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Psalm 19:9 photo by Doris High
Psalm 19:9 photo by our friend Doris High

"God's Purpose Will Stand"
(New Year's Message)


Today's message is a reminder that God's purpose for your life will stand.

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"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isaiah 46:10). "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8). "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Peter Pan in Geico adThere's an ad running on TV right now that always gets our attention and although we've seen it numerous times we still pause to watch and normally both chuckle out loud. You can watch it here but please come back and read the entire message!

The scene is a 50th anniversary high school class reunion with the people in attendance being in their late sixties. It just has the feel of a party of sixty-somethings. But Peter Pan, who was a member of that class shows up, and he never grew up. He's still a squirrelly teenager with some very annoying antics characteristic of our teen years such as the fake hi-five followed by a punch in the stomach. I remember when I did that and Brooksyne does as well, usually the surprise blow was reserved for a sibling. But it would sure be out of place for me to do that now with a group of business associates my age!

Old couple in Geico adThe announcer states "When you're Peter Pan you stay young forever".

But Peter Pan is a mythical character. We don't stay young forever. David wrote "I was young and now I am old" (Psalm 37:25). Those who graduated 50 years ago probably look a lot more like the couple Peter Pan annoys in the commercial!

Spray mistJames wrote, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). The briefness of life can be illustrated by using an aerosol spray. Press the dispenser button, watch the mist go into the air and quickly evaporate. Our lives are like that in light of eternity. The longer we live, the more we are aware of this perspective.

Our journey through this brief life is but a transition to the future eternal Kingdom God has prepared for us. I am convinced that very early in eternity we will recognize just how brief this earthly part of our journey really was. But for now it's all we know and thus is wholly significant. The transition of one year to another seems to stir within us a desire to do some soul searching as we consider behaviors and attitudes that need either modified or even eradicated from our lives. Perhaps there are goals that we will set for 2016 that will motivate us and help us feel good about accomplishments seen in this calendar year.

If you are setting goals, begin another year focusing on God's eternal purpose and make sure you implement that perspective while setting goals for the new year. Consider our daily text and  examine these words from our eternal God.

Note the phrase from our second daily Scripture text, "My purpose will stand." It's a source of great peace and assurance in both the microcosm and in the macrocosm. God is speaking here and I believe Him. I surely don't always understand His complete purpose nor do I understand how it all fits together. Sometimes it’s a daunting mystery.

But from the beginning; from the first command God gave to Adam, He also calls us to seek, trust and obey Him. The Psalmist proclaims his faith in this God of purpose: "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever." Today, once again and continually, we need to seek, trust and obey God who will most assuredly fulfill His purpose for our life.

Romans 8:28The final daily verse expresses a wonderful truth that has brought assurance to scores of believers all through the church age. His promise is to work all things out for them that love Him. All things work out according to His purpose and they work out in His time.

That's right, fellow believer, His purpose for you will work out. His nature has not changed. These promises are just as valid today as when they were written nearly 2000 years ago. And they are valid for you whatever you are facing today or whatever God has in store for you in 2016. Take comfort in God's reassuring words, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and future" (Jeremiah 29:11).


Be encouraged today and have a blessed New Year,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying manDaily prayer: Father, help us to keep a Biblical perspective as we consider the brief duration of our life on this earth in light of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless nor are they insignificant for we acknowledge that You have brought purpose to our lives for our present journey and that purpose will extend through all eternity. On this earth we may never fully experience and understand Your purpose, but we do seek to trust and obey You all the while, keeping that which we have committed to You until that day. Amen.



Special Year-end appeal:

DonateWe want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year. Many have responded the last several weeks to this year-end appeal. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. We typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Our ministry labor is comprised of half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive a fee (of course this percentage of time varies week by week). Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each phase would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information or donate directly online through my chaplain account here. Thank you!

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Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"We Are A Moment" (Be Unto Your Name)  Video   Robin Mark

"Who Am I"  Video  Casting Crowns

Geico Ad featuring Peter Pan  Video


Doris High posts her many photos and personal reflections on her "My Journey" blog.


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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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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