be known for my loyalty.  I, along with many of you, have been stung by disloyalty; whether it is from a close friend, a co-worker, a church member or family member.  We can feel David's sorrow and feelings of loss when he wrote, "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9).  Jesus and the apostle Paul both knew the lingering sting of disloyalty. In our daily text Paul writes of a "loyal yokefellow", whose identity is not specifically known.  Paul apparently knew he would be one of the primary recipients of the letter to the Philippians and would know that he was being addressed.  He was asked to mediate a dispute between two women who are very much identified by proper name for all in the church age to read about! "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord." The descriptive title Paul uses tells us so much about this man.  The adjective, "loyal" can also be translated "true, legitimate or genuine".  Yokefellow may be a proper name "Syzygus", but it also has the meaning of being joined or co-yoked together.  What a beautiful term for a close, long-lasting friendship! What a dependable friend this "loyal yokefellow" must have been to Paul!  He could be counted upon.  He was reliable. When push comes to shove these are the kind of people we all like to have around and I'm sure thankful that I know many folks like that.  Brooksyne is my best friend, but there are so many others for which I am thankful. What kind of friend are you?  What kind of friend will you be in 2010?  I want to be a loyal yokefellow! People vary in their opinions and way of seeing things so there will always be potential conflict, but being disagreeable and respectfully disagreeing brings about different results in a solid relationship.   If we're disagreeable we refuse to see anyone's views but our own. When we respectfully disagree we treat the situation with sensitivity and try to see through the other person's eyes or experience.  It certainly doesn't mean that we'll agree in the end, but a close relationship is not usually ended as a result of a difference of opinion. I am sure you all have some very close loyal friends and what a great blessing they are.  I pause for a moment as I type and consider so many that I have.  In fact many of them are recipients of this daily encouragement perspective, including one going back to first grade.  I have loyal friends from my college years and from each location my ministry has taken me. This long and growing trail of loyal friends is one of the blessings of getting older! May the Lord bless each reader today with loyal friends and help each of us to be loyal to one another and of course to Him! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Jesus, You have shown us the greatest example of loyalty when Peter denied You at the critical hour prior to Your crucifixion.  It is so encouraging to know that Peter was forgiven, reinstated, and entrusted to be a great messenger of the Gospel.  Enable us, through following Your example and by the power of Your Spirit, to be forgiving, loyal, and dependable in the midst of difficult circumstances. Help us to do unto others as we would have them do to us. Brooksyne's Note: As I edited our message today and came to the prayer time Peter immediately came to mind.  I can't think of a more powerful example of extreme disloyalty (Peter) followed by extreme forgiveness (Jesus).  The verse that stands out to me in addition to so many regarding Peter's denial and reinstatement is Luke 22:61, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." This was immediately after Peter's third insistent denial of knowing Jesus.  I wonder what emotions transpired in that penetrating look that Jesus gave Peter. I think about people who have betrayed me over the years (the list is small for which I am grateful.)  But I will honestly tell you if I see them out in public before they see me I certainly don't look straight at them. In fact I will reroute my shopping to avoid eye contact.  The sense of betrayal can easily overwhelm me in that setting and the old wounds reopen.  I can also gladly report that God has enabled me in other circumstances to initiate the conversation to begin the healing process.  I'm always reminded in these situations of the importance of parting in good standing when conflict forces separate paths.  May Jesus help us to forgive and He will bring the healing over time. 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.) "They Will Know We Are Christians"  Video  This was a song we sang when we were young Christians in the seventies along with outstanding contextual images.  This is a version by "Jars Of Clay". "We Will Stand"  Video  A well-written song dealing with a call to unity. This version is by a group called "Avalon". Yesterday we shared a photo we took on the way home from our church service Sunday of some sheep licking the road surface. Several alert readers pointed out they were probably licking the leftover salt particles on the road (spread on the icy patches)!   Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/31/09: $17,302.00. Note: 2009 offering total will be incomplete till final posting and verification from my chaplaincy account.) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (01/04/10) "Like Sheep Gone Astray"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Monday, January 4, 2010 Sheep Gone Astray Yesterday afternoon on the way home from our church sevice we had to stop for these sheep on Echo Valley Road. We were unable to determine what they were eating on the road surface but they were sure hesitant to move on! (I assume some grain had fallen off a truck, but all we could see was them licking the freezing road surface.  I'm surprised their tongue didn't get stuck.) Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Like Sheep Gone Astray" "For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). As we drive through the Pennsylvania countryside one of our favorite sightings is a farm where wooly sheep and tottering lambs are grazing on the pasture land. However yesterday we didn't need to look for them. Instead they came to us.  As we turned a bend and came over a hill in the road we made a quick stop as several sheep that had fled from safe pasture were grazing right in the middle of the road! Seeing these sheep "gone astray" reminded me instantly of the many Bible stories and illustrations about sheep. This morning as I look into God's Word I am experiencing His peace as once again I consider the position of sheep in relation to the Great Shepherd. The Bible frequently uses the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep to demonstrate man's relationship with God.  In fact it begins as early as Genesis 49:24 and continues through the final book of Revelation 7:17.  Of course the most beloved and comforting passage using this metaphor is Psalm 23, along with our Lord's words, "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11). In the daily text Peter alludes to a verse in Isaiah which states, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray" (53:6).  Indeed we have all gone astray, for "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sheep gone astray are sheep surrounded by danger since they have no ability to protect themselves. They're at the mercy of other predatory animals and aren't built for speed even if they do run. They're easily lost with no gps to find their way home. Poisonous weeds look just as inviting as the pasture for grazing.  And I don't need to tell you that moving vehicles are obviously a deadly force that sheep cannot defeat! Much like the sheep that face lethal enemies daily, we too deal with a spiritually lethal enemy Peter describes as "the devil [who] prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  If you've found yourself grazing in the enemy's toxic wasteland, have you returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls?  Although the Shepherd seeks the lost sheep, we all have a free will.  Are you in His fold of safety today?  If you're in His fold rejoice; life's biggest problem has been resolved! If you have gone astray return to Him. Do you hear the voice of the Shepherd calling to you, "Come home!"  Respond to the beckoning voice of the Great Shepherd today.  Any fleshly temptation to indulge in temporal pleasure pales in comparison to being under God's steadfast love and care. Jeremiah writes, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight…" (15:16). He was feeding on some "soul food" while his own people were indulging in the enemy's poisonous revelry. Finally today, take note of the word "overseer" in our daily text.  This is the only place in the entire Bible that the underlying Greek word "episkopos" ("bishop" in the KJV) is used in a description of God.  It means one who watches over or superintends.  That's what I need for my soul today and so do you.  I have returned to that Great Shepherd and I don't want to be lost again!  Praise the Lord for His steadfast love and care as we begin another year! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Our prayer for each reader today is the wonderful benediction in Hebrews: "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20,21). Personal note: We are getting back to some degree of normalcy in our home following my surgery and some other health issues Ester had the last couple of weeks. Ester goes to work today, Brooksyne will make some chaplain worksite visits and I will catch up with office work. Yesterday I was able to preach but was sure weary when I got home! We want to thank all of you who have sent email notes of encouragement and assurance of your prayers. They are energizing! We will be unable to respond to each one but be assured they made their mark! 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.) "He Leadeth Me"  Video "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"  Video In searching for music with a sheeep and shepherd theme we came across a number of versions of Psalm 23: "Psalm 23"  Video "The New 23rd"  Video  Actually this was "the New 23rd" back when I was a young Christian.  It really doesn't sound very new now! "Psalm 23"  Video  Keith Green Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/31/09: $17,302.00. Note: 2009 offering total will be incomplete till final posting and verification from my chaplaincy account.) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (01/01/10) "Called According To His Purpose"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Friday, January 1, 2010 Golden sunset Photo by Doris High Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Called According To His Purpose" (New Year's Message) "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isaiah 46:10). "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8). "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). The first day of the year seems to stir within us a desire to do a little soul searching as we consider behaviors and attitudes that need either modified or even eradicated from our lives.  Perhaps there are goals that we will set for 2010 that will motivate us and help us feel good about accomplishments seen in this calendar year. The briefness of life can be illustrated by using an aerosol spray. Press the applicator button, watch the mist go into the air and quickly evaporate. Our lives are like that in light of eternity. The longer we live, the more we are aware of this perspective.  "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." We live our life as a mere blip on the radar screen of eternity. Our journey through this brief life is but a transition to the future eternal Kingdom God has prepared for us. I am convinced that very early in eternity we will recognize just how brief this earthly part of our journey really is. But for now it's all we know and thus is wholly significant. If you are setting goals, begin another year focusing on God's eternal purpose and make sure to implement that perspective as you set goals for the new year. Consider our second daily text and examine these words of our eternal God. "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Note the phrase, "My purpose will stand." It's a source of great peace and assurance in both the microcosm and in the macrocosm. God is speaking here and I believe Him. I surely don't always understand His complete purpose nor do I understand how it all fits together. Sometimes it’s a daunting mystery. But from the beginning; from the first command God gave to Adam, He also calls us to seek, trust and obey Him. The Psalmist proclaims his faith in this God of purpose: "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever." Today as we begin a new year, once again and continually, we need to seek, trust and obey God who will most assuredly fulfill His purpose for our life. The final daily verse expresses a wonderful truth that has brought assurance to scores of believers all through the church age.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This promise is to work all things out for them that love Him. All things work out according to His purpose and they work out in His time. That's right, fellow believer, His purpose for you will work out. His nature has not changed. We "have been called according to His purpose."  These promises are just as valid this day as when they were written. And they are valid for you whatever you are facing today, and what is yet to come in 2010.  Arise and declare, "I have been called according to His purpose!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer:  Father, help us to keep a Biblical perspective as  we consider the brief duration of our life on this earth in light of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless nor are they insignificant for we acknowledge that You have brought purpose to our lives. It will take us a lifetime on this earth to fully experience and understand Your purpose, but we do seek to trust and obey You so that we know Your plan and so that we honor You.  Amen. Personal note: We continue to overcome in our home (as we are always doing in one way or another!) Ester seems much better today and Stephen is gaining new strength day by day as he recuperates from his surgery last week.  Hopefully we will be back on schedule with these daily messages next week! 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.) "We Are A Moment"  Video "God Of The Ages"  Video   "Who Am I"  Video Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/31/09: $17,302.00. Note: 2009 offering total will be incomplete till final posting and verification from my chaplaincy account.) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (12/31/09) "The Hope Offered To Us"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Thursday, December 31, 2009 Coast Guard Lighthouse Station on Lake Superior Marquette, Michigan Photo by Howard Blichfeldt Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "The Hope Offered To Us" "We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:18b, 19a). As we prepare this message we have had some "weary ways" in our home.  Although I am recovering from my surgery last week and each day feel a little stronger the going seems much slower than I anticipated. Ester's unexpected admission to the hospital over the past couple of days has added to the mix of emotional weariness. (Brooksyne will explain in a footnote below.) Another year and decade is passing and we can't help but wonder, "What will the year 2010 hold?"  We simply don't know the specifics whether in regard to the world situation or in our own lives. A verse from "I Know Whom I Have Believed" comes to mind, "I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me, of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see." Whatever happens, the daily Scripture is a great source of assurance and encouragement for every believer.  Read it again slowly and thoughtfully and allow its powerful words to impact your life.  Perhaps you will choose to memorize it. "We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:18b, 19a). I recall an insight shared by one of my Bible College professors many years ago.  Hope, as used in the Bible he explained, is not a wishful thought but a confident expectation of absolute certainty. The Holman Bible Dictionary offers this; "Hope is the confidence that what God has done for us in the past guarantees our participation in what God will do in the future."  This hope is what the believer has "fled to take hold of."  We flee from the worldly sources of temporal or falsely placed hope to the only true and lasting source of hope. This Hebrews phrase gives the sense of one fleeing a shipwreck who has finally reached safety, or one who is caught in a pelting hailstorm but flees to a dry, impenetrable fortress finally safe from the assault. Once we firmly take hold of this hope which is graciously offered to us we are indeed "greatly encouraged," and declare along with the Psalmist, "God is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).   In describing this hope the writer of Hebrews uses the wonderful expression, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul."  What an incredibly powerful metaphor!  I need and want my life to be anchored solidly in the hope God offers.  