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ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Monday,
October 16, 2023
Scenic view in Vermont
Photo taken by our friend Jim Hain
"Living
In The Preface"
Message
summary:
Today
we consider
living in the
preface of a
never-ending
book and
Christ's
command to "lay
up for
yourselves
treasures in
heaven".
At the moment
of Christ's
return we
realize
"nothing else
matters".
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Do
not lay up for
yourselves
treasures on
earth, where
moth and rust
destroy and
where thieves
break in and
steal, but lay
up for
yourselves
treasures in
heaven, where
neither moth
nor rust
destroys and
where thieves
do not break
in and steal.
For where your
treasure is,
there your
heart will be
also" (Matthew
6:19-21).
I
heard a
message by
missionary
Phil Jackson
that
illustrated
our present
life as a
brief preface
to a book that
really has no
ending chapter
as we live on
through
eternity.
Presently all
we know in our
own life and
that of others
is the
preface. We
have so little
comprehension
concerning the
rest of the
book.
I
heard a
message by
missionary
Phil Jackson
that
illustrated
our present
life as a
brief preface
to a book that
really has no
ending chapter
as we live on
through
eternity.
Presently all
we know in our
own life and
that of others
is the
preface. We
have so little
comprehension
concerning the
rest of the
book.This
coming Lord's
Day I am
teaching from
our daily
passage as
part of a
church series
on the Sermon
on the Mount.
For this
section the
main emphasis
is "but
lay up for
yourselves
treasures in
heaven".
This is vital
since we tend
to place so
much emphasis
on the preface
of life!
I suspect each living generation considers a special significance to their own. But the Bible tells us, "generations come and generations go" (Ecclesiastes 1:4).
The
main thing is
preparing
ourselves
spiritually
for what
follows this
brief life,
which is
merely the
preface of our
book. That
emphasis
should be to
lay up for
ourselves
treasures in
heaven. But so
many give
little or no
thought to
this
preparation
because their
minds are on
earthly
things. And
that's a
struggle we
all have to
some degree.At 40 years of age Moses made a critical decision to identify with God and His people. Essentially he was practicing what Jesus would teach we are to do some 1,400 years later, "laying up treasures in heaven".
"By
faith Moses,
when he had
grown up,
refused to be
known as the
son of
Pharaoh's
daughter. He
chose to be
mistreated
along with the
people of God
rather than to
enjoy the
pleasures of
sin for a
short time. He
regarded
disgrace for
the sake of
Christ as of
greater value
than the
treasures of
Egypt, because
he was looking
ahead to his
reward"
(Hebrews
11:24-26). The
titles,
pleasures,
achievements,
and treasures
in his day
paled in
comparison to
God.I encourage you to ponder this Scripture passage today especially the last phrase, "he was looking ahead to his reward". That ought to also be our primary outlook today. Are we looking ahead to our reward? As we live in the preface of life's book are we laying up treasures in heaven?
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Daily prayer:
Father, we
want to enjoy
the lasting
pleasure of
doing that
which is right
as we look
ahead to our
eternal
reward. Our
lives are but
a whirlwind,
here today and
gone tomorrow.
That which we
treasured here
on earth will
break, lose
value, turn to
dust, rust or
disappear.
Nothing in all
of this
temporal world
can compare to
the sin-free
splendor of
heaven or
hearing Your
words of
commendation,
"Well done,
good and
faithful
servant." May
we never lose
sight of why
we were
created nor
what our
purpose is
which is to
honor and
glorify You.
Amen.
Here's the selection of songs from the Calvary Church Choir and Orchestra from yesterday's service Watch video on YouTube Brooksyne's note: I always enjoy our worship songs but today I will highlight our third selection, "Holy is He". It's an older song arranged by David Clydesdale. The congregation joins us after a bit with "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the choir sings along. On the third verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" the sopranos and tenors sing a descant and it was such a special time of worship for me. I hope it will touch your heart as well.
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we
want to enjoy
the lasting
pleasure of
doing that
which is right
as we look
ahead to our
eternal
reward. Our
lives are but
a whirlwind,
here today and
gone tomorrow.
That which we
treasured here
on earth will
break, lose
value, turn to
dust, rust or
disappear.
Nothing in all
of this
temporal world
can compare to
the sin-free
splendor of
heaven or
hearing Your
words of
commendation,
"Well done,
good and
faithful
servant." May
we never lose
sight of why
we were
created nor
what our
purpose is
which is to
honor and
glorify You.
Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
Here's the selection of songs from the Calvary Church Choir and Orchestra from yesterday's service Watch video on YouTube Brooksyne's note: I always enjoy our worship songs but today I will highlight our third selection, "Holy is He". It's an older song arranged by David Clydesdale. The congregation joins us after a bit with "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the choir sings along. On the third verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" the sopranos and tenors sing a descant and it was such a special time of worship for me. I hope it will touch your heart as well.
In
the book,
"When Christ
Comes" Max
Lucado
describes a
grand vision
of the Lord's
return. He
writes that
once we get a
glimpse of
that glorious
future event
we will
realize that
"Nothing else
matters." He
gives a
perspective
contrasting
all the
"treasures"
that so often
consume our
minds and
hearts on this
side of
eternity and
what will
happen at the
return of the
Lord.
The three words that prompted my recollection of this reading are "Nothing else matters". Let us stay faithful today in proclaiming that which really does matter! The following is from a Max Lucado album from the late 90's. Here's the narration that really touched me: Listen on YouTube
"The
angels bow
their heads.
The elders
remove their
crowns. And
before you is
a figure so
consuming that
you know,
instantly you
know: Nothing
else matters.
Forget stock
markets and
school
reports. Sales
meetings and
football
games. Nothing
is newsworthy.
All that
mattered,
matters no
more, for
Christ has
come."
The three words that prompted my recollection of this reading are "Nothing else matters". Let us stay faithful today in proclaiming that which really does matter! The following is from a Max Lucado album from the late 90's. Here's the narration that really touched me: Listen on YouTube
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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 by many 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)
If
you desire you
can also
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
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radioPermissions: 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."
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