Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Friday, January 22, 2010  "Satan's Schemes" "So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11). "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). As a young Christian I enjoyed the music of the late Christian artist, Keith Green. He wrote a song concerning the devil's work written as if the devil himself had written it. The devil is gleeful as his strategy in convincing people that "no one believes in me anymore" is very effective. That song is just as true or even more so today! Naturalism has taken a toll in regard to people's belief in God but also their belief in Satan. Another book popular at that time was "Satan Is Alive and Well on Planet Earth." I personally know of those who came to faith after reading this book. Satanology is the study of Satan and though such a study should never be our major focus we do well to understand his activities. Taught in the Scriptures and brought to light in contemporary and ancient hymns we are reminded, "But still our ancient foe doth seek to work his woe." We must recognize that Satan is our adversary, seeking whom he may devour. "Schemes" in the second daily text translates the Greek word "methodia", from which we get the English word "method". From the beginning Satan's method has been to discredit God and overthrow His plan to redeem the fallen race. Satan has a plot for our doom, but God has a plan for our triumph. Satan's plot is summed up by Jesus in John 10:10 who says that he came "to steal and kill and destroy." God's plan is to give abundant life in our journey below and eternal joys in our life to come. Satan’s original plot causing the fall of man (Genesis 3) provides many clues to help us recognize his ongoing schemes and methods. He causes doubts; he distracts; he distorts; he deceives and he brings about utter destruction. We must not be ignorant of his schemes but rather we must thoughtfully put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and take a bold stand. We must be sober rather than frivolous and we must remain vigilant. Let us do so today so that we do not cringe in fear from our adversary, but instead we take a bold stand against the devil's schemes. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, though Satan has a sinister and deceitful scheme for our lives we will not fear. Your guidance for us in discerning his evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire Bible. Not only do we receive warning through the prophets, the disciples and other people of faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example of One who resisted the temptations of the evil one. His time of testing in the wilderness and in the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance to temptation brings present and future reward. Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me, You want me so that You can save me, here and now, and in the hereafter. Thank You for providing spiritual armor that protects me from the evil one. Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "No One Believes In Me Anymore (Satan's Boast)" Video This is the song I referred to in the opening paragraph by Keith Green. Remember it's written from the perspective of Satan! "Dear John Letter (to the Devil)" Video Another Keith Green song on this topic. "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" Video Steve Green An online article about Satanology. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09  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.2009 financial offerings $18,177.00. This is the final accounting. We want to thank all who have supported this aspect of our ministry during this last year. We had gifts from seventy separate sources. If you gave a gift you will (or in some cases already have) receive your "official" receipt from our chaplaincy department in Springfield, Missouri. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 1/21/10 $300.00 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 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 update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use 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. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. 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 2010 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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