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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Wednesday,
December 27, 2023
"Heaven-bound"
Message
summary:
Heaven-bound
is used to
describe one
who is headed
for heaven.
There is
certainty in
their heart
that upon
death they
will go to
heaven for all
eternity.
Hallelujah,
I'm
heaven-bound!
Are you?
"When
the angels had
left them (the
shepherds) and
gone into
heaven" (Luke
2:15). See to
it that you do
not refuse Him
who speaks. If
they did not
escape when
they refused
Him who warned
them on earth,
how much less
will we, if we
turn away from
Him who warns
us from
heaven?
(Hebrews
12:25).
On
Christmas eve
we went to
visit my
brother and
his family who
live in
Easton,
Pennsylvania,
about 100
miles
northeast of
us. I didn't
see it this
time but years
ago we passed
a sign for a
business north
of Reading
called
"Hellbound
Motorcycle".
As I mused on
such a name
for a business
it stirred my
emotions and
gave me the
jolt I needed
to stay awake
the remainder
of the way
home!
I watched a secular television documentary on heaven and of course it presented the different views people have on the subject. One that struck me was an interview with a lady who smugly asserted to the effect, "Of course there is no heaven".
So many today mock the notion of both heaven and hell. Yet the Bible is abundantly full of references to the reality of both. Although we may not have all the details we'd like, we have sufficient information to determine the wonders of heaven and the horrors of hell.
At this time when rejoicing in the birth of our Lord is the highlight of the season, let us note the teaching concerning heaven in the very familiar narrative many of us read each Christmas. The angelic choir is identified as "a great company of the heavenly host". Following their exclamation of praise they returned to heaven. "When the angels had left them (the shepherds) and gone into heaven" (Luke 2:15).
I watched a secular television documentary on heaven and of course it presented the different views people have on the subject. One that struck me was an interview with a lady who smugly asserted to the effect, "Of course there is no heaven".
So many today mock the notion of both heaven and hell. Yet the Bible is abundantly full of references to the reality of both. Although we may not have all the details we'd like, we have sufficient information to determine the wonders of heaven and the horrors of hell.
At this time when rejoicing in the birth of our Lord is the highlight of the season, let us note the teaching concerning heaven in the very familiar narrative many of us read each Christmas. The angelic choir is identified as "a great company of the heavenly host". Following their exclamation of praise they returned to heaven. "When the angels had left them (the shepherds) and gone into heaven" (Luke 2:15).
The
second daily
text is a
solemn warning
from the book
of Hebrews,
that
wonderfully
inspired
letter whose
human author
is not
identified. We
do well to
read it again
slowly. "See
to it that you
do not refuse
Him who
speaks. If
they did not
escape when
they refused
him who warned
them on earth,
how much less
will we, if we
turn away from
Him who warns
us from
heaven?"
(Hebrews
12:25).
I
find it
helpful to
personalize
such a verse
with resolve,
"I
must see to it
that I do not
refuse Him who
speaks. If
they
[unbelievers]
did not escape
when they
refused Him
who warned
them on earth,
how much less
will I, if I
turn away from
Him who warns
me from
heaven?"
I don't want to refuse the One who speaks, but rather I want to accept His plan of salvation and serve Him. I don't want to turn away from Him who warns us from heaven but rather I want my life to be turned toward God in heaven. That's my challenge for each reader today.
I conclude with a personalized adaptation from Colossians 3 that expresses my heart today. Perhaps it will yours as well. "Since, then, I have been raised with Christ, I set my heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. I set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is my life, appears, then I also will appear with Him in glory."
Heaven-bound
is used to
describe one
who is headed
for heaven.
There is
certainty in
their heart
that upon
death they
will go to
heaven for all
eternity.
Hallelujah,
I'm
heaven-bound!
Are you?
Hallelujah
what a day it
will be
For at home with You my joy is complete
As I run into Your arms open wide I will see
My father who is waiting for me
For at home with You my joy is complete
As I run into Your arms open wide I will see
My father who is waiting for me
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Jesus, I pray
that You would
fix my
attention on
those things
that really
matter.
May I focus
much more on
the person of
who I am than
the things of
which I own.
May I strive
more for being
the child of
God You are
pleased with
than acquiring
a title,
position or
award that
will impress
others. Lord
Jesus, may my
aspiration
take me to
spiritual
height and
depth that
will bring the
heavenly view
into clearer
focus day by
day as I walk
with You hand
in hand. In
Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.
Here's
a photo of our
new bedroom
before the
painting,
which is
scheduled over
the next
several days.
The doors are
now on. The
door to the
right divides
our bedroom
from the
office space;
that's why our
podcast
listeners have
put up with
the
intermittent
construction
noise over the
past several
weeks. Special
features we
enjoy are the
large windows
and high
cathedral
ceiling.
Beyond the
door to the
right (not
seen) is the
bathroom and a
closet.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"One
Day (When We
All Get To
Heaven)"
Watch
on YouTube
Matt
Redman
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 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
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Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
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chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
Offerings
YTD:
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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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