Daily Encouragement (04/29/11) "I'll Keep Believing"

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Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter        The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition Friday, April 29, 2011 40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan: We began a 40 day New Testament reading plan on April 3. If you want to participate and have not been following the reading schedule up to this point we suggest starting with today's reading and reading previous portions after this reading period ends. Here's the entire 40 day schedule. The links below will open to the selection to be read along with a built-in listening device.  Today's reading (April 29): 1 Corinthians 10-15 beginning here. Listen to this message on your audio player. "I'll Keep Believing" "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14). "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men" (1 Corinthians 15:19). "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:20). One of the benefits to aging is perspective. In my lifetime the attacks against my faith in general and the resurrection in particular have been ongoing and persistent. Yet as we study history we quickly find that such attacks are not at all unique to our age. Only days after Christ's resurrection the stolen body story was circulated. Every Easter articles by "scholars" with new research attack the Biblical teaching and traditional understanding of our faith. (Every Christmas there are "newsworthy" articles with the latest conjectures concerning His birth as well, generally discounting what we are taught in the Bible.) The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians is a powerful defense of the resurrection. What a despairing statement the Apostle Paul makes in our first two daily texts: "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." Despairing but true; for the Christian faith is absolutely dependent upon a resurrected, living Savior. Although we could still glean some ethical teaching from Jesus while He walked on the earth His resurrection is at the very heart of Apostolic preaching and teaching. But what I have really been pondering is the simple "fact or faith" equation. These theories and conjectures have come and gone even in my lifetime. Yet if it's an attack on the Biblical and traditionally held position it's usually framed as a "fact" proposed by "scholars" who have done extensive "research". I purposefully place the key words in quotation marks since the emphasis is in how conclusive their views are presented. The implication is, “What reasonable, modern, educated person could deny these findings?” Well, I'll keep on believing the Biblical teaching. I also predict that the most recent contrived "facts" will come and go and others will replace them. We all live life by faith. My faith is in Jesus Christ and the authority of the Holy Scriptures. I join millions who, for the last two thousand years, have believed and followed Him. But the secularist "unbeliever" also lives by faith, as much as he would ardently resist this claim. In my lifetime a noted secularist made the emphatic statement to the effect, "When I die it will just be my physical remains that will slowly decay, that's all there is." Whether or not secularists admit it, this is a statement of faith! He hadn't died when he said this. Since he hadn't been on the other side of death he didn't know as fact what it was like, however emphatic he was! God has ordained that we live by faith. The Scriptures declare that "the just shall live by faith" and "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Our faith is not blind nor unreasonable, but is solidly backed by what Josh McDowell calls, "Evidence that demands a verdict." The attacks will continue as long as we live on this side, but let us continue to believe wholeheartedly and faithfully serve the Lord! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, our faith is anchored in Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who died on the cross of Calvary and was resurrected on the third day. The cross and empty tomb are symbolic of the Christian faith and without them our Christianity is in vain. We place our compete faith in the finished work of Christ and the inerrant Scriptures that make us wise unto salvation. Thank You for releasing us from sin's effect – its guilt, power, condemnation and eternal damnation. Amen. David Wilkerson died this last Wednesday in a car accident in Texas. He had a tremendous impact for Christ in his generation as the founder of Teen Challenge, a ministry that has impacted scores of lives all over the world including many of our friends and ministry associates. For a very touching read see the unsolicited comments of tribute that are streaming into the CT Live blog. Here's a tribute from his son Gary on David's blog. Interestingly he shared inspirational messages right up to the day he died. David Wilkerson spoke at the conference in Kansas City Missouri where I got saved in 1971. However my most interesting association was that for many years I preached behind his pulpit. He pastored a church in Phillipsburg, PA when called to New York City to start Teen Challenge. Years later we started a church about 60 miles away (St. Marys, PA) and the pulpit was donated to us and is still being used in a church in northern PA. Last night I went to a banquet and heard Josh McDowell, another longtime servant for Christ and contender for truth. The banquet was for a ministry called Associates For Biblical Research of which I am a member. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Rise Again"  Video  Dallas Holm  An outstanding song and outstanding video graphics. This sure touches my heart. This last week I have used several Dallas Holm songs. Coincidentally, for many years Dallas Holm was associated with David Wilkerson. "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary"   Video  Gaither Vocal Band I believe in a hill called mount calvary I believe whatever the cost And when time has surrendered And earth is no more I'll still cling to the old rugged cross I believe that this life with its great mysteries Surely someday will come to an end But faith will conquer the darkness and death And will lead at last to my friend I believe that the Christ Who was slain on the cross Has the power to change lives today For He changed me completely A new life is mine And that is why by the cross I will stay I believe in a hill called mount calvary I believe whatever the cost And when time has surrendered And earth is no more I'll still cling to the old rugged cross "Glorious"  Video  Paul Baloche 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 4/28/11: $3,275.00 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! 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!) 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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Daily Encouragement (04/28/11) "Sin's Dread Sway"

