Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Friday, September 25, 2020

Yesterday morning we passed a one room Mennonite school north of New Holland, PA. The children had been outside for recess and were lining up to go back into the classroom.

"An Absolute Promise"

Message summary: Today we encourage you to find deep assurance in our Lord’s simple words, "I will come back." Indeed, in His perfect timing, these events will surely occur. That is an absolute promise, yet to be fulfilled! Until then, get ready and stay ready! Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

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“And if I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Several years ago I was doing some work in our front yard and from a distance spotted Brooksyne, who had left earlier for a walk. She was coming down the road toward me so I looked in her direction and waved. She quickly returned my wave and for some reason it made me feel a little giddy (maybe goofy's a better word) and young at heart. I decided to let her see my enthusiasm about the fact that she was getting closer to home so I waved to her again, this time waving both arms in a jumping jack type motion.

Since I stand over 6'2" you can imagine that I was quite visible as I excitedly waved both arms back and forth high in the air. But she didn’t wave back which I thought was a little odd.

I squinted my eyes to sharpen my focus and then, to my great surprise and utter embarrassment, I realized that it was not Brooksyne walking toward me, but another woman who was wearing the same color jacket. I left the yard work right where it was and quickly headed into the house before the unknown woman could see my beet red face or possibly confront me, depending on how she was interpreting my overzealous gesture of friendliness. I had mistaken Brooksyne's identity at a distance since the stranger was about the same size, walking from the same direction, and wearing the same color clothing. To this day I wonder if that person is still in the neighborhood and remembers that rather goofy incident (or does she avoid our road altogether)!

The mistaken identity experience reminds me of the many times people mistake current events in regard to Christ’s coming. Prophecy is one of the great distinctions of our faith and a tremendous faith builder. The Scriptures are replete with fulfilled prophecies and contain many that are yet to be fulfilled.

Of course the greatest interest in unfulfilled prophecy among believers is in regard to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the consummation of this present age. Since shortly after our Lord ascended back to heaven, after His first advent (coming) there has been much speculation regarding these events. All through church history there have been very specific interpretations as to how these prophecies will work out and many predictions that later turned out to be wrong. Since I have been a Christian I can recall many very assertive prophecy plans offered by well-meaning believers that were just plain incorrect. The most notable that comes to mind was a widely distributed booklet titled, “88 reasons Christ will come in 1988”.

Christ gave His disciples and all of us an absolute promise in the daily text. Even before He went to the cross He assured them (and us) that one day He will come back. I realize we may have a yearning to know just when this will occur and some are tempted to make specific predictions. (Such specific assertions by "prophets" and prophecy experts also tend to go viral on the web, sell books and get speaking engagements!)

But there have been many mistaken predictions in this regard through the history of the church. However these failures do not invalidate the promise! Today we encourage you to find deep assurance in our Lord’s simple words, "I will come back". Indeed, in His perfect timing, these events will surely occur. That is an absolute promise, yet to be fulfilled! Until then, get ready and stay ready! Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, I anticipate with great joy the day of Your return when You will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet You, our Lord and Saviour, in the air, and so shall we ever be with You in Your heavenly kingdom. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

(from 1 Thessalonians 4)

Brooksyne's Note: In recent years when I walk through the cemetery I often imagine what it might look like if Jesus returned and gathered us up with those believers who are presently buried. I try to imagine the ground bursting forth, the headstones falling over, and the sight of people; babies, children, youth, adults and elderly soaring up into the skies. As I envision them being raised with Christ and ushered into the heavenlies, I then imagine myself following their lead. What a day, glorious day, that will be!

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"The Promise" Video The Martins

"The Cry For A King" A very thoughtful and timely post by Richard Dressehaus.

Tomorrow we are joining a group from our area going down to Washington DC for a prayer march. See here for info. America is in deep trouble so let’s call on God’s power and a movement of the Holy Spirit to bring Repentance and Revival to our land! You can do this wherever you live.

What Is the Washington Prayer March: The Washington Prayer March 2020 event is a dedicated prayer march that is focused solely on asking God to heal our land. It is not a protest or political event, and we are asking participants to not bring signs in support of any candidate or party.

What Will Happen: At each stop, we will pray silently using the focus and prompts for each location. There will be no microphones or audio amplification for the march. After a set period of time, we will move on to the next stop. Map with prayer focus

When: Saturday, September 26

Where: Along the National Mall, starting at the Lincoln Memorial and ending at the U.S. Capitol. Approximately 1.8 miles. See route map.

Start time: Noon. Gather at the Lincoln Memorial Plaza at 11:30 a.m. This site has access to bus drop-off from the south and access to the Metro (subway) from the north.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

If you are unable to join the event live there are many simulcasting locations or watch the event on livestream here

A reader wrote and expressed concern for us in light of the turmoil and violence in our cities. The organizers are aware of this. Please pray for all of us involved that our stand and our prayers will be a good witness for our Lord.

Another reader from Indiana is attending the Prayer March and we hope to meet up for the first time!

Pumpkins and gourds overflow at the Bird In Hand Bake Shop.

This enterprising Mennonite farmer is selling English walnuts. The rural roads have many stands with items for sale grown on the farm.

A lone changing tree but soon there will be many!

Look carefully at the Kitchen Kettle Village "firefighter" and you'll see a pumpkin head. Walking through the Village yesterday we saw many of these.

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Ministry Update

We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. 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.

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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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