Daily Encouragement (12/08/08) "Jesus, The Messiah"

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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   ·   About Us   ·   ·  Podcast  ·  Free email See here for more info. <Previous Message    ·    Archives    ·     Archive/print edition Monday, December 8, 2008 Lighted star on our red barn door   Listen to us share this message on your audio player. Play podcast instrumental music only "Jesus, The Messiah" "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah" (Matthew 1:1). How many of you know much about your own genealogy? There's a lot of interest in this subject and the internet has been a valuable source for those trying to find their roots.  I don't know a whole lot about mine, although I do know I have German descent on both sides and have heard that one of my ancestors was Abram Clark, who signed the Declaration of Independence.  Brooksyne has an Irish background from her father but also some Cherokee Indian from her mother. There are those who can trace their lineage back hundreds of years and know who their ancestors are. Hope Winchoba, a dear friend from our congregation in Massachusetts went to be with the Lord this last August. She could trace her genealogy all the way back to the Mayflower (the Mayhew family) and in fact all the way back to Norman in 1,000 AD! But sadly in our broken world with so much immorality and fragmented families there are those who do not even know their own birth father, let alone their grandparents and previous generations. In fact many are so focused on the present and so disconnected to any heritage that they don't even care. In the next several days I would like to consider the genealogy of Jesus Christ, which both Matthew and Luke record. The genealogies of Scripture are not something most of us would name among our favorite portions. The longest genealogy is found in 1 Chronicles 1-9! I suspect many of us tend to scan through these genealogies to get past them and get on to the "real" message of the Bible. Although we might be hesitant to say it to others, we may reckon these genealogies as boring. But all Scripture is profitable and even these genealogies are inspired truth and have lessons for us. They also foundationally place the truth presented in Scripture in the context of real history. Matthew was one of the original disciples and his gospel was primarily intended for those with a Jewish background.  Thus Matthew's genealogy begins with Abraham. In contrast Luke's record (3:23-38) traces the lineage of Christ all the way back to Adam. Matthew's genealogy, although generally comprised of straightforward phrases such as "Abraham was the father of Isaac", also has several interesting details which call the reader's attention to specific Old Testament events. In the next several days I want to focus on the specific women who are mentioned in the genealogy, all of whom have quite a story recorded in the Scriptures. The inclusion of their names is quite significant, particularly to the early Jewish readers who would have known the story. I believe each of these stories will provide a lesson in God's acceptance and plan for each of us.  As you read these stories may you marvel in God's love for the fallen human race.  And may you rejoice in God's love for you! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer:  Father, regardless of our birth genealogy, whether we're born to peasant or royalty, when we are born into the Kingdom of God we become Your children and all are on equal standing at the foot of the cross.  We are not just born into Your Kingdom but we were purchased with the precious sinless blood of Jesus.  There is no higher calling and no greater privilege granted to the human race.  Thank You for the spirit of sonship that invites each of us to call You Abba Father.  This is possible only because of Christ Jesus who gave His all that we might be born again and receive eternal life.  Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "The Hallelujah Chorus"  Video  Just Amazing! A bit of life from our little corner of the world. Saturday evening we went to a company Christmas party in our role as corporate chaplains. Here's a photo of chaplain Dave visiting with some folks. Dave visits with the Vietnamese employees and closed the meeting with a prayer in both Vietnamese and English. The entertainment was a remarkable young man named Ryan, who does an outstanding job as a ventriloquist.  Here's a photo with two of his "friends". He is able to place a different voice for each and barely moves his mouth.  He also uses people from the audience and has some good-natured fun at their expense. In a previous performance I was called out to work the granny shown in this photo! In fact here are several videos and his presentation is also available as a DVD on his website. Are you Christmas shopping online? Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. It is our desire to offer this site as a free service to readers all over the world. If you find value in our ministry, you can help! One of the special features of this web site are recommended resources related to the topic designed to enhance your spiritual growth. If you decide to purchase any of the titles you see listed, simply click on the book title or book photo and you will be transported to CBD's giant online catalog. Everytime you make a purchase directly from our site links (providing you do not leave our site prior to ordering) we get a small percentage of the total sale as a CBD affiliate member. This will over time help offset some of the costs involved in growing and maintaining this ministry. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/08 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 12/07/08: $18,666.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFO 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. