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,
July 12, 2023
The
Old Windmill
Farm welcomed
a newly born
colt on
Monday!
"Are
You 'Woke' or 'Based'?"
Message
summary:
Let us build
our house on
the rock and
be based!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"They
invent ways of
doing evil"
(Romans 1:30).
"So that we
may no longer
be children,
tossed to and
fro by the
waves and
carried about
by every wind
of doctrine,
by human
cunning, by
craftiness in
deceitful
schemes"
(Ephesians
4:14). "He has
now reconciled
in His body of
flesh by His
death, in
order to
present you
holy and
blameless and
above reproach
before Him, if
indeed you
continue in
the faith,
stable and
steadfast, not
shifting from
the hope of
the gospel
that you
heard, which
has been
proclaimed in
all creation
under heaven,
and of which
I, Paul,
became a
minister"
(Colossians
1:22,23).
I
am always a
bit late when
it comes to
understanding
popular
culture since
that is not my
main
aspiration in
life. My major
was the Bible
in preparation
for vocational
ministry.
(That
aspiration is
expressed in Matthew
6:33.)
I'm
not sure when
"woke" first
became a part
of my
vocabulary,
but it was
probably when
I was 3 or 4
and looked for
my mom after
waking up in
the morning. I
probably found
her working in
the kitchen
and reported,
"Mom, I woke
up".
"Woke"
is
historically
the past tense
of "wake"
as defined in
my Webster's
Unabridged
Dictionary. In
fact in that
huge 2078 page
tome it is the
only
definition for
woke.But
in more recent
years "woke"
has come to
have another
meaning, now
being defined
as "aware of
and actively
attentive to
important
societal facts
and issues
(especially
issues of
racial and
social
justice)". By
this
definition, I
agree that a
follower of
Christ should
be woke in
this sense,
"aware of and
actively
attentive to
important
societal facts
and issues".
We certainly
shouldn't be
oblivious to
these issues!
However
the word
"woke" has
come to
connote
someone who
accepts every
crazy notion
that comes
down the pike
and has no
deeply held
convictions or
beliefs. Let
me illustrate
with a
currently "hot
topic", the
crazy notion
of men who are
pretending to
be women*
demanding to
play in
women's sports
or use their
facilities.
Some ten years
ago if I were
to have said
this was
coming I would
have been
considered a
crazy! In fact
those "woke"
at that time
would probably
have said,
"That's
absolutely
ridiculous!
That's never
going to
happen!" Then
it happens and
they
eventually go
along with it
as OK, (though
it often
depends on
their source
of information
or their
upbringing)!
To "go with
the flow" is
the sense of
having no
convictions.
Some
15 years ago
politicians
even liberal
ones, were
actually
stating their
conviction
that marriage
was
exclusively
between a man
and woman. But
many abandoned
that
"conviction"
for political
expediency.
We have
a few regular
associations
who are woke
in this sense
(that we are
aware of) and
those who are
we sort of
avoid
confrontational
speech
although it
certainly
doesn't lead
to having a
very deep
relationship.
But then we
are
essentially on
different
sides.
Scripture
accurately
describes this
sense of
"woke" with
the phrase in
Romans 1:30, "They
invent ways of
doing evil".
Or in
Ephesians 4:14
as those "tossed
to and fro by
the waves and
carried about
by every wind
of doctrine".
"Based"
is another
word that I've
heard more
recently that
pertains to
this subject
matter. "Being
'based' means
that someone
has a strong
base of morals
that
usually
leans towards
conservativism".
Often these
are people
like me that
never fell for
the "woke"
nonsense but
also describes
many who
finally genuinely
wake up
and see the
nonsense of
contemporary
wokeness. This
sense is
actually one
of the
definitions
for "base" in
the 1989
Webster's
Unabridged
Dictionary.
Scripturally
being based is
described with
words such as
stable,
steadfast,
grounded,
having a
foundation,
etc. The text
from
Colossians
expresses
this: "Continue
in the faith,
stable and
steadfast, not
shifting from
the hope of
the gospel
that you
heard." The
based person
does not
get "tossed
to and fro by
the waves and
carried about
by every wind
of doctrine."
Perhaps
the best
illustration
of the
contrast
between "woke"
and "based" is
the story
Jesus
concluded with
on His Sermon
on the Mount
in Matthew
7:24-27.
It contrasts
the foolish
man who built
his house on
the sand and
the wise man
who built his
house on the
rock. Let us
build our
house on the
rock and be
based!
