A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, September 26, 2011  Yesterday afternoon following our service in a nursing home we came upon this interesting sight. It first looked like the Amish were out on a genuine team-drawn wagon ride. But they were parked at the edge of a field and all were looking intently in the same direction out over the distance. Since I knew some of them I stopped to greet them and inquired. Turns out they were watching parachute jumpers at the Maytown airport! They were sure having a great time including some good-natured horsing around. (Click on photo for a larger version to see why the boy's hat is on the ground.) "Lessons From Job" "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25). Robert Rogers was traveling down the Kansas Turnpike in September 2003 with his wife and four children when suddenly they encountered a flash flood that furiously swept away his wife and all four children. Robert's tragic loss brings to mind the story of Job. In addition to losing his family, Job lost his health, income, prestige, and the respect he had earned among the leaders and townspeople of Uz. Job lived during the patriarchal period some 4,000 years ago. He is famous for the great suffering he endured. The book about him is long and can be hard to read but I believe it can be briefly summarized in three points:  1) A Candid Reality: "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away." Job had experienced great blessing from God including wealth. He doesn't boast of his hard work or his wise investments, but he indicates that it is the Lord who gave him all that he enjoyed in life. Like Job, we too thank God from whom all blessings flow.A harder confession to make but equally true: "the Lord has taken away." The theology of suffering is hard and complex, but Job's experience teaches us that ultimately suffering is permitted by God. Satan had to seek God's permission to proceed with the affliction. We tend to memorize promises that are positive in nature but there are also promises such as when Jesus said forthrightly, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33) or Paul's sermon in Acts 14:22 “We must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.” The candid reality is that we will face trials, although few will experience the intensity and severity of Job's! "Blessed Be Your Name" is a song written by Matt Redman that has blessed many. It's a great exclamation of praise with a lively, contagious tune. But as a Bible student I especially appreciate the Scripturally-based words. In fact the song is prompted by the daily verse: Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name There are certainly those periods in life when we all travel "on the road marked with suffering." Sometimes there are experiences that make international news due to the immensity and sheer evil of the impact such as 9/11. Most times they are locally felt but with no less intensity for those left to deal with the ongoing pain of such loss. Not one of us escapes the road marked with suffering, although the severity varies with each individual and through each phase of life. Job is an example of one who suffered intensely, yet states matter of factly, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away." This is a remarkable faith statement. We have no problem theologically with a God who gives but we cringe at the notion that He also takes away. 2) A Purposeful Resolve: "Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job gives praise in the very midst of suffering. At the time Job lived, none of the written words of Scripture were available. But we have the benefit of verses like Psalm 34:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and Hebrews 13:15. Redman's song expresses the choice each of us must make to bless the Lord with a purposeful resolve, "My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name." Even when the body and mind are hesitant, may our redeemed hearts bless the One who gives and takes away.  3) A Living Redeemer: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth." Job endured suffering for an unspecified time. The book chronicles the "advice" offered by his frustrated wife and confused "comforters". Throughout the nineteenth chapter Job recounts his grave afflictions. Physically, socially, financially, and spiritually; he went through an incredibly tough period. He lost his children, possessions and health. He was covered with painful boils and could get relief only by taking a shard of pottery and scraping his wounded skin.But in the midst of his suffering, with no end in sight, he expresses one of the great faith declarations in 19:25: "I know that my Redeemer lives." Job states with absolute confidence that in the end God will stand. Indeed God has always prevailed, is presently prevailing and will always prevail. At times His ways are a supreme mystery to us, but what tremendous peace we have as we also recognize this truth. In the end He will be standing and since we have been redeemed, we belong to Him and thus we will stand with Him. Today, my believing friend, let me encourage you to make Job's affirmation of faith your own. What tremendous peace comes when we look beyond our personal circumstances to declare, "I know that my redeemer lives!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Birthday verse: Yesterday I alluded to Romans 8:28 in my sermon. Jonathan, who is six years old, excitedly approached me after the message and told me I had mentioned his birthday (8/28). That got me thinking. All of us have a birthday verse and this quick study revealed some "birthday verse" options for my family: Me: (10/14) "For by a single offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). Brooksyne: (10/21) "In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will'" (Luke 10:21). Ester: (3/9) "So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith" (Galatians 3:9). Perhaps you can consider finding your own "birthday verse"! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "When Trials Come" Video Keith and Kristyn Getty "Blessed be Your Name" Video Matt Redman "I Know My Redeemer Lives" Video Crabb Family "For I Know That My Redeemer Lives" Video Bob Bennett (classic version of Samuel Medley hymn) Flood story "Into the Deep" Robert Rogers maintained his faith through the tragedy and now ministers to others. |
 "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 9/25/11: $9,631.00 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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