Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Display at the Dutch-Way Farm Market in Myerstown, PA

"700 Years"

Message summary: Today we look back on that fulfilled prophecy and also look ahead to the yet unfulfilled prophecies of Scripture.

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"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given" (Isaiah 9:6).

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth Thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

A phenomenon of aging is that life seems to go by faster. Have you noticed that? I attribute this to when you age each year is a smaller and smaller percentage of your life. When I turned ten, a year was 10% of my life (actually even more in experience since we don't even remember our first several years). But on my last birthday a year of my life was just 1.5%. Of course each year I get older this percentage will decrease.

I remember when I was young how far off certain dates seemed. In high school in the early seventies I read the science fiction novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four", by English novelist George Orwell. Though 1984 was only some 12 years away it seemed like that year was way out there in the very distant future. We passed that date and then it was looking ahead to the new millennium which seemed so far away but the year 2000 came and now we are over 20 years into the new millennium.

But consider 700 years. Looking back that would place us in the middle ages in 1320. Looking ahead would take us to 2720!

We are reading a small advent book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer titled "God Is In The Manger". Yesterday we read a portion where he shares an interesting perspective regarding patience in waiting:

"In the midst of the deepest guilt and distress of the people, a voice speaks that is soft and mysterious but full of the blessed certainty of salvation through the birth of a divine child (Isaiah 9:6-7). It is still seven hundred years until the time of fulfillment, but the prophet is so deeply immersed in God's thought and counsel that he speaks of the future as if he saw it already, and he speaks of the salvific hour [coming of salvation] as if he already stood in adoration before the manger of Jesus."

Not ambiguous in the least, but with remarkable detail, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would have the characteristics of a king (Isaiah 9), and later those of a suffering servant (Isaiah 53). He looked ahead as he declared his prophecy, unaware that it would be 700 years for his prophecy to be fulfilled. And yet Bonhoeffer makes this observation: "But the prophet is so deeply immersed in God's thought and counsel that he speaks of the future as if he saw it already."

Today we look back on that fulfilled prophecy and also look ahead to the yet unfulfilled prophecies of Scripture. Our times can be distressing and we wonder how will all of this work out? Like the prophet Isaiah, let us immerse ourselves in God's thought and counsel through Scripture and meditation so that we may find His peace for today and absolute confidence in our future residency in heaven. After all that will take place in far less time than 700 years!

Born Thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by Thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus who was born to set us free. Just as the angels told the shepherds not to be fearful for they had Good News to deliver, we too are recipients of God's favor provided through the salvation of Jesus Christ. We need not fear our present or future circumstances, for You said You will never leave us nor forsake us, in this life here below. And best of all You have secured for us everlasting life in the hereafter. Hallelujah! 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 click 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

"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" Video Shane and Shane

The Dutch-Way Farm Market is in the heart of rural Pennsylvania in Myerstown, PA. They have these neat displays hanging out from the wall all through the store.

Yesterday morning we joined Ken and Audrey Mull for breakfast at the Dutch-Way Farm Market. They own Flower and Home, a gift and home decor company in rural Lebanon County where we serve as chaplains.

An example of the types of items we see at Audrey's Flower and Home.

Finally today:

JDM Outlet is an office supply store next to the Dutch-Way that is owned by old-order Mennonites. No question what this sign means!

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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.

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

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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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