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"Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89). "Find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10).
For
many years I have used the same computer keyboard. I've grown
accustomed to the touch and, not being a good typist, I watch the keys
as I type (really peck is better word). Brooksyne on the other hand is
a proficient typist and watches the screen or for that matter
whatever she chooses.
However the crevices between the keys are beyond cleanable filled with years of accumulated gunk and the letters were fading (not good for a pecker). I've bought new computers through the years and though they come with keyboards I just kept plugging in my old one. For the last several years a new computer hasn't even had a plug-in that fit so I had to use an adapter.
Saturday I walked through a flea market and found a newer keyboard for $4.00, one similar to the keyboard I've been using. After a thorough examination I decided to buy it and retire the old one. In doing so I unplugged the old keyboard and in turning it over I saw that it is designed for Windows 95 so apparently I have been using it for some 15 years!
In order for me to use this old keyboard with newer computers I used a characteristic in tech verbiage known as "backward compatibility". Engineers courteously designed it this way so that new computers still operate with older keyboards (there are many besides me who find change a bit difficult). However it is impossible to design long-term forward compatibility in technology.
Well, that got me thinking how that God's Word is eternally "forward compatible". "Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." It speaks to each generation regardless of the distinctives of their time period or technological advances made. After all, the heart of humankind and our basic needs really haven't changed that much; they remain the same regardless of where or when we live.
Let us consider God's Word and His principles we can use to determine how we are to live based on Ephesians 5. Now of course this portion of Holy Scripture was physically written by the Apostle Paul around 60 AD and intended for the followers of Christ in Ephesus, a city in present day Turkey. However I stress, as God's eternal Word, it is now written to all believers everywhere for all time. From its teaching I can glean direction regarding how I am to live to please God even though I may confront issues (particularly in regard to technological advances) unimagined by the earliest readers or most brethren throughout much of the church age for that matter.
1. We are to be imitators of God v.1
2. We are to live a life of love v.2
3. We are not to practice sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking vv. 3 & 4
4. We are not to be deceived by empty words v.6
5. We are not to have ungodly partnerships v.7
6. We are to live as children of light v.8
7. We are to find out what pleases the Lord v.10
8. We are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness v.11
9. We are to expose these deeds of darkness v.11
10. We are to be very careful how we live—not as unwise but as wise v.15
11. We are to make the most of every opportunity v.16
12. We are to recognize the days are evil v.16
13. We are not to live foolishly but seek to understand what the Lord’s will is v.17
14. We are not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery v.18
15. We are to be filled with the Spirit v. 18
16. We are to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord v. 19
17. We are to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ v. 20
18. We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ v. 21
Using the principles of God's Word in this way can guide us in regard to decisions we make and help us stay on the right path. God's Word is indeed "forward compatible"!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are a foolish, unruly, and rebellious people who need Your tender
guidance and enduring patience as we navigate our way through our
journey here below. You teach us what is good and nourishes our
soul and that which is destructive, bringing us down and others along
with us. We invite the work of Your Holy Spirit to cleanse our
soul and create a hunger that gives us spiritual cravings for more of
You and Your holy Word. Amen.
Friday evening we joined the Ash family for a scrumptious dinner in East Earl, much of it right from the outdoor grill. It was too hot to picnic outside but the yummy summer food choices made us feel as though we were picnicking outside.
Last night we had some friends over for ice cream sundaes.
We had quite a variety of ice cream and toppings!
Again it was just too hot to gather on the deck although the kids and younger adults did. Here a group gathered around our dining room table and, as older folks typically do, we did some reminiscing. At the head of the table is Etta, who shared an interesting story based upon a faulty understanding of a word she heard as a child growing up during WW2. She heard the older kids talking about dropping bombs. Well, she had never heard that word and thought they were saying "bums" and had a mental picture of boxes of bums (hobos) being dropped out of airplanes! That sure would have been some hard landing for those fellas!
These folks use some humor on their sign.
Rain, blessed rain!!! As we completed the message we are getting a nice rain. We hope we get several inches.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"How Firm A Foundation" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"Before The Throne Of God Above" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"Grace Unmeasured" Video Sovereign Grace Music
Monday, July 25, 2011
If only photos could fully capture the actual beauty one sees with their eyes! This is a beautiful garden of begonias and celosia (grown commercially). Look carefully to see the sprinkler system refreshing the thirsty plants during the extreme heat.
Click here for larger-sized photo. (Brooksyne's request!)
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player.
If only photos could fully capture the actual beauty one sees with their eyes! This is a beautiful garden of begonias and celosia (grown commercially). Look carefully to see the sprinkler system refreshing the thirsty plants during the extreme heat.
Click here for larger-sized photo. (Brooksyne's request!)
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player."Forward Compatibility"
"Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89). "Find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10).
For
many years I have used the same computer keyboard. I've grown
accustomed to the touch and, not being a good typist, I watch the keys
as I type (really peck is better word). Brooksyne on the other hand is
a proficient typist and watches the screen or for that matter
whatever she chooses.However the crevices between the keys are beyond cleanable filled with years of accumulated gunk and the letters were fading (not good for a pecker). I've bought new computers through the years and though they come with keyboards I just kept plugging in my old one. For the last several years a new computer hasn't even had a plug-in that fit so I had to use an adapter.
Saturday I walked through a flea market and found a newer keyboard for $4.00, one similar to the keyboard I've been using. After a thorough examination I decided to buy it and retire the old one. In doing so I unplugged the old keyboard and in turning it over I saw that it is designed for Windows 95 so apparently I have been using it for some 15 years!
In order for me to use this old keyboard with newer computers I used a characteristic in tech verbiage known as "backward compatibility". Engineers courteously designed it this way so that new computers still operate with older keyboards (there are many besides me who find change a bit difficult). However it is impossible to design long-term forward compatibility in technology.
Well, that got me thinking how that God's Word is eternally "forward compatible". "Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." It speaks to each generation regardless of the distinctives of their time period or technological advances made. After all, the heart of humankind and our basic needs really haven't changed that much; they remain the same regardless of where or when we live.
Let us consider God's Word and His principles we can use to determine how we are to live based on Ephesians 5. Now of course this portion of Holy Scripture was physically written by the Apostle Paul around 60 AD and intended for the followers of Christ in Ephesus, a city in present day Turkey. However I stress, as God's eternal Word, it is now written to all believers everywhere for all time. From its teaching I can glean direction regarding how I am to live to please God even though I may confront issues (particularly in regard to technological advances) unimagined by the earliest readers or most brethren throughout much of the church age for that matter.
1. We are to be imitators of God v.1
2. We are to live a life of love v.2
3. We are not to practice sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking vv. 3 & 4
4. We are not to be deceived by empty words v.6
5. We are not to have ungodly partnerships v.7
6. We are to live as children of light v.8
7. We are to find out what pleases the Lord v.10
8. We are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness v.11
9. We are to expose these deeds of darkness v.11
10. We are to be very careful how we live—not as unwise but as wise v.15
11. We are to make the most of every opportunity v.16
12. We are to recognize the days are evil v.16
13. We are not to live foolishly but seek to understand what the Lord’s will is v.17
14. We are not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery v.18
15. We are to be filled with the Spirit v. 18
16. We are to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord v. 19
17. We are to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ v. 20
18. We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ v. 21
Using the principles of God's Word in this way can guide us in regard to decisions we make and help us stay on the right path. God's Word is indeed "forward compatible"!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are a foolish, unruly, and rebellious people who need Your tender
guidance and enduring patience as we navigate our way through our
journey here below. You teach us what is good and nourishes our
soul and that which is destructive, bringing us down and others along
with us. We invite the work of Your Holy Spirit to cleanse our
soul and create a hunger that gives us spiritual cravings for more of
You and Your holy Word. Amen.Friday evening we joined the Ash family for a scrumptious dinner in East Earl, much of it right from the outdoor grill. It was too hot to picnic outside but the yummy summer food choices made us feel as though we were picnicking outside.
Last night we had some friends over for ice cream sundaes.
We had quite a variety of ice cream and toppings!
Again it was just too hot to gather on the deck although the kids and younger adults did. Here a group gathered around our dining room table and, as older folks typically do, we did some reminiscing. At the head of the table is Etta, who shared an interesting story based upon a faulty understanding of a word she heard as a child growing up during WW2. She heard the older kids talking about dropping bombs. Well, she had never heard that word and thought they were saying "bums" and had a mental picture of boxes of bums (hobos) being dropped out of airplanes! That sure would have been some hard landing for those fellas!
These folks use some humor on their sign.
So what shall I do with my "retired" Windows 95 keyboard? Brooksyne likes to plant so perhaps we can use it for a planter! See here for directions.
Rain, blessed rain!!! As we completed the message we are getting a nice rain. We hope we get several inches.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"How Firm A Foundation" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"Before The Throne Of God Above" Video Sovereign Grace Music
"Grace Unmeasured" Video Sovereign Grace Music
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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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Copyright 2011
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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