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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
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Tuesday,
December
29,
2020
"I
Am Convinced!"
Message summary: Today rejoice in this, “Above all else, I still belong to Jesus and nothing can separate me from Him, not even physical death.”
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38,39).
We received a Christmas letter yesterday
from longtime friends who were in the church we
served in New England over 20 years ago. In fact
they were the very first recipients of a daily
encouragement in October 1996 and rather amazingly
have endured some 5,000 messages from me! We were
blessed by a perspective shared in their newsletter
that we believe will also bless our readers:
"Like everyone worldwide, I did not
imagine 2020 would unfold the way it did. This
global pandemic has brought home the truth that we
are not in control of our lives and circumstances as
much as we would like to believe. The myriad losses
and restrictions have revealed to me what and who
really mattered, and to whom I really mattered. I am
okay because my husband and my son are okay, my
loved ones in Malaysia are okay, I am maintaining
mutually edifying relationships with the few friends
who matter, and I am receiving spiritual nourishment
from the pulpit. Above all else, I still belong to
Jesus and nothing can separate me from Him, not even
physical death. Truly, it is well with my soul."
We applaud our friend's victorious outlook
and the safekeeping her family has experienced. But
for many all is not well. As chaplains we are
accustomed to hearing burdens and this morning we
received a call from a troubled soul. In offering
prayer I attempted to remind this needy caller of
the solution to our greatest need while bearing a
burden for the issues in life that can really cause
heartache and distress.
Yet the message of Christmas on the deepest level, a level experienced only by faith, is that "All is well" as written by our friend. That’s very hard to hear (or read) when it would seem that all is not well, but on the authority of God’s Word "All is well". The angel’s message to the shepherds was, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
The "Good News" Christmas message is this: Jesus came to save us. His birth in a stable eventually led Him to the cross. His death on the cross provides salvation, peace, freedom and eternal life to all who by faith embrace it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes the act of God's reconciliation to the human race like this:
Yet the message of Christmas on the deepest level, a level experienced only by faith, is that "All is well" as written by our friend. That’s very hard to hear (or read) when it would seem that all is not well, but on the authority of God’s Word "All is well". The angel’s message to the shepherds was, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
The "Good News" Christmas message is this: Jesus came to save us. His birth in a stable eventually led Him to the cross. His death on the cross provides salvation, peace, freedom and eternal life to all who by faith embrace it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes the act of God's reconciliation to the human race like this:
"God takes the humiliating path of
reconciliation and thereby sets the world free. God
wants to be guilty of our guilt and takes upon
Himself the punishment and suffering that this guilt
brought to us. God stands in for godlessness, love
stands in for hate, the Holy One for the sinner. Now
there is no longer any godlessness, any hate, any
sin that God has not taken upon Himself, suffered,
and atoned for. Now there is no more reality and no
more world that is not reconciled with God and in
peace. That is what God did in His beloved Son Jesus
Christ - the unfathomable mystery of the love of God
for the world."
When we fully embrace that God
substituted His beloved Son to take on our sin
guilt, once and for all, it brings needed
perspective to the daily ins and outs, ups and downs
that tends to fix our focus on the ever-changing
here and now, rather than focusing our hearts on the
promises of God and that which cannot change our
eternal destiny. This is the highest level of
understanding and acceptance of God's will, that
"All is well" and can be embraced by all who have
placed their trust in Christ even in the midst of
circumstances that would otherwise dictate, "All is
not well". As some of you are reading our message
you’re likely feeling that this message is custom
made for you.
I like the Horatio Spafford’s resolve in the hymn, “It is Well”: "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well. It is well with my soul!'"
I like the Horatio Spafford’s resolve in the hymn, “It is Well”: "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well. It is well with my soul!'"
Can you, like Paul, declare, "I am
convinced that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other created thing will be able
to separate us from the love of God that is in
Christ Jesus our Lord". Are you
convinced of this? If so, there is no greater
blessing!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, I am not fearful of the
present nor the future when I place my complete
confidence in You and recognize that Your plans
prevail. Daily I make my plans but I acknowledge and
find peace in knowing that You have the final say.
Help me to find comfort in You for the circumstances
of life that throw me for a curve, knowing all the
while, that You will supply the needed resources,
compassionate caregivers, growing faith, and
spiritual support that leads to victory so that I
can truly proclaim and be convinced myself that,
“All is well!”
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
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
Stephen & Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"All is Well" (Acapella)
Video
Doxology Vocal
Ensemble This
is a beautiful song written by Michael W.
Smith that coincides with a children's book
written by Frank Peretti, titled "All is
Well". I have a copy of this book in my
library and highly recommend it to parents
and grandparents for their (grand) children.
It's an excellent read aloud book.
"The
Blessing"
Video
Final song sung in our church for 2020. It
seems that this song, along with "Waymaker"
Video
and "He Will Hold You Fast" Video have been
great sources of encouragement to God's
people this last year!
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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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."
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."
© Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA