A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Friday, December
21, 2018
Longwood
Gardens Christmas tree decorated with live Poinsettia
blooms!
"The
Incarnate
Word"
(Part
5)
This week our
messages have been on
"The Incarnate Word".
Message summary: As we journey together here below let's look back to that wonderful first coming of Jesus Christ which is our focus during this season. Let us faithfully serve Him during our very short time on earth (relative to eternity) as we look forward to our glorious destination. Listen to our message on your audio player. "His name is the Word of God" (Revelation 19:13). Yesterday in a footnote I shared about the GPS on my phone that blurted out directions during our visit to a children's Christmas program at an Amish one room schoolhouse on Wednesday afternoon, much to my embarrassment! There are many stories of the proclivity of these devices to speak out at inopportune times. My favorite personal memory was at a meeting of Christian businessmen several years ago when the speaker was issuing a challenge to follow Christ. In a moment of silence someone's phone came alive with a pleasant female voice stating, "I am not sure what you want!". * Another humorous story related to speaking phones happened to a man who had traveled to a meeting by using his phone's GPS for directions. He arrived for the meeting and needed to make a quick visit to the men's room. As he took care of personal business in the busy restroom his phone announced (again with a pleasant female voice) for all to hear, "You have now reached your destination". (Well, many of us have experienced the blessing of reaching that destination, especially as we get older!) Admittedly,
these are somewhat
silly and lighthearted
true stories but we
want to delve into a
deeper, more
complicated and far
more important subject
matter. We're speaking
of the book of
Revelation. It has
mysterious imagery
leading many well
meaning preachers,
teachers, theologians
and laypersons to
giving various and
differing
interpretations over
the centuries.
Last
month our church
concluded a long
series on The
OneStory, which was a
survey of the Bible
beginning in Genesis
and of course
concluding in
Revelation. The final
message highlighted
the sense of eternal
worship and majestic
praise found within
the texts of
Revelation.
But there's another overarching theme in the book which we want to highlight. We, the redeemed, reach our final destination and the focus will be on the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. It's only a few days till we celebrate the first coming of Christ. Yesterday I was visiting with a carpenter who is a Christian and he told me He was excited about celebrating the most important birthday of all. I teasingly said, "Oh, so your birthday's coming up". Without hesitation in a voice loud enough for all to hear, he responded, "No, it's the birthday of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior." John begins his Gospel with these stately words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). On this birthday the Word (Jesus Christ) became flesh (John 1:14). In Revelation we have the glorious culmination of the Bible's story. Today's text declares this incarnate Word, "His name is the Word of God". As we
journey together here
below let's look back
to that wonderful
first coming of Jesus
Christ which is our
focus during this
season. Let us
faithfully serve Him
during our very short
time on earth
(relative to eternity)
as we look forward to
our glorious
destination.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 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 Stephen
& Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Revelation Song"
Video
Calvary Church Choir and orchestra
during the final service in our
church's OneStory series last
month.
* We told the story
about the phone speaking during an
"altar call" in this Daily
Encouragement
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. 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 |