Daily Encouragement Net
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
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Monday, January 17, 2022

Strasburg Railroad
 
Over the weekend we enjoyed dinner at Casey Jones Restaurant near Strasburg where we ate in a former dining car. After our dinner a train came by which was the perfect ending to our time at Casey Jones!

"Who's Next?"

Message summary:
Are you ready to meet God at your death? Have you received Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Many have varied opinions about what the future on this side will bring. But one thing is certain: we will die and we must be prepared to meet God. Prepare your heart today, for only God knows who’s next.
Listen to this message on your audio player.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Following our church service yesterday we visited with a family and prayed over their aged father who is staying with them. He was experiencing a great deal of pain and anxiety at the time due to his failing health. A song we've been listening to came to mind and I made it part of my prayer:

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
'Cause I know there is peace within your presence
I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

This morning we prayed again for this father and for his family to experience peace and strength through this inevitable season of life.

Years ago I attended the celebration service for Clayton Sheridan, who at one time was my supervisor when we planted a church in northern PA in the late seventies. After the service I visited for a few minutes with my friend, Pastor Al Pundt. He told me each time he conducts a funeral he ends the service by looking out over the gathering before he solemnly asks, “Who’s next?”, followed by a benediction. Now Al's question "Who's next?" may seem a bit morbid, but it's true. Someone in that group will be next. That surely must give attendees a piercing thought to process before leaving and hopefully afterwards as well!
(Actually this was about eight years ago and we're certain there's already been several "nexts".)

A television ad shows a woman happily opening an envelope. Her happy look turns to distress as she reads the note inside, “Your heart attack arrives in two days.” About twenty years ago I had a health problem requiring several surgeries. Initially there was uncertainty regarding just how serious the situation was. I recall a life lesson I learned at that time and have considered many times since: “You don’t pick your problems and you don’t schedule them.” As a result of my own experience I now have this perspective and often share it with others in helping them accept and deal with their own personal trials.

It’s also true concerning our death. We don't schedule our death or how we will die.

God’s Word warns us to be ready for death and informs us in how we can prepare ourselves for that inevitable event. We often react to warnings as they can sure be annoying and disruptive to our plans! Yet God has told us that we will die and that’s something we can observe throughout all humanity. God’s Word also tells us that we will face judgment. Many give no thought or preparation to this judgment, but the words of Scripture are clear and true.

There is a final step of faith, a final appointment that we all will keep. It sure doesn’t take faith to know that we will all face death. We see it all around us and especially take notice when a loved one dies. Our faith is expressed in either a belief that there is an accounting to God or a belief that there is not. Both views require faith. We believe there is a future judgment and live in accordance to that belief. The daily verse ought to be memorized and hidden deep within our hearts, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment".

Are you ready to meet God at your death? Have you received Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Many have varied opinions about what the future on this side will bring. But one thing is certain: we will die and we must be prepared to meet God. Prepare your heart today, for only God knows who’s next.


Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, it’s my desire to have the same mindset as William Featherstone who, following his conversion at the young age of 16, penned these words of commitment: “I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved thee, My Jesus ‘tis now.” Whether I’m young or old, healthy or sick, wealthy or poor, I choose to prepare my heart for eternity here and now so that I will be assured of endless delight upon my first breath in heaven. I want to be prepared, persevering and prayerful while journeying here below. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"I Speak Jesus"  Video   KingsPorch As we heard this song we prayerfully considered the wife of a friend who's fighting a long battle with covid, another battling fear and anxiety, and yet another who is battling years of addiction. We place them all in the Lord's hands and speak the name of Jesus over their lives.

"Hymn Of Heaven"  Video  From our service yesterday at Calvary Church:

There will be a day when all will bow before Him
There will be a day when death will be no more
Standing face to face with He who died and rose again
Holy, holy is the Lord

"Hymn Of Heaven"  Video  Phil Wickham (This is the original songwriter)

"Ten Thousand Reasons"   Video  Matt Redman

And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending



Ross Morrison
Yesterday I visited for a few minutes with 98 year old Ross Morrison. For many years we have been friends with Tim, one of his five sons. Ross was in ministry and so are all five of his sons. He told me about a memorable Sunday in the past when all six of them were preaching at the same time in different churches! (I didn't notice till I prepped the photo but another friend named Tim is looking on in the background.)

Pond ice hockey
We passed this pond in Paradise yesterday with a makeshift ice hockey game.

Finally today:

Temp fix rural mailbox
We had another snow storm yesterday afternoon and then rain through the night. It's a slushy mess today! Our mailbox got knocked a couple weeks ago, a peril of living in the country. Here's my temporary fix till I can drive a new post into the ground this spring.

Temporary mailbox 11/10/15
Here's another temporary mailbox fix from a storm seven years ago! (Perhaps this sawhorse fix is a good replica of the 1860 Pony Express mail service.)



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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.



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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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