 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Messages · Archives ·  Archive/print editionTuesday, June 16, 2009  We passed this farm scene on our 3 mile walk last night and noted the barley straw being harvested. The abundant rains have thus far made for a very green landscape (young corn in the foreground). This photo is available in a larger size with the daily Scripture verse suitable for a desktop background.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Forever Faithful!" "You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation" (Lamentations 5:19). "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the Lord, who remains faithful forever" (Psalm 146:5,6).  Those who regularly follow this series know that we enjoy using illustrations from the farming area in which we live. We have learned that there is a predictability regarding the times of each harvest from year to year and presently the barley is being harvested. Prior to harvest it turns a beautiful yellow indicating harvest is near. The other day we came across a beautiful farm scene behind a friend's house. I went back two days later to get a photo but alas it was too late. The field had already been harvested!I like the harvests because they are such a tangible expression reminding us of God's faithfulness. Though machinery used now is far advanced from the methods used in the harvests of the Bible time period the basic process is the same. In the future there will be the most important harvest ever to take place; a great harvest of souls where those who built their lives upon the temporal soil of this life and those who built their lives upon the eternal Rock of Salvation will be separated. As believers we are not of this world. We foundationally belong to another Kingdom. As God's children we are part of a dynasty that will last forever. Jeremiah proclaimed in our first daily verse: "You, O Lord, reign forever." He made this proclamation during a time of social and spiritual chaos, as Judah's captivity to Babylon was imminent. In fact Lamentations was written during one of the most despairing times imaginable. In the natural it didn't look like the throne of David had any chance at all, but God gave Jeremiah spiritual eyes to look beyond the chaos of the present life to the eternal future where God's throne would endure from generation to generation for all eternity. Through the eternal reign of Christ this has been fulfilled. Now 2,600 years later we joyfully proclaim "Forever God is Faithful" and we will be making this joyful proclamation throughout all eternity. Our second daily verse reminds us of the source of our help and hope, the Maker of all who is the Lord and who remains faithful forever. When we, as believers, regularly read the Word it is much more than just a record of history or teachings to be read once and then stored on a shelf. No, the Scripture dwells within our hearts and is expressed through us in our day to day activities, in our thought life, in our outlook on earth and preparation for the life hereafter. We establish our confidence in the God of Hope and we find help in our hour of need; we learn to trust instead of being afraid. A.W. Tozer states, "Upon God’s faithfulness rests our whole hope of future blessedness. Only as He is faithful will His covenants stand and His promises be honored. Only as we have complete assurance that He is faithful may we live in peace and look forward with assurance to the life to come." In John's vision recorded in the book of Revelation, we read: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever" (11:15). Keep that perspective before you today! Regardless of what earthbound obstacle seems to be blocking your spiritual view, remember this life-changing truth today, "Forever God is faithful!" It will renew your hope and brighten your countenance. I guarantee it! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord, everything we see or touch with our hands has a shelf life and eventually wears out or is destroyed. Our family members and the people we hold dear to our hearts in time also depart from our lives. But when we contemplate thoughts of eternity we are filled with unending praise as we consider that You, O Lord, reign forever. Of your kingdom there will be no end. We'll gather with our dear brothers and sisters from all over the world, from every tribe, tongue and nation to exalt the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity! Amen.   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.) "All Your Promises Are True" Video Shannon Wexelberg "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Video Fernando Ortega "New Every Morning" Lamentations 3:19-23 from the Integrity Scripture Memory series. To listen to this song open here and then click "play". "Faithful God" A full video program (26 minutes) from Radio Bible Class' Day of Discover. This program has several songs by Shannon Wexelberg including "Faithful God" at 21:30 Whenever we share on the "Faithfulness of God" we encourage those who want to dig a bit deeper to read the chapter on this topic from A.W. Pink's book "The Attributes Of God". It will bless your soul! Also here's the chapter on this attribute by A.W. Tozer.  When Life Gets Tough By Henry Gariepy / David C. CookBrooksyne's Note: This is an excellent booklet that I read a couple years ago and keep for handy reference. Gariepy, among my top ten favorite authors, wrote this booklet, included many illustrations, and distributed it to the survivors and rescue workers during the 9-11 clean up at the Trade Center. It is a book that brings consolation and encouragement for those undergoing difficulty in their lives. Troubling times can happen in our lives-challenging times, life-shaking, even faith-shaking. It's during these times we need an anchor for our soul...and our faith. With short reflections that take just a minute to read, Henry Gariepy helps you understand the big picture of life. Just when you think you can't go on, God will be there and His words providing the peace you need to move ahead. Audio sample of "Faithful God" song. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 05/08/09  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 6/15/09: $5,195.00)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. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by EmailCancel: 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended 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. 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  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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