The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
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Monday,
January 1, 2024
Cabin
by the pond on
Meadow View
Road
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"Another
Year Has Dawned"
Note:
We've often
wondered
whether to
post a message
on a holiday
with many
readers
traveling,
tending to
special
gatherings, or
experiencing a
break in their
routine. But
we personally
find guidance,
assurance and
strength from
eternal truths
gleaned from
God's Word and
consider that
perhaps there
are others
who look
for a word of
encouragement
today on this
first day of
2024.
Message
summary: As
we ground our
faith in the
truths of
God's Word we
can, in the
midst of
uncertainty or
unpleasant
circumstances,
experience the
hope, peace
and assurance
that is at the
very core of
living an
abundant life.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’” (Jeremiah 31:3). “God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:5,8).
As we prepare our first encouragement message for 2024 we first consider that God has brought us through another year. That's a big deal!! If we have an eternal, heavenward focus we can declare to those around us, "All Is Well"! That's where we focus today.
At creation God established the unit of time known as the year (Genesis 1:14). The passing of years is like a chapter in one’s life, a good time to do some reflecting on the past while still looking ahead to the next phase in our life’s journey. Each of us can look back to particular milestones this past year.
But many face the New Year with a great sense of uncertainty, especially in this age of political turmoil and societal implosion which affects each one of us either generally speaking or in a very personal way. Add your own personal ordeal which may be physical pain, ongoing management of a life altering disease or disability, a wayward child, financial hardship, the loss of a loved one, caregiving fatigue, and on and on the list goes.
Some things in our day to day existence include circumstances we have little to no control over. Since the computer age and the search engine availability we seek answers and cures for everything that troubles, confuses or pains us and still we shake our heads in disbelief that we can't resolve the ongoing problem we would rather not deal with. It makes no sense to our way of thinking. Consider the following lyrics that speak to a future time for the believer:
Settle deep in your spirit that our one and only certain source of living hope is Jesus Christ. Keep this foremost in your hearts that Jesus alone is the anchor for our soul, holding it firm and secure expressed so well in the great hymn, “The Solid Rock”, especially in the line, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Hope that is built on friendships, finances, work, education, politics or even our family and church relationships will eventually not be enough, but hope that is built solidly on Jesus increases with intensity as our earthly journey draws us closer to the Promised Land.
We selected two verses today that express four unchangeable truths concerning God:
We've been blessed by a song that combines an old hymn with some new verses called "One Day" by Matt Redman. It reminds us of a most certain reality; that Jesus will still be there. His love will never change, no matter what changes around us. As we have ended another year and start circling dates on our new 2024 calendar remember this: God is a never-changing presence and lasting security in our lives. Not just on those dates that will include celebration and joy but also on those dates we'd rather not have on our 2024 schedule we can absolutely rely upon His everlasting love.
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’” (Jeremiah 31:3). “God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:5,8).
One day You'll
make
everything
new, Jesus
One day You will bind every wound
The former things shall all pass away
No more tears
One day You will bind every wound
The former things shall all pass away
No more tears
As we prepare our first encouragement message for 2024 we first consider that God has brought us through another year. That's a big deal!! If we have an eternal, heavenward focus we can declare to those around us, "All Is Well"! That's where we focus today.
At creation God established the unit of time known as the year (Genesis 1:14). The passing of years is like a chapter in one’s life, a good time to do some reflecting on the past while still looking ahead to the next phase in our life’s journey. Each of us can look back to particular milestones this past year.
But many face the New Year with a great sense of uncertainty, especially in this age of political turmoil and societal implosion which affects each one of us either generally speaking or in a very personal way. Add your own personal ordeal which may be physical pain, ongoing management of a life altering disease or disability, a wayward child, financial hardship, the loss of a loved one, caregiving fatigue, and on and on the list goes.
