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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 Monday, May 9, 2011  Steudler Azalea Gardens 40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan: We began a 40 day New Testament reading plan on 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 and reading previous portions after this reading period ends. Here's the entire 40 day schedule. The links below will open to the selection to be read along with a built-in listening device.
"Christ's Glorious Trifecta" "Jesus Saves!!!" "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2,3). Yesterday was an extra special day for us. On May 8th we celebrate our wedding anniversary (1976) and my ordination to ministry (1979). But this year was also Mother's Day, so we really had three celebration events on one day. Last night I was talking to my brother in California and he told me that we had a trifecta, an interesting term I had heard of but don't commonly use, so I had to look it up. Turns out it's in part a horse racing term, but it also means "a run of three grand events". That got me thinking about the greatest trifecta of all. Our daily text begins "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him." To "fix our eyes" means to look away from other things and steadfastly or intently toward a distant object, at that which fills the heart. The idea is to direct one’s attention without distraction. Today let us consider three grand events comprising this glorious trivecta in the life of Christ as expressed in the remainder of this verse: 1) Christ endured the cross. We have the accounts in the Gospels of His endurance as He was completing the mission His Father had sent Him to earth to accomplish; His sacrificial death for the redemption of the human race. Endured literally means "to remain under but not simply with resignation, but rather with a vibrant hope". It describes one who continues in an activity despite resistance and opposition. Jesus endured short-term pain because of the certainty of long-term gain. 2) Christ scorned the shame. I find an elaboration in the Amplified Bible helpful here, "ignoring the shame". The cross at His time brought only shame (it was the most shameful of deaths, “yea, the death of the cross” Philippians 2:8). But Jesus ignored that and did his Father’s will by submitting to it. 3) Christ sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The death and resurrection of Christ are not explicit in this passage but certainly powerfully taught. He who endured and despised the shame of the Cross, died for our sins, was resurrected, ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. In fact the writer of Hebrews introduced Jesus with the description... "When He had made purification of sins (His work of salvation as the sacrificial Lamb of God was accomplished once and for all), He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). As a result of Christ's glorious trifecta we are called to "consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men." The word "consider" translates the Greek "analogizomai" which is used only here in the entire New Testament. (The English word "analyze" is related to this word.) It means to carefully estimate and contemplate. There's a powerful reason for this consideration, "so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Encouragement is a prominent theme in the book of Hebrews. In fact regular readers may recall that the theme verse for this ministry comes from Hebrews 3:13, "encourage one another daily." Today we have this same need don't we? By deeply contemplating these various aspects of Christ's redemptive trifecta, we receive encouragement and renewed determination to press on in our faith, even in the midst of opposition. Jesus Saves! Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout it brightly through the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Jesus, we want to fix our eyes, our thoughts, and our affections on You, our blessed Redeemer. Though You faced enormous opposition that would provide understandable excuse for altering Your redemption plan, nevertheless You endured the cross and scorned it's shame. Thank you that you died for our sins and rose in victory and returned to Your Father to sit at His right hand. When we consider the depth of Your commitment we're even more determined to be faithful in the night seasons of our Christian walk. Help us to endure by keeping our eyes, not on that which is seen, but on the unseen future rewards that You promise to those who are faithful. We pray this in Your name. Amen. I must tell you what I said to the kids yesterday. In Children's Church I began to review the ABC's of Proverbs which Krista and I have been teaching for several months. I started from the letter "A" and began to elaborate on each letter and let the kids say what word goes with each letter: (Like, what is our "A" word? They answer, "Avoid" for "Avoid evil".... and so on for each letter). So, I get to the letter "F" and I ask with GREAT enthusiasm, "What is the "F" word?" I realize RIGHT away what I just asked as I glanced at a surprised 10 year old's face (his second time in Children's Church), along with the open mouth of my son-in-law Bill who had come to sit with his boys and is now blushing. Right away, I have to prompt the children that it is a good word that starts with the letter "F"-FRIENDS. Oh my! The teasing I had to put up with at the dinner table!  Our wedding photo (May 8, 1976) (Click on photo to enlarge) For family members and friends: My brother, Pat, a newly credentialed minister at the time, performed the ceremony and is standing behind us. My sister Genelle was maid of honor standing on the platform to Brooksyne's left. My Mom and Dad are in the front row to my right.   We stopped in Friday to see and pray with Jeanette Steudler who is in her nineties. She has one of the most pleasant dispositions we have ever encountered in the elderly!  Jeanette has beautiful well tended Azaleas and Rhododendrens in her yard, gifts from her sons over the years every Mother's Day.  Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Jesus Saves" Video Travis Cottrell Outstanding version of an old hymn with photos and lyrics. We encourage our readers to especially listen to this song and rejoice in what God has done! "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" Video "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" Video This version begins with a beautiful violin solo We are blessed and heartened by careful readers. A friend from Maine pointed out that the lighthouse in the background of a photo taken in our living room is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse located on the Southeast coast of Mount Desert Island in Maine. Many years ago we vacationed on Mount Desert Island where Acadia national Park is located. It is a beautiful place. My most distinct memory though and a reminder that I was still kind of foolhardy in my late thirties/early forties was racing down Cadillac Mountain on my bike at over 50 miles per hour! 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 5/8/11: $3,375.00 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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