A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Thursday,
December 16,
2021
Allan and Linda, our farming neighbors, display this large lighted star above their silos every Christmas.
"He
Still Rewards The Diligent Seeker"
Message
summary: If you have never placed your faith in
Christ we invite you to do so right now. If you are a
young believer or if you have followed Christ for many
years, continue to diligently seek Him. Like the Magi,
He still rewards the diligent seeker!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:4,5). "Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:4,5). "Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
O
star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
A
star is a common symbol at Christmas, likely based on
the Bethlehem star the Magi saw. Our farmer neighbor
places a star up above his silos as a demonstration of
his faith. You can see it all the way from our house
although it's about a mile away.
Today
let us consider the Bethlehem star as well as all stars,
something we can all see, but especially when you live
out in the country as we do. It was overcast last night
so I could not see the stars but I didn't worry that
they had disappeared! Early this morning it had cleared
a bit and sure enough I saw the stars before sunrise. On
a clear night gazing into the starry heavens is a good
reminder of the awesomeness of our God as the Psalmist
experienced when he declared, “He determines the
number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great
is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has
no limit”.
Since
1979 the
International Star Registry has been selling naming rights for stars. Are
you having trouble getting just that right Christmas
gift? I am a very poor shopper and struggle
picking out the right gift for my wife. Well, the
International Star Registry has an easy gift giving
option which allows you to name a star for a person and
they will send them an official certificate! I could
name one for Booksyne since the name is available.
Whoever came up with this has a pretty good business
model since the current estimate among astronomers is
that there are a billion stars, and of course they’ll
probably always be discovering a few million more.
However there is a problem for the enterprising business entrepreneur who devised this scheme. The mighty God we serve who sent His only Son to this little planet earth has already taken care of naming all the stars. He has determined their number and calls them each by name.
He made all the stars (Genesis 1:16) and has them all accounted for. The prophet Isaiah in proclaiming the mighty greatness of God declares, “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). This is the great God we serve today!
But during the birth of Christ God used a special star to guide the Magi to Bethlehem. There's been lots of speculation about the nature of this star but today let us just focus on the blessing that God provided a star to guide the earnest seekers. That's God's nature. One of the great promises of God is that "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
However there is a problem for the enterprising business entrepreneur who devised this scheme. The mighty God we serve who sent His only Son to this little planet earth has already taken care of naming all the stars. He has determined their number and calls them each by name.
He made all the stars (Genesis 1:16) and has them all accounted for. The prophet Isaiah in proclaiming the mighty greatness of God declares, “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). This is the great God we serve today!
But during the birth of Christ God used a special star to guide the Magi to Bethlehem. There's been lots of speculation about the nature of this star but today let us just focus on the blessing that God provided a star to guide the earnest seekers. That's God's nature. One of the great promises of God is that "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
If
you have never placed your faith in Christ we invite you
to do so right now. If you are a young believer or if
you have followed Christ for many years, continue to
diligently seek Him. Like the Magi, He still rewards the
diligent seeker!
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we draw near to You
seeking You with a sincere heart as we study Your
truths and apply them to our minds and hearts. We
want to be diligent seekers of the Way, the Truth,
and the Life, holding unswervingly to the hope we
profess, for You are faithful in all You say and in
all You do, and You still reward those who
diligently seek you. We bless You, Lord, and
give thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who
came to earth to save us from our sin. 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
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
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
you desire you can donate directly through
PayPal using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber".
We
keep this option available due to the
familiarity, convenience, international
supporters, and for those who may not need an
official receipt. You can also set up for
recurring donations. You also can use PayPal on this
link. Stephen & Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
In our area local businesses and farm owners often use their buildings to display Christmas symbols such as this one. I am moved by the depiction of Bethlehem's star and Calvary's cross.
"The
Night Song" Video CityAlight
In our area local businesses and farm owners often use their buildings to display Christmas symbols such as this one. I am moved by the depiction of Bethlehem's star and Calvary's cross.
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).
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."
© Copyright 2021 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