A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Tuesday, December 20, 2011  (photo by Doris High)  Listen to this message on your audio player.Note: Yesterday's audio mesage was not available when we sent the email version out yesterday. We recorded it again last night and it is available here for any who choose to listen "The Wonder of Life" "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13,14). "Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God'" (Luke 1:34,35).  My life began as a separate single cell about 58 years ago. During the next nine months, as I grew in my mother's womb, nothing new was added but oxygen and nutrition. My entire genetic makeup was contained in that single cell. Thankfully for me, and my parents who loved me, this process was not interrupted and after nine months of being "knit together in my mother's womb" I was born on October 14, 1954. I never existed before and there will never be another me, contrary to what false religions might teach about reincarnation.True for each of us, I calculate that the initial fertilized cell from whence we all developed only weighed around .0000000015 pounds. But by the time I was born this one single cell became two hundred million cells and at birth I weighed six billion times more than the fertilized egg. If this rate of growth had continued by my first birthday I would have weighed 72,000,000,000 pounds! (That would have been an extremely "heavy" burden for my Mom.) In addition I also consider if I’d continued to grow at this rate!!! Let’s turn our attention to the wonder of Christ's birth and more specifically His miraculous conception. Indeed biologically the unique and miraculous component to Christ's human beginning was His conception. His humanity also began as a single divinely fertilized cell in Mary's womb and His further physical growth and development from that point on was similar to each of ours, being knit together in His mother Mary's womb. Though the prophets foretold of the coming Messiah hundreds of years earlier, at God's appointed time, Mary gave birth to her newborn Son; the Son of God. This week and always let us marvel at the wonder of life and especially the miraculous conception, development and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4). The great Charles Wesley Christmas hymn, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" describes the Messiah as He who brings light and life to all. Today let us declare "Glory to the newborn King!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Jesus, in Your human birth, You became the very character and expression of God in human form. Miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit You came as light to the world dispelling the darkness that would otherwise overwhelm us. When we walk with You we no longer walk in darkness but have the light of life. May Your light be reflected through our lives to the darkened world around us. The miracle of Your birth and the wonder of Your life refresh our spirit and renew our resolve to follow You wholeheartedly. It is in Your name that we pray. Amen.Here's an interesting website dealing with the chronology of a new life.  Life's brief journey on this side of eternity: This morning I received word that my longtime friend, Bill Hoke, went home to be with the Lord. Bill and I became friends over 10 years ago shortly after we moved to Lancaster, our association mostly through CBMC, a Christian fellowship for businessmen. His obituary states it well: "He has a multitude of friends whom he touched and who touched him during his life journey, and all will miss him." Bill had a real love for the Lord and caring interest in other people. For those who may know Bill here's his obituary and service information from the Lancaster newspaper.Some photos from our travels yesterday  We joined with residents of Messiah Village for a family dinner. Guests included these two siblings who played many songs, all by memory. The girl is 9 years old and her brother is 7. They were amazing and, if they continue to play, they could become professional. The young boy is singing "I Saw the Light" - all four stanzas! They were delightful!!  After the young generation departed Brooksyne "jammed" with residents, Naomi on the harmonica and Joe on the recorder, as they played 20 or more Christmas carols. Joe and Naomi had no problem keeping up and did so without sheet music to follow.  Arlin's 50th: Last night we went to a birthday party for our friend, Arlin. His four children prepared and served a spaghetti meal to a large group of friends. Following the meal a microphone was passed for people to express observations and appreciations for Arlin's friendship. Since he has a great sense of humor this was a fun time as he commented on our comments. But the compliment that stood out was given by Jay, a fellow teacher, who spoke of Arlin's integrity. Jay told the crowd about an important matter voted on by about 50 educators at the school. It was agreed upon by those who voted that Arlin should tally the votes due to his being trustworthy and honest.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources 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 12/19/11: $15,540.00 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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