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,
January 24, 2024
Sunrise
early
yesterday
morning on
Harvest Road
in Lancaster
County
"Unswerving
Courage"
Note:
This week we
are sharing a
four part
series based
upon four
characteristics
demonstrated
by Daniel,
Hananiah,
Mishael and
Azariah. Our
previous
messages were
"Uncompromising
Convictions",
"Unwavering
Commitment"
Message summary: There is an ancient and ongoing contest between two opposing worldviews; one that is raging to this day and will do so until the return of the Lord. In fact we expect it will get far more intense as God judges the world and the compromising church. Today let us make a firm resolve that we will not compromise butz remain obedient to God regardless of the consequences with unswerving courage.
Message summary: There is an ancient and ongoing contest between two opposing worldviews; one that is raging to this day and will do so until the return of the Lord. In fact we expect it will get far more intense as God judges the world and the compromising church. Today let us make a firm resolve that we will not compromise butz remain obedient to God regardless of the consequences with unswerving courage.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand" (Daniel 3:16-17).
Increasingly, taking a stand for Christ requires greater courage here in the U.S. While this has always been the case in many places, modern examples of genuine courage are witnessed from every part of the globe, most which are often unheralded. But in many places it takes amazing courage to remain faithful to Christ.
Practically
daily now we
are hearing
reports of
horrific
atrocities to
Christians,
especially now
in Africa and
most notably
in Nigeria.
But it's
happening all
over and of
course in so
much of the
Middle East.
Many of us recall the story and graphic image of the beheadings of the Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. Sadly we can hear so much news like this that we can grow numb.
I read an amazing story of faith from The Voice Of The Martyrs, a ministry focusing on persecution. I recall when I first saw the iconic photo on the beach I noticed a young black man among those slain. I didn't give it a lot of thought since I assume there are a variety of races in Egypt, including black, but there is more to the story and it will move you. We might call it "the rest of the story" (at least the part witnessed on this side).
Initially, it was believed that all of the men killed for their faith were from small villages in Egypt. However, the name and background of one of those killed, a black man, was unknown. Mathew Ayairga was soon identified by friends after being recognized in video footage of the killings released by ISIS. According to Ahram-Canadian News, Mathew was from Chad. Mathew had gone missing in January 2015, captured by one of the radical groups in Libya who have kidnapped hundreds, both Muslim and Christian.
A video shows each of the Christian men dressed in orange jumpsuits, kneeling on a beach, with their black-clothed attackers standing behind them. Each one is systematically beheaded, and the video clearly shows many of the men crying out, “Lord Jesus Christ” in their final moments.
According
to reports,
Mathew Ayairga
was not a
Christian
before this.
However, when
moments before
his death the
ISIS
extremists
demanded that
he follow
Islam, Mathew
turned them
down. After
reportedly
witnessing the
“immense
faith” of the
Egyptian
believers, he
decided to
become a
follower of
Christ.
On camera, one of the terrorists asked Matthew, “Do you reject Christ?” He responded, “Their God is my God,” and he became one of the 21 men who died for his faith in Christ.
Many of us recall the story and graphic image of the beheadings of the Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. Sadly we can hear so much news like this that we can grow numb.
I read an amazing story of faith from The Voice Of The Martyrs, a ministry focusing on persecution. I recall when I first saw the iconic photo on the beach I noticed a young black man among those slain. I didn't give it a lot of thought since I assume there are a variety of races in Egypt, including black, but there is more to the story and it will move you. We might call it "the rest of the story" (at least the part witnessed on this side).
Initially, it was believed that all of the men killed for their faith were from small villages in Egypt. However, the name and background of one of those killed, a black man, was unknown. Mathew Ayairga was soon identified by friends after being recognized in video footage of the killings released by ISIS. According to Ahram-Canadian News, Mathew was from Chad. Mathew had gone missing in January 2015, captured by one of the radical groups in Libya who have kidnapped hundreds, both Muslim and Christian.
A video shows each of the Christian men dressed in orange jumpsuits, kneeling on a beach, with their black-clothed attackers standing behind them. Each one is systematically beheaded, and the video clearly shows many of the men crying out, “Lord Jesus Christ” in their final moments.
According
to reports,
Mathew Ayairga
was not a
Christian
before this.
However, when
moments before
his death the
ISIS
extremists
demanded that
he follow
Islam, Mathew
turned them
down. After
reportedly
witnessing the
“immense
faith” of the
Egyptian
believers, he
decided to
become a
follower of
Christ.On camera, one of the terrorists asked Matthew, “Do you reject Christ?” He responded, “Their God is my God,” and he became one of the 21 men who died for his faith in Christ.
Today
let us examine
one of the
greatest
demonstrations
of authentic
courage in the
entire Bible.
This week's
messages have
been on the
lives of
Hananiah,
Mishael and
Azariah who
are better
known as
Shadrach,
Meshach and
Abednego. They
demonstrated
uncompromising
convictions
when they
refused to eat
the king's
food. They
demonstrated
unwavering
commitment
when they
refused to bow
down to the
golden image.
Now
they stand
before King
Nebuchadnezzar
who is "furious
with rage"
(Daniel 3:13)
and fully
prepared to
throw them
into the fiery
furnace.
