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(Click refresh or reload for current message) Monday,
December 5, 2022
This
majestic titles of Almighty God in
the person of Jesus incarnate.
This
is a photo taken of counted cross
stitch needle work. In my younger
years I found great enjoyment in
cross stitching many Scripture
verses to hang on our walls. Not
only a colorful wall decoration but
also a helpful way to memorize
Scripture and to make our home an
open Bible for those who visited.
"For
Unto Us"
Note:
This week we will share a
five part series based on
Isaiah 9:6, considering
one the great Old
Testament prophecies
concerning Christ.
Message
summary:
Today let us place our
focus on the Son of
God who came unto us
to establish His
kingdom.
"For
unto us a Child is
born, unto us a Son is
given; And the
government will be
upon His shoulder. And
His name will be
called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace"
(Isaiah 9:6).
Have
you noticed that a
phenomenon of aging is
that life seems to go by
faster the older you
get? I attribute this to
a mathematical equation
since each year becomes
a smaller and smaller
percentage of your life.
When I was ten, a year
was 10% of my life
(actually even more in
experience, since we
don't even remember our
first several years).
But on my last birthday
a year of my life was
just 1.5%. Of course
each year I get older
this percentage
continues to decrease!
In high school in the early seventies I read the science fiction novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four", by English novelist George Orwell. Though 1984 was only some 12 years away at that time it seemed like it was way out there in the practically unimaginable very distant future. Of course that year came and went and then it was looking ahead to the new millennium which again seemed so far away but of course the year 2000 came and went and, amazingly, we are now already over 20 years into the new millennium! But consider with us today a 700 year period of time. Looking back that would place us in the middle ages in 1322. Looking ahead would take us to 2722! We
ended our message on
Friday with the words to
the "Hallelujah Chorus",
likely the most
well-known song from
Handel's Messiah. But
another well known
selection from "Messiah"
is "For Unto Us a Child
is Born" which is based
on our daily (and weekly
verse).
This
is a prophetic message
from some 700 years
before Christ was born.
The idea is that the
future prophecy was so
certain to transpire,
that it was presented as
if it were an
accomplished fact in
Isaiah's day. This is
known theologically as
the prophetic perfect.
It's similar to Isaiah's
prophecy about the
suffering Messiah in
chapter 53 where he
writes, "Surely He
took up our pain and
bore our suffering..."
(Isaiah 53:4ff)
Isaiah
prophesied the
characteristics of the
Messiah in our daily
text, and later those of
a suffering servant
(Isaiah 53). He looked
ahead as he declared his
prophecy, unaware that
it would be 700 years
for his prophecy to be
fulfilled. Bonhoeffer,
in his book, "God Is In
The Manger" makes this
observation: "The
prophet is so deeply
immersed in God's
thought and counsel that
he speaks of the future
as if he saw it
already."
"For unto us
a Child is born".
Very similar wording
is used in the birth
narrative in Luke
2:11, "For unto
you is born
this day in the city
of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the
Lord".
By first
describing Him as a
Child and then as a
Son, Isaiah is using
the Hebrew literary
tool of repetition for
emphasis. But the
second phrase also
elaborates upon the
first. The first
phrase specifies the
means of His coming, "a
Child is born";
the second speaks of
the purpose of His
coming, "a Son is given".
The first merely says
"a Child", while the
second specifies, "a
Son".
"Unto
us a Son is given"
This is precursor to one
of the Bible's most
memorized verses: "For
God so loved the world
that He gave
His only begotten
Son..." (John
3:16).
"And
the government will be
upon His shoulder". When
we read this we may tend
to consider "government"
in the sense of those
who presently rule our
land (wherever we may
live). However likely
this has the sense of
Christ's rule over the
Kingdom of God, by
far the most important
of the two kingdoms in
which we live.
Pastor Richard
Dresselhaus writes
regarding our
citizenship:
"Where
do you have your
citizenship? Is
it only on earth…or is
it in heaven?
'But
our citizenship is
in heaven.'
Maybe this explains why you feel so out of place. Every day seems to include another worldly quest that you abhor. For now…you will need to settle for dual citizenship. But the one that matters most is the one you already have in heaven.
But for now…you are on
a collision course
with this world. So
keep your values
anchored in God’s
Word…and your eyes
firmly fixed on the
Lord.
We look forward to a better day. '…We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…' Keep your eyes on heaven – that is where your real citizenship is held." Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, thank
You for
sending Jesus
who was born
to set us
free. Just as
the angels
told the
shepherds not
to be fearful
for they had
Good News to
deliver, we
too are
recipients of
God's favor
provided
through the
salvation of
Jesus Christ.
We need not
fear our
present or
future
circumstances,
for You said
You will never
leave us nor
forsake us, in
this life here
below. We
confess that
the government
is on Your
shoulders and
you are
establishing
an eternal
Kingdom where
You will reign
forever and
ever. And best
of all You
have secured
for us
everlasting
life in the
hereafter.
Hallelujah!
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!). Like
most
ministries, we
typically see
a spike in
giving at the
end of the
year for which
we are most
thankful. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read all over the world. 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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
"For
Unto Us A
Child Is
Born/Open The
Eyes Of My
Heart"
Video
Paul Baloche
"Light
of the World
(Sing
Hallelujah)"
Video
We
The Kingdom
(Our worship
team concluded
our service
with this song
yesterday)
Finally
today:
Saturday
night Ester
went to
another
concert at the
Giant Center
with the group
"For King and
Country". This
one was sold
out with a
much younger
audience than
the one we
attended
Thursday
evening with
the older
Gaither crowd!
Ester was
excited to
share this
song and the
rather unusual
visual
effects.
"Little
Drummer Boy"
Video
For King and
Country
(This was from
a show in
Dallas last
week but ester
told us they
used the same
effects in
Hershey
Saturday
night.)
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We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support but if
you would like
to make a
donation to
our ministry
see here for
more
information.
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 can
also use PayPal
on this link.
Stephen & Brooksyne 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 2022 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |