A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Thursday, December 20, 2007  A colonial era home near Valley Forge PA decorated for Christmas  Listen to this message on your audio player."The Divine Knock" "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). Today Brooksyne and Ester will make a routine visit to Ester's cardiologist at Hershey Medical Center. Although Ester is now 18 she will always be seen by a pediatric cardiologist in regard to her heart, as is the practice with most all "heart kids" born with congenital heart disease. She has always known a world of stethoscopes, heart monitors and the dreaded IV. 2007 has proven to be a good health year for Ester. Though she's had the usual maladies common to heart patients the pacemaker she received 16 months ago at Boston Children's Hospital has really done its job well. She's only missed one day of school this fall season due to heart related illness. That's a record!! She's experiencing very little heart rhythm problems and we sigh with relief and express gratitude to our God for this great blessing.  A friend sent me this story that I would like to share. A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment. Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen", she quietly instructed.........."What do you suppose that is?" He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin with big eyes as he curiously asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"Well apparently the little guy had heard a lesson on today's text or perhaps he had even sung the little children's song based on it! Hear it here. A favorite song of mine (though not a children's song) during this season has a refrain that states, "O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee." The daily text describes Christ's work among the human race in the lives of millions and millions of people this very day. The Apostle John received this remarkable revelation from the ascended Lord. "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock." The Greek tenses can be rendered, "I am persistently standing at the door and am persistently knocking." An older, expanded translation (Wuest) states, "I have taken my stand at the door and am politely knocking." And Jesus is doing just that. Most of you have responded and are experiencing the blessing of fellowship divine, the wonderful fellowship with the One who promised, "I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." But some of you can sense His presence and knocking but have not yet responded. Why don't you do so today? Following this message is a brief prayer that expresses faith in Christ and has been repeated by millions in opening their lives to the Lord. Responding to the divine knock is life's greatest blessing! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Here's a common prayer that expresses faith in God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you have not done so already, we urge you to pray this prayer from your heart today. Prayer of Faith: "Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that You came to this earth and died on the cross as a substitute for me and my sin. I place my faith in You and what You have done for me. I receive You into my life and choose this day to follow and serve You. Thank You for hearing my prayer." 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  |
