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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 Wednesday, March 12, 2014  Bass Harbor Lighthouse Bass Harbor, Maine Photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt (used by permission) "That Saved A Wretch Like Me" Listen to this message on your audio player."All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a). "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" (Romans 7:24). For several weeks we've been studying a hard portion from Paul's Epistle to the Romans. It's not necessarily uplifting material but a scorning assessment of the human race and the dreadful consequences of sin. The first chapter concludes with this stunning indictment, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:29-32). The amazing thing about the Bible is that it's always contemporary. Each of these behaviors or attitudes are easily observed in our world today. Not only can we see it around us but it is also possible to see it within us. The framework was laid in this passage for an oft quoted text written later in Paul's letter to the Romans, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). These verses abundantly establish that we desperately need a Savior. Paul stated in regard to our desperate need for a Savior, "What a wretched man I am!"  Perhaps the most famous hymn sung in church, state funerals, national and international events, recognized by believers and unbelievers alike is "Amazing Grace". The writer presents a most unflattering description of himself in this phrase, "that saved a wretch like me". The vast majority of people sing this stanza without pondering its deeper meaning since the familiarity of the song can easily override its disturbing message. And it sure doesn't set well in our time when schools, libraries, and bookstores overflow with books promoting a positive self-image. We too must acknowledge our great need like John Newton who realized the depth of his sin and rejoiced in the height of Christ's salvation. As a believer Newton pastored a church in London, where he persuaded a young William Wilberforce, to fight to put an end of the slave trade, which passed in Parliament in March 1807. Nine months later, on December 21, 1807, the 82-year old Newton lay on his bed “packed and sealed, and waiting for the post,” as he put it. Barely able to speak, Newton’s attendant leaned over the bed to hear his last words—“My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner . . . and Christ is a great Savior!" The former slave trader best known for writing "Amazing Grace" spoke these words shortly before he breathed his last.Like Newton we want our life to have a positive and lasting influence on others. It is only when we recognize our sinful state, as presented by these Romans passages, that we also recognize our need for a Saviour who can save us from our own demise. We are wretched people in our sinful state. Apart from the spiritual fruit that results from Christ who indwells our spirit we have nothing of lasting, redemptive value to offer to others. But with Christ as our Saviour we have a life-changing, redemptive message that can save the world. Let us boldly go forward with the gospel message by the words we speak and the life we live. Observant Bible students will realize that two of the verses in our daily Scripture portion were truncated:
Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, the words written in 1707 by Isaac Watts come to mind especially as we focus on the cross, "Alas! and did my Savior bleed and did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?" Watts wasn't a wretched slave trader, murderer or a swindler. He grew up in church as a preacher's son, yet he was well aware of his worthless worm-like state in contrast to Christ, the mighty Maker who died, for man the creature’s sin. Drops of grief can never repay the debt of love we owe for our complete forgiveness, abundant life and eternal inheritance provided for us through the blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Saviour. But we can respond by saying, "Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'tis all that I can do." And, amazingly, You joyfully accept our humble response and equip us with all we need to navigate our journey here below that leads us onward to our eternal home. We thank You for Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.Prayer includes adaptation of the hymn, "At the Cross" by Isaac Watts Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "O What A Savior" Video Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "Hallelujah, What A Savior" Video Shelly Moore Band "At the Cross" Video (Spanish version) Dedicated to Marvin Culajay, our "son" from Guatemala who often sang the chorus of this hymn in his native Spanish language while he lived with us about 25 years ago. "At the Cross" Video (English) Sung by an enthused Spirit-filled African choir "Amazing Grace" Video (Scottish Bagpipes) "Who Me, A Wretch? Excellent blog article by Joseph Stowell (Audio version) 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. We ask you to consider an offering to 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. Click here to donate online.2014 YTD offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $2,392.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. 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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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