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ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Tuesday,
January 23, 2024
Winter
scenes have
blanketed many
regions this
last week.
Duke,
a friend from
Delaware, sent
us a photo of
his walk in
the woods.
"Unwavering
Commitment"
Note:
This week we
have developed
a four part
series based
upon four
characteristics
demonstrated
by Daniel,
Hananiah,
Mishael and
Azariah. Our
first message
was "Uncompromising
Convictions".
Message summary: There are several things in life that should never be a "phase", the most important being our life-long, unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
Message summary: There are several things in life that should never be a "phase", the most important being our life-long, unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:12).
We often use the term "going through a phase" in life. This is particularly true in early life, especially teenagers when social pressure and fads are especially prominent. Some we look back on and say, "Did I really do that", like wearing bell bottoms (70's) and men getting permanents (I think Bill Gaither started that).
At
least we
didn't have
fads like boys
pretending to
be girls or
vice versa let
alone the
unbelievable
"furry" fad. We
wonder
what crazy fad
is just around
the corner
that we can't
even imagine
now!
We
have also had
different
interests in
various phases
of life. In
our twenties
and thirties
Brooksyne and
I both really
enjoyed
playing
tennis. Not so
much anymore,
actually not
at all, due to
aging factors
such as knee
mobility
issues.
However this
spring we are
going to try
to play
pickleball
since we have
a long
driveway,
though not
very wide.
We'll see how
that goes.
Brooksyne recalls her years of counted cross stitching, crafts, calligraphy and sewing her own clothing. That too is a thing of the past. Her sewing machine is used more for repairing than creating these days with a few exceptions.
Some of our interest phases were really short lived such as inline skating. We were in our early forties at the time and had seen young people gracefully swoosh by on biking trails. It looked like so much fun! We each bought a pair and still remember that it was the first and last time we tried them on a paved recreational trail near New Bedford, Massachusetts. We were not graceful and we certainly didn't swoosh by anyone. I should have known from my lack of proficiency at roller skating that this was not a good idea. In roller skating I am told my style of roller skating looks more like I'm trying to walk on stilts.That's what it feels like as well. I wobble and stumble my way to the nearest railing, holding on for dear life. Some tell me (including Brooksyne) that I look a lot like Herman Munster out on the rink.
In regard to certain expressions of ministry we have also had phases. For the first 25 years we focused on our service to local churches where I served as a pastor. In the last 25 years (which includes some overlap) we have focused on our corporate chaplaincy and this Daily Encouragement writing ministry.
But there are several things in life that should never be a "phase", the most important being our unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
Today we consider the second of four characteristics Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah demonstrated: unwavering commitment. They faced their biggest test. (In this case it was just Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It is assumed Daniel was away).
The ungodly edict was unambiguous and straightforward, "You must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up" (Daniel 3:5). The consequences of not doing so also left little wiggle room, "Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace" (Daniel 3:6).
But these three men made a commitment to their God and surely recalled the first two of the Ten Commandments:
To these three young men, following their God was not a phase. They had made a firm commitment and resolved in their hearts and actions to keep it. Thus the message to the king from the troublemaking tattlers was this, "They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up".
Years earlier the prophet Elijah had challenged the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). "Waver" means to be undecided between two courses of action; be irresolute. Synonyms are hesitate, dither, equivocate, vacillate, waffle, fluctuate.
However there is no evidence that these three men of faith wavered at all. Rather they demonstrated unswerving courage as they faced this life or death test which we will share about tomorrow.
Are you demonstrating unwavering commitment in your walk with God? If so, you can blend your voice with the apostle Paul in declaring aloud, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Brooksyne recalls her years of counted cross stitching, crafts, calligraphy and sewing her own clothing. That too is a thing of the past. Her sewing machine is used more for repairing than creating these days with a few exceptions.
Some of our interest phases were really short lived such as inline skating. We were in our early forties at the time and had seen young people gracefully swoosh by on biking trails. It looked like so much fun! We each bought a pair and still remember that it was the first and last time we tried them on a paved recreational trail near New Bedford, Massachusetts. We were not graceful and we certainly didn't swoosh by anyone. I should have known from my lack of proficiency at roller skating that this was not a good idea. In roller skating I am told my style of roller skating looks more like I'm trying to walk on stilts.That's what it feels like as well. I wobble and stumble my way to the nearest railing, holding on for dear life. Some tell me (including Brooksyne) that I look a lot like Herman Munster out on the rink.
In regard to certain expressions of ministry we have also had phases. For the first 25 years we focused on our service to local churches where I served as a pastor. In the last 25 years (which includes some overlap) we have focused on our corporate chaplaincy and this Daily Encouragement writing ministry.
But there are several things in life that should never be a "phase", the most important being our unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
Today we consider the second of four characteristics Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah demonstrated: unwavering commitment. They faced their biggest test. (In this case it was just Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It is assumed Daniel was away).
The ungodly edict was unambiguous and straightforward, "You must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up" (Daniel 3:5). The consequences of not doing so also left little wiggle room, "Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace" (Daniel 3:6).
But these three men made a commitment to their God and surely recalled the first two of the Ten Commandments:
First
Commandment:
"You shall
have no other
gods before
me."
Second Commandment: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."
Second Commandment: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."
To these three young men, following their God was not a phase. They had made a firm commitment and resolved in their hearts and actions to keep it. Thus the message to the king from the troublemaking tattlers was this, "They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up".
Years earlier the prophet Elijah had challenged the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). "Waver" means to be undecided between two courses of action; be irresolute. Synonyms are hesitate, dither, equivocate, vacillate, waffle, fluctuate.
However there is no evidence that these three men of faith wavered at all. Rather they demonstrated unswerving courage as they faced this life or death test which we will share about tomorrow.
Are you demonstrating unwavering commitment in your walk with God? If so, you can blend your voice with the apostle Paul in declaring aloud, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father,
help me to
thirst and
hunger for
Your Living
Word where I
find
convincing
truths to
assure me,
“This is the
way. Walk in
it.” I want to
keep my heart
fixed upon You
and my mind
certain of
Your truths in
this age where
false
religions
abound and the
broad way
continues to
widen. Jesus
is the Way,
the Truth and
the Life and I
gain entry to
You, my
Father, only
through Jesus
the Son. I’ve
got a made up
mind and I’m
going to
follow You
during the
good and the
bad times, the
lean and
plentiful
times. Whether
I stand with
many or
whether I
stand alone, I
choose to
wholeheartedly
follow You
because I have
unwavering
commitment.
Amen.Study note: In politics it's common to overstate or generalize something to make a point even though the overstatement may not be true. This tactic can be used from both sides of the political spectrum. In today's text notice carefully the first part of the charge against the three Hebrews, "who pay no attention to you, your Majesty". That was not true. In the verses from chapter 2 that immediately precede the test of chapter 3 we read, "Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court" (Daniel 2:48,49). There's no evidence at all they paid no attention to the king or were in anyway derelict in their duties as administrators, but the broad brush smear was very effective then and still is in politics, in the church, the workplace, the family and other areas of life. That's why we need to be thoughtful in our wording and in our discernment as well.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"I
Choose Christ"
Watch
on YouTube
Karen Peck and
New River
"I Know Whom I Have Believed" Watch on YouTube Marshall Hall "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
"I Know Whom I Have Believed" Watch on YouTube Marshall Hall "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Check
out this
latest fad
among
teenagers:
Southern
Alamance
Middle School
removes
bathroom
mirrors
because of
TikTok
concerns
(video)
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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.
You
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Encouragement
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Stephen
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Weber
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Church Road
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Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
2024
offerings YTD:
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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 and a variety of other versions.
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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