The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
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encouragement and exhortation.
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Monday, August 28,
2023
After
a wonderful
day of
fellowship
with our
family-like
friends, the
Lapp family
and the
Waldvogels, we
headed back to
Strasburg to
the Old
Windmill Farm.
There are so
many settings
that draw our
attention
including this
farm. In the
background is
the Sight and
Sound Theater.
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
"I
Woke Up To See The Light!"
Message
summary: Our
daily
Scripture
portion is a
clarion call
to all who
will live
faithfully for
Christ in an
evil age. In
yesterday's
lesson we
considered
that at the
heart of
modern day
"wokeness" is
a rejection of
God's Word.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“But
when anything
is exposed by
the light, it
becomes
visible, for
anything that
becomes
visible is
light.
Therefore it
says, ‘Awake,
O sleeper, and
arise from the
dead, and
Christ will
shine on you.’
Look carefully
then how you
walk, not as
unwise but as
wise, making
the best use
of the time,
because the
days are evil”
(Ephesians
5:13-16).
Yesterday
in our church
service we
began with
words from a
song that
resonated in
my spirit,
especially
since it
touched on the
theme of the
lesson I had
prepared for
our Crossroads
class that
follows the
main service.
It seems when
we study and
muse on a
certain topic
we see a lot
that relates
to it. Our
opening song
had these
words:
No
longer I who
live
Now Jesus lives in me
For I was dead in sin
But I woke up to see the light
Now Jesus lives in me
For I was dead in sin
But I woke up to see the light
O
the
blessedness of
waking up to
see the light!
For the
redeemed, it
happened at
the time they
first believed
and accepted
Christ. But
there's also
an ongoing
characteristic
needed for staying
awake. After
all, in our
text, Paul is
writing to the
believers
in Ephesus.
Our daily Scripture portion is a clarion call to all who will live faithfully for Christ in an evil age. In yesterday's lesson we considered that at the heart of modern day "wokeness" is a rejection of God's Word.
I
stepped out on
our deck this
morning and
saw that
Brooksyne had
prepared a
piece of
buttered toast
with
blackberry/rhubarb
jam along with
a good strong
cup of "wake
up" coffee
helps
illustrate
today's
message! Our
summer will
soon come to
an end so we
eat our meals
outside as
much as
possible.The
phrase, ‘Awake,
O sleeper, and
arise from the
dead, and
Christ will
shine on you’
is thought by
many
commentators
to be a
quotation from
an early
Christian
hymn. If so,
it illustrates
the power of
music to
reinforce
theology.
Others
feel Paul may
be alluding to
Scripture,
although this
is not a
direct quote
of any known
Scripture. One
verse that
Paul may have
been alluding
to could be
Isaiah 60:1, "Arise,
shine; for
your light has
come, and the
glory of the
LORD has risen
upon you".
William McDonald comments on this passage, “The life of the believer should always be preaching a sermon, should always be exposing the surrounding darkness, should always be extending this invitation to unbelievers...awake...arise from the dead.”
William McDonald comments on this passage, “The life of the believer should always be preaching a sermon, should always be exposing the surrounding darkness, should always be extending this invitation to unbelievers...awake...arise from the dead.”
May
God help us to
faithfully
live for Him
in this dark
and evil age
being “self-controlled
and alert”
(1 Peter
5:8a).
We
began today's
message with a
newer song on
this topic but
we end with a
classic hymn
of praise
calling for
our soul to
awake.
Awake,
my soul, and
sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, our
lives were
once filled
with darkness
before You
awakened us
enabling us to
walk as
children of
light. May our
"armor of
light" make an
inroad in the
domain of
darkness as
You set us
apart to honor
and glorify
You in all
that we do. We
want to be
attentive to
Your
life-transforming
truths as You
impart them to
our hearts not
just for a
season but for
all our lives
as You help us
to be
self-controlled
and alert in
this present
age. In the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Crown
Him With Many
Crowns"
Watch
video on
YouTube
Shane and
Shane
This hymn is
where the
verse from our
second song
today comes
from.
On
Friday we
stopped by the
Corn Crib to
get corn,
peppers and
tomatoes which
were needed
for the Sunday
meal Brooksyne
was preparing
for our
guests.
As you can see
the tomatoes
were needed
for this
tomato/bacon
pie Brooksyne
enjoys making
in the summer
months while
tomatoes are
tasty and
available!
On
neighbor,
Leon, stopped
in to ask if
we knew anyone
who had sheep
as he had
found a stray
on our road
yesterday and
is temporarily
holding it in
his pasture.
During our
conversation I
asked him if
he'd be
willing to
take the Lapp
children for a
ride on his
golf cart,
which he
gladly agreed
to do. The two
mile round
trip trail
begins across
from our house
where the
youngsters
enjoyed seeing
their scenic
ride.
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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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