A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Thursday, January 5, 2012  "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).  Many churches have a ministry program called "Bible Quiz" where a dedicated "coach" leads youth in the study and memorization of God's Word. These youth have friendly but intensely serious competition with youth in other churches who have similar teams. For several years Ester was on the team in our church and benefited immensely. We had a quiz team in a previous church I pastored in Northern Pennsylvania about twenty years ago and can testify to its long-lasting impact. To this day I stay in contact with many of those who were in it, most who receive these messages. What a blessing to see them staying faithful to the Lord in their adult years!Bernie Elliot is a longtime friend and reader of this series who has devoted his ministry to Bible Quizzing. He writes, "There is a hunger and thirst for the presence and the Word of God in our young people's lives." Many Bible College students, or for that matter Christian students in any setting, know the verse, "Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). We consider the intense times of study in this phase of life. But for too many, including Christians, it may essentially end following our formal education.  But study is an ongoing part of life for the growing Christian, especially the study of the Holy Scriptures. It's not merely while we are young or perhaps while preparing for ministry or another career, but it should be a lifelong pursuit.I am blessed by a request in what is likely the very last letter that Paul wrote. As he recognized the time of his departure (death) was near, he wrote to Timothy. "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13). He wanted to study right up to the end! The daily text provides a great example for us all. "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD." The NASV translates this, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it." That should be said of all of us. Among characteristics I want others to observe in my life is this, "Stephen has devoted himself to the study and observance of the Scriptures and to teaching its decrees and laws to others." (Having the entire Bible in our possession I would believe it proper to expand the "law of the Lord" to mean the Scriptures.) In fact we hope our daily encouragement net messages are one of numerous study components in your life and we make that our daily prayer when we prepare these messages. We pray that God's people will know His truth and experience freedom. "No studying" may sound appealing but real growth takes place as we get serious in study and observe the truths of God's Word. The Spirit bearing fruit in our lives is a direct result of the application of the truths that we study, so let us resolve that we will keep studying! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, we want to be diligent in our study of the Word of God, not only to receive Your approval, but to more fully understand Your plan for our lives. Thank You for the Bible that's like a road map showing us where to go and how to get there. And the greatest blessing is that Your Spirit illumines the path before us so that we do not walk in the dark, but we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit who shows us the way to life everlasting. Keep us on the right path, we pray. Amen.Note: Providing adequate exposition of today's verse would take a series! Like Ezra we need to devote ourselves to: 1) Study 2) and observance 3) and teaching to others (See 2 Timothy 2:2) Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Knowing You" Video Robin Mark (A Chinese version) "Oh, I Want To Know You More" Video Steve Fry "This Is My Desire" Video Hillsong "I Want To Know You More" Video Don Moen |
 Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.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 2012 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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