A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Wednesday, January 2, 2008  Snow scene in rural Wisconsin My cousin Georgia McKelvey sent us this photo she took outside of her home near Holmen Wisconsin. We still haven't had a significant snow storm in our area but it's very cold today with a strong wind coming across from the west.  Listen to this message on your audio player."God's Eternal Purpose" "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 briefness of life can be illustrated 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. As we shared yesterday, the longer we live, the more we are aware of this perspective.  We live our life as a mere blip on the radar screen of eternity. Our journey through this life is but a transition to the future 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 seems wholly significant.As we begin another year we do well to focus on God's eternal purpose. Let us consider the Scriptures above. Let us examine these words of our eternal God. Note the phrase from our second daily Scripture text, "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 purpose or how it all fits together. Sometimes it’s a daunting mystery. But from the beginning, the first command to Adam, God 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, 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. His 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 follower of Christ, His purpose for you will work out. His nature has not changed. 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 in 2008. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord, Your Word declares that You reward those who diligently seek You. Help me to keep an eternal and spiritual perspective and to realize the brief duration of my life on this earth in light of eternity. I acknowledge Your purpose in my life. Today help me to seek, trust and obey You in all things. Brooksyne is ill today with the flu and is unable to help with today's message. So if you see more mistakes than usual ... Today's Suggested Music Today's music is from the website of Kristian Walker, who along with his wife Shannon, have a musical ministry in our area. They have a Godly heritage with 27 ministers throughout their respective family trees! "God Is In Control" (Audio) A great song in relationship to today's message. "Hear Us From Heaven" (Audio) "Listen To Our Hearts" (Audio) "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" (Audio) Info about multi-media files and photos used on daily encouragement. |
Administration Information  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. (2008 YTD financial offerings 1/2/2008 $10.00)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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  |
