"The Divine Stain Remover"

RSS feed Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Free email subscription Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Thursday, November 30, 2006 (Click on image to enlarge) Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. Today's instrumental background music is "Refiner's Fire" "The Divine Stain Remover" "Although you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your iniquity is before Me," declares the Lord GOD" (Jeremiah 2:22). If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6,7). Brooksyne enjoys having her morning devotions sitting in a chair by our coal stove in our downstairs family room. She takes a fresh cup of coffee down with her and sets it on a table beside her. Awhile back she spilled an entire cup of coffee on the carpet, which made a pretty unsightly stain. She tried blotting it up at the time and cleaning it with a carpet spray cleaner, but it still left a sizeable stain. Last week I tried cleaning it with a carpet cleaner, going over and over the coffee-stained spot, but to no avail. Then I bought some heavy-duty stain remover that claims to remove all stains including coffee but we still can’t get it up. It now has the appearance of partially frayed fiber from vigorous rubbing and a faded coffee stain – in other words a feeble attempt to rid the berber carpeting of a nasty spill. So Brooksyne will just pull the table a little closer to cover the stain and try to hide it from view. The fact is that we all have a stain problem and it is impossible to successfully cover it up. It may not be on our carpet, clothing, or upholstery but we all have it and it is visible to a holy, perfect God. Romans 3:23 says "For all have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." The eternal God declares, "The stain of your iniquity is before Me." The verse in Jeremiah describes man's attempts at washing it away, which is always inadequate and ineffective when dealing with sin's stain. The precious blood of Christ is the divine stain remover. Last night in Bible study I taught from 1 John 1 and when I came to verse 7 I purposefully read, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from some sin." I did this to ascertain the congregation's attention as well as to make a point. An older woman named Elsie vigorously shook her head and with a knowing smile corrected me, "cleanses us from all sin." Amen and hallelujah! The divine stain remover, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. It is effective on the worst of stains, even those that seem altogether hopeless. Truly, "There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains!" What can wash away our sin? What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood Nothing but the blood of Jesus What can wash us pure as snow? Welcomed as the friends of God Nothing but your blood Nothing but your blood King Jesus Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, I thank You for Jesus who shed His precious life-giving blood to atone for my sins. I'm filled with inexpressible gratitude to know that there is no sin that I've committed that cannot be forgiven, because Your blood cleanses me from all sin. Incredibly, when I sin and even attempt to erase the consequences of my sin, it is ever before You. Though my rebellion and disobedience must cause You genuine pain and grief You do not look away. Instead You draw me to Yourself as You extend Your hands of forgiveness; hands that bear the scars of selfless, sinless, sacrifice on my behalf. I'm so glad that my thanksgiving to You for such supreme sacrifice is not limited to my earthly existence because it's just not enough years to express my gratitude. My expression of praise and thanksgiving to You will be my theme in glory and I will forever praise You for Your forgiveness of my sins. Amen. "Nothing But The Blood" is a newer version of an old hymn that I have appreciated which incorporates the Scriptural teaching of the Lord's shed blood. A portion of it is quoted above following the message. Audio mp3 Video Purple finch at our bird feeder Send a comment to Stephen and Brooksyne

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details. Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on! Bookstore Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher Christianbook.com The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" Daily Encouragement Net

"Praising God"

RSS feed Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Free email subscription Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Roxie and Dottie relaxing under our desk as we prepare today's message. Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. Today's instrumental background music is "How Great Thou Art" "Praising God" "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me" (Psalm 50:23). Last night I was sitting on our couch when our cat jumped up to sit on my lap. I have periodically written about Dottie and displayed her photos through the years. Ester selected her from a litter of four kittens that we gave away over five years ago. The mother, a wild barn cat, surprised us with a litter of newborn kittens she left behind in our dilapidated summer kitchen.* At the time we were living in a rented one hundred year old farm house, following our move to Lancaster County from New England nearly 6 years ago. She has a black and white color pattern with dots similar to a holstein cow, thus Ester gave her the name "Dottie". Dottie is thoroughly domesticated and really has no idea of her humble beginnings. Sometimes I think she's rather proud and somewhat stuck up, particularly when she looks out the window to the stray cats that visit us on a fairly regular basis out here in the country. Since my childhood one of the unique characteristics I've really enjoyed is hearing a cat purr when stroked gently or held closely. Last night Dottie just purred away, particularly as I slowly stroked her back. I don't know the biological basis of a cat's purr but I take it to be a sign of contentment and appreciation. It's as if she is saying. "Ah, the human touch is so nice." I find myself getting so much satisfaction when I hold a purring cat! I hope my analogy is not taken as sacrilegious but I wonder if our praise to God may not be somewhat similar to a cat's purr? Scripture teaches that our praise glorifies God and, really, aren't we expressing our contentedness and thankfulness when we earnestly enter into praise? When we praise the Lord we rest in His presence and acknowledge His steadfast love and care. Today I encourage you to rest in the arms of our loving God and express your love for Him as you recall the ancient words of the Psalmist, "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me." Let us, as His children, offer our praise to Him today! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, as we give praise to You we are offering our heartfelt thanks for who You are and all that You do on our behalf. As we mature in our walk with You we realize that there are many occasions when we must offer a sacrifice of praise since it doesn't always come voluntarily. It is in those circumstances that we choose to praise You out of obedient hearts desirous of pleasing You and glorifying Your name. Father, we offer words of praise and adoration as a sweet fragrance and a joyful sound to Your ear. Amen. As I rest in the arms of God a song of worship expresses my heart's desire and I hope yours as well. "This is my desire" (mp3) * Note from Brooksyne: "Summer kitchens", very common in this area, are separate from the main kitchen of old farm houses. The "summer kitchen", usually connected to the house by a covered breezeway, was used throughout the year for baking and cooking. Seasonal chores like butchering and food preserving were done there as well. In the days before air-conditioning, a summer kitchen was added to gracious homes in order to move the heat of the cooking fires from the main house during hot weather. Send a comment to Stephen and Brooksyne

