Daily Encouragement Net
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


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Monday, December 14, 2020

First covering snow of the season!
Today we have our first light coating of snow this season!

"Full Of Truth"

Message summary: What a blessing to consider this advent season that Jesus is full of grace and truth. In following His example let us also walk in His grace and truth so that we spread His grace and truth to all those in our sphere of influence!

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

Since early this year our entire world has experienced what the World Health Organization calls a pandemic. Few, if any reading this message, have not been impacted in one way or another. This weekend we learned that our long-time friend Tommy Carpenter and his wife, Jane who live in the Little Rock, Arkansas area have covid. Tommy, being in his eighties, is much more prone to it being a serious matter.

However this morning I spoke to him via telephone and he reports that he and Jane are doing well. About eight months ago Tommy's son Thomas was struck with severe covid -19, driven not just by viral damage to cells but by a reactive “storm” of inflammation that harmed his lungs and other organs. He was on a ventilator for an extended time fighting for his life with many people from all over the world upholding him in prayer. Finally he recovered for which we give God praise and thanksgiving. See below for link to his testimony.

Earlier this year we considered another pandemic the entire human race has been living with since the fall, the pandemic of sin. (See below for a link to that message.) But today let's look at one of sin's manifestations that is surely part of sin's pandemic, the act of lying.

Have you noticed lying seems to be increasing? In fact I hate to admit this but I am on my guard to the extent that I just assume I am being lied to in particular settings or with specific people. I could list recent examples but each of you have your own experiences so you know of that which I am speaking.

In recent years we've heard "truth" preceded by a pronoun such as "his truth" or "her truth" or "my truth". Tony Evans talked about this yesterday on his radio program and it piqued our interest as we have been talking about this for some time. Only weeks ago Brooksyne read an obituary in our local newspaper that caught her attention. No longer are obituaries just stating the facts of one's birth, family connections, church, work or civic affiliations but it now usually includes a narrative the family presents or in some cases the deceased has written about themselves. In the obituary mentioned earlier the writer spoke of the deceased woman as one who "lived her truth". What does that mean? As believers truth is truth and lies are lies based on God's standard of truth, not what we think or would like others to think.

The first liar was Satan at the Fall, which earned him the designated title, "father of lies" (John 8:44). The human race has certainly followed his disastrous example!

But the Scripture calls God's children to truthfulness. It's expressed in the Ten Commandments as "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). One who is pleasing to God “speaks truth from his heart” (Psalm 15:2). God desires "truth in the innermost being" (Psalm 51:6).

The New Testament forthrightly states "Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9) and to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Later in the same chapter Paul admonishes, “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor” (4:25). And a sobering verse toward the end of Revelation includes "all liars" are among those "consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 21:8).

Today let us examine the phrase in our daily text, "full of grace and truth". In previous considerations of this verse concerning the incarnate Word of God (Jesus) it seems I have focused on grace. Today we will consider that God is full of truth.

Later in John's Gospel Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). The absolute truthfulness of God is found throughout the Bible. Numbers 23:19 informs us "God is not man, that He should lie". 1 Samuel 15:29 states, "the Glory of Israel will not lie". The little book of Titus has this gem, that God "never lies" (1:2). Hebrews 6:18 assures us "it is impossible for God to lie".

Theologian Wayne Grudem writes, "God’s truthfulness means that He is the true God, and that all His knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth."

What a blessing to consider this advent season that Jesus is full of grace and truth. In following His example let us also walk in His grace and truth so that we spread His grace and truth to all those in our sphere of influence!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying man Daily prayer: Father, in a world filled with lies and half-truths, may we stand out as a people who can be trusted in the words we say and in the actions we carry out. We thank You for Jesus who walked in grace, truth, and obedience knowing from the beginning that it would lead to death on the cross. Jesus didn't back off His stated plan for coming to earth when the going got tough nor did He lie when He was under deadly pressure. Help us to be an honest people who tells the truth as it is, not as we or others would like it to be, when pressure is upon us. We want to honor You with our lives and with the words we speak, living as people full of grace and truth. Amen.



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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

Make A DonationPlease 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

"Full of Grace and Truth"  Video  Bible Truth Music

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"  Video  Calvary Church Christmas special.  Calvary Church Choir Director, Pastor John Frye along with Cellist Amber Bensing from our orchestra, beautifully accompany a video from "The Chosen" that highlights dramatic events of the Christmas story. This will touch your hearts and the music will bring stirring melody to your hearts as you play this link.

"The Only Cure For the Sin Pandemic" Daily Encouragement message from March 30, 2020

"HEALING PRAYERS" testimony of Thomas Carpenter

“Light” in Christmas carols

On Friday we shared the following quiz regarding “Light” in Christmas carols. The quiz: Identify the following carols by the specific phrases that refer to light.

1)  Son of God, love’s pure light 
2)  Yonder shines the infant light:
3)  And to the earth it gave great light,
4)  Light and life to all He brings,
5)  But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall,
6)  The everlasting Light;
7)  Guide us to Thy perfect light.

We’ve provided the correct answers below the resources section.

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. This page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.

Christmas Knowledge Test

Answers to Christmas carol quiz with hymn title in parenthesis:
1)  “Son of God, love’s pure light” (Silent Night)
2)  Yonder shines the infant light:  (Angels From the Realms of Glory)
3)  And to the earth it gave great light, (The First Noel)
4)  Light and life to all He brings, (Hark The Herald Angels Sing)
5)  But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall, (I Wonder As I Wander)
6)  The everlasting Light; (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
7)  Guide us to Thy perfect light. (We Three Kings)



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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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