The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Mobile users:
Visit Daily Encouragement on your mobile browser, hit "Add to
home screen" or "Add page shortcut." This creates an instant
Daily Encouragement App!
Search Daily Encouragement
A
new message is updated most weekdays usually by Noon Eastern
Time (USA).
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Wednesday, March
23, 2022
"Now
Is The Day Of Salvation"
Message
summary: Judgment is not a joking matter, let us who
truly believe in the Lord continue to stand up for the
truth and warn those around us that judgment is coming.
Lot’s sons-in-law were urged to “hurry and get out of
this place”. The New Testament parallel is a plea
that, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day
of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“So Lot
went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged
to marry his daughters. He said, ‘Hurry and get out of
this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the
city!’ But his sons-in-law thought he was joking”
(Genesis 19:14). “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is
the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Among our
duties as chaplains to businesses is to write a column in
several company newsletters. I just received a request for
a new article from Joe, a
newsletter editor from one of our companies. He's a very
thoughtful young man with an earnest faith who made an
interesting observation:
"I
know people are scared that World War III could
potentially break out and are fearful of the impact in the
world if that would happen. I believe you would be able to
provide comforting thoughts about the situation for
people. Is this topic something we should talk about in a
newsletter, considering how unsettling it might be for
people. It is just an idea I had."
I will consider this request
as it is indicative of the stress many surely feel about
international and national conditions. But we should always
be ready for judgment regardless of how it may happen,
whether an international situation or our country decaying
from within (which it rapidly is). On a personal
level we will all face judgment. “Man is destined to die
once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
But through the Gospel we can have peace and confidence!
Those who
know me personally are aware that I sure enjoy teasing.
It’s all in good fun as I try to rouse some laughter that
gets people’s minds off the troubles that are far too
prevalent. The Bible says there is “a time to laugh”
(Ecclesiastes 3:4) and I am thankful that God included the
emotional response of laughter in our human disposition.
But there are issues in life that are not joking matters. All over the world Christians regularly proclaim their belief in the judgment by reciting the Apostle’s Creed, “He shall come to judge the living and the dead” or they profess this belief in a doctrinal statement such as this one from a statement of fundamental truths: "There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death".
But there are issues in life that are not joking matters. All over the world Christians regularly proclaim their belief in the judgment by reciting the Apostle’s Creed, “He shall come to judge the living and the dead” or they profess this belief in a doctrinal statement such as this one from a statement of fundamental truths: "There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death".
Today there
are scores of faithful ministries that warn of impending
judgment, but this is a subject many just don’t want to
hear and frankly many pastors don't want to preach. Indeed
for many, judgment is something they just don't want to
think about or worse, it's just a joking matter.
Today let us consider an event that happened just before Sodom was destroyed and Lot’s sons-in-law who demonstrate this attitude. Lot had been told by two angels to warn anyone who belonged to him to leave the city, for it would be destroyed. “Then the two men said to Lot, 'Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:12,13).
This
is an act of grace on God’s part. Lot urged these young
men, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the
LORD is about to destroy the city!” (v.14) They were
granted the opportunity to escape judgment due to their
association with Lot but they
“thought he was joking”.
Other versions use words like, "jesting", "mocking",
"kidding", and yet Biblical history records the awful
judgment that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Today let us consider an event that happened just before Sodom was destroyed and Lot’s sons-in-law who demonstrate this attitude. Lot had been told by two angels to warn anyone who belonged to him to leave the city, for it would be destroyed. “Then the two men said to Lot, 'Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:12,13).
This
is an act of grace on God’s part. Lot urged these young
men, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the
LORD is about to destroy the city!” (v.14) They were
granted the opportunity to escape judgment due to their
association with Lot but they
“thought he was joking”.
Other versions use words like, "jesting", "mocking",
"kidding", and yet Biblical history records the awful
judgment that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.Many today,
now some 4,000 years later, still laugh and scoff at the
notion of a future judgment.
Whether God’s judgment is that of the whole earth, specific nations, or an individual, it’s just a joking matter to many people. The good life, along with years of secularism and Biblical illiteracy, has dulled many to this most certain future event. They give little thought to future judgment or worse yet scoff at it, making it a laughing matter such as this joke, "What did the optimist say in hell? I’m glad it’s dry heat."
But God has made Himself very clear in His Word concerning a future judgment: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). To the scoffers of his day Peter warned, “But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).
I contend that among my main responsibilities in this life is to personally prepare for this judgment and to warn others. And God has also been very clear regarding how we are to prepare. Fundamentally He wants our trust and obedience, to believe in and follow Christ who paid our judgment penalty on the cross of Calvary.
Many consider judgment a joking matter, but let us who truly believe in the Lord continue to stand up for the truth and warn those around us that judgment is coming. Lot’s sons-in-law were urged to “hurry and get out of this place”. The New Testament parallel is a plea that, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Whether God’s judgment is that of the whole earth, specific nations, or an individual, it’s just a joking matter to many people. The good life, along with years of secularism and Biblical illiteracy, has dulled many to this most certain future event. They give little thought to future judgment or worse yet scoff at it, making it a laughing matter such as this joke, "What did the optimist say in hell? I’m glad it’s dry heat."
But God has made Himself very clear in His Word concerning a future judgment: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). To the scoffers of his day Peter warned, “But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).
I contend that among my main responsibilities in this life is to personally prepare for this judgment and to warn others. And God has also been very clear regarding how we are to prepare. Fundamentally He wants our trust and obedience, to believe in and follow Christ who paid our judgment penalty on the cross of Calvary.
