A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Friday,
September 21, 2018
We
sure admire the skills of the artist who painted
this barn near Elizabethtown, PA
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"The
Attractiveness Of Sin"
Message
summary: Sin can certainly be
attractive and pleasurable, but it's
always deadly. The choice before us:
Pleasures for a season or Pleasures for
all eternity.
Listen to our message on your audio
player.
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).
Yesterday
I was visiting with Linford, who showed me
a Spotted lanternfly, which prior to this
I had never heard of before. It is an
attractive insect as you can see by the
photo I took.
But Linford went on to tell me the Spotted lanternfly, although attractive, is actually an invasive and destructive insect causing considerable danger to plants and forests here in southeast, PA. It was recently introduced to the US and is thought to have arrived in 2014 in a shipping container, likely at the Port of Philadelphia, which handles more than 50,000 shipping containers a month. More produce comes through this port than any other in the nation. This article headline states, "Spotted lanternfly battle is on: Can Pennsylvania stop this invasive threat to trees and plants?" (link below)
Today let
us consider invasive pests in our own
lives. Sometimes like the Spotted
dragonfly they're attractive, unlike
another, rather ugly pest which we have
sure have had enough of - the stinkbug! By
the way the stinkbug is also believed to
have its US origins here in Pennsylvania;
the first documented specimen was
collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in
September, 1998. Now we have plenty of
them and although I have been known to
tease children by stating we put them on
pizza as a topping that's not an
appetizing notion!
Sin can certainly be attractive and pleasurable. After all, the writer of Hebrews forthrightly refers to "the pleasures of sin". I have an ex-con friend who is an overcoming addict and I asked him to explain to me why partaking of an utterly destructive substance, like heroin, is so appealing. He told me to consider something considered pleasurable that most of us have experienced (he was actually quite explicit), and then to imagine an intensity of pleasure ten times that. Now that would be tempting! In fact his explanation is probably the most helpful I've ever heard regarding the incredible appeal of drugs.
As followers of Christ we can so readily be seduced by the attractiveness of sin. Just as my initial observation of the Spotted lanternfly was "that's sure an attractive bug" so is sin's appeal. As faithful followers of Christ we must ever be on our guard against this seduction. I consider these candid words to the old hymn, "I Must Tell Jesus".
Listen to our message on your audio
player."Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).
Yesterday
I was visiting with Linford, who showed me
a Spotted lanternfly, which prior to this
I had never heard of before. It is an
attractive insect as you can see by the
photo I took.But Linford went on to tell me the Spotted lanternfly, although attractive, is actually an invasive and destructive insect causing considerable danger to plants and forests here in southeast, PA. It was recently introduced to the US and is thought to have arrived in 2014 in a shipping container, likely at the Port of Philadelphia, which handles more than 50,000 shipping containers a month. More produce comes through this port than any other in the nation. This article headline states, "Spotted lanternfly battle is on: Can Pennsylvania stop this invasive threat to trees and plants?" (link below)
Today let
us consider invasive pests in our own
lives. Sometimes like the Spotted
dragonfly they're attractive, unlike
another, rather ugly pest which we have
sure have had enough of - the stinkbug! By
the way the stinkbug is also believed to
have its US origins here in Pennsylvania;
the first documented specimen was
collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in
September, 1998. Now we have plenty of
them and although I have been known to
tease children by stating we put them on
pizza as a topping that's not an
appetizing notion!Sin can certainly be attractive and pleasurable. After all, the writer of Hebrews forthrightly refers to "the pleasures of sin". I have an ex-con friend who is an overcoming addict and I asked him to explain to me why partaking of an utterly destructive substance, like heroin, is so appealing. He told me to consider something considered pleasurable that most of us have experienced (he was actually quite explicit), and then to imagine an intensity of pleasure ten times that. Now that would be tempting! In fact his explanation is probably the most helpful I've ever heard regarding the incredible appeal of drugs.
As followers of Christ we can so readily be seduced by the attractiveness of sin. Just as my initial observation of the Spotted lanternfly was "that's sure an attractive bug" so is sin's appeal. As faithful followers of Christ we must ever be on our guard against this seduction. I consider these candid words to the old hymn, "I Must Tell Jesus".
"O
how the world to evil allures me,
O how my heart is tempted to sin"
O how my heart is tempted to sin"
At
almost 64 years of age the attraction,
appeal, allurement and temptation of sin
still beckons so I must daily determine, "I
will serve and obey the Lord".
Sadly, a few moments of sinful pleasure is often exchanged for a lifetime of sorrow, scars and regret. Dabbling in sin can lead us where we never intended to go, hold us much longer than we ever planned to stay and hurt more people than we could ever have imagined.
Finally today, let us consider the wonderful joy and lasting pleasures in living for Christ. I can proclaim with the Psalmist, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" (Psalm 16:11). Let us resist the passing "pleasures of sin" and fully embrace the "eternal pleasures" extended to us by our loving Father!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Sadly, a few moments of sinful pleasure is often exchanged for a lifetime of sorrow, scars and regret. Dabbling in sin can lead us where we never intended to go, hold us much longer than we ever planned to stay and hurt more people than we could ever have imagined.
Finally today, let us consider the wonderful joy and lasting pleasures in living for Christ. I can proclaim with the Psalmist, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" (Psalm 16:11). Let us resist the passing "pleasures of sin" and fully embrace the "eternal pleasures" extended to us by our loving Father!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, as we read about Moses we
learn a great deal from his act of
obedience. His choice to deny
himself the enjoyment of the
pleasures of sin for a season was
foundational to his life. It also
provides an example and Biblical
foundation for our lives. We've
gained so much from the spiritual
truths taught through Moses' applied
wisdom, his discipline, and his
obedience in recording Your truths
and principles. Help us not to
partake of the forbidden fruit that
litters the path of life however
attractive and pleasurable it may
be. Help us to keep our eyes on the
eternal pleasures that await us as
we walk in obedience to You. In the
name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
We
stopped by the Village Farm Market for lunch
yesterday and it was in full autumn mode
including pumpkin pie.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This
little boy, riding in the back of an Amish
pickup, gave us a big wave when we passed.
Popular now are the adjustable desks that rise so you can stand when you work. Logan, a young engineer at Val-Co, has his entire desk raised on these platforms and uses a high swivel chair when he wants to sit. Pretty nifty in my view!
Brooksyne
visiting with Natalie who was excited about
her new desk arrangement which gives plenty
of work space!
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
Last night
Brooksyne and Ester served at a Jason
Crabb concert here in Lancaster. We have
enjoyed his music for several years and
are more familiar with Jason's southern
gospel genre. He sang several favorites
including "He Knows What He's
Doing". Brooksyne was impressed with
the personal approach he had with those
who stood in line to greet him. She
indicated that his gifting is music with a
powerful spiritual message but he also has
a preacher's heart full of compassion and
truth. "He Knows What He's Doing"
Video
This is one of our favorite songs by Jason
Crabb.
"Sometimes I Cry" Video
Jason Crabb Another favorite of ours that
Jason sang tonight has touched our hearts
when we hear it, because it really speaks
the truth to those who walk with Christ.
We know what is expected of us when we're
with other believers but there are those
private times when we just give it all to
the Father and sometimes the tears just
won't stop.
"Worth" Video Jason Crabb with Voices Of Lee
"Spotted lanternfly battle is on: Can Pennsylvania stop this invasive threat to trees and plants?"
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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."
© Copyright 2018 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA