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)
Monday, May
22, 2023
We always enjoy seeing the window open in the back of the buggy and the kids looking back at the cars that follow, often waving at passengers as they eventually pass the buggy.
"Grace
Teaches"
Message
summary: As
recipients of
God’s grace we
allow it to
teach us. It
teaches us to
“say ‘No’
to ungodliness
and worldly
passions”,
which abound
in this fallen
world of which
we are
inhabitants.
As those who
seek to please
the Lord we
are called “to
live
self-controlled,
upright and
godly lives in
this present
age". This
is what grace
teaches us!
The question
is are we
learning? And,
if so, are we
obeying?
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It (grace) teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It (grace) teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).
Yesterday
I met an older
man who
sat behind me
in the church
service
whose name is
Titus. Now I
can't recall
ever meeting a
man named
Titus, which
is unusual
since the
other named
Pastoral
Epistle
recipient is
Timothy and
I've known
many Timothys.
When
I meet someone
with a Bible
name I often
ask them if
they
know a
verse I have
memorized from
the Bible book
bearing their
name or about
the Bible
character they
are named
after. Earlier
yesterday
morning in the
foyer I met a
young man
named Isaiah
so I asked him
if he was
familiar
with
Isaiah 26:3.
He wasn't but
when I started
quoting the
verse his
grandmother
recognized it
right away!
When
I met Titus I
asked him if
he was
familiar with
Titus 2:11-14.
He wasn't so I
hope my
question
prompted him
to look it up.
It's a verse I
memorized
early in my
ministry and
meeting Titus
yesterday also
prompts
today's study
from this
wonderful
text.
Grace
is a great
teacher about
God’s power.
Grace also
teaches us to
fear God and
it speaks to
us of the
consequences
of sin.
Consider this
familiar line
from the hymn,
“Amazing
Grace”, “’Twas
grace that taught
my heart to
fear".
But today let us consider another aspect of grace as a teacher. It seems to us that many in the modern church have lost this message and too often see grace as a mere “get out of hell free card”.
But today let us consider another aspect of grace as a teacher. It seems to us that many in the modern church have lost this message and too often see grace as a mere “get out of hell free card”.
The
text begins,
“For the grace
of God that
brings
salvation has
appeared to
all men.”
We thank God
for His
unmerited
favor or as
the familiar
acrostic
states:
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
God’s
grace indeed
brings
salvation. It
is the free,
undeserved
gift available
to the entire
human race.
Our response
is to accept,
believe, and
follow Christ.
(John 3:16)
But
the full
teaching of
Holy Scripture
concerning
grace includes
the truth that
God’s grace
will transform
us as a result
of salvation.
“Transforming
Grace” is the
title of an
excellent book
written by the
late Jerry
Bridges I read
many years
ago.
We both have committed the daily Scripture portion to memory and encourage you to do the same. It is a solemn reminder of the very essence of living a life that pleases God as a result of God’s grace. I find it helpful to slightly reword it to make it personal:
But
the full
teaching of
Holy Scripture
concerning
grace includes
the truth that
God’s grace
will transform
us as a result
of salvation.
“Transforming
Grace” is the
title of an
excellent book
written by the
late Jerry
Bridges I read
many years
ago.We both have committed the daily Scripture portion to memory and encourage you to do the same. It is a solemn reminder of the very essence of living a life that pleases God as a result of God’s grace. I find it helpful to slightly reword it to make it personal:
“For
the grace of
God that
brings
salvation has
appeared to
me. God’s
grace teaches
me to say “No”
to ungodliness
and worldly
passions, and
to live a
self-controlled,
upright and
godly life in
this present
age, while I
wait for the
blessed
hope—the
glorious
appearing of
my great God
and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
who gave
Himself for me
to redeem me
from all
wickedness and
to purify for
Himself a
person that is
His very own,
eager to do
what is good.”
The barrage of ungodliness that abounds in this world can easily pull us down in our emotions and spirit when the sordid details of evil fill the pages of the news. It’s hard to look upon evil after we have been redeemed from such wickedness. We must choose to keep a heavenly focus by living a self-controlled, godly life so that the dark things of this world will be overpowered by the bright light of God’s glory and grace!