Some things in our day to day existence include circumstances we have little to no control over. Since the computer age and the search engine availability we seek answers and cures for everything that troubles, confuses or pains us and still we shake our heads in disbelief that we can't resolve the ongoing problem we would rather not deal with. It makes no sense to our way of thinking. Consider the following lyrics that speak to a future time for the believer:
One
day You'll
make sense of
it all, Jesus
One day every question resolved
Every anxious thought left behind
No more fear
One day every question resolved
Every anxious thought left behind
No more fear
Settle deep in your spirit that our one and only certain source of living hope is Jesus Christ. Keep this foremost in your hearts that Jesus alone is the anchor for our soul, holding it firm and secure expressed so well in the great hymn, “The Solid Rock”, especially in the line, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Hope that is built on friendships, finances, work, education, politics or even our family and church relationships will eventually not be enough, but hope that is built solidly on Jesus increases with intensity as our earthly journey draws us closer to the Promised Land.
We selected two verses today that express four unchangeable truths concerning God:
- His Everlasting Love: "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3a)
- His Compelling Lovingkindness: "I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3b)
- His Abiding Presence: He will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5)
- His Eternal Immutability: He is always the same. (Hebrews 13:8)
As
we ground our
faith in these
truths we can,
in the midst
of pleasant or
unpleasant
circumstances,
experience the
hope, peace
and assurance
that is at the
very core of
living an
abundant life.
We've been blessed by a song that combines an old hymn with some new verses called "One Day" by Matt Redman. It reminds us of a most certain reality; that Jesus will still be there. His love will never change, no matter what changes around us. As we have ended another year and start circling dates on our new 2024 calendar remember this: God is a never-changing presence and lasting security in our lives. Not just on those dates that will include celebration and joy but also on those dates we'd rather not have on our 2024 schedule we can absolutely rely upon His everlasting love.
Yes,
one day we
will see face
to face, Jesus
Is there a greater vision of grace?
And in a moment, we shall be changed
Yes, in a moment, we shall be changed
In a moment, we shall be changed
On that day
Is there a greater vision of grace?
And in a moment, we shall be changed
Yes, in a moment, we shall be changed
In a moment, we shall be changed
On that day
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, we
seek to be
unwavering in
our faith and
confident in
Your plans for
our life as we
stand upon
Your unending
promises. You
promise never
to abandon us
but
steadfastly
guide us
through the
steep hills
and dark
valleys
included in
this earthly
journey. Our
hope and peace
increase as we
sustain our
faith through
reading and
obeying Your
Word and
focusing our
attention on
the future
event when we
are caught up
with You on
the other
side. Grant us
joy, strength,
and courage in
the days,
weeks and
months ahead
in this new
year of 2024.
We gratefully
stand on the
Solid Rock,
unchanging,
firm and
secure,
through Christ
our Lord.
Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"One
Day (When We
All Get To
Heaven)"
Watch
on YouTube
Matt
Redman (This
is the song we
interspersed
throughout our
message.)
Yesterday
we had the
Lapp family
over for
dinner and
extended our
dining room
table to seat
everyone.
Neighbors gave
us an Amish
bench (right
side of the
table) a few
months ago
which came in
very handy!
I
don't know
about you but
long straight
or winding
lanes lead our
eyes toward
the farmhouse.
This view is
along Meadow
View Road
north of Mount
Joy. Sometimes
I (Brooksyne)
think about
the people who
live on those
lanes and
wonder if take
a mile walk
everyday just
to pick up
their mail.
Good exercise,
a traffic-free
walk, and
fresh air!
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Driving
back a long
lane to take
Eli James to a
youth meeting
yesterday we
passed this
bathtub
overflowing
with winter
greens. Looks
like hydrangea
blossoms
popping out of
the greens.
Surely the red
ones are spray
painted!
After
dark last
night we went
over to the
Old Windmill
Farm where
Jesse had
chores to do.
He was
expecting a
goat to be
born but it
had not yet
arrived when I
was there.
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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.
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Brooksyne
Weber -
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2024 offerings YTD: $
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
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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
2023
offerings YTD:
$28,611.00 (Note:
some offerings
from the
previous year
will continue
to post for
the first
several days
into the new
year)
2024 offerings YTD: $
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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