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details. Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on! Bookstore Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher Christianbook.com The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" Daily Encouragement Net

"Compelled By Love"

RSS feed Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Free email subscription Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Tuesday, November 28, 2006 Joe and Jessie, along with Marsha (Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. Brooksyne is playing the song "Compelled By Love", as the background. "Compelled By Love" "For Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). I enjoy asking others about their testimony of salvation and how it came about. Marsha attends the church we now serve as interim pastor and runs the Sound System and Power Point program. I asked her one evening after the service to share her personal testimony of how she came to Christ. She told me that when she was a small child she lived in a trailer park with her parents and younger brother. Their home was void of any Christian influence when she began attending the church at that time. I asked her "What led you to get involved in a church when you had no Christian background?" She pointed to an older couple in the front of the church and said, "Joe and Jessie picked us up on the church bus." Over twenty five years ago the pastor challenged the members of the congregation to reach out to others in winning their world for Christ. At that time a popular outreach was bus ministry where church members would reach neighborhoods for Christ by visiting, inviting and then bringing them by bus to church on Sunday mornings. Joe had come to faith in Christ later in life when he was 49 years old. His wife, Jesse, prayed him into the kingdom just like so many Christian wives who have prayed over their husbands for years before they surrender to Christ. Joe and Jessie, with a burden for the lost, decided that they would reach out together. Trailer parks can be pretty rough places but one by one they visited the individual homes, inviting the children to church. Joe would faithfully drive the bus to the trailer park each Sunday picking up Marsha and her younger brother. They received training in the teachings of Christ through the various ministries of the church. Though twenty five years have passed Marsha continues to be an active part of this church. Her younger brother lives in a nearby state and raises his family in the ways of the Lord. They continue to believe God for their family's salvation. In our freshman year of Bible College a student wrote the theme song for our missions convention and chapel services. It's based on the daily text and the powerful compelling nature of Christ's love. Brooksyne and I both consider this one of the formative songs that spoke to us personally about reaching others for Christ through vocational pastoral ministry. As the apostle Paul wrote the Scripture text he was indicating the supreme motive for the ministry of reconciliation. We are to be compelled by Christ's love. The underlying Greek word translated "compels" has the sense of "the pressure which confines and restricts as well as controls." The present tense indicates the continual habit of life. Today, millions and millions of believers, like Joe and Jessie are faithfully serving the Lord. They are reaching out one by one, motivated supremely by the love of Christ. How is the love of Christ compelling you today? Compelled by love to forfeit my own will, Compelled by love to give and give and give; When changes come to keep on loving still, Compelled by love to love and live for Him.* Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, Your love compels us to love others in the same way that You love us. You loved us so much that You gave Your divine Son to die for our sins so that we might not perish but live eternally. Though You have asked very few of us to give our physical lives, You have commanded that we all give ourselves to others by loving, praying, sharing, and leading them to salvation. Apart from Your Spirit we could not do this, but You have promised the power of Your Holy Spirit to go before us and prepare the hearts of those You are drawing to Yourself. I want to be a faithful instrument through which Your love compels the lost to be found and the blinded eyes to see. Amen. * We were unable to find a version of the song "Compelled By Love" mentioned in today's message and are not sure if it was ever even published beyond our use at college, although it sure should have been! I managed to get Brooksyne to record the song, singing it to her own accompaniment! (mp3) It was written by Debbie Amstutz, but no other credit attribution available. Debbie Amstutz had ministry in Christian music following our years at Central Bible College and had a popular duet with Dallas Holm in the early 80's titled, "No Other One." Today we also want to share a musical selection that relates so well to the message and is a challenge for each reader. The song is titled "Each One, Reach One" written by Babbie Mason. Here's sample clip by the original artist. Here's a full mp3 audio version by a musician from Ohio named Jennifer Morgan. Interesting note: Yesterday my travels took me through eastern Lancaster County and a friend and I drove by where the schoolhouse shootings took place early last month. The little schoolhouse was demolished right after the shootings and the area reseeded as meadow. There were horses in it and I would have had absolutely no clue that this had been the spot where the tragedy occured if it had not been poined out to me. Send a comment to Stephen and Brooksyne

