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 Monday, March 4, 2013  We stopped by Friday to visit our Amish friends. Anna Ruth was making home-made bread and using the old cast iron radiators to assist in the bread's rising. She suggested I take a photo so I stood on a chair to include the straw hats hanging on the hooks on the wall.  Listen to this message on your audio player."The Home Stretch" "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" (Acts 20:24). "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24).  Jesse and Wilma Dourte are a dear older couple who attend our church. We belong to a small country-type church that has about 120 in attendance (that's a small church to some and a good size church to others depending on your reference point). We enjoy attending a church where you personally know the pastor and congregation and have occasional opportunity to share testimonies as time permits. It was during a recent testimony service that Jesse Dourte lifted his hand indicating he had something to say so Pastor John made his way toward him with the wireless microphone. I found myself anticipating what might be on his heart, because he and Wilma always have a good word to share with the congregation. Jesse slowly rose from his pew as he pulled himself up by the back of the pew in front of him, and began his testimony by saying very matter of factly, "I'm on the home stretch now", prior to dispensing some godly wisdom for all ages. In doing so he acknowledged, like the Apostle Paul, that the time of his departure is nearing. The Mirriam-Webster dictionary indicates that the "homestretch" is the part of a racecourse between the last turn and the winning post. Of course the precise time of our departure is known only to God but what a healthy, faith-filled outlook to approach what we consider to be the "last turn" of our human condition with an assurance of God's love as we joyfully anticipate our final destination. The majority of mankind would rather avoid the topic of death altogether. Many live as though they're invincible and death will never darken their door; this being especially prevalent among the youth. Give them a few years and they'll see young and old departing this life and reality will awaken them to the inevitable truth.  Paul's life goal was to finish life's race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. We may slow down physically due to our age progression, but the task of faithfully giving a witness for Christ and His amazing grace should fill our hearts and be the message on our tongues until our dying day.Life, in light of eternity, is but a vapor but since it's all we know it can seem an unending race, similar to a marathon. Jesse who turns 90 in June is indeed on his home stretch and longs to hear our Lord's commendation, "Well done good and faithful servant." All of us will one day come to the end of our earthly pilgrimage. What a waste it would be to have run our marathon aimlessly. Instead let us be inspired daily by keeping as our chief goal the Lord's future commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant....Enter into the joy of Your Lord" (Matthew 25:23 NKJV). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we testify today to the marvelous grace of Christ Jesus our Lord. His loving grace exceeds our sin and our guilt, making it possible for us to have our sins completely forgiven. What He did on Calvary brought hope from despair, and turned the gloom of death into the brightness of eternity. When our walk on earth seems long or dreary, precious Lord, linger near as You uphold us with Your mighty right hand. Amen.  The story of his childhood is very interesting and gives a glimpse into the Amish culture although he told us, "It is my story" and is not necessarily representative of all Amish. Ira tells the story of his conversion to Christ at 26 years of age.Here's a description from the book cover: One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 am, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life - from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26. "Growing Up Amish" is the true story of one man's quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this charming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the most enigmatic cultures in America today - the Old Order Amish. Ira Wagler also blogs here and you can also find information about the book. He has a very interesting writing style!  Here's a close-up of the rising bread from our photo above. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I Want To Be That Man" Video Brian Free & Assurance There are those who will listen to this and consider their own father and that is such a blessing. However I also consider faithful old-timers like Jesse, who was mentioned in our message today, a brother in the faith and former pastor. Younger generations need to see and interface with these elderly who have lived faithfully for Christ, especially since so many really don't have that model in their own family. "What A Day That Will Be" Video Gaither Vocal Band "Does Jesus Care?" Video Guy Penrod & George Beverly Shea From Guy Penrod's new CD "Hymns". George was a young 103 at the recording of this song. Well worth the listen and a great blessing for one who is bereaved or enduring great trial. "If We Never Meet Again" Video Booth Brothers  "A heartwarming story of true sportsmanship" Video I know there's a spiritual lesson to this story! |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/12)  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.2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 3/3/13: $3,548.00. 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 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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