A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
December 14,
2021
The Poole Forge Covered Bridge in Eastern Lancaster County
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"When The Soul Is
Discouraged"
Message
summary: Today we especially
address those of you who are “much discouraged because of
the way".
Note:
Today's illustrative introduction is a bit longer than
usual. The consideration of the Bible text begins at the
bridge photo.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
“The soul
of the people was much discouraged because of the way”
(Numbers 21:4).
Seneca
Falls is a small hamlet in upstate New York that claims to
be the inspiration for Bedford Falls. Last year we were up
that way between the Finger Lakes and based on the
geography and weather it is very similar. Does Bedford
Falls ring a bell for any of our readers? (pun intended)Bedford
Falls is the name of the town in one of our all-time
favorite Christmas movies, "It’s a
Wonderful Life". We often watch
this movie together during the Christmas season. It’s an
example of how the classic movies were directed and
produced without swearing, violence, and sexuality.
At that time the Hollywood movie studios agreed to abide
by a code (The Hays Code) which stipulated no film would
"lower the moral standards of those who view it". Wow,
have times ever changed!
In "It's A
Wonderful Life", the main character, George Bailey,
follows his father in running a small Building and Loan
Association in Bedford Falls. But it barely survives, in
part due to George’s generosity and kindness to others.
He’s always threatened by the movie’s chief antagonist,
greedy old Henry F. Potter, who wants to drive George out
of business for the financial control of Bedford Falls.
Since the movie is fiction don't try to make sense of it theologically! It opens with George's friends and family praying for him as he is discouraged to the point of despondency and suicide. He strongly felt that his life made no difference to others and he’d be better off dead. (Of course, his overindulgence in alcohol in response to his crisis would have contributed to such thinking.)
The angels discussing George’s crisis call on a junior angel, named Clarence, who has yet to earn his wings. He must go to earth, avert George’s suicide attempt and convince him that, “George, your life really does make a difference”. Much of the movie is a narrative overview of George’s life so that Clarence will be acquainted with his troubled "student".
Early in the movie there’s one scene that especially touches me. When Clarence is first called in he’s told that George is in trouble and he asks, "Is he sick?" The senior angel says, "No, it’s worse than being sick, he’s discouraged."
The way Clarence helped George was to show him what it would be like had he never been born. This powerfully reminded George of the value of his life as he saw how many people, from all walks of life, he had touched from his early years to adulthood. I hope that is true of your life and mine as well!
Now again we don’t vouch for the theology in the movie as the Bible doesn’t teach that angels earn their wings or that they are humans who have previously died. But I believe there is great power in the prayers ascending to heaven for people who are in need and I know how debilitating discouragement can be.
Very likely
some reading this today are discouraged, some feel unloved
and unappreciated. You might even feel as if your life
means nothing. In a final scene in the movie George is on
a bridge contemplating suicide when Clarence jumps off
first so George can save him. After this Clarence shows
George what it would be like if he had never been born and
he realized the difference his life had made, how people
really did appreciate him.
In "It's A
Wonderful Life", the main character, George Bailey,
follows his father in running a small Building and Loan
Association in Bedford Falls. But it barely survives, in
part due to George’s generosity and kindness to others.
He’s always threatened by the movie’s chief antagonist,
greedy old Henry F. Potter, who wants to drive George out
of business for the financial control of Bedford Falls.Since the movie is fiction don't try to make sense of it theologically! It opens with George's friends and family praying for him as he is discouraged to the point of despondency and suicide. He strongly felt that his life made no difference to others and he’d be better off dead. (Of course, his overindulgence in alcohol in response to his crisis would have contributed to such thinking.)
The angels discussing George’s crisis call on a junior angel, named Clarence, who has yet to earn his wings. He must go to earth, avert George’s suicide attempt and convince him that, “George, your life really does make a difference”. Much of the movie is a narrative overview of George’s life so that Clarence will be acquainted with his troubled "student".
Early in the movie there’s one scene that especially touches me. When Clarence is first called in he’s told that George is in trouble and he asks, "Is he sick?" The senior angel says, "No, it’s worse than being sick, he’s discouraged."
