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 Tuesday, August 10, 2010  Laughlin Mill in Cumberland County, PA. This gristmill was built about 1763 by William Laughlin  Listen to this message on your audio player."O For Grace to Trust Him More" "It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace" (Hebrews 13:9). "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). In light of the recent martyrdoms that took place in Afghanistan Brooksyne and I were discussing what followers of Christ might experience in the moments leading up to their martyrdom. As we played out the tortuous scenario in our mind we wondered how God might bring about peace in a time of terror. We considered the special dispensation of God's peace and grace He reserves for those who undergo persecution or when they die a martyr's death. Not only do they receive an imperishable body but they also receive the crown of life. The enemies think they're permanently silencing the message of Christ, but God will send another messenger – He always does. Instead of simply ending a life through martyrdom the enemy is actually arranging a coronation celebration in heaven where a victor's crown is awarded the one who remains faithful even to the point of death! (How I wish we could witness that blessed event from down here. If only we could had earth and heaven's perspective at the same time....) In the face of death I believe that a message of triumph is delivered by heavenly messengers directly to the heart of the believer. Its message, whether through Scripture, song, or a revelation from God calms unimaginable fear and triumphs over terror in the heart of a martyr. Of course so much more will be revealed on the other side but we do have some insight from Scripture. Jesus foretold of a time when His followers would be called to suffer and recognized that the natural human inclination would be to worry about this, but Christ indicates there will be a special anointing of the Holy Spirit at that time. "On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matthew 10:18-20). Although the Lord in this case does not specify that His followers will have physical suffering or die a martyr's death (although He does elsewhere) the principle of special help from the Holy Spirit given at a time like this surely applies. Stephen, when he faced an avalanche of stones that would lead to his agonizing death, had a special vision of the Lord standing at the Father's right hand. Though his martyrdom was imminent God enabled him to preach one of the best sermons recorded in Scripture, an overview of the work of God from the time of Abraham up to the day of Stephen's stoning. He didn't shirk his convictions or cringe in fear but died with assurance and a forgiving heart toward those who hurled the stones in his direction. I wonder how many stone cold hearts were softened that day and shaped into the image of Christ as a result of Stephen remaining faithful, even to the point of death. Paul was graphically warned by the prophet Agabus of the dangers that awaited him if he would go to Jerusalem. But Paul expressed this wonderful confidence, "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early believers who were tempted to return to their old way of life. The writer is unidentified but the Holy Spirit is most certainly identifiable as He gives the initial recipients and all of us a good dose of inspiration and spiritual stability. These believers were enduring both persecution and false teachings that sought to undermine their faith. But let us consider this phrase today; "It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace." Perhaps you would like to personalize it even further by declaring, "It is good for my heart to be strengthened by grace." The word "strengthened" conveys the sense of being established and stabilized. There is much that is unstable in our world but we are strengthened just by knowing that we are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable. Tom White, director of Voice of the Martyrs asks, "Are we willing to endure rejections, to have our world "all shook up," confessing Him with our mouth? However we proclaim His name, in our joy or in moments of anguish, He is our focus. Jesus wants us to focus on His unshakable, unmovable kingdom no matter what the cost." God's grace is so amazing in a multitude of ways. We primarily and properly consider grace in regard to our salvation, for we are saved by grace. But God's grace strengthens our hearts all through life's journey and we believe there is a special dispensing of that grace during life's hardest moments, certainly for those called to give their all through martydom. Terror threats may distress us; weariness may drag us down; discouragement may set in; friends may forsake us; financial security may crumble and false doctrines abound, but God's grace continues to strengthen the heart! Today, we want to encourage our faithful followers of Christ. Regardless or because of what you are enduring may your heart be strengthened by God's amazing, all-sufficient grace! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, Your exceeding grace is evident as far as the eye can see and reaches way beyond my limited imagination. But the greatest aspect of Your grace is that You choose to reside within my heart. Your abundant grace brings me assurance when the world speaks of trouble. Your abiding grace brings me consolation when others would forsake me. Your sustaining grace is manifested far more in the trials of life than in the mountain top experiences. Thank You for supplying me with Your sufficient grace in the height and depth of my existence. Your amazing grace is supernatural; it never ceases to amaze and it is good for my heart to be strengthened by Your grace! Amen.  Our present visiting kittens remind us of these three kittens who "adopted" us for awhile several years ago.  Brooksyne took this photo using flash several years ago when they found a place to lie down in a planter on our deck at night. The three kittens were born to a neighborhood stray and hung around our house for awhile till we found homes for them! 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.) "There Is A Hope" Video Stuart Townend "My God" Video Stuart Townend "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" Video Casting Crowns "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" Video "Grace Alone" Video "He Giveth More Grace" Video Laughlin Mill: We passed this beautiful old mill and waterfall on our way home from Roxbury Camp last week and stopped to take the featured photo at the top of our post today. Here are some more photos from a genuine mill enthusiast. Scroll down and note the Scripture text at the bottom. This man has prepared webpages for 1388 mills and has over 6,298 photos! Do you know what SPOOM stands for? See here. 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 8/9/10 $9,088.00 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 by us 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 Friday's 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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