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 Tuesday, December 18, 2012   Listen to this message on your audio player.Note: For several weeks some of the Daily Encouragement email messages have been failing to deliver, especially to Comcast subscribers. Today's message is sent out using a new mail server and hopefully will reach all recipients. A reminder that messages are also posted to the website. "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7). Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, when Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room for Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee. "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" was written by Emily Elliot to teach children the truths of the advent and nativity. Considering the rich theological depth of the song, which focuses not only on Christ's birth, but also His life, suffering, death and ultimate triumph, it may surprise you that it was initially intended as a children's song. Today let's focus on the words, "When Thou camest to earth for me". This describes what is theologically known as the incarnation. The noun "incarnation" is derived from the ecclesiastical Latin verb incarno, meaning "to make into flesh" or "to be made flesh". In His incarnation God in Christ "came to earth". The apostle Paul, in his magnificent incarnation passage states, "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7). Theologian Herman Bavinck states, "But what spells out His grace is the fact that from the moment of creation God stoops down to His creatures, speaking and appearing to them in human fashion." The incarnation is God's ultimate demonstration of grace in sending His one and only Son to this world to die for our sins. Today what a difference it when I personalize the incarnation of Jesus and consider that God has indeed "come to earth for me". C. S. Lewis wrote so poignantly, "The Son of God became a Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God". That's right! And remember this wonderful truth today; this season, and all your life! How blessed we are that God came to the earth to live among us! Now let us look up to Him who gave His all for us! When the heav'ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room, There is room at My side for Thee." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Jesus, You came to earth from heaven to take on flesh and dwell among us as You became the supreme example of God in the flesh, pouring out Your grace upon grace. In Your humanness You were victorious in the raging battle against the spiritual forces of evil when faced with temptations and trials common to all people. We stand in glorious victory as we follow Your example and hold to Your unchanging truths. We come alongside those who are grieving loss and enduring heartache in the midst of this glorious season, for it is in keeping with the season of giving, that we give ourselves in faithful prayer toward these in grief. It is in the loving name of Jesus that we pray. Amen. Today is a special day for Bill and Lucy Mosebarger. I conducted their wedding in St. Marys PA on December 18, 1992, which was the last wedding I officiated during our 17 years of ministry there. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary today. Bill and Lucy have three children, remain faithful to the Lord and to each other. Ester was delighted to be the flower girl at their wedding held on a beautiful snow covered evening. (Bill really doesn't have big hair; that must be a shadow!) Bill has an interesting testimony of receiving Christ while attending college at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. When he finished college (as a forester) he returned home and wanted to get into a Bible teaching church. He had no idea which one so he started with the Yellow pages and attended the church listed first alphabetically which was ours since it began with AGAPE. We don't recommend that method but it worked for Bill and he was a blessing to us! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" Video Studio Musicians I came across this outstanding selection of Christmas music from some very gifted college students: "O Come All Ye Faithful" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012 "O Holy Night" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012 "Carol Of The Bells" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012 Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down to "Light" in Christmas carols). 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 12/17/12: $17,241.00. 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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