A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Wednesday, May
29, 2019
Monday
afternoon we passed this Lancaster County, PA
farmhouse near Lampeter.
Looks like they kept adding on as the family grew!
Looks like they kept adding on as the family grew!
(Click
to enlarge)
"A Wretch Like Me"
Message
summary: We
are wretched people
in our sinful state.
Apart from the
redemptive power of
Christ and the
outflow of the
spiritual fruit from
His indwelling
Spirit we have
nothing of lasting,
redemptive value to
offer to others. But
with Christ as our
Saviour we have a
life-changing,
redemptive message
that can save even a
wretch like me.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24,25).
There's a song we've sure been enjoying the last several months called "Even Me" by the Triumphant Quartet. (Link to song below). Last night I picked Brooksyne up in Baltimore after her trip to visit family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and on the way home this song came on the radio. It has a line that touches our hearts as we consider how great a God we serve and how great a salvation He provides for any who choose to follow Him.
Paul's Epistle to the Romans is considered by theologians to be his Magnus Opus (a phrase meaning "The greatest single work of an artist, writer, or composer"). Now of course all of Scripture is equally inspired by God but Romans contains the basic theological framework for all the rest of Paul's collection of writings.
Romans has material that is not always uplifting but is a scorning assessment of the human race and the dreadful consequences of sin. The first chapter concludes with this stunning indictment on the human race: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:29-32).
The amazing thing about the Bible is that it's always contemporary. Each of these behaviors or attitudes are easily observed in our world today. Not only can we see it around us but it is also possible to see it within ourselves. The framework was laid in this passage for an oft quoted text written later in Paul's letter to the Romans, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). These verses overwhelmingly establish that we desperately need a Savior. Paul stated in regard to our desperate need for a Savior, "What a wretched man I am!"
Paul, in what many see as a description regarding his state without Christ, declares, "What a wretched man I am!" (Surely he'd be required to attend a class for having a positive, self-image today.) But immediately following this he asks and answers his own question, "Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24b,25).
Perhaps the most famous hymn sung in church, state funerals, national and international events, recognized by believers and unbelievers alike is "Amazing Grace". The writer presents a most unflattering description of himself in this phrase, "that saved a wretch like me". The vast majority of people sing this stanza without pondering its deeper meaning since the familiarity of the song can easily override its disturbing message. And it sure doesn't set well in our time when schools, libraries, and bookstores overflow with books promoting a positive self-image. We too must acknowledge our great need like John Newton who realized the depth of his sin and rejoiced in the height of Christ's salvation.
As a believer Newton pastored a church in London, where he persuaded a young William Wilberforce, to fight to put an end to the slave trade, which passed in Parliament in March 1807. Nine months later, on December 21, 1807, the 82-year old Newton lay on his bed "packed and sealed, and waiting for the post," as he put it. Barely able to speak, Newton’s attendant leaned over the bed to hear his last words, "My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior!" The former slave trader best known for writing "Amazing Grace" spoke these words shortly before he breathed his last.
Like Newton we want our life to have a positive and lasting influence on others. Only when we acknowledge our sinful state, as presented by these Romans passages, can we also recognize our need for a Saviour who can save us from our own wretchedness.
We are wretched people in our sinful state. Apart from the redemptive power of Christ and the outflow of spiritual fruit from His indwelling Spirit we have nothing of lasting, redemptive value to offer to others. But with Christ as our Saviour we have a life-changing, redemptive message that can save even a wretch like me. Hallelujah, what A Saviour!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24,25).
There's a song we've sure been enjoying the last several months called "Even Me" by the Triumphant Quartet. (Link to song below). Last night I picked Brooksyne up in Baltimore after her trip to visit family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and on the way home this song came on the radio. It has a line that touches our hearts as we consider how great a God we serve and how great a salvation He provides for any who choose to follow Him.
For God
so loved the world
He gave
Gave His only Son away
A way to save a wretch like me
Gave His only Son away
A way to save a wretch like me
The word
"wretch" is
not used much
today. It sounds
so archaic.
Webster defines
wretched as
"deeply afflicted,
dejected, or
distressed in body
or mind; extremely
or deplorably bad
or distressing;
being or appearing
mean, miserable,
or contemptible;
very poor in
quality or
ability".
But most
all of us have
sung this word in
these two
well-known songs.
(Hopefully we
still do!)
I
heard an old,
old story, how a
Savior came from
glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
Paul's Epistle to the Romans is considered by theologians to be his Magnus Opus (a phrase meaning "The greatest single work of an artist, writer, or composer"). Now of course all of Scripture is equally inspired by God but Romans contains the basic theological framework for all the rest of Paul's collection of writings.
Romans has material that is not always uplifting but is a scorning assessment of the human race and the dreadful consequences of sin. The first chapter concludes with this stunning indictment on the human race: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:29-32).
