Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Daily Encouragement (05/31/11) "The Days Ordained For Me"

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Long gravel farm lane
A long gravel farm lane
I like driving down a long lane with grass growing up along the middle!
A stone farmhouse awaits where some friends live.

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"The Days Ordained For Me"

"Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" (Psalm 139:16). "The righteous will be remembered forever" (Psalm 112:6).

Expiration dateWhenever we buy milk we first look at the expiration date.  From her early age I  taught Ester to select a gallon that has the latest expiration date so that it lasts longer and is presumably fresher when we buy it.

I was out of town several days last week and with Ester's 7 day hospitalization we had some milk that was left in a gallon jug beyond the expiration date. I took a whiff (just in case) and ... surprise, surprise it had soured!

Our church is out in the country with a cemetery beside it.  When sitting next to the window in church one is quickly reminded of another expiration date we all have! This "expiration date", is known by God and is in His hands (under His control). Consider our first daily verse, "In Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me." 

Tombstone

Take note of the longevity on the Wolgemuth tombstone shown above, particularly Cecelia, which is a powerful testimony to all entering the parking lot.* When we first moved to Lancaster County in early 2001 we remember sitting in prayer services asking God to receive her for she so longed to go to heaven, but she sure waited an extra few years!

I'd like you to especially note the powerful verse, "For Me To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain." We placed this same verse (Philippians 1:21) at my Mom and Dad's gravesite where they are buried in southern Missouri.


The Apostle James says, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).  Nearly 2,000 years have passed since Jesus said, "I will build my church." Our life (at a normal life span) will only comprise a small fraction of that period of time (about 4% of it).  That's pretty humbling isn't it?  And if you go all the way back to creation it's an even smaller percentage. If you consider eternity ... well, it's incomprehensible.

But Psalm 112 has another perspective of this fleeting life. It extols the blessings of the one who fears the Lord. It begins with praise to God then this statement, "How blessed is the man who fears the LORD."

But today we want to focus on verse 6 that states, "The righteous will be remembered forever."

The highest form of remembrance that we can have is our devotion and service to God and our eternal, spiritual impact on others. Though only a small portion of Christ's followers are remembered beyond several generations on this side, generations will follow their example and leave similar legacies of righteous living. 

Today we challenge you to be remembered for:
  • The spiritual, Christ focused impact you are making presently.
  • The godly, eternal legacy you have the opportunity to leave behind.
I want to follow Jesus Christ and seek to live as a righteous man according to His plan during the days ordained for me on this side of eternity. "The righteous will be remembered forever."  This is a promise I want to live by!


Be encouraged today,



Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man Daily prayer: Father, help me to store up this vital Scripture today; "A righteous man will be remembered forever." When I'm tempted to compromise my integrity in exchange for ungodly choices may this Scripture ring alarm bells in my heart and mind. Let its truth persuade me to say "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life in this present age. Your way is the best way and it is the lasting way.  Amen.



Memorial Day:  Yesterday was "Memorial Day" in the US and thus the reason we did not post a message. Memorial Day is a commemorative holiday that was initially set aside to remember those who died at war but it has been extended as a time to remember all deceased loved ones. During Memorial day weekend many visit the graves of family members as an expression of lasting remembrance as they visibly show their honor and affection. We are especially mindful of those who gave their all that we might enjoy freedom of worship among other freedoms here in America.

Special visit:

Wayne and Yvette 5/30/11
This weekend we had a visit from our friends Wayne and Yvette Gallagher from New England. They share remarkable testimonies of God's deliverance and grace. They are preparing to plant a church in the inner city of Springfield, Massachusetts, as the Lord directs them. We share Yvette's testimony here which includes an update based upon our fellowship this last weekend.

Prayer service for Wayne and Yvette
Several in our church prayed for Wayne and Yvette following our service Sunday.

Ken powerwashing deck
We are having our deck powerwashed in order to restain it. It had at least 10 years of dirt, grime and mildew on it (probably more like 20).  Our longtime friend and trusty handyman Ken is tackling the messy project! Colossians 3:23



Update on Ester: We thank God that Ester's INR numbers lowered to the desired number last Friday. She is no longer taking coumadin but is on a new medication, Pradaxa, that is supposed to prevent blood clots adequately without the complications coumadin presented her with over past weeks, along with regular blood tests required to check the level. Her ordeal with the INR complications remained a medical mystery to the end of her stay. Thank you all for your prayers on her behalf and concerns expressed to us.



* Concerning the Wolgemuth tombstone shown in our daily message: Graybill and Cecelia were longtime members of the rural church we were part of when we moved to Lancaster County in early 2001.  Sam (their only child) was an early leader in Youth For Christ and the president of that organization from 1965-1973, interestingly during my high school years when I was active in Youth For Christ in the Kansas City area. Their grandson Dan is the current president of Youth For Christ  Another grandson Robert is a Christian author and still another, Sam, is CEO of World Relief. We are remembered forever due in part to the impact we have on others who in turn impact others who do the same (see 2 Timothy 2:2). Tomorrow I will share a message about this.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Last week I went to a powerful conference in Washington DC sponsored by the Family Research Council with a theme of "Watchman On The Wall", which challenged pastors to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Biblical truth. I expect to share more about my experience through the week. I enjoyed the music by Charles Billingsley. Here are some of the songs we sang that especially blessed me!  Pastor friends: I urge you to examine this ministry and join me in being a "watchman pastor".

"God Of the Ages"  Video

"Christ Is Able To Save"  Video  This is a beautiful arrangement of the old hymn "Come ye Sinners"   Here's another arrangement of the same hymn by Todd Agnew. Video  And finally here's one by Regina Martin, a local friend of ours, recorded right here in our home. (mp3)

"O God Our Help In Ages Past"  Video

Finally today:  
What's this?

Mystery boots 5/29/11
We enjoy a show called "Monk", which is about a very eccentric, obsessive/compulsive but also very, very good detective. Here's some detective work for our readers: Early Sunday morning on the way to church we drove by Mount Pleasant church where we attended for a number of years and still associate with many friends.  We wanted to show Wayne and Yvette the Wolgemuth tombstone in the cemetery next to the church.  As we passed the back entrance to the church we saw this truck with an open driver's door and pair of empty work boots. We quipped about what it represented and I am pretty sure I know the answer. Anyone want to venture a guess?

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Our photo taken at the Old Mill Inn in Pigeon Forge TN (11/10)
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Our other blogs:
"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.

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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."

Four Spiritual Laws

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 2011 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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