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
8, 2023
For
many years we
have enjoyed
passing this
pristine farm
setting in
Lebanon
County. It
sits on a noll
with stunning
views in all
directions.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
"The
Redemption
Transformation"
Message
summary:
When
one earnestly
comes to
Christ there
is a
redemption
transformation.
"You, however,
did not come
to know Christ
that way" (Ephesians
4:20). Rather
than having a
continual lust
for more
wickedness let
us become
seekers of
God's Kingdom
and desire a
life of purity
and
righteousness.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“So
I tell you
this, and
insist on it
in the Lord,
that you must
no longer live
as the
Gentiles do,
in the
futility of
their
thinking. They
are darkened
in their
understanding
and separated
from the life
of God because
of the
ignorance that
is in them due
to the
hardening of
their hearts.
Having lost
all
sensitivity,
they have
given
themselves
over to
sensuality so
as to indulge
in every kind
of impurity,
with a
continual lust
for more. You,
however, did
not come to
know Christ
that way.
Surely you
heard of Him
and were
taught in Him
in accordance
with the truth
that is in
Jesus. You
were taught,
with regard to
your former
way of life,
to put off
your old self,
which is being
corrupted by
its deceitful
desires; to be
made new in
the attitude
of your minds;
and to put on
the new self,
created to be
like God in
true
righteousness
and holiness”
(Ephesians
4:17-24).
Going
back to
January 1st of
this year when
I was admitted
to the
hospital, Ray
took me back
to the CT scan
area. Along
the way he
boldly
expressed his
faith in
Christ. He
told me of his
very hard
upbringing in
NYC. His
mother and
father both
dealt with
drug problems.
He was going
down the wrong
path. He had
three bullet
wounds from
being shot and
told me this
morning he has
a photo of
himself while
in the
hospital he
still carries
on his phone.But
at 19 years of
age he walked
into the
Living Waters
church and got
saved. He
attended the
Brooklyn
Tabernacle
Church for
several years
serving as an
usher. His
life was
dramatically
changed as he
experienced a
redemption
transformation.
That was over
30 years ago!
He continues
to walk with
the Lord along
with his wife.
They have
earnestly
sought to
raise their
children for
the Lord! He
could sing
(and probably
did) this
Brooklyn
Tabernacle
song:
I've
been changed,
healed, freed,
delivered
I've found joy, peace, grace and favor
I've found joy, peace, grace and favor
Today
we consider
those in our
life and
ministry who
have
experienced
redemption
transformation.
That's all
of us who have
turned to
Christ. We
all have some
type of before
and after
although for
some far more
dramatic. We
either
experience
grace in
coming to
Christ while
young and
being
prevented from
getting into
the riffraff
of the world
or we
experience
God's
marvelous
deliverance.
We especially
consider those
who lived deep
in sin; drug
addictions,
immorality,
crime and
other
destructive
vices.
Watching the
movie "Jesus
Revolution"
and the story
of Greg Laurie
is an example.
Before redemption transformation: The first part of today's text is a description of the unregenerate. It was surely observable when first written in the first century and it is certainly observable today. Consider the harsh truth, "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more."
This "continual lust for more" began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God had provided enough, absolutely all they needed. But in the midst of all the blessings of Eden stood the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent enticed Adam and Eve to turn their back on ALL that God provided in the garden and focus ONLY on the one fruit that was forbidden. Surely it was better, distinct, and more desirable than ALL that God provided for their daily satiation and sustenance. Because they did not resist Satan's temptation, their disobedience resulted in what theologians call "original sin". And ever since that time mankind has had a hard time resisting the forbidden!
Whatever level of wickedness appeases the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient. The "more" of sin is never enough.
After redemption transformation: But our Scripture selection has a marvelous transition phrase, "You, however, did not come to know Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20). Those who experience the redemption transformation power of Jesus Christ are different. The chains of the past are broken at last!
Before redemption transformation: The first part of today's text is a description of the unregenerate. It was surely observable when first written in the first century and it is certainly observable today. Consider the harsh truth, "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more."
This "continual lust for more" began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God had provided enough, absolutely all they needed. But in the midst of all the blessings of Eden stood the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent enticed Adam and Eve to turn their back on ALL that God provided in the garden and focus ONLY on the one fruit that was forbidden. Surely it was better, distinct, and more desirable than ALL that God provided for their daily satiation and sustenance. Because they did not resist Satan's temptation, their disobedience resulted in what theologians call "original sin". And ever since that time mankind has had a hard time resisting the forbidden!
Whatever level of wickedness appeases the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient. The "more" of sin is never enough.
After redemption transformation: But our Scripture selection has a marvelous transition phrase, "You, however, did not come to know Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20). Those who experience the redemption transformation power of Jesus Christ are different. The chains of the past are broken at last!
As
a result of
genuine
conversion we
are
regenerated
and the slide
into decadence
stops and the
renewal begins
(Romans
12:1,2). We
are a new
creation (2
Corinthians
5:17). Rather
than having a
continual lust
for more
wickedness we
become seekers
of God's
Kingdom and
desire more
purity and
righteousness.
