Having trouble reading this message? Read mobile edition online
  Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter    The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition "Shine, Jesus Shine!" "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).  We wish you could join us some evening during this time of year when we sit out on our porch swing at dusk and look out over our front lawn and then scan the huge cornfield across the country lane. Thousands of fireflies put on a great show and the scene over the corn appears as twinkling Christmas lights. We also still like to ctach them and they have a distinct odor that's reliably identifiable! It produces this chemical to repel predators. Fireflies (also known in some regions, such as the midwest where we grew up, as "lightning bugs") abound in our area. This bioluminescent insect, scientifically known as Pyractomena borealis, is sure an interesting creature and we marvel as we observe this special creation of God. Jesse, about 8 years old, and his family attended a church in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania we served several years ago in an interim pastoral role. One evening he was out with his family on their porch watching their resident toad peeking through the flowers in the planter. He came up with the "bright" idea of feeding the toad a few bugs. Fireflies were abundant so he fed the toad some fireflies which were readily devoured. Then an amazing thing happened; the toad lit up from the inside! Jesse excitedly told me that he could see the lights flashing through the thin layer of the toad's skin. His family all watched in amazement. Jesse's father, Scott, observed that the light of Christ shining through us is a result of feeding on the Word. Today may we all truly let our light shine so that others may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven! (See Matthew 5:16.)  The Scriptures acknowledge God's work in Creation when He said, "Let there be light." These are the very first recorded words of God in the entire Bible. It's God's nature to display His light and dispel the darkness.As believers we have His light shining in our hearts. The same God who initially created light has "made His light shine in our hearts." The purpose is "to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." This is an interesting verse that I don't recall examining closely. (Sometimes for preachers it takes an illustration in search of a text to dig deeper!) Another version reads, "He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God's shining-greatness which is seen in Christ's face." May the Lord fill us all with the Light of His truth and may we shine brightly from within! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, the light of Your love surrounds those who walk in the light. But You make Your light shine brightest when we're surrounded by darkness. We don't blend into the darkness but instead the light of Your love shines in stark contrast so that those walking in darkness can see the way to repentance through our changed lives. Even as we're able to see God in the face of Christ, may the world see Christ in the face of believers all over this dark planet. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Today we not only have several chaplain visits to make but we will also be stopping by the Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction in Bird In Hand PA. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Shine On Us" Video "Light Of The World" Video "Shine, Jesus Shine" Video "This Little Light Of Mine" Video "Mighty To Save" Video Hillsong |
 "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 6/23/11: $6,365.00 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 |
Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday. To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below. However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!
| You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend | Manage Subscription | Subscribe | Unsubscribe |  |
