Daily Encouragement Net
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Donate to Daily Encouragement Net

Contact Us
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

<Previous Message                            Next Message>

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Hoffman Farm, Colebrook Road, Lancaster County, PA
Larkspur at the Hoffman Farm on Colebrook Road.

"When Lawlessness Increases - Hold Firm"

Message summary: As we observe our nation and world spiraling into lawlessness it can be very distressing but Jesus said, "lawlessness will increase". But He goes on to say "the one who endures to the end will be saved".

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"And because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:12,13). “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" (John 8:31). "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter"
(2 Thessalonians 2:15). "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Hebrews 4:14).

Commuter airplane
On September 4, 1987 on a flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston, MA 46 year old pilot Henry Dempsey, heard an unusual noise near the rear of the small commuter aircraft. He turned the controls over to his co-pilot and went back to check it out.

As he reached the tail section the plane hit an air pocket and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had not been properly latched prior to takeoff, and it flew open. He was instantly sucked out of the plane.

The co-pilot, seeing the red light that indicated an open door, radioed the nearest airport, requesting permission to make an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane and requested a helicopter search of that area of the ocean.

After the plane landed to their amazement they found Henry Dempsey holding on to the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the ladder, held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet, and then, at landing, kept his head from hitting the runway, which was a mere twelve inches away. It took airport personnel several minutes to pry Dempsey's fingers from the ladder.

Things in life may be turbulent, and you may be struggling to hold on. But have you considered the alternative?
The aircraft ladder became Dempsey's lifeline in the midst of his gargantuan resistance against the tornado like winds.

Open Bible with notes
Likewise our faith in Christ and the Bible is our lifeline as we hold firmly to Him and His teachings. This enables us to resist the onslaught of enemy attacks we face daily.

Jesus taught that lawlessness will increase in the last days (Matthew 24:12), which we sure see happening at an ever increasing pace. But He goes on to say "the one who endures to the end will be saved".

We all deal with different temptations and challenges in life as we seek to hold firmly to our faith in God. The believers addressed in Hebrews were facing persecution and were tempted to go back to their old way of life. That always remains a temptation for all who follow Christ to varying degrees and for different reasons. 

It may be the busyness of life, affluence, the pressure of secular teaching, the barrage of media influence, major family conflict or other issues we confront daily that lull us into complacency or may pull us back into the world. As we observe our nation and world spiraling into lawlessness it can be very distressing but Jesus said,
"lawlessness will increase". We must be very careful that our first love for the Lord does not diminish (Revelation 2:4).

One snare that we have long observed is the heavy load many people bear as they overcome the consequences of disobedience to God prior to getting on the right path. It may have been the abuse of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, immorality, wasteful spending or many other destructive attitudes or behaviors that once controlled our lives. 

Holding on to faith
Turning to Christ does not immediately negate the long-term consequences of these past bad choices. In reality some of them will remain a recurring issue throughout life. The enemy of our soul may whisper, "What's the use?" and the temptation is great to just throw in the towel and give up. And sadly we know those who have done just that. 

The latter part of our fourth daily verse emphasizes perseverance, a major theme throughout Hebrews. "Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." It's a short Scripture portion that ought to be memorized. The word translated "hold firmly" is in the present active and conveys the ongoing need to actively participate in this "holding on" to our faith.

Later in Hebrews there is a great promise for those who persevere. I have often been blessed by it: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded" (Hebrews 10:35).  Ponder that descriptive phrase "richly rewarded"; hide it deep in your heart today as you hold firmly to your faith in God!  May the promise of God's future reward be a stimulus for obedience today as you hold firm and persevere in your Christian faith. 


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we rest in what you have done for us in the past. We trust You for what You are doing presently in our lives and for what You are going to do in the future as we place our full confidence in You. We have no confidence in the flesh because our weaknesses quickly sabotage our good intentions. As we hold tightly to the hope we have in You we may feel the turbulent winds of adversity but they will not overcome us. You will keep us on course for You who promised are faithful. We hold tightly to Your teachings that upholds us even when we stumble, keeping us from being cast down. We thank You for Jesus who keeps a firm grip on us allowing no enemy to snatch us out of His hand. Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Hold On"  Video  Selah

"Hold On"  Video  by 33 Miles

"When Trials Come"  Video  Keith and Kristyn Getty

"Holding On"  Video  Jamie Grace


"Hold On To Jesus"  Video  Steven Curtis Chapman

"Just Hold On"  Video  Rhonda Lee

Contact Us
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

Join our email list!
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page)



Donate to Daily Encouragement Net

We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. 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

Make A DonationPlease 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".



Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.



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 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  USA

dailyencouragement.net

Contact Us

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"