Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Monday, January 20, 2020

Yesterday afternoon we passed many Amish youth heading to their Sunday afternoon youth meetings. We were curious as to what they were transporting under the wagon.
Looks like a turbo-charged muffler!

"What Children Learn"

Message summary: We consider today the awesome power of God's Word, the Holy Scriptures.

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"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14,15).

Yesterday we observed "Sanctity Of Human Life", a Sunday in January, when many churches including ours, observed the Sanctity of Life, recognizing the value of life from conception to natural death.

I received a special message on my voice mail that has really blessed us. Stephen, who just turned 2 this last fall, left a message singing "Jesus Loves Me". Listen here (55 seconds). We are sure his Mom helped him with the phone call! Stephen is the youngest of seven children in a loving home where he has been taught the ways of the Lord from infancy. What a blessing children are to any family or church especially as we see faith developing in them.

I contrast that to a scene from the movie, "The Case For Christ". It's a family eating in a restaurant when their little girl begins choking. They helplessly watch in panic before a lady identifying as a nurse comes to their aid and, just as it seemed hopeless, the little girl coughs up the food blocking her airway and resumes breathing. The parents thank the nurse and express how lucky they are that she was there. She informs them it wasn't luck but to thank Jesus since He guided her to that very restaurant that evening.

Later the daughter asked her parents, "Who is Jesus?" They tell her that they are atheists and don't believe in Jesus. The little girl states, "Then I guess I'm an atheist too".

Children are always learning, the concern is what are they learning!

Today let us focus on a point that Paul made regarding Timothy's earliest childhood education. He is urging Timothy to "Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it". If we have had a godly upbringing that's good advice.

He makes a point that is rich with meaning as he reminds Timothy that "from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures." Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). They apparently had taught the Holy Scriptures to Timothy even as an infant. Today let us just consider the words, "from infancy".

Infancy is a part of our childhood and other Bible versions translate "from childhood" in this verse. But there is a special significance in understanding the word more precisely as including infancy, which we normally consider the period from birth to two years old. By that age we usually refer to them as toddlers (I suppose that's because we toddle a lot at that age!).

But there's an even deeper truth here. The Greek word for "infancy" is brephos. This same word is used in Luke 1:44 to describe John while he was in his mother's womb. When John's mother saw Mary she said, "For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby (brephos) in my womb leaped for joy." Thus in Scripture, infancy (brephos) includes pre-born life as well as the period shortly after our birth until we begin to "toddle".

How rich in this regard is the Psalmist's statement in Psalm 139, "For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

There is such a devaluing of prenatal life which extends to all life. "Consumer Reports" had an article dealing with birth control, which also touched on the subject of abortion. Abortion was identified as a procedure to remove "uterine contents." What a new low in Orwellian speech!

John was not "uterine contents" but a tiny developing baby, who grew up to make a mighty impact in fulfilling the purpose for which God had made him. Paul acknowledged that Timothy was impacted by the Holy Scriptures from infancy, which in his case we certainly believe is prenatal development as well. Even many in the world recognize the intricate development that takes place in the womb, not only physically, but in many other ways as well.

Consider today the awesome power of God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. Some of you, like John, Timothy and young Stephen, have known Biblical instruction from infancy, due to their godly heritage. Others have come into this knowledge later and may be the first of their generation to have godly faith. Regardless, hold on to the divine truth that "you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus".

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, there is incredible blessing in the miracle of new birth and along with this gift of life comes extraordinary, lifetime responsibility for the parents. May we as parents realize the impact of imparting Scriptural teaching by instruction as well as example from the time of their conception. We're grateful for our family, other Christian brothers and sisters, our church and Christian ministries that also inspire our children to live for You. We cannot force our children to walk in Your ways, but we can certainly show them the way to life everlasting and equip them with the Scriptural knowledge that will make them wise for salvation. May this always be our highest priority. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

It was cold as these youth rode to their meeting but they must like riding in the open carts and just bundle up to keep warm.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"One Day" Video Calvary Church Orchestra and Choir from yesterday's service. This version is on the official church YouTube page and features the music along with the slides of those being remembered. This version has the best audio quality. We only knew a couple of the people shown on the slides but we both considered those we do know who went to be with the Lord this last year, such as our long-time friend Curt Haldeman. If you choose to watch it perhaps you will consider those you want to remember who passed away this last year.

"One Day" Video Calvary Church Orchestra and Choir This version was recorded from the balcony yesterday by Ester and shows the choir and orchestra singing the song.

Dinner scene from "The Case for Christ" Video clip This particular clip does not have the later conversation where the parents tell their daughter they are atheists.

For those who may trust but want to verify regarding the point made about the Greek word "brephos" here is Luke 1:44 and 2 Timothy 3:15 in an interlinear Bible that shows the Greek.

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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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