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel:  We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address from the list immediately. To remove your address merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.  (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) 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! "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. "A Little Foolishness" - A humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!)  I haven't had time or "inspiration" for this for awhile but it has several stories that get regular page views. "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD! 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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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Daily Encouragement (12/05/08) "The Blessedness of Forgiveness"

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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   ·   About Us   ·   ·  Podcast  ·  Free email See here for more info. <Previous Message    ·    Archives    ·     Archive/print edition Friday December 5, 2008 The Christmas wreath in front of our home. Listen to us share this message on your audio player. Play podcast instrumental music only Perhaps you would like to read Psalm 51 before reading today's encouragement message. "The Blessedness of Forgiveness" "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered" (Psalm 32:1). One of my many memorable ministry moments took place in New England.  Joe, a young man with a rough gang background, began to attend our church and in time responded to an altar call, accepting God's forgiveness for his sins. As he stood up, after pouring out his heart to God at the altar, he looked at me with the biggest, joy-filled smile and said, "I feel a h*** of a lot better!" It certainly was not the "Christianese" language we're accustomed to hearing in a church setting.  But he spoke from his heart and I, along with others within hearing range, certainly recognized that the sanctifying work would yet come to our brother and clean up his language over time.  More importantly he had yielded his sinful heart to God and left that day a new man in Christ. His sincere expression of joy and relief is the testimony of all who receive the wonderful forgiveness of God. This week we have been studying David's sin with Bathsheba recorded in 2 Samuel 11,12.  Psalm 51 is David's written confession when Nathan rebuked him. Yesterday we wrote on the blessing of rebuke. Nathan's bold rebuke to David, "You are the man!" led to David's confession, "I have sinned against the Lord."  This led to his seeking forgiveness and you can read his written confession in Psalm 51.  It is a psalm of repentance that we can all read and personally apply to our own lives. Actually Nathan pronounced God's forgiveness when David made his brief confession in 2 Samuel 12, "The LORD has taken away your sin" (v.13). But apparently David, in contemplating his sin, then wrote his plea for mercy in Psalm 51.  "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions" (51:1,2).  In V. 10 we come to the familiar passage sung in many circles where David earnestly prays, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (51:10-12). "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."   Whether David wrote this before or after the events of 2 Samuel 11 is immaterial for we tend to live in constant need of forgiveness, coming short in one way or another of the glory of God. Writer Erwin Lutzer observes: "When the mask of self-righteousness has been torn from us and we stand stripped of all our accustomed defenses, we are candidates for God's generous grace." In other words, as we empty ourselves of that which stands between us and God we can once again experience spiritual intimacy. The blessedness of forgiveness remains the promise to all who earnestly come to God in belief, confession and repentance. It's at the very heart of God's salvation extended to the human race.  Accept this generous grace today and proclaim with the Psalmist, "But with You there is forgiveness" (Psalm 130:4).  When God forgives He removes the sin and restores the soul!  Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, I pray that You would wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Hide Your face from my sins which are great and dishonor You so much that I can't bear for You to look upon them. Blot out all my iniquity.  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth that will enable me to declare Your praise.  It isn't the burnt offering that You delight in but the sacrifice of a broken spirit; it is a broken and contrite heart that You desire in me.  As I come to You in humility and brokenness of spirit You restore to me the joy of Your salvation much like the new fallen snow that covers the earth.  Thank You for being merciful and forgiving.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen. Selected Scripture from Psalm 51 (adapted) Yesterday Tommy Carpenter, a minister friend from Arkansas, called me and shared concerning some rather interesting verses that I had never considered in regard to David and Bathsheba. In a genealogical portion in 1 Chronicles 3:4,5 we read this interesting detail: "David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel." Assuming that Shammua was the name of the baby that died and if the named order is the birth order (the normal practice in Scripture) than there were two more sons born before Solomon. One was named Nathan, perhaps named after the prophet Nathan that rebuked David!  Then Tommy took me to the genealogy in Luke which has this interesting line.  