The amazing thing about the Bible is that it's always contemporary. Each of these behaviors or attitudes are easily observed in our world today. Not only can we see it around us but it is also possible to see it within ourselves. The framework was laid in this passage for an oft quoted text written later in Paul's letter to the Romans, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). These verses overwhelmingly establish that we desperately need a Savior. Paul stated in regard to our desperate need for a Savior, "What a wretched man I am!"
Paul, in what many see as a description regarding his state without Christ, declares, "What a wretched man I am!" (Surely he'd be required to attend a class for having a positive, self-image today.) But immediately following this he asks and answers his own question, "Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24b,25).
Perhaps the most famous hymn sung in church, state funerals, national and international events, recognized by believers and unbelievers alike is "Amazing Grace". The writer presents a most unflattering description of himself in this phrase, "that saved a wretch like me". The vast majority of people sing this stanza without pondering its deeper meaning since the familiarity of the song can easily override its disturbing message. And it sure doesn't set well in our time when schools, libraries, and bookstores overflow with books promoting a positive self-image. We too must acknowledge our great need like John Newton who realized the depth of his sin and rejoiced in the height of Christ's salvation.
As a believer Newton pastored a church in London, where he persuaded a young William Wilberforce, to fight to put an end to the slave trade, which passed in Parliament in March 1807. Nine months later, on December 21, 1807, the 82-year old Newton lay on his bed "packed and sealed, and waiting for the post," as he put it. Barely able to speak, Newton’s attendant leaned over the bed to hear his last words, "My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior!" The former slave trader best known for writing "Amazing Grace" spoke these words shortly before he breathed his last.
Like Newton we want our life to have a positive and lasting influence on others. Only when we acknowledge our sinful state, as presented by these Romans passages, can we also recognize our need for a Saviour who can save us from our own wretchedness.
We are wretched people in our sinful state. Apart from the redemptive power of Christ and the outflow of spiritual fruit from His indwelling Spirit we have nothing of lasting, redemptive value to offer to others. But with Christ as our Saviour we have a life-changing, redemptive message that can save even a wretch like me. Hallelujah, what A Saviour!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
we thank You
for the
redeeming
blood of Jesus
that imparts
mercy and
pardon for my
sins. Wretched
as I may be,
Your mercy is
greater! Only
a God like You
chooses to
delight in
expressing
mercy to the
undeserving
masses that
defy Your Holy
Name. Thank
You for
reaching me in
the depth of
my sin and
raising me to
the height of
Your Holiness
– it's only
through Your
blood and it's
only through
Your mercy
that I come
and You
joyfully
welcome me!
Words cannot
express my
eternal
gratitude for
such
indescribable
love. 
We're
always
attracted to
country views
where horses
are out in the
pasture amidst
the spacious
blue skies
dotted with
puffy white
clouds.
(Click
to enlarge)
The
sheer range of
multi-colored
flowers
charmingly
bespeckle this
long driveway
in Northern
Lebanon
County.
We
can always
count on a
colorful
display of
flowers and
plants each
spring at the
entrance to
Audrey's, a
company we
serve in
northern
Lebanon
County.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Victory In
Jesus" Video
Gaither Family
"God So Loved the World" Video Charles Billingsley
"His Life For Mine" Video Talley Trio
"God So Loved the World" Video Charles Billingsley
"His Life For Mine" Video Talley Trio
His life for
mine, His life for mine
How could it ever be?
That He would die, God's son would die
To save a wretch like me
What love divine, He gave His life for mine
How could it ever be?
That He would die, God's son would die
To save a wretch like me
What love divine, He gave His life for mine
How deep the
Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
For further
study: Exposition
notes for Romans 7:24
Finally today:
Brooksyne's Personal Note: It's good to be home again after an eleven day whirlwind of travel visiting family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It seemed most days were filled with either tornadoes or flooding all around us. Our motel in Tulsa was filled with either evacuees whose homes were flooded from the Arkansas River or victims whose homes were destroyed by tornadoes. So many tornadoes and floods are happening throughout the U.S. that we need to be in prayer for those affected.
A highlight of my
trip was personally meeting
a Daily Encouragement
reader, Charlotte Gaunt,
whom I have communicated
with via email or telephone
over the past years. She
lives in Cushing, OK, and
met me for breakfast at
Cracker Barrel. Charlotte
was delightful to visit with
and I was blessed as she
told me of her ministry
involvement with Celebrate
Recovery and Prison
Ministries. She also showed
me a couple photos of her
furry feline family that she
and her husband thoroughly
enjoy. Likewise, I was
delighted to return to my
home last night not only to
see Stephen but also our
furry canine "girls". At the
sight of me they came
running and jumping, as they
happily greeted me, although
Mollie went to the door and
kept looking for Ester's
return only to find that she
did not come back with me.
Ester is with my sister,
Elaine, in Texas for a
couple more weeks.
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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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