Wednesday, February 28, 2007

"The Lord Sustains Me"

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

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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Amish farmhouse with windmill
Amish farmhouse with windmill.
Our friends, Jesse and Anna, whom we often mention in this series, will be moving to this farm on the other side of the County next month and Jesse will begin dairy farming. We are sure going to miss them!

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"The Lord Sustains Me"

"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me" (Psalm 3:5).

Folgers coffee canWhat is the best part of waking up? For many of us the old Folger's coffee jingle will come to mind: "The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup." Well, a cup of hot steaming coffee in a favorite mug does taste mighty good and is almost always a part of our wake-up routine, but we feel sorry for those who would say it's the best part!

David wrote Psalm 3 when his own son Absalom was pursuing him. The rebellion in David's own home seems to be a long-term consequence of his sexual immorality with Bathsheba. In fact the chapters following this account show the residual consequences to an act of sin. However David had repented and again had the assurance of God's presence. He wrote, "But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head" (Psalm 3:3).

The part of the daily text I want to focus on this morning is a timeless truth that can be proclaimed this day by all of God's people. It certainly should be our earliest awareness as we roll out of bed. "The Lord sustains me." Praise God for this aspect of God's love and care for His own!

Today may very well bring a new set of obstacles for some of us. For others an old set of problems quickly comes to mind that we continue to deal with and overcome. David still had his problems as he wrote the Psalm. In fact he begins it with this statement, "O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.'"

But he was aware as he awoke that the Lord had sustained him through another night. The Lord continues to sustain us as well even when others paint a dismal forecast for our future. God will deliver the faithful who place their complete trust in Him. Let us rejoice today in God's sustaining care over all His creation and over each one of us!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You sustain me by speaking peace to my heart even in the midst of troubling circumstances. Your unsurpassed peace cannot be defined by the absence of conflict but by the assurance that You will come alongside me, in the midst of my conflict, and make a roadway in the wilderness of my suffering. When I seek You I can be assured that You will hear me and deliver me from all my fears. Thank You for Your sustaining presence that lifts me from my slumber and helps me to trust You for another day. Amen.



Some scenes from our part of the world taken yesterday.

Amish farmstead winter scene
This Lancaster County farmstead is very photogenic!!

Cosco parking lot in Lancaster, PA
Cosco is a large warehouse type store in Lancaster. The photo is taken in their parking lot. The sign to the right, too small to read in this photo, says "Horse and Buggy Parking Only"

Titmouse
Brooksyne took this photo of a titmouse from our office window.



Today we share a song we enjoy by providing a link to "In Your Presence, O God" (mp3) This is a very powerful song!


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge)
Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.
Brooksyne and I thank God for another year of service for Him through our internet ministry and welcome readers to view our 2006 ministry report.

Join:
To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" devotional through email use our form.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)
Please feel free to pass this message on!

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
Search:
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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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

"Fact or Faith?"

"Fact or Faith?"

"If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14).

By now many of you have heard the latest buzz attack on the Christian faith. A "researcher" has supposedly discovered the burial place of Jesus, bones and all. A "documentary" film will be shown on the Discovery Channel and since it is produced by a famous Oscar-winning director it "must be true."

On the news last night it was presented as a definitive conclusion, a final nail in the coffin of that relentless pesky Christian Faith. The choice was presented between fact or faith, a catchy news slogan and surely all reasonable people will go with "fact". The report even mentioned DNA evidence without elaborating on how concocted such evidence would be.

Early this morning Jesse, my Amish neighbor, called me when I was preparing this message and I answered the phone declaring, "Jesus is Alive!" (I was pretty sure it would be Jesse at 6:30.) I told him about the story and when I mentioned the DNA evidence he started laughing. So did I!

One of the benefits to aging is perspective. In my lifetime the attacks against my faith in general and the resurrection in particular have been ongoing and persistent. Studying history we find they are not at all unique to our age. Only days after Christ's resurrection the stolen body story was circulated. Every Easter we have new reports by "scholars" with new research attacking the Biblical teaching and traditional understanding of our faith. (Every Christmas there are "newsworthy" articles with the latest views concerning His birth as well, generally discounting what we are taught in the Bible.)

