A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
A fresh, field-picked zinnia
bouquet for Brooksyne right from our own neighborhood!
"You,
However"
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Message
summary: "You,
however, did not come to know
Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20).
Rather than having a continual lust for
more wickedness we become seekers of
God's Kingdom and desire more purity and
righteousness.
Listen to
our message on your audio player.
"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" (Ephesians 4:19,20).
Listen to
our message on your audio player."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" (Ephesians 4:19,20).
I've been
changed, healed, freed, delivered
I've found joy, peace, grace and favor
I've found joy, peace, grace and favor
The
first part of today's text is a
description of the unregenerate. It
was surely observable when first
written in the first century and it is
certainly observable today. Consider
the harsh truth, "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."
This
began in the Garden of Eden with Adam
and Eve. God had provided enough,
absolutely all they needed. But in the
midst of all the blessings of Eden stood
the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent
enticed Adam and Eve that this forbidden
fruit was something better. Because they
did not resist the temptation, their
disobedience resulted in what
theologians call "original sin". And
ever since that time mankind has had a
hard time resisting the forbidden!
Whatever level of wickedness appeases the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient.
The daily verse is a succinct description of fallen humanity. The pronoun, "They", is referring to the human race. It describes all of us apart from the redemptive work of Christ. But today especially consider the phrase "a continual lust for more". It began in the garden with a desire for more. It's at the heart of the sin problem. Whatever level of wickedness "satisfies" the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient. More will always be needed. The progression can be seen in so many of Satan's vices such as gambling, drugs and pornography.
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, legally protected and only a tap away. Some time ago a Christian leader observed that many of the books published in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken sewer. This preceded the massive availability through the internet and other modern 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 who have partaken have "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 by the continuing depth of depravity, although in another sense we should be.
"You, however, did not come to know Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20). Those who experience the life transforming power of Jesus Christ are different. As a result of genuine conversion we are regenerated and the slide into decadence stops and the renewal begins (Romans 12:1,2). We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Rather than having a continual lust for more wickedness we become seekers of God's Kingdom and desire more purity and righteousness.
As we conclude our message an old hymn comes to mind, one that we haven't heard for many years.
This
began in the Garden of Eden with Adam
and Eve. God had provided enough,
absolutely all they needed. But in the
midst of all the blessings of Eden stood
the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent
enticed Adam and Eve that this forbidden
fruit was something better. Because they
did not resist the temptation, their
disobedience resulted in what
theologians call "original sin". And
ever since that time mankind has had a
hard time resisting the forbidden!Whatever level of wickedness appeases the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient.
The daily verse is a succinct description of fallen humanity. The pronoun, "They", is referring to the human race. It describes all of us apart from the redemptive work of Christ. But today especially consider the phrase "a continual lust for more". It began in the garden with a desire for more. It's at the heart of the sin problem. Whatever level of wickedness "satisfies" the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient. More will always be needed. The progression can be seen in so many of Satan's vices such as gambling, drugs and pornography.
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, legally protected and only a tap away. Some time ago a Christian leader observed that many of the books published in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken sewer. This preceded the massive availability through the internet and other modern 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 who have partaken have "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 by the continuing depth of depravity, although in another sense we should be.
"You, however, did not come to know Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20). Those who experience the life transforming power of Jesus Christ are different. As a result of genuine conversion we are regenerated and the slide into decadence stops and the renewal begins (Romans 12:1,2). We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Rather than having a continual lust for more wickedness we become seekers of God's Kingdom and desire more purity and righteousness.
As we conclude our message an old hymn comes to mind, one that we haven't heard for many years.
More, more
about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father,
shape my thinking into that which will
bring about growth and conformity to Your
will. Teach me to not to go by my own
human instincts but by Your truth and
guidance as it is revealed in Your Word.
It will keep me from lusting after deadly
forbidden fruit if I plant myself into
that which is holy and righteous. As the
world continues to slide into decadence
help me to delve deeper into Your Word and
faithfully commune with You so that my
heart does not grow cold or indifferent.
Nor will I be drawn into every kind of
impurity with a continual lust for more. I
want to stand firm to the end so that I am
saved from this world of sin and influence
others to live a godly life. Through
Christ's strength and my prayerful resolve
I will remain faithful. Amen.Today's study prompted a consideration of where, in addition to today's text, the phrase "You, however" is used in Paul's epistles:
"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9).
"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance" (2 Timothy 3:10).
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1).
Today
we will share some harvest photos from our
neighborhood
Around
the corner from our home we have a large
commercial flower farm on Kraybill
Church Road. Yesterday
the workers were cutting the zinnias and
arranging them in bouquets as they picked
them. After taking their photo the field
worker handed Brooksyne a bouquet about as
fresh as possible!
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
Across
the road from the flower farm our Amish
neighbor had finished bailing his alfalfa. The
"horsepower" team is resting after the hard
day of labor in the hot sun.
(Click
to enlarge)
He was wrapping
the hay with this contraption.
(Click
to enlarge)
A close-up view
On
Colebrook Road, in the opposite direction of
our first pictures, we passed a team of
migrant workers harvesting tomatoes on the
Hirsch farm.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
After
all the rain in our neighborhood these Amish
boys had a "pond" to play in. Hidden behind
the middle fence post the youngest was
standing right in the middle of the big
puddle.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"More About
Jesus" Video The Blackwood
Brothers
"I Won't Go Back" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
"Redeemed" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
"I Won't Go Back" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
"Redeemed" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Finally today:
Tomato pie
recipe. As per request from our readers,
since I mentioned this pie in our photos on
Monday, here is the recipe link from SimplyRecipes.com. I refer
to it as Tomato Corn Pie because I added a cup of
fresh corn and about 6 slices of crumbled bacon
(both flavors enhance the texture and flavor.) If
your mayo/cheese mixture for the top crust does
not adequately cover the entire pie just make more
of the mixture to spread since the mayo/cheese
(sharp cheese is my favorite) blends so nicely to
make it a juicy and tasty combo. Tomatoes can also
be sliced rather than chopped, according to
preference.
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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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA