A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, December 21, 2007  Sheep on a snowy hillside  Listen to this message on your audio player."Crippled Lambs" "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners'" (Mark 2:17). I have a lot of "favorite" writers. I suppose it depends on the type of material I am interested in. I read Chuck Colson for cultural analysis, James Dobson for practical advice on marriage and family issues, Jerry Bridges for sharp theological insights and many, many more. But for a long time my favorite devotional writer has been Max Lucado. When we pastored Brooksyne always prepared a story for the children during the Christmas Eve service. Several times she read a book by Max Lucado on Christmas Eve called "The Crippled Lamb." She is a very expressive reader and I am sure there just may be some people reading this devotional who will recall her telling this story with all the little children sitting on the floor around her as she sat in a rocking chair. We turned the lights down low and lit many candles all through the sanctuary. My, how I enjoy Christmas Eve services! The story reminds us that God has a special plan for each life in spite of whatever may "cripple" us. We may base the designation "crippled" on certain standards of what we perceive as normal and particularly apply it in a physical sense. Some certainly have a lot more overcoming to do than others. Some bear a heavy load that I can only imagine. But in reality we are all sick and in need of the "Great Physician" who redeems sinners. Let us rejoice in the truth of the birth of God's Son, Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. We are all crippled lambs, and regardless of whatever may "cripple" us or to what extent, God is able to redeem as we turn to Him and rely on His wisdom and strength. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, without the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus, we are weighed down by the shackles of sin. It spreads as a disease from our hearts to our minds separating us from our Creator and making us a bond slave to Satan. Thank You for sending Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, who by His intense love and sacrificial death, freed us from the sin that ensnared us. He turned our mourning into dancing as He lifted our condemnation and replaced it with eternal hope. Thank You for the Christ of Christmas who shines His light for all to see and offers freedom to all held captive. Amen.  2007 Weber family Christmas newsletter - We welcome all of our daily encouragement readers to read our annual Christmas newsletter. The Crippled Lamb By Max Lucado / Thomas NelsonJoshua the Lamb is crippled, so the other animals leave him behind in the stable. His tears of loneliness turn to joy, however, when he realizes that because of his difference, he gets to be right there when Jesus is born! From the classic art to the surprise ending, this tender story will help all children see that God has a very special plan for their lives. See here for ordering info. Resources for Christmas celebrations It is our desire to share resources that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. 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. Stephen and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services. 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 and some churches have already exhausted the usual list of Christmas carols. 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 A poem Brooksyne shared two years ago in memory of my Mom. This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Here's a test for those who like tests! Christmas knowledge test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes with these posts, here and here. |
Administration Information  Merry Christmas! Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07  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 encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details.Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  |
