A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Friday, March 29,
2019
Sunset on
Delaware Bay
(Photo
by Duke, Click on photo to enlarge)
"Set
For Life"
Message
summary: Is
"everything we need"
that was absolutely
sufficient for Peter's
original readers also
sufficient for us who
live in 2019? A billion
times yes!!! In Christ
we are set for life and
eternity!
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed" (Luke 12:15). "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).
During my visit to New York state last weekend we were in a very depressed area with many people living on various forms of "public assistance". It's a sad way to live for many reasons and yet, in our observation, it's often accompanied by poor choices in life.
I stopped in at a convenience store to buy a cup of coffee and waited behind a woman who was mulling over how to buy the right lottery tickets in a "game" called "Set For Life". She pulled out some $50.00 bills to "invest" in her quest for success.
"Set For Life" is a cruel lie to promote, especially since it comes from a morally bankrupt government preying on people already wrecking their lives with a promise of an easy way out. Here in Pennsylvania it seems wherever you go you see lottery sales and advertisements for playing the lottery along with advertisements for problem gamblers. There are many lottery ticket vending machines.
Many years ago I had a conversation with a longtime employee of the state welfare department who assured me from experience that the social costs of the state sponsored gambling ring are much greater than any "profits" the state makes and uses for "good causes". One method of deception used in the lottery is that people are able to choose how they want their money distributed when they place their bet or they're supposed to see their bet as an "investment". So many aspire to "winning" the lottery and other forms of gambling. They see the jackpot as the answer to their problems with cruel deceptions like "set for life".
What a contrast to the Lord's straightforward instruction in our first daily verse. "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed."
Jesus continues to warn those who will listen: "Watch out!" That should get our attention. It means "to discern clearly". We sure need that don't we? What crass lack of discernment is used by those who stand in long lines hoping their "investment" will bring them the illusory pot of gold promised by the lottery. Of course, there are many other forms of greed that can overtake us so we must be on guard lest we fall prey to the devil's trap.
Greed is an insidious form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5), which many maturing believers battle against. The world screams in our ears in a variety of ways, "YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH!"
But God says in His Word, "My grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9), "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19) and "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). I especially find richness in the phrase "everything we need". Who will you believe today?
Is the "everything we need" that was absolutely sufficient for Peter's original readers also sufficient for us who live in 2019? A billion times yes!!! In Christ we are set for life here and now and for all eternity.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, when we
place our trust
in You we've
only begun to
tap into the
unlimited
resources You
make available
to the believer.
You have blessed
us with Your
special favor
and Your
unsurpassed
peace and it
only gets better
and better as we
grow to know You
more and more.
The illumination
of Your Word is
truly a lamp
unto our feet
and a light unto
our path
revealing the
mystery of Your
Gospel to us.
May we be found
consistent from
day to day
growing in the
grace and
knowledge You
give to us in
the midst of
varying daily
experiences of
life. Grow us in
our discernment
and help us to
stay on our
guard against
greed in its
various forms.
It is in
Christ's name
that we pray.
Amen.
Many years ago I preached a message about gambling and shared this daily encouragement message titled "Pleasing The Lord".
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed" (Luke 12:15). "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).
During my visit to New York state last weekend we were in a very depressed area with many people living on various forms of "public assistance". It's a sad way to live for many reasons and yet, in our observation, it's often accompanied by poor choices in life.
I stopped in at a convenience store to buy a cup of coffee and waited behind a woman who was mulling over how to buy the right lottery tickets in a "game" called "Set For Life". She pulled out some $50.00 bills to "invest" in her quest for success.
"Set For Life" is a cruel lie to promote, especially since it comes from a morally bankrupt government preying on people already wrecking their lives with a promise of an easy way out. Here in Pennsylvania it seems wherever you go you see lottery sales and advertisements for playing the lottery along with advertisements for problem gamblers. There are many lottery ticket vending machines.
Many years ago I had a conversation with a longtime employee of the state welfare department who assured me from experience that the social costs of the state sponsored gambling ring are much greater than any "profits" the state makes and uses for "good causes". One method of deception used in the lottery is that people are able to choose how they want their money distributed when they place their bet or they're supposed to see their bet as an "investment". So many aspire to "winning" the lottery and other forms of gambling. They see the jackpot as the answer to their problems with cruel deceptions like "set for life".
What a contrast to the Lord's straightforward instruction in our first daily verse. "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed."
Jesus continues to warn those who will listen: "Watch out!" That should get our attention. It means "to discern clearly". We sure need that don't we? What crass lack of discernment is used by those who stand in long lines hoping their "investment" will bring them the illusory pot of gold promised by the lottery. Of course, there are many other forms of greed that can overtake us so we must be on guard lest we fall prey to the devil's trap.
Greed is an insidious form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5), which many maturing believers battle against. The world screams in our ears in a variety of ways, "YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH!"
But God says in His Word, "My grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9), "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19) and "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). I especially find richness in the phrase "everything we need". Who will you believe today?
Is the "everything we need" that was absolutely sufficient for Peter's original readers also sufficient for us who live in 2019? A billion times yes!!! In Christ we are set for life here and now and for all eternity.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, when we
place our trust
in You we've
only begun to
tap into the
unlimited
resources You
make available
to the believer.
You have blessed
us with Your
special favor
and Your
unsurpassed
peace and it
only gets better
and better as we
grow to know You
more and more.
The illumination
of Your Word is
truly a lamp
unto our feet
and a light unto
our path
revealing the
mystery of Your
Gospel to us.
May we be found
consistent from
day to day
growing in the
grace and
knowledge You
give to us in
the midst of
varying daily
experiences of
life. Grow us in
our discernment
and help us to
stay on our
guard against
greed in its
various forms.
It is in
Christ's name
that we pray.
Amen.Many years ago I preached a message about gambling and shared this daily encouragement message titled "Pleasing The Lord".
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
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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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