I never recall paying careful attention to this passage. See here for a very detailed article on the genealogy of Christ. This is the final message in this week's series on David's sin with Bathsheba and the consequences. This mini-series began with Tuesday's message "The Consequences Of Sin", Wednesday's message, Cover-Up and Thursday's message "The Blessing Of Rebuke". 2 Samuel 11 and 12 is the account of David's sin with Bathsheba and Nathan's rebuke. Psalm 51 is the record of his repentance. "The Consequences Of A Moral Failure"  Webpage  This material is adapted from a 1998 "Leadership" magazine article by Randy Alcorn and Eternal Perspective Ministries and is personalized for my own use and personal impact. This article is also available as a printable .pdf  I encourage every man and woman to adapt this for their own use or better yet start from scratch and develop your own. "Slow Fade"  Video    Outstanding message about the slide into sin. Pure Life Ministries  An excellent resource for those overcoming sexual sin. Last month I took Ester to see "Fireproof", a Christian movie dealing with marital restoration. Our family would highly recommend it! Fireproof, DVD  By Provident Music Distribution The latest theatrical blockbuster from the creators of Facing the Giants, Fireproof is an action-packed love story about a firefighter, his wife, and a marriage worth rescuing! At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighter's adage: "Never leave your partner behind". At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt has to face his toughest job ever, rescuing his wife's heart. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "Create In Me A Clean Heart"  Video  This is one of my favorite Keith Green songs and is based on Psalm 51. "Amazing Love"  Video  "I'm forgiven because you were rejected.." "I'm Amazed"  Video  A powerful Brooklyn Tabernacle song. Psalm 51  Video  A dramatic reading in a local church setting   My nephew Patrick is a budding musician and sent me this song he had recorded titled "Immerse" (mp3).  Here he is with his cousin Ester. Patrick is my brother Pat's oldest child who lives in Bethlehem, PA. Mom and Daughter Night Out: Ester and I attended a Point of Grace Concert last night.  It was wonderful.  There are now three in the group with back up singers.  We had a great time listening to the holiday songs but more importantly rejoicing in powerful truths presented in explosive songs such as "Let there be light."  Ester and I usually argue about the volume of music but Ronnie Freeman along with Point of Grace couldn't sing these words too loud for my receptive ears:  "Let there be light.  Let it shine bright piercing the darkness with dazzling light. Hope for the hopeless was born that night when God sent His Son and said, Let there be light."  (In fact we sat right in front of the huge speakers, but I could understand all the words - bottom line!) Update from Mary Lou Long: We featured Mary Lou's recent story of salvation we first posted on Nov. 10. I went to visit her yesterday in our local Hospice Center.  I joined with a visiting pastor in praying for her and sang a couple hymns including "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." I asked her if she'd like to have our readers pray with her regarding any concerns and she readily answered this way:  "The doctors have given me two to four weeks to live so please pray for me.  Please pray for Christy (pictured) and the new grandbaby." Christy is 7 weeks pregnant and is doing well.  This will be Mary Lou's first grandchild.  She is in a great deal of pain and we concluded our visit with her saying this to me, "My body is telling me that I only have a short time left."  I asked, "What is your spirit telling you?"  She responded, "That it's going to be wonderful there." That's a good exercise for all of us:  Don't listen just to what your body is telling you.  Ask your spirit also and it will likely be a lot more hopeful message coming from an eternal perspective. (Mary Lou gave me her permission to share this with our readers.) Are you Christmas shopping online? Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. It is our desire to offer this site as a free service to readers all over the world. If you find value in our ministry, you can help! One of the special features of this web site are recommended resources related to the topic designed to enhance your spiritual growth. If you decide to purchase any of the titles you see listed, simply click on the book title or book photo and you will be transported to CBD's giant online catalog. Everytime you make a purchase directly from our site links (providing you do not leave our site prior to ordering) we get a small percentage of the total sale as a CBD affiliate member. This will over time help offset some of the costs involved in growing and maintaining this ministry. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/08 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 12/03/08: $18,571.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFO 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. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel:  We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address from the list immediately. To remove your address merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.  (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) 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! "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. "A Little Foolishness" - A humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!)  I haven't had time or "inspiration" for this for awhile but it has several stories that get regular page views. "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD! 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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "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!

