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"Real Heroes"
"The House of the Heroes" (Nehemiah 3:16).
Today
is Memorial Day here in the USA, a day when we
are especially reminded of the tremendous sacrifices made by those who
died
in war. I am sure there are readers today who have loved ones who were
killed in
war, but for some of you it is perhaps a more recent loss. I'm not aware of anyone in my family or for that matter anyone
I've ever known
personally who has died in war.
But today as we still live in a time when there are "wars and rumors of wars" I do remember and honor those who have perished as well as all who have served such as my Dad Eugene, who was a World War 2 pilot and Brooksyne's father Brooklyn (right in photo) who served in the Army during the Korean War. Someday there will be a time when all war will cease but until that time we remain faithful as soldiers enlisted in "the spiritual army of salvation that God is raising up to save the world."
Last Friday afternoon at the "Watchmen on the Wall" briefing in Washington I heard a speech from General Boykin, a war hero, who may very well have the ancient designation of a mighty man of valor (see 1 Chronicles 5:24). He is also standing faithfully for the Lord in the culture war of our time as the barbarians of anti-God secularism barrage our land and infect our world. I am thankful for those like Boykin who "fight the good fight" in this culture war as we continue to cascade into decadence.
Today let us also consider those who are heroes on the local level likely unknown beyond their local sphere of influence. Let us acknowledge the people who have live faithfully and demonstrate character over the long haul of life. Should I name such people in my own life very few readers would recognize their names but that would be the same for you as well, as you recall your own "personal" heroes. Hopefully those who know us well might speak of us as among those who exemplify a spirit-filled life and walk with uprightness of character.
Today's Scripture verse is rarely referenced yet speaks of an intriguing designation. It's found in a rather matter of fact description of the city of Jerusalem as it was being rebuilt after the exile. Regarding this "House of the heroes", other versions use the phrase "the house of the mighty" or such similar expressions. I suppose it was some type of memorial built to honor their great leaders.
Today, let us remember who these real heroes are, both living and deceased, and let us honor them. And finally let us consider what constitutes real heroism and live our lives in such a manner that by the grace of God we might also leave a legacy of faithfulness and other character virtues for those to emulate as they look on or follow behind.
Of course the greatest Hero is Jesus Christ and this very designation was given to Him in a lesser known line in the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we thank You for those who paid the ultimate price in laying down
their lives to defend our freedoms. Many of us don't know even one of
these faithful warriors by name and yet their sacrifice
has freed us from the takeover of our enemies. There are also those who
do not know the Person of Jesus who laid down His life to free us
from the takeover of our archenemy, the devil. The vast majority give
little to no thought of the immense burden Jesus bore as He took
our sins upon Himself that we might receive forgiveness. We thank You,
Father, for Jesus who is the Hero of heroes in that He gave His all
that we might receive Your all; forgiveness for our sins and eternal
life in Heaven. We thank You for Your undeserved love and mercy. Amen.
Last Wednesday through Friday my pastor, brother and I attended the "Watchmen On The Wall" pastor's briefing in Washington DC. This meeting encourages and equips pastors to be "watchmen
pastors", standing up for Biblical values against the tide of evil
that is sweeping our land. The conference is so very important due to a sense of urgency regarding the state of our land. This conference challenges
pastors to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Biblical truth. It was held at a hotel near the Capitol with some 500 pastors in attendance.
Our basic commission as a watchman pastor is to:
None of these points may seem controversial to many of our readers but on certain issues standing up for Biblical values takes courage since increasingly these values are contrary to the modern worldly outlook, especially pertaining to the marriage and life issues. I heard a pastor state that the time may come when refusing to follow the ways of the world may get you imprisoned and I was heartened when he declared that he would stay faithful to God regardless of the outcome.
Pastor friends: I urge you to examine this ministry and join me in being a "Watchman Pastor".
Lay people: Consider sending this message to your pastor with a note asking him to look into this ministry. One speaker estimated that some 30% of pastors in Bible-preaching churches function as "watchman pastors", boldly speaking out with a clear Biblical voice, another 40% are in what he called the mushy middle, avoiding these issues for fear of being hated by the world while another 30% don't have a clue. Pastor, how do you fit in here?
What is a Watchman Pastor? The name is from Isaiah 62:6: "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest." A Watchman Pastor is called to do the following:
* Watch what is going on in the culture.
* Pray for wisdom to engage Biblically, courageously, and winsomely.
* Sound the alarm from the pulpit.
* Take a bold stand with others to defend and advance faith, family, and freedom.
The meeting was opened with a Messianic rabbi
blowing the Shofar. During the meeting we also heard from a "completed
Jew" and "converted Muslim" who sat together at the same table. What a
joy to see Christ uniting people from every tribe and tongue!
Yesterday
we held a service at Longwood Personal Care Center where
we both serve as chaplains. We honored the vets who
were in the service. Here is a photo of Clarence (left) who served in the infantry in
the Pacific and Charles (right) was a P-51 pilot. Charles and I thus
have a rather exclusive distinction; both of us have flown in P-51
Mustangs. I did so when I was in High School over Tulsa, Oklahoma
with my cousin Anna Lee's late husband Bob, a pilot
who owned a P-51.
"Follow Me" Video Kelly Willard
"Willing Heart" Video Kelly Willard
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Are our daily
encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask
you to consider making a donation 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.
Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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."
© Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Monday,
May 27, 2013
Lancaster County stone farmhouse
Listen to this message on your
audio
player. Note:
Due to my quality microphone not working with Windows 8 the sound is rather poor and occasionally has
a very annoying feedback type noise. A new microphone has been ordered!
Lancaster County stone farmhouse
Listen to this message on your
audio
player. Note:
Due to my quality microphone not working with Windows 8 the sound is rather poor and occasionally has
a very annoying feedback type noise. A new microphone has been ordered!
"Real Heroes"
"The House of the Heroes" (Nehemiah 3:16).
Today
is Memorial Day here in the USA, a day when we
are especially reminded of the tremendous sacrifices made by those who
died
in war. I am sure there are readers today who have loved ones who were
killed in
war, but for some of you it is perhaps a more recent loss. I'm not aware of anyone in my family or for that matter anyone
I've ever known
personally who has died in war.But today as we still live in a time when there are "wars and rumors of wars" I do remember and honor those who have perished as well as all who have served such as my Dad Eugene, who was a World War 2 pilot and Brooksyne's father Brooklyn (right in photo) who served in the Army during the Korean War. Someday there will be a time when all war will cease but until that time we remain faithful as soldiers enlisted in "the spiritual army of salvation that God is raising up to save the world."
Last Friday afternoon at the "Watchmen on the Wall" briefing in Washington I heard a speech from General Boykin, a war hero, who may very well have the ancient designation of a mighty man of valor (see 1 Chronicles 5:24). He is also standing faithfully for the Lord in the culture war of our time as the barbarians of anti-God secularism barrage our land and infect our world. I am thankful for those like Boykin who "fight the good fight" in this culture war as we continue to cascade into decadence.
Today let us also consider those who are heroes on the local level likely unknown beyond their local sphere of influence. Let us acknowledge the people who have live faithfully and demonstrate character over the long haul of life. Should I name such people in my own life very few readers would recognize their names but that would be the same for you as well, as you recall your own "personal" heroes. Hopefully those who know us well might speak of us as among those who exemplify a spirit-filled life and walk with uprightness of character.
Today's Scripture verse is rarely referenced yet speaks of an intriguing designation. It's found in a rather matter of fact description of the city of Jerusalem as it was being rebuilt after the exile. Regarding this "House of the heroes", other versions use the phrase "the house of the mighty" or such similar expressions. I suppose it was some type of memorial built to honor their great leaders.
Today, let us remember who these real heroes are, both living and deceased, and let us honor them. And finally let us consider what constitutes real heroism and live our lives in such a manner that by the grace of God we might also leave a legacy of faithfulness and other character virtues for those to emulate as they look on or follow behind.
Of course the greatest Hero is Jesus Christ and this very designation was given to Him in a lesser known line in the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Let the Hero, born of woman,
crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we thank You for those who paid the ultimate price in laying down
their lives to defend our freedoms. Many of us don't know even one of
these faithful warriors by name and yet their sacrifice
has freed us from the takeover of our enemies. There are also those who
do not know the Person of Jesus who laid down His life to free us
from the takeover of our archenemy, the devil. The vast majority give
little to no thought of the immense burden Jesus bore as He took
our sins upon Himself that we might receive forgiveness. We thank You,
Father, for Jesus who is the Hero of heroes in that He gave His all
that we might receive Your all; forgiveness for our sins and eternal
life in Heaven. We thank You for Your undeserved love and mercy. Amen.Last Wednesday through Friday my pastor, brother and I attended the "Watchmen On The Wall" pastor's briefing in Washington DC. This meeting encourages and equips pastors to be "watchmen
pastors", standing up for Biblical values against the tide of evil
that is sweeping our land. The conference is so very important due to a sense of urgency regarding the state of our land. This conference challenges
pastors to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Biblical truth. It was held at a hotel near the Capitol with some 500 pastors in attendance.Our basic commission as a watchman pastor is to:
1) Pray for our nation.
2) Preach the Bible without apology.
3) Partner with those who also hold Biblical values.
2) Preach the Bible without apology.
3) Partner with those who also hold Biblical values.
None of these points may seem controversial to many of our readers but on certain issues standing up for Biblical values takes courage since increasingly these values are contrary to the modern worldly outlook, especially pertaining to the marriage and life issues. I heard a pastor state that the time may come when refusing to follow the ways of the world may get you imprisoned and I was heartened when he declared that he would stay faithful to God regardless of the outcome.
Pastor friends: I urge you to examine this ministry and join me in being a "Watchman Pastor".
Lay people: Consider sending this message to your pastor with a note asking him to look into this ministry. One speaker estimated that some 30% of pastors in Bible-preaching churches function as "watchman pastors", boldly speaking out with a clear Biblical voice, another 40% are in what he called the mushy middle, avoiding these issues for fear of being hated by the world while another 30% don't have a clue. Pastor, how do you fit in here?
What is a Watchman Pastor? The name is from Isaiah 62:6: "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest." A Watchman Pastor is called to do the following:
* Watch what is going on in the culture.
* Pray for wisdom to engage Biblically, courageously, and winsomely.
* Sound the alarm from the pulpit.
* Take a bold stand with others to defend and advance faith, family, and freedom.
Today's Suggested
Music
and Supplemental Resources
"Follow Me" Video Kelly Willard
"Willing Heart" Video Kelly Willard
Send a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Are our daily
encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask
you to consider making a donation 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.Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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."
© Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA