Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Friday, January 8, 2010  (This looks like a painting rather than a photograph!) Photo by Doris High  Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "The Power Of Your Testimony" "Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself" (John 9:21). Years ago we offered a basic discipleship program in a church I pastored called "2:7". Developed by a Christian ministry known as the Navigators, the name "2:7" is based on a great verse from Colossians 2:7; "Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." One of the vital elements in this discipleship approach is to have each participant write out his or her own personal testimony and then be prepared to share it verbally. Very specific instructions are to be followed regarding the content of the testimony. After the testimony is written then it is to be memorized. Essentially it includes a very brief description of one's life before Christ, the point of actual conversion, and the changes that result from the conversion. As I recall the assignment includes a full-length four minute testimony and an abbreviated 1 minute testimony. The emphasis is to keep the message focused and to the point! It is an excellent discipline for each believer to write out his or her testimony. I have always enjoyed hearing and reading personal testimonies or reading interesting autobiographies. Our stories vary greatly due to our vastly different backgrounds and in the unpredictable way God's providential plan unfolds in our lives. But the common thread weaved into every believer's redemption story has the saving element of the Gospel, "because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). Testimonies, no matter how dramatic or miraculous the details, cannot save the hearer, only the Gospel message of salvation that is also presented in our stories. In the daily text the jealous religious leaders were questioning the parents of the blind man regarding their son's healing. They surely were capable of answering some of the questions but were afraid to answer for fear of being put out of the synagogue. We've all faced troubling circumstances when we've been questioned and are fearful of the consequences if our answers are unfavorably received. But what these parents did is instructive; even if fear was their driving motivation. They told the religious leaders to directly ask their son, "Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." So the religious leaders called him in again and he unashamedly gave a brief testimony of the change in his life that Christ brought about, summing it up with "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25). Each of us has a testimony if we have indeed accepted Christ as our Savior. Some of us were raised in a godly home and accepted Christ at a very early age, while others conformed to the patterns of this world and had a mighty deliverance. Some testimonies will focus on the preserving work of grace, while others focus on the delivering work of grace. Over the years I've heard Christians say, "Oh, I don't have an interesting testimony. I was saved at an early age." Sometimes the dramatic details describing one's life enslaved to sin before conversion accompanies their deliverance story causing some to think only those entrenched in the depths of sin constitutes a valid testimony of deliverance. But everyone has a story! Saul's life on the road to Damascus presents a very interesting and dramatic narrative story. But Daniel, a boy commited to God from his youth, is a tremendous example of obedience and boldness during his Babylonian captivity. So many who were saved early-on have a wonderful story of endurance in times of trial and temptation, and those who came to Christ later in life have equally compelling stories. Whatever your story is, remember it's not really about how "interesting" or "boring" your life is, since you're simply the messenger. It's the message you present that is filled with the Spirit's power, "Because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." People are waiting to hear your story! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, Your salvation from sin, is offered to all who humble themselves, surrender their lives, repent of their sins, and follow Your leading according to Scripture. We know that it cannot be inherited or earned, but is a free gift to all who will receive it. Thank You for the tremendous difference it makes in our lives. Our effective witness to others is not based upon our personality, gifting, or even our meaningful experience, but upon Your Holy Spirit power that is extended to everyone who believes. 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.) "I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "I'm Amazed" Video Brooklyne Tabernacle Choir A wonderful song of testimony! We enjoy this choir and the earnest testimonies. "People Need The Lord" Video Steve Green "Each One, Reach One" Video  Brooksyne's testimony Stephen's testimony Information about the Navigator's 2:7 discipleship training ministry. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09  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 12/31/09: $17,302.00. Note: 2009 offering total will be incomplete till final posting and verification from my chaplaincy account.)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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.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. (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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.  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 2010 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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