A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, August 24, 2007  Last night we went to a country fair and this sheep was especially interested in greeting Brooksyne!  Click here to listen to us read this message on your audio player."In It, Not Of It" "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16). I saw a T-shirt with bold letters in the front proclaiming, "IN IT" and on the back, "NOT OF IT". In small print it said in parenthesis, "somewhere in John". I commented to the young man wearing it that it was an interesting expression. He said the idea is that the curious reader will look through the Gospel of John to find what it means. Although I personally question the evangelistic value of this and many of the other popular "witness" items on the market, I nevertheless appreciate the young man taking a stand and the expression sure has some thought-provoking value for other Christians. It did for me! We indeed need to keep the truth of the phrase ever before us. In John 17 Jesus prays what many have called His "High Priestly Prayer." This was just before His trial and His atoning death on the cross. He knew full well that He was not of the world. He prayed to His Father concerning His disciples and declared, "they are not of the world." We hardly need to be reminded that we are in the world. It daily barrages our senses in so many ways as we live in the physical, material world. But we do need to regularly proclaim, "I am not of the world." We need to remember that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:17). The Bible says we are "aliens and strangers in the world" (1 Peter 2:11) and that "our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). The world is opposed to God and His ways. You probably won't have to look around very far in your place of employment or college to see this. Swearing, mocking God, evil images, destructive teachings and sinful compromises abound. If you don't see them I would kindly ask if you are using spiritual discernment. Many of you are now also confronted with diversity training programs and the like which is intended to "correct" all those traditional values you were taught. In many of these programs good is called evil and evil is called good (see Isaiah 5:20). Today, let us rejoice, for this is the day that the Lord has made and let us live our lives with a powerful "I am not of the world" outlook, seeking to honor the Lord in all we say and do! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, regularly remind us that we are not of the world but are called to live as aliens and strangers in the world and as citizens of heaven. Amen  Yesterday we had lunch with Rick Steudler, one of the businessmen we work with in our chaplaincy ministry. Rick has a vibrant and enthusiastic personality as well as an earnest interest in his employees. We consider it a privilege to work with him.  Last night Brooksyne and I went to the Elizabethtown Fair and enjoyed (especially me) the extensive antique tractor display. |
Administration Information  The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details.Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.) Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved  |
