Thursday, December 29, 2011
Lure Lake in western North Carolina(Click to enlarge as desktop background)
As we prepare our final encouragement messages for this year we consider the various burdens and uncertainties so many of you are dealing with. In some cases Brooksyne and I can visualize who you are and the situations in which you struggle. You may be a family member, a friend, a present or former parishioner. Perhaps you’re among those we meet in our chaplain service or you’re a faithful long-time reader of the Daily Encouragement, maybe one who has shared a personal burden with us.
At creation God established the annual unit of time (Genesis 1:14). The passing of years is can be like a chapter in one’s life to do some reflecting as well as looking ahead to the next phase in our life’s journey. Each of us can look back to particular milestones this past year.
Perhaps you are looking ahead to 2012 with optimism; in your life things are going well and you feel pretty secure. Your health is good, your job seems secure, and you have exciting plans for the New Year.
But others face the New Year with a great sense of uncertainty. It may be physical pain, a wayward child, financial hardship, or the loss of a loved one. Today’s message is for both.
Settle deep in your spirit that our one and only certain source of hope is Jesus Christ. He alone is the anchor for our soul, holding it firm and secure. This is 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 relationships, finances, work or education will eventually let us down, but hope that is built solidly on Jesus increases with intensity as our earthly journey moves us closer to the Promised Land.
We selected verses today that express three unchangeable truths concerning God:
• His Steadfast Love: He loves us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• 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, regardless of present circumstances, experience the hope, peace and assurance that is at the very core of living an abundant life.
“Jesus Will Still Be There” is a song made familiar by Point of Grace. 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 end one year and move into another He is a never-changing presence and lasting security in our lives. We can absolutely rely upon His everlasting love!
Be encouraged today,
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 on Your unending promises. You promise never to abandon us; instead You carefully guide us through the steep hills and dark valleys as we cling to You. Even as we daily experienced Your goodness and faithfulness in 2011 we will be sustained by Your constant presence and guidance in our life and in those we love in the new year of 2012. You are faithful and we are grateful that we can stand on the Solid Rock, firm and secure. It is in the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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