As recipients of God’s grace we allow it to teach us. It teaches us to “say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions”, which abound in this fallen world of which we are inhabitants. As those who seek to please the Lord we are called “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age". This is what grace teaches us!
The
question we
need to ask
ourselves, are
we learning?
And, if so,
are we
obeying?
Daily
prayer: Father,
we thank You
for Your grace
that meets our
most pressing
needs. It also
helps us to
say “no” to
those
temptations
that are
common to all
and purifies
us to be Your
holy people
who are eager
to do that
which is good.
Your grace
helps us to
rise above the
struggles of
this world and
most
especially
when we focus
on the
perfect,
everlasting
life to come
when the
glorious
appearing of
Jesus takes us
up in the air
to be with Him
forever in
glory. Fill us
with
anticipation
and
expectancy,
Father. In
Jesus’ name we
pray.
Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Turn
Your Eyes Upon
Jesus"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Sovereign
Grace Music
Brooksyne's
Note:
I find in my
life a
regular,
ongoing need
to renew and
sharpen my
focus. It
seems I so
easily lapse
into making
perishable
things and
prevailing
troubles of
this earth my
focal point.
One of the
first choruses
I recall
singing
shortly after
I turned to
Christ was
“Turn Your
Eyes Upon
Jesus.” It has
a line that
states “Look
full in His
wonderful
face, and the
things of
earth will
grow strangely
dim, in the
light of His
glory and
grace.” That’s
sure what I
need, for it
is a glorious
perspective by
which to guide
my thought
process.
Interestingly,
Helen Howarth
Lemmel, who
wrote the hymn
grew blind in
her latter
years and so
she knew from
personal
experience the
process by
which one
loses physical
sight.
She also found
sufficient
grace to take
hold of that
which is seen
only in the
Spirit realm
by refocusing
her heart and
mind on the
imperishable,
immortal God
seen through
eyes of faith.
An
Inspiration Of
Song - the
story behind
the song "Turn
Your Eyes Upon
Jesus"
Click to listen on YouTube
Click to listen on YouTube
CALVARY
CHURCH
WORSHIP: THREE
SONGS
5/21/2023
Click
to listen on
YouTube
(See if you
can find
Brooksyne!)
Stephen
mentioned that
he met Titus
before the
church service
began
yesterday. Our
choir led in
worship so I
was on the
platform and
met up with
Seth Linford
(front) and
Silas Werner
(back). They
play the
percussion
instruments
which adds so
much to the
instrumentation
of the
orchestra.
Both are
homes-schooled
and Silas will
graduate in
just a couple
weeks or so.
Interestingly,
he is #8 of
ten children
in his family
and his mother
home-schooled
every one of
them! It was
also
interesting
that he lives
just a couple
streets up the
road from us
here in Mount
Joy. I looked
on Facebook
and came
across The
Werner Family
Band where you
can see that
Silas joins
his brothers
and is playing
yet a
different
instrument. He
didn't even
mention that
his family has
a band. What
talent, skill
and
discipline! I
applaud this
amazing family
and their
commitment to
Christ. These
boys are on
loan to
Calvary Church
since we don't
have a
percussionist
this year in
our orchestra
so we are
grateful to
these boys,
their parents
and churches
as they assist
our choir when
we lead
worship.
Finally
today:
Friday's
message
dealt with the
impact of
"little
things"
prompted by
our loss of
water pressure
due to a dirty
water filter.
Bob, a
longtime
friend, shared
his story.
This March we
woke up, and
it felt chilly
in the house.
Checking the
thermostat, it
was 64
degrees. We
prayed, turned
it "off" then
back "on" but
with no
response from
the furnace.
Called our
heating guys
who came right
out. The
technician
came to my
office door
holding the
furnace filter
which looked
clogged and
bowed in. "You
are not going
to like the
news I have
for you," he
said. "The
clogged filter
caused the
duct to
collapse which
shut down your
furnace. We
need to
replace the
ducting and
put in an
additional
intake box."
Neglecting a
$12 filter
change
resulted in a
multi-thousand
dollar repair
to bring the
intake system
up to code!
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. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support 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.
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