A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Friday,
December 13,
2019
Yesterday
morning we stopped to see this old Chevrolet truck and
wagon along Strasburg Pike. Can you find Brooksyne?
(Click
to enlarge)
"A
Consideration Of Simeon"
Message summary: Today we cannot take the infant Jesus in our arms. He is now majestically seated at the right hand of God the Father, having fully accomplished the mission for which He was sent into the world; to save sinners. But we can raise our arms and praise God acknowledging, as Simeon did, that Jesus is indeed the Lord's Christ. And today redeemed sinners are doing just that all over the world. We are just two of them and we sure hope you are as well!
Listen
to this
message on your audio player."Now there was a
man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was
righteous and devout. He was waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was
upon him. It had been revealed to him by the
Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he
went into the temple courts. When the parents
brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what
the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him
in his arms and praised God" (Luke 2:25-28).
When we were
children, at least in our homes, taking pictures
was rare probably due to the cost of a roll of
undeveloped film and then the cost for processing.
Or if you were rich (it seemed to us anyway) you
had a Polaroid Instamatic camera! Nowadays
multitudes of pictures are taken and posted
everyday in social media.But in Brooksyne's
and my childhood only at birthdays and Christmas
gatherings our moms got out the camera from the
top shelf of the closet to keep some memories. Now
we have trouble finding these old photos but the
photo to the left shows my sister Genelle leading
me in on
Christmas morning to
open our presents when I was ten. It was so
exciting!
During
our childhood the notion of everyone carrying a
high quality camera that was also a phone and a
powerful computer was science fiction from the
Jetsons.Now we carry our
cameras everywhere and trillions of photos are
taken at every occasion and even many non
occasions. We are undoubtedly in the most
photographed generation since Creation!
But today let us
consider a photo that we don't have, but at least
Luke gives us a word picture of Simeon holding
Jesus.
Simeon was one of
the faithful Jews who had been waiting in
expectation for the Messiah. Consider how many
generations before the First Advent that righteous
and devout people like Simeon had looked in
expectancy for the promised Messiah. It's similar
to those who await the Second Advent.
We consider righteous
and devout believers in generations past during
the church age who awaited the promise of Christ's
Second Coming yet died before the event. Of course
the Bible makes clear that they really haven't
missed it and will actually precede those who are
alive and remain at the coming of the Lord! (See 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18.)
"He (Simeon) was waiting for the consolation of Israel." The phrase "consolation of Israel" is a comprehensive term for the fulfillment of the Messianic hope. Although "consolation" is not a commonly used word, virtually all standard English translations maintain its stately use for this passage.
"And the Holy Spirit was upon him." Although Simeon lived prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 at the birth of the church we see in this passage how the Holy Spirit was upon him, speaking to him and leading him in the ways of the Lord.
"It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Simeon had experienced a remarkable revelation through the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Christ means Anointed One and is the Greek word (Christos) for Messiah. How many years had he lived with this revelation?
"Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts." The Spirit led Simeon to go into the temple courts and in doing so he met the parents of Jesus when they came in for His consecration. This happened at just the precise day, time and place His parents took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
"When the parents brought in
the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of
the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms
and praised God." It would seem that Simeon
was unknown to the couple but Luke does not
preface the Child's dedication with any formal
introduction. We simply read, "Simeon took Him
in his arms and praised God." Don't you
wonder how Mary and Joseph reacted when this
stranger took their little baby into his arms?
Today someone surely would have been present with
a smart phone to get that photo up on Facebook and
other social media!
Simeon stood in the temple courts and held the tiny Child in his arms and praised God. What exuberant joy filled his heart. What sense of peace flooded his soul. For some 400 years prior to this there had been little prophetic revelation. It's as if the heavens were closed, for God had been silent all those years. Yet Simeon held onto his faith. He continued to wait (trust) and now that the wait had been fulfilled he held in his own arms the long expected Jesus.
What was it like to hold the infant Jesus? He was surely held by many. Art usually shows Mary holding Him, but doubtlessly Joseph did as well. Grandmothers, aunts, and most women love to hold and cuddle babies. Interestingly though, Simeon is the only named person the Bible specifically tells us held the baby Jesus.
Today we cannot take the infant Jesus in our arms. He is now majestically seated at the right hand of God the Father, having fully accomplished the mission for which He was sent into the world; to save sinners. But we can raise our arms and praise God acknowledging, as Simeon did, that Jesus is indeed the Lord's Christ. And today redeemed sinners are doing just that all over the world. We are just two of them and we sure hope you are as well!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
"He (Simeon) was waiting for the consolation of Israel." The phrase "consolation of Israel" is a comprehensive term for the fulfillment of the Messianic hope. Although "consolation" is not a commonly used word, virtually all standard English translations maintain its stately use for this passage.
"And the Holy Spirit was upon him." Although Simeon lived prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 at the birth of the church we see in this passage how the Holy Spirit was upon him, speaking to him and leading him in the ways of the Lord.
"It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Simeon had experienced a remarkable revelation through the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Christ means Anointed One and is the Greek word (Christos) for Messiah. How many years had he lived with this revelation?
"Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts." The Spirit led Simeon to go into the temple courts and in doing so he met the parents of Jesus when they came in for His consecration. This happened at just the precise day, time and place His parents took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
"When the parents brought in
the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of
the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms
and praised God." It would seem that Simeon
was unknown to the couple but Luke does not
preface the Child's dedication with any formal
introduction. We simply read, "Simeon took Him
in his arms and praised God." Don't you
wonder how Mary and Joseph reacted when this
stranger took their little baby into his arms?
Today someone surely would have been present with
a smart phone to get that photo up on Facebook and
other social media!Simeon stood in the temple courts and held the tiny Child in his arms and praised God. What exuberant joy filled his heart. What sense of peace flooded his soul. For some 400 years prior to this there had been little prophetic revelation. It's as if the heavens were closed, for God had been silent all those years. Yet Simeon held onto his faith. He continued to wait (trust) and now that the wait had been fulfilled he held in his own arms the long expected Jesus.
What was it like to hold the infant Jesus? He was surely held by many. Art usually shows Mary holding Him, but doubtlessly Joseph did as well. Grandmothers, aunts, and most women love to hold and cuddle babies. Interestingly though, Simeon is the only named person the Bible specifically tells us held the baby Jesus.
Today we cannot take the infant Jesus in our arms. He is now majestically seated at the right hand of God the Father, having fully accomplished the mission for which He was sent into the world; to save sinners. But we can raise our arms and praise God acknowledging, as Simeon did, that Jesus is indeed the Lord's Christ. And today redeemed sinners are doing just that all over the world. We are just two of them and we sure hope you are as well!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, just as Simeon took Your Son
Jesus into His arms and gave praise to You, we
invite Jesus into our hearts and raise our arms up
to You. We ascribe to You glory and honor and
power and strength that is due Your name. We
rejoice in our salvation made available through
the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who
came to redeem humankind from their wretched sin.
For, at just the right time, while we were still
powerless and dead in our sins, Jesus died for us.
God, You demonstrated Your love for us, in that
You credited righteousness to us through Christ's
death, and justified us from sin. Your wondrous
love is truly amazing and I can only respond by
dedicating to You my soul, my life, my all! 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
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
Another
photo of the old Chevrolet truck we saw
yesterday.
There
was a small sign welcoming pictures.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
We
enjoyed seeing these rustic decorations on
an old garage behind where the Chevrolet
truck was parked.
Another
creative decoration on the garage door!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Make Room"
Video
Casting Crowns
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 you,
your family or church
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 over the 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. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"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. Brooksyne read and wrote about the poem in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"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 over the 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. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"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. Brooksyne read and wrote about the poem in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
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."
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 2019 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA