Daily Encouragement (03/31/14) "Those Whom We Know And Trust"

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The on line Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   About Us  Archives   Free email subscription   Listen to these messages   Text only for printing       See here for more info. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Monday, March 31, 2014 Mount Pleasant choir led in worship yesterday and started out with the great old hymn, "Satisfied". "Those Whom We Know And Trust" Listen to this message on your audio player. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it" (2 Timothy 3:14). Come, young and old from every land - Men and women of the faith; Come, those with full or empty hands - Find the riches of His grace. Over all the world, His people sing - Shore to shore we hear them call The Truth that cries through every age: “Our God is all in all”! Yesterday in our church service we had a heartening and instructive experience as we sang a "modern hymn", as the Gettys like to call their music, titled "Come Peple Of The Risen King". Brooksyne was leading from the front and the congregation was heartily singing the words of the chorus, "Rejoice, Rejoice...". The melody and words blended together in such joyous resound it made me think of what singing must sound like in heaven. About that time I, along with those around me, heard a very young angelic voice vigorously singing out on the refrain. I think she expelled all the lung capacity she had on the words, "Rejoice! Rejoice!" (Adoree' in photo below with her arms around her brothers) Rejoice, Rejoice Let every tongue rejoice! One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice! A good old-fashioned testimony service followed which reflected the words of the second verse, "Come, those whose joy is morning sun, And those weeping through the night; Come, those who tell of battles won, And those struggling in the fight" Different members stood to express praise to God and tell how He is working in their lives. An older member stood and passionately implored the young people to serve the Lord. A young mother stood and testified how she needed to teach her children about matters previous generations did not due to the rapidly spreading cultural rot since many are abandoning our country's Biblical foundations. Another young mother stood and expressed deep appreciation for both younger couples and the elderly who are an inspiration to her as she and her husband seek to raise their baby in the ways of the Lord. In other words we not only teach by the truths we expound but we also teach by the way we live. For the last several encouragement messages we have been examining a portion from 2 Timothy 3, studying it phrase by phrase. Today we want to consider the phrase in V. 14, "because you know those from whom you learned it". Paul was imploring Timothy to consider the character and integrity of those who had taught him God's truth. We determine this character and integrity by knowing those who teach us. These days we use the word "know" in a very broad sense. We may speak of knowing someone because we have heard of them, read a book, listened to their music or saw them on TV. But surely the sense of the word, "know" Paul is speaking of here is very likely much more localized in the way we know one personally. The "whom" is plural.Paul might have been referring to Timothy's grandmother and mother since he had mentioned them earlier in the book and commended their faith. Last week we challenged readers regarding the vital role parents and grandparents must fill in passing on the faith. Ken is a friend of ours who has this photo on his desk (left). It's a gift from his children and a visual reminder of the great love grandparents can express to their grandchildren in addition to the godly example they can model as they live for Christ. I (Brooksyne) was greatly influenced to follow Christ because of my grandparent's dedication to God. Paul himself surely had a role in training Timothy as well. Earlier in the chapter he had written, "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10,11). Of course there are likely others who had taught Timothy as well. That's usually the case as we examine the many who influence our lives. This was an observable sense of knowing so unlike the modern usage that often means no more than "I've heard about them". Consider how so much of what we come to know now comes in such an impersonal way. Earlier in the chapter Paul warned Timothy about false teachers. He encouraged Timothy to look to his past and hold to the basic teachings that are eternally true. Like Timothy we are surrounded by false teachings. But we must not allow our society to distort or crowd out God's eternal truth. We need to spend time every day reflecting on the foundation of our Christian faith found in God's Word, the great truths that build up our life. (adapted quote from Life Application Bible) In studying a Bible passage I find value in the various ways it is translated, each version conveying shades of meaning. The Bible Gateway has a nifty tool in which you can look at a verse in all the online translations in their database. For 2 Timothy 3:14 it's here. These two versions touch my heart, "Remember from what sort of people your knowledge has come" (Phillips) and "All you have learned comes from people you know and trust" (Voice). This is the basis of the title of today's message. Today let us consider those whom we know and trust and from whom we have learned the foundational truths of life as well as those who we have the blessing of impacting. Are we a good example and are we faithfully teaching by word and deed? Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, as we corporately worship we come together, both young and old, from various ethnic, social and spiritual backgrounds.  Some of us were raised by godly parents and early on chose to follow in Your ways; others more recently enlisting in Your service. There is so much to be gained from young and new in the faith. And we learn so much from the older. We learn from each other and we increase our faith as we continue in that which we have learned and become convinced of because we know those people from whom we learned it. We have seen the commendable results exemplified in their lives and aspire to implement the good into our own. Keep us keeping on in You we pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Come People of the Risen King"  Video  Kristyn Getty This is the song referred to in the message. "Satisfied"  Video  Gaither Vocal Band  We also sang this song in our church yesterday. What great lyrics! This weekend Ester and I went to see "God's Not Dead" a faith-building film with a wholesome ending. We tried to go Friday night but it was sold out.  Last night I bought tickets online and the theater was almost full. At the end of the film we all clapped which I also remember doing at the end of "Courageous". (See clip here) Ester wants me to play the song used in the movie by NewsBoys (Video). She didn't understand that I kept trying to sing to an old children's chorus. Here's the way Brooksyne and I remember singing "God's Not Dead". (Children's video) We suppose a few others will recall this! Here's a thoughtful blog post related to today's message sent by Jim, a friend from Texas, titled Ageism in an Age of Hipster Christianity? Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/13) Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2014 YTD offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $3,553.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) Cancel: These messages are only sent from us to people who request it; please accept our apologies if it reached you in error. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time. 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. Your answers are anonymous and I we are unable to respond. If you want to send a personal message use the 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!) (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. 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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Daily Encouragement (03/28/14) "That Which Is Firmly Believed"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement. Having trouble reading this message? 
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The on line Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   About Us  Archives   Free email subscription   Listen to these messages   Text only for printing       See here for more info. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Friday, March 28, 2014 My cousin Georgia sent me this photo she took of "Old Peace Chapel" located at Daniel Boone's Home and Heritage Center in Defiance Missouri. "That Which Is Firmly Believed" Listen to this message on your audio player. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed" (2 Timothy 3:14). Today we would like to continue what has essentially become a series on several verses from 2 Timothy 3. In yesterday's message we studied the portion of today's verse that states, "continue in what you have learned." Today we want to consider personal convictions. We hear the word "conviction" a lot these days. It's a talking point in both secular and religious circles. Opposing parties may have strong convictions though their views may stand in stark contrast. Earlier this week there was a major hearing at the Supreme Court dealing with religious freedom. Both sides had supporters demonstrating, expressing their strong personal convictions regarding the matter. Of course ultimately one was on the side of evil and the other on the side of good (there is no middle ground in this matter). Paul emphatically called Timothy to continue in what he had learned and had firmly believed. This word (epistothes) is used several other times in the New Testament such as "in full assurance" (Hebrews 6:11, 10:22). * Timothy not only learned the great truths of the faith, but he had become personally assured of them as well. He had an inner conviction concerning the truth and reliability of these things and such confidence produces personal stability. Without this conviction of heart, it would have been difficult for Timothy to hold fast in the things he had learned amid so many persecutions and deceptions.  Conviction is defined as "the state of being convinced; of having a fixed or firm belief." This word has certainly trickled down from its original meaning, most especially in the political world. These days when many speak of their convictions they merely mean their present opinion which may very well change at any time. They are, as the Apostle Paul described, "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14). About 30 years ago a well-known politician expressed this view in writing to a constituent when he was in the House of Representatives, "It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong." This same politician has now completely changed his view on this "conviction" (and many more I might add). Of course the same thing is happening regarding marriage. You may think of similar examples, among politicians, theologians and even in your own life, which I hope will lead to you being "convicted" by the Holy Spirit in a theological sense about those subject matters in the Bible that “change not”! What do you stand for today? What is it which you are convinced of and have a fixed and firm set of beliefs regarding? I believe this is one of the most important questions of life. Today, although the expression "having convictions" is bantered about and sounds good, many, including those who claim to be Christians, have convictions that vacillate with the wind. Their views are more established by current notions than a Biblical foundation. Let us consider Paul's statement to Timothy in today's text. I want to receive it myself and urge you to do the same. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of." This is in a section designated with the heading "Paul's Final Charge To Timothy". Paul established two foundations for these convictions: 1) The Source: “Our Godly Heritage”  For Timothy “the source” of his biblical faith was from his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, who passed it down to him from childhood on (2 Timothy 1:5, and 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul discipled Timothy as a son in the faith along with other godly people of his time period. 2) The Basis: “The Holy Scriptures” From his infancy Timothy was introduced to “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17). The faith message and lifestyle was passed down generationally to Timothy. This led to his own faith experience based on deep convictions about eternal matters. Today's church needs men and women, young people like Timothy, who will continue in what they have learned and have become convinced of. When barraged with attacks on these foundational convictions we should not weaken but uphold our resolve to remain firm. Will you join us in being a people of deep Biblical convictions? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, there are so many gray areas in life where we  may differ with our own family or even the best of friends. We may vary in our preferences of personality styles, giftings, and tastes. But when it comes to the eternal truths, unchanging principles and commands of Scripture it is not for us to pick and choose. We must give full attention to the words of Scripture and build a godly heritage that we can pass on to our children and our children's children. We must uphold and teach the Scriptures that are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. We want to remain steadfast and faint not as we seek to be people of deep conviction with growing faith and sterling character, making a positive difference in our sphere of influence. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. * Study note: This phrase is translated a bit differently in various versions each adding value in my word to the rich sense of the Greek word it translates. "and hast been assured of" (KJV), "and are confident about" (NET), "and which you know are true" (Phillips), "and have been assured of" (Wuest), "things of which you are certain" (BBE), "and have become convinced of" (NASB, NIV), "of which thou hast been fully persuaded" (Darby), "and your belief that has been confirmed" (Barclay) Today's photo of a church taken by Georgia reminds me of the little white country church in Harwood Missouri I attended as a child when I visited my grandparents. My mother attended this church growing up and her mother attended till she died. It is now closed.  The photo shows some of my cousins when we gathered in 2006 after my mother's burial service. Early this morning we visited employees in an office area and I observed that Donna had cheered up her workspace with a snack bucket of colorful Easter egg candy. We enjoy seeing various ways people seek to bring some joy and color and sometimes a witness at work. Mike, another employee at this company uses a small whiteboard to post Scripture verses and inspirational sayings for those who pass by to read. I recall visiting with Quintin Frey. At the time he was president of Turkey Hill Dairy and purposefully placed New Testaments and spiritual literature at the corner of his desk as a visible witness. Perhaps my favorite was Harper Hull, who went to be with the Lord several years ago who had this sign on a shelf in his office. This morning in the course of our chaplain visitation we stopped and moseyed through the Central Market in downtown Lancaster. A colorful stand is Michael Long's horseradish. He grinds the horseradish right before your eyes in the old fashioned grinder. As I approached the stand I noticed the distinct aroma of horseradish. Stand in front of the fan and you really get a strong odor, along with burning eyes. I once commended him for the sharp marketing tool of using the fan to spread the aroma out from his stand. He informed me that the fan was for his sake due to the very strong, nostril-burning and eye-stinging effects of freshly grated horseradish. Doris High took this photo at a "mud sale" here in Lancaster County. It's not too hard to understand why it's called a Mud Sale when observing this photo! Here is a collection of mud sale photos by Dois High. Yesterday's mystery photo was, as many identified correctly, wood wedges. I need to find something more challenging next time! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "I Know Whom I Have Believed"  Video  A large church but not identified You probably won't find this old hymn in any modern hymnbook.  Consider its words today. We need more men like Daniel to stand for God and right; Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong, And for the truth will fight. When those controlled by evil their base designs pursue, We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue. We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show; Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe. Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest. We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test. We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king; Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid his shameful death to bring. But God sent down His angel His all to guard and shield; We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/13) Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2014 YTD offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $3,553.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) Cancel: These messages are only sent from us to people who request it; please accept our apologies if it reached you in error. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time. 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. Your answers are anonymous and I we are unable to respond. If you want to send a personal message use the 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!) (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. 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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 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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Daily Encouragement (03/27/14) "What You Have Learned"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement. Having trouble reading this message? 
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The on line Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home   About Us  Archives   Free email subscription   Listen to these messages   Text only for printing       See here for more info. <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Thursday, March 27, 2014 Our friend Jeff Worrall took this photo of an Adams County PA farm yesterday. "What You Have Learned" Listen to this message on your audio player. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Earlier this week I was discussing current events with my older brother, Pat, who like me, discerns that we are indeed entering into a period of great apostasy. Now at nearly 67 he continues to pastor a congregation in the Lehigh Valley north of Philadelphia. We have both spent our adult life in service for Christ. Pat received Christ while in the military service in Europe as a young adult. After leaving the service he trained for ministry and has now faithfully pastored for 40 years. I continue to be challenged by a statement I quoted yesterday by Bible teacher William Kelly who observed "It is no small feat to remain faithful to God's eternal Word throughout one's lifetime and many there are who have left its ranks." Look around today and honor those who have stayed faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1,2,  Hebrews 13:7) Pat and I were specifically discussing the high price that we as true disciples will likely pay to live out our Christian life and convictions, including an increasingly easy to project scenario of persecution. He said to me, "I'm not so concerned about myself but I am deeply burdened for my children and grandchildren." We likely have many readers who express that same sentiment. Our goal is to encourage and challenge you today. Yesterday's message focused on just the beginning part of today's verses, "But as for you, continue..." Today let us consider the phrases that follows, "in what you have learned" and "you know those from whom you learned it." (We will examine the phrase "and have become convinced of" tomorrow). Timothy had learned under Paul's teaching and surely many others. He came to know Paul as an adult but his early learning, "from infancy", was from his mother and grandmother whom Paul had mentioned earlier in the book. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well" (2 Timothy 1:5). This is very instructive in light of the verse that introduces Timothy in Acts 16:1: "A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek." The contrast between "believer" and "Greek" is quite pointed indicating almost certainly that Timothy's father was not a believer. His spiritual influence was primarily from his godly mother and grandmother. That should connect with a lot of people all these centuries later, although God's ideal design is that mothers and fathers both spiritually influence their children. But we know plenty of grandmothers and mothers who are assuming the primary role of spiritual leader due to absent and negligent fathers. The reverse is true as well with fathers assuming this role without the mother's participation (though less common). But we also believe Timothy likely had some other influences as well that go unnamed. That's usually the case. I consider again my brother's heartfelt concern for his children and grandchildren. Consider parents raising children in Judea back in about 620 BC. We can read about that turbulent period in 2 Kings 25 and 2 Chronicles 36. It was a terrible time as God's judgment finally came upon the apostate nation. Jeremiah was a prophet during this period and of course we know him as the weeping prophet. He poignantly wrote in Lamentation 2:11, "My eyes are spent with weeping." Stop and consider with us the Godly remnant raising their children during that time period. What about the grandparents who would have greater perspective about the political and spiritual attitudes and changes of the day? Surely they must have despaired at times. Yet God always has a remnant, those who remain faithful regardless of the severe conditions. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and as the people entered captivity some of this remnant is identified (I am convinced there are many others who remained faithful but unmentioned). The Bible books classified as "historical" end with three smaller books that chronicle this period (Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther). But the prophetic books also have history and today we consider the well-known stories of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who are identified as devoted followers of God in Babylon, the latter three youth more commonly known by their Babylonians names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can receive great inspiration from their faithful stand. But let's consider the phrase from our daily text as it pertains to them, "Continue in what you have learned" and "you know those from whom you learned it." Someone taught and prepared these young men for their godly stand. As in all generations it was likely their parents and grandparents and other unnamed disciplers. Today we have a mission, all of us. It remains the Great Commission. Early this morning I was visiting with Phil, a man a few years younger than I, who for many years has discipled youth. I write his name here, but apart from his local church, like the scores of people now serving Christ in local settings, he is essentially unknown. But being unknown or unnamed does not make us unimportant in the kingdom of God. Let us faithfully continue to follow and serve Christ and teach others to do the same! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, it has been written that he who stands for nothing will fall for anything. Most within our generation stand for very little that has eternal value, in great part because they were never instructed in the Scriptures and had no godly example to follow. We want to fill in that chasm by being hearers and doers of the Word, leading men and women, boys and girls into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. We are convinced of these teachings by the Holy Spirit, by men and women of deep faith who led and instructed us, and by our own defining experiences in life. Help us to stand unashamedly and fearlessly as people of deep conviction so that we can.  Amen. Yesterday we began our message by referring to the movie "God's Not Dead" and shared the plot. We heard an interesting testimony from Anthony, a reader who was just beginning college in 1962: "Ironically I had a similar situation very many years ago when I started college.  My Philosophy professor was an atheist, and he said on the first day of class, "How many of you students are Christians?".  After most of the class raised their hands he then said that he would ask the same question when the class was finished. He did, and mine was the only hand up. He asked me why I still believed. I told him we all face a leap of faith when we reach the "believe or not" stage. He chose to not believe, but my leap was belief. He became not only one of my favorite professors but we were friends as well. I am not sure I ever changed his belief, but he didn't change mine. God is good! This event changed my life so far as knowing who I was and what my life should be. It made me who I was to be and still am today." Last night Jeff Worrall, a long-time friend of over 30 years, joined us for dinner. Jeff is a forester who now works for an insurance company teaching safety courses. He was a part of our church in northern PA and for a number of years led our Royal Rangers boy's program. His daughter visited Ester for several days. They live in upstate New York near the Canadian border. Two days ago I showed a photo I took in an Amish barn that is a forge-like device used for making horseshoes. Last night Jeff showed me this photo that he had taken in the course of his work yesterday. Any ideas what they are? Answer here. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Tell Me the Story of Jesus/I Love to Tell the Story"  Video  Homecoming Singers "Wonderful, Merciful Saviour"  Video  Selah Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/13) Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. 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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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net

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