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details. Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on! Bookstore Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher Christianbook.com The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" Daily Encouragement

"Forever"

RSS feed Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Free email subscription Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Monday, November 27, 2006 (Click here to listen to this message on your audio player) "Forever" "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6). Yesterday following our church service we made a pastoral visit to an older man in our church who has been in the hospital for some time. Brooksyne and I enjoy making hospital visits together and have found some of our most spiritually fulfilling ministry in hospital visitation. I wrote about Bob two weeks ago. He came to the Lord at 70 years of age. Prior to that Bob had virtually no spiritual interest or training. So for the last twelve years he has been learning the songs and Scripture verses that many of us who grew up in church have known from early childhood. Brooksyne sang the time honored hymn, "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" following our time of sharing. Right after she sang the last line, "Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to trust Him more" Bob looked at her with a quizzical look on his face. He then earnestly asked her "How do you memorize all that?" Of course in most cases she has done so through familiarity and repetition rather than a purposeful attempt to commit a song to memory. That's the way it is with a lot of music. We then began to recite the 23rd Psalm intending to simply quote this endearing and comforting passage of Scripture for Bob's hearing. But as we spoke the words, "The Lord is my Shepherd" Bob voluntarily repeated the words. We then quoted "I shall not want" and Bob again repeated this phrase. To the very end of this Psalm Bob joined us by repeating phrase by phrase the 23rd Psalm. When we got to the last line, "and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord…" Brooksyne and I both paused, confident that Bob would know the last word of this Psalm. What a joyous blessing to see his eyes brighten and the smile cross his face as he confidently proclaimed the final word "FOREVER" even before we could say it! "Forever" is the final word throughout this Psalm, but it is all throughout Scripture and written often throughout Revelation, when describing praise toward God throughout eternity. John describes two heavenly scenes where the Lamb of God is receiving never ending praise. The first vision is God's creatures in heaven and on earth joining their voices in a mighty chorus as they sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). Another vision John writes about is when the angels, elders and four living beings fell face down before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thankgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever. Amen!" (Rev. 7:12). Be encouraged today, as we worship forever the living God, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, what a glorious blessing it is that goodness and mercy are not a one time bestowment from Your generous hand. But You continually impart these undeserved blessings to me as You guide me along the right path. Even in the midst of dark valleys and treacherous storms Your Hand stays me as You turn destruction and ruin to restoration and renewed hope. Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" was the song we sang yesterday with Bob. Here's a beautiful online version by a group called the Grace Bridge band . Brooksyne's Note: I've included a background story about Louisa Stead who wrote "Tis So Sweet..." It is a very sad story that took place in her early marriage, but is also a testimony of how tragedy turns into triumph as we follow the Lord in His paths of righteousness. "'Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus" was written by Louisa Stead in 1882. Mrs. Stead and her husband were enjoying an afternoon at the beach along with their young daughter. Suddenly a desperate cry for help came from a young boy calling out in the deep water. Mr. Stead immediately went to his rescue, but the frightened boy pulled him under the water in a panic. Mrs. Stead and her daughter could only watch helplessly from the beach as the young boy and her husband drowned. Louisa Stead was a poor woman barely able to provide for her daughter. One day when it seemed that all of their resources were gone, she found a gift of food and money left on her doorstep. It was on that day that she sat and wrote the text "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus". May we learn to trust Jesus even as Louisa Stead did and long for the grace to trust Him even more. And, as the unknown person who provided food and money for Mrs. Stead, may we be the instruments that put trust into action.Louisa Stead remarried and served as a missionary with her daughter for twenty five years in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. After her death missionary co-workers in S. Rhodesia wrote, "Her influence goes on as our five thousand native Christians continually sing her hymn in their native language." Recommended Resource: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 By Phillip Keller / Zondervan Corp. Walk the green pastures of faith and drink from the still waters of peace hidden in Psalm 23! Drawing from his experience as a professional sheep rancher, Keller leads you verse by verse through this beloved portion of Scripture, offering unique insights into the love our Good Shepherd bestows upon us, the sheep of his pasture. 142 pages, softcover from Zondervan. Send a comment to Stephen and Brooksyne