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Daily Encouragement (12/04/08) "The Blessing Of Rebuke"

  Daily Encouragement Net    Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives. 

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   ·   About Us   ·   ·  Podcast  ·  Free email See here for more info. <Previous Message    ·    Archives    ·     Archive/print edition Thursday, December 4, 2008 A snowy pasture in northern Virginia Listen to us share this message on your audio player. Play podcast instrumental music only Perhaps you would like to read today's Scripture in context before reading the encouragement message. "The Blessing Of Rebuke" "The LORD sent Nathan to David" (2 Samuel 12:1). You probably know someone named Nathan or Nate. Like Stephen's name in the book of Acts, it's not a common Bible name but rather is used only once (apart from genealogical references). Nathan is the bold prophet who confronted David with his sin. We don't know how much time transpired between David's cover-up of his sin with Bathsheba and the beginning of chapter 12. Assuming that the cover-up took place shortly after Bathsheba announced she was pregnant it would have been at least six months, perhaps longer. I wonder what David was dealing with during this time. Did he really think he'd gotten away with it?  Had he somehow justified his actions?  Or was he dealing with secret guilt and sorrowful remorse?  We do know that the horrendous sin committed by David recorded in chapter 11 was "evil in the sight of the Lord" (v.27). "The LORD sent Nathan to David."  What courage it would require for Nathan to complete this God-ordained prophetic mission! David, at the apex of his kingly authority, could easily and quickly do away with such a pesky prophet.  Nevertheless Nathan courageously approached David with an outstanding story analogous to the injustice of David's reprehensible deed.  In an illustrative way he was setting a trap and David walked right into it. Nathan tightened the noose with these words of stunning forthright rebuke, "You are the man!" before launching into a prophetic declaration of judgment concerning David's sin. The brave rebuke was a redemptive blessing. However uncomfortable, it brought David to his proper senses as he forthrightly confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD."  In receiving Nathan's rebuke and making his honest confession David took the first steps toward his journey to reconciliation with God, though he, his family, and the nation would deal with the spiraling consequences from his ruthless actions the remainder of his life. Rebuke. I don’t really like that word. I want to encourage, to edify, to lift up. But rebuke can be a blessing and is an integral ingredient in our spiritual growth. We all have needed rebuke at times.  God may even call us to rebuke others.  Nathan was sent by the Lord to David to rebuke him. I need to keep my personal communications with people I encounter in ministry privileged, especially in this regard, so today's illustrations, although true, are somewhat veiled. I recall the man who was struggling with alcohol and destroying his family but was receptive to my input. I looked him right in the eye and placed a firm hand on each shoulder, "What are you doing destroying your life and those you love in this way?" I sternly asked.  Another was plagued with the stench of internet pornography. We walked along our neighborhood trail to a country church about a mile and ½ away. As we walked I listened, but also preached. How do you handle needed rebuke?  Do you get angry and harden up your heart or do you see the blessing of rebuke?  I have been blessed by rebuke although at the time it is very uncomfortable and the defenses and excuses rise. Many years ago I was dealing with an issue in my life. A friend pinned me down, figuratively speaking, and spoke truth to my heart. He was right and I am a better man today due to the blessing of his loving rebuke. What about when God calls us to rebuke another?  The tendency for many, including me, is to avoid this call. But we must obey.  It's part of our calling, especially if we are a minister of the Gospel.  (See 2 Timothy 4:2.) "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1) Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, it comes very naturally to encourage and instruct others in Your teachings.  But it is much more difficult to bring loving correction to one who has chosen to live in disobedience to Your command.  Help me to go forth as one pure in heart, humble in spirit, and earnest in prayer when I am commissioned to be Your messenger of life-giving rebuke. When the messenger is pure in motive and the message is received in the right spirit then correction will take place, just as it did with David and Nathan. Though I cannot be assured of the desired results help me to find blessing in having been obedient to Your Spirit's leading.  In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Selected Scriptures on rebuke: "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke" (Proverbs 3:11). "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). "Better is open rebuke than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5). "He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue" (Proverbs 28:23). "Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20). "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). "These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you" (Titus 2:15). "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). Brooksyne's Note: When the Scriptures come before me about rebuking another I almost always remember a conversation a Christian brother had with me who was much younger in the Lord and in age as well. Tom is very skilled in working with wood and I had more than once compared his gift of craftsmanship with Stephen's limitations in this area.  Perhaps I had joked about it, but this brother saw through it.  I was his pastor's wife at the time so I know it was not easy to speak his heart on the matter, but he did. Rather than glowing from my flattering compliment, he said, "When you compare me to your husband in an unfavorable way it makes me feel uncomfortable. He is gifted in ways that I am not and I am gifted in ways different than he is." Ouch! Those were not his exact words but I remember the sentiment of his painful but loving rebuke. It sunk in and to this day I don't believe I have ever again made a practice of comparing my husband unfavorably to others.  In fact this morning during my time of prayer I was thanking God for Stephen's handyman ways around the house as he fixes so many things that break down, most recently the water drip in our shower. (More accurately, he's in the process since it's a stubborn drip!) In my own experience in our pastoral and chaplaincy role God has spoken to me on various occasions to bring about instruction in the form of a loving rebuke.  It's very difficult to do so because I'm always conscious of my own flaws, but when God lays it heavy upon my heart then I pray earnestly, and with fear and trembling, present these messages. Some have been rejected but more often I hear, even years later, that God spoke through me and it brought about significant change in the person's life.  It is very gratifying to be used of God in a way that requires much prayer and forethought, but also brings about positive changes in one's life. For deeper study - More on the subject of rebuke: Another perspective from today's text A Pastor's Perspective by Gordon McDonald Thoughts on Rebuking by C. Matthew McMahon Tomorrow I expect to share one more lesson from David's sin with Bathsheba and the consequences. This mini-series began with Tuesday's message "The Consequences Of Sin" and Wednesday's message, Cover-Up Here's some resource material on this topic I will leave up all week: 2 Samuel 11 and 12 is the account of David's sin with Bathsheba and Nathan's rebuke. Psalm 51 is the record of his repentance. "The Consequences Of A Moral Failure"  Webpage  This material is adapted from a 1998 "Leadership" magazine article by Randy Alcorn and Eternal Perspective Ministries and is personalized for my own use and personal impact. This article is also available as a printable .pdf  I encourage every man and woman to adapt this for their own use or better yet start from scratch and develop your own. "Slow Fade"  Video    Outstanding message about the slide into sin. Pure Life Ministries  An excellent resource for those overcoming sexual sin. Last month I took Ester to see "Fireproof", a Christian movie dealing with marital restoration. Our family would highly recommend it! Fireproof, DVD  By Provident Music Distribution The latest theatrical blockbuster from the creators of Facing the Giants, Fireproof is an action-packed love story about a firefighter, his wife, and a marriage worth rescuing! At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighter's adage: "Never leave your partner behind". At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt has to face his toughest job ever, rescuing his wife's heart. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) Finding a song dealing with today's topic is quite a challenge but here are two selections that blessed us! "Just As I Am"  Video  A very touching video presentation with the classic invitation hymn sung by Brian Doerksen with scenes from "The Passion".  Brooksyne and I both were deeply touched in our spirits as we viewed this video and listened to the concecrated voice of Brian Doerksen. "Song For The Prodigals"  Video Are you Christmas shopping online? Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. It is our desire to offer this site as a free service to readers all over the world. If you find value in our ministry, you can help! One of the special features of this web site are recommended resources related to the topic designed to enhance your spiritual growth. If you decide to purchase any of the titles you see listed, simply click on the book title or book photo and you will be transported to CBD's giant online catalog. 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Stephen and Brooksyne Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/08 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 12/03/08: $18,571.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFO 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. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel:  We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address from the list immediately. To remove your address merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.  (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) 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! "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. "A Little Foolishness" - A humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!)  I haven't had time or "inspiration" for this for awhile but it has several stories that get regular page views. "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD! 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 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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