Daily Encouragement (02/26/10) "Deliberately Forgetting"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Friday, February 26, 2010 "In Remembrance Of Me" Listen to this message on your audio player. "Deliberately Forgetting" "But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water" (2 Peter 3:5). This Lord's Day we will remember what Christ did for us as we share around the Lord's Table in Communion. Local churches vary regarding the frequency of this ordinance; some weekly, others monthly or even less frequently. But the main focus should be to remember what Christ did for us in His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. God calls His people to deliberately remember, such as the Passover Meal under the Old Covenant and the Communion service in the New Covenant.  Most Communion tables in churches have this solemn inscription, "In Remembrance of Me". I am intrigued by the phrase in our daily verse, "they deliberately forget." I have been pondering this condition described by the Apostle Peter that I believe is too common in the Christian's life and in the church body. People may forget for a variety of reasons including diminished memory as we age. We often hear the phrase or utter it ourselves, "I'm having a senior moment" to describe a lapse in memory. Most of you raised children and often dealt with their neglecting to do a particular chore.  When confronted, their common answer was, "I forgot."  As parents we knew the truth of the matter most often was that they deliberately forgot since it was something they really didn't want to do. Today's Scripture speaks of deliberately forgetting as well; a severe spiritual condition that results when our priorities are misaligned. The King James Version words it this way: "they willingly are ignorant of."  The specific issue Peter writes of is God's work at creation.  This is an essential biblical subject matter many people are ignorant about which has brought about compromise and error, even in the church.  I believe the word "willingly" especially describes people's ignorance toward God's creation and many other areas where God's knowledge and will are revealed. Years ago one of my professors pointed out, "When one is confronted with divine truth, and God's plan for his life, the issue will ultimately come down to making a moral choice."  The first chapter of Romans is the hallmark chapter of Scripture on this topic and sums up the depraved human condition of humans who "deliberately forget". "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them" (Romans 1:18,19). Today, let us determine that we will not take for granted, nor forget or suppress the truth. Instead let us live under the authority of God's Holy Word and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We will deliberately remember His supreme sacrifice of love demonstrated to us.  If we don't remember, who will be there to tell those do not yet know of God's love? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, we drink of the crushed fruit of the vine to remind us of Christ's pouring out His life's blood so that we might have forgiveness of sins.  We eat the communion bread made from wheat that is cut down, threshed about, and put to the fire.  So too, Jesus, the Bread of Life was threshed about to the utmost on our behalf. We deliberately remember and regularly commemorate the act that Jesus commissioned at the Last Supper with the disciples.  His supreme sacrifice of dying for our sins so that we might be forgiven is worthy of great honor and faithful remembrance.  Amen. The Weber Matterhorn! Today we are having some snow but mighty winds creating huge drifts such as this one right outside our office window. 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.) "In Remembrance Of Me"  Video   Cheri Keaggy "Communion Song"  Video  Third Day "Remembrance"  Video  Matt Redmond "At The Cross"  Video  Michael Robert "Let Us Break Bread Together"  Video   "Behold The Lamb Communion Song"  Video  Stuart Townend Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 2/25/10 $1,125.00 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. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email. 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. 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. 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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

 

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Daily Encouragement (02/25/10) "God Knows The Heart"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Thursday, February 25, 2010 Frosty Pine Photo by Doris High Listen to this message on your audio player. "God Knows The Heart" "God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us" (Acts 15:8). "For the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" (1 Chronicles 28:9). "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Our daughter, Ester, has had at least 12 heart catheterizations in her young life.  Catheterization is a medical procedure that involves threading a fine wire up through a vein in the groin area to examine one's heart.  The procedure is largely diagnostic but cardiologists can also make some repairs that at one time would have required open heart surgery. In doing so they use a coil-like device that is strategically placed by the surgeon and snaps shut (although I'm sure this is not the technical way they would describe it!)  Ester's heart abnormalities have been challenging to the medical profession over the years and required the input or participation of several of the most renowned pediatric cardiologists in the world. It's amazing to observe the rapid pace regarding the increase of medical knowledge in our lifetime; the heart being only one example that we readily identify because of Ester. Procedures continue to be simplified, improved and even performed while infants are still in their mother's womb.  