The on line
Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() See here
for more info.
<Previous Message Next Message> Thursday, August
22, 2013
![]() Lancaster County Country Lane Photo by Frank G. Heron (Click on photo to enlarge) "Understanding The Increasing Deviancy" ![]() “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-24). As we get older we both are becoming less and less familiar with popular culture, although we never really were to "with it" in this regard, no matter our age. It's practically incomprehensible the degree and scope of moral decadence that is present today, both the culturally approved and culturally unapproved. Practically every day there is some new acceptance, promotion or justification for some type of behavior that was once considered deviant. What will the next frontier look like as those things once considered "deviant" are referred to as "good" by fallen humans? Can anyone deny there is an increase in wickedness? The daily Scripture portion is longer than we usually post but we felt all was needed to provide a context. It's a good portion to read aloud several times and perhaps put to memory. ![]() This “continual lust for more” began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God had provided enough, absolutely all they needed. In the midst of all the blessings and that which God permitted in Eden stood the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent enticed Adam and Eve that this forbidden fruit was a "gotta have". Because they did not resist the temptation, their disobedience resulted in what theologians call “original sin”. Since that time mankind has had a hard time resisting the forbidden. ![]() Today as God’s standards of morality are mocked and shrugged aside we see this phenomenon of a "a continual lust for more" growing at a fevered pitch. Thus I frankly ponder what the next frontier will be when that which is presently considered deviant behavior becomes acceptable behavior. It may be something we can hardly imagine but just consider where we are now and that which was unimaginable just a few years ago, by Christian and non-Christian alike. The ungodly make big business out of every kind of impurity. Pornography, prostitution, vulgar media, and every other kind of impurity make up one of the largest industries in our country. The vast majority of it is open, shameless, and legally protected. Many years ago a Christian leader observed that many of the books published in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken sewer. That was before the availability through the internet and other media. Now the drippings have become a surging flood. With the flood of evil, pornography and perversions sweeping through our land and around the world many of those who have partaken are now having "a continual lust for more." Deeper and deeper depths of depravity can be expected and the evil acts that accompany it. We should not be surprised. Today is my spiritual birthday. Forty-two years ago I accepted Christ as a high school student in the Kansas City Missouri area and began to serve the Lord. The very next verse brings joy to my heart today: "You, however, did not come to know Christ that way” (Ephesians 4:20). Those that experience the life transforming power of Jesus Christ are different. The slide into decadence stops and the renewal begins. We are a new creation. Rather than having a continual lust for more wickedness we become seekers of God's Kingdom and desire more righteousness, peace and joy. Everyone is headed in one direction or the other. Which way are you heading today? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() Further study: Here are various ways the key text is translated. (Bible Gateway) Online study with detailed commentary Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources May The Mind Of Christ" Video Emu Music "I Want to Be More Like Jesus Every Day" Video Old Friends Quartet "To Be Like Jesus" Video Not specified "I Want To Be More Like Jesus" Video Keith Green "Does Jesus Care?" Video The Isaacs All this week we are featuring a song by the Isaacs since we hope to go to an Isaacs concert this coming Sunday evening in Lebanon PA. See here for info if you are in our area and may be interested. ![]() To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) ![]() Permissions: 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. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact. 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." © Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |