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Understanding Spiritual Things
2008-03-31 01:01:00
"Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving" (Isaiah 6:9).
Last night we sure had a nice surprise phone call. Marvin Estuardo Culajay Osorio was a five year old boy from Guatemala when he lived with us in the late eighties while receiving medical care here in the US. He's twenty-five now and married with one son. He "found" us on the internet last year and we have been in contact several times since. He has limited English and we only know a few Spanish phrases so our attempts at conversation are laborious, interesting and full of nervous chuckles. Thankfully we need no interpreter for explaining the meaning of laughter.
He called to greet Ester on her birthday and we ended up "talking" for awhile. His wife, son, brother, and sister also greeted me, his Tio (“Tio” is the Spanish word for “Uncle”, the endearing title he gave me while he was in our care. Brooksyne was Tia “Aunt.”) I heard his family members clearly over the phone but had a very difficult time understanding them.
Even within a single language, depending on where you live, folks in other parts of the country may "talk funny". Shortly after our move to Massachusetts back in the early nineties a lady stood up at the conclusion of a church service and asked, "Is anyone going to the potty with me?" I sure thought it strange that she would ask such a personal question publicly. Brooksyne and I quickly looked at each other quizzically hoping for more understanding. Well you probably guessed by now what she was meaning. The "r's" sort of disappear in the New England states and she was actually speaking of "going to a party."
In the novel,"Grapes of Wrath" John Steinbeck expresses the same thought through the character of Ivy: "Everybody says words different: 'Arkansas folks says 'em different, and Oklahomy folks says 'em different. And we seen a lady from Massachusetts, an' she said 'em different of all. Couldn’t hardly make out what she was sayin!"
Well, we eventually came to understand the local folks in New England a lot better the longer we lived up that way. After living there over seven years even Ester began to ask, "Are we going in the caw?”
Far more important than the challenges of understanding other people’s languages or working through their particular accent is coming to understand spiritual concepts. The daily verse was a part of Isaiah's call and is twice repeated by Jesus and once by the apostle Paul. It describes a spiritual condition common to the human race.
Most of us are abundantly exposed to spiritual truths. However Paul makes the following assertion following his citing of the verse: "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them" (Acts 28:27).
Does this not describe our world today? What about you? Have you understood with your heart, turned and received His spiritual healing? I sure hope so! If not, why not do so today.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, help our ears to be alert, our eyes to be open, and our hearts perceptive as we follow in Your ways. May we be eager to hear Your teaching and apply it to our lives so that we may be found blameless before You and experience the joy You give to those who follow Your commands. When Your meaning is clear help us to seek no other meaning to satisfy our own desires or to change the clear meaning of Your message. Align our desires with Your own, that we might find genuine peace and wholehearted obedience as You bring spiritual healing to our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,understanding
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Being Transformed
2008-03-28 01:01:00
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
Joe came into the church we served in northern Pennsylvania in personal and family conflict. He told me later he walked in as a bitter man. Among other things he and his wife were in disagreement concerning church attendance. But somehow she persuaded him to come that Palm Sunday morning about twenty-five years ago. A big, burly man he didn't seem happy to be there at all and as I stretched out my hand to greet him I wondered if he was going to snap at me! My welcoming smile was met by his very stern expression. If his looks could have spoken they would have said: “It’s not my choice to be here today so don't expect me to be friendly.”
Three weeks later Joe responded to an altar call. He gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ who then began the transformation process that continues to this day. His three children who were just little tikes when I first met them are now grown and married. Joe and Jane are blessed with six grandchildren. He joyfully testifies to the change in his life and for many years was active in ministry to boys until he began to experience health problems.
One of the most poignant memories I have of Joe was a foot washing service several years after he came into faith. I was preaching from John 13 concerning Christ's example and asked him if I could publicly wash his feet as a dynamic sermon illustration. He agreed and it is one of my greatest ministry memories. I am sure there are some who were in the church at that time who still remember that message!
Joe took seriously the call to discipleship in Romans 12:2: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
This prompts a challenge to my fellow believers to steadfastness as we all undergo the transformation process that begins when we accept Christ. I recall some really rough spots early on with Joe, but he persevered. Elsewhere the apostle Paul tells us that we "are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
You may be impatient with the pace of transformation in your life or that of a loved one. You may really be hitting some rough spots in life's journey. Stay faithful, dear friend. Don't give up, but keep pressing on. For Joe, and for all of us who have accepted Christ, we have this confidence: "that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we are confident in the transforming work You carried out when You forgave us our sins. You turned our lives around so that we no longer live for ourselves, but for the One who created us. We thank You for our salvation that began the moment we surrendered our will and continues all the days of our earthly life. We anticipate the glorious day that our salvation will be brought to completion on the day of Christ’s return. Until that transforming day keep us faithful and trusting as our spiritual life is rooted and established in Your divine wisdom. We want to be obedient to Your commands, as revealed in Your Holy Word, and apply them to our lives. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray, Amen.
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Tags: transformation,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Deliverance
2008-03-27 01:01:00
"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us" (2 Corinthians 1:10).
We periodically enjoy drawing from past memories to illustrate a spiritual truth and some of the memories we have are somewhat humorous. In the church we served in New England we had a guest musical family from Canada. Early in the service we sang a song that spoke of God's delivering power. If memory serves me correctly it was the time honored hymn, “He Is Able to Deliver Thee.” Before launching into the song our guest song leader instructed the pianist to pause between verses and allow the people to share in a single word about God’s deliverance power in their lives.
Throughout the congregation one by one folks spoke out with responses such as "alcohol", "self-centeredness", "fear", "pride", etc. In many cases, as pastor, I knew their testimony and was blessed to hear them express it before others.
Then little four-year-old Kyle boldly raised his hand. I couldn’t imagine what he had been delivered from, but when he was called upon he spoke out in a very matter of fact way; "drugs." Well, of course he had never had a drug problem, but he had probably heard of drugs as something people were delivered from. Our church was located in a small city and we had our share of troubled people and those who had been delivered from drugs. You can imagine the shocked look on his mother's face! (That would have been a Kodak moment!)
But Kyle had the right idea for God's delivering power and there are many thousands who can testify to deliverance from drugs and many other sinful, destructive lifestyles. I have a friend on my heart as I prepare this message who really needs deliverance. He has a crippling addiction that is negatively impacting every area of his life.
God is still delivering people today. I have met many and have seen genuinely changed lives. The greatest demonstration of God's deliverance is His deliverance from sin. All true believers in Christ can testify to this miraculous deliverance. Paul wrote of the powerful work of the Father: "For He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13, 14). What a great contrast – deliverance from hopeless eternal darkness to hope-filled eternal light. No promotion on this earth is equal to such a spiritual promotion!
