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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, July 4, 2014  Flower cart at Cherry Hill Orchards "The Peril Of Forgetting God" Listen to us read this message on your audio player."Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 8:11-14)."When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me" (Hosea 13:6).  Aware that we have readers from all over the world we are thus sensitive when we write these encouragements regarding any emphasis upon our particular country. We want to convey a Biblical outlook of having a heavenly citizenship, which all true believers share regardless of where they live (Philippians 3:20). However Brooksyne and I are American citizens and this is a very special holiday here in America that we call Independence Day. However we also believe today's message will apply virtually everywhere it may be read. There are a number of interesting parallels between God's dealings with ancient Israel and the current state of affairs in America and in many other nations around the world for that matter. In Moses' final sermon to the generation poised to move into the Promised Land he speaks for God and actually predicts their eventual apostasy (falling away). I am intrigued by the phrase in the daily text, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God". This forgetting is expressed by "failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day." In seeking to keep a perspective as a world Christian (not to be confused with worldly), I seek to identify with my brothers and sisters all around the world along with their various challenges. But we all are in danger in varying degrees of forgetting the Lord. Moses warned them, "When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 8:12-14).  Desperate attempts by the historical revisionists notwithstanding, those with any sense of discernment will recognize that many godly and Biblical influences are at the heart of America's founding and through much of her history. Yesterday we shared a quote by Daniel Webster, a senator from Massachusetts.* Volumes of original works substantiate this. One of my favorite examples is the McGuffy readers that were used extensively in public education through the 1800's. They are loaded with Scriptures and Christian truth. Yet you certainly wouldn't find these types of books in public education today!Recent events clearly reveal the increasing degree of apostasy. One Bible believing pastor in our area said, "I fear we've lost the culture war." But by God's grace I will continue to live as a child of the Light and seek to continue to influence for Christ and eternity. However I sense a real need to underscore in my life that which should always be the case; "This world is not my home."  We have indeed been blessed, but as a nation we have also turned to and are worshipping many other gods. Immorality of every type floods our land. Those of us holding to faith in God cry out as the Psalmist did, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3). The answer to that question is in the verses that follow in Psalm 11. Today, wherever we live and whatever conditions we live under, let us stay faithful to the one true God and remember: "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Wherever you live let us always be aware of the peril of forgetting God. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father of all nations, we're grateful that, as believers, our citizenship is primarily in heaven and we share this glorious citizenship with our brother and sisters all over the world. We want to always remember You in the midst of our prosperity and seek to keep Your commandments. We pray for a massive worldwide revival where people will humble themselves, seek Your face, pray and turn from their wicked ways so that we will hear from Heaven and You will heal our sin sick land. Until that hour we will remain faithful and unwavering in our commitment to follow Your Word while we eagerly await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. We hope all of our American readers have a wonderful holiday and take some time to reflect on our freedoms. We expect beautiful weather today and through the weekend and look forward to at least one cookout and maybe several. Tonight we are taking our Amish friend Jesse and three of his children to a baseball game to see the Lancaster Barnstormers. I had intended to make it just a guys night out but his daughter Sadie called and asked if she could go along so I will also take Ester. The children are very excited and after the game we will have fireworks!  Last night was our final night of VBS so the VBS director had a group photo taken and I took a photo of the official VBS photographer taking the group photo, Ester!  A side glance of the group waiting for their group photo while others are just arriving (by James Kopp).  Roadside produce stands abound in our area and come in many varieties, some as small as this cart selling home-grown tomatoes sold by an order Mennonite lady. We look forward to driving by this home every week during growing season. She always comes out to greet us. Stephen thought the buckets with our name on them were interesting but they weren't for sale!  Fresh cherries are abundant and tasty at the Cherry Hill orchard!  We enjoyed sampling several apples such as Winesap, Fuji, and others before making our final selection. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "If My People" Video Promisekeepers "A Sober Exhortation to Preachers and Future Preachers" A thoughtful message by Larry Temple especially for preachers. "The Day Independence Came" Audio Today's "Focus On The Family" message "America: Through an Immigrant's Eyes" Audio Michael Youssef, a powerful sermon aired on Focus on the Family. Outstanding! * Daniel Webster, Dartmouth's favorite son, was a senator from Massachusetts! (see here for today's quote) His final words upon his death were "I still live". He wrote: “If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, then error will be. If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendency. If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will. If the power of the gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of this land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.” "The Declaration's Self-Evident Truths" Bob Morrison In light of tomorrow being Independence Day here in the USA this is a very insightful article about the Declaration of Independence and the present direction of our country. Cherry Hill orchards is located south of Lancaster city Video 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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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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