A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Tuesday, January 8, 2013  Produce Truck at the Pennsylvania Farm Show The sign on the truck door says, "Hopkins Fancy Always Busy Farm"  Listen to this message on your audio player."Going On" "Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate" (2 Samuel 12:20). "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8). There's a peace I've come to know Though my heart and flesh may fail There's an anchor for my soul I can say "It is well" I have a friend on my heart who recently faced a very hard blow, a loss that seemed unimaginable prior to the reality. But he's seen God's grace at work in his life. Last week we visited for a few minutes in his office and He shared how he is dealing with the inevitable grief and the "whys" as he overcomes. In a memorial service we attended last Saturday the pastor shared a thought that held my attention. In reflecting on the lady who had passed away he said, "The richest lives are those who experience great highs and deep lows." Now most of us would prefer just the great highs but in our hearts we realize the deep lows are also a part of God's plan. These deep lows are sometimes a result of our own sin, disobedience and bad choices. Other times they are a result of something completely out of our hands. We don't understand, we can't begin to comprehend. It may make no sense at the time and not even later in some situations. We will understand it better by and by. David got himself into his own sin-filled mess recorded in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. It is one of the most famous sins in the Bible and a lesson all through. But today let's look together at the aftermath. The prophet Nathan courageously confronted him and David finally confessed his sin to God and received assurance from the prophet that God would forgive him, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die" (2 Samuel 12:13). But there was a price (sin always has a price tag, but often tucked out of sight). The prophet proclaimed that the child born to David and Bathsheba would die and the child was struck with an illness. O, how David pleaded with God for a different outcome. He fasted, laying on the ground night after night. Finally he received the report that his child with Bathsheba had indeed died. His servants had been very reluctant to even tell him for fear that he might do something desperate. But what David did, summarized in the daily text is very instructive: "Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate" (2 Samuel 12:20). This is a powerful illustration of "going on". There's a day that's drawing near When this darkness breaks to light And the shadows disappear And my faith shall be my eyes Many of you know what I mean by the expression "going on". You've faced a hard blow of one sort or another. Some people deal with such circumstances by withdrawing from activities and the view of others. When possible they go into "hiding" until the storm is past. There's a time to plead and earnestly petition God for the outcome we hope for and so often our prayers are answered accordingly. But there are times when they are not, and in spite of the deep, painful, lingering questions that may follow us to our grave, we must, like David, get up, learn what God has to teach us, seek His forgiveness if needed, and move on. We do well to focus on God's eternal purpose as we go on. Our eternal God spoke through David, "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever." By God's grace many can testify that they are indeed "going on". May you and I be two of them today! And I will rise when He calls my name No more sorrow, no more pain I will rise on eagles' wings Before my God fall on my knees And rise, I will rise Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we know that life is full of ups and downs for everyone, even the most diligent spiritual warrior. Help us to work through these jolts of the unexpected and unwelcome interruptions that bring sadness, disappointment or a change of perfect plans. It's how You work Your purpose in our lives as we overcome and work through major obstacles that affect us. We seek to remain steadfast, moving forward in our Christian walk as we experience the inevitable heartaches of life. At times we bring about our own grief and troubles because of our ungodly actions. We thank You for Your forgiveness in these matters. You enable us to get up, take off the sackcloth, and brush off the burnt ashes from doing things our own way. And You give us fresh resolve to trust and obey You through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.In reading today's podcast this part of the verse especially jumped out at me: "He went into the house of the LORD and worshipped." 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show In early January we usually visit the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, a huge indoor agricultural exposition similar to state fairs in other states. Ester and Brooksyne know this is something I just like to do.  Ester checking out the mystery vegetables. She was hesitant and I admit it was a bit creepy!  A bike frame made entirely of wood!  Mr. Potato Man made of real potatoes!  "Please do not put your hands into the stall" but if you do... For many years trial lawyers have been begging for business. We found this advertisement on a livestock stall especially opportunistic! The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs through this Saturday. Ten dollars to park the car and then it's free admission to the show. Several hours+ of wholesome family entertainment, Don't miss the Food Court and a steaming bowl of creamy portabella mushroom soup! And, yes, we recommend the milk shakes to help support our milk farmers (even as it pleases our taste buds)! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I Will Rise" Video Chris Tomlin This is the song we share the lyrics to throughout the message. We especially encourage our readers who are overcoming and going on to listen to this song! "I Feel Like Going On" Video Amen! "Who Shall Separate Us" Video Wayne Tate "If My God is For Me" Romans 8:28-38 Video David Delgado "Blessings" Video Laura Story 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 12/31/12)  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 12/31/12: $24,891.00. (Note: Our final 2012 accounting of total gifts will not be available until we get our final report for offerings given directly to our chaplaincy account.) 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 2013 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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