In our daily verse Paul spoke of the reality of past deliverance and the assurance that God will continue to deliver. In this case it was his deliverance from the persecutions, hardships and even threats of death that were his common experience in ministry. "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us."
Let's rejoice with His glorious provision today, fellow believer. Consider the "deadly peril" that God has delivered you from and praise Him! Call out to Him and trust Him for any deliverance You need in your life today. May we, in the midst of our present circumstances, "set our hope that He will continue to deliver us."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, Your kingdom of light stands in great contrast to Satan’s dominion of darkness. As Your children we want our lives to be characterized by light, the light of Your Holy Spirit, who dwells within our hearts. Thank You for taking us out of the dominion of evil and placing us under the benevolent rule of Your Son, Jesus Christ. This brought about a great deliverance from our powerless life where we had no control over the evil one to a life where Your indwelling power can conquer any foe. You have not only delivered us in the past but You will continue to deliver us from the venomous attacks of Satan as we set our hope in You. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,deliverance
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At Rest In His Presence
2008-03-26 01:01:00
"This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything" (1 John 3:19, 20).
What are you aspiring for today? Observing the world there are many pursuits people crave for such as wealth, fame, possessions and a flood of material appealing to our base instincts. John describes such thinking with the following summary: "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does." But none of these meet our deepest and greatest need.
David sums up what life's highest aspiration should be in Psalm 27:4: "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple." To gaze or meditate upon the beauty of the Lord brings peace and assurance as one who has been forgiven and placed in right relationship with God.
Prior to coming to faith in Christ we are all under God's condemnation. His condemnation of us is absolutely just and completely consistent with the nature of a sinless, holy God. The repentant thief speaks not just for himself, but for the entire human race in the final minutes before his death: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41).
This condemnation is the result of the universal human condition of sin; "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But when we believe in Christ and come into the truth a marvelous transaction takes place. One of the most liberating truths of Scripture is in Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The apostle John makes a statement in this portion of Scripture that describes the human condition of self-condemnation. He describes it in a way that I can identify with when he uses the phrase "our hearts condemn us." I've experienced this occasionally and I’m certain that many of you have as well. I don't believe John is speaking of the healthy Holy Spirit-prompted conviction of sin that leads us to repentance. Rather he speaks of self-condemnation that can afflict God's children, robbing them of the peace and assurance that God has provided through the sacrificial death of His Son.
The Study Bible comments on this portion of Scripture “our hearts condemn us." “An oversensitive conscience can be quieted by the knowledge that God Himself has declared active love to be an evidence of salvation. He knows the hearts of all – whether, in spite of shortcomings, they have been born of Him.”
Two truths need to be deeply appropriated from today's text:
1) "God is greater than our hearts"
2) "He knows all things"
Today I encourage you to rest in a deep assurance of the Father's love and acceptance. Some readers struggle with self-condemnation, which the enemy of our soul delights in. He will use that to create self-doubt, worthlessness, and tempt you to admit defeat and walk away from God; God who has not left us in our condemned state but who has provided His rich mercy. Let us accept the truth of God, who is greater than our hearts, and humbly realize that indeed He knows all things, even those things which we cannot fully understand.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, as Your children we need to regularly examine our hearts to see if there are things, pursuits, or attitudes that are drawing us away from Your heart and thrusting us once again into the mindset of the world. Our heart’s examinations are not intended to condemn us but to refresh our spirit and remind us of our godly heritage. Father, since You know our hearts more than we do ourselves, reveal to us that which helps and that which hinders our Christian walk. As we walk in obedience to You we’re grateful for the peace and rest we receive in knowing that You do not condemn us but deliver mercy to help us in our time of need. You do not stand over us in judgment, but You walk alongside us assuring us of Your unwavering love and unending mercy that will see us through on this side of the journey.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,condemnation
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Of First Importance
2008-03-24 01:01:00
"God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact" (Acts 2:32). "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
Our family awakened yesterday to a brilliant sunrise in the eastern sky and a stunning full moon in the western. The customary Resurrection Day greeting in our home is "He Is Risen" to which we then reply "He Is Risen Indeed!"
We gathered with other believers in church to corporately declare the glorious truth of the resurrected Savior. My friend Ken greeted me and said "Happy 1975th Resurrection Day!" He had done a little math work subtracting 33AD (the traditional date for the resurrection) from 2008. I have to admit I never thought to do that!
Brooksyne led our choir in a powerful musical that expressed the great truths of the atoning death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, including one of my longtime favorites, "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!" Originally titled, “Hymn for Easter Day” this exuberant Charles Wesley hymn has been sung at Easter for 269 years. What a privilege to join the host of believers through the generations in declaring this Biblical truth in our worship musically.
Our pastor preached the gospel, the good news first proclaimed by the apostles. I never weary of hearing the old message that doesn’t expire, is never out of date, and does not need revision. I pray that I will always be like “those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest."
I also pray that there will always be churches faithfully proclaiming the message of Christ. The commission for the true follower of Christ is stated by Jude. We are to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 1:3). Far too many churches have abandoned the apostolic faith. They’re caught up in current fads and attempts to appeal to the post-modern "seeker". Some are embarrassed by the Gospel and redemption truths such as the Cross, the shed Blood and the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the Apostle Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).
Today's verse is the only place in the Bible where the phrase "of first importance" is found. In these verses the apostle Paul provides a wonderful summation of the Gospel. What he himself had "received" (paralambano), he had "passed on" (paradidomi). This has been the God-ordained manner for the transmission of truth for nearly 2000 years.
Earnest believers continue to receive and pass on this sacred message to this very day. Have you received and believed this message? Are you passing it on? At the heart of apostolic preaching is the proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe these three together comprise the truth that is of "first importance." This is of first importance all through the church age and indeed through eternity. This is based on the authority of the Scriptures, "according to the Scriptures."
Whatever you're facing today, hold on to this glorious truth that is of first importance, Christ died, Christ was buried, and Christ Jesus was raised to live forevermore! The risen Christ states in Revelation 1:18, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I am strengthened and encouraged through the vision the Apostle John received while imprisoned on the isle of Patmos. When he saw the Son of man he fell at his feet as though he were dead. Jesus’ words of assurance to John and to each of us some two thousand years later helps to still my fears and reminds me that I serve a living, risen Christ. “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever.” Because Jesus lives we live also!
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Tags: Easter,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Love’s Supreme Demonstration
2008-03-21 01:01:00
“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross” (Acts 2:23). “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The Tremont Nail Company in Wareham, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating nail manufacturer in the United States, making nails since the early 1800’s and they’re still stamping them out! When I lived in New England I would periodically drive by the plant and, although they didn’t have plant tours, I recall curiously looking through the windows. The nails they manufacture are not the round kind we typically see, but square. At the little country gift store across the street I bought three of the longest ones I could find. I still have them though I misplaced one. Holding these nails, feeling their coarse surface and recognizing their intended purpose is a vivid illustration reminding us of the price Jesus paid for our redemption.
The nails used in the crucifixion of our Savior were likely iron spikes five to seven inches long. In the daily text the action of nailing our Lord to the cross is taken from the Greek word “prospegnumi.” It appears only once in the entire New Testament and literally means “to impale.” Did you notice that the English word “peg” is in the middle of the Greek word? I have no idea how these nails were fashioned (perhaps they were wood pegs) but I am sure they were very rough. How indescribably horrible this form of death was.
The daily text is a part of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. Peter boldly asserted to his listeners: “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.”
Watchman Nee, a Chinese follower of Christ was persecuted for his faith and died in prison in 1972. He was a prolific writer but a single note found under his pillow, after he died, powerfully summarizes the simple essence of his faith: “Christ is the Son of God. He died to atone for men’s sin, and after three days rose again. This is the most important fact in the universe. I die believing in Christ.”
The underlying Greek word that is translated “demonstrate” in Romans 5:8 is “sunistasin” which is in the present indicative active. This connotes a sense that God’s demonstration of love is ever a present event, although Christ’s literal death on the cross was a “once for all” atoning sacrifice; “Christ died for us.” The demonstration of His love is present, but the sacrificial death of Christ is final and complete.
Christ died for the ungodly, for each one of us. Today we especially remember God’s greatest demonstration of love. Earnest believers look back to Christ’s sacrificial death in deepest gratitude and remember the One who died in our place. Christian songwriter, Gordon Jensen, put it this way:
I should have been crucified,
I should have suffered and died,
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,
But Jesus, God’s Son, took my place.
Let us remember the One who was nailed to the cross and His great act of atoning sacrifice on our behalf. Let us live faithfully for the One who died in our place!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Brooksyne’s prayer: Lord Jesus, I will never fully comprehend the depth of Your sacrificial death where we see man at his worst and God at His best. In my place You took my guilt and shame as You became the guilt offering pouring out Your life unto death and taking on my iniquity. You gave all so that I could be forgiven. Though my sins were as scarlet they were washed white as snow, cleansed by the saving blood of the sinless Lamb. You turned my hopeless condition into a life full of hope for this life and glorious anticipation for eternal life beyond the grave. Nothing in all of history will ever compare to the Divine Exchange where my sins were exchanged for Your pardon. I walk in newness of life and in the power of the resurrected Savior. Praise Your name, Lord Jesus! You are risen, You are risen indeed! Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: good friday,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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When The Hour Was Come
2008-03-20 01:01:00
“And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him” (Luke 22:14).
As we come to Thursday in Holy Week let us consider the events that likely took place on this day.
Consider the twelve apostles. Only a few years earlier they had left all to follow Christ. What an incredible experience they had: the wonderful teachings, the astounding miracles, the good food and fellowship they enjoyed together day after day.
Earlier in His ministry the opposition had tried to seize Jesus but could not, “because His hour was not yet come” (John 7:30). But this night was different. The careful historian Luke states “the hour was come.”
Now the Twelve leaned around a table and Jesus shared what surely must have been a confusing illustration as He inserted into the familiar Passover meal: “My body which is given for you, my blood which is shed for you.”
The disciples wondered what He meant as their eyes met one another around the table. You know what it’s like to be in a group with friends; you don’t want to let on that you don’t get it, but … you really don’t get it. You look at others in a guarded way to assess if they are catching on. You’re hopeful that some brave soul feels the same as yourself and will bravely ask the question, “Just what did you mean when You spoke of dying?” Just days earlier He had come into Jerusalem to great fanfare and shouts of praises from the crowd proclaiming that He was the King. They had surely thought this was the time He would set up His Kingdom. But this was not the case.
“The hour” was that singular moment in space and time for which Christ, “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world” had come to this sin-filled world. Oswald Chambers states, “The cross is the crystallized point in history where eternity merges with time.”
May all we who believe and follow Christ reaffirm our commitment to this great and loving God. May the desire of Paul’s heart also be the theme of our prayer: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
In the cross of Christ I glory, tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. *
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I glory in the Cross of Calvary from which Your Son, my Lord and Savior, died for my sins. I boast only in Jesus who lifted the heavy chains from my enslaved soul freeing me to soar in newness of life. Thank You, God, for demonstrating Your love toward me in that You gave Your one and only Son to die for me. At just the right time while I was still powerless, Jesus died for me, while I was unlovely and unable to save myself. Because of this incredible act of love and forgiveness I have reconciliation with my Father in heaven. Praise be to God! Amen.
* “In The Cross Of Christ I Glory” Ithamar Conkey / John Bowring © Public Domain
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,holy week
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A Grave Word Of Caution
2008-03-19 01:01:00
“Watch out that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4).
Have you ever bought a large box of crackers or cereal only to open it and find that the contents fill no more than 1/3 of the packaging? Brooksyne brought home a large box of Calla bulbs she purchased for gardening this year. She is so excited to start her spring gardening! I curiously opened the box expecting to find it full of bulbs, but was amazed to find the box nearly empty as the bulbs didn’t even cover the base of the box. I initially felt somewhat deceived in the oversized packaging of the product, though to be fair, it was advertised by the count of the bulbs not the size of the large box!
Today’s message about deception may seem a bit unusual for this week when we especially focus on the sacrificial death of Christ, but I believe it is fitting since it is a major part of Christ’s teaching only days before His death.
After the Triumphal Entry and just before Jesus went to the Cross He shared two lengthy teachings recorded in our Bibles. All three synoptic Gospels record a teaching known as the Olivet Discourse that was likely given on Wednesday of Holy Week. The Olivet Discourse is so named because the Lord shared this as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives. The other lengthy teaching is found in John’s Gospel which records our Lord’s close personal instruction to the disciples in the Upper Room (John 13-17). This likely took place on Thursday of Holy Week.
The Olivet Discourse is a long message that has a lot to say about the Church Age and the end times. However Jesus begins with a solemn warning: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Although I believe we do well to listen and heed this in a general sense concerning all forms of deception, Jesus goes on and expounds with a description of a very specific form of deception: “For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Thus foundationally we need to be on guard so that we are not falsely indoctrinated into believing in a counterfeit Christ. Instead we are indeed following and serving the genuine Christ.