Many consider judgment a joking matter, but let us who truly believe in the Lord continue to stand up for the truth and warn those around us that judgment is coming. Lot’s sons-in-law were urged to “hurry and get out of this place”. The New Testament parallel is a plea that, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, thank You for
loving us enough to warn repeatedly of
impending judgment through Your
prophets, disciples, through Your Son
Jesus who made it possible that we can
escape eternal damnation. As believers
we know this is no joking matter as
Jesus gave His all that we might be set
free from the penalty of sin. Keep us
alert, listening, obedient and growing
in our faith and our burden for those
who have not yet made peace with You. In
Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Here’s a common prayer that expresses faith in God’s plan of salvation. It’s often called “the sinner’s prayer.” Believing what this prayer expresses is the main component of being prepared for the coming judgment. I urge you to pray this prayer from your heart today.
"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" Video The Hoppers A country style version of the same song!
Observe carefully this
photo to share in our humorous story:
The original owner of our house built
the dining room from what was formerly a
deck. He installed sliding doors to the
left of our dining table and, instead of
closing the window to the kitchen, he
left it as an opening from the kitchen
into the new dining room. After our meal
Brooksyne was working at the sink but
looking through the window and joining
in our conversation as I sat across from
Nick and Drema. When I talked I often
looked through the window viewing
Brooksyne, but Nick had not seen there
was a window there. He asked me, "Why
are you talking to the wall?" and
wondered why I was talking to what he
thought was a wall! When I explained
that I was talking to Brooksyne and he
saw she was there all along, we had a
good laugh.
Daily
prayer: Father, thank You for
loving us enough to warn repeatedly of
impending judgment through Your
prophets, disciples, through Your Son
Jesus who made it possible that we can
escape eternal damnation. As believers
we know this is no joking matter as
Jesus gave His all that we might be set
free from the penalty of sin. Keep us
alert, listening, obedient and growing
in our faith and our burden for those
who have not yet made peace with You. In
Jesus name we pray. Amen.Here’s a common prayer that expresses faith in God’s plan of salvation. It’s often called “the sinner’s prayer.” Believing what this prayer expresses is the main component of being prepared for the coming judgment. I urge you to pray this prayer from your heart today.
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I
am a sinner. I believe that You came to
this earth and died on the cross as a
substitute for me. I place my faith in
You and ask You to forgive me of my
sins. I receive You into my life and
choose this day to follow and serve You.
Thank You for what You have done for me
and for hearing my prayer. Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"I
Got Saved" Video
Selah
"Saved,
Saved" Video The
Craguns This old hymn brings
back memories. How many of you
remember singing this testimonial
song?
"Now
Is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians
6:2)" Video From
the Integrity Scripture Memory Songs, a
great way we learned to memorize many
Scripture verses through music in the
90's.
"I
Wish We'd All Been Ready" Video This is one of the first
Christian songs I, Stephen, heard
before I got saved in Kansas City, MO
in 1971 (not including hymns we sang
in church and children's songs). This
stirring song had a convicting impact
upon my becoming a Christian. It
speaks of the rapture which I did not
want to miss. As it turns out, in
regard to the rapture, I could have
lived in unbelief and sin these last
50 years and waited to get my life
right with God. But this would have
been supremely reckless. My heart
would likely have gotten progressively
harder and we never know when our time
will come. We should be ready always.
What's more, living for and serving
the Lord is always the best way to
live this life!
Brooksyne's
note: As a child my family
attended Sunday morning and Sunday
evening services without fail. One night
as we were returning to our home after a
late evening service, headlights of
another vehicle followed us into the
driveway. I still remember it as it
alarmed me to see someone pull in right
behind us. The driver got out of his car
and informed us that our 16 year old
neighbor, Gary Gaither, was killed in a
motorcycle accident earlier that day.
Gary was good friends with my brother,
Jerry, and they often cycled together.
Gary grew up in a Christian home and as
I recall he was a believer. His
sudden death was a vivid reminder to me
as I was growing up that we know not the
day nor the hour when we might be called
home and give an account for the way we
lived here on earth. The warnings in
Scripture became very real to me as
Gary's sudden death would come to mind
when I was making up my mind whether I
would choose to follow Christ in my
young years or delay until I had done
the things that would not honor Him. My
firm commitment came at 14 years of age,
and I am so grateful, that following
Christ from a young age spared me from
many of the heartaches I've seen in
those who chose to follow Christ after
making some terrible choices that
brought about life long consequences.
"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" Video The Hoppers A country style version of the same song!
Yesterday
I visited with Henry who works at
White Oak Display. We share the same
faith and it's always mutually
encouraging to talk to him. Brooksyne
teased that Henry's purple shirt and
purple hat under the florescent
lighting from a distance made him look
like a Purple Light Special (remember
the days of K-Mart Red Light
specials?).
Last
night we had friends join us for
dinner. We've known Nick about 15 to
20 years through daily encouragement
and recently he introduced us to
Drema. They are both widowed.
Finally
today:
Yesterday
we passed this barn near Milton Grove,
PA.
Looks
like this farmer has some extra work
as his stack of hay didn't stay
stacked!
To
receive the "Daily
Encouragement" each
Monday-Friday use our sign-up
form or this
page to subscribe to our
free email list.
You can also subscribe to the
Wordpress rss
feed or through a Wordpress email
subscription. (See the email
subscription on the top right side
after opening this page.)
iHeart
radioPermissions: 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.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED CHAPLAINCY
Please Note: If
you
desire you can donate
directly through
PayPal using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber".
We
keep this option
available due to the
familiarity,
convenience,
international
supporters, and for
those who may not need
an official receipt.
You can also set up
for recurring
donations. You can
also use PayPal
on this link.
Stephen & Brooksyne
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 2022 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA