Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Daily Encouragement (03/24/15) "Dwelling In The Shelter Of The Most High"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Having trouble reading this message?  Read online
Daily Encouragement Net Header
The on line Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home   About Us  Archives   Free email subscription   ListenListen to these messages
Contact Us
  Print Text only for printing
  Bookmark and Share 

Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn   Daily Encouragement on Facebook   Daily Encouragement on Twitter   Daily Encouragement on Facebook

Make A Donation
 See here for more info.

<Previous Message       ·
      Archive edition

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Carved eagle
Eagle Carving by Tom Jenkins

"Dwelling In The Shelter Of The Most High"

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart" (Psalm 91:1-4).

Eagle nest (Image courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission, HDOnTap and Comcast Business)
There's a lot of interest in our area concerning an eagle cam which live streams a video of a bald eagle nest across the Susquehanna River from where we live (link to this page below). Any day one of her two eggs is supposed to hatch. This is a matter of interest and a source of discussion among many of the employees we visit as their chaplains. Some have even made the eagle's nest their home page.

The bald eagle, declared an endangered species for about 50 years, is now thriving here in Pennsylvania. A camera about the size of a soda can, is planted in the tree of a York County nest, and it provides a live streaming video of a bald eagle perched on her two eggs.

Before they hatch the eagle carefully protects her young from predators, extreme weather, or any other disturbance that would harm her future hatchlings.

This is also the image used in an ancient Psalm.
Psalm 91 begins with this promise, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Headphones on airplaneOn our return flight from San Diego last week we flew Southwestern where seats are not assigned and we were unable to sit together. I (Brooksyne) sat between two young men who wore headphones and slept most of our flight so there was little conversation. But about halfway to San Antonio the man next to the aisle stirred, took off his headphones, and inquired, "Are you a nervous flyer?" Before I could respond he further commented, "I noticed you've been reading your Bible most of the flight."

Inwardly I smiled since I thought neither passenger took notice of me. I went on to explain that I'm not a nervous flyer; I was actually memorizing all 15 verses of Psalm 91 (which at my increasing age it takes a lot more time than my younger years).

He countered, "Oh, I thought you might be a nervous flyer so you read the Bible when you fly. I actually pulled out the Lord's Prayer and read it, before I boarded, which I do when I fly. It helps me to be less nervous." Trying not too sound preachy I briefly elaborated, "As a believer in Christ I try to read the Bible daily because it helps me in every area of my life." I was hoping for more of an opportunity to share my faith, but unfortunately his reinsertion of the ear plugs quickly ended the conversation.

Our brief exchange made me think of many who use the Bible or say a prayer only for special occasions, but choose not to "dwell" in the shelter of the Most High. To "dwell" means to linger, sit down, or "meditate" in the ascended place of the Most High. In doing so you rise above the madness, evil, and heartbreak down here below which leads to insecurity, doubts, reckless choices, and even despair.  To find reassurance for our soul we must
dwell in the shelter of the Most High and thereby we will find "rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  An old song states, "There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."

In our daily text the Psalmist continues, "
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" This is a powerful profession of our faith we can likewise declare today and everyday, for God has not changed and will not change.

"Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence." Two dangers are referred to here: the fowler's snare and the deadly pestilence. (The fowler's snare is like a net trap.) During every season of life we have dangers as expressed in John Newton's hymn, "through many dangers, toils and snares."  Our arch enemy "prowls around seeking whom he may devour", but God will save us when we call on Him for help.

The Psalmist then uses an analogy from a nesting bird: "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." Can you imagine a safer or more nurturing place in nature for the eggs or tiny chicks?
Similarly the writer of Psalm 91 warmly describes our loving, heavenly Father as One who covers us with His feathers. We find refuge under His wings.

The section ends with this promise, "His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart". The theme of God's faithfulness runs through the Bible beginning in Genesis and all the way into Revelation, where Christ is identified as "Faithful and True" (Revelation 19:11). Most of us know what a shield is but the word "rampart" is less familiar. Rampart refers to a defensive wall or bank built for protection. Our American readers will recall this word since it's sung in our national anthem, "O'er the ramparts we watched..."

As we
dwell in the shelter of the Most High we need not fear since God commands His angels to guard and protect us (Psalm 91:11). If you're feeling fear or insecurity today read Psalm 91, or better yet linger there for awhile, for fresh perspective on His enduring love and protection.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying man Daily prayer: Father, like a nurturing eagle, You cover us with Your feathers so that we find refuge under Your protective wings. As we live in daily communion with You we are protected from the snare of the enemy. Therefore we need not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Because we have made the Lord Most High our dwelling You have commanded the angels to guard us in all our ways. You will be with us in trouble, You will deliver us and honor us. What greater blessing could we want than to know we are under Your protective, loving care. Thank You, Father, for being all that we need here and now, and providing for our hereafter. Amen.

See all of Psalm 91



Of course for many the most famous Bible passage dealing with the eagle is from Isaiah 40. "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

Eagle reflection (photographer unknown)
I wish I could tell you I took this outstanding photo but I didn't!
Several years ago my sister Genelle sent it to me in a collection of beautiful photos.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Live Eagle Cam"  Video 
For whatever reason the video on this page was not working at the time we checked our page just before distributing (although it worked fine earlier this morning). Perhaps the eagle got tired of being viewed by thousands of humans and kicked the camera down! Scroll down and they also have a time lapse version from previous days.

Brooksyne found this beautiful edition of Psalm 91 set to music  Video

"Near To The Heart Of God"  Video   Green Hill Presbyterian Church


"Til The Storm Passes By"  Video  GVB

"Wings like Eagles"  Video  Hosanna! Music Scripture Songs

"On Eagle's Wings"  Video   Michael Joncas

"Eagle's Wings"  Video 

"I Cannot Tell"  Video  Songs of Praise  Next Sunday Brooksyne will be leading the church choir in this song, popular in Ireland.  A beautiful Instrumental version  Video

Finally today: When we visited California we saw this interesting name for a bakery shop in San Clemente!
3:16 Bakery Shop in San Clemente, CA

Contact Us
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber 38th anniversary photo (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 12/10/14)

Make a donation to Dailly Encouragement MinistriesAre our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages andDonate online 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.

2015 YTD offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $2,684.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry!

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscriptionIf 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:

Daily Encouragement on Facebook
The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 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. Your answers are anonymous and I we are unable to respond. 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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

Four Spiritual Laws

How to become a child of God




Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International
* The phrase "terrestrial ball" is found in the great hymn ...

"All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name" Video   Paul Baloche
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 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552

Contact Us

Chaplaincy logo
Endorsed chaplain
"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"

www.dailyencouragement.net


Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery.
Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |  Subscribe  |  Unsubscribe | Snooze
Net Atlantic