If this had been available when Ester was still a fetus she might not have undergone the six heart operations over the years. Three years ago at Boston Children's Hospital, when Ester underwent Pacemaker surgery, we met a young pregnant woman who was about to undergo surgery so that doctors could correct an heart abormality in her unborn infant. The diagnostic ability of doctors is surely astonishing but it does not begin to compare with God's knowledge.  The Psalmist David said it well, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain" (Psalm 139:6). The first daily Scripture declares, "God, who knows the heart."  What a powerful thought! In this context it speaks of God's knowledge of a person's spiritual heart. God knows not only every minute detail of the physical aspect of our wonderful pumping organ which is vital to life; He also knows what's in our hearts spiritually.  He knows where we lack. He knows when we deceive others or even ourselves. He knows the very motives of why we do that which we do. He knows the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. The selection of Scripture verses I have used today certainly conveys those thoughts.  He knows my heart; He knows your heart.  After the writer of Hebrews describes the effectiveness and preciseness of the two-edged sword he writes, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13).  That's pretty humbling and yet I'm sure glad Scripture tells it the way it is.  Aren't you thankful for that! There are various diagnostic procedures to determine if there is an abnormality or foreign substance attacking one's healthy body.  When I am undergoing these kinds of tests I don't want them to miss anything.  I want the procedure to be precise and accurate, so that I can make a wise, informed decision in how I might best deal with the problem. I also want to rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal to me that which I might be neglecting or am unaware of that would hinder or destroy my spiritual relationship with God.  It might be through Scripture reading or during prayer. It might be through a trial or through a godly messenger that God speaks to me.  It might be through my observation of the way God is working in another's life or situation that His Spirit speaks to me. Whatever method God chooses I pray that I am watching and listening to Him "to whom we must give account." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, it is because of our sinful human condition that we spend so much time worrying about what others think and live our lives with their view in mind, instead of Yours.  You who view our minds and hearts from inside out - You know that which motivates our actions, when others simply judge us by our actions.  We  lay out our hearts bare before You today and ask Your Spirit to reveal that which honors You and that which should be burned like chaff.  Remove our pride and replace it with humility as we confess our need for cleansing.  "More of You and less of me" is my prayer today.  In the name of Jesus.  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.) "He Knows My Name"  Video   Tommy Walker "Open The Eyes Of My Heart"  Video  Paul Baloche "From The Inside Out"  Video  Hillsong "Give Us Clean Hands"  Video  Chris Tomlin Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 2/24/10 $1,125.00 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. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email. 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. 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. 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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

 

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Daily Encouragement (02/24/10) "He Still Stills Storms"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Coast Guard Lighthouse Station Lake Superior - Marquette, Michigan Photo by Howard Blichfeldt Listen to this message on your audio player. "He Still Stills Storms" "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed" (Psalm 107:29). Once again a snow storm is forecast for our area.  Some snow storms are minor and a beautiful variety in our four season climate. Others are heavy, destructive, labor intensive and expensive during the clean-up. When we have strong blustering wind from the west we easily hear it blow through our window panes and through the cracks in our door and window facings. At times these loud gusty winds howl for hours and, if I'm not careful, it actually brings on a distressful emotion in my spirit.  Our roof shingles need replaced and, if I begin to dwell on the prevailing squally winds, I get troubled about the possibility of a roof leak; the expensive damage and clean-up that would result. Storms of life are inevitable as well; to those who believe and those who don't.  Believers can take refuge in God as they mediate on the Psalms where there is an abundance of comforting passages.  Life's storms vary in their form and intensity; they can be distressful to the child of God.  As we took a walk yesterday in our neighborhood we noted several mailbox posts that were either cracked, pushed in the wrong direction or broken in two from the storm two weeks ago.  In these instances it wasn't the storm but the clean-up from the snow plows that did the damage. We're thankful for our friend, Ken, who came this week and repaired our post. When a fallen tree is carefully examined its core of rings will not only tell the age of the tree, but definitive markings will also indicate different types of damage due to fire, floods, drought, insect infestation, and other such nutrient robbing factors.  These markings indicate that the tree has been tried and tested over years and, depending on the health of the root system, it survived the damage and went on to become a fully mature tree or it experienced a premature death. Like the tree, humans are tried and tested in the various extremes of life.  