A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message ·  Archive/print editionWednesday, April 9, 2008  Photo by Doris High  Listen to us share this message on your audio player.“The central truth of the gospel is that God has provided a way of salvation for men through the gift of His son to the world. He suffered as a sacrifice for sin, overcame death, and now offers a share in His triumph to all who will accept it. The gospel is good news because it is a gift of God, not something that must be earned by penance or by self-improvement.” - Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia "He Knows My Name!" "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! (Isaiah 43:1). "He calls his own sheep by name" (John 10:3). The Holy Spirit will use many different means to bring hope and strength to His children in time of need. It may be a special receptivity He gives us regarding a particular Scripture. It may be a call from a friend or a prayer offered by a pastor. The list goes on and on. God often uses the text of a song along with the musical accompaniment to speak to our hearts. I find particular encouragement in the words of a song titled, "He knows my name." Today I want to share from a short verse in Isaiah that is easily memorized and packed with assurance for the follower of Christ. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you." Hear His words in your heart today. We have a command "Do not fear" followed by a present reality, "for I have redeemed you." "Do not fear" ("fear not" in the King James Version) is a common phrase found all through the Bible. In fact it is found 62 times from Genesis to Revelation! "For I have redeemed you." The greatest gift in life is to be redeemed by God. Fanny Crosby wrote, "Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am." "I have called you by name; You are mine." I belong to Jesus today and indeed He knows my name! Today in the midst of any frustrations, disappointments, fears, or discouragement you may have, I encourage you to focus on the One who truly knows your name, who loves and cares for you. Regarding this passage David Guzik observes: "God twice owns His people. He has right of ownership both as Creator and Redeemer. His ownership is personal, because He says "I have called you by your name." His ownership is certain, because He seals it by saying "You are mine." Knowing we belong to the LORD is a wonderful answer to fear. We can know that He holds us, protects us, guards us, and cares for us. We can know that He would not have created, redeemed, and called us unless He intended to complete the work He began in us. How can we be afraid when we know this God is for us, that He is looking out for our interests?" Jesus had a wonderful teaching in John 10 where He declares: "I am the good shepherd." The caring shepherd "calls his own sheep by name." What a blessed assurance it is to know that our Good Shepherd calls each one of us by name! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, how special it is to know that we will not appear as a stranger before You in heaven, but You will call us by name for You are thoroughly acquainted with us. As a loving father cares for his child so You care for us, your children. You place us in the palm of Your hand and no enemy can snatch us from Your protective and loving care. What a tremendous and calm feeling this brings to our hearts this new day. Amen.  Photo by Doris High Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "He Knows My Name" Audio (This is the song that prompted today's message) "There Is A Redeemer" Audio Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
Administration Information  Stephen and Brooksyne Weber  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 through 4/8/2008 $3,910.00)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. Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix  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  |
