Daily Encouragement (06/22/10) "The Divine GPS"

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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 Tuesday, June 22, 2010 When I became a Christian in the early seventies the "one way" sign was a popular greeting for Christian young people. Listen to this message on your audio player. "The Divine GPS" "You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4). Yesterday Brooksyne had a meeting at a church in York, a neighboring city about twenty miles away. Although we've both been to the church on a number of occasions this was the first time she had made the trip on her own. She can be a bit directionally challenged so I set the gps to go to the location.  However it couldn't find the satellites and I scrambled to write out the directions at the last minute. Thankfully the gps kicked in after I put it in the car and she found the place without any problem.  That got me thinking about the divine GPS, God's Holy Word. Knowing where we are going (destination) and how to get there (directions) is very important and, in most cases, being close is just not acceptable.  Several years ago we had some friends visit us from northern Pennsylvania, but they mistook our house for a neighbor's.  The visible plaque through the kitchen window that said "Esther" made them feel certain they were in the right place since our daughter's name is Ester. No one was home at the time so they sat on the porch, played a few songs on the guitar, and patiently awaited our arrival. Eventually they caught on that they might not be at the Weber's house and eventually we connected.  They would hardly have considered it a worthwhile trip knowing that they were "just" 100 yards from us but were unable to see us and visit face to face. The daily text records an incident that took place shortly before Christ went to the Cross.  He offers His disciples one of the great promises of the Bible. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3).  After three years of ministry and intense training with His disciples Jesus confidently asserted that they knew where He was going and forthrightly said, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (v. 4). But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification. I appreciate his candid honesty.  "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"  (John 14:5). Having the benefit of knowing the rest of the story we may wonder how, after all the time that was spent with Jesus, the disciples didn't know where He was going. But Thomas, apparently speaking for all the disciples, said they neither knew the "where" (destination) or the "way" (directions). God is ever a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker.  Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). In fact I consider that the disciples need for clarification prompted this statement. We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives, haven't we?  I would imagine that each of you has an interesting story about getting lost that you could tell. But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy.  The Divine GPS is wholly reliable and never has trouble acquiring the satellite signal!  When we place our trust in the great "I AM" He is our Guide through this earthly maze and we are assured of reaching our heavenly home at His appointed hour.  Are you trusting Christ today? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, to know You is to know the way to eternal life.  Help us to hold fast to the directions we receive through Your Word.  Thank You for sending Jesus who bridged the gap that stood between heaven and earth.  And thank You that, because of Your mercy, we have entrance into heaven as we walk over the bridge of Your mercy and forgiveness.  It is in Jesus' name that we pray.  Amen. After the resurrection Thomas also needed additional clarification and evidence.  John 20:24-29  An earnest seeker, Christ met his need. 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 Leadeth Me"  Video "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"  Video "I Am"  Video  This is a local church and they get excited! "End Of the Beginning"  Video  Another song by the same church choir. "God Is In Control"  Video  Several weeks ago I met with Kristian and Shannon Walker, a musical couple here in Pennsylvania.  I shared how I enjoyed their music but was unable to find several songs online to share in this series and how I especially liked this song.  They gave me permission to place them up on YouTube. This is my first attempt at making a pictorial video using photos I had taken in New England several years ago. "The Greatest Thing"  Video  Shannon Wexelburg Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update 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 6/21/10 $6,518.00 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 you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. 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. Reader Survey:  Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. 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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