The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
December 22,
2021
Yesterday Ester took this photo of a beautifully restored red Ford pickup truck parked along Main Street in Mount Joy.
"Christ,
the Light of the World" (Part 2)
Message
summary: The world we live in today is filled with
so many uncertainties and floodtides of evil. Our Lord
Jesus Christ is the only answer to the questions and
variables of life so let us turn to Him who is the Light
of the World!
Note:
We are both struggling with our voices today and thus will
not prepare a podcast.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Today we follow up on yesterday's message about the subject of light, often highlighted as one of the many symbols at Christmas. While serving a church in New England (1993-2001) we came to know and appreciate a newly married couple who came into the church, Nigel and Laifong. In fact I just talked to Nigel this morning.
Nigel has a doctorate in electrical
engineering from Princeton and shares a concept
relating to spiritual life in Christ. His scientific
perspective in the first two paragraphs is hard to
grasp for non-scientists (at least it is for Brooksyne
and me!) but hang in there because his spiritual
application in the final portion is outstanding!
Light is an amazing component of our
universe. Nothing in the universe travels faster
than the speed of light (Star Trek warp speed
notwithstanding!). Special relativity tells us that
the speed of light is independent of the motion of
the observer (that is, to an observer traveling 1
meter per second slower than the speed of light, an
object traveling the speed of light would still
appear to be traveling at the speed of light!).
Light has a dual nature that has confused physicists
until modern times: it behaves as both a wave and as
a particle.
Einstein, among others, showed that light consists of "particles" called photons that have energy (but no mass). However, light has many wave-like properties such as refraction (seen, for example, when light bends through a prism). Of course, light enables us to see, and the wavelength at which light radiates determines what color we see. And light (sunlight) enables plants to undergo photosynthesis, which is essential to life (plant, animal, and human) on Earth. From a physical standpoint, then, light is absolute, mysterious, sight-enabling, life-giving, and -- without a doubt -- wondrous!
From a spiritual standpoint, the Light of the World -- Christ – is equally wondrous.
Einstein, among others, showed that light consists of "particles" called photons that have energy (but no mass). However, light has many wave-like properties such as refraction (seen, for example, when light bends through a prism). Of course, light enables us to see, and the wavelength at which light radiates determines what color we see. And light (sunlight) enables plants to undergo photosynthesis, which is essential to life (plant, animal, and human) on Earth. From a physical standpoint, then, light is absolute, mysterious, sight-enabling, life-giving, and -- without a doubt -- wondrous!
From a spiritual standpoint, the Light of the World -- Christ – is equally wondrous.
- Christ is the Light who forms the absolute standard that discerns the thoughts and intentions of the hearts of the human race.
- Christ is the Light who is mysterious (1 Timothy 3:16), dual in nature, both human and divine.
- Christ is the Light who illuminates the spiritual darkness of this world, forcing those who do not know Him to flee back into the shadows and yet enabling those who do know Him to see and understand the things of God.
- And Christ is the Light who gives us eternal life, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The world we live in today is filled with
so many uncertainties and floodtides of evil. Our
Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer to the
questions and variables of life so let us turn to
Him who is the Light of the World!
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Jesus, I thank You that You lead us in
the paths of righteousness through the Light of Your
Word. It is a faith undertaking that we are never
expected to walk where You, the Light of the World,
have not gone before us illuminating each step we
take. Because You are the Way, we will seek no other
direction. Because You are the Truth, we will not
twist the facts to serve our own interests. Because
You are the Life we will draw near to the Father
through Your divine bloodline. You are everything we
need for life and godliness as You have called us
out of the darkness of this world and into the light
of Your own glory and goodness. For this we are
thankful and give You praise. 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.
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
"Silent
Night" Video Herbie
Basso Herbie was a very colorful
Italian man in our New England church. He is
now with the Lord.
Nigel Lee is
currently working in the Boston area in high
tech. He grew up in Rhode Island and
met his wife, Laifong, while at Princeton,
where they were both involved in the campus
chapter of Chi Alpha, a Christian ministry
to college students. Laifong grew up in
Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country,
but by God's grace came to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ at age 15. She
also has a doctorate from Princeton in
molecular biology. This last year she began
serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators
where her page states:
Laifong
Lee was a molecular biologist and scientific
writer prior to joining Wycliffe Bible
Translators. During the 2020 global
pandemic, God stirred her heart for the
Bibleless in Southeast Asia through online
prayer meetings for unreached people groups
and the Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement course. Laifong will be providing
administrative support for projects in
Southeast Asia. Laifong and her husband
Nigel live in Massachusetts. Their son Caleb
is in college.
Nigel and Laifong
were a wonderful blessing to us while
attending our church in New England. They
were also the first recipients of our daily
encouragement in October 1996 and thankfully
they still stay in contact as the longest
time members of our email list.
This morning Laifong
was in an online prayer meeting (praying for
the unreached of Southeast Asia) when I
called. She wrote:
"These days, before I read the Bible every morning, I thank God that the Scriptures are available in a language I understand, and I ask God to provide the same for those who are still waiting for His word in their mother tongue. Your gift plays a role in getting the Bible to the Bibleless!"
She shared a version of "Is He Worthy" sung by the Sunda, an ethnic group in Indonesia, and told us it may give a glimpse of Revelation 7:9. It does! Video
"These days, before I read the Bible every morning, I thank God that the Scriptures are available in a language I understand, and I ask God to provide the same for those who are still waiting for His word in their mother tongue. Your gift plays a role in getting the Bible to the Bibleless!"
She shared a version of "Is He Worthy" sung by the Sunda, an ethnic group in Indonesia, and told us it may give a glimpse of Revelation 7:9. It does! Video
Answers to Christmas
Carol Quiz with light themed songs we posted
in yesterday's message
1)
"Son of God, love's pure light" Silent
Night
2)
"Yonder shines the infant light" Angels from
the Realms of Glory
3) "And to the earth it gave great light" The First Noel
4) "Light and life to all He brings" Hark the Herald
5) "But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall" I wonder as I wander
6) "The everlasting Light" O Little Town of Bethlehem
7) "Guide us to thy perfect light" We Three Kings
3) "And to the earth it gave great light" The First Noel
4) "Light and life to all He brings" Hark the Herald
5) "But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall" I wonder as I wander
6) "The everlasting Light" O Little Town of Bethlehem
7) "Guide us to thy perfect light" We Three Kings
Another Christmas Carol Quiz
In this quiz identify the Christmas songs using the following rather cryptic clues.
1. Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis
2. Eight p.m. to Six a.m. without noise
3. Minuscule Hamlet in the Near East
4. Ancient Benevolent Despot
5. Exuberance Directed to the Planet
6. Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing
7. Trio of Monarchs
8. Yonder in the Hay Rack
9. Cherubim Audited from Aloft
10. Assemble Everyone Who Believes
11. Hollowed Post Meridian
12. Fantasia of a Colorless December 25
13. A Dozen Twenty-Four Hour Yule Periods
14. Befell During the Transparent Bewitching Hour
15. Frigid Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor
16. Desire a Pair of Incisors on December 25
17. I Spied my Maternal Parent Osculating
18. Perambulating Through a December Solstice Fantasy
19. Adorn the Vestibule
20. Tin Tintinnabulums
The answers will be
posted in tomorrow Daily Encouragement
message.
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