A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Thursday,
December 13, 2018
This morning we had breakfast at the Red Caboose Motel where guests can also lodge in restored cabooses. Note: This week we have considered how words can be a blessing and at times a great source of discomfort. Today's word is both a blessing and a source of discomfort! "The
Convicting Word"
Message
summary:
The
word of conviction can
be painful but when one
is receptive it can be
of great benefit and
blessing.
"You are
the man!" (2 Samuel
12:7). "Brothers, if
someone is caught in a
sin, you who are
spiritual should
restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or
you also may be
tempted" (Galatians
6:1).
According to
the "Urban Dictionary"
the phrase "you da man"
means "You're the man",
with the article "the"
shortened to da in an
ebonic style. Usually it
shows admiration from
the person who says it
toward the person to
whom the sentence is
intended. However, today
we are going to examine
a Bible verse where the
phrase is used, not in
the sense of
commendation, but rather
condemnation.
In 2 Samuel 11
the Bible records the
account of David's sin
with Bathsheba. After
what seemed like an
effective cover-up
operation (David had her
husband Uriah killed),
he thought he had gotten
away with it. But the
chapter ends with these
sober words, "But
the thing David had
done displeased the
Lord" (2 Samuel
11:27).
The prophet
Nathan comes on the
scene. Although he had
prior experience with
David in his prophetic
role his message of
condemnation and
conviction was risky. He
began with a story
illustrating David's
grave sin (2
Samuel 12:1-4).
David failed to make the
connection initially and
"burned with anger"
against the villain in
the story.
Nathan seized
on this and said to
David, "You
are the man!" As
many know David humbly
repented of his sin and
received forgiveness but
not without lifelong
consequences.
Nathan
had a word of conviction
for David. The word of
conviction can be
painful but when one is
receptive it can be of
great benefit and
blessing.
The word of conviction
often includes an
element of rebuke. It
sounds so harsh and
unloving. It's much
easier to use words like
edify, encourage,
inspire...words that
lift others up and leave
them "feeling good".
But sharing and receiving the word of conviction can be a blessing and is a necessary tool within our spiritual tool chest. We have all needed a loving rebuke at times. And like Nathan, God may at times call on us to do the rebuking. "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). We believe one
of the greatest marks of
the contemporary church
is a failure to use the
word of conviction which
now is often interpreted
as judging. With such a
major emphasis on
practicing tolerance,
exhibiting a
non-judgmental and
loving attitude toward
everything that comes
down the pike, it's very
hard to practice the
God-ordained ministry of
rebuke. It's out of sync
with the emphasis and
popular teaching of our
day. What's more,
confront somebody in
their sin and you're
liable to be labeled
legalistic!
You probably know someone named Nathan. Like Stephen in the book of Acts, it's not a common Bible name. Apart from several unspecified genealogical references this is the only prominent Nathan in the Bible. Nathan is the bold prophet who confronted David with his sin. We don't know how much time transpired between David's cover-up of his sin with Bathsheba and the beginning of chapter 12. Assuming that the cover-up took place shortly after Bathsheba announced her pregnancy it would have been at least six months, perhaps longer. I wonder what David was dealing with during this time. Did he really think he'd gotten away with it? Had he somehow justified his actions? Was he dealing with secret guilt or sorrowful remorse? What we do know is that the horrendous sin committed by David recorded in chapter 11 was "evil in the sight of the Lord" (v.27). "The LORD sent Nathan to David." What courage it would require for Nathan to complete this God-ordained prophetic mission! David, at the apex of his kingly authority, could easily and quickly do away with such a pesky prophet. Nevertheless Nathan boldly approached David with an outstanding story analogous to the injustice of David's reprehensible deed. In an illustrative way he was setting a trap for David to walk right into, and David did not disappoint. Nathan tightened the noose with these words of stunning, forthright rebuke, "You are the man!" before launching into a prophetic declaration of judgment concerning David's sin. The brave rebuke turned out to be a redemptive blessing. However uncomfortable, it brought David to his proper senses as he forthrightly confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." In receiving Nathan's rebuke and making his honest confession David took the first steps toward his journey to reconciliation with God, though he, his family, and the nation would deal with the spiraling consequences from his ruthless actions the remainder of his life, and the generations who followed. How do you
handle the word of
conviction, a needed
rebuke? Do you get angry
and harden your heart or
do you see the blessing
of rebuke? I have been
blessed by rebuke,
though at the time it
was very humbling and
uncomfortable. My
posture can be one of
defense, justification,
and excuses or I can
choose to be receptive
when the rebuke reflects
my offense. Many years
ago I was dealing with
an issue in my life when
a friend pinned me down
(not literally) and
spoke truth to my heart.
