 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Thursday, September 1, 2011  Brooksyne arranges these mini-baskets and this fall arrangement brightened our window sill with the crimson and golden colors. "How Long, O Lord, How Long?" "My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?" (Psalm 6:3). "How long must your servant wait?" (Psalm 119:84). "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Today we consider many of our brothers and sisters who are in a waiting period. As we scan back over our ministry in churches we served to our present role in chaplaincy and pastoring we call to mind several who taught us a great deal about waiting. At the present, one individual comes to mind who has been enduring a long, arduous wait year after year after year and yet she still has no clue as to how God is going to work out the matter. And yet I can hear her say, "God is good all the time and all the time God is good." (This is a great saying that we used to repeat about ten times on Sundays, for quite a while! It still puts a smile on my face.) Some twenty-two times (depending on version) the Psalmist asks the Lord, "How long?" But in each instance he never received a specific answer. That's the way many issues in life are. We have an assurance, a promise from God that it will ultimately work out, but we just don't know when. Today many of us are crying out, "How long, O Lord." We see before our very eyes the creation groaning as in the pains of childbirth (see Romans 8:22). Wars, hatred, deceptions, frailty; all are reminders of the fallen world we live in. You see for me the "how long" deals not only with conflict all throughout the world but also the specific conflict that I am personally dealing with. Let us consider also the bigger picture in the cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil; between the one true triune God and the ancient enemy who has opposed Him. In regard to this battle may we have a deep, abiding assurance that we are on the winning side and one glorious day, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). But for now the wait remains. On the personal level it may be a vexing job situation or a frustrated search for work. It may be a chronic illness or the pain from the loss of a loved one. For others there's what seems like endless family strife. We want an answer to the "how long" question, but so very often we don't get it. Paul also had a "How long" experience. He was troubled by a "thorn in the flesh" and had cried out to God for healing and deliverance. His specific prayer was not answered as Paul had hoped, but God did speak to him. That answer has brought hope and strength to millions over the years while they've waited. I pray that it will also encourage fellow waiters today. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  * In yesterday's message on anger we left point three blank since we were unable to determine a suitable word to describe the concept we wanted and invited readers to make suggestions. 3) "And do not give the devil a foothold" This indicates there are to be self-imposed constraints on the _____ of anger. Readers suggested the following: exhibition, outward demonstration, danger, triggers, rootedness, complicity, pursuit, intent Joe, a preacher friend, elaborates: In response to the concept about not giving the devil a foothold as it relates to anger, one possibility would be, "...there are to be self-imposed constraints on the triggers of our anger." That is easier said than done, but 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ, and the previous verse reminds us that we have a divine arsenal to help destroy our mental strongholds. There are things, of course, which should get us "fired up," like human injustice. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Thou O Lord" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "Your Grace Is Sufficient For Me" Video Marty Nystrom I also like this acoustical version "His Grace Is Sufficient" Video The Renaissance (I suppose this is similar to how we looked like when we were young!!!) "Everlasting God" Video Chris Tomlin "Strength Will Rise As We Wait Upon The Lord" "Wait On The Lord" Video The Martins This is a simple chorus well worth memorizing since it's word for word Scripture (Psalm 27:14 mentioned in the prayer). Ester and I (Brooksyne) have sung this many times at nursing home settings or hospitals while visiting ill patients. It speaks great peace to my heart. (I also enjoy the Martins harmony.) "God Is Good All The Time" Video Don Moen I remember playing and leading this song often and the joyous expressions I could see on people's faces in the congregation. "Glorious Day" Video Casting Crowns (Also known as "One Day") Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 8/31/11: $8,471.00 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 by us 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 through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! 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.  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 2011 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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