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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Wednesday, July 27, 2011  This photo was taken in Centre County PA by our friend Greg Schneider. Click here for larger version.  Listen to this message on your audio player."Once An Infidel And Libertine" "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD" (Isaiah 26:10). John Newton wrote his own epitaph. He summed up his brief stay on earth which enabled him to speak long after he had drawn his last breath. It continues to speak over 200 years later and perhaps it will prompt you to consider what you would like written in your personal epitaph. Maybe this would be a good spiritual exercise that you could write while you have the presence of mind. A great place to write out your epitaph would be the inside cover of your Bible.  John Newton, clerk,Once an infidel and libertine, A servant of slaves in Africa, Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Preserved, restored, pardoned And appointed to preach the faith he Had long labored to destroy. John Newton's great hymn "Amazing Grace" is a song that I am sure practically anyone reading this has been blessed by many times. Most would list it among our favorite songs.  As John Newton aged his memory began to fail him. This is demonstrated in a poignant scene from the film "Amazing Grace" when Newton is shown in his aged condition declaring, "Although my memory is fading I remember two things very clearly. I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." His sight was also fading leading him to quote a line from his own hymn, "I once was blind but now I see", He then asked, "Did I write that?" He was assured that he had and Newton said, "Now at last it's true." Today I would like to consider Newton's self-description on his tombstone that states, "Once an infidel and libertine." Now these are two words that we use quite infrequently these days. The first "infidel" means unbeliever and is used in the KJV of the Bible in such passages as 2 Corinthians 6:15 and 1 Timothy 5:8. However at the present time this word is most often used sneeringly by Muslims to describe all non-Muslims. The second word is so rarely used that it needs defined. A libertine is one devoid of moral restraints, which is seen as unnecessary or undesirable, especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by the larger society, a dissolute person; usually a person who is morally unrestrained. Far too many people in our "good is evil" and "evil is good" framework have rejected the Bible and live under a libertine attitude which is seen as a desirable virtue. They proudly live as libertines free of moral restraints and sadly the libertine outlook has even infected the church. But to John Newton it was something that was radically changed at his time of conversion to Christ. It was important to him that his tombstone bear this witness. Our daily verse presents an interesting and often overlooked Biblical truth. "Grace is shown to the wicked." The grace of the almighty God of the universe is abundantly demonstrated in His loving care to our world. Theologically speaking this is referred to as "common grace." This demonstration of grace goes on moment by moment in a multitude of ways to all, even the vilest offender; the air we breathe, the livable climatic conditions, food and water. But there is the special demonstration of grace extended to us through Jesus for our eternal salvation: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). This grace is available exclusively for those who earnestly believe in Jesus and accept His gift of salvation. This gift far exceeds the worth of all other gifts given to us by God! Unbelief and ingratitude have blinded many to this marvelous grace so that the vast majority of the world's peoples "do not learn righteousness" which is evident in those walking in His grace. In our New Testament understanding they reject God's grace through Jesus Christ. "They go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord." Is this not a picture of so many? How do we, as God's chosen people, regard the grace of God today? The Scriptures state, "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14). That is the nature of the amazing grace transformation from an infidel and libertine to one "preserved, restored, pardoned."
Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, Your abundant grace is poured out on humankind like showers of blessings, both for believer and unbeliever alike. Yet it is only as we appropriate Your saving grace that we turn away from evil and walk in the ways of righteousness. Many leaders and rulers have come and gone, but You, Father, are the eternal One whose kingdom knows no end. We humble ourselves in the light of Your majesty as we bring honor to Your holy name and live as a people who are eager to do what is good. Amen.Some butterflies from around our place Yesterday as I walked about our lawn I see that the butterflies are in abundance. These are photographs we have take over the years of one of our favorite photo subjects!  Monarch (up close) on Silky Butterfly Weed  Distant view of Monarch on Silky Butterfly weed  Injured Monarch on Lantana  Black swallowtail butterfly on phlox  Swallowtail on Day Lily  Monarch butterfly on Autumn Joy Sedum  Baby black swallowtail on Autumn Joy Sedum Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Amazing Grace" Video Chris Tomlin version "Amazing Grace" Video Brief segment from the movie "Amazing Grace" that includes the quote from John Newton. "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" Video Phillips, Craig and Dean "Grace Greater Than All Our Sin" Video (Sounds like a local church) "Majesty" Video Michael W. Smith Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 7/26/11: $7,096.00 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 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! "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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.  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 2011 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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