Since
then I walk in
forgiveness
All of my guilt was erased
The chains of the past
Are broken at last
I got saved
Oh, I got saved
All of my guilt was erased
The chains of the past
Are broken at last
I got saved
Oh, I got saved
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
shape my
thinking into
that which
will bring
about growth
and conformity
to Your will.
Teach me not
to go by my
own human
instincts but
by Your truth
and guidance
as it is
revealed in
Your Word. It
will keep me
from lusting
after deadly
forbidden
fruit if I
plant myself
into that
which is holy
and righteous.
As the world
continues to
slide into
decadence help
me to delve
deeper into
Your Word and
faithfully
commune with
You so that my
heart does not
grow cold or
indifferent.
Nor will I be
drawn into
every kind of
impurity with
a continual
lust for more.
I want to
stand firm to
the end so
that I am
saved from
this world of
sin and
influence
others to live
a godly life.
Through
Christ's
strength and
my prayerful
resolve I will
remain
faithful and
always want
more of You.
Amen.Ray
called me
after I got
home from the
hospital (I
had given him
my contact
info) and
since then we
have talked
over the phone
a couple of
times,
including this
morning. We
plan to meet
up and may
very well have
a followup
message when
we hear his
whole
testimony.
Brooksyne's
note: I
just read "Won
by Love"
and the very
dramatic
salvation
experience of
Norma
McCorvey, of
Roe V. Wade.
Norma, also
known by the
pseudonym
"Jane Roe",
was the
plaintiff in
the landmark
American legal
case Roe v.
Wade in which
the U.S.
Supreme Court
ruled in 1973
abortion to be
legal. It was
a seven year
old girl who
loved Jesus
and was a
daughter of a
pro-life
activist that
spoke about
her love for
Jesus often to
Norma, that
was a major
influence in
her coming to
Christ. She
went to be
with the Lord
in 2017 at 69
years of age.
Additional
study note:
Today's first
portion is a
succinct
description of
fallen
humanity. The
pronoun,
"They", is
referring to
the human
race. It
describes all
of us apart
from the
redemptive
work of
Christ. But
today
especially
consider the
phrase "a
continual lust
for more".
It's at the
heart of the
sin problem.
"More" will
always be
needed. The
progression
can be seen in
so many of
Satan's vices
such as
gambling,
alcohol, drugs
and
pornography.
The ungodly make big business out of every kind of impurity. Pornography, prostitution, vulgar media, and every other kind of impurity make up one of the largest industries in our country. The vast majority of it is open, shameless, legally protected and only a tap away.
The ungodly make big business out of every kind of impurity. Pornography, prostitution, vulgar media, and every other kind of impurity make up one of the largest industries in our country. The vast majority of it is open, shameless, legally protected and only a tap away.
A
Christian
leader
observed that
many of the
books
published in
the United
States today
rival the
drippings of a
broken sewer.
This
observation
preceded the
massive
availability
through the
internet and
other modern
media. Now the
drippings have
become a
surging flood.
With the flood of evil, pornography and perversions sweeping through our land and being introduced to young innocent children those who have partaken will have "a continual lust for more" and it will increase exponentially as it is being "normalized". Deeper and deeper depths of depravity can be expected and the evil acts that accompany it.
With the flood of evil, pornography and perversions sweeping through our land and being introduced to young innocent children those who have partaken will have "a continual lust for more" and it will increase exponentially as it is being "normalized". Deeper and deeper depths of depravity can be expected and the evil acts that accompany it.
Today's
study prompted
a
consideration
of where, in
addition to
today's text,
the phrase "You,
however"
is used in
Paul's
epistles:
"You,
however,
are not in the
realm of the
flesh but are
in the realm
of the Spirit,
if indeed the
Spirit of God
lives in you.
And if anyone
does not have
the Spirit of
Christ, they
do not belong
to Christ"
(Romans 8:9).
"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance" (2 Timothy 3:10).
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1).
"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance" (2 Timothy 3:10).
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1).
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
"I
Won’t Go Back"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Brooklyn
Tabernacle
(the song
quoted from in
the beginning
of our
message)
"More
About Jesus"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
The Blackwood
Brothers
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
When
we passed the
farm shown in
our lead photo
one of the
barn doors was
open.
I like the
winding
stairway to
the left
leading up to
the barn loft.
Scenes like
this stir
childhood
memories of
all the fun we
had playing in
the barn loft
on my Uncle's
farm near
Harwood
Missouri.
Click
on photo to
enlarge
The
old Steincross
barn near
Harwood was
sill standing
when we drove
by ten years
ago and the
barnyard had
livestock. The
farm, which
was in the
family over
100 years, is
now owned by
plain people
(old order
Mennonite and
Amish refer to
themselves as
plain). We
sure had lots
of fun in that
barn and those
fields as
children in
the 60's.
Yesterday
morning we
passed this
farm implement
dealer in
northeast
Lebanon County
who used a
creative way
to display a
tractor. I
suppose he had
a dirt pile
and thought
that would be
a good place
to show off
the tractor.
You sure
couldn't miss
it as you
drove along!
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.)
We want to thank all who financially support 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 you would like information about making a donation to our ministry see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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)
If
you desire you
can also
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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Daily
Encouragement on: 
Wordpress
iHeart
radio
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.
Wordpress
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.
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 2023 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA