Daily Encouragement sunrise logo
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home  Archives  About Us   Free email subscription   ListenListen to these messages
Donate to Daily Encouragement Net
Daily Encouragement on Daily Encouragement on FacebookFacebook Daily Encouragement on TwitterTwitter   Daily Encouragement on LinkedInWordpress   Daily Encouragement on LinkedInLinkedIn

<Previous Message                            Next Message>

Tuesday,
May 29, 2018

Amish spring wagon, Lancaster County, PA 5/24/18
Out on a pleasant afternoon.

"Our Inevitable Departure"

Message summary: The greatest transition, the time of our departure will come for all. Are you prepared?

ListenListen to our message on your audio player.

"The time has come for my departure" (2 Timothy 4:6).

We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on high


Departure screen at airportA common sight in airports are the constantly changing departure/arrival digital displays. If you are going somewhere you tend to check the departures. If you are waiting for someone you check the arrivals.

Imagine if we had access to such information for human departures, especially our own. That is one "flight" we may welcome the "delayed" designation, depending on the circumstances, of course!

What if such a site were on the internet? It would instantly be one of the most visited sites on the web. What if the online departure board not only stated the time of departure but the destination as well, along with the person's name!


Departures
Time of departure
Destination
Flight (person)

Everyone has a future departure scheduled, although we don't know when, yet we can have an assurance of where. Second Timothy is the final book we have from the Apostle Paul. He resolutely acknowledged that the time had come for his departure (death). I sense such powerful resignation in these words as he went on to say; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Most live their life giving little or no thought to their imminent departure. We are conditioned to live for the "now".  But consider that your life is really but a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Consider the temporariness of life with this verse: "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall" (1 Peter 1:24).

Transitions are an inevitable part of life. They happen to everybody at one time or another and in one way or another. We might as well accept it. In 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul is writing his final words.  He recognized that life's greatest and final transition, death, was imminent.

Bible scholars believe his martyrdom came shortly after writing this epistle. Although deeply hurt by the falling away of one close associate (Demas), he is confident in the enduring friendship of at least three others (Timothy, Luke and Mark). And most of all he's confident in the Lord's presence and help in His hour of need (2 Timothy 4:17,18).

What type of transition are you going through? During this time of year for many a significant transition is graduation. For some it's job related, others are preparing for the birth of a child or preparing to send one off to college or perhaps you're dealing with the critical illness or loss of a loved one. Some of you are getting married and sadly some of you are likely going through a divorce.

Some of you, like Paul, know the time is at hand for your departure from this earth. How do we make it through these transitions? Like Paul, by having an assurance of God's love and the love and support of dear people who are there for you.  We hope you have both!

The greatest transition, the time of our departure will come for all. Are you prepared?


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Faithful Father, we are a moment but You are forever;  Lord of the ages, God before time. We are a vapor, but You are eternal, love everlasting reigning on high. We are like grass and all our glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but Your word lasts for all eternity. Help us to prepare our souls for eternity as well, when our mortal flesh will give way to immortality and we will join the angels choirs with all the redeemed singing, "Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. Glory, praise, honor and blessing be unto Your name!" Amen.

Prayer inspired by lyrics of the song, "Be Unto Your Name"



Planting corn, Lancaster County, PA 5/25/18
On Friday evening the farmer planted corn in the field across from our home, providing another change from our front porch scenery. Now all summer we get to watch the corn grow!

Ashley's birthday party 5/27/18
Sunday afternoon we went to the 30th surprise birthday party for Ashley, who attended a small church we pastored about 6 years ago, and was a great blessing. Joining us are Jesse and Wilma Dourte, some other friends from the church at that time. Ashley and her husband Justin, who is holding their son Carson, are living faithfully for God.

Amish youth going to youth group 5/27/18
Sunday afternoon on the way to Ashley's birthday party we passed this group of Amish young people heading to a youth meeting. Looks like this young man had all the girls to himself! (Of course, it could be his sisters.)

Ephrata Memorial Day service 5/28/18
Yesterday Stephen served as chaplain for the Ephrata community Memorial Day service. We are pleased for those who make a concerted effort to not forget those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

Kember print Daniel 5:23, 1 Peter 4:17
For many years I have been receiving "Kember Prints" from those who c
ome across this webpage. Natalie writes, "I was surprised to find this Kember print in a Goodwill in central Kentucky this weekend."



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Be Unto Your Name"  Video  Travis Cottrell singing with Angela Cruz. Angela, mother of seven, took an early departure to be with the Lord at age 42 according to her obituary. This song will stir your heart and bless your soul.

"Hello After Goodbye"
  Video 
Legacy Five

"All My Tears"  Video  Selah

Contact Us
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.)


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. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.

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."

© Copyright 2018 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  USA

dailyencouragement.net

Contact Us

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"