A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, December 14, 2012  "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.  Earlier this week we mentioned attending a "Homecoming" concert last Friday night in Hershey PA with a variety of Gospel musicians. A feature of the Homecoming concerts is not only music but humor, primarily from Mark Lowry, who happened to be Ester's favorite at the concert.Mark is really, really funny. For instance he told a story about dogs and how they have such a steadfast love for their owners. He illustrated by asking, "What would happen if you locked your wife and your dog in the trunk of the car and then came back to open it in an hour? Who would be happy to see you? The little lady or the dog?" I first heard the song "Mary Did You Know" back in the nineties and initially was not aware of who wrote it. When I first learned it was Mark Lowry I could hardly believe it! In my mind he is so characterized by corny humor that it was hard for me to imagine him writing such a solemn song. Mark Lowry wrote the words in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write a poem for the living Christmas tree choir presentation. Initially it was merely a little-known poem until Bill Gaither showed it to Buddy Greene who is also a musician at the Homecoming concerts. He wrote the beautiful melody to "Mary Did You Know". The song considers just how much Mary knew concerning her new born Son and is written as an overview of His life; His miracles, His sufferings and His ultimate victory ending with the phrase, "This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am." Today's Scripture text describes Mary as a young mother and her awe at the events surrounding her Son's birth. "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." "Mary treasured all these things" Today many mothers keep a baby book chronicling the developmental steps in their baby's life such as a tiny footprint at birth, inoculation records, photos and records of specific achievements. Is it possible that Mary had a baby book accessible to Luke? "Pondering them in her heart" "Ponder" translates the Greek word "sumballousa" in all standard translations. One commentator explains "Sumballousa as an internal contemplation. It is an inner discussion. Sumballousa tells us that she conversed within herself and wrestled with these things in her heart. Now the heart used to be the seat of knowledge. Today we would place her pondering in the mind. Using all the logic she could locate and reason she could recruit, Mary beheld what had just happened and could not wrap her head or heart around it. She didn't fully grasp it. She held it in wonder. Wonder exists beyond our ability to know and believe, between facts and faith, and it is never fully captured by either. It is stitched with threads of doubt and skepticism and yet holds on to that which it cannot deny. Like a new mother who cannot believe that her baby has finally come. Unto us a child has been born. The Savior. The Messiah. The Lord." Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, there is so much to contemplate and ponder concerning the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Mary is a tremendous example of one who was unable to fully comprehend or understand Your plan, but trusted You even before the answer was revealed. Help us to follow in her steps and trust You to work out Your will and plan in our lives even in the mysterious workings of our daily circumstances. Your humble and obedient servant, Mary, fulfilled your plan for her life and we receive the Christ Child; the Savior, the Messiah, our Lord! Thank You. Amen. Yesterday afternoon Paul Hand, a newer friend of ours, stopped by to visit. Paul has a great testimony of a mid-life conversion.  We shared this Jeremy Taylor quote in our series some time back. Jim and Dorothy, New Jersey friends, had it made into a plaque and sent us this photo!  Last week I shared a photo of a friend's Winross miniature truck collection, which he displayed on a high shelf surrounding his office. Yesterday we visited with Marlin, who shares his extensive collection in a glass case.  We passed this mystery truck returning from Ohio Tuesday. Do any of our readers know what it is? It looks similar to crop sprayer but this truck was really moving along. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Mary Did You Know?" Video Mark Lowry "Mary Did You Know" Video This a video taken of a choir Brooksyne directed several years ago with myself as narrator. Lyrics to the song set to contextual pictures. An example of Mark Lowry humor Video "He Leadeth Me" Video Buddy Greene harmonica Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall Video Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/13/12: $16,781.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)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! Our other blogs: "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!) (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. 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 2012 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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