When I place all my hope in temporal circumstances I am certain to be disappointed, emotionally unstable or even led astray. Jeremy Taylor wrote a simple faith statement over 350 years ago which fully embraces the timetable of the Gospel journey and is a great focus for the believer:  "Faith is the Christian's foundation, hope is his anchor, death is his harbor, Christ is his pilot, and heaven is his country." There are many circumstances that bring fear, despair or hopelessness. Scores of people are presently dealing with these emotions. And realistically I expect to have occasions in the coming year when I will battle with these emotions. When I do so, I pray that God will bring today's Scripture text to mind reminding me of the hope I have in Christ which is firm and secure.  This day as we experience the transition to another year let us continue to place our hope in our ever-faithful, ever-dependable God! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer:  Father, as we are tossed about in the tempest sea of life, we will stay afloat as we hold onto the hope secured through Your promises in the Holy Scriptures.  When doubts and fears begin to consume our thoughts help us to cling tightly to our soul's anchor, Jesus Christ, who keeps us from being swept into the crashing waves that seek to drown us.  When all around my soul gives way, You are indeed my hope and stay.  We are thankful for the year past and look forward to the year ahead as we walk step by step with You.  Amen. Personal note: We have much to be thankful for since we were able to bring Ester home today after two days and nights of treatment, observation, and testing.  On the 19th of December we had a heavy snow storm and unfortunately Ester was scheduled to work.  When she arrived she fell in the parking lot hitting her head.  She worked that day with a bump on the back of her head and a low grade headache.  The headache finally went away the next day.  We thought nothing more about it until she got a severe headache on Dec. 24th and it refused to go away.  After four aching days I took her to the doctor. A cat scan was ordered and they found she had bleeding on the brain, in part due to the coumadin (a blood thinner) she's been on for about three or four years due to her atrial flutter issues.  The doctors reversed her coumadin (making her blood thicken) which took a full day and did another cat scan.  They felt that the location had stabilized as a result of their intervention.  She must be careful for the next three months about any head injury and is also on an anti-seizure medication, commonly prescribed for those who've had bleeding on the brain.  She will probably have a headache for a couple more weeks, but we're grateful the situation was not worse and that she's back home.  I was reminded of how blessed we were when her cardiologist came by to see her.  Though not on duty Dr. Cohen came to see her when he learned of her situation.  He commented as he gave her a warm hug, "I said to myself, Oh, no, not Ester.  She's done so well this year."  And she has - this was her first overnight hospital stay this entire year.  Interestingly, Dr. Cohen was Ester's first doctor who diagnosed her heart problem after her arrival in the U.S. at 3 months of age. Five heart operations and four years later we moved to New England and lost track of him for nearly eight years.  But then when we moved to Lancaster County nearly 9 years ago we met up with him again as he had moved his practice to Hershey.  His presence is a steady comfort when Ester goes through her medical difficulties. He also said he thought about the movie actress who had the skiing accident in Canada this past year who died from head trauma.  So we all gave thanks that this was caught and contained.  How fortunate we are to enjoy such good, dependable health care and caring health professionals! Special Thanks: At the close of this day we'll turn the calendar page not to just another month, but another year.  We're thankful for our new readers over the past year - some in just the past month or so. We're also very thankful for our steady readers over the years who take a few minutes with us each day as we share a message God has laid on our hearts.  We also give thanks for those who share with us in prayer for Daily Encouargement and for those who give generously to help support our ministry. Your vote of confidence in us is truly humbling as we desire to honor God in all we do. We had a beautiful snowfall overnight and Brooksyne took this photo this morning in the back yard while taking care of one of my customary weekly duties; hauling our trash out to the roadside for pickup! 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.) "We Have An Anchor"  Video  I am so very blessed by this grand old hymn and this is an especially beautiful version musically. (I only regret this version only has one verse).  Here are the words to the entire hymn: Verse 1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, When the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift or firm remain? Chorus We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love. Verse 2 It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand, For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand; And the cables, passed from His heart to mine, Can defy that blast, thro' strength divine. Verse 3 It will firmly hold in the straits of fear, When the breakers have told the reef is near; Tho' the tempest rave and the wild winds blow, Not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow. Verse 4 When our eyes behold thro' the gath'ring night The city of gold, our harbor bright, We shall anchor fast by the heav'nly shore, With the storms all past forevermore. "I Know Whom I Have Believed"  Video "It Is Well With My Soul"  Video Today's outstanding photo of the lighthouse station on Lake Superior was taken by our friend, Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here. Howard desires to honor the Lord through his photography. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/30/09: $17,302.00) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (12/29/09) "Guide Us To Thy Perfect Light"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Winter scene in rural Michigan Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission) Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Guide Us To Thy Perfect Light" "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy" (Matthew 2:10). Contrary to traditional Christmas pageantry and artist's portrayals of the nativity setting, a careful consideration of the Scriptures reveals that the shepherds and wise men were not both present at the same time at the birth of Christ. Today's Scripture text actually reveals that the wise men who followed the star in the east took arrived quite some time after Christ's birth. They had first seen the star while in the east and had traveled to Jerusalem to inquire regarding the exact place of Christ's birth.  Who these wise men were remains a mystery. They may have been among those from the Jewish line who stayed in the East following the Exile or perhaps were proselytes (converts to the Jewish faith) who may have known of the Messianic promise.  After receiving the information that Christ was born in Bethlehem they went there to worship Him.  For some reason, after initially seeing the star while in the east, it was no longer seen for a period until after they had been to Jerusalem and were on their way to Bethlehem. (compare Matthew 2:2 and 2:9,10) These men were earnest seekers.  The journey from the east to Jerusalem was likely long and hard.  But they were persistent.   It was the reappearance of the star on the way to Bethlehem that prompted the response described in the KJV when they "rejoiced with exceeding great joy."  The apparent redundancy in the English is an attempt to convey the richness of emotion that Matthew uses four Greek words to express.  The Amplified Bible says, "thrilled with ecstatic joy." Why were they filled with such great joy?  After all, at this point they had not yet seen Jesus (read the text carefully).  It clearly was the reappearance of the star that prompted their joy and also their ability to continue the journey to find the Christ child. But why?  I believe we have here an example of how God reveals Himself to the earnest seeker.  They had seen the star while in the East and then went to Jerusalem by faith. The reappearance of the star on their way to Bethlehem gave them an assurance that their seeking was not in vain! At times the light of God's guidance is remarkably clear like the star seen by the wise men while in the east.  At other times God's leading is less clear, such as when the guiding star was no longer visible.  But like these wise men, as earnest seekers we walk by faith and obedience to God's Word.  Then we see again the clear, unmistakable light of God's guidance, as the wise men did when they saw the star a second time.  Truly this is a time of great rejoicing.  Where are you today in your walk of faith?  For some the answer will surely be "I haven't seen the 'star' in a long time".  Keep seeking, believing, and following my friend. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Help me to journey in faith  when the path is dimmed or obscured.  When I can only see through a glass darkly, help me to trust You for what is yet to come.  May I have a believing, obedient spirit even when I don't fully understand Your plan. For Your thoughts are not my thoughts nor are Your ways my ways.  They are higher and wiser and are of divine origin, so help me to be mindful that You always know what's best and will lead me according to Your will and Your timing.  Amen. Personal update: As regular readers have observed we have been unable to prepare these messages as I have rather slowly been recovering from the abdominal hernia repair surgery I had last Monday afternoon. I am coming along fine but am very appreciative of the role my abdominal muscles have in everyday life, something I had taken for granted!  Last week Ester fell on some ice and hit her head on her way to work and has had a headache much of the time since. Brooksyne took her to the Doctor yesterday and today is following up. Sunday evening we had an"Open House" time of informal fellowhip in our home and had friends in through the evening and throughout our home. Here is a group who are sharing around our dining room table. Yesterday Jim and Stacey Ailes stopped by to visit. When I served a church in Saint Marys Pennsylvania, Jim was the pastor at the CMA church and we developed a friendship and fellowship. They now live in the Pittsburg area but have a son who lives here in Mount Joy who they were visiting. 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.) "Lead Me Lord, I will Follow"  Video   Brooksyne suggests this song to reinforce today's message.  It is perfomed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. "We Three Kings"  Video  Of course for those familiar with Christmas hymns the title in our daily message is a phrase from this hymn. Today's photo of a rural winter scene in Michigan was taken by Howard J. Blichfeldt and is used with his permission. His website is here. Howard is a friend of this ministry who desires to honor the Lord through his photography. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/28/09: $17,152.00) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (12/21/09) "The Original Christmas Song"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Monday, December 21, 2009 The view from our front door early yesterday morning following the heavy snowstorm we had on Saturday! Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "The Original Christmas Song" "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). What is your very favorite Christmas hymn?  I would imagine that a variety of hymns would be nominated if such a poll were taken among Christians. In a sense your selection might depend on your age, geographic region or even denominational background.  But I am quite sure that any Top Ten Christmas Carols list would include songs such as "O come all ye faithful", "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World."  Each of these are older classic hymns written hundreds of years ago. They've been sung for centuries by multiple generations in various cultures and different languages, all expressing faith in the Christ Child. But what was the original Christmas song?  Actually there was an expression of praise by Mary while she carried Jesus in her womb (Luke 1:46-55).  Many have called this "Mary's song" or "The Magnificat".  However the first song heralding Christ's birth is a brief snippet of angelic praise found in the daily text, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." This angelic host had specifically come down from heaven to offer this praise concert in the presence of the shepherds and immediately returned to heaven when it was completed. I wonder how different heaven felt when they returned and the Son of God remained.  It was a unique historic moment for the angelic host who had only known Him in His rightful place in heaven.  He who was always present with God in the Highest had now descended with the lowly people.  A descriptive line from our Christmas musical expresses this so well, "The holy and lowly will finally embrace, for love has a heartbeat and grace has a face."  How grateful we are for the fully divine and fully human Person of Jesus who sacrificed His all for us. This angelic praise indeed expresses the essence of the message of Christ's birth.  It was great cause for praise and rejoicing.  The angels knew it, but man did not grasp the full meaning of Christ's incarnation at the time.  Many still do not 2000 years later.  Further understanding  would come in time and be more fully realized at our Lord's resurrection! Our Lord's coming surely brought glory to the Father and expressed God's good will toward men.  Peter expressed this good will when he wrote regarding the extent of God's salvation offer to all who repent and receive His free gift, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Finally it's so obvious that this fallen and broken world needs peace! Wars and rumors of war abound. Conflict continues to rage in many places; from hearts to homes to communities and international relations. But the very heart of the Christmas message is one of God's reconciliation with the human race which provides peace; peace God brings to the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. I believe fundamentally the peace the angels referred to is the same as the apostle Paul later wrote about in Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Or as musically expressed by Charles Wesley, "God and sinners reconciled!" As we sing our songs of praise and worship to God this Christmas season let us thoughtfully rejoice in the full meaning of Christmas.  It is easy to sing the Christmas carols without giving much thought to the words since we've sung them from memory for years.  Instead, let us carefully consider the message of each hymn text.  As we do so it will keep us mindful of God's peace and good will for our lives, not just at Christmas but during our entire brief pilgrimage here on earth. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Glory to God In the Highest!  The Latin expression the angels echoed from the heavens, "Gloria in excelsis deo" is also the refrain from our hearts this Christmas.  Although more than 2,000 years has passed since that glorious announcement was hailed to the shepherds in the fields, we continue to sing its refrain in our celebration of Your wondrous birth.  May we never cease to be in awe and wonder of Your coming to earth to become the Son of Man so that we could become sons of God! Winter Snow Storm! We had a very heavy snow storm this Saturday with over a foot of snow. We had to cancel our church service yesterday morning along with a planned Open House fellowship time in our home last night.  I took this photo during the storm Saturday afternoon at dusk when our driveway coach lights came on and before the snow plow came through. The trees outside our home were beautifully covered with snow Saturday afternoon. Brooksyne and I were doubly blessed as we spotted the bright red Cardinal perching snugly on a snow covered lower branch as the heavy snow continued to descend upon us.  Although it was still snowing Saturday evening our neighbor Leon drove over on his John Deere tractor to clear us out. Ahhh, the blessing of neighborly kindness! I took this photo late Saturday night through a window from our dining room.  This is not the canned fake snow I recall spraying on Christmas trees when I was little! The storm finally passed and we saw a beautiful sunrise Sunday morning. I stepped out into the cold to take this photo. Friday evening we joined our friends Rick and Rachel Caldwell for a delicious lasagna dinner and a warm time of fellowhip at their home in York, Pennsylvania. They had a very interesting scavenger hunt for us. In nearly every room of their home they hid a tiny character from a Hallmark miniature Nativity set. The character or animal was visible but barely, since they were so small (Baby Jesus was less than an inch, I would guess). They challenged us to go though their home and locate each piece. We had quite a time and occasionally needed hints (in one room especially) but managed to find them all!   