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 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.  Monday, December 16, 2013  On our Friday post we shared this daytime photo of the Silverstone Inn on Bowman Road here in Lancaster County after the snowfall. Brooksyne commented at the time we took the photo "I wish we could see this at night". Well, Friday night we had a company Christmas dinner in Strasburg and passed by on our way home!  Listen to this message on your audio player."And Is Better" (Part 1) "Light and Life" "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4). "Light and Life To All He Brings" Most of the time we tend to see tv commercials as an interruption or annoyance but essential if we are to view "free" tv. Yet a few commercials are very entertaining in themselves. Over the next several days we will be using a rather unorthodox method of illustrating our messages with popular tv commercials many of you have seen.  One commercial shows a couple driving their new car. He is pleased with the car and states, "It gets great gas mileage and is fun to drive". She comments, "You know that beats getting great gas mileage or being fun to drive" He laughs and says that "would be like someone being loud or clear" and the scene shifts to a vision of a very loud coach barking out nonsensical directions to his team! (Link to video below)Well, over the next two days let's consider how in regard to the Christmas story "and" is indeed better than "or"! We've noticed how well-loved and familiar Christmas hymns are even though they're generally sung only during a very short season. A single line from one of these carols will illustrate for many, how well you know these songs, even though you likely didn't set out to memorize them. Consider this musical phrase, "light and life to all He brings". Many of you will identify the name of the carol from that single line. (The answer is provided by several versions of the song on YouTube video links below.) Indeed the glorious message of the Incarnation is His incomparable blessing of "light and life to all He brings." In Friday's message we considered the topic of light. Today let's just consider the aspect of Christ's incarnation and how He came to bring "life." And it is at this point we will rejoice in the truth that "and is better than or". Consider that, at the heart of things that really count, we have only two great quests in life: One is for eternal life and Jesus provides this. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The other is for abundant life (full and meaningful). Again Jesus has provided this. He said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Again in this instance "and is better". We can sure be grateful it's not abundant life here or eternal life later! We have the tremendous blessing of receiving both when we receive Christ as our Saviour! Today this abundant and eternal life is freely available to all. So many willfully reject Him; others shrug off this greatest of gifts and pay no attention, basing their focus instead upon the paltry substitutes the world offers. But the Bible declares: "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Have you chosen to receive the greatest gift today? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, it is through Jesus that we experience light and life because He came as light into the world and provides abundant life to those who follow Him. May we walk faithfully and earnestly in the light of Christ so that deeds of darkness are exposed wherever we go. May those still walking in darkness be drawn to Your light through the things we say, the songs we sing, the things we set before our eyes and the things we do as we represent You in the home, the workplace and wherever we go. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.Tomorrow's message will express two pairing of words in regard to Christ's incarnation where "and is better than or". Here's a hint: "The Word became ____ and ____ among us; we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of ______ and _____." (See John 1:14)  Yesterday afternoon our church choir presented the Christmas musical "Hope Had Hands" to the Longwood Manor Personal Care residents.   The Bible says, "Render honor to whom honor is due" (Romans 13:7). For ten years Oren and Naomi have led a ministry called "Golden Nuggets" which provides a monthly meal, fellowship and short program for the elderly. We've been invited a number of times as program guests and thoroughly enjoy their home-made food and heaven-made fellowship! (You'll also see their faces in our choir photo.) "Light" in Christmas carols On Friday we shared the following quiz regarding "Light" in Christmas carols. The quiz: Identify the following carols by the specific phrases that refer to light. 1) Son of God, love's pure light 2) Yonder shines the infant light: 3) And to the earth it gave great light, 4) Light and life to all He brings, 5) But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, 6) The everlasting Light; 7) Guide us to thy perfect light. We've provided the correct answers along with the first names of the fastest responders below the musical resources below. We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year. We typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Our ministry is comprised of half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies (of course, this varies week by week). Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each phase would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would like to make a donation see here for more information or donate directly online here. Thank you!Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Video Chris Tomlin (This is the Christmas hymn referred to in the message that has the line, "light and life to all He brings". "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Video An Acapella version from the Yoder family "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Video Paul Baloche "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Video Jason Waller "And Is Better (Part 1) - Loud Or Clear" Video This is the tv commercial we referred to in our message. Answers to Christmas carol quiz: 1) "Son of God, love's pure light" (Silent Night) 2) Yonder shines the infant light: (Angels From the Realms of Glory) 3) And to the earth it gave great light, (The First Noel) 4) Light and life to all He brings, (Hark The Herald Angels Sing) 5) But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, (I Wonder As I Wander) 6) The everlasting Light; (O Little Town of Bethlehem) 7) Guide us to thy perfect light. (We Three Kings) First correct responses: Shirley was the first to respond and included a song we had never heard of for #2 called "The Infant Light". We checked and there is indeed such a song with that phrase! Jane was the first to answer with all the carols we had in mind which are listed next to the phrases above. Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber(Click on photo to enlarge) Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/13)  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. 2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/15/13: $22,815.00 If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.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 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: These messages are only sent from us to people who request it; please accept our apologies if it reached you in error. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time. 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552   Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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