The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
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Thursday,
December 7, 2023
Today
we had our
first covering
of snow
(barely) but
now through
February we
enjoy this
season (but by
March we are
ready for
spring!) The
above photo is
not
taken in
Lancaster
County but in
the Alps where
a friend is
visiting and
they were
blanketed with
snow.
"Gabriel's
Last Word"
Message
summary: Gabriel's
final message
from heaven
was "For
nothing is
impossible
with God."
"The angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news'" (Luke 1:19). "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth" (Luke 1:26). "For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
In
our many years
of ministry
together we
have had many
interesting
and sometimes
humorous
experiences.
Christmas
recitations
and children’s
plays often
have some
humorous
unscripted
glitches that
actually make
the
presentation
that much more
memorable. We
suppose many
of you can
recall some.
Some of our
recollections
we can
publish,
others we
better leave
alone! We’ll
share such an
instance in a
church we
served over
thirty years
ago in Saint
Marys, PA.
During the course of the Christmas children’s recitations Brooksyne held a microphone for four year old Amber as she was prompting her with the lines that she was to have recited by memory. Amber just stood there, looking into the microphone, without saying a word. Finally she took the mic right out of Brooksyne’s hand and informed the entire congregation loud and clear, "I gotta go pee" as she quickly bolted down the center aisle toward the bathroom! Rehearsed recitations are one thing; saying that which comes naturally to the lips of a young child might bring about a different kind of remembrance than one can anticipate!
In an attempt to recreate the first Christmas many Christmas programs will include a couple of children dressed as angels since angels have a vital role in the Christmas story. They're abundant in both of the Christmas account narratives in Matthew 1,2 and Luke 1,2.
Only two angels in Scripture are identified by name; Gabriel and Michael. Though both are customarily identified as archangels, only Michael specifically has the designation of being an archangel (Jude 9). Of course the fallen angel also has a name, one all too familiar for the chaos he is at the root of.
Gabriel is mentioned in the Old Testament at the time of Daniel some 600 years before Christ's birth (Daniel 8:16, 9:21). His ministry in Scripture is delivering messages from heaven to earth. In the Old Testament he was sent to give Daniel a message concerning the meaning of a vision, also to provide insight and understanding.
In Luke's gospel only Gabriel gets the choice assignment to make two visits to earth during this time. These visits are six months apart and recorded in Luke 1. The first one was to aged Zechariah, the second one to young Mary. Both received a message regarding the birth of a son. Both were miraculous in nature.
Of course the remarkably unique message to Mary concerned the special work of God in her life in the supernatural conception of Jesus. "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'"
Aware that such an announcement was not in keeping with the "facts of life" she inquired, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Gabriel's final words recorded in Scripture were not a technical answer to Mary's question but rather an assurance of God's almighty power, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). It was specifically directed to Mary, but speaks to all of us as well. This is the testimony of an angel who had been working as a top associate at God's side through the endless ages. He should know. His final words in response to Mary's question were, "For nothing is impossible with God".
The immutable God has not changed. The testimony of Gabriel stands true today. It's true for you and it's true for me, "For nothing is impossible with God".
These words not only spoke to Mary when she received news that just didn't make sense concerning her special role in the greatest birth of all time, but it also speaks to perplexing situations in our lives when God is at work, but we don't have full understanding. Certainly, Mary didn't have the full picture during the angelic visit. We have the wonderful advantage of reading the Scriptures that tell the entire story, from Christ's birth to His death and resurrection. Her story was just beginning.
Mary received these words in faith as she responded, "I am the Lord's servant, be it unto me according to your word" (v.38). Her words expressed a servant's attitude where submission is foundational to our Christian walk. What an exemplary attitude for us to observe and to espouse!
This is the way God works in all of our lives as our stories are presently being written. What a joy it is to be a child of God; to trust Him in the major and minor details of our lives. His plan unfolds in our lives, one day at a time, and we do well not to get ahead of His revealed plan, lest we lean on our own understanding rather than His. May we, like Mary, each have this response to God, "I am Your servant, Lord; be it unto me according to Your word".