It was a great idea. Brooksyne commented that only good housekeepers could plan such a game and Rachel is definitely a good housekeeper. Not a scant of dust could be found where we located the wee nativity characters!   Personal note: Today I (Stephen) will be having surgery at Hershey Medical Center to repair an abdominal hernia. I have dealt with a problem in this location since I had an accident playing in a little league baseball game.  A base runner collided with me when I was playing first base! My medical problem grew worse and a bit more complex due to the four abdominal surgeries I had beginning in 2002. Since my surgery is scheduled for this afternoon I may have to spend the night in the hospital but hope to be home by tomorrow afternoon. I will resume preparing the daily encouragement messages as I am able. However realistically we expect to be out of commission possibly for several days! Brooksyne and I share in this ministry together but I haven't been able to get her interested in the technical part necessary for distribution. Brooksyne's Note:  It's not that I'm not interested.  It's just that I'm  not mentally wired to understand the technical process.  Also, I've learned over the years -  the more I know, the more responsibility I end up having.  So playing dumb isn't always such a bad idea if your plate is already full! Ester, along with her furry pets, watching for the Transport Bus that takes her to work. (Taken about 7 A.M. this morning.) 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.) We have been sharing videos from our Christmas musical, "Hope Has Hands". Mike Martin, a friend in our church, spent a great deal of time getting these videos up on Youtube so we can share them with others. Today we will share the remaining two songs. "Come" is the song of invitation the choir sang just prior to a brief devotional and challenge to follow Christ.  It was at the end of this song we heard the loud knocking sound referred to in last Monday's message (turned out to be a child hitting the nursery window with a toy hammer). You can clearly hear the knock in the video! At times like this the preacher better think quick. Video   "Go Tell The World" is the final song as the choir regrouped following the devotional and invitation.  Video Resources for Christmas Celebrations It is our desire to share online resources that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. We will continue to post these resources through Christmas Day. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well. Christmas Memories  Here's a collection of Christmas memories sent in by daily encouragement readers several years ago, along with an opportunity to share your own story.  "In Remembrance of Me" pdf  This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years.  We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18  pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him"  pdf My First Christmas In Heaven  This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.  This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.   Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online? 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 considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?   "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents" Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children? "The Blessing" Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/20/09: $15,747.00) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Daily Encouragement (12/18/09) "Born A King"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Friday, December 18, 2009 Yesterday we passed this quaint old farmhouse in rural Lebanon County.  Brooksyne said it looks like a house where Grandma and Grandpa have decorated and are waiting for the children to come home over the Christmas holidays.  I agree! Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Born A King" "Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2). The title of "king" is used a lot. There are certain countries that still have a palace with a king on the throne. I think of two deceased musical entertainers who are referred to as the "king of pop" or the "king of rock and roll". There's a popular beer brand known as the "king of beers". Gene Wenger is a friend of ours who is known as "Pennsylvania's Pork King" due to his very popular hamloaf mix! Today I'd like to sift through the world's view of an earthly king and the trivialization of such a title. Instead I want to examine the true King taking a few moments to consider the phrase, "born King of the Jews".  The Magi from the east ask the question in our daily text, "Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Little is known about the identity of these Magi (or wise men).  I believe they were descendants of the Jews who had been taken captive to Babylon about 600 years earlier.  Although many returned to the land of Judah following the Babylonian exile, some did not. The existence of small pockets of exiled (and later dispersed) Jews throughout the world who kept their identity and faith is a wonderful sign of God's promise. These Magi came to Jerusalem to make inquiry about a special birth. King Herod heard about it and was greatly disturbed.  He was threatened by the prospect of another king.  The rest of his response is well known. He feigned interest and sent the Magi to find the child so he too could worship Him (or so he led them to believe). But the Magi's interest was earnest and after their worshipful encounter and offering of gifts to the baby King, they were warned in a dream to depart by another route.  Joseph was also directed in a dream to take his little family to Egypt.  Herod came down to Bethlehem and we have the record of the horrible carnage from the slaughter of all the infant boys two years old and under.   