The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians is a powerful defense of the resurrection. What a despairing statement the Apostle Paul makes in our daily text. "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." Despairing but true; the Christian faith is absolutely dependent upon a resurrected, living Savior. Although we could still glean some ethical teaching from Jesus while He walked on the earth His resurrection is at the very heart of Apostolic preaching and teaching.

But what I have really been pondering is the simple "fact or faith" equation. These theories and conjectures have come and gone even in my lifetime. Yet if it's an attack on a traditionally held position it's usually framed as a "fact" proposed by "scholars" who have done extensive "research". I purposefully place the key words in quotation marks since the emphasis is in how conclusive their views are presented. What reasonable, modern, educated person could deny these findings?

Well, I'll keep believing. I also predict that this latest "fact" will come and go and another will replace it.

We all live life by faith. My faith is in Jesus Christ and the authority of the Holy Scriptures. I join millions who for the last two thousand years have followed Him.

But the secularist "unbeliever" also lives by faith. I recall several years ago when a noted secularist made the emphatic statement to the effect "When I die it will just be my physical remains that will slowly decay, that's all there is." Whether or not secularists admit it, this is a statement of faith! He hadn't died when he said this (although if I am not mistaken he has by now).* Since he hadn't been on the other side of death he didn't know as fact what it was like however emphatic he was!

God has ordained that we live by faith. The Scriptures declare that "The just shall live by faith" and "Without faith it's impossible to please God." Our faith is not blind nor unreasonable, but is solidly backed by what Josh McDowell calls "Evidence that demands a verdict." The attacks will continue as long as we live on this side, but let us continue wholeheartedly to believe and faithfully serve the Lord!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, our faith is anchored in Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who died on the cross of Calvary and was resurrected on the third day. The cross and empty tomb are symbolic of the Christian faith and without them our Christianity is in vain. We place our compete faith in the finished work of Christ and the inerrant Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation. Thank You for releasing us from sin's effect – its guilt, power, condemnation and eternal damnation. Amen.

Several songs come to mind today that have blessed us that we would like to share (from other sites)
"I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary". This is one my very first favorite songs from way back in the early seventies when I turned to the Lord. This is from a Romanian Church in Dallas!
http://www.romdallas.org/church_site/Video+Audio/20050731-concert-web/16%20I%20Believe%20in%20a%20Hill%20Called%20Mount%20Calvary.wma
"My Faith Has Found A Resting Place" Brooksyne's suggestion
Short sample (contemporary choral version)
Longer sample (very traditional version)
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/worshipmusic/ssd0123-10.rm
http://www.oldchristianmusic.com/music/sacred-music-services--hymns-for-the-home-2/Sacred%20Music%20Services%20-%20My%20Faith%20Has%20Found%20A%20Resting%20Place%20-%20Hymns%20For%20The%20Home%20Volume%202.mp3

Yesterday's featured song, a more recent contemporary style, also goes along well with this theme.

* Some reader may be able to refresh me here. Carl Sagan was emphatic in his beliefs and has died but I am not sure this was his statement. It was rather widely reported as I recall, probably about 10-15 years ago.

Monday, February 26, 2007

"From Everlasting To Everlasting"

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"From Everlasting to Everlasting"

"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2). "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

Periodically a song comes along that really grips our attention. I recall back in the eighties when Ray Boltz’ song “Thank You” first came out. It really captured the heart of ministry and reminded us of the bigger picture when we get to the other side. I still enjoy hearing it!

There’s a song that’s been hitting Brooksyne and me like that the last several weeks. Some of you have probably heard it. It builds to a powerful refrain and I would sure enjoy seeing Brooksyne lead a group of the redeemed in singing it.One line that has really blessed me expresses a truth that I know but I need regularly reinforcing of this absolute truth as I face life’s turbulence. It simply says, “My God He was, my God He is, my God He’s always gonna be.”

This truth is not simply the musical contrivance of a young 21st century musician. It’s expressed abundantly in the Scriptures. Just consider the last phrase from our first daily Scripture, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God.” This expresses the eternality of God one of God’s attributes, although not all treatments of His attributes specifically deal with this truth.

