A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to donate online.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Tuesday, December 11, 2012  Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO  Listen to this message on your audio player.Note: Due to travel a podcast message was not prepared for this message. "The Last Enemy" "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:26). "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). "Born that men no more may die" Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time You see she's been sick for quite a while And I know these shoes would make her smile And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight Today's Christmas song is a ballad type song that tells the story of of a little boy who's determined to get some fancy red shoes for his dying mother so she 'll look good when she meets Jesus. Ester says, "Daddy, that song always makes me cry." Well, it's brought me to tears on more than one occasion! It's a reminder of the real message of Christmas; a message of the tremendous joy of giving to meet the needs of others. It's the heart of the Christmas message as God joyfully gave to meet our greatest need. It's also a message reminding us of the pain and death that are a part of life, a universal experience. In fact in the song, and the movie based on this song, the little boy's mother dies on Christmas Eve.  I (Stephen) grew up in Belton, Missouri a small town about 20 miles south of Kansas City. Near our town was Richards-Gebaur Air Force base, which was very active at that time at the height of the Cold War. We often heard sonic booms as the fighter jets practiced overhead. We enjoyed an annual open house at the base and seeing the Thunderbirds air show.But my most poignant memory was in regard to an event that was my earliest introduction to death.  On December 19, 1961 a large 4 engine cargo plane crashed in a field out west of Belton, killing all seven crew members. When my dad got home from work that afternoon we drove out to the crash site where we could see recovery workers among the still smoldering wreckage.We stood silently observing the carnage on a day I can still recall as cold and drizzly. After awhile my dad placed his hand on my shoulder and explained death to me. He solemnly pointed out, "Son, these men had families who will not see them this Christmas." My dad had trained as a pilot during World War 2 so perhaps this scene also gave him some pause for consideration. Up to that point in my life I had both sets of grandparents, all my aunts and uncles and I didn't know anyone who had ever died. To the best of my recollection I had never even thought about death. Dad's lesson hit me hard especially with Christmas near. It just didn't seem like something like this should happen at all but certainly not near Christmas. That was over fifty years ago and I've since had many encounters with what Paul calls "the last enemy". Our Grandparents, both sets of parents, aunts and uncles, now older cousins, Brooksyne's sister and so many others have faced this enemy. Of course being a minister I have conducted many funerals and Brooksyne has as well. We've worked with people through their valley of the shadow of death. The early church, having a firm belief in the glorious resurrection of Christ, nevertheless, experienced death; many through martyrdoms. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul is defending the resurrection of Christ and future resurrection of those who believed in Him. Especially in the section verses 20-28 he deals with the matter of human death and future resurrection. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." Paul calls death, "the last enemy" On this side of eternity we all deal with the mortality of death. The closer it hits home the greater the personal and lasting pain. Sometimes death is after a long well-lived life, which of course can still bring loss and mourning to loved ones. But so often death comes early and tragically through disease, accidents, violence, war. It does not discriminate; godly missionaries are slain while about the Lord's work; a young mother is smitten with cancer; a young child is killed by a drunk driver; a baby is violently murdered inside what should be the safest place of their existence. Such is the nature of the fallen world we live in. But a future glimpse of heaven brings us fresh hope and eager anticipation for that appointed day when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for Jesus who was born that man no more may die. The grave is not the end for the believer, but simply the passage way into an eternal dwelling with You, the celestial beings, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the saints whom we join there. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, but the lights of glory will welcome us into our eternal home where we will reunite with our dear loved ones who've gone before us. Grant special grace to those who've experienced recent loss and encourage their hearts this day. We pray for this through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.Note: Today's message is actually prepared Sunday afternoon. I expect when this message is delivered to the email list and posted on the blogs and podcast we will be returning from Columbus Ohio where we attended a service for a young five year old killed in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver last Wednesday afternoon. We normally prepare our messages each weekday and post "live" meaning we don't schedule ahead of time. But we are able to schedule our message and due to a lengthy trip we do so today. We have this set to post at 9:30AM Eastern time Tuesday morning. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today in addition to the verse from the song, "The Christmas Shoes" we also quote a single line "Born that men no more may die" from a familiar Christmas hymn. Based on this line can you identify the hymn? (see below). "The Christmas Shoes" Video Newsong This is the song mentioned in the message. "No More Night" Video David Phelps Outstanding! "He Understands My Tears" Video Isaacs "The Song Of Christmas" Video Newsong Here's an article about the Christmas Shoes movie. Here is a link to the actual aviation accident report detailing the plane crash referred to in today's message.  A backseat ride via video I never did this but did ride backseat in a P-51! Answer to hymn quiz: "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" Video Chris Tomlin Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/12)  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 an offering 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. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/9/12: $16,596.00. 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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)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. 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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