During the course of the Christmas children’s recitations Brooksyne held a microphone for four year old Amber as she was prompting her with the lines that she was to have recited by memory. Amber just stood there, looking into the microphone, without saying a word. Finally she took the mic right out of Brooksyne’s hand and informed the entire congregation loud and clear, "I gotta go pee" as she quickly bolted down the center aisle toward the bathroom! Rehearsed recitations are one thing; saying that which comes naturally to the lips of a young child might bring about a different kind of remembrance than one can anticipate!
In an attempt to recreate the first Christmas many Christmas programs will include a couple of children dressed as angels since angels have a vital role in the Christmas story. They're abundant in both of the Christmas account narratives in Matthew 1,2 and Luke 1,2.
Only two angels in Scripture are identified by name; Gabriel and Michael. Though both are customarily identified as archangels, only Michael specifically has the designation of being an archangel (Jude 9). Of course the fallen angel also has a name, one all too familiar for the chaos he is at the root of.
Gabriel is mentioned in the Old Testament at the time of Daniel some 600 years before Christ's birth (Daniel 8:16, 9:21). His ministry in Scripture is delivering messages from heaven to earth. In the Old Testament he was sent to give Daniel a message concerning the meaning of a vision, also to provide insight and understanding.
In Luke's gospel only Gabriel gets the choice assignment to make two visits to earth during this time. These visits are six months apart and recorded in Luke 1. The first one was to aged Zechariah, the second one to young Mary. Both received a message regarding the birth of a son. Both were miraculous in nature.
Of course the remarkably unique message to Mary concerned the special work of God in her life in the supernatural conception of Jesus. "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'"
Aware that such an announcement was not in keeping with the "facts of life" she inquired, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Gabriel's final words recorded in Scripture were not a technical answer to Mary's question but rather an assurance of God's almighty power, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). It was specifically directed to Mary, but speaks to all of us as well. This is the testimony of an angel who had been working as a top associate at God's side through the endless ages. He should know. His final words in response to Mary's question were, "For nothing is impossible with God".
The immutable God has not changed. The testimony of Gabriel stands true today. It's true for you and it's true for me, "For nothing is impossible with God".
These words not only spoke to Mary when she received news that just didn't make sense concerning her special role in the greatest birth of all time, but it also speaks to perplexing situations in our lives when God is at work, but we don't have full understanding. Certainly, Mary didn't have the full picture during the angelic visit. We have the wonderful advantage of reading the Scriptures that tell the entire story, from Christ's birth to His death and resurrection. Her story was just beginning.
Mary received these words in faith as she responded, "I am the Lord's servant, be it unto me according to your word" (v.38). Her words expressed a servant's attitude where submission is foundational to our Christian walk. What an exemplary attitude for us to observe and to espouse!
This is the way God works in all of our lives as our stories are presently being written. What a joy it is to be a child of God; to trust Him in the major and minor details of our lives. His plan unfolds in our lives, one day at a time, and we do well not to get ahead of His revealed plan, lest we lean on our own understanding rather than His. May we, like Mary, each have this response to God, "I am Your servant, Lord; be it unto me according to Your word".
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we
read of Your
supernatural
workings
throughout
Scripture and
we've
witnessed it
over the years
as miracles of
Your healing
and saving
power are
revealed in
the lives of
others.
The power of
the Most High
overshadowed
Mary and
Joseph as she
was chosen to
conceive the
Christ Child
who came down
from heaven to
save us from
our sins. When
we lose sight
of Your
miraculous
deeds in the
daily grind of
life and in
the
circumstances
that baffle or
discourage us
help us to
remember that
You are a God
of the
impossible,
nothing is too
complex or
broken that
You cannot
fix. Your
mighty Spirit
overshadows us
day by day and
You delight in
us as we put
our hope in
Your unfailing
love and
miraculous
power. 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. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.
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 by many all over the world.
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.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
Offerings
YTD:
$22,291.00
"Angels
We Have Heard
On High"
Watch
on YouTube
Reawaken
Hymns
Moses Lapp is visiting Switzerland and sharing a daily journal with us along with photos. He is having a great time and finding the hospitality of his hosts a real blessing.
A
Swiss village
in the Alps
The
view out our
side window
this morning
is not nearly
as impressive
as that of the
Swiss Alps!
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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 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 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.
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
Daily
Encouragement
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Wordpress
iHeart
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 and a variety of other versions.
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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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA