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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, March 21, 2011  David and Sabra Penley Friday afternoon we enjoyed visiting with David and Sabra Penley, some new friends from Texas. We showed them some authentic Lancaster County by taking them to a working Amish farm! (The reflectors on the buggy are bright due to the sun shining in the barn!) "The Blessing Of Being Reminded" "Though you already know all this, I want to remind you" (Jude 1:5). "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things" (2 Peter 1:12-15).  I have a little gadget that I'm sure many of you are familiar with and may also use. It's a tiny USB Flash Drive that holds memory. It has far more memory than the hard drive from my first computer in the early nineties. In our computer-lingo laden age a familiar phrase we might hear or repeat is, "I need more memory." I recall how the early hard drives filled up so quickly, as well as the internal RAM memory. Actually, at least in my case, these have not been issues for several years.That reminds me of a far more important type of memory; the need to remember Biblical/spiritual truths. For the last several messages we have been considering the book of Jude. Following our teachings last week on verses 3 and 4 Jude continues his short letter with this matter of fact statement, "Though you already know all this, I want to remind you." We live in an age when the "new" is highly valued and don't get me wrong, I enjoy new stuff, especially technology (although I am typically several years behind the “newest and latest”.) In regard to Biblical and spiritual truths I also appreciate a new insight, perhaps something in a Bible text I had never considered. As we prepare these messages we hope that takes place. But we are foundationally committed to expressing and contending for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints. Our goal is to highlight an old truth that readers might not have explored before or simply need to be refreshed regarding its application in their lives. But there's such a tendency to have a view of "I've already heard that before" and this can lead to a negative, unreceptive outlook. It can also be dangerous as we may run after new "truths" that are really old errors being recycled to attract a new following. Today we would like to consider the benefits of being reminded of important truths. Truths that teach, reinforce and remind us are indeed a blessing: 1) Because we forget! I saw a little abbreviation on a napkin that said, "I have CRS". When I asked what this meant the older man with the napkin referred to various diseases that are known by their abbreviations and then pointed out the initials on his napkin stood for, "Can't Remember Stuff." If our forgetfulness is limited to the smaller, inconsequential stuff of life that's one thing, and that is somewhat frustrating. Even in our mid-fifties Brooksyne and I are having those "senior moments." But how critically important it is that we remember that which is of foremost importance. 2) Being reminded is a means of reinforcing truth in our lives and helping us keep a Biblical/spiritual perspective. The Apostle Peter is writing about it in his last letter which we know as 2 Peter. I find today's Scripture especially pertinent. Hopefully you read the Scripture portion I placed at the beginning. It really shows the heart of a caring servant. As this first generation believer was passing the torch of faith to the next and all subsequent generations he emphasized the vital importance of remembering the crucial, foundational truths of the faith that were known and firmly established in his initial readers. 3) Because others may need to hear the reminder or may be receiving the teaching for the first time. In a group setting a church will have all ages and a healthy church will have those who have just come into the faith. For some the Bible teaching is a reminder, for others it's a new revelation. For those of us who have been in the faith for a while we may need to be reading other materials to further enhance our spiritual growth. In Peter's text notice the repetitive emphasis; "So I will always remind you"; "it is right to refresh your memory"; and "I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things." Today we bring no new revelation, no teaching that will “tickle” itchy ears or bring about a large following because of our “unique” message. Instead we simply prompt you to consider the need for being reminded of that which is of first importance and encourage you to faithfully proclaim these truths to others! And never ever grow weary of being regularly reminded or being the one who does the reminding, which is good discipleship. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, would You impress upon our hearts essential truths that You want us to remember. May they be seared into our conscience so that they not only guide our Christian walk but spill out to those we influence by our consistent example and frequent reference to these principles. As we read Your oft-repeated principles and doctrines throughout the Bible help us not to ignore or overlook the familiar. Help us instead to know that it is repeated for emphasis and reminds us of the most important things You want us to know. In our short time on this earth enable us to impress deeply upon others the elemental teachings that have forever impacted our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan   Beginning Sunday, April 3, 2011 we are encouraging Daily Encouragement Net readers to read/listen through the entire New Testament in 40 days. This will take about 30 minutes per day. We will provide a direct link to the Scripture portion to be read and listened to each day (and several links for the weekend daily readings).The daily encouragement message for each weekday during the forty day period will be based on a portion of the text in the Bible reading for that day. See Bible.is for an online Bible with audio player and additional apps that you may find useful. For international readers there may be a version available in your language. Just click on the ESV tab to access all languages available. Join our Daily Encouragement Bible reading group on Facebook A schedule for the entire reading period is here. Here is what the daily reading reminder will look like: For Sunday, April 3 read Matthew 1-7 beginning here. This Bible reading plan is a partnership of Daily Encouragement Net and Faith Comes By Hearing, a ministry which provides Bible listening resources all over the world.  David and Sabra enjoyed holding these new mixed beagle/bulldog pups who couldn't get enough loving. As a professor David has a photo standing in front of shelves of books so this should add to his variety! I think you can easily tell where they are standing! David connected with our ministry some time back while looking up info about covered bridges. We have had some correspondence back and forth through email since that time. He is a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and was up in our area last week for special revival services in a local church. We had them over for dinner and had a great time of fellowship. I sure appreciated his thoughtful perspective on a number of issues that have been on my heart. He preached in his home church in Arlington, Texas yesterday and I listened to his message last night. His message was an exposition from Hebrews 12:1-3 (mp3) and a call to faithfulness, something we all need to hear. He also has very interesting illustrations. David contributes to the Biblical Counseling Institute blog and here's an article he wrote titled "Counseling and the Church".  Ester felt like she was finally driving since she led the mini horse with the children in a cart ride.  The bull was interested in what was happening in the milk barn.  This cow appears to be praying before eating her feed and her evening milking. (Maybe she was praying that the farmer would hurry up and milk her!)  Can anyone tell me what this is? (Equipment, load and purpose) (If you want to venture a guess answer here and I'll post correct the correct answer tomorrow)  Some of you may be interested in watching a YouTube video I made last year on an Amish farm. Here is an album of still pictures. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Tell Me The Story Of Jesus" Video The McKameys - A great old hymn set to mountain music. "Tell Me The Old, Old Story" Video Instrumental with lyrics. "I Love To Tell The Story" Video with vocals Video with instrumental This song has a line that always intrigues me and expresses a truth that I hope will always be my attitude, "I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest." As Brooksyne and I were praying this morning we considered what seems such an increase in turmoil all over the world. Then we heard on the local news of a traffic death here in Lancaster County. Only minutes later we received a call from an HR manager that the woman who was struck worked in one of our companies where we serve as chaplains. She was Vietnamese and, though we couldn't communicate language-wise, we immediately recalled her pleasant smile as we would greet her weekly. 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 3/20/11: $2,315.00 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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