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details. Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on! Bookstore Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher Christianbook.com The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" Daily Encouragement Net

"The Tyranny of Discontent"

RSS feed Podcast feed A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · Archives · Donate · Free email subscription Listen to these messages · Easy read/print Friday, November 24, 2006 (Click here to listen to this message on your audio player) "The Tyranny of Discontent" "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Last week I received a sales flier from "Bass Pro Shops" one of my favorite stores. It had a little gps on sale I've craved for a long time. The sale is today from 6-11 AM only. I suppose, given the excellent value of this popular item, they probably sold out early this morning. Now I have no real need for this gadget at all; I've just wanted one. It's a form of personal tyranny many of us deal with, but I'll just descriptively call it the "tyranny of got to have" (otherwise known as the "tyranny of discontent.") This morning I am resisting the urge but believe me I have not always done so! And I will admit I turned the thought over and over in my mind that I just might get up early and take advantage of this enticing sale. In my 52 years I have succumbed far too often to purchase items I didn't need, but really desired. There is such an allure to colorful, descriptive ads, new packaging and simply having the latest thing. How much is enough? Just a little more! It's human nature just to want a little more. Adam and Eve had so much but they wanted just a little more. They weren't content with the multitude of blessings God gave them and that's a condition that has afflicted the human race ever since. How contemporary the daily verse is! Although, surely applicable to the initial readers and to believers in all generations, it seems to especially fit our prosperous times as our lives are loaded with stuff. Today, at least in America, it's the top sales day of the year for many stores. Scores of millions are out shopping at this very moment. Sadly, some stores did not even choose to honor a day officially set aside for giving thanks yesterday. Instead they kept store hours for those who just couldn't wait for the big sales the next day! The real issue is being content with what we have (one of the greatest blessings in life) and accepting the undergirding promise of the writer of Hebrews; "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'." Isn't that great! If we really understand this promise and embrace its truth we will experience ongoing blessed contentedness. May the Lord help us all to do so today, this season, and all through life which will help us to overcome the tyranny of discontent! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, so many of us live in a state of discontent when we find ourselves loving things and using people. It distorts our priorities and gives us temporary excitement, but leaves us with long-term dissatisfaction. Instead of identifying the source of our unhappiness we continue to feed our temporary excitement that comes with purchasing the latest and newest things available. Help us to pursue those things that do not physically perish or go out of date, such as growing friendships, solid family relations, desirable character traits, giving without receiving in return, and other worthy pursuits. At the top of our list of "must haves" we must have a close walk with You – read Your Word, listen to Your still small voice, commune with You, and walk by faith daily. You've promised to never leave us, nor forsake us in life or in death. All the gold in the world cannot buy this precious promise and yet You offer it freely to all. Help me to ponder this tremendous blessing that supersedes any physical pursuit in my life. And help me to also appreciate all the wonderful material blessings that You've given me. Though they really belong to You, You have asked me to be the steward of these possessions. Enable me to identify those things which eventually become clutter as opposed to those things which are useful to me. I want to glorify You in who I am and all that I have. Amen. Note: Today's message is one point in a sermon I am working on that will have at least three points. One point, which prompts the title for the other points is, "The Tyranny of the Urgent", which is the title of a small booklet by Charles Hummel which has impacted many. The other point I am working on is the "Tyranny of the Forbidden" which will address the human condition of having an allurement to that which God has forbidden. As we prepared today's message two songs come to mind. Mike Book is a friend of ours who has written some excellent songs with tremendous Scripture-based lyrics. His song "Godliness With Contentment" is based on 1 Timothy 6:6. We recorded this right here in our home so it sure isn't studio quality! Streaming audio MP3 "It Wouldn't be Enough" is a song rwe really enjoyed as young Christians. As I recall it was made popular by a group called "Truth" This version really sounds 70'ish! audio Here's two recommended resources: Tyranny of the Urgent, 5 pack By Charles Hummel / Inter-varsity Press Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent By Charles Hummel / Inter-varsity Press Do you feel overwhelmed with too much to do and not enough time to do it? Hummel's biblical teachings help you better manage your life by making the calendar your friend, staying open to God's guidance, overcoming past mistakes, and developing "inner time" for reflection and planning. His time-tested tips turn struggle into success! Paperback Today's Scripture portion can be saved to your computer as a desktop or background image as a reminder. Send a comment to Stephen and Brooksyne

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details. Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on! Bookstore Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher Christianbook.com The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" (Click on photo to enlarge) 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" Daily Encouragement Net