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"You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4).
Yesterday
Brooksyne had a meeting at a church in York, a neighboring city about
twenty miles away. Although we've both been to the church on a number
of occasions this was the first time she had made the trip on her own.
She can be a bit directionally challenged so I set the gps to go to the
location. However it couldn't find the satellites and I scrambled to
write out the directions at the last minute. Thankfully the gps kicked
in after I put it in the car and she found the place without any
problem. That got me thinking about the divine GPS, God's Holy Word.
Knowing where we are going (destination) and how to get there (directions) is very important and, in most cases, being close is just not acceptable. Several years ago we had some friends visit us from northern Pennsylvania, but they mistook our house for a neighbor's. The visible plaque through the kitchen window that said "Esther" made them feel certain they were in the right place since our daughter's name is Ester. No one was home at the time so they sat on the porch, played a few songs on the guitar, and patiently awaited our arrival. Eventually they caught on that they might not be at the Weber's house and eventually we connected. They would hardly have considered it a worthwhile trip knowing that they were "just" 100 yards from us but were unable to see us and visit face to face.
The
daily text records an incident that took place shortly before Christ
went to the Cross. He offers His disciples one of the great promises
of the Bible. "Do not let your
hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's
house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am
going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). After three years of
ministry and intense training with His disciples Jesus confidently
asserted that they knew where He was going and forthrightly said, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (v. 4).
But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification. I appreciate his candid honesty. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Having the benefit of knowing the rest of the story we may wonder how, after all the time that was spent with Jesus, the disciples didn't know where He was going. But Thomas, apparently speaking for all the disciples, said they neither knew the "where" (destination) or the "way" (directions).
God is ever a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker. Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). In fact I consider that the disciples need for clarification prompted this statement.
We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives, haven't we? I would imagine that each of you has an interesting story about getting lost that you could tell.
But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy. The Divine GPS is wholly reliable and never has trouble acquiring the satellite signal! When we place our trust in the great "I AM" He is our Guide through this earthly maze and we are assured of reaching our heavenly home at His appointed hour. Are you trusting Christ today?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, to know You is to know the way to eternal life. Help us to hold fast to the directions we receive through Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus who bridged the gap that stood between heaven and earth. And thank You that, because of Your mercy, we have entrance into heaven as we walk over the bridge of Your mercy and forgiveness. It is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.
After the resurrection Thomas also needed additional clarification and evidence. John 20:24-29 An earnest seeker, Christ met his need.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"He Leadeth Me" Video
"Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us" Video
"I Am" Video This is a local church and they get excited!
"End Of the Beginning" Video Another song by the same church choir.
"God Is In Control" Video Several weeks ago I met with Kristian and Shannon Walker, a musical couple here in Pennsylvania. I shared how I enjoyed their music but was unable to find several songs online to share in this series and how I especially liked this song. They gave me permission to place them up on YouTube. This is my first attempt at making a pictorial video using photos I had taken in New England several years ago.
"The Greatest Thing" Video Shannon Wexelburg
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
When I became a Christian in the early seventies the "one way" sign
was a popular greeting for Christian young people.
Listen to this message on
your
audio player.
was a popular greeting for Christian young people.
Listen to this message on
your
audio player."The Divine GPS"
"You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4).
Knowing where we are going (destination) and how to get there (directions) is very important and, in most cases, being close is just not acceptable. Several years ago we had some friends visit us from northern Pennsylvania, but they mistook our house for a neighbor's. The visible plaque through the kitchen window that said "Esther" made them feel certain they were in the right place since our daughter's name is Ester. No one was home at the time so they sat on the porch, played a few songs on the guitar, and patiently awaited our arrival. Eventually they caught on that they might not be at the Weber's house and eventually we connected. They would hardly have considered it a worthwhile trip knowing that they were "just" 100 yards from us but were unable to see us and visit face to face.
But Thomas asked a question indicating a need for further clarification. I appreciate his candid honesty. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Having the benefit of knowing the rest of the story we may wonder how, after all the time that was spent with Jesus, the disciples didn't know where He was going. But Thomas, apparently speaking for all the disciples, said they neither knew the "where" (destination) or the "way" (directions).
God is ever a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and Thomas was a diligent seeker. Christ did not rebuke him or the other disciples, but graciously proclaims one of the most familiar and memorized Bible truths; "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). In fact I consider that the disciples need for clarification prompted this statement.
We've all gotten lost at some point in our lives, haven't we? I would imagine that each of you has an interesting story about getting lost that you could tell.
But God's directions in regard to our ultimate, desired destination are absolutely complete and trustworthy. The Divine GPS is wholly reliable and never has trouble acquiring the satellite signal! When we place our trust in the great "I AM" He is our Guide through this earthly maze and we are assured of reaching our heavenly home at His appointed hour. Are you trusting Christ today?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, to know You is to know the way to eternal life. Help us to hold fast to the directions we receive through Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus who bridged the gap that stood between heaven and earth. And thank You that, because of Your mercy, we have entrance into heaven as we walk over the bridge of Your mercy and forgiveness. It is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.
After the resurrection Thomas also needed additional clarification and evidence. John 20:24-29 An earnest seeker, Christ met his need.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"He Leadeth Me" Video
"Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us" Video
"I Am" Video This is a local church and they get excited!
"End Of the Beginning" Video Another song by the same church choir.
"God Is In Control" Video Several weeks ago I met with Kristian and Shannon Walker, a musical couple here in Pennsylvania. I shared how I enjoyed their music but was unable to find several songs online to share in this series and how I especially liked this song. They gave me permission to place them up on YouTube. This is my first attempt at making a pictorial video using photos I had taken in New England several years ago.
"The Greatest Thing" Video Shannon Wexelburg
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Brooksyne.
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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.
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."
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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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