A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Thursday,
December
31,
2020
Marquette Harbor Light
Coast Guard Lighthouse Station, Lake Superior - Marquette, Michigan
Photo by Howard Blichfeldt (used by permission)
"Holding Onto
God's Unchanging Hand"
Message summary: 2020 was filled with many challenges for everyone. Uncertainties loom yet again as we face the new year of 2021, but one calming certainty overshadows the believer in the new year, that God is with us. Let us resolve that we will always hold onto God's unchanging hand!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.“He
leadeth me beside still waters, He restoreth my
soul” (Psalm 23:3). “For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). “For
He Himself knew what He would do” (John 6:6). “The
LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O
LORD, endures forever” (Psalm 138:8).
In
his daily devotional book titled “From Day To Day”,
Frank Gaebelein shares a perspective that has
blessed us both through the years and is so
pertinent to our own experience in walking with the
Lord by faith. He comments on the third daily text,
"For He Himself knew what He would do":
As I seek to apply this verse to my life what a joy and comfort I experience knowing that the eternal Christ does not change. He knows exactly what He is doing, why He is doing it, how He will bring it to pass, and how it will all come about. We become the wiser as we learn to trust His plan instead of our own. "We may make our plans, but God has the last word" is a Proverb that can instill peace in one’s heart when God seems rather silent about a matter (Proverbs 16:1). He perfects our plans or may choose to overrule them, even those with good intentions, for the greater good of our Christian walk as we submit our planning agenda to His management.
This is our final encouragement message for 2020. We can testify that God has led us and are assured that He will continue to lead us. The phrase “He leadeth me” is in the present tense so it is our present and ongoing declaration.
Brooksyne and I realize that the coming year will certainly bring challenges in various ways, as it always does. We find great assurance that indeed our Lord knows what He will do and we can steady ourselves by holding to God's unchanging hand as we build our hope on things eternal. We cling to this complimentary promise from the Psalms, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). And that is true for each dear child of God, including you!
“When
the Lord Jesus asked Philip how bread might be
secured for the hungry crowd, it was important for
Him to test the faith of Philip-important not for
Himself but for Philip’s sake that he might have a
lesson in the infinite resources of the Lord. “For
He Himself knew what He would do.” This is always
true of our Lord. There is comfort in the fact
that He can never be taken by surprise. Though the
circumstances of our lives sometimes seem
plan-less, when they are in Christ’s control we
may be sure that our Lord knows what He is doing.
To really trust such a Master really means
security from worry and concern. Christ indeed
knows His business; ours is the responsibility
of obeying His commands.”
As I seek to apply this verse to my life what a joy and comfort I experience knowing that the eternal Christ does not change. He knows exactly what He is doing, why He is doing it, how He will bring it to pass, and how it will all come about. We become the wiser as we learn to trust His plan instead of our own. "We may make our plans, but God has the last word" is a Proverb that can instill peace in one’s heart when God seems rather silent about a matter (Proverbs 16:1). He perfects our plans or may choose to overrule them, even those with good intentions, for the greater good of our Christian walk as we submit our planning agenda to His management.
This is our final encouragement message for 2020. We can testify that God has led us and are assured that He will continue to lead us. The phrase “He leadeth me” is in the present tense so it is our present and ongoing declaration.
Brooksyne and I realize that the coming year will certainly bring challenges in various ways, as it always does. We find great assurance that indeed our Lord knows what He will do and we can steady ourselves by holding to God's unchanging hand as we build our hope on things eternal. We cling to this complimentary promise from the Psalms, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). And that is true for each dear child of God, including you!
2020 was filled with many challenges for everyone. Uncertainties loom yet again as we face the new year of 2021, but one calming certainty overshadows the believer in the new year, that God is with us. Let us resolve that we will hold onto God's unchanging hand!
Time is filled with swift transition,
None on earth unmoved can stand
Build your hope on things eternal
And then hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand!
None on earth unmoved can stand
Build your hope on things eternal
And then hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we want to be Your faithful
follower as You fulfill Your purpose in our lives.
The Psalmist traced Your hand to the secret place
where all Your ordained plans were written for his
life before he drew his first breath. We too can
trace Your hand in the origin of our birth right up
to the present day in which we close out another
year. We need not fear when we hold onto Your
unchanging hand, for You will guide us through the
disappointments, uncertainties, and puzzlements that
will frequent our path, for You fully know what Your
intentions are for our lives. We trust You for the
days ahead and the new year that will unfold before
us. We will not fear nor dread the future, since it
is through eyes of faith that we see that victory is
on the horizon! In the precious name of Jesus we
pray. 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
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
"Hold to God's Unchanging Hand"
Video For a
soulful rendering of "Hold to God's
Unchanging Hand" listen to this version by
the Chicago Mass Choir. It will encourage
you, refresh you, put a smile on your face
and lift you up above life's troubles.
