A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Wednesday, July 4, 2012  Door County Wisconsin Red, White & Blue flowers in window boxes (photo was taken by my cousin)  Listen to this message on your audio player."Aflame With Righteousness" "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance" (Psalm 33:12). Today is Independence Day and those of us who live in America should especially consider our blessings. We plan to visit the Daniel Boone Homestead and enjoy some history together in the afternoon. Daniel Boone was an American pioneer and explorer who was born in 1734 in the area we will visit today that, at that time, was on the western edge of the American frontier. We write today's message as Americans but we encourage our international readers to receive those portions that can be applied regardless of where you live. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." I find it interesting to note many parallels between the foundations of America and the foundations of Israel (while certainly not denying the very unique place that Israel has in history and God's redemptive plan). Both are abundant in resources ("a land flowing with milk and honey"), the people had a motivation to serve God, their leadership were men of deep faith who lived by godly principles. They were hardworking and built their nation on the foundation of the Bible. In Israel powerful prophets spoke for God and righteousness and an early description of churches in America referred to pulpits that were "aflame with righteousness".* However there are also many parallels between modern America and apostate Israel such as the motivation of ease and economic gain, a disregard of divinely imposed moral restraints, the ungodliness of leadership (sin is scoffed at and even approved). Many false prophets spoke against the plan of God. Today we have many weak churches and pulpits which have succumbed to liberalism and accommodation with the world. This coming Lord's Day I have the opportunity to preach in our church since our pastor will be away at a conference. My message will be titled "When A Nation Forgets God" and will draw parallels from the period of the Judges (Judges 21:25) and the final days of the southern Kingdom (2 Chronicles 36:15-16) to conditions in our own land. Most of our readership is comprised of people who indeed recognize these parallels. So today let us recommit ourselves to God and His ways. Let us pray and speak out for God with boldness like the prophets of old so that we might be hearing it said again in our own day, "Their pulpits are aflame with righteousness." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we want to live above the fray of this world as a people of righteousness set apart for Your purpose. We forsake the things of this world that bring disgrace to Your holy name and live for the purpose of bringing glory, honor and praise to You, our Father. We pray for our nation, for the turning away from our sins and turning toward the abundant life we find in Christ our Lord. You've called us to repentance and to share the good news of salvation to all who are lost. Help our pulpits to be aflame with righteousness. Help us to seek a fresh calling upon our lives to be obedient in this commission from Scripture. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.Here's a message I preached last year on today's topic: 1) The righteousness that exalts a nation is expressed in a reverence for God. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance" (Psalm 33:12). 2) The righteousness that exalts a nation is expressed in a respect for the Holy Scriptures. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). 3) The righteousness that exalts a nation is expressed in obedience to both the commands and prohibitions of God. "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse- the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known" Deuteronomy 11:26-28. 4) The righteousness that exalts a nation is expressed in recognition of God's ordained order for society.
 We mentioned last week concerning the work on our barn. One of the most appealing features especially for me (Stephen) when we bought our home ten years ago was the barn. The upper floor is a large storage area and the lower level is a workshop and and the front side could be an office. My neighbor told me it was constructed by a previous owner using materials salvaged from a barn that had been demolished. The siding had a rustic finish (essentially unfinished wood) and the roof was metal that at one time had been painted green but most was worn off. The last couple of weeks we painted the roof and stained the siding. To "top it off" yesterday a cupola was installed I had found for sale along the road.  Here's a view I took this morning from our deck in the backyard of our home. The copper at the top of the cupola shines brilliantly in the sun! I am now looking for an eagle weather vane to top off the cupola. As you travel through Lancaster County one never knows what will be for sale along the back roads! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource "If My People" Video Maranatha Promise Band "Pulpits Aflame With Righteousness" Article by Frank Wright, Ph.D. "A Sober Exhortation to Preachers and Future Preachers" A thoughtful message by Larry Temple especially for preachers. "America: Through an Immigrant's Eyes" Audio Michael Youssef, a powerful sermon aired today on Focus on the Family. Outstanding! The Daniel Boone Homestead This week we are featuring photos from friends (and today a family member). Today's photo is part of my cousin's photo collection on Flickr. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber Our 36th anniversary photo (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 4/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider supporting Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 7/3/12: $8,221.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!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. These messages are never sent by us 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 through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "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!) (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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2012 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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