The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Mobile users:
Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to
home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant
Daily Encouragement App!
Search Daily Encouragement
A new message
is updated
most weekdays,
usually by
Noon Eastern
Time (USA).
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Friday,
March 1, 2024
Door
in Jim Thorpe,
PA
Some
doors are
elaborate and
decorative in
addition to
being
functional.
Jim Thorpe is
a small
mountain town
in eastern
Pennsylvania
in the Poconos
and we see a
wide variety
of very
colorful doors
in the
village.
"The
Door Of Faith"
Message
summary: There
are several
ways we use
door
figuratively.
Jesus did so
in one of his
"I Am"
statements, "I
am the door of
the sheep".
Today
we will
consider the
door of faith.
Our duty is to
obediently
serve God and
in His
providence He
will open "the
door of
faith". My
heartfelt
prayer is that
God may open
the door of
faith for many
in these
perilous
times!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
Doors are not something we normally give a lot of attention to. But we all can appreciate their value; exterior doors which keep our homes secure and the weather out, interior doors which provide privacy. You would probably be surprised how many doors you have in your house, should you choose to count them!
But we recall having a wonderful meal with a family in Guatemala over 30 years ago. We had hosted their son Marvin who had come to the states for emergency medical care in the 80's. He and his family lived in a tiny two room house with no interior or exterior doors at all (as we recall). They shared with other villagers an outdoor latrine, a common faucet and a shower. We are still in touch with Marvin who has grown up to be a fine young man serving the Lord, married, raising a family and working as a forester.
Doors are referenced all through the Bible with the first reference in Genesis 4. It was a message from God to Cain before he killed Abel, “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it". Among the last references to the door in Scripture has Jesus standing at the door and knocking in Revelation 3:20. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me".
"On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
Doors are not something we normally give a lot of attention to. But we all can appreciate their value; exterior doors which keep our homes secure and the weather out, interior doors which provide privacy. You would probably be surprised how many doors you have in your house, should you choose to count them!
But we recall having a wonderful meal with a family in Guatemala over 30 years ago. We had hosted their son Marvin who had come to the states for emergency medical care in the 80's. He and his family lived in a tiny two room house with no interior or exterior doors at all (as we recall). They shared with other villagers an outdoor latrine, a common faucet and a shower. We are still in touch with Marvin who has grown up to be a fine young man serving the Lord, married, raising a family and working as a forester.
Doors are referenced all through the Bible with the first reference in Genesis 4. It was a message from God to Cain before he killed Abel, “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it". Among the last references to the door in Scripture has Jesus standing at the door and knocking in Revelation 3:20. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me".
In
addition to
the literal
use of the
word door
there are
several ways
we use door
figuratively.
Jesus did so
in one of his
"I Am"
statements,
"I
am the door of
the sheep".In
a spiritual
sense many of
us have used
the term "open
door" to
describe God
leading us in
a particular
direction. Of
course we also
at times
experience
"closed doors"
when an
opportunity
does not open
up. Several
days ago I
spoke to a
friend who has
had a door of
employment
close on him.
I recall
having a
similar
conversation
with him over
15 years ago
when another
door painfully
closed. Now he
is again
waiting for
another open
door. He has
strong faith
and is
confident that
once again he
will witness
an open door.
But
today we will
consider "the
door of faith".
There's
so much
teaching we
can glean in
the missionary
journeys of
Paul as
recorded in
the book of
Acts. In the
daily text the
church in
Antioch
rejoiced as
Paul and
Barnabas told
them of the
large number
of disciples
who were
converted in
Derbe
following
their
preaching of
the Good News.
From there
they traveled
to other
places of
ministry where
they "strengthened
the disciples
and encouraged
them to remain
true to the
faith".
Surely there
were many
other
unrecorded
adventure
stories they
shared with
one another as
they spoke of
their travels
to the Antioch
church.
All who follow Christ have the privilege and responsibility of sharing their faith with others. It is God who converts the heart, but He most often does this through obedient followers living a godly life and declaring the gospel message, such as Paul and Barnabas who "reported all that God had done through them".
God works through us, for we are His mouthpiece, His hands, His feet, proclaiming the Good News and explaining the mystery of the gospel. How might we use the gifts that He has given us to grow His kingdom? As we seek Him He will show us where, how, and when we might be used for His purpose. God will provide us an opportunity and place to minister for Him just as He did for Paul and Barnabas when "He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles".
Our duty is to obediently serve God and in His providence He will open "the door of faith" as we rejoice in what He does through our spiritual endeavors. My heartfelt prayer is that God may open the door of faith for many in these perilous times!
All who follow Christ have the privilege and responsibility of sharing their faith with others. It is God who converts the heart, but He most often does this through obedient followers living a godly life and declaring the gospel message, such as Paul and Barnabas who "reported all that God had done through them".
God works through us, for we are His mouthpiece, His hands, His feet, proclaiming the Good News and explaining the mystery of the gospel. How might we use the gifts that He has given us to grow His kingdom? As we seek Him He will show us where, how, and when we might be used for His purpose. God will provide us an opportunity and place to minister for Him just as He did for Paul and Barnabas when "He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles".
Our duty is to obediently serve God and in His providence He will open "the door of faith" as we rejoice in what He does through our spiritual endeavors. My heartfelt prayer is that God may open the door of faith for many in these perilous times!
We
are His hands,
we are His
feet,
We are His people, children of the Lord,
We share the hope, we share the dream,
Believers in Jesus, children of the Lord.
Some of us build, some are teachers,
Some can sing like angels,
But all of us can love like He loved,
Pure and simple so warm and gentle.
His Spirit lives within us, flowing like a river,
Filling us with strength,
So that we can reach out for our brother,
Help one another.
We are His people, children of the Lord,
We share the hope, we share the dream,
Believers in Jesus, children of the Lord.
Some of us build, some are teachers,
Some can sing like angels,
But all of us can love like He loved,
Pure and simple so warm and gentle.
His Spirit lives within us, flowing like a river,
Filling us with strength,
So that we can reach out for our brother,
Help one another.
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, there
is no higher
calling in our
earthly
pilgrimage
than to
experience
salvation or
lead another
to faith. The
vast majority
are looking
for answers to
life's
challenges and
many are
learning that
it doesn't
come via
prosperity,
politics,
vocational
training,
educational
ranking, or
anything else
that expires
at the end of
this life. As
You open up
the door of
faith, help us
to communicate
the gospel
message that
brings hope,
peace, joy,
and
forgiveness
through the
person of
Jesus Christ.
It is because
of Him that we
have life
everlasting
and hope
eternal. Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"We
Are His
Hands"
Watch
on YouTube
Acappella
"The
Door"
Watch
on YouTube
Al Denson
There
are seven "I
Am" statements
of Christ in
John's Gospel:
In addition to these metaphorical "I am" statements there are absolute “I am” statements. Among the last words in the Bible is our Lord’s powerful self-declaration, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).
1.
I am the bread
of life
6:35,48,51
2. I am the light of the world 8:12; 9:5
3. I am the door of the sheep 10:7,9
4. I am the good shepherd 10:11,14
5. I am the resurrection and the life 11:25
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life 14:6
7. I am the true vine 15:1
2. I am the light of the world 8:12; 9:5
3. I am the door of the sheep 10:7,9
4. I am the good shepherd 10:11,14
5. I am the resurrection and the life 11:25
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life 14:6
7. I am the true vine 15:1
In addition to these metaphorical "I am" statements there are absolute “I am” statements. Among the last words in the Bible is our Lord’s powerful self-declaration, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).
To
receive the
"Daily
Encouragement"
each
Monday-Friday
use our
sign-up form
or this
page to
subscribe to
our free email
list. You can
also subscribe
to the Wordpress
rss feed
or through a Wordpress
email
subscription.
(See the email
subscription
on the top
right side
after opening
this page.)
We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry.
We realize
there are many
fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support 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 and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
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.
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
2024
offerings YTD:
$1,940.00
Daily Encouragement on:
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."
© Copyright 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA