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 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription  Listen to these messages  Text only for printing  See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, May 16, 2014  Heading to a chaplain visit at White Oak Display in Palmyra yesterday we passed the Lebanon Lighthouse, which sets far from any water at an eclectic antique store in Campbelltown, PA. We don't know whether it's available for sale or not but it would make a great lawn ornament of you had a really big lawn. "A New Life Is Mine!" Listen to us read this message on your audio player."We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4). "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). I believe that the Christ Who was slain on the cross Has the power to change lives today For He changed me completely A new life is mine And that is why by the cross I will stay  It's always a wonder to see new life and evidence of it abounds out here in the country. We have four bird nests in the rafters on an overhang from our barn. Yesterday I took a step stool and lifted my phone camera up over the nest and voilà; today's photo. Within days we expect to hear chirps of new life from this hid-away site.Our local farmers are busy preparing their fields for planting. Some have already planted as well. Particularly wondrous is viewing row after row of tiny corn just sprouting. It'll be 10 feet tall by harvest in early fall! Brooksyne planted some herbal seeds just days ago that are sprouting and she is as excited as a young child as she watches them pop up one by one out of the soil. New life is exciting and worth celebrating. The Father sent Jesus that we might have new life. Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the Father and He has ordained a new life for His redeemed children. The apostle Paul uses the 1st person plural "we", indicating that this was a very personal experience for him, not merely an injunction to his readers. The sense of this "new life" is active and ongoing. New life does not necessarily mean young. We can experience new life all through the course of this earthly life. The Amplified Bible expresses the latter part of our first daily text as, "so that we too may habitually live and behave in newness of life." David stated, "I was young and now I am old" (Psalm 37:25). Yesterday I was visiting with two young men as they were clocking out at work; one graduating from high school and the other in his early twenties. I recall from when I was their age how old they probably perceived me to be but they will find out life goes by very fast and it seems even faster as the years accumulate. Our second daily text states, "Outwardly we are wasting away" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Hank Hanegraaff makes this interesting observation in his book, "Resurrection": "Our DNA is programmed in such a way that at a particular point we reach optimal development from a functional perspective. For the most part it appears that we reach this stage in our twenties or thirties. Prior to this stage, the development of our bodies (anabolism) exceeds the devolution of our bodies (catabolism). From this point on the rate of breakdown exceeds the rate of buildup which eventually leads to physical death." Yes, we are wasting away! Now in our late fifties we realistically realize that the rate of breakdown physically is on the increase and has been for some twenty years now! It is evident not only in the physical signs such as sore joints and various aches and pains, but also in the increasing mental challenges as we may tend to find ourselves more forgetful these days. We are also prone to saying things we may or may not immediately catch. Sunday as we were leaving our church service on Mother's Day Brooksyne greeted a young mother in our parking lot and barely caught herself as she said, "Have a Happy New Year" (of course intending to say "Have a happy Mother's Day"). I couldn't resist saying, "Have a Happy Thanksgiving while you're at it". But instead of getting gloomy about the increasing years, let's hold on to this glorious thought today: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day". Inwardly our spiritual being is being renewed day by day! That should be encouraging whether you're 9 or 90! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, though my mortal body is perishing and confined to this earthly dwelling, I rejoice in the energizing truth that my inward spiritual being is being refined and preparing me for an eternal dwelling where I will never grow weak, weary or old! Thank You for the renewing of my mind and my spirit as I hold fast to Your transforming truths this day. Amen. Responding to yesterday's message on passwords Ed, a pastor friend wrote, "No passwords in Heaven, only our names "Written in the BOOK OF LIFE" Praise God!"  Golden Nuggets Yesterday we spoke to a senior group in our church known as the Golden Nuggets. I forgot to take a photo at yesterday's meeting but found this one from several years ago. We shared a meal together and then Brooksyne shared background stories from favorite hymns and we sang them together. You sure meet some colorful folks at these meetings like an older lady who was asked how old she was. She answered, "I'm as old as my big toe but older than my teeth."  Following our Golden Nuggets meal yesterday afternoon we stopped by to visit with Roman and Sadie, our Amish friends who operate a furniture store in the little hamlet of Mastersonville. They started the store just a few years ago but have expanded to a second level. Gas lighting is used in accordance with their practices.  In remodeling Roman intentionally removed some of the plaster that covered the original brick in the old 1800's building. This design reminds me of the old "One Way" sign from the seventies! (see here)  In order to access the second floor Roman had this lift built. We really appreciate the hard work and ingenuity of the Amish. This young couple work right alongside each other as well as their young children, including a new baby.  We'll use this photo of a giant Lebanon bologna sandwich sometime when we prepare a message on Deuteronomy 8:10! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary" Video Gaither Vocal Band This Saturday evening we will have the opportunity to hear the Gaither Vocal Band live here at the American Music Theater in Lancaster. Local readers who may be interested in attending the concert see here or here, although it looks like all the weekend concerts are about sold out. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne  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. 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If you want to send a personal message use the 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 2014 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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