Millions have come through these storms and can certify that, indeed, God stilled the storms they faced time and time again.  But I know some of you are in the midst of an intense storm today.  It  may be especially hard for you to keep a God-focused and faith-filled perspective. Others are in the midst of the "clean-up"; the damage is extensive and discouragement has set in as its taking longer than expected.  If you're reading this today you might be saying, "That's me!"   Place your trust in the One who is ever true and faithful. Begin to search the Scriptures and sing hymns of faith that remind us, "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay." As messengers of the Gospel Brooksyne and I see our role in helping people through these storms, pointing the way to God who indeed continues to still the storms!  It's in the midst of the storms or in the clean-up afterwards that our response brings about life defining moments.  We can learn from Bible accounts, historical figures, or those in our own lifetime who have gone before us and endured the storms of life.  We can extract and apply insights and wisdom from their experiences so that we can better handle our own defining moments in God.  Let me conclude by quoting the section of the Psalm our daily verse is found in: "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders" (Psalm 107:29-32). Let us give thanks to God for His prevailing love and abundant provision remembering that God still stills storms! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we thank You that Your Word is like a life preserver keeping us afloat when the forceful waves of the sea descend upon us.  It stills our fear, sustains us in our darkest hour, and develops godly character as we apply Your words of instruction. Your promises fill us with hope and set our sights on that which will keep us in this life and preserve us for the next.  We exalt Your name and give thanks to You for Your unfailing love and Your wonderful deeds.  Amen. This morning we had an impromptu Day Care as Ester watched Adoreé, Seth and David in our home!  Leftover candy canes sweetened the little ones and kept them still for a little while. Dottie manages to sleep soundly just about anywhere and often uses our coal stove's stone landing for a pillow.  But Ester took this photo when she wisely chose the kind of pillow cushion we humans enjoy! 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.) "Creation Song"  Video  Fernando Ortega "He Giveth More Grace"  Video  From a Gaither Homecoming service "Till The Storm Passes By"  Video  Vestal Goodman "I Will Praise Him Still"  Video  Fernando Ortega "The Lighthouse"  Video  Crabb Family Lou Guiliano is a friend of ours and a hospice chaplain in New Jersey. In fact several years ago he was recognized as "Chaplain of the Year" in that state. He remarks concerning a note in yesterday's message: "The note about the 96 year old lady resonates with me on a regular basis. I witness this often with my Alzheimer's  patients who are believers. I'm so motivated by how they remember Scripture and hymns, but that's God's amazing and loving grace!  These dear saints touch me deeply as I attempt to minister to them." Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 2/23/10 $1,125.00 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. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email. 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. 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. 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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

 

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Daily Encouragement (02/23/10) "A Steady Testimony"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition  Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Joe & Jessie Carroll Listen to this message on your audio player. "A Steady Testimony" "I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me" (Psalm 13:6). "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises" (Psalm 47:6). Yesterday we made pastoral visits to a number of elderly friends and church members. Our first visit was at the home of Joe and Jessie Carroll who became our friends when we served in an interim pastoral role in the Harrisburg area three years ago. They were a tremendous encouragement to us at that time and through Daily Encouragement we have stayed connected as they listen daily to our podcast messages. Joe and Jessie have a wonderful testimony.  Joe served in the US Navy during World War 2 on the USS Sigsbee. On April 14, 1945 the Sigsbee was struck by a kamikaze plane killing many of his crewmates.  The plane struck the ship precisely where Joe's bunk was located, but he was on duty elsewhere at the time. Following the war Joe married Jessie, fathered six children, and worked in the Harrisburg area. Jessie was a Christian and raised their children to serve the Lord, but Joe did not follow Christ nor did he attend church. Of course she and many other believers prayed for many years that Joe would be saved. She recalls how he would help her get their children dressed for church but he himself would not attend.  Maybe he was looking for some "quiet time" in the empty house. In his late forties Joe was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx which resulted in having his larynx (voice box) removed. He underwent therapy with a speech pathologist and learned to talk again using esophageal speech.  The therapist taught Joe to force air into the top of his esophagus and then push it out again. The puff of air is like a burp. It vibrates the walls of the throat, making sound for the new voice. The tongue, lips, and teeth form words as the sound passes through the mouth. This type of speech sounds low pitched and gruff.  