Daily Encouragement (03/31/09) "The Time of God's Favor"

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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 Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Crocus variety Photo by Doris High Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "The Time of God's Favor" "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). The National Watch and Clock Museum is only about ten miles away in the small town of Columbia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the world premier institutions on the record of keeping time and hosts the School of Horology. Horology is the study of making timepieces or of measuring time (not to be confused with another word beginning with "horo").* The museum has over 12,000 items related to timekeeping and the tour is quite daunting.  The collection is international in scope and covers a wide variety of clocks, watches, tools, and other time-related items. Chronologically, the exhibits take you on a tour through the entire history of timekeeping technology from early non-mechanical devices to today's atomic and radio-controlled clocks. Knowing the correct time is very important to modern life. Brooksyne always remembers to put her watch on but I can be quite forgetful in that matter. Thus when I need the right time I might scramble to find it but it's not too hard since cell phones display the time, also our computers, the radio, the microwave and just about every other electronic device that functions in our home. I set our clocks and watches to a standard clock on the internet.  However in Biblical times people weren't as cognizant of the exact time as we are.  In describing time we find phrases like "watch in the night".  An hour did not mean a precise 60-minute unit of time, as ancient people neither had the means nor necessity to measure time that way. Dr. M.R. DeHaan, founder of the Radio Bible Class (which publishes "Our Daily Bread" devotional), once preached on God's judgment and the reality of hell. As he neared the end of his sermon, he stopped abruptly. For an entire minute he didn't say a word. All that could be heard was the ticking of a large clock on the wall. The sound seemed to grow louder with each passing second. In fact, the steady "tick-tock, tick-tock" became almost deafening to those under conviction by the Holy Spirit. Then with his commanding voice he reminded the audience, "You are now one minute nearer to eternity!" One woman in the congregation that day admitted that she was frightened. And even though she didn't receive Christ that evening, the experience of hearing that ticking was so vivid in her mind that it ultimately led to her conversion. Our busy, time-conscience lives can deter us from our most important appointment. Let us recognize and give thanks that we live in "the time of God's favor."  His offer of redemption is freely offered and through the apostle Paul He wisely counsels, "Now is the day of salvation." Our appointment to receive Christ as our personal Savior is our most important appointment in life.  It begins by meeting God with an earnest heart and saying a prayer similar to this: "Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your salvation.  I place my faith in you and ask you to forgive me of my sins.  I make you the Lord of my life and will live seeking to please you." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, how grateful we are that we live in the time of Your favor.  You favor us with Your goodness, love, and provisions.  But most of all You favor us with redemption through the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus paid the price and we are recipients of His love and forgiveness.  We give thanks for our salvation and we pray for anyone who has not made that divine appointment with You to make this the day of their salvation, for now is the time of Your favor and now is the day of their salvation.  Amen. * Hora is the Greek word translated hour. 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. "Now Is The Day Of Salvation"  Audio  2 Corinthians 6:2 from the Integrity Scripture Memory series.  (After opening page click on the "play" button) The National Watch and Clock Museum School of Horology Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 01/20/09 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.  (2009 YTD financial offerings through 3/30/09: $2,850.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 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 either 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 these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who may 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! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (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. 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 2009 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 (03/30/09) "What Kind Of People Ought We To Be?"

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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, March 30, 2009 Late yesterday afternoon a large storm, hail and all, passed through our area. I took this farm photo near Strasburg looking west as the storm was coming.   Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "What Kind Of People Ought We To Be?" "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:10-12). Thirty years ago the area in which we now live was in the midst of a gripping fear. There had been an accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, which is only 10 miles away from where we live. At that time I was just beginning my ministry in another part of Pennsylvania, but I remember the fears and speculations being made as to what might happen.  I recall my older brother, Mike, calling from California and expressing concern. In retrospect living over 200 miles away from the accident site I don't recall sensing any urgent fear at that time, but was listening intently to any news regarding the potential disaster. However for those who lived in close proximity to the plant it was a very stressful time. Pregnant women and children were urged to leave the area. There was concern about the release of radiation or even a catastrophic meltdown. Thankfully the situation was contained and here we are thirty years later. I have a friend who was one of the technicians working at the plant at the very time of the accident.  He shares an interesting perspective as to his being impounded on the island during the entire event.* Our daily text speaks of a future catastrophic event. "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." Now certainly there are various interpretations regarding what this will entail but it certainly speaks of a level of cataclysmic destruction barely imaginable. My purpose in this encouragement is not to speculate as to what this event might be or just how it fits into an eschatological view. There are scores of books and various views written about the end times.  The Apostle Peter gives us no further details, but goes on to ask the rhetorical question, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?" The same thought is directed to God's people today. Whether living in view of our imminent death or uncertainties concerning world situations, financial upheaval, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or the most certain future destruction of the current order.  What kind of people ought we to be? We have the answer to this question answered by Peter. We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. And how do we speed the Lord's coming?  It is hastened by our obedience in fulfilling the great commission (Matthew 28:19,20).  Peter wrote that God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). Another way we hasten the Lord's coming is mentioned in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:10).  Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come…"  And lastly, we speed His coming by living holy and godly lives. Today, let us heed these solemn words from the Holy Scriptures. An event far greater than the worst type of nuclear accident, natural disaster or terrorist attack is forthcoming. Our call as followers of Christ remains to live holy and godly lives, to look forward to that glorious Day, and to do our part in speeding its coming. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, You desire that we live holy and godly lives as we eagerly await the reappearing of Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Nothing here on earth compares with the anticipation we feel about that glorious day.  We want to speed Christ's coming by sharing the gospel message to those near and far.  Help us not to be timid or apathetic, but keep us enthused and eager to share the message of salvation so that we speed Your Son's return.  Amen. * My friend continues to work at Three Mile Island. (It's called Three Mile island due to it being an island in the Susquehanna River) The unit that was involved in the accident is no longer used, but the other unit (which was not involved in the accident) still produces electricity. This weekend we had some guests in our home. Yesterday our friends joined us for church service, a meal and an afternoon service and visiting at Longwood Manor Assisted Living Center.   As I waited for them I walked through the barn. The team horses were glad to have the day off work! When we took them back for milking in the late afternoon the kids were understandably very tired and fell asleep in the van.  They spent the afternoon going room to room in the Assisted Living Facility shaking hands with the residents while sharing a song and a smile!   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. "Holiness Is What I Long For"  Video   Audio "Take My Life"  Video   Audio "Take My Life and Let It Be"  Audio Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 01/20/09 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.  (2009 YTD financial offerings through 3/29/09: $2,850.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 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 either 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 these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who may 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! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (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. 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 2009 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!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe click here or send a blank email to leave-1367103-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Daily Encouragement (03/27/09) "Ancient Boundary Stones"

