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 Listen to these messages Daily Encouragement on Facebook Twitter Wordpress LinkedIn <Previous Message Next Message> Friday, December 22, 2017
Another photo our friend Joe Ulicny shared with us of his home built in the 1840's all decorated for Christmas. He took this photo after our first seasonal snow. (Click on photo for larger image) "Emmanuel" Message summary: Jesus Christ came as Emmanuel to be with us to take care of our biggest problem and restore our relationship with God. He is surely also with us to take care of our many other problems. Listen to our message on your audio player. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:23). "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel God with us, revealed in us His name is called Emmanuel Yesterday we were visiting with Jerry, a buyer for Kleen-Rite, a wholesale car wash supply company. He shared something he had been musing on. He pointed out how we often hear that babies do not come with an instruction manual but Jesus came with an e-manuel! Being more theologically precise, Jesus came as Emmanuel. This was in fulfillment of an Old Testament Messianic promise, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). (Depending on the version the name is spelled Immanuel or Emmanuel). Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל meaning, "God with us"; also romanized Emmanuel, Imanu'el) S. Michael Houdmann of the GotQuestions.org teaching site explains: "That Jesus would be called "Immanuel" means Jesus is God and that He dwelt among us in His incarnation and that He is always with us. Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus was God making His dwelling among us (John 1:1,14). Immanuel is one of the many descriptive titles for Jesus." We hope our readers find great assurance in the gift of the One who became flesh and dwelt among us, Emmanuel, "God with us". When sorrows like sea billows roll…Emmanuel.
In the midst of unspeakable loss…Emmanuel. When uncertainty arises….Emmanuel. When tragedy strikes…Emmanuel. When our health declines…Emmanuel. When we have marriage or family problems…Emmanuel. During a major career change…Emmanuel. When I've really messed up...Emmanuel. In each of life's challenges, big or small, God is with us. He clears our path, sharpens our vision, renews our hope, and guides us with His right hand. Now that’s good news, dear friend! Jesus Christ came as Emmanuel to be with us to take care of our biggest problem and restore our relationship with God. He is surely also with us to take care of our many other problems. And now 2,000 years later we place our peace, hope, and joy in the wonderful truth that Emmanuel is with us and that He lives forevermore. “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:17,18). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, what assurance fills our hearts when we consider the spoken promise of Jesus, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." It is in keeping with the name given at Christ's coming to earth, "Emmanuel" - God with us. You are with us before we draw our first breath. You are with us in our struggle to draw our final breath. And You are with us in all life's struggles between our first and final breath. You guide us with Your right hand, not from a distance checking in with us here and there. You are our friend who sticks closer than a brother. We thank You, Father, for Your giving and we thank You, Jesus, for Your coming. Amen. Tragedies are always a burden and we seek to pray and consider the plight of those who have experienced tragedies such as those in the train wreck earlier this week in Washington state. Yesterday we faced heavy traffic and saw that the traffic was being diverted from our very busy 4-lane Rt 30 to an older two lane state road near Columbia, PA. We tried to get around the mess by taking a back road to our company destination and crossed over Route 30 and saw it was completely closed in both directions. While visiting our company we heard the news that there had been a serious crash early yesterday morning with a fatality. That has a way of putting in perspective the annoyance of being stuck in the heavy traffic. Special Year-end Financial Appeal: We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). 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. Like many ministries, 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 approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. 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 would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information. To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376 Please Note: We also provide this familiar option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber"
Thank you
About 6:00 a.m. yesterday morning we joined the employees of JK Mechanical in Willow Street for a breakfast hosted, prepared and served by the company leadership team. This company has some 100 employees with many who work out in the field. We aren't able to see them weekly so it was a good opportunity to meet several new employees and catch up with many others. They provide a variety of services with a foundation in HVAC but also solar, electric and plumbing services. We have served them as chaplains since 2010. My cousin Georgia took this photo of a Wisconsin barn. Barns practically always catch my attention!!! I even like them better when they show wear and tear such as this one. Our neighbor Doug Maxwell takes great bird photos and caught this bluebird out in the recent snowstorm. Our photographer friend, Doris High, snapped a photo of this woodpecker out feeding on the suet. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Emmanuel, Emmanuel" Video Studio Musicians "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Video Sovereign Grace "Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)" Video Chris Tomlin "Why wasn't Jesus named Immanuel? from gotquestions.org Finally today: “Parking Lot” Video Audi Holiday Campaign Those who use YouTube know that you often have to watch an ad before the video plays with many giving you the opportunity to skip the ad after several seconds which I usually do. However this ad was worth watching (not for any spiritual benefit but because it captures the spirit of the season for many). Hope you don't run into these guys in a parking garage!!! With all due respect to our Massachusetts' friends Brooksyne noted she could see this happening in Boston! Resources
for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test 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 2017 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |