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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Thursday, February 3, 2011  This cardinal is sure glad we are keeping the feeder filled! "After The Storm; Joy Comes In The Morning" "Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him" (Acts 8:2). "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). For the last couple of days we’ve written about storms; preparing for them and enduring them. Today we want to consider our response after the storm passes. I had considered using a text following the literal storm recorded in Acts when Paul was ship-wrecked. Following that storm they all made it to shore alive. These kinds of testimonies are great. But we know it doesn't always work out that way either in the Bible or in our own lives, either in literal storms or figurative storms. People, both the godly and the ungodly, do die in storms. I read an overcoming testimony about a man who lost his entire family in a flash flood in Kansas.  In a couple of weeks we have a mission conference here in Lancaster and Gracia Burnham will be one of the featured speakers. She, along with her husband, Martin, served as missionaries in the Philippines with New Tribes Mission, which proclaims the gospel in inaccessible and dangerous areas of the world. On May 27, 2001 they, along with several others, were taken captive and held for over a year by the Islamic terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. That year was a horrible storm for the Burnham family as Martin and Gracia were persecuted, beaten, and deprived of their human rights.But that storm of captivity ended on June 7, 2002 for the Burnhams. Martin was killed in a rescue attempt and Gracia was wounded but recovered. At the time of his death Martin's brother expressed faith in God and the sufficiency of God's grace as he, along with all of Martin’s family, sought to overcome their grief. Gracia went on to write a book titled, "In the Presence of My Enemies" and tells how God sustained them in their enduring trial.  The daily text is a brief and perhaps overlooked description of the burial and mourning for Stephen following his stoning. But it sure gives a perspective on the human impact of his death. Read it slowly. "Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him." Surely the emotions were no less intense for Stephen's family and friends than for us in our loss of loved ones. To "mourn deeply" has the sense of great lamentation, "to beat the breast in grief". Did they "understand" any better than we? Surely not. After all, God was certainly able to deliver Stephen and give him more years on this earth.Stephen was the first Christian martyr recorded in Scripture. Since his death there have been millions, chronicled by well-known books such as "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" and "By their Blood". The Voice of the Martyrs does a great job of reminding the church of modern day persecution. Each has a family, friends and loved ones that mourn deeply and ask the oft repeated time-old question, "Why?" But the church goes on. As Jesus said, "The gates of hell will not prevail against it." As believers Stephen and Martin Burnham are with the Lord they served. As we followed the story of the Burnhams in the news we prayed often for their release and then for Gracia and the family after the unexpected outcome. Certainly based on her upcoming testimony at the missions conference Gracia is continuing steadfast in her faith! We have wondered if perhaps one of their children will be a missionary to the very people that held their parents captive. Another missionary martyrdom in my own lifetime resulted in a remarkable "rest of the story" (Jim Elliot, Nate Saint). Some of you are in the weeping process following a storm. As believers we understand that weeping may endure for a night (or a season), but joy comes in the morning. And it surely will. Let us stay faithful! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily Prayer: Father, it is through contemplation, memorization and application of Your inspired Word that we prepare ourselves for the spiritual storms that arise on life’s journey. It is also Your Word, Your Spirit, our faith, prayer, and the loving support of our brothers and sisters that will sustain us as we endure the painful torrent of the storms. As we remain joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer we will not give up but continue to grow and mature in our spiritual walk after the storm has passed. Keep us safe, secure, and ever-hopeful as we rest in the hollow of Your loving hand. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Another ice storm photo from yesterday! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "If You Could See Me Now" Video Truth We used this song at my Mom's funeral service five years ago. A powerful and comforting perspective after the very difficult "storm" of caring for her the last several years of her life on this earth. (Note: Whoever made this video attributes the song to Don Moen but I am pretty sure it's sung by a group called "Truth")Click on the link to open and play. "You Are My Hiding Place" Video Selah "All My Tears" Video Selah "It Won't Rain Always" Video Janet Pashcal "Mighty In The Land" The testimony of Robert Rogers, who lost his family in a flash flood. Gracia Burnham Information about her ministry. "Voice Of The Martyrs" A ministry reminding the church of our suffering brethren. For Lancaster area readers here's info about the 2011 Lancaster Missions Fest Conference. It will be in Lancaster on February 18-20. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 2/2/11: $710.00 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. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.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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