There are other more familiar methods of communication available to those whose larynx is removed such as a battery operated mechanical larynx device. It was during this time of extensive trial that God began to turn Joe's life around.  He began attending church with Jessie and even financially supported the church.  God heard the faithful prayers of his wife, children, and other believers and the Spirit began to soften Joe's heart. Finally, after about a year of going to church, he surrendered his life to Jesus. If you're reading our message carefully you might wonder by now what our story about Joe, a man without a voice, has to do with our Scripture text: "I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me." In fact the Psalmist repeatedly instructs his readers to "sing praises" four times in the next brief Scripture text, and gives good reason to do so, because God is our King.  He is worthy of our praise and adoration, no matter the circumstances of this life. Joe exemplifies this attitude when he worships God. One of the great blessings we experienced when we were serving Joe's congregation was his desire to sing praise to God. I often stood several rows ahead of him and I was so blessed to hear his unique voice joining in the song of the Redeemed! As Brooksyne played the piano and led the congregation in worship she would occasionally hear Joe's voice above the rest. It never failed to move her and often brought out even more earnest, heartfelt worship in her singing and playing the piano.   Congregational singing is the highlight of Sunday morning worship. Those of us who have served the Lord for many years may take this for granted. It's an important time of worship giving opportunity for worshipers to express personal praise and thanksgiving in thoughts they store up in their hearts but feel inadequate to verbally express.  But God uses songwriters to write lyrics that express our feelings and we can espouse them as our very own when singing the words from our hearts. Singing is found all through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The first recorded praise to God in song was following the crossing of the Red Sea. The book of Revelation makes it clear there is singing in heaven. But the greatest concentration of references to singing in the Bible is found in the Psalms. It's rather fitting since the Greek meaning of Psalm is "A poem sung to the accompaniment of music."  Today's daily texts are just two of many examples throughout the Psalms that refer to singing. When we sing unto the Lord during midweek service, small groups or Sunday Worship, may we do so with renewed vigor as we join our brothers and sisters in Christ and sing to our King songs of praise.  We hope Joe's testimony of singing unto the Lord will encourage you to sing out with a joyful and thankful heart! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we are inspired by those who are willing to give their all in praise and thanksgiving to You.  Joe, along with many other overcoming believers, serves as an example to us that You gladly receive all that we have to give and You multiply its effectiveness in ways that we cannot comprehend.  Thank You for the human examples You place in our path of those who overcome and find victorious living because their faith is not misplaced but it is firmly grounded in You, our Savior, Lord and soon coming King!  Amen. Brooksyne's Note:  We were reminded yesterday of the way God has equipped our minds to retain music when we might lose our memory, both short-term and long. We were introduced to a dear 96 year old woman yesterday by her brother and sister-in-law.  She was once an educator and very much involved in ministry.  She was unable to follow our conversation and only occasionally responded properly to questions her brother asked.  It was heartbreaking to see her restrained to her bed but due to her fragility and illness it was necessary.  When her brother invited her to sing with him, "Like Gentle Dew", a hymn they had sung since childhood she immediately joined in.  Let me re-word that; she led out! Not missing a word, and singing out in a voice that could have been a soloist in a choir, she came out of her slumbering state and suddenly lit up. She proceeded to sing beautifully this song that Stephen and I were unfamiliar with, but we appreciated the lyrics. The words follow (perhaps some of our readers may be familiar with this hymn.) Like Gentle Dew Like gentle dew the blessings fall From God Whose love inspires our song Our time, our talents and our all From Him received, to Him belong. Then let us offer to His name The willing sacrifice of praise And may these grateful lips proclaim His goodness in the notes we raise. Here's another photo of Joe, along with "Red", a friend of his who also has quite a testimony.  Red also served in the Navy during WW2 and was on the aircraft carrier Hornet that was sunk near Midway.  He was rescued after floating in the sea for sixteen days on a piece of debris. He, like Joe, also turned to the Lord later in life. As mentioned in the message above Joe served in the Navy in the Second World War.  His ship was the destroyer Sigsbee. 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.) "Sing To The King"  Video  Passion Worship Band "Lord, I Offer My Life Too You"  Video  A wonderful song of consecration. "I Bless Your Name"  Video  The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09 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. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 2/22/10 $1,125.00 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. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email. 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly. 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. 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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