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"Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand'" (Matthew 12:25).
Yesterday we had an election of historical proportion here in America. Some are pleased, others not so much. Elections are very important to a nation and its people but, as we shared yesterday, our hope for positive and eternal change is not found through politics. Only God can change the spiritual condition of the heart, not the leaders of the land. "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings" (Daniel 2:21). *
Jesus makes a powerful observation in the daily text. He addresses division in the spiritual realm but He illustrates this teaching based on the observable: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." In referring to "every kingdom" we can understand this as every nation and He reinforces that by extending it to smaller social units such as "city" and "household". This is easily observed as we regularly read about corruption on the local level. And far too many households are shattered by strife resulting in divorce and broken families.
Here in America we have a two party system and there are also minor parties. Among these groups there has always been division to some degree. But the increasing division extends to foundational moral issues, most notably in our day the constitution of holy marriage and the value of human life. It's astounding the gains that secularists have made in my lifetime alone. Even so many parts of the visible church are grievously infected.
Christ's words are true. History attests to this: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined." The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan cannot be united kingdoms since their mission statements stand in stark contrast.
Likewise a country cannot remain divided, for the time of ruin is certain though the exact date may not be specified. We need a great revival in America and a coming together in unity under God's holy standards which in my view will come only as a result of a genuine nationwide revival. Otherwise our country will slide more and more into decadence and eventual ruin.
Today we are writing to encourage true followers of Christ all over the world. God is sovereign over my life, family and nation. Indeed His Kingdom has come to those who seek to live for Him. Our call is to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Scriptures no matter the outcome of the election or the ever-changing state of affairs in our nation and world.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, as we seek first Your Kingdom and righteousness above everything else You will provide for all our needs. The kingdom of this world is temporal, self-serving, and polluted by the wiles of Satan's strategies to steal, kill and destroy. It is headed for total destruction. But, as believers, we follow after Christ who brings abundant life as we renounce the world and enter into His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. Though the world may crumble around us, our hope remains fixed on the eternal kingdom not seen with human eyes. Such anticipation fills us with inexpressible and glorious joy as we await the day that Jesus Christ is revealed in all His glory, splendor and holiness. Amen.
* We do well to slowly and thoughtfully read this prayer from Daniel 2:19-23: "Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Today we share some photos from our travels on the beautiful autumn day we had yesterday.
"The Lord's Prayer" Video Michael W. Smith Indeed let us pray "Thy Kingdom come!"
"O Church Arise" Video Stuart Townend
"Psalm 62" Video
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Red leaves in the Great Smokies
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player."A Divided Kingdom"
"Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand'" (Matthew 12:25).
Yesterday we had an election of historical proportion here in America. Some are pleased, others not so much. Elections are very important to a nation and its people but, as we shared yesterday, our hope for positive and eternal change is not found through politics. Only God can change the spiritual condition of the heart, not the leaders of the land. "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings" (Daniel 2:21). *
Jesus makes a powerful observation in the daily text. He addresses division in the spiritual realm but He illustrates this teaching based on the observable: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." In referring to "every kingdom" we can understand this as every nation and He reinforces that by extending it to smaller social units such as "city" and "household". This is easily observed as we regularly read about corruption on the local level. And far too many households are shattered by strife resulting in divorce and broken families.
Here in America we have a two party system and there are also minor parties. Among these groups there has always been division to some degree. But the increasing division extends to foundational moral issues, most notably in our day the constitution of holy marriage and the value of human life. It's astounding the gains that secularists have made in my lifetime alone. Even so many parts of the visible church are grievously infected.
Christ's words are true. History attests to this: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined." The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan cannot be united kingdoms since their mission statements stand in stark contrast.
Likewise a country cannot remain divided, for the time of ruin is certain though the exact date may not be specified. We need a great revival in America and a coming together in unity under God's holy standards which in my view will come only as a result of a genuine nationwide revival. Otherwise our country will slide more and more into decadence and eventual ruin.
Today we are writing to encourage true followers of Christ all over the world. God is sovereign over my life, family and nation. Indeed His Kingdom has come to those who seek to live for Him. Our call is to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Scriptures no matter the outcome of the election or the ever-changing state of affairs in our nation and world.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, as we seek first Your Kingdom and righteousness above everything else You will provide for all our needs. The kingdom of this world is temporal, self-serving, and polluted by the wiles of Satan's strategies to steal, kill and destroy. It is headed for total destruction. But, as believers, we follow after Christ who brings abundant life as we renounce the world and enter into His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. Though the world may crumble around us, our hope remains fixed on the eternal kingdom not seen with human eyes. Such anticipation fills us with inexpressible and glorious joy as we await the day that Jesus Christ is revealed in all His glory, splendor and holiness. Amen.
* We do well to slowly and thoughtfully read this prayer from Daniel 2:19-23: "Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Today we share some photos from our travels on the beautiful autumn day we had yesterday.
We
joined our friends Victor and Etta Mae Gibble who invited us to
join them for lunch in Lebanon; about 25 miles of pleasant drive
through the country. We enjoyed our meal, fellowship and the
beautiful scenery on our drive through the southern Pennsylvania
countryside.
We passed a beautiful farm pond and as I prepared to snap the photo an Amish horse and buggie came along.
I think a trotting horse always makes a nice foreground!
Autumn wagon display in front of the Stauffer's barn.
I think a trotting horse always makes a nice foreground!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
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(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"The Lord's Prayer" Video Michael W. Smith Indeed let us pray "Thy Kingdom come!"
"O Church Arise" Video Stuart Townend
"Psalm 62" Video
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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.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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