A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Thursday,
January 16,
2020
We
have not had much snow this season but we do have some
forecast this weekend. Lamar Dourte captured this scene
near Manheim, PA last week.
"This
Sacred Place"
Message summary: We hope all of you who follow Jesus are a part of a Bible-preaching, Christ-honoring church! "Let
us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
We just
watched a powerful video of a song we had never heard before by the Gaither Vocal Band
titled "This Is The Place". It has outstanding
photography and depicts the wide variety of church
types, sizes and styles. It's about the blessing of
the local church and caused us both to look back and
reflect on how the local church has been a blessing to
us all throughout our lives.
This is
the place where we pray
This is the place where we cry This is the place where we start "'Til death do us part" Where we say "goodbye" Here we leave all our pain Find forgiveness and grace Here we walk down the aisle Dedicate every child Here in this sacred place We were
both raised in church-going families although our
background as children was very different. I was
raised in a formal, rather inexpressive mainline
denominational type church in the Kansas City area. On
the other hand Brooksyne attended more informal,
expressive type churches in rural Oklahoma.
We met
in Bible College in the mid-seventies and have gone to
church together ever since beginning our dating years
while students. We served together for some 25 years
as I was the pastor primarily in two churches in
northern, PA and in New England. But we've also had
about five years in short-term interim type roles.
For many
years we attended a small country church here in our
area and for the last several have attended a much
larger one.
But in
each church we have experienced a refuge, a place of
growth and caring. Sure, there are some hurts or as
some like to say "sheep bites" in local churches and
we've experienced that. As we get older we may not
always appreciate all the changes, but the big
picture is that we have been so blessed by the local
church.
We
continue to have associations from each church we've
attended or served as pastor. Next week we will travel
to New England to visit Veda Shibilo, our former
church secretary, who is in nursing care and said in a
recent phone call, "I know my time is near". She and
her late husband Bill were tremendous blessings during
our years in Massachusetts.
We
continue to firmly believe that God has ordained in
this church age that each Lord's Day His people gather
together in thousands of local units all over the
world to pray, sing, hear His Word, and most certainly
to "fellowship". Apart from family the church is
the most important institution in life.
Ever
since Resurrection Day believers have gathered
to worship the risen Lord Jesus. Some in small groups,
others in very large. Songs of praise are sung,
prayers are offered and God's truth is proclaimed.
Fulfilling God's call to "not give up meeting
together" remains an essential component of
growth and stability in our Christian life. We
hope all of you who follow Jesus are an active part of
a Bible-preaching, Christ-honoring church!
Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily
prayer: Father, times of refreshing and
gladness of heart are present when we share with
each other; whether it's food, warm
conversation, working together or sharing one
another's burdens. When we are in unity we
become one in purpose and accomplish great
things for Your kingdom. We want to be obedient
to the teachings of the apostles, enjoy regular
fellowship with one another and also faithfully
pray for each other so that we are the kind of
church that pleases You and is effective in our
community. In the name of Jesus we
pray. Amen.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"This Is The Place"
Video
Gaither
Vocal Band Watch this video and
see which scenes and words you
can identify with.
"One Day"
Video
Matt Redman This Sunday
Calvary Church will be
remembering all who passed away
during 2019
in the
church and the choir will sing
this song. Typically there are
many tears. Consider this verse.
One day You'll make
sense of it all, Jesus
One day every question resolved Every anxious thought left behind No more fear At
the end Matt moves into an
extemporaneous expression which is
very moving.
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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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