Daily Encouragement Net -A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.

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Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter        The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition Thursday, April 28, 2011 Meadow View Farm in Lancaster County Pennsylvania 40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan: We began a 40 day New Testament reading plan on April 3. If you want to participate and have not been following the reading schedule up to this point we suggest starting with today's reading and reading previous portions after this reading period ends. Here's the entire 40 day schedule. More information concerning the Scripture reading plan is below the daily message. The links below will open to the selection to be read along with a built-in listening device.  Today's reading (April 28): 1 Corinthians 2-9 beginning here. Tomorrow's reading (April 29): 1 Corinthians 10-15 beginning here. Listen to this message on your audio player. "Sin's Dread Sway"   "Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?" (1 Corinthians 5:6). I have a friend who owns a large lumber-processing mill that makes lumber from logs. It's the kind of plant I find interesting as a factory tour, one of my favorite things to do in life. A crucial job is examining the raw logs that have been delivered to the mill for any metal prior to the processing.  A single nail can result in extensive damage to the machinery, an expensive plant shutdown and could even be dangerous if it would fly out and hit someone.  So a worker examines each log in the lot before it goes through processing with a powerful metal detector.   Consider the tiny nail in relation to the huge log.  It's but a tiny, tiny fraction of the log's total volume and yet what tremendous damage it can do.  That's true in a lot of things in life isn't it?  Can you imagine saying, "This water is great, it's 99% pure and only 1% arsenic" or "My spouse is mostly faithful, he only commits adultery once a month, but is faithful the rest of the time" or "God keeps most of His promises."    In 1 Corinthians 5 the Apostle Paul is addressing a situation in the Corinthian church regarding a rather bizarre form of sexual immorality, "a kind that does not occur even among pagans." Incredibly the Corinthian believers were proud about the situation! Perhaps they reasoned that being open-minded and non-judgmental  was virtuous, kind of a "different strokes for different folks" outlook. That's sure a lot like today's attitude toward sin where "tolerance", so understood, has been elevated to a virtue or referred to as "a mistake" as though it were not a willful choice.   But Paul doesn't excuse it or brush it aside as insignificant.  He commanded the church to take prompt, decisive action.  Actually his words seem harsh and unloving in this age of toleration. "Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.  When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:3-5). Wow, how mean-spirited and hateful this sounds to modern ears. Lighten up Paul. Try to be more understanding of the times, most would say today.   But Paul's action was loving. Sin leads to destruction; repentance leads to redemption. In the powerful song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" is this poignant line, "held in sin’s dread sway". Unchecked sin destroys the individual, the family, the local church and mars the testimony of the whole church. Redemptive love means confronting destructive sin head on, which is what Paul did, because a little sin is a big deal. "Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?"   Two challenges to sum up today's message: God has provided a means to deal with specific sin in our lives. Don't make excuses but confess, repent, (turn away from it) and live to please the Lord.  The true church will be increasingly unpopular in standing up for Biblical standards. We will be labeled mean, hateful, narrow-minded and ignorant.  In fact the world is already doing that in many venues. If you are mocked, scorned or laughed at for believing and adhering to Scriptural teaching pray that you'll have the same attitude as the disciples in Acts 5:41. When they were severely beaten they "left... rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Christ. The disciples counted it an honor to be graduates from PU (Persecution University). Stay faithful! Be encouraged today,     Stephen & Brooksyne Weber   Daily prayer: Father, the practical example of the Corinthian church serves as an example to the church of each generation. To ignore sin or brush it aside does not make it go away. It only gains strength and infiltrates the rest of the body when not dealt with in a Scriptural manner. We pray for the leadership of our churches and ask You to help them to live pure and holy lives in obedience to You and as an example to their flock. May they be intolerant of sin that jeopardizes the spiritual health of the church. The church's code of conduct is prescribed through Your Holy Scriptures, not the popular philosophy of our day. In turning our eyes away from the sin we in essence give approval, but when we have the courage to deal with it we save not only the transgressor but we also purify Your church. Keep us faithful, prayerful and vigilant as we seek Your leading in these extremely important matters.  Amen. Brooksyne's note: I baked some Amish Friendship Bread on Saturday and we have sure enjoyed its unusually good taste. It starts from a mixture of yeast, flour, milk and sugar that's been fermenting over a long unknown period of time before the baker receives it. Then the fermenting mixture is stirred into the larger batter and bakes into a distinct and delicious sweet bread. To apply the Scripture that Paul speaks of reminds us that yeast is very effective as it works through the entire batter. Of course, in the Amish bread recipe, the yeast mixture taste produced favorable results.  But in the case of the sinning church member if the person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected. The Corinthian church was instructed to remove the wicked person so that the church could stay pure. I am reminded that we are to feast upon the Bread of Life with honor and sincerity and truth. Here's the recipe for Amish Friendship bread. Harvest Scenes This is the view during our walk yesterday morning. Throughout the day tractors with hay tedders raked the hay to help it dry sufficiently. My neighbor brought his grandson over for a look. He's pointing in the distance to a tractor placing the hay in windrows. Late yesterday afternoon the harvest workers gathered to make plans I suppose (or maybe they were just enjoying a good talk before the hard work!). The mown rye was placed in trucks and will be used for animal feed. They worked the harvest late into the evening. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I'd Rather Have Jesus"   Video  Dallas Holm  This song is especially powerful in light of all the emphasis on the royal wedding.     I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;     I’d rather be His than have riches untold;     I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;     I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand         Refrain:         Than to be the king of a vast domain         And be held in sin’s dread sway;         I’d rather have Jesus than anything         This world affords today.     I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;     I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;     I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;     I’d rather be true to His holy name     He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;     He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;     He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;     I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead. 40 Day New Testament Reading/Listening Plan On Sunday April 3 we began a forty day program of reading through the New Testament and we encourage Daily Encouragement Net readers to consider joining in as we read/listen through the entire New Testament in 40 days. (At this point we suggest starting at the reading for the current day and then reading the portions you hadn't read when the 40 day period is over.) These readings take about 30 minutes per day. Prior to each message we will provide a direct link to the Scripture portion to be read and listened to each day and for the next day. (and several links for the weekend daily readings). The daily encouragement message for each weekday during the forty day period will be based on a portion of the text in the Bible reading for that day (or, on Mondays this may also be from a Scripture portion read over the weekend.) Here is a page where you can download the entire Bible to your computer in a variety of versions. Here's an overview of the plan I have prepared with practical tips (pdf) Here's a schedule for the entire 40 day reading period along with discussion questions. This is especially suitable to bookmark during this period as it contains links that will open directly to the passage to be read for the day. The reading links open to Bible.is, an online Bible with audio player and additional apps that you may find useful. For those who may prefer the KJV it is available. For international readers there may even be a version available in your native language. Just click the small tab directly below the Bible.is logo on the top left to see available versions.  This Bible reading plan is a partnership of Daily Encouragement Net and Faith Comes By Hearing, a ministry which provides Bible listening resources all over the world. We will share more about this ministry in future messages. Join our Daily Encouragement Bible reading group on Facebook. You can read and listen to the material directly on Facebook. 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 4/27/11: $3,275.00 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! 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!) 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

Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!

 

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