A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Tuesday, July 9,
2019
Kishacoquillas Valley is remote valley here in Pennsylvania often called the "Big Valley" (See here on Google map). It is a rich farming area with a variety of Plain groups. All along the road are these home-made green signs with Scripture verses.
"The Deceitfulness
Of Sin" (Part 1)
Message
summary:
"Sin will
take you farther
than you want to go,
keep you longer than you want to stay,
and cost you more than you want to pay"
Attributed to Ravi Zaccharias
keep you longer than you want to stay,
and cost you more than you want to pay"
Attributed to Ravi Zaccharias
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today', so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).
Last
Friday we shared a
message titled "A
Lesson From Yeast" a
teaching that even a
little bit of
something (like
yeast) can result in
a lot of good or a
lot of bad. The
progression of a
little matter
becoming bigger and
bigger and more and
more destructive is
a consequence of "the
deceitfulness of
sin".
We
have seen many
illustrations of
this in our
ministry. People
dabble and then
dabble more, than
they are caught in
sin's trap. We are
always sensitive
regarding
confidentiality
but an older
recollection comes
to mind going back
some 15 years. I
was in a small
prayer group and
one of the members
seemed to have an
earnest walk with
the Lord. However
he became involved
with another woman
who was not his
wife and just
crashed. Now
admittedly I don't
know the specifics
but likely it was
a progression of
bad choices that
lead to his fall.
His heart was
hardened by the
deceitfulness of
sin.
The writer of Hebrews gives us a command we can all seek to obey. It's a command for all, not a specific spiritual gift for a few. It also makes a tidy three point message:
What are we to do? "Encourage one another." We tend to limit the meaning of the word, "encourage" in the English to be an uplifting, positive message. However the underlying Greek word Parakaleo, while certainly including this sense, has further depth and is translated in some versions "exhort".
Biblical
encouragement is an
exhortation to live
faithfully for the
truth. An online
resource states,
"Parakaleo can
include the idea of
giving help or aid
but the primary
sense in the New
Testament is to urge
someone to take some
action, especially
some ethical course
of action. Sometimes
the word conveys the
idea of comfort,
sometimes of
exhortation but
always at the root
there is the idea of
enabling a person to
meet some difficult
situation with
confidence and with
gallantry." *
When are we to do it? "Day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today'". I have always thought the writer might be employing some humor here demonstrating the ongoing need to encourage, after all, each current day will always be called "Today"! This verse along with Hebrews 10:23-25 is the basis of our ministry's name "Daily Encouragement"
Why are we to do it? "So that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin"both the encourager and the one being encouraged, similar to the Proverb that states, "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25). We must always be on our guard lest we develop a hardened heart toward spiritual truth and obedience due to the deceitfulness of sin.
The deceitfulness of sin is rampant in our world and has been ever since Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. But we believe the many means of being deceived by sin is increasing, especially due to technology. May God help each of us to boldly stand firm while contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. We urge, exhort, and warn you to be on your guard against the heart-hardening effect of sin's deceitfulness.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
When are we to do it? "Day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today'". I have always thought the writer might be employing some humor here demonstrating the ongoing need to encourage, after all, each current day will always be called "Today"! This verse along with Hebrews 10:23-25 is the basis of our ministry's name "Daily Encouragement"
Why are we to do it? "So that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin"both the encourager and the one being encouraged, similar to the Proverb that states, "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25). We must always be on our guard lest we develop a hardened heart toward spiritual truth and obedience due to the deceitfulness of sin.
The deceitfulness of sin is rampant in our world and has been ever since Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. But we believe the many means of being deceived by sin is increasing, especially due to technology. May God help each of us to boldly stand firm while contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. We urge, exhort, and warn you to be on your guard against the heart-hardening effect of sin's deceitfulness.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, as
believers, we
are put to the
test daily
regarding our
adherence to
the Scriptures
that teach
right from
wrong, truth
from error.
The Bible
includes
numerous
examples of
those who were
obedient to
Your laws and
from those who
chose to
disregard
them. Help us
to remember
that
disobedience,
disregard, or
dilution of
the Scriptures
will weaken us
and eventually
harden our
hearts to
spiritual
truths. We
choose either
to be shaped
by the world
or by the
Word. Our will
and desires
cannot be
shaped by
both. We
choose this
day to be Your
obedient
servant no
matter the
consequences,
for Your
blessing is
more to be
desired than
the applause
of the world.
Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Yes
I Will" Video
Vertical Worship Great song
posted we yesterday and
dedicated to those going
through a valley but the
link did not work after I
posted!
* For further study here’s some excellent exposition on Hebrews 3:13
Finally today:
This morning we
will be making a chaplain
call to Audreys in rural
Lebanon County. Yesterday
Phil, a friend who works
there, sent me a photo of
the flooding of Little
Swatara Greek on the road
we will be on today. We've
had a lot of rain but it's
supposed to clear up
today.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
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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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