A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Wednesday, December 14, 2011  Corn shocks on an old order farm. Corn shocks standing in corn fields were once a common sight during harvest. This method of drying corn was replaced once mechanical harvesters appeared on the scene. However we are blessed to see them still on some of the old order farms serving as a living history demonstration! "Remember Your Creator" "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been" (1 Kings 11:4). In our Daily Encouragement series we regularly feature stories about people our age or older. However our ministry also includes working with and challenging the younger generation. A noteable example of this in Scripture is Paul working with young Timothy. Solomon is often reckoned as the wisest man who ever lived. He presided over the building of the temple during a time of great peace and prosperity in Israel's history when he lived around 1000 BC. However he also had some serious moral flaws and the Biblical record faithfully acknowledges them, an evidence of the integrity of Scripture. I recall a professor pointing out that the inclusion in the Bible record of events such as David's sin with Bathsheba or Solomon's never-ending list of wives and concubines gives evidence to its authenticity. The writers of the Bible applied no airbrush to Biblical characters. Ecclesiastes seems to be the expression of a man who, although rich in wisdom, had grown cynical in his faith. I believe this is related to his disobedience, for the Bible specifically states, "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been" (1 Kings 11:4). In the final chapter of Ecclesiastes Solomon reaches deep and again expresses the faith of his youth. He acknowledges the trouble that inevitably is a part of life and even the cynicism that many experience with age, but I'm intrigued by his call to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." I like the way the Life Application study note treats this verse: "A life without God can produce a bitter, lonely, and hopeless old age. A life centered around God is fulfilling; it will make the "days of trouble" - when disabilities, sickness, and handicaps cause barriers to enjoying life - satisfying because of the hope of eternal life. Being young is exciting, but the excitement of youth can become a barrier to closeness with God if it makes young people focus on passing pleasures instead of eternal values. Make your strength available to God when it is still yours - during your youthful years. Don't waste it on evil or meaningless activities that become bad habits and make you callous. Seek God now." I know many who have remembered their Creator and have done so throughout their lives right into their senior years. They're not cynical, but amidst the inevitable disabling effects of aging, they rejoice in God's love and provision. They demonstrate a great spiritual maxim: Obedience brings blessing. This day whether you're young or old I challenge you, deep in your soul, to remember your Creator! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, we're reminded by the cynical attitude of Solomon in his latter years, that it is essential for us to stay on the straight and narrow path laid out for us. We have no way of knowing when we yield to temptation just how far sin will take us, how long it will hold us, nor the damage it will do. So we must be wise and resist sin so that we find blessing instead of shame, victory instead of failure, and life instead of death. Help us to never weary of following You. All the days of our life we want to remember You, our Creator. Amen.We enjoy visiting with folks of all ages and nationalities. Today we will share several photos of some of our younger friends:  Dennis came to the states from Cuba as a young teenager about ten years ago. He gave his life to the Lord about four years ago and is now active in his church teaching the adult Sunday School class! He is standing beside a large pump he assembled at Valco where we serve as chaplains.     Here's a second photo of Jack. During his mission trip he helped make a playground for the children. It looks like they're wasting no time in breaking it in even during the construction phase! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "When Love Was Born" Video Mark Schultz "Love Came For Me" Video Shannon Wexelberg This is a CD Brooksyne has repeatedly played this Christmas season. This particular song has a great message written by Shannon. "God Of The Ages" Video Charles Billingsley Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online?  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 considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. This Christmas many of our readers will be shopping for gifts that have spiritual and lasting value as well as a means of witness and encouraging others.Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Our photo taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Sherburne Falls, MA Fall 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)  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 teaching 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 12/13/11: $15,051.00 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!) (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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