Thursday, December 29, 2011

Daily Encouragement (12/29/11) "God's Reliable, Everlasting Love"

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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Lake Lure in North Carolina
Lure Lake in western North Carolina
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"God's Reliable, Everlasting Love"

"We know and rely on the love God has for us" (1 John 4:16).
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness'" (Jeremiah 31:3). "God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:5,8).
   
As we prepare our final encouragement messages for this year we consider the various burdens and uncertainties so many of you are dealing with. In some cases Brooksyne and I can visualize who you are and the situations in which you struggle. You may be a family member, a friend, a present or former parishioner. Perhaps you're among those we meet in our chaplain service or you're a faithful long-time reader of the Daily Encouragement, maybe one who has shared a personal burden with us.

At creation God established the annual unit of time (Genesis 1:14). The passing of years is can be like a chapter in one's life to do some reflecting as well as looking ahead to the next phase in our life's journey. Each of us can look back to particular milestones this past year.

Perhaps you are looking ahead to 2012 with optimism; in your life things are going well and you feel pretty secure.  Your health is good, your job seems secure, and you have exciting plans for the New Year.

But others face the New Year with a great sense of uncertainty. It may be physical pain, a wayward child, financial hardship, or the loss of a loved one. Today's message is for both.

Settle deep in your spirit that our one and only certain source of hope is Jesus Christ. He alone is the anchor for our soul, holding it firm and secure. This is expressed so well in the great hymn, "The Solid Rock", especially in the line, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."  Hope that is built on relationships, finances, work or education will eventually let us down, but hope that is built solidly on Jesus increases with intensity as our earthly journey moves us closer to the Promised Land.

We selected verses today that express three unchangeable truths concerning God:
  • His Steadfast Love: He loves us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
  • His Abiding Presence:  He will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5)
  • His Eternal Immutability:  He is always the same. (Hebrews 13:8)
As we ground our faith in these truths we can, regardless of present circumstances, experience the hope, peace and assurance that is at the very core of living an abundant life.

"Jesus Will Still Be There" is a song made familiar by Point of Grace. It reminds us of a most certain reality; that Jesus will still be there. His love will never change, no matter what changes around us. As we end one year and move into another He is a never-changing presence and lasting security in our lives.  We can absolutely rely upon His everlasting love!


Be encouraged today,



Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying womanDaily Prayer: Father, we seek to be unwavering in our faith and confident in Your plans for our life as we stand on Your unending promises. You promise never to abandon us; instead You carefully guide us through the steep hills and dark valleys as we cling to You. Even as we daily experienced Your goodness and faithfulness in 2011 we will be sustained by Your constant presence and guidance in our life and in those we love in the new year of 2012. You are faithful and we are grateful that we can stand on the Solid Rock, firm and secure.  It is in the Name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.



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Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Jesus Will Still Be There"  Video  Point Of Grace

"You Will Never Walk Alone"  Video  Point Of Grace

Ester with Point of Grace
Point of Grace: Brooksyne & Ester attended a Point of Grace Concert several years ago during the Christmas season and Ester got her photo with the three singers whose music we feature today.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Our photo taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Sherburne Falls MA Fall 2011
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)

DonateEach 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 12/28
/11: $18,320.00

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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!) (Note: This material is satire!)
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"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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