 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionWednesday, April 15, 2009  One of many covered bridges here in Lancaster County.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Because He Always Lives!" "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). All teachers at times unintentionally misspeak and I'm very prone to doing so. Usually Brooksyne tells me afterwards but sometimes a member of the congregation will approach with a smile or quizzical look if she's not around. Once I was preaching a message and sharing how that Jesus used illustrations such as agriculture that really connected to His hearers. I went on to say, "If Jesus were alive today…" and continued to share how He might use present day illustrations that would be identified by His hearers in our society today. Later Brooksyne reminded me that Jesus is very much alive! Of course I meant to convey "if Jesus was still about His earthly ministry." Yes ineed, Jesus is most certainly alive today! The daily Scripture text has rightly brought hope and encouragement to so many throughout the ages of the Church. Consider the power of each individual phrase. Read them slowly and ponder their rich meanings. "He is able", "to save completely", "those who come to God through Him" and "to intercede for them". And of course I left out the single phrase I want to reflect on this morning: "Because He always lives." The message that we especially celebrate on Easter is actually a daily, life-impacting truth. He always lives. Today some of you are in a valley, and the shadow that falls over you is like a darkness that "veils His lovely face". The trouble overshadows You while the Savior seems far away. Remember this important Biblical truth today: He always lives and He is ever interceding for you. In His wondrous and mysterious providence God ordains the valley for your ultimate good. It is in the valley that He restores Your soul and gives you needed perspective. In 2 Corinthians 1:9 Paul writes that he suffered hardships even to the point of feeling the sentence of death. "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." He delivers us from our troubles and raises our hopes beyond our present circumstances. Others of you are on a mountain of temporal success and well being. Your health is good, the kids are behaving, and the job seems steady. We certainly rejoice and give thanks for these peaceful periods in our lives. But remember, it's only temporary and don't be lulled into complacency or self-sufficiency like the man God called a fool. Jesus always lives and He's got a plan much larger and better coming. Last night we had a fellowship dinner with our small group and later a number of us gathered in the living room and sang hymns around the piano. One of the cherished songs we sang, written during our own generation, sums up our message today. If you can; sing the words to this classic song written by Bill Gaither. Don't just sing it, but believe its message today! It will erase any fear you might be experiencing and fill you with bright hope no matter what you face this day, because indeed, Jesus always lives. Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because He lives. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, we are thankful that there is no one who comes to You through Jesus who goes away unable to find reconciliation with You, for You save completely and to the uttermost. Because Your Son lives and intercedes for us we have renewed hope daily for the circumstances of our lives and for the people that are dear to our hearts. Fill our hearts anew with hope, encouragement and endurance as we stand upon Your Word and fully trust You to guide our lives this day. Amen.    Last night the home Bible study group we have been a part of for the past couple years met in our home for dinner.  We had one very loud house last night and these three little bundles of life, held by their dads, sure contributed to the decibel level! and Supplemental Resources |
 "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 4/14/09: $3,225.00)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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