The contrast in the attitude between the Magi and Herod is representative of the response of the world, even 2,000 years later, to the King of kings.  Some will make great effort to worship and bring their very best gifts.  Others are furious and will go to any means to silence the King.  We hear new stories every year regarding those who want to do away with the nativity displays which would prompt viewers to think of the original Christmas setting. What about you today?  What is your response to the birth of a King?  The truly wise still seek and worship Him!     Be encouraged today,     Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we worship You, the Lord of lords and King of kings.  We travel back in time to that original Christmas when You sent forth Your One and only Son to redeem the world from sin.  We are grateful for the amazing sacrifice You made on our behalf as we receive You into our heart, King of kings.  Amen. These barns are just beyond the farmhouse used in the top photo.  The bright red barns are stunning along with the native stone. 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.) We have been sharing videos from our Christmas musical, "Hope Has Hands" which was presented last weekend. Mike Martin, a friend in our church, spent a great deal of time getting these videos up on Youtube so we can share them with others. Today we share three more songs and intend to share the remaining songs from the musical on Monday. "Mary Rocks The Rock" is a creatively written song with an interesting play on words.  JoAnna Gardner has a solo in this song.  I had the privilege of conducting the wedding ceremony for JoAnna and her husband Mike nearly four years ago and rejoice as they continue to build a Christian home. They have a daughter who is almost two and are expecting their second child.  Video  "Hope Has Hands" This is the signature song in the musical. These words really touch our hearts!  A young friend of Ester's, Renee' Buckwalter, has the solo in this song. Video   "Mary, Did You Know" This song has been very popular the last several years and is a powerful theological presentation causing us to consider just how much Mary was aware of her Son's significance. Video Our church building, although built in 1878 has had some rennovations through the years and is overall in remarkable shape.  The sanctuary does not feel old at all (at least to me).  However the lower level  has a very low ceiling and due to the duct work I avoid it as much as possible since I've bumped my head numerous times! An interesting feature is a huge attic that people used to stay in for extended meetings with mutiple churches involved.  I doubt if you could find too many people interested in sleeping there in our current age! Here's an interesting presentation concerning "The Star Of Bethlehem" Yesterday Brooksyne and I shared at a senior program called "Golden Nuggets". This is a neat ministry out of a local church illustrating the true church at work in compassion.  Not only are the elderly people from the church invited to the monthly meeting, but also neighbors, widows and widowers.  We had as our main meat "Gene Wenger's Famous Ham Loaf"! Every function takes workers. These folks represent the millions serving Christ unheralded in local churches all over the world. Coal Delivery Our coal was delivered today. Here's a photo collection for the terminally curious. We use Pennsylvania anthracite coal to heat our home. The delivery man had to get up in the bed of the truck as it was being unloaded.  He has a hard job! Anthracite is a hard coal that burns clean and efficiently. The coal slides from the truck down the chute into the bin. The four tons I had delivered filled the bin and should last well into next year's heating season. I take the coal into the house in two large buckets once a day and fill a hopper behind the stove. From the hopper the coal is slowly fed to the fire. I also have to empty the ash pan and dispose of the ash daily. The stove essentially heats our entire home with a little electric heat assist on really cold days. Inside the stove the coal on the burner plate is white hot. Roxie and Dottie enjoy laying in front of the stove. When it's really cold Brooksyne enjoys working in front of the stove. She regularly expresses appreciation for this warm spot in our house! Resources for Christmas Celebrations It is our desire to share online resources that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. We will continue to post these resources through Christmas Day. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well. Christmas Memories  Here's a collection of Christmas memories sent in by daily encouragement readers several years ago, along with an opportunity to share your own story.  "In Remembrance of Me" pdf  This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years.  We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18  pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him"  pdf My First Christmas In Heaven  This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.  This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.   Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online? 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 considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?   "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents" Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children? "The Blessing" Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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 12/17/09: $15,147.00) 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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved 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 Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe