Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Friday, July 16, 2010  We passed these colorful birdhouses for sale yesterday along the road at an Amish farm.  Listen to this message on your audio player."Lessons From A Roof" "When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus" (Luke 5:19).  Today and tomorrow, weather permitting, we hope to replace the roof on our home. Our house was built in the mid-eighties and over time a number of shingles have blown off due to their deterioration and the frequent strong winds we get. For several years now we have known that this is a project we would eventually need to tackle. The roof, regardless of where we live, is a vital component to shelter.Considering our roof brings to mind a roof story mentioned in the Bible. But first let us share a ministry recollection in regard to this story that took place a number of years ago. Brooksyne was setting up a classroom to teach a Vacation Bible School class about the paralyzed man who was let down through the roof by his friends to see Jesus. She thought it would be neat to illustrate the story by removing a piece of suspended ceiling tile to give the kids a visualization of how they might have lowered the man into the crowded room. She climbed up on a chair to remove the tile and as she was shifting the tile a big chunk of concrete fell out and bonked her right on the upper forehead! Thankfully she was not hurt, although she did let out a loud scream which got the attention of those nearby. After seeing the rock I was quite surprised and thankful that she wasn't hurt. I suspect her experience that morning might have been more memorable to the children than the story she was telling due to the surprise personal illustration! Today's Bible story brings a smile to me as I consider it. The entire story is found in Luke 5:17-26. When I've preached from this passage I focus on the faith, friendship, resourcefulness and persistence of the men who let the paralyzed man down through the roof. These are four character qualities we all sure need today. (Interesting in Mark's account of this story it is recorded that there were four friends.)  But after Brooksyne's experience I also consider the event from below the roof. The room was crowded and hot. Surely the operation was not neat. I assume that it was a thatch type roof. Unquestionably some debris fell on the people as the men used primitive tools to cut out the opening or dismantle the roof. Noise from above would have distracted more than a few. I wonder if any heavy fragments or dropped tools might have hit someone on the head or if small pieces fell in their eyes as they observed the unusual distraction from above.I also wonder how those who arrived early and waited their turn to be near Jesus felt about the major distraction? Were they annoyed that after working so hard to get into the crowded room they were now forced to make room for the "late ones?" I have also pondered the reaction of the homeowner. I know I sure wouldn't appreciate someone cutting a hole in my roof! I wonder if Jesus smiled at this scene. (I think He did, perhaps He even laughed!) But the focus of the story is not about the roof but the forgiveness and healing of Jesus and the praise He received. The story ends with this statement, "Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today'." May the Lord open our eyes today to be amazed, give praise to God, and fill us with awe. Perhaps He wants to use us like He used these four friends of the paralytic to bring about remarkable things! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, when we consider the zeal and creative way the paralyzed man's friends brought him to Jesus we're challenged to do likewise. This man was helpless and unable to reach the Healer on his own, but Jesus healed and saved him through the effort and faith of his friends. They cared compassionately and the barriers did not stop them from bringing him to his only Hope. Help us to be persistent in reaching out to those whose only hope for salvation is by bringing them to Christ. Give us creative ideas that will enable us to break through the barriers. Show us loving gestures that will help them to know how deeply we care. Grant us merciful hearts toward those who doubt so that we might snatch them from the eternal fire of damnation. As You lay the soul of a needy individual upon our hearts, may Your love be seen through our faithful witness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.  PS from Stephen: The men of the church were quite puzzled as to why there was a piece of concrete like this on the ceiling tile and I suggested they might check out above the entire suspended ceiling to see if there are others. We conjecture it might have been an extra piece on a concrete block wall. It was a chunk of mortar that had possibly fallen on the tile or perhaps it was used temporarily to hold an uncooperative tile down, but forgotten about (NOT a good idea)!  Yesterday afternoon we followed this colorful scene in our car near New Holland, PA. The children waved heartily as we followed and then as we eventually passed them. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "Faith Is The Victory" Video Instrumental with lyrics. "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" Video Casting Crowns "My Faith Looks Up To Thee" Video Homecoming Series with narration. "I Am The God That Healeth Thee" Video Don Moen Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
  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 7/15/10 $8,288.00 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! "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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