Daily
prayer: Father
in heaven, we
ask You to
help us apply
Your teachings
to our lives
so that our
foundation
will be firm,
unshakable and
storm-proof
when the
howling winds
and surging
rains of
doubt,
intimidation,
and mockery
beat against
us. The
foundation of
this world is
temporal and
growing more
and more
decadent, so
we, as
believers,
choose instead
to build our
lives on the
eternal
foundation of
Your
everlasting
Holy Word, as
You teach us
all throughout
Scripture. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.Four
Firm
Foundations
That Will
Stand!
1)
The firm
foundation of
Biblical
authority.
"The grass
withers, the
flowers fade,
but the word
of our God
stands
forever"
(Isaiah 40:8).
2) The firm foundation of Jesus Christ. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11).
3) The firm foundation of the church. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:19-21).
4) The firm foundation of the apostolic doctrine. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). "Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 3).
2) The firm foundation of Jesus Christ. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11).
3) The firm foundation of the church. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:19-21).
4) The firm foundation of the apostolic doctrine. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). "Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 3).
Our
friend Richard
Dresselhaus shares
a daily
message each
day
on his blog "One
For The Road"
and this one
fits today's
theme well:
The
plain reading.
That’s the
best way to
understand
Scripture.
Familiarize yourself with the historical content. Seek to grasp the meaning intended by the author. Then you can discover the plain meaning of Scripture.
The temptation is to read into Scripture what is not there. Instead…ask the Holy Spirit to open the Word to your heart.
Sometimes arrogance takes over…and people impose their own ideas into Scripture -- and hope to impress others with their intellect…creativity…and profound understanding.
Peter speaks of the abuse of Paul’s writings – “...which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Here is another good test. Is this understanding of Scripture validated by the historical understanding of a passage of Scripture?
Correctly divide the Word – that’s always the goal.
Familiarize yourself with the historical content. Seek to grasp the meaning intended by the author. Then you can discover the plain meaning of Scripture.
The temptation is to read into Scripture what is not there. Instead…ask the Holy Spirit to open the Word to your heart.
Sometimes arrogance takes over…and people impose their own ideas into Scripture -- and hope to impress others with their intellect…creativity…and profound understanding.
Peter speaks of the abuse of Paul’s writings – “...which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Here is another good test. Is this understanding of Scripture validated by the historical understanding of a passage of Scripture?
Correctly divide the Word – that’s always the goal.
*
Of course I am
aware the
worldly made
up word for
this
pretending or
identifying as
a member of
the opposite
sex is
"transgender",
a word so new
it is not even
in the 1989
unabridged
dictionary let
alone in the
Bible!
Interestingly
the only word
beginning with
transg...is
transgression!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"How
Firm A
Foundation"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Sovereign
Grace Music
"The
Solid Rock"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Sovereign
Grace Music
"Firm
Foundation"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Cody
Carnes
This is one
the newer
songs that is
getting a lot
of playtime at
least till the
next newer
song comes
out! The
lyrics state:
Christ
is my firm
foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
He won’t, He won’t
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
He won’t, He won’t
I’ve
still got joy
in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
Regarding
the Old
Windmill Farm
colt seen in
our lead photo:
On their Facebook
page the
family is
requesting
names and have
received these
suggestions
among many
others: Socks,
Boots, Oreo.
Some
scenes from a
bike ride in
our
neighborhood
yesterday
We've
had some nice
rains that
have really
greened
everything up.
I came upon
these children
playing in a
swollen
Donegal Creek
yesterday
bringing back
memories of
how I liked to
play in the
creeks near
Belton MO back
in the 60's.
This is a
River Brethren
family and the
mothers are
gathered
around a tree
in the
background.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Moses
and his
brother Ben
were cutting
hay on Trout
Run Road. Both
are newly
married and
establishing
their
households.
They also grow
herbs for
market and Ben
showed me a
large
greenhouse
filled with
basil. Every
year Brooksyne
grows a number
of basil
plants since
she likes to
make basil
pesto and use
basil with
dishes that
include
tomatoes.
Late
in the
afternoon this
farmer was
completing the
chore of
raking his hay
off Carmany
Road. Notice
the newly
harvested
wheat field in
the foreground
and the corn
in the
background.
These are the
mosaics that
make our
Lancaster
County fields
so beautiful
throughout the
spring and
summer months.
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 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.
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