An interesting online resource known as Theopedia states, “The Eternality of God refers to His timeless nature. God had no beginning, and will have no end. This is one of the foundational beliefs of Christianity. If God is not eternal, then eternal life is not His to give to anyone. Also if God had a beginning He too would have need of a creator, at which point He is not the one true God. Without the eternality of God, Christianity is futile. God's eternal Nature is very important to us because it ensures that God will always be there for us. Whenever we need Him, no matter when we are troubled, our eternal God will always be there for us. There are numerous references throughout Scripture about God's eternal nature. Isaiah 57:15, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity..." 1 Timothy 1:17, "To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." The eternal, almighty God has revealed Himself to us and sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for our redemption as fallen sinners. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Let's praise Him today and rest in His steadfast care, no matter the turbulence in life we are facing!

My Savior loves, my Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God He was, my God He is
My God He's always gonna be


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, we want to express gratitude that You included us in Your marvelous handiwork. All the universe declares Your glory, Almighty God, who creates, sustains, and watches over Your creation. You created us with a soul that is at the very heart of our existence here on earth and it will exist eternally in the life to come. While the foundations are being destroyed here on earth we, the redeemed, find great comfort and immense hope in Your eternal foundation. It is from eternity past and eternity future, with no beginning and no end! Only a loving God like You would choose to include us in Your vast plan and find delight in us, in all our humanness. You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and praise for all eternity. Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb!

Theopedia

You can listen to the entire song referred to in today’s message on the artist’s website as well as other music on his album. The song we particularly enjoy is titled “My Savior, My God” and is track #9 on this page.You can also watch a video of the original artist and his band singing this song on this page. This artist really shares his music and his site has also posted the lyrics and his personal reflections on the background of the song.I assume these pages will work on all computers

For more on the attributes of God I recommend this book by A.W. Pink which can be read online! Caution this site automatically plays annoying (in my view) midi background music.Here’s an excerpt related to today’s message: "In the beginning, God" (Genesis 1:1). There was a time, if 'time' it could be called, when God, in the unity of His nature (though subsisting equally in three Divine Persons), dwelt all alone. 'In the beginning, God.' There was no heaven, where His glory is now particularly manifested. There was no earth to engage His attention. There were no angels to sing His praises; no universe to be upheld by the word of His power. There was nothing, no one, but God; and that, not for a day, a year, or an age, but 'from everlasting.' During eternity past, God was alone: self-contained, self-sufficient, self-satisfied; in need of nothing. Had a universe, had angels, had human beings been necessary to Him in any way, they would also have been called into existence from all eternity. The creating of them when He did added nothing to God essentially. 'He changes not' (Malachi 3:6), therefore His essential glory can be neither augmented nor diminished. God was under no constraint, no obligation, no necessity to create. That He chose to do so was purely a sovereign act on His part, caused by nothing outside Himself, determined by nothing but His own mere good pleasure; for He 'worketh all things after the counsel of His own will' (Ephesians 1:11). That He did create was simply for His manifestative glory. God is no gainer even from our worship. He was in no need of that external glory of His grace that arises from His redeemed, for He is glorious enough in Himself without that. What was it that moved Him? It was, as Ephesians 1:5 tells us, 'according to the good pleasure of His will'.”

Thursday, February 22, 2007

"Grace Alone"

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Thursday, February 22, 2007
Cardinal on pavement
Brooksyne strives to get that close-up of her favorite bird. Stay tuned!

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"Grace Alone"

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15).

Staples is a large office superstore that has presented some of the most creative and humorous advertising through the years. Several years ago they had an ad showing a man who was absolutely determined each January to get his office organized but kept procrastinating year after year and never got it done. He started out as a young man but finally when he's middle-aged he comes across a Staples ad with items that are the key to maintaining a neat, well-organized office. The next frame shows him in a perfectly organized office and now his new determination is to lose weight. That is until his buddies yell out, "Bob, we're going out for pizza". He immediately jumps up to join them.

Wow, do I identify with that ad! I'm still working on both disciplines. Brooksyne reminds me that the bigger challenge is not getting organized but maintaining that organization. It’s not taking the weight off but keeping it off. Of course I already know this. At times my office has been picture perfect and I’ve lost hundreds of pounds through the years. But shouldn't I have all this conquered by my early-fifties?

