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ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Wednesday,
November 1, 2023
An
eye-appealing
selection of
apples at
the entrance
to the Village
Farm Market on
Rt 322 east of
Ephrata, PA.
This is an old
steer bank
barn
re-purposed as
a country
store operated
by an
old-order
Mennonite
family.
"Homeward
Bound"
Message
summary: The
apostle Paul's
perspective on
life and death
is so
liberating. He
had a homeward
bound outlook.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Yes,
we are of good
courage, and
we would
rather be away
from the body
and at home
with the Lord"
(2 Corinthians
5:8).
Sunday
afternoon we
bid an earthly
farewell to
our friend,
Fred Steudler,
a man who was
an
entrepreneur
in various
businesses and
a caring
philanthropist.
For thirteen
years we
served as
chaplains for
two companies
he and his
brother
owned.
His funeral
service was
held in the
chapel at
Lancaster
Bible College
with our
longtime
friends Ron
Hoover and
Peter Teague
officiating.
We met both of
them, along
with Fred,
through
Convene, a
Christian
business
mentoring
group which
Ron Hoover
chaired for
many years.
Peter Teague
had a long
tenure as the
president of
Lancaster
Bible College,
although he is
now retired.
We
walked through
the receiving
line and
expressed our
condolences to
Fred's brother
and wife, Rick
and Jackie. We
also paid our
respects to
Bev, his wife
of 49 years
before
approaching
the open
casket. We
were deeply
moved to see
Fred clutching
a small Gospel
of John
booklet titled
"Homeward
Bound". My
first
inclination
was what a
powerful photo
this would be
of his hands
holding the
book but I
immediately
recognized the
lack of
decorum if I
would have
taken it! Both
of us
commented
afterwards how
this was such
a powerful
expression of
confidence in
death. They
gave each
person coming
to the service
the booklet "Homeward
Bound".My
brother Pat
had a friend
who died
following a
long illness.
At his time of
death he was
with his wife
and family.
After
expressing his
love to them
he raised his
hands as he
yielded his
soul to the
Lord saying, "To
be absent from
the body is to
be home with
the Lord"
just before he
died.
Pat didn't know whether he had purposefully planned ahead for this inevitable event to make his dying words a faith declaration or if it was a spontaneous, Spirit-led declaration. Either way, what a confident, victorious way to depart this earth!
Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had a significant influence in my life since I received much of my early Christian discipling through this ministry. In an interview toward the end of his earthly life he offers this perspective.
Pat didn't know whether he had purposefully planned ahead for this inevitable event to make his dying words a faith declaration or if it was a spontaneous, Spirit-led declaration. Either way, what a confident, victorious way to depart this earth!
Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had a significant influence in my life since I received much of my early Christian discipling through this ministry. In an interview toward the end of his earthly life he offers this perspective.
"The
most important
moment in
anyone's life
as a believer
is the last
breath because
the next
breath is in
heaven. To be
absent from
the body is to
be present
with the Lord.
A Christian
can't lose, if
we live, we go
on serving
Him. That's an
adventure. If
we die, we're
in heaven with
Him, and
that's
incredible."
This verse is part of a teaching by the apostle Paul. Notice how he introduces the concept with these words, "We are confident", "we are of good courage", "full of courage" and similar expressions depending on the version. Of all things in which to be confident this is surely at the top, an assurance of our future home due to what Christ has done for us.
The present tense "are" describes Paul's attitude as one of continuous, courageous confidence because of God's express purpose and promise to bring Paul (and all believers) to glory and because of the Spirit who indwelt him and strengthened him to continually fight the good fight of faith. This courageous confidence was not a passing emotion for Paul but a continual state of mind. Paul's courageous mindset enabled him to face death not with fear but with great confidence. (Precept Austin commentary note on 2 Corinthians 5:8)
The apostle Paul's perspective on life and death is so liberating. After his conversion on the Damascus road he began experiencing the great joy that comes in living for Christ. In confidence he faces death, with a willingness to "be away from the body". Indeed at our death, though our body remains, our spirit departs to be with the Lord. We are "at home with the Lord".
Today, what a joy it is to follow Christ and have a deep, abiding assurance of His love. We are all homeward bound. When the time comes for our departure we shed our frail, aging, and mortal body and abandon our residency in this world that is day by day sliding into greater and greater decadence and destruction. We will "gain" and be better off by far with our immortal, ageless, and healthy bodies residing in a place that is timeless, ageless, and sinless. That's what we live for!
Praise
the Lord,
today I am a
child of the
King with my
home address
presently on
earth, but
some
"tomorrow", as
a child of the
king, my
everlasting
home address
will be
heaven. Won't
you join me
there as we
finish well
here.
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Daily prayer:
Father, as I
live out my
time here on
this earth,
I'm so glad
that I belong
to You. You
hold my right
hand and guide
me with Your
continuous
presence and
daily bread
which is
leading me to
a glorious
destiny where
I am homeward
bound.
"Whom have I
in heaven but
You and I
desire You
more than
anything on
earth." "My
health may
fail and my
spirit may
even grow
weak, but
Father, You
remain the
strength of my
heart and You
are my portion
forever." "My
Refuge, my
Fortress and
my Deliverer,
I will
joyfully tell
of Your mighty
works as I
seek to finish
well on this
side." I
long for the
day that You
call me to my
eternal home,
when I will be
absent from
the body on
this side and
present with
You on the
eternal side
of glory.
Amen.
Years ago we had Fred and his wife and two other couples over for a New England style seafood dinner. The men drank rhubarb punch from their redneck jars. Left to right; Ron and Bonnie Hoover, Fred and Bev Steudler, Rick and Jackie Steudler. We work with these men in the course of our chaplaincy ministry. Ron chaired our local Convene business group for many years and was very instrumental in seeing that doors opened for our chaplaincy ministry in a variety of companies. Fred and Rick own local businesses we served at the time.
We had a fine time sharing around the table during our meal and thereafter. Following our dessert and coffee we ended the evening by each saying a prayer.
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, as I
live out my
time here on
this earth,
I'm so glad
that I belong
to You. You
hold my right
hand and guide
me with Your
continuous
presence and
daily bread
which is
leading me to
a glorious
destiny where
I am homeward
bound.
"Whom have I
in heaven but
You and I
desire You
more than
anything on
earth." "My
health may
fail and my
spirit may
even grow
weak, but
Father, You
remain the
strength of my
heart and You
are my portion
forever." "My
Refuge, my
Fortress and
my Deliverer,
I will
joyfully tell
of Your mighty
works as I
seek to finish
well on this
side." I
long for the
day that You
call me to my
eternal home,
when I will be
absent from
the body on
this side and
present with
You on the
eternal side
of glory.
Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Homecoming"
Watch
on Youtube
Cory Asbury
"Homesick
For Heaven"
Watch
on Youtube
Jim
Brady Trio
"Finally
Home" Watch
on Youtube
MercyMe
"Hymn
Of Heaven"
Watch
on Youtube
Phil
Wickham
Fred
and Bev
Steudler along
with Dedan
from Kenya who
worked at the
company Fred
and his
brother Rick
owned and
where we
served as
chaplains.
Dedan lived
with the
Steudlers in
their home for
an extended
period of time
before he
settled into
his own house.
Years ago we had Fred and his wife and two other couples over for a New England style seafood dinner. The men drank rhubarb punch from their redneck jars. Left to right; Ron and Bonnie Hoover, Fred and Bev Steudler, Rick and Jackie Steudler. We work with these men in the course of our chaplaincy ministry. Ron chaired our local Convene business group for many years and was very instrumental in seeing that doors opened for our chaplaincy ministry in a variety of companies. Fred and Rick own local businesses we served at the time.
An
interesting
"It's a small
world"
concerning Ron
Hoover: In the
nineties we
served a
church in New
England
founded by a
businessman
named Augat
who also owned
a company in
Attleboro
Massachusetts
called Augat
Manufacturing.
He passed away
over 60 years
ago. While we
were there Ron
was the CEO of
that company
although we
didn't meet
till we were
in
Pennsylvania.
In December I
have been
invited back
to preach to
that church as
they are
celebrating
their 95th
anniversary.
When I was
there we
celebrated the
church's 70th
anniversary
and I had a
previous
pastor come
back so I
guess it's
gone full
circle! Now
I'm the old
preacher
coming back.
We had a fine time sharing around the table during our meal and thereafter. Following our dessert and coffee we ended the evening by each saying a prayer.
What
is your only
comfort in
life and
death?
That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
Heidelberg
Catechism
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WEBER -
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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.
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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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