He repeated the choice they had and gave them another chance, "If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15).
Their response is one of the most courageous faith statements in the Bible. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand" (Daniel 3:16-17).
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter." Consider their boldness in saying this to the king. Other versions state, "we do not need to defend ourselves", or "we don’t need to explain these things to you". From a worldly perspective they had every duty to answer him but I believe in this phrase they are expressing confidence that they ultimately answer to a power infinitely higher.
"If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace." We know what happened and how it came out, but at this point they didn't! Yet they were confident that God is able to deliver.
"And He will deliver us out of your hand." They knew that whatever happened they would be delivered from the hand of the proud king.
The young Hebrew men's decision to stand faithful to the one true God was deeply settled before the time of testing came; they had no time to deliberate or justify their actions should they choose to obey. The consequence of their actions did not drive their thinking.
He repeated the choice they had and gave them another chance, "If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15).
Their response is one of the most courageous faith statements in the Bible. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand" (Daniel 3:16-17).
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter." Consider their boldness in saying this to the king. Other versions state, "we do not need to defend ourselves", or "we don’t need to explain these things to you". From a worldly perspective they had every duty to answer him but I believe in this phrase they are expressing confidence that they ultimately answer to a power infinitely higher.
"If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace." We know what happened and how it came out, but at this point they didn't! Yet they were confident that God is able to deliver.
"And He will deliver us out of your hand." They knew that whatever happened they would be delivered from the hand of the proud king.
The young Hebrew men's decision to stand faithful to the one true God was deeply settled before the time of testing came; they had no time to deliberate or justify their actions should they choose to obey. The consequence of their actions did not drive their thinking.
The
answer came
quickly
because they
had been
making the
right choices
all along.
Decisions, big
and small,
become easier
when your will
to please God
outweighs your
will to please
those in the
world,
including
authority
figures. When
one bases his
life on
Biblical
principle, the
most important
decisions are
already made.
When given the choice between bowing down to the image of gold or being thrown in a fiery furnace they told him, "Be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:18).
Since this is a famous Bible story many readers are familiar with the miraculous outcome and their supernatural deliverance from the fiery furnace. But their decision to be faithful and obedient was not contingent upon the outcome as to whether or not they saw deliverance on this side. Whatever happened, they were not going to compromise. That's because they had "unshakable confidence" which will be our message tomorrow.
Here's the application lesson for today:
There is an ancient and ongoing contest between two opposing worldviews; one that is raging to this day and will do so until the return of the Lord. In fact we expect it will get far more intense as God judges the world and the compromising church. Today let us make a firm resolve that we will not compromise and will remain obedient to God regardless of the consequences with unswerving courage.
When given the choice between bowing down to the image of gold or being thrown in a fiery furnace they told him, "Be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:18).
Since this is a famous Bible story many readers are familiar with the miraculous outcome and their supernatural deliverance from the fiery furnace. But their decision to be faithful and obedient was not contingent upon the outcome as to whether or not they saw deliverance on this side. Whatever happened, they were not going to compromise. That's because they had "unshakable confidence" which will be our message tomorrow.
Here's the application lesson for today:
There is an ancient and ongoing contest between two opposing worldviews; one that is raging to this day and will do so until the return of the Lord. In fact we expect it will get far more intense as God judges the world and the compromising church. Today let us make a firm resolve that we will not compromise and will remain obedient to God regardless of the consequences with unswerving courage.
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father,
we anchor our
spirit to the
words of
Scripture, "that
all the
peoples of the
earth may know
that the Lord
is God; there
is no other."
Like the
followers in
Scripture, "We
want our
hearts
therefore to
be wholly true
to the Lord
our God,
walking in His
statutes and
keeping His
commandments.”
If it requires
that we lay
down our life
for You, may
we do so
willingly,
knowing that
full obedience
to You on this
side brings
great reward
in our future
eternal
dwelling. In
Christ's name
we pray. Amen.Here are several other Bible verses on courage:
* "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
* "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
* "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20).
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"I
Am Persuaded"
Watch
on YouTube
Travis
Cottrell
An outstanding
song based on
Romans
8:38-39.
"God And God Alone" Watch on YouTube Steve Green
"God And God Alone" Watch on YouTube Steve Green
Early
yesterday
morning I
passed these
red barns
along Harvest
Road in
northwest
Lancaster
County.
Today,
Steve a JK
plumber, was
out to finish
a few loose
ends on our
home addition
project. It
was nice to
see Steve in
the field
since I
normally see
him at the
shop before he
goes out in
the course of
our chaplain
visits to JK
Mechanical. We
are so
thankful for
the
proficiency of
good plumbers!
It might seem
strange to see
a kitchen sink
& fridge
in our office,
but this room
was living
quarters for
my mom who
lived with us
the last
several years
of her life.
We moved to
our home in
2002 and
within months
converted the
one stall
garage into
living
quarters for
Mom. After her
death in 2005
it became our
office. Now we
have added a
bedroom on the
other side as
can be seen
through the
doorway.
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 and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
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.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
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:
$830.00
Daily Encouragement on:
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 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."
© Copyright 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA