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Daily
Encouragement Net Bible
Knowledge Test: A Bible
Knowledge test we prepared
using a survey program that can be take on line
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Encouragement on Twitter. Daily Prayer
blog:
A selection of prayers written
by Brooksyne used in these
messages. Listen
to "Music
for the Heart" (Streaming
HD
radio from our local Christian station)
Hymn
Story Net: Stories and
backgrounds behind the great
hymns. Scripture Memory Songs: A
selection of Scripture verses we
recorded in our home with
some friends. The words are
set to familiar music
as an aid to memorization in a discipleship training class. Music:
Songs recorded in my home studio.
Perspectives:
Articles on various contemporary issues.
"A
Little Foolishness" I
invite daily encouragement readers to visit our
blog which is a collection of humorous and satirical
stories
drawn
mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile
imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers. Humor:
Have a laugh based on real experiences we have had as well as stories
submitted
by readers.
These
are a
selection of books that Brooksyne and I have read that have impacted
our walk with the
Lord and we especially recommend to others!
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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 honor God through my
faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for
eternity."
Daily
Encouragement Net
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA
17552 USA Contact
Us
"For God
has chosen
the weak things in the world,
the
foolish,
the nothings.
That no flesh will glory
in His presence."
1
Corinthians 1:27-29
This
device counts unique visitors by nation and
state. I
installed the international version in mid April 2010 and the state
version later. They thus register unique
visitors to this page since then.
Many
birds feed at the feeder directly in front of our home office but we
find ourselves preferring the colorful ones, such as this goldfinch!
Brooksyne took this photo through the window, being careful not to
disturb the bird.
We just hung a hummingbird feeder about 1 foot from the window so we
hope to see our hummingbirds return this season and get some good
photos.
"And
the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and
make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and
ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:10,11).
According to the World
Evangelical Alliance, over 200 million Christians in at least 60
countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their
faith in Christ. Barrett, Johnson, and Crossing, in
their 2009 report, in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research
(Vol. 33, No. 1:32) estimate that approximately 176,000 Christians
will have been martyred from mid-2008 to mid-2009. This, according to
the authors, compares to 160,000 martyrs in mid-2000 and 34,400 at the
beginning of the 20th century. If current trends continue, they estimate that by 2025, an average of 210,000
Christians will be martyred annually. That's about 575 martyrdoms per day!
Most of this happens below
the radar and receives little attention here in the US. Many of us give
little thought to the plight of our brethren undergoing this
persecution. I hope today’s message will reach some of you who live in areas of persecution
and will be a source of encouragement to you. We also hope it is a reminder to all to "Remember
those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who
are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3).
Peter
is writing to the persecuted church of his time; a church very familiar with
suffering that surely faced discouragement. According to reliable church
tradition Peter was crucified under Emperor Nero, the cross being
upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy to be
crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ.
Let us consider the phrase, "the God of all grace"
found in the daily text. A wonderful aspect of God's character
alongside His comforting assurance to the believer is found in this
tiny
clause. We may often think of grace as pertaining only to our
salvation, but the God of all grace is constantly bestowing His
unmerited favor on His needy people.
What are you facing
today? As mentioned early on we certainly want to consider those being
persecuted. But what situation has your attention and is causing you
stress and worry? Personally, we have been in prayer for grieving
friends who lost a son to cancer this past Saturday. For others it's
dealing with a severe medical condition, in some
cases an ongoing, chronic struggle. For some couples it's an aging
parent
facing a major living arrangement transition. And yet others are
nervous about their job
security. Many carry a heavy burden for children and other loved ones
who aren't walking in the truth. The list goes on and on.
Whatever
situation weighs heavy on your hearts this day, let's consider from our
daily verse several blessings from the God of all grace:
1) He has called us to His eternal glory in Christ. This should prompt us to keep an eternal perspective. 2) Our suffering is very real but is only for "a little while", a reminder of the temporary nature of our time on this earth! 3) He will restore.
A promise of future restoration. What we see or are presently enduring
is not the final picture. Even the most vivid imagination cannot
envision the blessed future restoration God has for those who remain
obedient and faithful to Him. 4) He will make us strong, firm and steadfast.
Staying faithful and true by God’s grace regardless of what we may face
is a result of His work in us. Turn over your weakness to Him, confess
your doubts and fears, and invite Him to do the work needed to make you
strong, firm, and steadfast.
Remember this important truth: Suffering is for a little while, but sharing in His glory is for all eternity!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we see the greatest example of temporal suffering in the person of
Jesus Christ. By giving His all to pay the full ransom for our sins He
underwent inhumane persecution to the fullest extent of giving His life
through death that we might live. What seemed a hopeless cause turned
into a victory above all other victories when His resurrected body made
it possible for us, as His followers, to join in His eternal glory.
It's just a little longer that we must wait before we enter through
the pearly gates. May we be found faithful along the way! In Jesus'
name. Amen.
Most all who feed birds do not welcome squirrels at the feeder. However
they are welcomed in our yard as they feed on the dropped seeds like
this one who is joined by a neighborhood bunny! Brooksyne would rather
the bunny eat the dropped seed than munch on the growing lettuce in our back yard.
Our
cat Dottie celebrates her 11th birthday today - she was our first pet
after moving to Mount Joy from Massachusetts 11 years ago. A wild barn
cat dropped off a litter of four on May 15, 2001, and she's the beauty
we kept. First time we've ever been able to keep a cat for more than a
couple years before they wandered off. Dottie seems quite content with
us even though the dogs get most of the attention. Here she is..... sunning on the barn door ledge.
After two days of showers we have much to enjoy as a result. This lupine
is one of the beauties we have been growing in our garden. Brooksyne
says it is "elegant"! And, though I have a non-flowery vocabulary, I
would have to agree with her assessment.
Today's
Suggested Music
and
Supplemental Resources
"Follow Me"VideoKelly Willard This is among my many favorite old hymns written by Ira Stanphill.
"Just A Little While"Video Statesmen Quartet Brooksyne's Note:
As I was writing the prayer today, out of the blue, the lyrics to this
old quartet hymn "Just a Little While" came to mind, stanza by stanza.
It's in such moments I'm reminded that reinforcement of Scripture and
doctrine is stored in our memory banks through music. Stephen found an
old recording of the Statesmen quartet that may bring back sweet
memories for those who listened way back then. I'm sure that the
Homecoming Series would have a little more up to date version, but you
might just enjoy this one and its excellent lyrics thanks to songwriter
Eugene Bartlett who also penned, "Victory in Jesus".
Just a little while to stay here Just a little while to wait Just a little while to labor In the path that's always straight Just a little more of sorrow In this low and sinful state Then we'll enter Heaven's Portals Sweeping through the Pearly Gates.
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