A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Tuesday, December
18, 2018
Swans on the Wenger farm pond near Mount Joy, PA
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
A message in the "Our Daily Bread" devotional years ago drew this interesting comparison.
Jesus, in His incarnation, left the splendor of heaven. In the powerful prologue to John's gospel we read, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). The apostle Paul, in his magnificent incarnation passage states, "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
C. S. Lewis wrote so poignantly, "The Son of God became a Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God". That's right! And remember this wonderful truth today, this season, and all your life! Our lives and destiny are forever changed because God left the splendor of heaven and came to this earth. In response we look up to Him who came down to earth to give His all for us! That is something to always be in wonder about.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Jesus,
You left the splendor
of heaven to take on
flesh and dwell among
us as You became God
in the flesh. In Your
humanness You were
victorious in the
raging battle against
the spiritual forces
of evil when faced
with temptations and
trials common to all
people. We stand in
glorious victory as we
follow Your example
and hold to Your
unchanging truths. How
amazing, that You made
Yourself nothing,
being made in human
likeness so that we
could relate to Your
human condition and
partake of Your divine
nature. We love You
with all our hearts.
Amen.
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. For many years Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services. 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. It is suitable for a church or family gathering
"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
"Christmas in Heaven" Video Scotty McCreery Probably a bit syrupy for some but a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one this past year. I heard this song on Saturday on the Gospel greats with Paul Heil.
Swans on the Wenger farm pond near Mount Joy, PA
"The
Incarnate
Word"
(Part
2)
This week our
messages will all be on
"The Incarnate Word".
These messages may tend
to be a bit more
theological in nature
than many of our
messages!
Message
summary:
Our
lives and destiny are
forever changed because
God left the splendor of
heaven and came to this
earth. In response we
look up to Him who came
down to earth to give
His all for us! That is
something to always be
in wonder about.
Listen to our
message on your audio
player.
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
Last night we
took four of our Amish
"grandchildren" out for
pizza followed by our
Monday night church
service with Brooksyne
singing in the choir.
They are very
inquisitive and as we
sat in the large
sanctuary awaiting the
service to begin they
looked around with
wide-eyed wonder. I
considered the contrast
with their own services
which meet in homes and
comparatively very stark
surroundings. We have
been to Amish church
services and almost
everything that could be
different is, except
each in their own way
seeks to worship and
honor Christ.
But the
children were most
fascinated with a
relatively newer
phenomenon in the 2,000
year history of the
church, the "drummer's
cage". There's surely
another name for it but
that's what it seems
like.* In many modern
churches the drummer is
placed in an enclosed
Plexiglass box to
moderate the sound. (Note:
In above photo I added
the "Drummer's Cage"
lettering.) Now, at 64
years of age, I've never
been in a drummer's cage
and at my height and
weight it would probably
be quite an effort.
The kids
wondered what it was
for, how he got in
there, whether they fed
him, how he went to the
bathroom, did he sleep
there and so forth.
(Well they really didn't
ask all these questions,
I'm exaggerating a
little!)
For children
to wonder is a healthy
thing. Curiosity and
inquisitiveness leads to
learning and wonder is
certainly part of the
Christmas message. Mary
demonstrated this wonder
when she heard the
angel's announcement, "How
can this be, since I
am a virgin?" (Luke
1:34).
Today let us
consider one of the
greatest theological
wonders expressed in
these words, "The
Word became flesh".
A message in the "Our Daily Bread" devotional years ago drew this interesting comparison.
"On July 20,
1969, Apollo 11
astronauts landed on
the moon. It was an
unprecedented human
achievement. Millions
remember the words of
Neil Armstrong:
'That's one small step
for man, one giant
leap for mankind.'
Two thousand years earlier, the Creator of the moon made a giant leap of a vastly different kind. He descended from heaven to earth. God the Son, the eternal Word, stepped down from heaven to become fully human, while remaining fully God. It was an amazing 'leap,' which showed us God's heart of love. He became one of us so that He could die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. By trusting Him as our Savior, we are forgiven."
Two thousand years earlier, the Creator of the moon made a giant leap of a vastly different kind. He descended from heaven to earth. God the Son, the eternal Word, stepped down from heaven to become fully human, while remaining fully God. It was an amazing 'leap,' which showed us God's heart of love. He became one of us so that He could die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. By trusting Him as our Savior, we are forgiven."
Jesus, in His incarnation, left the splendor of heaven. In the powerful prologue to John's gospel we read, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). The apostle Paul, in his magnificent incarnation passage states, "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
C. S. Lewis wrote so poignantly, "The Son of God became a Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God". That's right! And remember this wonderful truth today, this season, and all your life! Our lives and destiny are forever changed because God left the splendor of heaven and came to this earth. In response we look up to Him who came down to earth to give His all for us! That is something to always be in wonder about.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Jesus,
You left the splendor
of heaven to take on
flesh and dwell among
us as You became God
in the flesh. In Your
humanness You were
victorious in the
raging battle against
the spiritual forces
of evil when faced
with temptations and
trials common to all
people. We stand in
glorious victory as we
follow Your example
and hold to Your
unchanging truths. How
amazing, that You made
Yourself nothing,
being made in human
likeness so that we
could relate to Your
human condition and
partake of Your divine
nature. We love You
with all our hearts.
Amen.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 easy 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
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 easy 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
Stephen
& Brooksyne
We
have a life-size manger set up in the
foyer of the church and the children
felt right at home since they spend a
lot of time caring for their own
animals in their barn at Old Windmill
Farm.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Come And See"
Video
Sunday service music from Calvary
Church with choir and orchestra.
Many nice traditional songs.
"If That Isn't Love" Video Greater Vision "He left the splendor of heaven, knowing His destiny"
"I Wonder as I Wander" Video North Langley Community Church
"Church Commits To Using Only Cage-Free Drummers By 2025" (A satire post from the Babylon Bee) Apparently I am not the only one who sees them as cages!
Brooksyne looked it up and saw the cages are called "Drum Isolation Booths"
"If That Isn't Love" Video Greater Vision "He left the splendor of heaven, knowing His destiny"
"I Wonder as I Wander" Video North Langley Community Church
"Church Commits To Using Only Cage-Free Drummers By 2025" (A satire post from the Babylon Bee) Apparently I am not the only one who sees them as cages!
Brooksyne looked it up and saw the cages are called "Drum Isolation Booths"
Resources
for
Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources
posted below our daily
messages through Christmas
Day)
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. For many years Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services. 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. It is suitable for a church or family gathering
"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
"Christmas in Heaven" Video Scotty McCreery Probably a bit syrupy for some but a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one this past year. I heard this song on Saturday on the Gospel greats with Paul Heil.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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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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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA