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 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription  Listen to these messages  Text only for printing  See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, February 21, 2014  Amish buggy entering into White Rock Covered Bridge in southern Lancaster County. We enjoy hearing the distinct sound of the clackety-clack of horseshoes on the wooden bridge deck! "The Struggle Against Sin" Listen to this message on your audio player."Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:3,4).  Most of us gather to worship our Lord and receive Bible teaching and encouragement unharassed. We have often had small group Bible Studies in our home, gathering around our dining room table as seen in the photo to the left. As we began our time together in prayer one evening, Ken thanked God that we did not need to draw the curtains to hide our activity, ask special permission to gather, or fear the authorities. At this time in our country and in many others we still gather freely with other believers, share our faith, study the Bible and live out our Christian convictions. However in recent years some believers have dealt with authorities over permits, government mandates, harassment from militant homosexuals and so forth, which is of grave concern for our continued religious freedoms.But for many of our fellow brothers and sisters around the world their religious freedom is nonexistent. Woefully under-reported is the plight of so many Christians all around the world who daily face intense persecution. Hardly a week goes by without reports of horrific violence against Christians and churches in Nigeria. I just read a news report about the group targeting Christians in this country and a leader was quoted as saying, “All these infidels we are the ones killing them. We enjoy shedding their blood." Syrian Christians (and those all through the Middle East) increasingly face the hatred and scorn of the oppressor. Just yesterday I read of a threat to Christians in Lebanon.  But sometimes we need a face and some biographical info to really identify. Rev. Abdi Welli Ahmed, a longtime missionary in West Africa and East Africa, was shot and killed by Muslim terrorists last year in Kenya. According to eye witnesses, his last words were: "It's good to be in the hands of El Shaddai."One of the most fulfilling aspects of this online ministry is the ability to share God's Word of encouragement with our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in these areas. We enjoy all the feedback we receive and draw strength to continue in this ministry, but it's extra special when we hear from those in countries who deal with persecution. The book of Hebrews was written to encourage the early believers (Hebrew Christians) to remain faithful as they faced growing persecution. At the time the book was written, some had already been imprisoned and others had faced the confiscation of their property (10:34). Others had faced unspecified mistreatment (13:3). But at the time the book was written none among the original recipients had yet faced the point of shedding their own blood (i.e. dying for their faith, martyrdom). In the previous verse we read, "Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (12:3). The writer is looking back to Jesus and all He endured as an example and source of strength for his readers, so that they would "not grow weary and lose heart." "In your struggle against sin." We all struggle against sin in at least two ways: 1) Our personal sinful nature and temptations to violate God's will. 2) The sense that we live in a sinful world opposed to God. It seems to me the writer is likely using this second sense in our daily text. For some this struggle is much more intense than others. "You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." The two words "not yet" are significant. At that time in the broader context of the church some had already shed blood for the Lord, namely Stephen and James, whose martyrdoms are recorded in Acts 7 and 12. As the Hebrew Christians read this they were surely aware of these and other martyrdoms throughout the early church. But it had not yet happened in their specific setting.  Today most reading this still live in relative peace and freedom. There is no need to draw the blinds in our home for Bible Study or wonder if our church will be bombed as we gather on the Lord's Day. We are not yet facing this degree of persecution. But I believe there are many signs that we may increasingly pay a price for standing up for God's truth and righteousness. I pray that all of us, regardless of our present conditions, "will not grow weary and lose heart" but that we will remain faithful to Jesus whatever the cost.Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, You are my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid? You protect me from danger so why should I be nervous? When evil people seek to destroy me; when my enemies attack me, they will stumble and fall at Your command. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will be steadfast. Even if they attack me, I remain confident that You are watching over me. My heart's desire is to be in Your presence where I praise You by meditating on Your truths. I find comfort in Your merciful provisions. In the day of trouble You will keep me safe. You will hide me in the shelter of Your tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me. Through it all I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord. Help me to wait for You, Lord, to be strong and take heart, as I wait for You. I will see Your mighty hand of provision here on this side or I will view You in all Your majesty on the other side where You reign supreme. Amen.Prayer inspired as I read through Psalm 27 As we prepare today's message we are also aware of the terrible conditions in the Ukraine and Venezuela. Although not specifically related to Christian persecution likely many Christians are impacted, and of course in a broader sense, our hearts go out to these people regardless of the faith they may have. My brother-in-law is a national Venezuelan, although for many years he has lived in the US. He still has family in that country and this is a deeply troubling time. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "A Tribute to Persecuted Christians World-Wide" Video Don't Forget Us" Video "How Long" Video Stuart Townend "We Will Hold On" Video Paul Baloche "Let Your Kingdom Come" Video Sovereign Grace “by grace we’ll preach your Gospel till our dying breath.” "Forty Brave Soldiers For Jesus" Tom Green (Video) This is a powerful ballad concerning an event that happened in Armenia in 320AD and will touch you! Mission Network News Article about Rev. Abdi Welli Ahmed Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne  Stephen and Brooksyne Weber(Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/13) 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. 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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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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