A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
Tuesday,
December 10,
2019
Ford Truck on
Main Street, Mount Joy, PA
(Photo by
Ester)
"This
Is The Verdict"
Message summary: May this statement be true of us today, that we love light rather than darkness!
Listen
to this
message on your audio player.
This is our first Christmas
with our newest furry family member, Sadie, who is now
11 months old. Ester put up the Christmas tree last
Friday and had Brooksyne help her with the lighting and
garlands before hanging up the ornaments. It didn't take
Sadie long at all to be drawn to the lights on the tree.
In fact we now crate her when we leave the house as she
is drawn to the lights and likes to bite into them - not
good or safe as you well know.
Message summary: May this statement be true of us today, that we love light rather than darkness!
Listen
to this
message on your audio player."The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone" (Isaiah 9:2). "This is the
verdict: Light has come into the world, but men
loved darkness instead of light because their deeds
were evil" (John 3:19).
This is our first Christmas
with our newest furry family member, Sadie, who is now
11 months old. Ester put up the Christmas tree last
Friday and had Brooksyne help her with the lighting and
garlands before hanging up the ornaments. It didn't take
Sadie long at all to be drawn to the lights on the tree.
In fact we now crate her when we leave the house as she
is drawn to the lights and likes to bite into them - not
good or safe as you well know.Light is one of the
great themes of the incarnation. Consider how many of
the well-known Christmas carols include the theme of
"light".
Yet in
thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in Thee tonight
(From "O Little Town Of Bethlehem")
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in Thee tonight
(From "O Little Town Of Bethlehem")
Our
first daily text referring to "great light" and "deep
darkness" is an illustration of the battle that has
long raged, what many have called opposing worldviews.
The Biblical worldview fundamentally asserts that:
1) The
Almighty God is the Creator, Ruler, Redeemer and
Judge over all the universe.
2) He has revealed His will for man through His Word.
3) He has established non-arbitrary laws governing the conduct of His creation.
2) He has revealed His will for man through His Word.
3) He has established non-arbitrary laws governing the conduct of His creation.
By contrast the secular humanist worldview fundamentally asserts that:
1) God
is merely a figment of the imagination or whatever
one wants to believe, if anything.
2) The Bible is at best a collection of good stories, but not the rule of authority in our lives.
3) The rule of the Bible is arbitrary and subjective.
2) The Bible is at best a collection of good stories, but not the rule of authority in our lives.
3) The rule of the Bible is arbitrary and subjective.
This ancient battle between these two opposing worldviews is rising to a fevered pitch.
Today let us consider a powerful verse that
is in the same context as the very familiar John 3:16.
Now that is indeed a great verse and we can understand
why many tend to memorize it without noting the
context. But just a few verses later we read, "This
is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but
men loved darkness instead of light because their
deeds were evil" (John 3:19)."This is the verdict". The NIV begins this verse using a modern legal term. In law a verdict is the formal finding of fact. We have all heard the judge ask, "Does the jury have a verdict?" Our text's use of the word reveals God's verdict on the human race.
Versions vary in the translation of this word due to the depth and richness of the Greek word "krisis". The KJV says "the condemnation", while the NASV uses "the judgment". The Amplified Version (a version helpful for insight but cumbersome to read) states, "The basis of judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this." For the diligent student here is a Bible Gateway listing of many English versions of this text.
"Light has come into the world." The Greek has the definite article "the" before light and we believe it to be very significant. In the Gospel and Epistles of John "the light" is Jesus Christ (see John 1:4-9; 8:12: 9:5; 12:46; 1 John 1:5). Light coming into the world is at the very heart of the Christmas message.
"But men loved darkness instead of light." Again we have the definite article in the Greek prior to both light and darkness precisely reading, "But men loved the darkness instead of the light." (See here for Greek interlinear.) This is a matter of fact statement that explains much about human nature and the response to the Gospel. It was true when John first wrote these words late in the first century and it's true today. Overall the human race loves darkness instead of light. That explains a lot about the mess we are in!
"Because their deeds were [are] evil." For those of us living in the glorious light of Jesus Christ we marvel that anyone would choose darkness but many do. The next verse continues, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed" (John 3:20). Additionally, when they come into the light they must deal with their evil deeds, confess, and repent. And, of course, many are unwilling to do that so they continue to go "undercover" in the darkness of their soul.
Today, we encourage believers all over the world to join us as we live in the light of Christ and walk according to the light of His Word! May this statement be true of us today, that we love light rather than darkness! We come under the truth of Jesus Christ: "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God" (John 3:21).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, Your love comes like a
light in the darkness, like the bright star in
the east that burst forth in the Bethlehem
skies. The hosts of heaven made it a song of joy
and celebration as Jesus was born into the
world, the Savior for all mankind. In the
darkness of night the light of Christ appeared
drawing people near and far, then and now. And
at the same time there are many who are drawn to
darkness like King Herod who sought to destroy
the Christ child. We don't understand such
thinking once we come into the light, but it was
a reality then as it is now. Thank You for the
freedom to choose, and Lord, we choose You!
Amen.
Special
Year-end Financial Appeal
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
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
Another
view of the bright red Ford truck on Main
Street, Mount Joy, PA
(Photo
by Ester)
Community
Christmas tree on Main Street, Mount Joy, PA
(Photo
by Ester)
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"O Little Town of
Bethlehem" Video
The Living Stones Quartet
Consider how so many
of the Christmas songs we love
that have the theme of light
somewhere in the song. Can you
identify the song by the
posted line dealing with
light?
"Disperse the gloomy clouds of night"
"Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light"
"Son of God, love's pure light"
"There shone a holy light"
"Yonder shines the infant light"
"Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light"
'And to the earth it gave great light"
"Light and life to all He brings"
"One small light from the flame of a candle"
"Led by the light of faith serenely beaming"
"With a liberating light"
We'll post the hymn titles on Wednesday.
"Disperse the gloomy clouds of night"
"Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light"
"Son of God, love's pure light"
"There shone a holy light"
"Yonder shines the infant light"
"Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light"
'And to the earth it gave great light"
"Light and life to all He brings"
"One small light from the flame of a candle"
"Led by the light of faith serenely beaming"
"With a liberating light"
We'll post the hymn titles on Wednesday.
Resources
for
Christmas
Celebrations
(We
will leave these
resources posted below
our daily messages
through Christmas)
Each
year we share several
online resources that
we have used over the
years and that may be
a blessing to you,
your family or church
during this Christmas
season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Brooksyne read and wrote about the poem in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Brooksyne read and wrote about the poem in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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 2019 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA