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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 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Friday, April 18, 2014
Listen
to us read this
message on
your
audio player.
"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left" (Luke 23:33).
One of the blessings we have often seen as we travel, particularly in the southern states are three white crosses placed up on a hill or mountain that can be seen from the highway as a witness to the landowners' faith. Normally Christians use a single cross as a symbol of their faith but the three crosses also have rich symbolism as a reminder of the three crosses on Mount Calvary.
Jesus hung on the middle cross, vicariously dying for the sins of all mankind. Two criminals, representative of the human race, were hanging on crosses on each side of Him. These three crosses each represent:
The cross of rejection. One criminal represents the masses that to the very end rebel against God and reject His plan of redemption. But rarely is such sneering so openly expressed, and this by a dying man as he hurled insults at Christ. This unnamed criminal is merely expressing the viewpoint of so many who reject God's only remedy for our sin problem. This criminal died in his sins.
The cross of repentance. The other criminal represents those who repent of their sins and place their faith in God. He came to realize that he and the other lawbreaker deserved the death penalty and was quite frank when he spoke: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41). His faith is humbly expressed in these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Our Lord's dying words brought eternal hope to the repentant criminal as well as spiritual hope to millions throughout the centuries, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This criminal died to sin.
The cross of redemption. On the middle cross Christ dies once for all time for all people. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19,20). Peter, a witness to these things, stated, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust" (1 Peter 3:18a). Our Saviour died for our sins.
Today is a day of decision. For many it will be a reaffirmation of a decision previously made, for others this is a special day. The cross of redemption was singularly accomplished by Jesus Christ. Are you living your life in rejection of Christ or in repentance, acknowledging that, "we are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41).
This Good Friday let us, through faith with thankful hearts, accept God's only solution for our sin problem. Let us faithfully live for the One who died for us.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, thank You for the record in Scripture that
makes us more than just curious bystanders during the crucifixion of
Your precious Son. Jesus' recorded conversation with the
repentant
criminal helps us to see how immediate redemption for all humanity
was being provided through His death on the cross. Thoughtful
reflecting
on this day brings about grief and sadness as we recall the rejection,
pain, and suffering Christ underwent. In Luke 22:53 Jesus spoke to
those who seized Him in the garden as a time when darkness reigns.
Though He was speaking figuratively in the garden the next afternoon
literal darkness fell upon the earth as He breathed His final breath.
Surely all hope dissipated for those who stood by our Lord as He hung
on the cross. But I'm so glad we don't have to wait for
the rest of the story to unfold since we know, through Scripture, the
final outcome and the way
of salvation Christ made possible for us. Thank you, Father, that
You
loved the world so much that You gave Your one and only Son to die for
our sins, that
whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We call upon
the Lord Jesus to save us, cleanse us from our sins, and to indwell our
hearts. Amen.
Last night we had a moving Maundy Thursday service recalling Christ's sacrificial death for our sins and the events that took place the evening of His betrayal. A light meal was served followed by Communion, Hymns reflecting the cross, Scripture reading, Prayers and Testimonies. Pastor Jay presented a meditation based on John 13 when Jesus washed His disciples' feet. After the footwashing Jesus commanded them, "Now that, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" as followers of Christ, (John 14,15). Pastor challenged us, to have a servant's heart and to be "People of the Towel".
Ester took several photos that we share with you today. Those participating in the footwashing, whose photo was taken, gave us permission to share with readers.
The Communion Elements
Brooksyne washing and praying over a sister.
The mutual hug and blessing following the footwashing.
A grandmother washing her granddaughter's feet while others in the circle sing hymns reflecting Jesus' death on the cross.
And now the daughter's turn to serve her mother!
Ester looked down the hall into the men's gathering where they held their footwashing and snapped this photo.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"And Can It Be That I Should Gain?" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"The Man In The Middle" Video The Cupps
"Man In The Middle" Video Wayne Watson
"At The Foot of The Cross" Video Kathryn Scott
"Love Held Him To The Cross" Video Harvesters Quartet
"When He Was On the Cross" Video John Starnes
"It Is Finished" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"He Was Wounded" Video
An astounding 30 of the 89 accumulative chapters in the four gospels cover the period beginning with Christ's triumphal entry through His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances. Mathematically this means that approximately 33% of the written material in the Gospels deals with a mere .05% period of His life! In the providence of God we have a much greater proportion of Scriptural revelation dealing with God's greatest act of mercy in providing our redemption.
Here's an interesting chart from a Study Bible that may be helpful as you study the Bible this week. It sure helps me to have a sense of when the events took place and is inspiring to read these Scriptures in the daily sequence leading up to Easter.
Sunday
Good Friday
"The Three Crosses"
Listen
to us read this
message on
your
audio player. "When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left" (Luke 23:33).
One of the blessings we have often seen as we travel, particularly in the southern states are three white crosses placed up on a hill or mountain that can be seen from the highway as a witness to the landowners' faith. Normally Christians use a single cross as a symbol of their faith but the three crosses also have rich symbolism as a reminder of the three crosses on Mount Calvary.
Jesus hung on the middle cross, vicariously dying for the sins of all mankind. Two criminals, representative of the human race, were hanging on crosses on each side of Him. These three crosses each represent:
The cross of rejection. One criminal represents the masses that to the very end rebel against God and reject His plan of redemption. But rarely is such sneering so openly expressed, and this by a dying man as he hurled insults at Christ. This unnamed criminal is merely expressing the viewpoint of so many who reject God's only remedy for our sin problem. This criminal died in his sins.