Paul's candor in Romans 7 is astounding. This chapter is among the most difficult portions in the Bible. Devout expositors have grappled for centuries with just what Paul was seeking to communicate. I believe Paul is indeed writing from the perspective of his current relationship with Christ since in verse 22 he writes, "For in my inner being I delight in God's law.” (Another interpretation views Paul writing Romans 7 from the perspective of his unregenerate state before he was converted.)

He writes, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Can you identify with Paul? I sure can. What are the ongoing issues you battle as you seek to conquer sin’s strongholds and cravings of the flesh? I can think of several in my life. These are the obstacles that I believe are referred to in Hebrews 12:1 as "everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" that we are to throw off.

We don't know the personal issues that Paul was dealing with. Any conjecture as to what they were would most likely be based upon the interpreter’s own experiences. But he says, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (v. 24).

So who will? The great apostle tells us, "Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v. 25).

Grace, grace God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Romans 8 goes on to speak of the power of the Spirit that enables us to live a victorious, overcoming life. That's not a doom's day attitude, but rather it's an encouraging, uplifting pronouncement for those who walk by faith and not by sight!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, the words of a song come to mind as I pray this morning: “I’m not what I wanna be, I’m not what I’m gonna be, but thank God I’m not what I was.” There is a marked difference in my actions and attitudes since I made You the Lord of my life. If I trace back to the beginning of my relationship with You I see more clearly the major changes You made in my heart. But since my life is a living sacrifice there are always new challenges, temptations, and trials that I must endure as a believer. It is not in my own physical strength or power that I am equipped to conquer the enemy, but it through Your Holy Spirit that I come against the giants of doubt, fear, bitterness, greed, lust, discontent and all the other negative foes Satan throws in my path. Though I’m far from perfect and always will be on this side, help me to endure to the end when that which is imperfect will be gone. Sin will no longer have a grip and finally I will be perfect. All because of Your amazing grace!



Yesterday we shared about a terrific testimony from a Daily Encouragement reader who has experienced persecution. Donnie Lama's testimony You might call Donnie Lama’s testimony a Daily Encouragement Condensed Book in the sense that it is equivalent to several pages. In fact you’ll need to set aside extra time to read it. It was too packed with significant events to condense it into the usual brief format Daily Encouragement readers are accustomed to. We also found this information and booklet available online through Open Doors. Please keep Donnie and his family in prayer. Any responses to his testimony from other Daily Encouragement Net readers will be compiled and forwarded and would certainly be of great encouragement to him. Merely send to this address.



We wanted to share the hymn we concluded the message with today, but were unable to find a vocal audio version on the web. Here’s an interesting acoustic guitar version. Another song we have enjoyed for many years related to this theme is “Grace Alone” Here’s a nice local church version from the Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Finally in my searching I came across this video of a song I do not recall ever hearing before titled, “God of Grace”.


Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge)
Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.
Brooksyne and I thank God for another year of service for Him through our internet ministry and welcome readers to view our 2006 ministry report.

Join:
To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" devotional through email use our form.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)
Please feel free to pass this message on!

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
Search:
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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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net

495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
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in God's solid foundation"


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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

"Not Yet"

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

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Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Snowy branch
This interesting close-up photo of a snowy branch was taken by Doris High, a fellow Lancaster Countian
(Click on photo for stunning full-sized photo)


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“Not Yet”

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Hebrews 12:3,4).

Home Bible Study at the WebersLast night we had a small group Bible Study in our home. As we officially opened our time together in prayer Ken, a member of the group, thanked God that we did not need to draw the curtains to hide our activity, ask special permission to gather, or fear the authorities. At this time in our country we are still free to gather together with other believers, share our faith, and study the Bible. But for many of our fellow brothers and sisters around the world this is not the case.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of this online ministry is the ability to share God’s Word of encouragement with these brethren in Christ. We enjoy all the feedback we receive and draw strength to continue in this ministry, but it’s extra special when we hear from those in closed countries who deal with persecution.

Donnie LamaSeveral months ago we heard from Donnie Lama, a reader in a very closed Middle Eastern country. One day while going through a discouraging situation he googled in the word “encouragement” and the Lord directed him to our ministry. In fact many of you have found our site by doing the very same thing so we are especially grateful for the search engine that opens a door for us. Donnie began to receive our messages and then sent us his testimony and gave us permission to share it with others over the web. It’s an outstanding reminder of what many deal with in these types of countries. (See below for a link to the testimony.)

The book of Hebrews was written to encourage the early believers (Hebrew Christians) to remain faithful as they faced growing persecution. At the time the book was written, some had already been imprisoned and others had faced the confiscation of their property (10:34). Others had faced unspecified mistreatment (13:3).

But at the time the book was written none among the original recipients had yet faced the point of shedding their own blood (martyrdom). In the previous verse we read, “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3).

As I study the daily passage the two words “not yet” seem to leap out at me and I try to place myself as an early reader. Now at that time in the broader context of the church some had already shed blood for the Lord, namely Stephen and James, whose martyrdoms are recorded in Acts 7 and 12.

As they read this they were surely aware of these and other martyrs throughout the early church. But it had not yet happened in their specific setting.

Today most reading this still live in peace and freedom. Indeed last night there was no need to draw the blinds in our home as we had Bible Study. We are not yet facing persecution, at least in the classical sense, as shared in our featured testimony today. But I believe there are many signs that we may increasingly pay a price for standing up for God’s truth and righteousness. I pray that all of us, regardless of our present conditions, “will not grow weary and lose heart” but that we will “remain faithful to Jesus.”


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, You are my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid? You protect me from danger so why should I be nervous? When evil people seek to destroy me; when my enemies attack me, they will stumble and fall at Your command. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will be steadfast. Even if they attack me, I remain confident that You are watching over me. My heart’s desire is to be in Your presence where I praise You by meditating on Your truths. I find comfort in Your merciful provisions. In the day of trouble You will keep me safe. You will hide me in the shelter of Your tabernacle and set me upon a rock. Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me. Through it all I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord. Help me to wait for You, Lord, to be strong and take heart, as I wait for You. Amen.

Prayer inspired as I read through Psalm 27.



Brooksyne’s Note: I was blessed many times as I read through Donnie’s testimony. In my attempt to more clearly translate his story I asked God to help me not to change Donnie’s thoughts as I didn’t want to change the original message he shares with readers. Through our correspondence Donnie was very affirming of my edited version of his story and is pleased to get this testimony to others. His experience is riveting and a modern day story of how God takes care of His own. Our Lord is sovereign and the outcome for some believers is different than others. He desires that we stay true to Him and trust Him regarding His plan for our lives, no matter what the circumstances. As Paul writes, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

Donnie Lama's testimony

You might call Donnie Lama’s testimony a Daily Encouragement Condensed Book in the sense that it is equivalent to several pages. In fact you’ll need to set aside extra time to read it. It was too packed with significant events to condense it into the usual brief format Daily Encouragement readers are accustomed to. We also found this information and booklet available online through Open Doors. Please keep Donnie and his family in prayer. Any responses to his testimony from other Daily Encouragement Net readers will be compiled and forwarded to him and would certainly be of great encouragement to him.



Today's musical challenge is a song I had never heard, before searching based on today's theme. It's titled, "Lay Aside Your Passing Pleasures." Here's an audio version. The lyrics are very thought-provoking and convicting.


Finally today, how's this for using your head and common sense skills when dealing with a need? Last week we shared a photo and showed how someone had run into our mailbox post and cracked it (before the big snowfall.) I managed to use bungy cords to temporarily hold the post up until I can either repair it or replace it. Well, here's another creative solution to a mailbox that had been destroyed by the snow plow during last week's storm. Cerwin High came up with this ingenuitive, temporary fix!
Temporary mailbox

Administration Information
Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge)
Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? See here for details.
Brooksyne and I thank God for another year of service for Him through our internet ministry and welcome readers to view our 2006 ministry report.

Join:
To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" devotional through email use our form.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)
Please feel free to pass this message on!

Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
Search:
Christianbook.com
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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net

495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
Chaplaincy logo
"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"


Daily Encouragement Net

Monday, February 19, 2007

"Four Dimensional Love"

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Monday, February 19, 2007

Bunny and Peg
Bunny and Peg O'Hare

ListenClick here to listen to us read this message on your audio player.

"Four Dimensional Love"

"To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:18).

