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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 Thursday, June 2, 2011  "Revive Us Again!" "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation" (Psalm 85:6,7). Today is Ascension Day, the day we commemorate Christ's ascension back to His Father after He completed His redemptive work here on earth. In the Christian circles I have been in little emphasis is made on this day but not so among some of the "Plain" communities in our area such as among the Amish and Mennonite who have services this day. The event is recorded in Scripture in Acts 1. Yesterday I inquired if any reader might know the name of a famous sermon preached by Jonathan Edwards in Enfield, Connecticut in 1741. Many of you correctly responded. The sermon had the catchy title, "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God", which would not go over very well in many of today's "seeker friendly" churches!  On that day Jonathan Edwards stepped behind the pulpit and methodically delivered what many consider the most famous single sermon ever preached in America. Few preachers have not heard of "Sinners in the hands of an Angry God" or read the account of the astounding conviction that came over the assembled listeners that day. People wept and cried out to God for mercy and many were saved. It wasn't because of Edward's eloquence or his dynamic sermon delivery. Instead Edwards was described as "one who preached powerfully although lamely dependent on his manuscript, who delivered his sermons in a monotone, with his eyes never straying from the back wall of the church.” (I'm also pretty sure he didn't have the benefit of PowerPoint or Sermon Spice videos.) The next several years our country experienced a sweeping revival known as "The Great Awakening." Although not widely spoken of in modern times, in large part due to historical revisionism, the Great Awakening was a movement rooted in devout faith in God and spiritual growth which brought a national identity to Colonial America. Many of the founders were impacted by this Great Awakening.  The meeting house itself where Edwards regularly preached burned down in 1775 and only a small, engraved stone now marks the spot where it stood in Enfield, Connecticut. Brooksyne and I prayed at that spot several years ago and renewed our commitment to serving God in our generation like Jonathan Edwards did in his.Our land desperately needs a revival like the Great Awakening at the time of Jonathan Edwards. In fact I assert that it is our only hope for national restoration. The appeal of the Psalmist is so needed, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"  Last week I attended a conference for pastors that challenged us to be "Watchmen on the Wall" (I plan to write on this theme tomorrow). The messages included a strong call to Biblical integrity and boldness, faithfully proclaiming the whole counsel of God after the example of Paul who told the Ephesian elders, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). We must be more concerned about being Biblically correct than politically correct! We were reminded of the grave dangers our land faces and the need to wake up. As one veteran preacher stated regarding the dire spiritual condition of our land, "It's late, very late, but it's not too late."Today, join Brooksyne and me among others with a steadfast heart who declare, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" In our day, in our time, may the Lord revive you and me and each faithful follower of Christ. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we long to experience revival so that we will be renewed in mind, in spirit and in purpose. The journey seems long and the continual allurement to that which satisfies only for a season can turn our hearts away from the living waters that forever quenches our thirsty soul. Rekindle us with fire from above as You satisfy the longings of our soul and empassion us with the desire to reach the lost. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. This small stone marks the location where Jonathan Edwards preached "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God". Click on photo to enlarge Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Revive Us Again" Video Hymns of Hope (a newer arrangement). This song has a line dealing with the Ascension. "Revive Us Again" Video Gaither Homecoming series Acapella "Lord, Have Mercy" Video Charles Billingsley (another song sung at the conference I attended last week) "Glorious Day" Video Casting Crowns One of the relatively few hymns that specifically refers to the Ascension. "Now is ascended my Lord evermore." "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" Video Keith Green "Days Of Elijah" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "Sermon Spice" produces video resources to illustrate sermons. Here's an example, a classic skit from Isaac Air Freight titled "Bible Junky". Video "Watchman Pastors" This ministry challenges pastors to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Biblical truth. Pastor friends: I urge you to examine this ministry and join me in being a "watchman pastor". Lay people: Consider sending this message to your pastor with a note asking him to look into this. If you care to do so you can read Jonathan Edward's sermon 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 6/1/11: $3,865.00 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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