A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Listen to this
message Donate
to this ministry
"There's Always Hope!"
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt" (Jeremiah 31:3,4a). "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8).
Last night I had the opportunity to preach the Gospel in a maximum security prison at a weekly chapel service. In over 30 years of ministry for Christ I can't recall when I had more attentiveness or receptivity in speaking to a group as I did last night. But what do you say to a group of prisoners whose past is so broken, whose present is so difficult and whose future is so uncertain and in some cases very grim?
I am so thankful that in the Gospel there is always a message of hope. The thief who cried out to Jesus on the Cross could hear this message of hope, although certainly his physical life on this earth was nearly over. According to some reports at least one of those coal miners in West Virginia was known for ardently sharing his faith in Christ and one can only imagine what took place among his peers as he presented eternal hope in their final hours. Sure they likely had a hope for rescue but the message of eternal hope in Christ was most certain even among the despair in that deep mine.
Last night I shared with the prisoners of God's everlasting love and several times had them repeat after me, "God loves me with an everlasting love." As we turn to God in faith and repentance we can have confidence in God's everlasting love and experience hope even though sinking sand is all around us.
I assured them that as they turned to God He would build them up again and they would be rebuilt. His promise is to work all things out for those who love Him. They work out according to His purpose and in His time. From sacred Scripture we all can have the assurance of David, who confidently wrote some three thousand years ago, "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me."
God's nature has not changed. This promise is just as valid this day as when David first expressed it. And it's valid for each one of us regardless of what we are facing. After all, the verse goes on to say "Your love, O LORD, endures forever." I believe and stand upon this truth on this beautiful January morning in 2006!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Lord Jesus, I'm so deeply grateful that You are in the restoration business of our lives. Thank You for Your dependability, Your everlasting love, and Your loving-kindness that draws us to God. Even in the midst of the undesirable circumstances of our surroundings Your loving-kindness is ever present. As You rebuild our lives You restore our hope and Your purpose is fulfilled in our lives. I'm so glad that Your love does not waver, but it endures forever. Thank You, Jesus!
In regard to today's message I am so blessed by a song that we sang in our worship service this last Sunday. I am sure many of you have heard it and have sung it. "Blessed be Your Name" is a reminder based on a verse from the book of Job that, regardless of what we are dealing with in life, we should declare "Blessed be your Name!" The most powerful time I ever heard this song sung was at a wedding I participated in this summer in which it was sung as the ceremony was concluded!
Audio version
Video version
If you have trouble opening these files or have questions here's a page regarding using audio/video resources.
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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552