 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionMonday, March 23, 2009  Yellow Crocuses Photo by Doris High  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Not Lost, Just Promoted" "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (2 Corinthians 5:1). In the course of my chaplain work I attended the funeral for the father of a friend. At the service he introduced me to several of his brothers. Afterwards I had email contact with one of the brothers and he shared his perspective several months following his dad's death. It clearly illustrates the wonderful assurance God can give us when we have "lost" loved ones. "You know, at first I would say, "I lost my Father..." But, in reality, when you lose something, you don't know where it is. Well, I KNOW where my Father is. So, now I don't say 'I lost my Father...' Now I say, 'My dad recently moved into his mansion...' It not only helps me keeps things in perspective, but it has really helped open up dialogue to individuals who don't yet know Christ!" In 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5 the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, shares some incredible insights regarding the perspective we should have as we live out our life on this earth. Apart from a few select people throughout history such as Enoch and Elijah. all have experienced the destruction of the earthly tent we live in. We call that death. According to Scripture there will also be a group of believers still alive at the return of Christ who will experience a transition without death (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed." Paul uses the phrase "earthly tent" to describe the temporary nature of our present dwelling. A commentary makes this observation: "The figure of a tent picturing the human body suggests impermanence and insecurity and is a common picture of earthly life and its setting in the body." * Our death is that transitional event that takes place when our earthly tent is destroyed. "We have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." Wow, what a description of our future home! Note the contrast between "earthly tent" and "eternal house". This eternal house is a building from God, located in heaven, and not built by human hands. It can't be reckoned with in our minds or fully envisioned on this side of eternity, for we are still clothed with perishable bodies that are nearsighted in our scope of understanding. Today may this message encourage those who have "lost" loved ones. In Biblical reality they are not really lost but rather promoted to a place prepared by Jesus Himself and untainted by sin, but beyond our human viewing. May it also encourage those dealing with ongoing physical affliction or situations that seem so hopelessly broken. May we all remember this as we see the continuing groaning of the whole creation right up to the present time (see Romans 8:22). Fellow believer, let us stand firm in our faith today as we live with eternity's values in view! With eternity's values in view, Lord With eternity's values in view May I do each day's work for Jesus? With eternity's values in view. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, our view of heaven is most distant when we live only for here and now; especially when all is going well and prosperity is at our doorstep. But when our bodies give way to perishable atrophy and troubles overwhelm us, it is then that our hearts especially long for the distant city with a firm foundation whose Maker and Builder is the Lord of Creation. It is in this place of focus that we best commune with You and find strength and renewed hope to deal with present challenges. Keep our hearts attuned to our future goal of hearing You say, "Well done good and faithful servant! Enter into the joys of heaven." * "Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament" (Rienecker/Rogers)  I received an email from his granson with this very interesting note: "He made over 4 million of those Bible verse texts, they are still available today. I am working on writing a paper on his ministry. The amount of glass panes he used for the texts is 3.9 million Square Feet! Equivalent to the area of 80 football fields! The amount of framing wood he used stretches over 3000 miles!" Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song. Today we would like to share links to several songs that remind us of our eternal home. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne."If You Could See Me Now" Audio I used this song in a video tribute at my Mom's memorial service in November 2005. "I Can Only Imagine" Video "What A Day It Will Be" Audio  Heaven By Randy Alcorn / Tyndale House |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 01/20/09  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 daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 3/22/09: $2,795.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who may 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 these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.  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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us |
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