Time is filled with swift
transition,
None on earth unmoved can stand
Build your hope on things eternal
And then hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand
None on earth unmoved can stand
Build your hope on things eternal
And then hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand
Trust in Him, who will not leave
you
Whatsoever the years may bring
When your earthly friends forsake you
Whatsoever the years may bring
When your earthly friends forsake you
Still more closely to Him cling
Everybody oughta hold (hold to his
hand)
Hold onto God (God's unchanging hand)
Everybody outghta hold (hold to his hand)
Hold on to God (God's unchanging hand) His unchanging hand
Hold onto God (God's unchanging hand)
Everybody outghta hold (hold to his hand)
Hold on to God (God's unchanging hand) His unchanging hand
Build your hope on things eternal
And just hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand
And just hold, hold onto God's unchanging hand
Listen, truth in Him
He won't leave you, no He won't
Whatsoever the years may bring
When your earthly friends
They will forsake you, yes they will,
Still more closely to Him…
He won't leave you, no He won't
Whatsoever the years may bring
When your earthly friends
They will forsake you, yes they will,
Still more closely to Him…
“Every good gift…cometh down from
the Father…with whom there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning”
(Jas. 1:17)
Jennie Wilson wrote this song which emphasizes the fact that there is no variableness with the God who lives in heaven. The text was written by Mary Jane (Jennie) Bain Wilson, who was born on a farm at Cleveland, IN, near South Whitley, on November 13, 1856. Her father died in her infancy. When she was about four years old, an attack of spinal trouble resulted in her being rendered an invalid, confined to a wheel-chair and bed. Not being able to attend school, she studied at home, read much, and received some musical instruction. A natural love for music and poetry early in life led her to verse writing. In 1881, she was baptized by being carried on a chair into a beautiful, tree shaded stream, and, in her words, “it gave me much joy to thus confess my dear Savior.”
Jennie Wilson wrote this song which emphasizes the fact that there is no variableness with the God who lives in heaven. The text was written by Mary Jane (Jennie) Bain Wilson, who was born on a farm at Cleveland, IN, near South Whitley, on November 13, 1856. Her father died in her infancy. When she was about four years old, an attack of spinal trouble resulted in her being rendered an invalid, confined to a wheel-chair and bed. Not being able to attend school, she studied at home, read much, and received some musical instruction. A natural love for music and poetry early in life led her to verse writing. In 1881, she was baptized by being carried on a chair into a beautiful, tree shaded stream, and, in her words, “it gave me much joy to thus confess my dear Savior.”
"Your
Will Be Done" Video
CityAlight
"He
Leadeth Me" Video
Congregational singing!
"Yet
Not I But Through Christ In Me"
Video
CityAlight
The photo of the Marquette Harbor
Light was taken by our friend Howard Blichfeldt.
He is a professional photographer with
outstanding nature photos often
highlighted with correlating Scripture
passages. Here's a portion of his mission
statement: "A greater reward comes from
knowing that my experience and love of
nature has drawn me closer to the God who
created it. If through my artwork I can
aid others in accomplishing the same, then
in some small way, maybe I will have made
a difference." His website. Here's
some interesting information about
the Marquette Harbor Light.
In Paul's newsletter published
Dec. 29th, 5 days after his fatal heart
attack, he had prepared his message with the
theme of heaven. He concluded it with these
thoughts:
"No matter how many sermons we
hear about this [John 3:16], no matter how
many books we read about this, no matter how
much we ponder these truths, I think we will
not even begin to understand fully the
magnitude of God's love for us -- until we
see Him face to face. Until we experience
that love in person. Until we can feel that
love surging through and energizing our
resurrected bodies. Until the "blinders" and
sinful distractions of this world are gone
forever. Until our faith becomes sight (2
Cor 5:7).
Aren't you glad He set aside the glories of heaven -- for you?
Aren't you glad He set aside the glories of heaven -- for you?
- Paul Heil
Paul no longer writes in future
tense: "until we see Him face to face" since
he now sees Him face to face. We rejoice in
His glorious promotion and pray for Sheila
and Paul's two sons who miss his presence
here below.
Finally today:
This morning following a
chaplaincy visit I stopped by the Old
Windmill Farm. Five year old Sara Beth
brought me a Collie puppy to hold. These
puppies will hopefully soon find a home and
we can attest that these puppies have lots
of human contact practically from birth!
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
To receive the
"Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday
through email see this
page to subscribe to our email list. You can also
subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or
through a Wordpress email subscription.
(See the email subscription on the right side
after opening this page)
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and
distribute any material on Daily Encouragement
Net, in part or in whole, in any format,
provided that you do not alter the wording in
any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of
reproduction. It is our desire to spread this
material, not protect or restrict it. We do
request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription
information intact.
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