 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Messages · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, July 17, 2009  Yesterday in the course of our chaplain visits throughout eastern Lancaster County we stopped by "The Kitchen Kettle Village" in Intercourse, PA. This is a busy tourist destination in the heart of Amish country. We enjoy listening to these skilled local musicians, who have been playing and singing at the Village for many years.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player"The Authority Of The Bible" "Your word is truth" (John 17:17). "All your words are true" (Psalm 119:160). A friend of mine shared about a sermon preached this last Sunday in a church from our area that her brother attends. The minister titled his sermon, "Is The Bible Really Reliable?" Some congregational members thought that perhaps he chose a brow-raising title just to get the attention of his listeners and expected that he would surely preach a respectful affirmative message from God's Word. Instead he launched into a vicious attack on the Bible as merely a collection of ancient fairy tales. This has caused quite a stir in that church as it certainly should.* The ridicule and mocking of God's Holy Word is increasing dramatically in our time. I recently read of a congressman who appealed to a Scripture to make a point and was later ridiculed for using a "funky old collection of desert scribblings." A number of years ago there was an article in "U.S. News and World Report" titled "Is The Bible True?" with a subtitle "New Discoveries Offer Surprising Support For Key Moments In The Scriptures". It showed a picture of Adam and Eve prior to the Fall. I was intrigued by the title and wondered if the article might affirm my faith. I should have known better. I have grown suspicious of these types of secular based articles through the years. They are normally written by mockers and unbelievers who cite other mockers and unbelievers as authority. A prime example is the "Jesus Project" whose intent is to strip Jesus of all that the Bible says about Him. These liberal "scholars" are regularly presented as the authority on Christ and the Bible in secular magazines. We must not look to the affirmations of the world to validate our faith in the authority of Scripture. The daily Scriptural quotations are spoken by Jesus Christ and the Psalmist. I want them to settle deep in my spirit today. Jesus said to His Father, "Your word is truth." That's a vital point and is the cornerstone of my faith. If Jesus Christ had absolute confidence in the words of His Father as recorded in Scripture, who am I to argue with Him who holds the key to understanding. A foundational belief of the follower of Christ is the statement made by the Apostle Paul, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Unbelievers have been hacking away at the veracity of God's word for millenniums but the Psalmist states "All your words are true." The prophet Isaiah states, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever" (40:8). And let this one sink deep into your heart, soul and mind, "Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89). How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for Your faith in His excellent Word! *1 Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we place our complete trust and confidence in the words recorded in the Scriptures that You inspired Your followers to write. All Scripture is inspired by You and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that we who follow You are equipped to do every good work You commission us to do. No matter the ongoing attempts by mortal man to bring into question the authority of Your immortal Word, Your Word is eternal; it stands firmly in the heavens and is established deep in our spirit where Your Holy Spirit resides. We choose to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and those who have carefully navigated their earthly pilgrimage by walking the narrow path that leads to eternal life instead of the broad way that most choose leading to disbelief and destruction. *1 Actually based on the extreme liberal inclinations of this church I am surprised any discerning person would have expected differently. *2 "How Firm A Foundation" Keith, George / Steele, Anne © Public Domain   We stopped by Garnett Pottery, a small shop where Brooksyne bought a gift for a friend we will be visiting next week. These are Brooksyne's flowers in an arrangement known as a frogpin cluster (Click on photo to enlarge) This brought to mind a story we shared several years ago that developed out of an experience in this store. We were blessed to hear that this story was published in a newsletter that is distributed to the merchants that have shops in the Village! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "How Firm A Foundation" Video A beautiful piano version. "Ancient Words" Video We enjoy singing this song in our church. Another song comes to mind today although I was unable to find an online media file for it. How sure the Scriptures are, God's vital urgent Word. As true as steel and far more sharp than any sword, So deep and fine at His control. They pierce where soul and spirit join. They test each human thought, refining like a fire. They measure what we ought to do and to desire For God knows all. Exposed it lies Before His eyes to whom we call. Let those who hear His voice confronting them today, Reject the tempting choice of doubting or delay. For God speaks still, His word is clear. So let us hear and do His will. "How Sure The Scriptures Are" Idle, Christopher / Darwall, John (to the tune of "Rejoice, the Lord is King") For further study concerning today's very important topic: "Biblical Authority" An online study by David L. Miller Interestingly this very sound article is written by a pastor who is in the very same denomination as the church mentioned in the opening paragraph! "Biblical Authority" An online article by J.I. Packer "Can I Trust The Bible" A study by Rabbi Glenn Harris "Understanding Biblical Authority" A message (pdf) by Pastor Steven Cole of the Flagstaff Christian Fellowship. This pastor does an outstanding job of sharing his sermons over the internet. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 05/08/09  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 daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 7/16/09: $6,020.00)SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by EmailCancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may 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. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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