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. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Tuesday, May 4, 2010  "What are you staring at?" I found this beautiful close-up of a cardinal on Doris High's photo blog (used by permission)  Listen to this message on your audio player."Be Prepared" "Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12). "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat" (Romans 14:10). I was in the Boy Scouts for many years and to this day value the training and discipline I received. The Boy Scout motto is a simple two word phrase, "Be Prepared". Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting was once asked, "Be prepared for what?" He didn't think hard and long for a profound response, but simply replied, "Why, for any old thing". His response was based on good old fashioned common sense that seems in short supply these days. But I'd like to take his reply a step further as it applies to the Christian faith. What should every person be prepared for? As you might expect, I believe the most important preparation we must give serious thought to is the coming judgment.  The notion of this coming judgment is scoffed at by most in our "enlightened" world. I wonder what the typical person who is inundated by a worldly perspective thinks when he sees a large sign on a barn or on a sign along the road proclaiming, "Prepare to meet thy God." We see these types of signs all the time here in rural Pennsylvania.Ridicule they may, but God's Word clearly teaches a future judgment that will involve every person who has ever lived. It will not matter whether one believed in God or the final judgment during their lifetime. All will stand before God's judgment seat and give an account. Even in the church there is a tendency to downplay the coming Judgment as we primarily focus on God's love, mercy and forgiveness. Of course these wonderful truths need to be emphasized, however, God's Holy Word plainly tells us there will be a final accounting, a great judgment. Millions confess this regularly when they say the Apostle's Creed; "He shall judge the living and the dead." But I direct my word of encouragement today to the faithful people of God; to those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, to those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and now seek daily to please Him; to those who are "sinners saved by grace". Because Christ died in our place we can face this Judgment with peace and confidence; with deep abiding assurance. Our standing is not based upon what we have done, for that would lead to vanity and pride, a works based righteousness. Rather it is based on what Christ has done on our behalf: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Our preparation for the Judgment fundamentally involves turning to God in faith. Here is a prayer that expresses that faith. If you have not done so already, I urge you to pray this prayer from your heart today. If you have done so already I encourage you to again pray to God this basic expression in reaffirming your faith. "Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that You came to this earth and died on the cross as a substitute for me. I place my faith in You and what You have done for me. I receive You into my life today and ask You to forgive me of my sins. I choose this day to follow You and walk in Your ways according to the Bible. Thank You for seeing my need and hearing my prayer of salvation." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, as we see the day approaching help us to be fully prepared for the day when we will stand and give account for the choices we make in this life. We know that preparation begins the day we commit our lives to You, but many other choices will confront our faith along life's pathway. May our faith stand the test of time and our devotion to You be evident in this life so that we will be able to rejoice in Christ's words of personal commendation, "Well done good and faithful servant."  Green grass (and weeds) My brother Pat is coming over for a visit today and I mowed my lawn after the rain yesterday. It is a vibrant green, which is one of my pleasures in life. However in just a matter of hours it seems the dandelions sprout up! When I see green grass like this I recall a specific detail in Scripture. Can you recall the portion I am referring to? See here. Green is the Greek word "chloro" 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.) "Come To Jesus" Video "Come Just As You Are" Video "Cry Out To Jesus" Video "Just As I Am" Video  I periodically refer to Doris High, a local friend and photographer. Here's a larger version of today's photo of the staring cardinal. Here's the photo collection it came from. |
  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 5/3/10 $4,953.00 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 through feedburner.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! "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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