The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
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Friday, August 18,
2023
Ester
took this
untouched
photo of a
Swallowtail
butterfly in
our zinnia
garden! We've
never figured
out how she
got the
contrasting
background.
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
"Spiritual
Metamorphosis"
Message
summary: God
no longer asks
us to offer
blood
sacrifices,
but instead He
calls us to
offer up our
body as a
"living
sacrifice". A
reality of
being a living
sacrifice is
the tendency
to keep
sliding off
the altar due
to our wanting
to live on the
edge instead
of the center
of His will.
We must
continually
surrender our
body, mind and
spirit to Him,
which is holy
and pleasing
to God and is
our spiritual
act of
worship.
"Therefore,
I urge you,
brothers, in
view of God's
mercy, to
offer your
bodies as
living
sacrifices,
holy and
pleasing to
God--this is
your spiritual
act of
worship. Do
not conform
any longer to
the pattern of
this world,
but be
transformed by
the renewing
of your mind.
Then you will
be able to
test and
approve what
God's will
is--His good,
pleasing and
perfect will"
(Romans
12:1,2).
Yesterday we had friends over for a late brunch. This time of year Brooksyne is pleased to invite friends over to see her many flowers thanks to her cooperative work with the Creator. We've had good rains and she also keeps them watered between so they look great.
Yesterday we had friends over for a late brunch. This time of year Brooksyne is pleased to invite friends over to see her many flowers thanks to her cooperative work with the Creator. We've had good rains and she also keeps them watered between so they look great.
For
some reason we
are not seeing
as many
butterflies as
we normally do
but the
favorite
landing spot
for
butterflies is
the aptly
named
Butterfly
Bush. I'm sure
you would
agree with us
that
butterflies
are at the top
of the most
desirable
insect list
for
photography
enthusiasts.
Spiders and
flies just
don't have the
same
photographic
appeal. Today
we share
several more
of our
favorite
butterfly
photos with
Ester taking
several of
them. (We
shared more of
Ester's with
last Friday's
message).
One
of the first
really big
words I recall
learning
(probably in
grade school
science) was
"metamorphosis",
the scientific
word
describing the
transformation
of a
caterpillar to
a butterfly.
The butterfly
larvae feed
for about two
weeks
developing
into worm like
caterpillars
about 2 inches
long. Next it
will transform
into a pupa
(or chrysalis)
and in about
two weeks
complete the
transformation
into a
colorful
butterfly. An
average
butterfly
species has an
adult life of
only 2-4
weeks, or
less!
Next week I will celebrate my spiritual birthday, the day I was born again. On August 22 1971 I responded to an altar call in Kansas City and invited Christ to reside in my heart. Sadly I floundered for about a year, trying to keep one foot in the world rather than being fully sold out to the Lord. My senior year in high school I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ which had a vibrant group of committed believers on my campus at Truman High School in Independence, MO.
One of my earliest memories of one-on-one discipling was based on our daily verse. I sat down at a long-closed King's restaurant in Independence, Missouri and talked seriously with Dave Cook, a friend who wanted to help me in my Christian walk. He drew a diagram on a napkin illustrating a spiritual truth and I have often drawn strength and encouragement from that teaching through the years. Those who have had me as a pastor have probably seen me use this illustration and of course having shared these messages for nearly 27 years it's been a topic a time or two on our dailyencouragement as well!
The
illustration
was
essentially
the same as
the garbage
in/garbage out
model we've
often heard
related to
computing.
This is used
to express the
idea that in
computing and
other spheres,
incorrect or
poor quality
input will
always produce
faulty output.
Essentially
you are what
you eat not
only
physically but
spiritually.
Next week I will celebrate my spiritual birthday, the day I was born again. On August 22 1971 I responded to an altar call in Kansas City and invited Christ to reside in my heart. Sadly I floundered for about a year, trying to keep one foot in the world rather than being fully sold out to the Lord. My senior year in high school I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ which had a vibrant group of committed believers on my campus at Truman High School in Independence, MO.
One of my earliest memories of one-on-one discipling was based on our daily verse. I sat down at a long-closed King's restaurant in Independence, Missouri and talked seriously with Dave Cook, a friend who wanted to help me in my Christian walk. He drew a diagram on a napkin illustrating a spiritual truth and I have often drawn strength and encouragement from that teaching through the years. Those who have had me as a pastor have probably seen me use this illustration and of course having shared these messages for nearly 27 years it's been a topic a time or two on our dailyencouragement as well!
The
illustration
was
essentially
the same as
the garbage
in/garbage out
model we've
often heard
related to
computing.
This is used
to express the
idea that in
computing and
other spheres,
incorrect or
poor quality
input will
always produce
faulty output.
Essentially
you are what
you eat not
only
physically but
spiritually.Feed
on ungodly
music, movies,
books,
magazines and
so forth and
you will have
that type of
character
produced.
Although not
imagined by
Dave and me
when we sat
around that
table in early
1973, consider
now the
internet which
is a source of
limitless
harmful and
helpful data.
Feed on the
Word of God,
inspirational
music, solid
Bible-based
teaching,
godly
relationships
and so forth
and Christ's
character will
develop in
you.
God is in the process of transforming us (the Greek word for "transform" in our text is the basis for this word, "metamorphosis"). The Scriptures call us to assume personal responsibility in the God-ordained process of transformation, spiritual metamorphosis. In each step of the butterfly's development it merely follows the pattern the Creator designed for it. I do not believe there is any internal resistance to being transformed.
God is in the process of transforming us (the Greek word for "transform" in our text is the basis for this word, "metamorphosis"). The Scriptures call us to assume personal responsibility in the God-ordained process of transformation, spiritual metamorphosis. In each step of the butterfly's development it merely follows the pattern the Creator designed for it. I do not believe there is any internal resistance to being transformed.
However
in our case we
battle sin,
the flesh, and
the devil.
God's
intention is
so very clear
in the first
verse: "Therefore,
I urge you,
brothers, in
view of God's
mercy, to
offer your
bodies as
living
sacrifices,
holy and
pleasing to
God--this is
your spiritual
act of
worship."
We have a duty in no longer conforming to the pattern of this world. Instead we pattern our attitudes and actions after the likeness of Christ because our minds have been renewed. We don't see things in the same way we viewed them before Jesus revealed Himself to us. This spiritual transformation or metamorphosis is not for a short season, but a lifelong process. We are being transformed and it seems that this phase will not be fully completed until the next stage of our existence, when we go to heaven.
God no longer asks us to offer blood sacrifices, but instead He calls us to offer up our body as a "living sacrifice". A reality of being a living sacrifice is the tendency to keep sliding off the altar due to our wanting to live on the edge instead of the center of His will. We must continually surrender our body, mind and spirit to Him, which is holy and pleasing to God and is our spiritual act of worship.
We have a duty in no longer conforming to the pattern of this world. Instead we pattern our attitudes and actions after the likeness of Christ because our minds have been renewed. We don't see things in the same way we viewed them before Jesus revealed Himself to us. This spiritual transformation or metamorphosis is not for a short season, but a lifelong process. We are being transformed and it seems that this phase will not be fully completed until the next stage of our existence, when we go to heaven.
God no longer asks us to offer blood sacrifices, but instead He calls us to offer up our body as a "living sacrifice". A reality of being a living sacrifice is the tendency to keep sliding off the altar due to our wanting to live on the edge instead of the center of His will. We must continually surrender our body, mind and spirit to Him, which is holy and pleasing to God and is our spiritual act of worship.
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, I pray
that You would
help me to
fully turn
away from
behaviors and
viewpoints
that
compromise my
devotion to
You. I want to
be wholly
devoted to You
as I am being
transformed
into Your
likeness. May
the lure of
this world
lessen as the
Light of Your
Word increases
in my life.
May my life be
a pleasing
sacrifice to
You, my
Father, as I
lay it down at
the foot of
the cross
where I am
redeemed by
the blood of
the Lamb.
Amen.Personal
note: This
morning we
have a
challenging
ministry
assignment.
Earlier this
week an
employee was
murdered who
worked in a
local company.
Although we
have never
served this
company our
ministry was
requested by
the owner and
we will go in
to talk to the
employees,
including the
slain
employee's
mother who
works at the
same place. We
appreciate any
prayer offered
on our behalf.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
Yesterday
we had brunch
on our deck
with our good
friends who
are also our
neighbors, Bob
and Laura
Cook. Laura's
100 year
old
mother,
Jeanette, now
lives with
them so we had
the blessing
of her company
as well.
Brooksyne
served her
popular Tomato
Pie and cheesy
garlic grits.
Bob, a retired
FBI agent and
a prolific
reader, is a
very
interesting
conversationalist
and has some
thoughtful
insight into
what is
happening in
our country.
Laura's
mother,
Jeanette, 73
years ago in
1950, standing
with her show
horse.
Jeanette,
along with
Laura, raised
and trained
many horses
over the
years. Laura
has shared a
number of
interesting
stories over
the years of
their
adventures
with their
beautiful show
horses.
Some of our butterflies through the years!
Ester took this and the following photo of a swallowtail butterfly enjoying the zinnias just beyond our front porch.
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
Black
swallowtail
butterfly
caterpillar
(Click on photo for larger view)
Eastern black swallowtail butterfly
(Click on photo for larger view)
Eastern black swallowtail butterfly
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WEBER -
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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
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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."
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