Daily Encouragement (07/22/10) "Steadfast Forever"

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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, July 22, 2010 Window box on barn Listen to this message on your audio player. "Steadfast Forever" "I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end" (Daniel 6:26). I did an online search for "indestructible" items and came up with a digital camera that is promoted as "indestructible, waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and childproof."  Interestingly it was a refurbished camera which is an indicator that it can wear out or break down after all.  Even more interesting it comes with a "limited" manufacturer's warranty.  If it's truly "indestructible" why limit the warranty at all?  The fact is there is nothing indestructible in this life except the souls of humankind. Daniel was a young Hebrew being held in Babylonian captivity.  He lived for God in a godless society where those in authority sought to corrupt him year after year, decade after decade, but their repeated attempts were unsuccessful. Daniel always proved to be trustworthy and incorruptible. "Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom" (Daniel 6:3). At this point Daniel had reached the golden age of 80 years or more. If the jealous, scheming administrators and satraps could not prove him to be incorruptible after all these years they would set out to prove that Daniel was destructible.  But that too failed after God miraculously sent angels into the lion's den to shut the mouths of the ravenous lions.  Daniel was very much alive and in one piece after a long dark night in the den of the lions. When King Darius checked the next morning he expected to find little or no evidence of his torn remains but instead, "The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God" (Daniel 6:23). Following the miraculous intervention it appeared that Daniel was not only incorruptible but also indestructible!  King Darius was so impressed that he made a decree after Daniel was delivered from the lion's den: "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.  For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end" (Daniel 6:26). God had remarkably intervened on Daniel's behalf and now the secular Darius appears to come to faith. Note just the phrase "steadfast forever" that he attributed to the living God.  What a glorious truth!  What a source of great assurance to the believer.  Theologians use the word "immutable" to describe this attribute. Hymnwriters have used such phrases as "There is no shadow of turning with Thee", "E'en down to old age all My people shall prove, My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love" and "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay".  The inspired writers of Scripture use words like rock, strong tower, and refuge to describe this steadfastness of God. Sinking sand is an apt description of the shifting and crumbling foundation people build their lives on today.  The Chevrolet truck advertised as "built like a rock" will be a rusting shell in a few years.  The energizer bunny will most certainly run out of energy after several hours of usage.  The "diehard" battery may die hard but it will eventually die.  But the great God we serve is steadfast forever!  Let us praise Him today! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, Your kingdom has no end and no beginning, for You reign forever.  Our heart's affections must not be limited to our pilgrimage on earth for all things here will pass away, so we fix our affections on things above where Christ sits at Your right hand.  We want to walk in obedience to You so that our lives are proven incorruptible and trustworthy by Your standards as we are receiving the goal of our faith; the salvation of our souls.  In Jesus' name we pray.  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.) "Salvation Belongs To Our God"  Video   "Steadfast Love"  Video  Don Moen "This Kingdom"  Video  Hillsong "He Reigns"  Video   Newsboys I have a framed copy of an old hymn "More Men Like Daniel" that hangs on the wall me as I work. It's not well known and in fact I have rarely seen it in a hymnal. We need more men like Daniel to stand for God and right; Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong, And for the truth will fight. When those controlled by evil their base designs pursue, We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue. We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show; Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe. Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest. We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test. We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king; Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid His shameful death to bring. But God sent down His angel His all to guard and shield; We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield. * "More Men Like Daniel" Neal McAulay/Charles Gabriel © 1922 Homer Rodeheaver Finally today: Information about the indestructible camera! 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 7/21/10 $8,863.00 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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