Deception abounds in our world today. Actually it was first introduced in the Garden of Eden when Satan planted doubt in Eve’s heart causing her to question God’s ruling regarding the forbidden fruit. I read a letter to the editor written by an avowed secularist who asserted that a person holding a Bible-based outlook on life such as myself is deceived. Indeed from his perspective and belief system (worldview) he feels that he is right and anyone holding a view contrary to his is deceived. Of course I would assert that it is the other way around. He is the one deceived!
Since Christ gave His loving and instructive caution to the disciples many false christs have appeared all through the ages of the Church. And this is still true today. This may be a self-proclaimed individual or a belief system contrary to revealed Biblical truth. In my own lifetime false christs have come and gone and surely more will be coming, culminating with the antichrist.
Today we need to not only listen but heed the words of the one and only genuine Christ. We have in the Holy Scriptures a most certain and dependable record of His life and His call to each one of us. Let us ever be on our guard, watching out that no one deceives us. This is a grave word of caution that believers all through the Church age should solemnly take to heart. “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we are confronted with deception on many fronts every day, so much so, that we can be deceived without even realizing it. Would You help us to watch out and be on our guard so that we are not deceived by man’s words, no matter how convincing they are, how charming their personality, or how cunning their craft. Help us not to fall for Satan’s deceptive tactics that have brought down believers throughout the church age. We seek You for strength and discipline. We search the Scriptures for discernment and the true revelation of who Jesus is; the Son of the Living God. It is in His name that we pray, Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,holy week
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The Lord Will Repay
2008-03-18 01:01:00
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord" (Romans 12:19). "Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done" (2 Timothy 4:14).
I just finished reading a book titled "Amish Grace, How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy." Authors, Donald Kraybill, Steven Nolt and David Weaver-Zercher wrote about the Amish schoolgirl killings that took place in our area back in October 2006 and the Amish community's response that followed, especially characterized by forgiveness and reconciliation.
Recently Brooksyne and I became reconnected with an old friend we hadn't talked to for many years. In the course of catching up we learned that several years ago he experienced a tremendous loss in his life that has affected his family, vocation and finances. Especially painful is that it concerns a violation of sacred trust from those closest to him. It has been a very painful trial for him that continues to this day but he has maintained his good disposition and a positive faith in the Lord. As we talked there appeared to be no bitterness or need for revenge on his part, but rather a committing of the matter to the Lord.
As I consider the Amish schoolgirl killings and my friend's heartbreaking experience I realize how hard it is being wronged. The passionate response to these injustices, in my own heart, desires revenge. I have been pondering the Biblical concept that “the Lord will repay" in matters of unfairness. I realize that at the root of the issue (for me anyway) is having faith that this is really so, that God really will repay. What can be particularly troubling is when the offender seems not to be dealing with consequences or judgment, but rather appears to be getting by without fallout from the offense.
Both of the daily verses concern the Apostle Paul. The first is in a teaching section regarding personal revenge when one is wronged. We are to "leave room for God's wrath" and this is actually followed by a direct quote from the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 32:35: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord." This is not normally the type of passage we would list as a promise but I believe it really is.
Most of us have not been wronged nearly to the extent as the Amish families or my friend (although some of you have). But we've all been wronged in various ways and our response to these wrongs is a key expression of our faith.
In the second daily verse Paul is writing from his own experience. It's his final letter where he writes: "Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm." This may have been the same Alexander he wrote of in 1 Timothy 1:19,20 who had rejected solid teaching and shipwrecked his faith, and had been "handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."
He had caused Paul "a great deal of harm." He goes on to warn Timothy: "You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message." It would appear, especially if this is the same Alexander mentioned in 1 Timothy, that he was spreading doctrinal error that was causing confusion and also leading people astray.
But in spite of this great hurt Paul practices his own earlier teaching from his letter to the Romans when he acknowledges: "The Lord will repay him for what he has done." It would be great to have the original audio version as read by Paul for this phrase. Did he read it with an angry, spiteful, vengeful tone or with humility in recognition of God's most certain future judgment on this matter? (I believe it was the latter.)
Some of you are personally impacted by the theme of today's encouragement. You have been wronged. You're seething outwardly and hemorrhaging inwardly with a desire for revenge. Applying the concept of "leaving it in the Lord's hands" might be very hard. But I also know that God wants you to trust Him in this regard.
God's Word promises us that He will never give us more than we can endure. And the key to this endurance is possible only when we cast all our cares on Him and lay our burdens at the feet of the Master burden bearer. Trust God that you will not be overcome by evil but you will overcome evil with good. Trust Him also to repay according to what is just and right, in His time and in His way; in this life or the life yet to come.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, in our attempt to get even with our offender, we can do irreparable harm not only to our wrongdoer, but most especially to ourselves. Instead of having a spirit of forgiveness we harbor a vengeful heart. Our hearts harden and take on the character of the enemy instead of the Savior who loved us even while we were dead in our transgressions and sins. Our debt of sin He paid, and our death He died freeing us to break the chains of sin that had long held us bound. Father, You heal the broken-hearted and console the wounded as they seek You in the midst of their affliction, whether it is a fresh wound or an old injury. Our affliction from others is earthbound, but our affection for You is heaven bound where there will be no more heartaches or pain. Keep us steadfast and faithful till that appointed time. Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: revenge,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Ain't No Rock!
2008-03-17 14:00:00
"I tell you," Jesus replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40).
In the course of our daily walk we pass a farm with sheep peacefully grazing in a very rocky meadow. I don't suppose this section of land is tillable due to the abundance of rocks, but it works well as a grazing spot for sheep. This setting brings to mind many Bible story settings where David carefully tended his sheep or where Jesus likened His followers to being like sheep. The sight of the rocks also prompts a recall of today's text!
Our scenic nature walks bring a recurring spirit of praise and thanksgiving to God our Creator. After spotting our first robin on this morning's walk Brooksyne excitedly said, “Let’s look at the jonquils to see if they’re in bloom yet.” Sure enough the buds are visible and most likely this afternoon they’ll open up to the brilliant sunshine that’s warming the crisp air. Vivid reminders of the spring season, along with warmer temperatures, let us know that spring is just around the corner.
God's Word makes it abundantly clear that He desires His people to praise Him. There are seasons, settings, and events that make it very natural to praise God, but God wants us to praise Him in everything and at all times. The Psalmist reminds us that we are to bless the Lord at all times and that His praise should continually flow from our mouth. If we regularly practice this spiritual exercise, it’s not likely that gossip, swearing, lying, or hateful words will characterize our speech. Instead thanksgiving and praise will be witnessed in our conversation from day to day for our attitude is revealed through our words and actions.
