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  Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter    The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Friday, April 15, 2011  Our Hyacinths are beginning to really bloom after some nice rains and several days of warm, sunny weather. What a blessing to see the beautiful signs of spring this morning! 40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan: This suggested 40 day reading plan began last Sunday (April 3) If you want to participate and have not been following the reading schedule up to this point we suggest starting with today's reading (Luke 1-4) and reading Matthew and Mark after this reading period ends. Here's the entire 40 day schedule. (These links will open to the selection to be read and a built-in listening device.) More information concerning the Scripture reading plan is below the daily message.
 Listen to this message on your audio player.Note to daily email readers: This audio link was broken on Wednesday on the email post. If you care to listen to Wednesday's message it is here. Please note: Due to a busy schedule a daily encouragement message was not prepared for Thursday, April 14, 2011. "Be On Your Guard" "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers'" (Luke 22:31,32).  The Bible declares that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). That's a spiritual reality we do well to recognize. The apostle Paul gives further insight into spiritual battle when he wrote, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).Today's text expresses an intense time in Peter's own life when he experienced the lion's roar as Satan desired to have him. "And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that He may sift you as wheat'". Jesus made this observation following a dispute the disciples had amongst themselves as to which of them was considered the greatest. Incredibly this dispute took place during the Last Supper only hours before the Son of God would humble Himself to the death of the cross! At the conclusion of His teaching on servanthood Jesus addressed Simon Peter by name, "'Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." In other words Jesus tells Peter, Satan wants to toss you and scatter you, and also to cast you out much like wheat is separated from the chaff. Seven times in the Bible God addresses people by repeating their name twice. This is known as Epizeuxis. When God repeats a name twice, it is to display deep emotion, not necessarily anger. In today's instance the Lord seems to use it lovingly and then solemnly offers a warning to be on guard. The English language doesn’t specify between a singular and a plural second person pronoun "you" (though many native Pennsylvanians commonly say “yous” when addressing more than one person!) However the Greek makes a distinction in the singular and plural and in this instance the word "you" is plural. In other words, the Lord is not telling Peter that Satan has asked to sift only him as wheat, but rather Satan wants to do this to all the disciples. And certainly the record indicates that their faith was shaken greatly. We can further apply this dialogue to all who follow Christ and the shakings that takes place during life's hard times.  Jesus continues with a promise so encouraging and instructive: "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." Interestingly the word “you” here is singular this time, and means that the Lord specifically prayed for Simon Peter. Jesus who knew Peter and his heart better than he himself did, prophesies his temporary failure in this context (when he denied the Lord at the rooster's crowing) as well as his later restoration. "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Peter did turn back and was one of the great leaders in the early church teaching and strengthening his brothers in the most holy faith.That's so incredibly encouraging to me. What an awesome blessing that Christ prayed for Peter and He continues to pray for His children today. He is at the right hand of God interceding for us (Romans 8:34). It's also instructive. I pray for the spiritual battles we face as an ongoing reality in every stage of life. We encourage each of you as you "stand in the gap" in prayer for your children and for all those you disciple. Indeed, like the apostle John, there is no greater joy than to hear that our children are walking in the truth! (3 John 4). Keep on praying and staying faithful! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, Jesus warns us that Satan seeks to agitate us like wholesome grain that is being sifted from worthless chaff. You know the chaff we cling to such as doubts, fears, half-heartedness, slothfulness and other harmful debris that weakens or destroys our faith and our testimony. Help us not to resent the trials and temptations of this life that act as a filter forcing us to give up that which is uncomely to the Christian character; that which holds us back instead of moving us forward keeping us steadfast in our faith. We thank You, Jesus, that You faithfully intercede for us, in the siftings and shakings of life. Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be. Amen.For further study: Epizeuxis, I suppose many of you, like me prior to today, had never heard of this word! See here that I really didn't make this up! As noted in the lesson there are seven times in Scripture when God addresses a person using the double name such as "Simon, Simon". Can you recall them? For further consideration can you recall when Jesus addresses the name of a place twice and when He addresses His Father twice? Submit your answers here and I will share correct answers on Monday!  Yesterday we passed this Amish buggy pulling a trailer near New Holland. It illustrates the ingenuity of the Amish folks as they make do with the restrictions placed upon them. Major Events of the Passion Week This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday and begins a period often called Holy or Passion Week, so named because it chronicles the events leading up to the Lord's death and resurrection. Here's an interesting chart from a Study Bible that may be helpful as you study the Bible this week and consider these events. It sure helps me to have a sense of when the events took place and is inspiring to read these Scriptures in the daily sequence leading up to Easter. I enjoy math although I'm not very good at it beyond the basics needed to get by in life (such as preparing my taxes!) Consider this: The four gospels cover the life of Christ, a period of about 33 years. But almost all of this material deals with just the 3½ year period of His earthly ministry. However, an astounding 30 of the 89 accumulative chapters in the gospels cover the period beginning with Christ's triumphal entry through His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances. Mathematically this means that approximately 33% of the written material in the Gospels deals with a mere .05% period of His life! In the providence of God we have a much greater proportion of Scriptural revelation dealing with God's greatest act of love and mercy in providing our redemption. Sunday
(This material is developed from an outline in the Life Application Bible)   "Tortured For His Faith" We would highly recommend this book which is available to Daily Encouragement readers for the month of April free of charge! It is tremendously inspiring and will stir you to faithfulness in the face of persecution. It will also create a greater hunger for the Bible as a result of reading it. Merely go to this page and fill out the form on the lower part of the page. Indicate that you are a daily encouragement reader and request the book in the comment box. (Don't forget to include your mailing address.)40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan  On Sunday April 3 we began a forty day program of reading through the New Testament and we encourage Daily Encouragement Net readers to consider joining in as we read/listen through the entire New Testament in 40 days. (At this point we suggest starting at the reading for the current day and then reading the portions you hadn't read when the 40 day period is over.) These readings take about 30 minutes per day. Prior to each message we will provide a direct link to the Scripture portion to be read and listened to each day and for the next 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 (or, on Mondays this may also be from a Scripture portion read over the weekend.) Here is a page where you can download the entire Bible to your computer in a variety of versions. Here's an overview of the plan I have prepared with practical tips (pdf) Here's a schedule for the entire 40 day reading period along with discussion questions. This is especially suitable to bookmark during this period as it contains links that will open directly to the passage to be read for the day.  The reading links open to Bible.is, an online Bible with audio player and additional apps that you may find useful. For those who may prefer the KJV it is available. For international readers there may even be a version available in your native language. Just click the small tab directly below the Bible.is logo on the top left to see available versions. 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. We will share more about this ministry in future messages. Join our Daily Encouragement Bible reading group on Facebook. You can read and listen to the material directly on Facebook.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Follow Me" Video Kelly Willard A wonderful version of a great hymn by Ira StanphillIn considering music that would supplement today's message I was drawn to some songs by Kelly Willard, one of our contemporaries (she was born in 1956). "A Friend So True" Video Kelly Willard A video when Kelly was in her mid twenties. (Poor recording) "Willing Heart" Video Kelly Willard This video shows Kelly in a recent concert. We are blessed to read of Kelly Willard's continued faithfulness to the Lord. She was one of the original musicians during the Jesus Movement of the seventies. She continues to sing for the Lord. Her biography is here. 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 4/14/11: $3,215.00 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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