The cross of repentance. The other criminal represents those who repent of their sins and place their faith in God. He came to realize that he and the other lawbreaker deserved the death penalty and was quite frank when he spoke: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41). His faith is humbly expressed in these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Our Lord's dying words brought eternal hope to the repentant criminal as well as spiritual hope to millions throughout the centuries, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This criminal died to sin.
The cross of redemption. On the middle cross Christ dies once for all time for all people. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19,20). Peter, a witness to these things, stated, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust" (1 Peter 3:18a). Our Saviour died for our sins.
Today is a day of decision. For many it will be a reaffirmation of a decision previously made, for others this is a special day. The cross of redemption was singularly accomplished by Jesus Christ. Are you living your life in rejection of Christ or in repentance, acknowledging that, "we are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41).
This Good Friday let us, through faith with thankful hearts, accept God's only solution for our sin problem. Let us faithfully live for the One who died for us.
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, thank You for the record in Scripture that
makes us more than just curious bystanders during the crucifixion of
Your precious Son. Jesus' recorded conversation with the
repentant
criminal helps us to see how immediate redemption for all humanity
was being provided through His death on the cross. Thoughtful
reflecting
on this day brings about grief and sadness as we recall the rejection,
pain, and suffering Christ underwent. In Luke 22:53 Jesus spoke to
those who seized Him in the garden as a time when darkness reigns.
Though He was speaking figuratively in the garden the next afternoon
literal darkness fell upon the earth as He breathed His final breath.
Surely all hope dissipated for those who stood by our Lord as He hung
on the cross. But I'm so glad we don't have to wait for
the rest of the story to unfold since we know, through Scripture, the
final outcome and the way
of salvation Christ made possible for us. Thank you, Father, that
You
loved the world so much that You gave Your one and only Son to die for
our sins, that
whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We call upon
the Lord Jesus to save us, cleanse us from our sins, and to indwell our
hearts. Amen.Maundy Thursday Service
Last night we had a moving Maundy Thursday service recalling Christ's sacrificial death for our sins and the events that took place the evening of His betrayal. A light meal was served followed by Communion, Hymns reflecting the cross, Scripture reading, Prayers and Testimonies. Pastor Jay presented a meditation based on John 13 when Jesus washed His disciples' feet. After the footwashing Jesus commanded them, "Now that, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" as followers of Christ, (John 14,15). Pastor challenged us, to have a servant's heart and to be "People of the Towel".
Ester took several photos that we share with you today. Those participating in the footwashing, whose photo was taken, gave us permission to share with readers.
The Communion Elements
Brooksyne washing and praying over a sister.
The mutual hug and blessing following the footwashing.
A grandmother washing her granddaughter's feet while others in the circle sing hymns reflecting Jesus' death on the cross.
And now the daughter's turn to serve her mother!
Ester looked down the hall into the men's gathering where they held their footwashing and snapped this photo.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"And Can It Be That I Should Gain?" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"The Man In The Middle" Video The Cupps
"Man In The Middle" Video Wayne Watson
"At The Foot of The Cross" Video Kathryn Scott
"Love Held Him To The Cross" Video Harvesters Quartet
"When He Was On the Cross" Video John Starnes
"It Is Finished" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"He Was Wounded" Video
Major Events of the Passion Week
An astounding 30 of the 89 accumulative chapters in the four gospels cover the period beginning with Christ's triumphal entry through His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances. Mathematically this means that approximately 33% of the written material in the Gospels deals with a mere .05% period of His life! In the providence of God we have a much greater proportion of Scriptural revelation dealing with God's greatest act of mercy in providing our redemption.
Here's an interesting chart from a Study Bible that may be helpful as you study the Bible this week. It sure helps me to have a sense of when the events took place and is inspiring to read these Scriptures in the daily sequence leading up to Easter.
Sunday
- Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
- Jesus Clears the Temple: Mt. 21:12,13; Mk. 11:15-17; Lk. 19:45,46
- Jesus' authority challenged in the temple: Mt. 21:23-27; Mk. 11:27-33; Lk. 20:1-8
- Jesus teaches stories and confronts the Jewish leaders: Mt. 21:28-23:36; Mk. 12:1-40; Lk. 20:9-47
- Greeks ask to see Jesus: Jn. 12:20-26
- The Olivet Discourse: Mt. 24; Mk. 13; Lk. 21:5-38
- Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Mt. 26:14-16; Mk. 14:10,11; Lk. 22:3-6
- The Last Supper: Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-20
- Jesus speaks to the disciples in the upper room: Jn 13-17
- Jesus struggles in Garden of Gethsemane: Mt. 26:36-46; Mk. 14:32-42; Lk. 22:39-46; Jn. 18:1
- Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Mt. 26:47-56; Mk. 14:43-52; Lk. 22:47-53; Jn. 18:2-12
- Jesus is tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and disowned by Peter: Mt 26:57-27:2, 11-31; Mk 14:53-15:20; Lk 22:54-23:25; Jn 18:13-19:16
- Jesus is crucified and buried: Mt 27:31-56; Mk 15:20-41; Lk 23:26-49; Jn 19:17-30
- The glorious resurrection: Mt. 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-11; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 20:1-18
(This material is developed from an outline in the Life Application Bible)
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 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA