| RSS feed xml Podcast feed  A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Previous Message ·  Listen to these messages · Easy read/printTuesday, January 16, 2007  Brooksyne took today's photo on our deck several years ago when some stray kittens had come our way (Click on the photo to enlarge and read the Scripture verse.) Click here to listen to this message on your audio player. Today's background song is "How Great Thou Art." "From Infancy" "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). Last night Brooksyne and Ester went over to drop off some goods and meet our newest neighbor, Eli James, who was born very early Sunday morning in his home. Ester came home all excited and told me how very tiny and cute he is. He is clearly loved and valued by his parents and his 3 year old brother Moses and 2 year old sister Sadie. We've joined them in looking forward to his arrival over the past several months (although, like in the old days, his parents did not know prior to his birth whether they would have a boy or girl.) Saturday evening, as I was visiting them, Anna told me she really hoped that she would have the baby soon. Well, she did! Less than twelve hours later Eli was resting in her welcoming arms. There has seen such a devaluing of prenatal life. Several years ago "Consumer Reports" had an article dealing with birth control, which also touched on the subject of abortion. Abortion was identified as a procedure to remove "uterine contents." Is that a new low in Orwellian doublespeak or what! * There's a powerful truth related to this in our daily verse. Notice the phrase "from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures." Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). They apparently made known the Holy Scriptures to Timothy even as an infant. The word "infant" is the very interesting Greek word, "brephos". This same word is used in Luke 1:44 to describe John while he was in his mother's womb. When John's mother saw Mary she said, "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby (brephos) in my womb leaped for joy." John was not "uterine contents" but a tiny developing baby, who grew up to make a mighty impact in fulfilling the purpose for which God made him. Paul acknowledged that Timothy was impacted by the Holy Scriptures from infancy, which I certainly believe is prenatal development as well. Even many in the world recognize the intricate development that takes place in the womb, not only physically, but in many other ways as well. Consider today the awesome power of God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. Some of you, like John and Timothy, have known Biblical instruction from infancy, having a godly heritage. Others have come into this knowledge later and are the first generation in your line to have godly faith. Regardless, hold on to the divine truth in the Holy Scriptures, "which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, there is incredible blessing in the miracle of new birth and along with this gift of life comes extraordinary responsibility to the Christian parent. May we as parents realize the impact of imparting Scriptural teaching by instruction as well as example from the time of conception. We're grateful for our family, other Christian brothers and sisters, our church and Christian ministries who also inspire our children to live for You. We cannot force our children to follow in Your ways, but we can certainly show them the way to life everlasting and equip them with the Scriptural knowledge that will make them wise for salvation. May this always be our highest priority. Amen. Note from Brooksyne: Little Eli James is a beautiful new addition. Ester was in awe as she held this tiny new life last night. His fingers are so long I could envision him standing next to his father years from now holding a big hammer and helping him in his work. I am very grateful that Ester can be among numerous "intact" families in our area who live responsible lives and raise their families to know God and serve Him. Since Ester has been a teen she has given much more thought to her birth and the choice her biological parents made in giving her up for adoption. We occasionally have heart to heart talks about the way she came into our home at three months of age, usually around her birthdate in March. And we always give thanks to God in prayer rejoicing in the fact that her birth mother made the best choice in bringing her into this world. Ester has not only blessed our lives, but her overcoming spirit in the midst of physical hardships has touched others as well. * Here's a perspective on the article in Consumer Reports referred to in today's encouragement. This article also has links to the actual article for those with a stomach to read it. The specific phrase in the Consumer Reports article to describe the murder of the prenatal baby is "The uterine contents are sucked out using a manual or electrical pump while the woman is under local anesthesia." Today's suggested music resource is a powerful song called "Deliver Me". Here are the lyrics. It's on the website of a ministry called "The Ranch". It's a very thought-provoking song related to the unborn child. |
| 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!  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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  |
