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 Thursday, March 4, 2010  Amish buggy entering into White Rock covered bridge in southern Lancaster County. There's just nothing like the distinct sound of clackety-clack of horse shoes on the wooden bridge deck! "Understanding The Times" "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:12,13). "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more" (Ephesians 4:19). Last night we gathered for a prayer meeting and prayed for revival; first in our own hearts, then in our church and community, throughout our country, and the world. Prior to our prayer time I shared a passage from our Lord's teaching just before He went to the Cross. Each Synoptic Gospel has this teaching known as the Olivet Discourse. "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." As I get older I am less familiar with popular culture and at times find it incomprehensible the degree and scope of moral decadence that is present today, both the culturally approved and culturally unapproved. We all, far too often, read of the horrific abduction, rape and murder of young children and teens (as we did this past weekend). Supposedly bright people scratch their heads and declare, "I just can't understand why people do this." But I know why, because the Bible unambiguously tells me so. That which is in our hearts and minds flows into action and our actions bring about consequences, good or bad. Can anyone deny there is an increase in wickedness? The second daily verse is a succinct description of fallen humanity. "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." "They" describes the human race. It describes all of us apart from the redemptive work of Christ. What I particularly want to focus on is the phrase, "a continual lust for more."  It began in the Garden of Eden with a lust for more. In the midst of all the opulence and permissable in Eden stood the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent was enticing and made the forbidden a "gotta have". Whatever level of wickedness "satisfies" the sinful cravings for a time will eventually be insufficient. More will be needed. This can be seen in so many of Satan's vices such as gambling, drugs, pornography, and sexual immorality. Each vice begins with a scaled down introduction but will potentially become your master and take you where you never intended to go. The ungodly make big business out of every kind of impurity. Pornography, prostitution, vulgar media, and every other kind of impurity make up one of the largest industries in our country. The vast majority of it is open, shameless, and legally protected. Many years ago a Christian leader observed that many of the books published in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken sewer. That was before the availability through the internet and other media. Now the drippings have become a surging flood. With the flood of evil, pornography and perversions sweeping through our land and around the world many are at the stage of having a continual lust for more. Deeper and deeper depths of depravity can be expected and the evil acts that accompany it. The very next verse brings joy to my heart today: "You, however, did not come to know Christ that way" (Ephesians 4:20). The contrast is outstanding. Those that experience the life transforming power of Jesus Christ are different. The slide into decadence stops and the renewal begins. We are a new creation! Rather than having a continual lust for more wickedness we become seekers of God's Kingdom and righteousness. Make no doubt about it, the Tempter is still there, but our hearts are no longer committed to his scheme of life. Everyone is headed in one direction or the other. Which way are you heading today? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, conform my thinking into that which will bring about growth and change. Teach me to think not in accord with my own human instincts but with the truth as it is revealed in Your Word. You will keep me from lusting after deadly forbidden fruit if I plant myself into that which is holy and righteous. As the world continues to slide into decadence help me to delve deeper into Your Word and faithfully commune with You so that my heart does not grow cold, indifferent or rebellious. I want to stand firm to the end so that I am saved from a world of sin. In Jesus' name and in His strength I pray. 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.) "Holiness Is What I Long For" Video Romanian Worship Team "Lord, I Want To Be More Like You" Video Integrity Worship series "On My Father's Side" Yesterday's message on barns prompted a reader to send a song by a group called the "Barn Again Gang" Video It's quite creatively written! "The Consequences Of A Moral Failure" Webpage This material is adapted from a 1998 "Leadership" magazine article by Randy Alcorn and Eternal Perspective Ministries and is personalized for my own use and personal impact. This article is also available as a printable .pdf I encourage every man and woman to adapt this for their own use or better yet start from scratch and develop your own. "Slow Fade" Video Outstanding message by Casting Crowns about the slide into sin. Pure Life Ministries An excellent resource for those overcoming sexual sin. |
 "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.2010 YTD financial offerings as of 3/3/10 $1,545.00 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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