Dennis (Bunny) and Peggy O’Hare are good friends we met a number of years ago when we lived in New England. After Peg came to the Lord she prayed for her husband’s salvation year after year. In answer to her persistent prayers Bunny turned to the Lord after living a life of sin for many years. He now serves as a chaplain to the trucking industry. He and Peg are a dynamic ministry couple that exudes the love of Christ and energizes any setting they are in. It is not uncommon for Bunny to ask anyone he greets, “Has anyone told you today that Jesus loves you?”

He tells a story of sharing this phrase regularly with a hardened ex-con waitress he and Peg met in a restaurant he frequented. Over a period of time he saw her heart soften and finally become receptive to the message of salvation. Bunny is joyful, bold, and unashamedly shares his faith with others. His earnestness is visible to both believers and nonbelievers and he serves as an example to those who desire to win others to Christ. He spent many years in vanity and pride but now wholeheartedly serves our crucified Lord.

In Ephesians 3:16-21 (quoted entirely in the footnote) the Apostle Paul offers a written prayer for the Ephesian believers and, as part of the Scriptures, is intended for each one of us. It's not your typical prayer asking for a blanket blessing, but a rich exaltation of the character of God and a plea that we might really grasp this truth. Just one phrase from the prayer is chosen as our daily Scripture portion.

IcebergPaul prays that we might "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Any attempt to comprehend these four dimensions can be very frustrating! In fact any attempt to describe the infinite God or any of His eternal attributes is ultimately inadequate. Any illustration is bound to understate the majesty of God, but can still be inspiring and helpful as long as we understand this. For several years this tremendous photo has been available and is a reminder of the awesomeness of God.

I challenge each of you to walk by faith, and I want to be one who reminds you today that Jesus loves you. He loves each one of us. He loves us all today and everyday with an everlasting, redemptive love. He's always in the process of working things out for our good even though the "thing" we now see and experience may seem so undesirable and even unfair. Christ always "plans to prosper and not to harm you, He plans to give you hope and a future."

Today may you indeed seek to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for you. And whatever you feel you might be grasping spiritually, remember, you are only at the tip of the iceberg!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, Your love reaches beyond the heavens and surpasses earthly dimensions. Your love surrounds us as You envelope us in Your fullness. Thank You, Father, that as we are rooted and established in Your love, we are empowered by Your Holy Spirit to soar on wings like eagles as we are renewed day by day. Your love flows through us so that others can see human lives impacted by Your love. To know the fullness of Your love is to know a love that has no boundaries or limitations. You do exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine. Give us grace to trust You even more. Amen.



Brooksyne's Note: What a full weekend of enjoying fellowship with God's people. We met so many friendly and dedicated truck driver chaplains, many of them couples at the Transport for Christ Retreat. Also attending were truck drivers and their wives who enthusiastically share their faith as they travel from coast to coast making a living. We concluded our busy weekend on Sunday evening with the folks we've fellowshipped with over the past six months in our interim pastoral role. Partings are a regular part of this life, but never easy, and saying "good-bye" brings about emotions that make me realize how deeply I bonded with these dear people. I look forward to the day when farewells will no longer be a part of our lives, but until then we entrust those we love to God's eternal care.



Brooksyne's dad, Brooklyn, with Ester sharing a lollipop
It was a real joy to share God's word this weekend at the retreat. Notice the beautiful snow in the background. Campo Hebron, where the retreat was held is at the foot of the ridge the Appalachian Trail runs along. We hiked the trail a bit yesterday afternoon but my camera froze up when I tried to get a beautiful vista photo from the ridge!

Brooksyne's dad, Brooklyn, with Ester sharing a lollipop
Cerwin and Doris High are representative of the many dedicated servants for Christ we met this last weekend. Cerwin, now retired, devotes his time to building and upgrading TFC mobile chapels. Doris devotes her energies and expertise to communications. She has her own blog with excellent photography.



Here's the entire text of the apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians and for us: "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:16-21).



We are very late getting this message out today. I've had some of those "pull out your hair" type computer problems and then we were delighted when our former pastor, Jim Gambini, stopped by to visit.

Pastor Jim and Ester
Pastor Jim and Ester, friends for life.



Music - We searched for several songs related to our message today and this site really blessed us.This has a beautiful version of "O, The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus"


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Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family
Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge)
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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."

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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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

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