A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Monday,
December 20,
2021
This lovely
home setting is viewed through the opening of the Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge.
(Click on
photo for larger view.)
"It's Not Fake News!"
Message
summary: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners", is the real meaning of Christmas, good news that
is trustworthy and true!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
"Fake news" has
been a popular phrase for several years, although fake
news has been around a lot longer, actually from the
beginning when the serpent had some "news" for Eve.
But what constitutes fake news or disinformation is
often guided by our worldview. Each side of the broad
ideological spectrum claims the other is disseminating
fake news!Several years ago we saw this message on a
church sign in rural Oklahoma: "No Fake News Here,
Just The Good News Of Jesus Christ".
Today let us consider good news that is
entirely trustworthy and true, not fake news but real good news!
The angel's message to the shepherds and to all people
(for then and now) was, "I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people".
Over the next several days earnest believers will gather all over the world to give focus to the true meaning of Christmas. We will worship through song, reading Scripture, praying, hearing the Christmas narrative, partaking of communion, in addition to other ways we honor our Lord. We will gather in churches, homes, classrooms, hospitals, rehabs, prisons, soup kitchens, and in many other settings to express our faith in the very heart of the Christmas story; "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Biblical truths are being mocked and ridiculed and sadly there are those in the visible church who feel we must compromise in disbelief to be accepted by the world. After all there are those who declare that the Creation record in Genesis is a legend, the Biblical miracles aren't real, and the Bible characters are myths. It should not surprise us that the critical events in the life of our Savior; His birth (specifically miraculous conception), death, and resurrection are similarly ridiculed.
The epistles give little emphasis to the birth of Christ. Apart from the historical record in the narratives of Matthew and Luke, and the prophecies foretold centuries earlier, we have no other information on our Lord's birth. It's not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles or in the epistles with any detail. Actually there's no record of the early church celebrating Christ's birth as we do today.
But they certainly believed in it! Paul introduces a saying that appears to be an early creedal statement of the primitive church. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
This week let us not forget the reason Jesus came into the world and consider the difference it makes in our lives today! It's not fake news, it's the genuine good news!
Over the next several days earnest believers will gather all over the world to give focus to the true meaning of Christmas. We will worship through song, reading Scripture, praying, hearing the Christmas narrative, partaking of communion, in addition to other ways we honor our Lord. We will gather in churches, homes, classrooms, hospitals, rehabs, prisons, soup kitchens, and in many other settings to express our faith in the very heart of the Christmas story; "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Biblical truths are being mocked and ridiculed and sadly there are those in the visible church who feel we must compromise in disbelief to be accepted by the world. After all there are those who declare that the Creation record in Genesis is a legend, the Biblical miracles aren't real, and the Bible characters are myths. It should not surprise us that the critical events in the life of our Savior; His birth (specifically miraculous conception), death, and resurrection are similarly ridiculed.
The epistles give little emphasis to the birth of Christ. Apart from the historical record in the narratives of Matthew and Luke, and the prophecies foretold centuries earlier, we have no other information on our Lord's birth. It's not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles or in the epistles with any detail. Actually there's no record of the early church celebrating Christ's birth as we do today.
But they certainly believed in it! Paul introduces a saying that appears to be an early creedal statement of the primitive church. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
"It is a trustworthy statement"
(literally a "faithful word"), Paul uses this phrase
5 times in the Pastoral Epistles to introduce a
statement of special importance. It's easily
memorized, and perhaps this repetitive method was
used to teach and reinforce the most essential
tenets of faith in earliest believers.
"Deserving full acceptance". Although most of the world's population has not accepted this truth; from its earliest declaration, to this day and throughout eternity it truly deserves full acceptance. We have fully accepted this truth, and trust that each of you have as well.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is an absolutely trustworthy statement that impacts the lives of every human born into this world. It is the real meaning of Christmas and it is always good news because it is trustworthy and true!
"Deserving full acceptance". Although most of the world's population has not accepted this truth; from its earliest declaration, to this day and throughout eternity it truly deserves full acceptance. We have fully accepted this truth, and trust that each of you have as well.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is an absolutely trustworthy statement that impacts the lives of every human born into this world. It is the real meaning of Christmas and it is always good news because it is trustworthy and true!
This week let us not forget the reason Jesus came into the world and consider the difference it makes in our lives today! It's not fake news, it's the genuine good news!
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, how grateful we are that Jesus
came into this world to save sinners; to turn
despair to hope, darkness to light, and death to
life. All that we have need of and presently
rely on is abundance from Your generous Hand.
You are worthy of our trust and deserving of our
fully surrendered life. From the cradle to the
cross Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Lord of earth.
We celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus, our
Savior and Lord, and we give thanks for all that
it means to us. Amen.Christmas greeting
to our readers:
We express our greatest appreciation and love to you, our faithful daily encouragement readers. We have met or heard from so many fine readers from all walks of life and from all regions of the world and we are better for it in our spiritual walk and our social life. We always enjoy your feedback and your stimulating comments that affirm or challenge us to think further on a subject matter. We're even glad for those of you who take the time to let us know a link is broken or a date is wrong, etc.
We are praying for those whose Christmas season may be difficult this year due to a heartache you are experiencing, and for those who suffer from a significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
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
"God With Us" Video From our
service yesterday at Calvary Church along
with our worship leader's introduction.
Brooksyne’s
Note: Last year our church introduced
this beautiful Christmas song to our
congregation. I was pleased to hear it again
yesterday and was deeply moved as we sang i
the stanza describing God as Emmanuel, You
are God with us. I believe it will be of
great blessing to you as well.
Our
Deliverer, You are Savior.
In Your presence we find our strength
Over everything our redemption
God with us, You are God with us
In Your presence we find our strength
Over everything our redemption
God with us, You are God with us
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 good song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with the classic 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 good song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with the classic 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).
Finally
today:
As
we were preparing to record our
podcast we both turned around due to
some annoying noise in the background
and saw Gracie playing with her twin
in the mirror.
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."
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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