 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Wednesday, January 19, 2011   Listen to this message on your audio player."Looking For The City" "For he [Abraham] was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10). When we went into New York City this last Saturday we began looking for the city while far off, which I recall doing ever since we first visited New York City some 30 years ago. New York City is famous for it's skyline that can be seen from quite a distance away. On this visit the Empire State Building was lit up in green and white as a sign of support for the New York Jets football team! But for so many of our early visits the Twin Towers were the initial major eye catcher as we approached the city. Several times we went to the very top of the towers for an outstanding view of New York City and beyond.  Construction workers are now diligently working at the new World Trade Center site. Although we didn't visit this part of the city during our trip last Saturday several years ago we did visit Ground Zero. We watched the hordes of construction workers busy at work deep in the ground preparing the foundation, a critical component of any building but especially a skyscraper.  At the site the major physical work still involves the foundation, which goes down many stories deep into the ground. However once the skyscraper is built little thought is given to the hidden foundation but rather our full attention is drawn to the visible structure above the ground, that which we see. Though both the foundation and observable skyscraper have essential functions our eyes are drawn to that which we see far more than that which is hidden from our view. Much of the design and planning is done in offices by architects, engineers and designers, perhaps far away from the site. I personally know several architects and I find that field particularly interesting. I look at a grand building and consider that the original design began in the mind of the architect, who then drew it on paper or more likely a computer in our present time.  In our Scripture text the Hebrews author gives us a glimpse of the early patriarch Abraham, whose faith and actions indicated that he was looking for a city not designed or built by mere human hands. His heart’s desires were fixed upon the invisible heavens where he would live for all eternity. It's an expression of his faith in what God had promised. C.H. Spurgeon writes, "Here you have the expectation of faith. Faith does not live on things seen; she lives on something yet to come. That which is to come she regards as eternal, not like a mere tent in which she dwells here, but a city that hath foundations, fixed and firm." The Master Architect is at work in our lives and in His Kingdom, in both the visible and invisible realm. He's designing a masterpiece, "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). Long after the works of the great architects have turned to dust, the work of the Master Architect will remain!  In his book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were those who thought most of the next. The apostles themselves.. . . the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in.'" Let us joyfully serve Him today as we also direct our thoughts and affections on things above where our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, it comes naturally to fix our sights and build our hopes on that which is seen by the human eye. Not only are our eyes drawn to the visible, but our affections are also caught up in that which we can see with our eyes or touch with our hands. And yet we’re reminded in the book of Colossians that if we are risen with Christ we are to set our affections on things above, not on things of the earth, for we are dead [to the things of the world] and our spiritual life is now hidden with Christ in God. Father, You are the Masterbuilder working in the invisible realm preparing for us a kingdom that cannot be shaken by the folly of man or the sins that so easily corrupt. Our future resting place is eternally fixed in the heavens where we will dwell with You and the saints of all the ages. Keep our anticipation stirred and our affections above where Jesus is seated at Your right hand. It is because of His sacrificial death on our behalf that we can look forward to dwelling in the eternal city of Heaven. Amen.The word, architect (architekton) is derived from two Greek words, "arche" which means chief and found commonly in the New Testament. The second part of the word is "technites" where we get the English word "technical".  Brooksyne took this photo through our home office window. The Cardinal was only about 8 feet away! As cardinal lovers know, they are fidgety so it is hard to get a close-up shot.  They sure enjoy her feeder.  Last night I met my brother Pat in Reading, PA to share a BBQ meal together at "Smokey Bones". He was wearing this T-shirt!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.) "We Are A Moment" Video Singer not identified Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. "The Light Of That City" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "Looking For A City" Video Gold City "Mansion Builder" Video 2nd Chapter Of Acts "I Give You Praise" Video Travis Cottrell |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $19,494.00 Brooksyne and I want to express thanks to all who have supported our ministry! 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 1/18/11: $475.00 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 2011 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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