Today's Scripture text is from a portion of the Bible dealing with the Triumphal Entry, an event that took place on the day the church calendar refers to as "Palm Sunday." The whole crowd of disciples began to joyfully praise God in loud voices as Jesus went by. "As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” (The other gospels record that this is where they proclaimed, "Hosanna in the highest!")
The angry Pharisees demanded that they be silenced: "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" Instead of a demanding rebuke, Jesus made this powerful observation: "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
The call to praise includes:
• Everyone: Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the Lord.
• Everywhere: From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
• All the time: But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!"
That includes you and me today. Let's not let any cold, inanimate stone take our place in praising our King of kings. Hosanna in the highest!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Jesus, I want to praise You, my great Redeemer, for who You are and for Your acts of kindness seen so many times throughout my day. I never cease to praise You because You never cease to work on my behalf. Your mercy and love, Your strength and comfort, Your sustaining power and guiding hand are only a tiny fraction of the many reasons that lead me to praise You. Instead of a murmuring and ungrateful attitude, I want to join with the multitude of believers and sing of my Great Redeemer's praise to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Amen
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Tags: Palm Sunday,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Lead Me To The Rock
2008-03-14 01:01:00
"From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).
As I prepare today's message I have my Uncle Jim on my heart. Uncle Jim is my Mom's youngest sister's husband, the last surviving male member of that generation in our family. I have previously written about him, a member of the "great generation".
He is now in a hospice situation and has a loving family surrounding him. We have a great extended family and email notices have gone out to the extensive Steincross family network informing them of the situation and requesting prayer. As we pray for Uncle Jim and Aunt Frances, their three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren our prayer is, "Lord, lead them to the rock that is higher than any other."
As I consider today's text there's no evidence at all that David traveled any considerable distance from where he lived. Of course travel in ancient times was very difficult and only a few ever traveled very far beyond their own relatively close geographic area. Yet in a powerful expression of faith David declares, "From the ends of the earth I call to You."
"I call as my heart grows faint." Many of you can recall a situation in your life when your heart has grown faint. Although it's difficult to determine precisely what David meant by this, I surely can identify such times in my life. Another version states: "when my heart is overwhelmed."
Times like this have occurred in both my personal life and in my service as a minister. And quite realistically I am aware they will continue to be a part of my experience on this side of eternity. Yesterday Brooksyne and I experienced a closed door in regard to a short-term ministry opportunity we had both been very excited about (an interim pastoral role). We are both disappointed (as well as Ester) since we had already been to the church for several services and after meeting many of the congregation we had looked forward to serving. But previous closed doors in life and ministry have reinforced our faith in God's overall plan!
David cried out to God, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." In the Scriptures the rock is a common metaphor for God. The first reference to this was in Jacob's blessing to Joseph when he refers to "the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel"(Genesis 49:24). In Moses’ final sermon to the Israelites before he died he declared: "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He" (Deuteronomy 32:4).
All throughout the Psalms the Rock is commonly used in this way to describe the power and stability we have in the Lord. One wonderful example is Psalm 18:31, "For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?" The prophets continue the theme: "Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal"(Isaiah 26:4). The apostle Paul describes the spiritual rock that accompanied the children of Israel, "and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4).
I'm still learning the powerful truth expressed in this statement by H.C.G. Moule. "There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot, from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today."
Make this ancient request of the Psalmist your personal plea: "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:Lord today I cry out to You. I am so thankful that You hear me regardless of where I may be crying out from or what situation I am in. At times my heart does grow faint and I am overwhelmed. I ask you to lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Amen
Tags: strength,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Perfect Peace
2008-03-13 01:01:00
"So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" (Isaiah 28:16). "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).
Yesterday we had a trip up to Lewistown, Pennsylvania where most of the drive is right along the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers. Route 322, a 4 lane highway, often runs along the foot of a mountain alongside the winding river with a beautiful valley beyond.
Engineers cut the road out of the mountainside so the highway is terraced which sets it apart from the typical interstate design. One lane is higher up on the terrace and you view the other lane down below as a parallel ribbon of highway stretching for miles ahead. The views of the encircling mountains are splendid even in the bleak of winter. Due to the heavy rains the night before water was plunging with great force off rock cliffs from the high mountains. New and powerful waterfalls appeared in several locations as we drove along.
What I just described as a beautiful scene to the traveler was a source of distress and anxiety for others living in the area. As I was visiting with locals in the church in Lewistown they were discussing how the army corps of engineers was opening up the gates to the dam on the large Raystown Lake up the river from the town. Speculation was made that if the dam was breached the town of Lewistown, which is right beside the Juniata River, would be catastrophically flooded. Smaller streams are already causing minor flooding in many neighborhoods.
There's a lot to dismay us, isn't there? What's dismaying you today? World situations, national tragedies, personal matters; they can all dismay, often concurrently. What glorious truth our daily Scripture verses convey. The prophet Isaiah served God some 2,700 years ago. He records the very words of the Sovereign Lord. This verse is later used by Peter to apply to the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:6).
Isaiah shares a truth held dear by believers everywhere: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3). "Stayed on Thee"; that's the key, and that's where I suspect so many of us have the problem. We keep getting our minds and hearts off the Lord and onto the problem at hand. We approach the problem from every angle and get everyone’s take on it. We go to bed with the problem on our hearts and if sleep does come it may very well be compromised by a dream that even deals with the problem.
But when we fully trust God problems will not dismay or overwhelm us, for dismay and trust simply cannot coexist. Trying to support both attitudes would be similar to rubbing coarse sand paper against the grain of fine furniture and expecting beautiful results. Certainly we’re tempted to be dismayed by the enemy, but the key to trust is to turn our hearts to the Lord in prayer as we stand on His promises.
Warren Wiersbe reminds us that "The peace of God is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of divine sufficiency in the midst of problems." George Morrison said, "Peace is the possession of adequate resources" and those resources come from the Lord when you yield your heart and mind to Him.
Our trust is in the One who is a tested stone, the Solid Rock; the One who is a sure foundation. He is ever trustworthy. He is ever faithful. Put your complete trust in Him today!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, in that day we will bear witness just as the Israelites did when they testified: “Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him and He saved us. This is the Lord; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” You will trample the enemy of our soul as Your sovereign Spirit triumphs in our life. Because we trust in You, sovereign Lord, we have an enduring peace that You are the Great Deliverer and that You work all things together for good to those of us who love You and who are called according to Your purpose. We seek to glorify You by living for Jesus, our Solid Rock, who was put to the ultimate test and laid an unshakable foundation for our faith. Amen.
See Isaiah 25:9, Romans 8:28
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: peace,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Our Shield
2008-03-12 01:01:00
"O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him' Selah But You are a shield around me, O LORD; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head" (Psalm 3:1-3).