He was right and I am a
better man today due to
the blessing of his
loving rebuke.
What do you do when God speaks to you about lovingly rebuking a brother or sister to help them get back on the right track? The tendency for many, including me, is to put off this call, agree to pray but not act. It's very hard to rebuke another believer and should come about only after a season of prayer. But we must be careful to obey if God is speaking. It's part of our calling, especially if we are a minister of the Gospel. (See 2 Timothy 4:2.) Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Brooksyne's
Note: This
prayer was written
deep from within my
heart and experience
because God recently
dealt with me about
approaching a believer
regarding about a long
standing lifestyle
incompatible with
Scripture. When God
speaks to me about a
troubled individual,
first I begin to cover
them in prayer. But on
occasion I still find
myself tossing and
turning in the night
with that person on my
mind. Finally, after
much prayer and
contemplation I take
steps that God lays
out for me to
carefully, lovingly,
sensitively and boldly
approach a believer in
error. It is very rare
that God speaks to me
in this way and I'm
glad because I feel a
great sense of
responsibility and am
the sort of person
that would rather
"make people feel
good" than bring up a
subject that might
bring about
discomfort. But from
my own life experience
when I've been
lovingly redirected or
challenged by a caring
person about my
attitude or action
that would be
unpleasing to the Lord
I'm stronger for it
and grow in my
spiritual life and my
personhood.
* A man who knew better left his wife and children for another woman. He was not receptive but heard this stern rebuke quoting the Holy Scripture. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" ( 1 Timothy 5:8). * "I recall a man who was struggling with alcohol and destroying his family but was receptive to my input. I looked him right in the eye and placed a hand on each shoulder, "What are you doing destroying your life and those you love in this way?" I sternly asked. * Another man was plagued with the addiction to internet pornography. We walked along our trail to a country church about a mile and ˝ away. As we walked I listened, but also preached truth from God's Word. Selected
Scriptures on
rebuke:
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke" (Proverbs 3:11). "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). "Better is open rebuke than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5). "He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue" (Proverbs 28:23). "Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20). "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). "These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you" (Titus 2:15). "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). Much more could be considered about this topic such as the relationship between rebuke and correction, considering the reasons that there's minimal practice of this in the modern church and the consequences that have resulted. We want to thank all who
have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for
many years!). We realize there are many
fine ministries and causes requesting
support at this time but if the Lord
would lead you we surely need and
appreciate the financial support from
our readers and listeners. Like
many ministries, we typically see a
spike in giving at the end of the year
for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information. To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376 Please Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber" Thank you Stephen
& Brooksyne
The Casey
Jones diner at the Red Caboose has new
owners and they have spent a great deal
of money in remodeling and redesigning
the gift shop, oversized model train
display and restaurant. The Pricketts
have recently opened their restaurant
for the winter months including
breakfast.
Just
before the meal was served the
railroad crossing went down, lights
flashed, and the train whistle blew.
Brooksyne caught this photo of the
moving freight train through the
window of the exit door visible in
the restaurant photo above. This is
the rail line that the Strasburg
railroad uses for tourists.
Our
original reason for visiting was to
see the salt, pepper and sugar horse
and buggy being used in the
restaurant. Smucker's Laser
Division, one of the companies where
we are chaplains, designed these for
The Red Caboose and Deiners, a
popular Pennsylvania Dutch
Smorgasbord. Our breakfast arrived
and it was delicious - crunchy
hashbrowns & eggs made to order
exactly!!
After
we were served a young couple
arrived and shortly thereafter the
young man approached us. It had been
several years since we'd seen Jordan
and didn't recognize him from a
distance with the stocking cap.
Jordan is a former Sunday School
student of Brooksyne's, about 7 or 8
years old at the time, and we were
delighted to reconnect with him and
meet his girlfriend, Shea, who is
originally from the Reading area but
relocated to Strasburg. They both
work at Sight and Sound, another
very popular tourist attraction - in
fact it's the biggest tourist
attraction for Lancaster. Jordan
works on stage and Shea is an animal
handler!
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