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 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, July 25, 2011  If only photos could fully capture the actual beauty one sees with their eyes! This is a beautiful garden of begonias and celosia (grown commercially). Look carefully to see the sprinkler system refreshing the thirsty plants during the extreme heat. Click here for larger-sized photo. (Brooksyne's request!)  Listen to this message on your audio player."Forward Compatibility" "Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89). "Find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10).  For many years I have used the same computer keyboard. I've grown accustomed to the touch and, not being a good typist, I watch the keys as I type (really peck is better word). Brooksyne on the other hand is a proficient typist and watches the screen or for that matter whatever she chooses.However the crevices between the keys are beyond cleanable filled with years of accumulated gunk and the letters were fading (not good for a pecker). I've bought new computers through the years and though they come with keyboards I just kept plugging in my old one. For the last several years a new computer hasn't even had a plug-in that fit so I had to use an adapter. Saturday I walked through a flea market and found a newer keyboard for $4.00, one similar to the keyboard I've been using. After a thorough examination I decided to buy it and retire the old one. In doing so I unplugged the old keyboard and in turning it over I saw that it is designed for Windows 95 so apparently I have been using it for some 15 years! In order for me to use this old keyboard with newer computers I used a characteristic in tech verbiage known as "backward compatibility". Engineers courteously designed it this way so that new computers still operate with older keyboards (there are many besides me who find change a bit difficult). However it is impossible to design long-term forward compatibility in technology. Well, that got me thinking how that God's Word is eternally "forward compatible". "Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." It speaks to each generation regardless of the distinctives of their time period or technological advances made. After all, the heart of humankind and our basic needs really haven't changed that much; they remain the same regardless of where or when we live. Let us consider God's Word and His principles we can use to determine how we are to live based on Ephesians 5. Now of course this portion of Holy Scripture was physically written by the Apostle Paul around 60 AD and intended for the followers of Christ in Ephesus, a city in present day Turkey. However I stress, as God's eternal Word, it is now written to all believers everywhere for all time. From its teaching I can glean direction regarding how I am to live to please God even though I may confront issues (particularly in regard to technological advances) unimagined by the earliest readers or most brethren throughout much of the church age for that matter. 1. We are to be imitators of God v.1 2. We are to live a life of love v.2 3. We are not to practice sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking vv. 3 & 4 4. We are not to be deceived by empty words v.6 5. We are not to have ungodly partnerships v.7 6. We are to live as children of light v.8 7. We are to find out what pleases the Lord v.10 8. We are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness v.11 9. We are to expose these deeds of darkness v.11 10. We are to be very careful how we live—not as unwise but as wise v.15 11. We are to make the most of every opportunity v.16 12. We are to recognize the days are evil v.16 13. We are not to live foolishly but seek to understand what the Lord’s will is v.17 14. We are not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery v.18 15. We are to be filled with the Spirit v. 18 16. We are to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord v. 19 17. We are to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ v. 20 18. We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ v. 21 Using the principles of God's Word in this way can guide us in regard to decisions we make and help us stay on the right path. God's Word is indeed "forward compatible"! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we are a foolish, unruly, and rebellious people who need Your tender guidance and enduring patience as we navigate our way through our journey here below. You teach us what is good and nourishes our soul and that which is destructive, bringing us down and others along with us. We invite the work of Your Holy Spirit to cleanse our soul and create a hunger that gives us spiritual cravings for more of You and Your holy Word. Amen. Friday evening we joined the Ash family for a scrumptious dinner in East Earl, much of it right from the outdoor grill. It was too hot to picnic outside but the yummy summer food choices made us feel as though we were picnicking outside.  Last night we had some friends over for ice cream sundaes. We had quite a variety of ice cream and toppings!  Again it was just too hot to gather on the deck although the kids and younger adults did. Here a group gathered around our dining room table and, as older folks typically do, we did some reminiscing. At the head of the table is Etta, who shared an interesting story based upon a faulty understanding of a word she heard as a child growing up during WW2. She heard the older kids talking about dropping bombs. Well, she had never heard that word and thought they were saying "bums" and had a mental picture of boxes of bums (hobos) being dropped out of airplanes! That sure would have been some hard landing for those fellas!  These folks use some humor on their sign.  So what shall I do with my "retired" Windows 95 keyboard? Brooksyne likes to plant so perhaps we can use it for a planter! See here for directions. Rain, blessed rain!!! As we completed the message we are getting a nice rain. We hope we get several inches. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "How Firm A Foundation" Video Sovereign Grace Music "Before The Throne Of God Above" Video Sovereign Grace Music "Grace Unmeasured" Video Sovereign Grace Music 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 7/24/11: $6,905.00 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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