Pennsylvania has many towns with interesting names. About sixty miles due north of us in the Appalachian Mountains is a small village named "Fearnot". I don't know how the name originated. I spent a bit of time trying to find out but was unable to do so.
It wouldn’t surprise me if it had a Biblical basis as is the case with the names of many towns in our area. Perhaps the early settlers were experiencing fear and a Bible preacher challenged them with a passage from the Bible that declares "Fear not". The message was so pertinent and left such an impact the settlers decided it would be an excellent name for a town. They’d hear the reminder each time the name of the town is spoken. In fact, there is a church in that area named Fearnot, which is an unusual but very descriptive name!
Many of us can identify with David's desperate cry to God in these verses. Our circumstances differ but we also sense the presence of foes. And to this day they continue to voice the same dispiriting words, "God will not deliver!" Undoubtedly some of you are dealing with this kind of emotional turmoil today. And your greatest foe, Satan, unceasingly torments. Nearly 500 years ago Martin Luther wrote, "But still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe."
David wrote this portion of Scripture when he was forced to flee from his rebellious son Absalom. The historical record of that uprising is found in 2 Samuel 13. David had been at the height of his power when he committed his most famous sin (2 Samuel 11), a "private matter" which had wide and lasting consequences. Although he eventually repented, a chain of events had been initiated of which he had little control. Now the great king is fighting for his life, his chief human adversary being his very own son.
The word "Selah" in the text is an actual transliteration of the Hebrew. In other words like "Hallelujah" and "Amen" it sounds the same in English as in Hebrew. It is thought to be a musical term indicating a pause. I read a comment that suggests it calls the reader to pause and contemplate on what has been written and prepare for what is coming next.
The very first reference to “shield” in the Bible is used in a spiritual sense when the Lord speaks to Abraham. "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am Your shield, Your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1). Perhaps David recalled this passage when he confidently declared, "But you are a shield around me, O Lord." David had a firm grounding in this glorious, unchanging truth. The remainder of Psalm 3 is a confident expression of faith in God's care.
Today I encourage each reader to focus on this unchanging God, who ever remains a shield around those who trust in Him. In fact throughout the Psalms David uses the image of a shield to describe the care and power of God. In the New Testament Paul speaks of the shield in Ephesians 6 as a defense weapon against the "flaming arrows of the evil one."
Here's another example from the Psalms to close with: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song" (Psalm 28:7).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, there are many foes standing ready to attack. The enemy’s ammunition is relentless coming from every direction but I am thoroughly protected by Your impenetrable shield that completely surrounds me. Fear misguides, but faith guides me into an enduring trust in Your unfailing love. You are My shelter from the stormy blast of Satan's weaponry. You lift my head as I am encouraged in You today and my hope is secured in my future eternal home. Amen.
Tags: fear,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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God Seekers
2008-03-11 01:01:00
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
Since I was a child I've enjoyed reading the "National Geographic" magazine. This last Christmas my sister gave me subscription as a gift and I look forward to reading through the magazine and of course looking at the stunning photography.
The March 2008 issue features a story about a massive super accelerator known as the Large Haldron Collider in Europe that physicists use for testing. In school Physics was and it remains to me the hardest type of science to in any way comprehend. But I still found the article interesting.
A main focus in the experiments is to discover the "Higgs particle", which also has the designation "the God particle." According to the article it's the missing evidence in a theory in physics that explains a basic characteristic of the universe. Now (and this where it becomes absolutely incomprehensible to me) the article states that the Higgs particle will last "less than a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second before decaying into a spray of other particles."
I am a person of faith. I believe what the Bible says and I see so much evidence (and more all the time) for the truthfulness of the Bible. I am deeply moved by the statement in Hebrews 11:3 "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Yet my faith is often maligned by the world and is considered by many as scientifically naïve, uninformed, simplistic and more recently, even dangerous.
But I contend that in this life faith in one way or another is always required. For instance I read the article and among other things I must have faith that they can actually determine a time measurement less than "a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second." But in the article it's stated as an absolute fact, with no words like physicists believe, conjecture or even estimate, but merely a matter of fact statement.
I had a stop watch in high school that measured time to the tenth of a second and have seen measurement to one/hundredth of a second in races on TV such as the Olympics. But really, I have to believe really, really, really hard that there is any way a time measurement of "a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second" can be determined. You know what I think the physicists do as well, though many would never admit it.
I find it interesting that the National Geographic article is subtitled "The hunt for the God particle." Ever since the fall and the blight of sin on the human race, man has in one way or another been seeking for the missing element in life. Satan has a massive array of substitutes of that which is claimed to fill this void.
The almighty God of the entire universe speaks in the daily text, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). He goes on to state in the next verse with a word of blessed assurance, "I will be found by you," declares the LORD."
Hebrews 11 has a foundational statement in regard to our relationship with God. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Let us be God seekers!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Holy God, I want seek You as a lifelong pursuit. Thank You for the promise that when we seek You with all our heart we will find You. I want to have faith that pleases You. I do believe You exist and are a rewarder of those who earnestly seek You. Help me to be a God seeker!
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
Click here for more daily encouragement. Subscribe to receive this free daily e-mail.
Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,seeking God
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Why Lord?
2008-03-10 01:01:00
"Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter" (Ruth 1:20). "See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15).
Mike Muhlhammer attended our church for several years in the late eighties along with his family. I recall his pleasant attitude and vibrancy toward life. I also remember one Sunday afternoon when we had a rather silly hot dog eating contest among the men and boys of the church where Mike distinguished himself as the Hot Dog Champ. All these years later I can't recall how many he ate! He stood out as a very bright young man with lofty ambitions.
Mike and his family moved on from our area but we’ve stayed in touch through the years. Following his high school graduation in 1993 he attended a one year program at Wisconsin Wilderness Campus of Philadelphia College of Bible. Following this he was preparing to transfer to another college and, in the course of his application process, he had a routine physical. The physical was followed by some tests that revealed a brain tumor the size of a golf ball at the base of Mike’s skull.
His mother tells the story: Within a week Mike was in surgery. We were told that he would be in ICU for a day or so, then out of the hospital within the week and able to attend college later that month with a decreased academic load. Life has just not been the same since that day. Mike suffered two strokes during surgery and came out of surgery in a deep coma. Over the next several days he slowly began to wake up. Then, nine days after the surgery, he came down with meningitis. He had been able to breathe on his own prior to that, but now needed a trach and was put on the ventilator. Additionally he was given a stomach tube for liquid feedings.
In the weeks, months and years that followed right up to the present time, some 14 years later, Mike has had a lengthy recuperative process and is a real over comer. (See below for a link to the complete testimony that Mike's mother, Chris, shared with me.)
