Daily Encouragement (9/28/20) "Jesus Matters"

Published: Mon, 09/28/20

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Monday, September 28, 2020

Prayer march beginning at Washington Monument

Our view at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday when we gathered for the prayer march.

"Jesus Matters"

Message summary: "Jesus matters" is the ultimate understatement!

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"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

For me, to live is Christ
For me, to live is Christ
God I breathe Your name above everything
Let it be, Let it be Jesus

On Saturday we attended the Prayer March in Washington DC in taking a stand for Jesus Christ and being numbered with multitudes of believers in praying for our troubled land. We will share more about our day below this message, along with photos.

Our lead photo shows the crowd in front of us at the Lincoln Memorial where we gathered to receive instructions and marching orders. There were many more behind us (see photo below). It began about 11:30 with thousands upon thousands of voices blended together from east to west, north to south singing all three stanzas of "Blessed Assurance".

Many carried signs expressing their faith but one group standing on the steps held a large banner that especially caught our attention and those standing with us. It stated simply, "JESUS MATTERS" (click to enlarge our lead photo to read it).

What a simple but thoughtful truth that has many applications in a time where divisiveness is a daily headline with many groups vying for who and what matters most. "Jesus Matters" is the ultimate understatement!

"Jesus Matters" to those who ignore and reject Him, even violently oppose and revile Him. One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2).

"Jesus Matters" to our nation (and every nation). The state of our nation is in serious and deep trouble as we see an increase in the attitude that Jesus does not matter. The moral restraints that result from an attitude that "Jesus Matters" have been removed and through my lifetime we have seen such an increase of evil and ungodliness. A hat was being distributed that said, "Let's Make America Godly Again". That will only happen when we make sure in our own lives and in our nation that "Jesus Matters".

"Jesus Matters" should always be our driving motive for following Christ in every area of our life. He matters supremely. What an example the Apostle Paul gives in the daily text which many of us have memorized. Paul is speaking for himself but each of us can also make this declaration, "for me" similar to the great faith statement made by Joshua, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

Because Jesus Matters supremely, let us declare, "For to me to live is Christ". May that be true for each one of us!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, because Your Son paid the ransom for my sins and is preparing a home for me in heaven Jesus matters to me. And because Jesus paid the ransom not only for me, but for all who will call upon His name, Jesus matters to the entire human race; for the forgiveness of sins, for an abundant and holy life on this side of heaven, and for entrance into the gates of the eternal Holy City. Nothing in life matters more for me than Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Let It Be Jesus" Video Chris Tomlin

"Let It Be Jesus" Video Calvary Church Worship team (includes Pastor's closing prayer) Our service ended with this song yesterday and although it's been around for several years it was our first exposure to this moving song.

We consider this statement of resolve included in the bridge of "Let It be Jesus":

Should I ever be abandoned
Should I ever be acclaimed
Should I ever be surrounded by the fire and the flame
There's a name I will remember
There's a name I will proclaim
Let it be, Let it be my Jesus x3

"Let It Be Jesus" Video Christy Nockels

" Blessed Assurance" Video Jeremy Riddle | Worship Circle Hymns

Message of Hope: The remarkable testimony of Philip Eshelman which includes his father baptizing him in our worship service yesterday. Video with introduction

Washington Prayer March

September 26, 2020

This was the crowd behind us in our lead photo as we began the prayer march.

The plan was to go to several sites and have specific prayer. A number was given so you could hear Franklin Graham pray but I could never seem to connect. Due to the crowd size we couldn't all get to each site at the same time so it was common to see many people gathering like this in prayer circles which is what we did.

What a powerful reminder and inspiration for a future message!

"The Return" gathering, sponsored by another group, took place at the same time. It was more formal with loudspeakers set up and various people leading in short prayers. It was called "The Return" in the sense of praying and calling our nation to return to God and His ways. We joined this group for about 15 minutes before continuing the prayer march.

On the lighter side: With the throngs of people descended upon the Capital bathrooms were scarce, even the port-a-potties. Lines could be over 100 people waiting, including the port-a-potties, which made it 45 minutes or more to wait your turn especially for women, with men about half that time. To speed things up someone decided to take a roll off the dispenser and pass it down the line ahead of entrance into the bathroom. It shocked me when it was passed to me, like the two ladies looking on in the background as the lady in the foreground is peeling off her portion, a rather public setting for what is usually reserved for private stalls!

We saw all kinds of people and this Witness Tractor and Trailer!

We had planned to join up with a group from Lancaster but since we were on another bus we didn't catch up with them until the very end when we were getting ready to head back. They are associated with the Lancaster Convene group; Seated left to right, Brian and Elizabeth Gerhart, Ron and Bonnie Hoover. Kneeling, Bud Handwerk. We also failed to meet up with a reader from Indiana. With the crush of people even moving about was a challenge.

We have to prove we were there but then again this looks like it could have been photo shopped!

Other observations:

The cleanliness of the grounds. Even with so many people we saw very little trash.
There were many volunteers in red vests to pass out badges, face masks and flags.
We saw all ages, races, and many faith expressions, including some fringe groups which always seem to show up at these types of events seeking to convert people over to their way. Some were, in our view, a rather poor witness but they were essentially drowned out by the vast majority who had come to pray and peacefully march.
Surprisingly we saw absolutely no one from counter groups like antifa, an answer to prayer.
On our bus we got acquainted with a blind couple and admired the effort they made to attend the prayer march and walk the entire distance which they did with help from friends in their congregation.

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