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 Monday, February 13, 2012  (photo by Nancy Martin) Click on image for larger version with hymn portion. "He Hears Our Prayers" "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them" (Daniel 10:12).  Last night we had a group of friends over to eat chili and then to watch "Courageous". Many of our readers have likely seen this movie and if you haven't we strongly recommend it. It's not just for men , but it is a call for families to boldly take a stand for Christ. We're confident that it is making a mighty impact for the Lord, not just for the present generation but for those who follow. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of being a godly father and exemplary role model. It also shows the heartbreaking consequences for one who repeats the vows to courageously live for God but doesn't keep them. A touching scene is when the main actor, Adam Mitchell, who had just lost his daughter in an automobile accident, meets with his pastor and determines he wants to be the husband and father God wants him to be. The movie reveals how over time God answers this prayer and how many others are affected by this man's decision to courageously follow Christ.When we speak of "unanswered prayer" many of you personally know what we mean; both in theory and in practice. We've all had needs that we prayed for and the outcome was not as we desired or the answer was delayed for what seemed to be an agonizing length of time. We realize that some will take issue with the word "unanswered," but from our limited, human perspective that's the way it seems. And still other prayers were answered in ways we never would have imagined as God was powerfully working during the wait in ways we could not see with the physical eye. James expresses a simple promise in our first daily verse many of us have memorized, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  Today's second verse has a powerful word of encouragement. A severe crisis had been revealed to Daniel. Instead of responding to this potential disaster by immediately picking up a pen and pad to write down his "to do" list he directed his heart toward God. He set his mind to gain understanding and humbled himself before His Father in heaven. The Psalmist gives us a model for directing our hearts to Him, "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul" (143:8).In response God spoke forth a compassionate command to calm Daniel's anxious thoughts, "Do not be afraid, Daniel." This command is repeated often in Scripture and its message brings great assurance. Notice these words, "Since the first day… your words were heard." What an assurance that brings! There was delay; there was temporal uncertainty which often makes one fearful or nervous, but God heard Daniel's words from the first day and he saw the fear in his heart. Daniel's attitude and actions, in response to the crisis at hand, is instructive for each of us today: "You set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God." Daniel's example of surrendering both his mind and heart to the Lord was the key to remaining grounded in his faith as he waited upon God for instruction. This is also important for us today as we undergo prolonged trials and seemingly "unanswered" prayers.  What are you dealing with today? What great trial is before you or someone you care about? Are you praying about it, as you set your mind to gain understanding and as you humble yourself before Almighty God? Be assured that God is not too busy nor is He neglecting you. He does hear you! Are you, like Daniel, also hearing His word of instruction today? He is interested in more than just answering your specific prayer, but also deepening your understanding and shaping your attitude to reflect that of the One who gave His all for us. Let Him show You the way you should go as you lift your soul up to Him. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, in the midst of our trials may the problem at hand not be the single focus of our prayers. Help us to seek You for godly understanding and patient endurance, so that our lives are spiritually maturing in the process of waiting upon You to answer our prayers. May seeking You be our primary focus in fulfillment of Christ's command in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto You." In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Adam's Final Speech In "Courageous" Video Outstanding! "As For Me And My House" Video John Waller "God Still Answers Prayer" Video New River "Psalm 5" Video Maranatha Singers "God Answers Prayer" Video The Steeles "When We're Together" Video Mark Harris This song is used in the movie and although not necessarily a spiritual song it sure has an upbeat tune that makes us smile and want to sing along! Pastor Rogers, the pastor in "Courageous" really is a pastor! See here. Why Courageous Matters... Here are the words to the Courageous resolution:
Finally today:  The Witmer firemen protective attire ready for suiting up so they can answer the alarm immediately when called upon. We're grateful for our emergency workers who come to our aid 24/7 when the call is made.  |
 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.2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 2/9/12: $1,440.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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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