The way Clarence helped George was to show him what it would be like had he never been born. This powerfully reminded George of the value of his life as he saw how many people, from all walks of life, he had touched from his early years to adulthood. I hope that is true of your life and mine as well!
Now again we don’t vouch for the theology in the movie as the Bible doesn’t teach that angels earn their wings or that they are humans who have previously died. But I believe there is great power in the prayers ascending to heaven for people who are in need and I know how debilitating discouragement can be.
Very likely
some reading this today are discouraged, some feel unloved
and unappreciated. You might even feel as if your life
means nothing. In a final scene in the movie George is on
a bridge contemplating suicide when Clarence jumps off
first so George can save him. After this Clarence shows
George what it would be like if he had never been born and
he realized the difference his life had made, how people
really did appreciate him.
Currently there is a deadly trend
right now in our society of those taking their lives and
bridges remain a "popular" spot to end it all. While in
San Diego earlier this month I crossed the Coronado Bridge
(here on Google map), high over San
Diego Bay and noted the signs warning against suicides.We firmly assert that each life does matter and has great significance.
Consider the daily text, "The soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way". The people of Israel had come out of Egypt in great fanfare but soon they encountered difficulty and began their grumbling. In the context of the daily text they had been wandering for some time and were “much discouraged because of the way". Before their deliverance they had probably reasoned, "What could be worse than slavery in Egypt?" Surely, they thought the way to the Promised Land would be a cinch in comparison to their former way of life. But alas, such was not the case!
Similarly
the Christian life isn't all easy street
after our conversion. Paul said, “We
must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God” (Acts 14:22). Jesus said, "in the world you
will have trouble" (John 16:33).
We can
become discouraged “because of the way” for a
variety of reasons. The Israelites certainly had not
expected what they encountered and likewise we find that
life often has twists and turns, some very painful, on the
way to our eternal abode. John Bunyan describes this in
his Christian allegory, "Pilgrim’s Progress" where his
hometown is the “City of Destruction” (this world), and
his destiny is the “Celestial City” (heaven).
Today we especially address those of you who are “much discouraged because of the way". God loves you today and so do many others. Hold steady, keep your faith! God will make a roadway in your wilderness wanderings. The Son of light has come to penetrate lingering shadows of doubt, discouragement, and any disadvantages we might deal with.
Today we especially address those of you who are “much discouraged because of the way". God loves you today and so do many others. Hold steady, keep your faith! God will make a roadway in your wilderness wanderings. The Son of light has come to penetrate lingering shadows of doubt, discouragement, and any disadvantages we might deal with.
Remember,
your life, like George Bailey’s, is truly worth living and
is touching many others though you may not even be aware
of it.
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we're often tempted to turn
our eyes from You and become consumed with troubles
that surround us, or worse, we become consumed with
self-pity. Our emotions cloud our view of eternity
giving us the false notion that here and now is all
that matters. The apostle Paul stated, “If in this
life we have hope in Christ only, we are of all
people to be pitied”. We can become “much
discouraged because of the way” that our journey
through life is not smooth, predictable, nor can we
avoid the twists, turns, and detours by using a GPS.
You never promised that our Christian walk would be
easy, but You did promise never to leave us nor
forsake us. You promised to come alongside us and
work out even the bad things we encounter for our
overall good and for the good of others. Keep us
faithful and trusting during the journey 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 you would
like to make a
donation to
our ministry
see here for
more
information. 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 from 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.
To
donate
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online
click here.
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offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from 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.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Please Note: If
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We
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Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"God
Will Make A Way" Video Don Moen
"Because
He Lives" Video West Coast
Choir "Life is worth the living just
because He lives!"
This
man could surely be discouraged. But an
example of peace after the storm Video
Seneca
Falls, NY is located here and is widely
believed to be the inspiration for Frank
Capra's holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful
Life". You can visit the village and
locations that inspired Mr. Capra in his
visits to Seneca Falls in the early 1900's.
You can stand on the bridge that Jimmy
Stewart's character leaped from in the
movie. In December they have weekend
festivals that celebrate the connection to
the holiday classic.
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. Perhaps
they 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.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"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.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
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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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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