Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

Sunset on Chesapeake Bay with Proverbs 3:5,6

I took this photo on Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Cove in Maryland.
Click on photo for a larger image

"The Blessing Of God's Eternal Purpose"

Message summary: Today's message is a reminder that God's purpose for your life will stand.

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"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isaiah 46:10). "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8). "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Late yesterday afternoon following our late New Year's Eve night I sat down in my big easy chair and was reading and listening to Christian music while I relaxed. "Blessings", a thought-provoking song by Laura Story came on. The song prompted consideration of several friends who one year ago began the year of 2019 in a normal way, likely never considering at that time the upheaval that lay ahead for them in 2019. Among them were several friends who moved on to another home this last year; their eternal home, and their family is left to deal with the tremendous loss they feel. Others had a life-impacting event they are still dealing with. These words from the song struck me:

When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

Now we begin another year. What lies ahead me and my loved ones? What lies ahead for you and your loved ones?

James wrote, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). The briefness of life can be illustrated by using an aerosol spray. Press the dispenser button, watch the mist go into the air and quickly evaporate. Our lives are like that in light of eternity. The longer we live, the more we are aware of this perspective.

Our journey through this brief life is but a transition to the future eternal kingdom God has prepared for us. I am convinced that very early in eternity (however time will be reckoned) we will recognize just how brief this earthly part of our journey really was.

But for now it's all we know and thus is wholly significant. The transition of one year to another seems to stir within us a desire to do some soul searching as we consider behaviors and attitudes that need either modified or even eradicated from our lives. Perhaps there are goals that we will set for 2020 that will motivate us and help us feel good about accomplishments seen in this calendar year.

If you are setting goals, begin this year focusing on God's eternal purpose and make sure you implement that perspective while setting all other goals.

Let us consider our daily text and examine these words from our eternal God.

Note the phrase from our second daily Scripture text, "My purpose will stand". It's a source of great peace and assurance in both the microcosm and in the macrocosm. God is speaking here and I believe Him. I surely don't always understand His complete purpose nor do I understand how it all fits together. Sometimes it’s a daunting mystery.

But from the beginning; from the first command God gave to Adam, He also calls us to seek, trust and obey Him. The Psalmist proclaims his faith in this God of purpose: "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever." Today, once again and continually, we need to seek, trust and obey God who will most assuredly fulfill His purpose for our life.

The final daily text expresses a wonderful truth that has brought assurance to scores of believers all through the church age. His promise is to work all things out for those who love Him, according to His purpose and in His proper time.

That's right, fellow believer, His purpose for you will work out. His nature has not changed. These promises are just as valid today as when they were written nearly 2000 years ago. And they are valid for you whatever you are facing today or whatever God has in store for you in 2020. Take comfort in God's reassuring words, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, help us to keep a Biblical perspective as we consider the brief duration of our life on this earth in light of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless nor are they insignificant for we acknowledge that You have brought purpose to our lives for our present journey and that purpose will extend through all eternity. On this earth we may never fully experience and understand Your purpose, but we do seek to trust and obey You all the while, keeping that which we have committed to You until that day. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Blessings" Video Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

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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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