  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 Friday, March 27, 2009 Amish buggies for sale Photo by Doris High Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Ancient Boundary Stones" "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers" (Proverbs 22:28). Across the road from our house is a rusty old iron pipe driven deeply into the ground. It's been there for many years marking the boundary between two farms.  This pipe and other forms of boundary markers (generally stones in the Biblical period) testify to a great Biblical principle first articulated by Moses in the law in Deuteronomy 19:14.*¹ This law is a practical expression of the eighth commandment which states, "Thou shalt not steal." Today's text has a powerful spiritual application as well.  In the entire area of faith and morality God has established "ancient boundary stones" in His Word.  They are primarily found in the Law, but are elaborated on and repeated throughout the entire Bible.  Our spiritual ancestors through the history of the Church have set a pattern for living by these ancient landmarks.  These may be our fundamental doctrines, our Biblical pattern for living, or deeply held spiritual convictions. In ancient Israel boundary lines were sacred because all property was a gift from the Lord. A timeless application is that life is a gift from the Lord and He has set forth His boundary stones for our good. But these ancient boundary stones have always been meddled with and are now being tampered with, moved and even removed in ways that our forefathers would never have imagined.  Many are being seduced and deceived by radical, revisionist, blasphemous attempts to reinvent Jesus, reinterpret the Bible and redefine marriage, the most foundational of human relationships. Would anyone have believed when I was born in 1954 that within the next 50 years homosexual "marriage" would actually be a source of serious debate? Man has always been tampering with boundary stones, moving them one way or another to suit his whims, sometimes removing them altogether.  The cultural and intellectual elite purport to know best and so many of the undiscerning masses follow.  "Get rid of that ancient boundary stone", so many shout, "we don't need it anymore".  The sacred teachings of Scripture are so often mocked and ridiculed. *² I appreciate this note from a study Bible. "The landmark (or boundary stone) may be a spiritual standard, established by our spiritual forefathers, God-honoring and God-blessed. There is always a tendency for each new generation to try to modernize the ways of their fathers and, in view of the universal law of decay, this is more often a mistake." I thank God for the ancient boundary stones expressed in His Word.  Psalm 119 is best known as being the longest chapter in the Bible but it's also a chapter that constantly reinforces the Psalmist's love for God's spiritual boundary stones with verses such as, "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long" (v. 97).   May the Lord give us a love for His Word and His boundary stones along with a resolve to abide by them even when others seek to move them.  In fact I expect mankind to keep moving and removing them until the inevitable judgment. But as for me, I'll respect the reason they're present and leave them alone. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, there is no limit to all that You have provided for us such as material blessings, physical health, the love of family and unending promises that You have already fulfilled or that are yet to be fulfilled.  But You have also set visible and well-defined boundaries that are for our own good. Temptations to either toe the boundary line or cross over into enemy territory will always be there, but You give us the power to resist and discernment to recognize the alluring deceit of the evil one. Help our eyes and hearts to remain focused on Your innumerable blessings and provisions as we stand against the god of this age who seeks to destroy us. May we not move the landmark of the faithful to join with the ranks of the faithless.  In Your name, Jesus, we pray.  Amen.  *¹ "Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess" (Deuteronomy 19:14).  Moving the boundary stone is perhaps the basest form of property theft and actually merits a curse in Deuteronomy 27:17. *²  In my lifetime I have seen such an increase in this scornful attitude toward those who take the teaching of Scripture seriously. It seems that when I was younger people who did not believe still had a respect for those who did, but now many openly mock those who do. I manage several blogs and generally the opening page to blogging control panels has featured blogs, apparently selected by the techs that manage the site. In my observation when a religious blog is featured it is someone with a mocking attitude. Yesterday a featured blog title (actually a youtube video) was, "Are Christian's Stupid?" (and the conclusion of the scorner was yes, they are.) 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. "Ancient Words"  Video   Today's lead photo of Amish buggies for sale was taken by our friend Doris High who has posted an interesting collection of photos she took on a visit this last weekend to a Lancaster County "mud sale".  Today she posted more photos of food sold at the sale. Several years ago I went to a mud sale and took several photos at that time. Here's a descriptive slide show concerning a mud sale along with music. This Lord's Day our Amish friends, Jesse and Anna Ruth and their four children will be joining us for church, Sunday meal, and a visit to the Longwood Manor assisted living center as we minister there in the afternoon.  We are sure looking forward to a great day in the Lord and in our fellowship as well. Article about boundary stones. In the course of my study I found a sermon based on this text. Here's the outline. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 01/20/09 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.  (2009 YTD financial offerings through 3/26/09: $2,825.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION 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 either 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 these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who may 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! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (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. 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 2009 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!

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe click here or send a blank email to leave-1363659-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com