These are situations where we who have earnest faith cry out, "Why Lord?" As a pastor, circumstances like this are among the greatest challenges we have when attempting to minister to the family and loved ones. Many of us have had crisis situations in our lives where we have uttered a deeply felt "Why Lord?" I'm not speaking of the many trite matters where we are inconvenienced in some manner or things just aren't going our way in a temporal sense. Really, these situations amount to mere grumbling if we honestly examine our hearts.
Life experiences similar to what Mike and his family have been through can prompt the gnawing question, “Why, Lord?” It is the common expression of those who have had deep unexplainable hurts, often with lifelong consequences.
In our previous church in New England we had a member whose young daughter was killed as a service truck backed over her in her own driveway. I recall a fellow pastor sharing of a situation involving a young mother in his church who had just come through extensive cancer therapy and then discovered she was expecting. What a difficult decision that family had to make. These are the "Why, Lord?" expressions that test the very limits of our faith in God who is good. I myself have had to deal with a few situations like this in my own life.
The severity of the testing may vary among Christians but the grace of God is all-sufficient to meet every affliction we have. Annie Johnson, a woman severely crippled at a young age by rheumatoid arthritis, says it so well: “He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; to added affliction He addeth His mercy, to multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.” In other words the grace of God more than matches the depth of our need.
The best step I have found in dealing with these troubling situations is to humbly acknowledge "I don't know why," get my focus off the situation (which will eventually lead to bitterness), and focus on the character of God. Naomi had experienced monumental loss. Her husband and two sons had died; she'd moved to foreign land with foreign gods. She expresses her deep hurt and confusion in our daily text with these heart-felt words: "the Almighty has made my life very bitter."
But the little book of Ruth ends with a contented grandma holding an ancestor to Jesus. As people of faith we believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Today if you are dealing with a situation that prompts bitterness may you recall Naomi’s story. It only takes a few minutes to read her entire book for the fuller perspective. After reading her story, apply the powerful truth from our second daily text, "See to it that …no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Jesus, when burdens increase and answers don’t come I have a choice to become bitter or become strong in You. I acknowledge that I am weak, often dealing with unbelief and fear, when my burdens become my major focus. But when I clothe myself in the spiritual armor You provide I have a powerful defense against the enemy; I will stand firm against Satan's evil schemes. You cautioned us repeatedly in Scripture that we will have many troubles, but that we should take heart because You help us to overcome them. Jesus, though You’ve proven Yourself to me many times before I ask for grace to trust You even more. Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
Click here for more daily encouragement. Subscribe to receive this free daily e-mail.
Tags: trials,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Better Than I Deserve
2008-03-07 01:01:00
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:10,11).
Here in America we often greet one another with the common expression, “How are you?” When we meet one another face to face, in our conversation over the phone, or when we write a letter to a friend we regularly ask the question, “How are you?” It’s so common that, at times, I have taken a phone call and out of habit responded with the customary, “Fine” only to realize after doing so that I answered the question before they even asked it! Occasionally I respond with such phrases as “I’m doing great” or “I’m blessed” attempting to give a more genuine response to the customary greeting.
I recall a few friends, dealing with some emotional ups and downs in life, responding with a very candid admission, “I’m gonna make it” or “I’m overcoming.”
But the other day I read of a true expression which can also be a thought-provoking response to the typical greeting. It also provides an opportunity for a witness, assuming you have the boldness to use it and opportunity to explain it.
Next time someone asks you “How are you doing?” respond with, “Better than I deserve.” I’ve been doing that recently and the reaction has been quite interesting, although it may take a few seconds for the words to sink in.
In one sense I consider the phrase as a counter to the whiny, entitlement outlook that permeates our culture. It seems so many, no matter how full the cup is, focus on the half empty view. They center on that which is lacking in their life and what they feel they’re entitled to. Politicians are great at pandering to this attitude with promises such as “Help is on the way.” Incredibly it’s a sizable voting constituency.
But it’s the spiritual application that really blesses me. Consider just the first phrase in the daily text: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.” That’s a portion of Scripture verse that you can memorize as you repeat it to yourself throughout the day. In fact you may want to personalize it, “He does not treat me as my sins deserve.”
What do our sins deserve? The Bible answers in a simple Scripture phrase you should have memorized upon first coming to Christ. “The wages of sin is death.” That is: spiritual death, separation from God, eternal judgment, hell. Not a popular theme in the modern church, infiltrated with the “I’m OK, You’re OK” doctrine launched in the 70’s.
Probably the most famous sermon in American history was preached by the 18th century theologian, Jonathan Edwards, where he focused on that which we truly deserve. He wasn’t concerned with making believers “feel good” when he titled his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” or when he preached the message God gave him regarding the penalty of sin.
The next time you’re asked, “How are you?” consider the great love the Father has for you and gratefully respond, “Better than I deserve.” It might lead to a discussion that takes you beyond a surface level to a conversation of the heart.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we are thankful for Your great compassion and enduring patience; that You do not treat us as our sins deserve but with Your never-ending mercy. From everlasting to everlasting Your love is with those who walk with You, who keep Your covenant and obey Your precepts. Amen.
Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,gratefulness
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Purchased by God!
2008-03-06 01:01:00
"And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation'" (Revelation 5:9).
I first met Floyd Miles about fifteen years ago when I lived in New England. At that time he was on the staff at a local Teen Challenge Center and had been saved for several years. We established a friendship and I've kept up with him through the years. He went on to establish the Teen Challenge in New Haven, Connecticut and is presently serving as a pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana. He sent me a book that has his testimony in it.
The title of the chapter dealing with his life's story is "No Chance on Earth" and indeed his testimony is another evidence of the "wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled." Floyd is my age but what vastly different backgrounds we have: he growing up in a rough inner city area in Harlem, New York City and me being raised in the small suburb of Belton, Missouri.
But now we are related through the blood of Christ! What a wonderful thing to be purchased by God! We become a part of God's family comprised of every tribe and language and people and nation. The divine blood of Christ is the medium of exchange and it is absolutely, altogether adequate for the purchase.
Today's text is a portion of a worship song sung by the twenty-four elders as they knelt before Jesus. It expresses the foundational act of redemption: "You were slain." It also covers redemption's glorious scope: "with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
Today, members of my family are everywhere. The following song stirs my heart every time I hear the words:
It's the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It's the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God's holy fire
It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir*
We enjoy hearing from our readers, whether local or from around the world. No experience in this life will compare to the day we meet face to face in our future dwelling place, since the vast majority of our readers we interface with only through the internet. You are representative of the redeemed who are summoned from "every tribe and language and people and nation." We do know that people from many tribes and languages and nations receive it. Each of our readers, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, is equally purchased by God! Just ask Floyd Miles when you see him in heaven.
Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all;
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for this medium of internet communication that makes it possible for us to join our brothers and sisters all around the world in honoring You as we grow together in Your grace and knowledge. We are all grateful recipients of Your mercy and grace. On a future date we will join together with the angels around the throne and our redeemed brothers and sisters and proclaim in word and song, "Praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever." Amen.
*"He Reigns" by The Newsboys
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,purchased by God
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Tell the Truth
2008-03-05 01:01:00
"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue … who keeps his oath even when it hurts" (Psalm 15:1-4).
Since we moved to Mount Joy in early 2001 I have had my car service done at a locally owned garage on West Main Street. I always ask for Eric, a young man who seems to know my vehicles, since he's done most of the service work on them from the time I purchased them. He does a good job and I feel he's always been honest with me.
He's also a got a positive, friendly disposition and I like it when he says, "Have a great day, Mr. Weber." That kind of reminds me of how Wally Cleaver talked to those his senior. Wally's television character grew into the kind of young man I would want to do business with.
Shortly after I started going to the garage I requested an oil change for my Camry. When I got home I saw that they had forgotten to place the oil filler cap back on. I called expecting it might be a hassle but Eric said, "Bring it right in, Mr. Weber, and we will put on a temporary replacement and order a new one for your model." And that's just what he did; promptly, no charge, and no hassle.
A Christian businessman friend of mine told me about a previous job he had where he was pressured to falsify records and distort manufacturing specifications. He refused to compromise his integrity and as a result lost the job he had for many years.
Particularly painful to him were the attempts by the company to "justify" their actions by maligning him to other employees who were his close friends. This is a man who demonstrated the daily verse. His oath was acting with integrity in the business world because of his Christian convictions and because he did so he experienced significant injustice.
Many times we will find being truthful really does hurt on the short-term. Someone else got that job promotion because he was adept at misrepresentation. (In my observation falsified and misleading educational credentials are rampant in our society.) A neighbor shares with a twinkle in the eye how he got a better deal on his insurance because of an incomplete disclosure. Mankind has been lying ever since the original sin and is becoming more and more skilled in ways of deception.
Psalm 15 contains a list of characteristics required by God of the one who would dwell in God's sanctuary and live on God's holy hill (v. 1). In this present age these characteristics would surely apply to those desiring a close walk with God; those with a heart to live in His presence. The portion of the verse selected this morning is so very important and yet greatly lacking in our modern world.
David is reminding us of the unchanging verity of the ninth commandment, "Thou shall not bear false witness." God wants us to keep our word and speak the truth even if it hurts. In our day of slippery words, half truths, and embellishments we need to keep our word even when it hurts. The pressures to violate the 9th command are great, but by God's grace and in His strength we can keep from doing so. God still "desires truth in the inner parts" (Psalm 51:6a). Jesus wants us to live in the truth, to speak the truth, and to listen to the truth!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You; for it teaches me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before You. Even when it brings about hurtful circumstances help me to do the right thing in keeping with the Christ-filled nature I received upon the day of my salvation. May I not be found lacking in integrity but rather be characterized by my integrity as it honors my Father in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement,truth
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Eutychus
2008-03-04 01:01:00
"Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead" (Acts 20:9).
For some time the clock on the back wall of our church has not been working. As I recall the last time I preached I commented on it (using it to the preacher’s advantage.) The trustees have been working on the matter, having replaced the first broken clock, but apparently a second clock has not kept time either. Yesterday my friend, Ken, called me about a clock they were considering purchasing online. Ken is an enthusiastic, diligent young man who is a joy to be around. He was concerned about online security and was calling me for advice.
He was excited about the clock they had in mind. "It's an atomic clock" he told me. When I hear atomic I think nuclear and I semi teased him, "Ken, do you think it's wise to have a nuclear powered clock in our church?" Our area was personally impacted nearly 30 years ago by the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident and people around here can be sensitive about these matters.
He laughed and informed me that by atomic it somehow got the time from a satellite and was accurate to one millionth of a second. I’m just hoping that doesn't cause too much stress for our pastor!
Many churches have clocks, although I've attended a few who for "theological" reasons do not allow them in the sanctuary. As a pastor for many years, I grew accustomed to seeing people discreetly glance at the clock on the back wall as the worship service was nearing an end. I have never seen a clock on the front wall behind the preacher. Hmmm, I wonder why!
Acts 20 has an interesting story. The apostle Paul was traveling and stopped by Troas, where he stayed for seven days. On the last day he was with them they gathered to break bread and Paul spoke to the people. He kept talking till midnight in an upstairs room with many lamps when a most unusual event took place.
"Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on." I can imagine that lengthy service. I've sat through a few of those, myself, and I am usually pretty tired by midnight. Lamps of their time surely would not have provided the type of light conducive to wakefulness. And Eutychus sat in an upstairs window; surely a recipe for disaster as "Paul talked on and on."
Sermons have gotten shorter during my lifetime and certainly have throughout Bible and church history. Most people don't want more than half an hour now in much of the western church and the pastor sure better have some bells and whistles to keep the people’s attention, like PowerPoint and video supplements. But people still fall asleep in church!
"When he (Eutychus) was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead." Now I've experienced some interesting disruptions in church services. I recall, as a boy, someone dropping the offering plate off the balcony with a loud clanging of change spilling out in all directions on the tile floor (thankfully it didn't hit anybody below.) A common disruption in our churches today are the cell phones that don’t get turned off. It’s one thing for parishioners to forget to turn off the ringer; quite another annoyance when they feel obligated to take the call right in their pew, which actually happened one time when I was preaching. Well, I’m getting off subject and the clock on my computer is ticking away (accurate timing and all) so let me get back on subject.
If the internet were available in the New Testament period this would have been a top of the news story, hitting every public and cable network and major newspaper. Reporters surely would have been on the scene with their interpretation of the situation. See below for a link to the entire Scripture text and "the rest of the story!"
The full meaning of the story perhaps only God knows, but clearly this is an account of human weakness and divine intervention. The next time you get sleepy in church perhaps Eutychus’ story will come to mind and it will prompt you to sit a little taller and lean forward as you listen more intently to what God has to say through His appointed messenger.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for godly messengers who faithfully feed Your children by diligently teaching the whole counsel of Your Holy Word. Some attend church with an intense spiritual hunger, while others may come out of a sense of duty or to be seen by others. Give us a hungry heart that yearns for more of You so that our lives are set apart to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do. May we be attentive to Your life-transforming truths as You impart them to our hearts in our personal devotions and through Your anointed messengers. Amen.
Tags: attention span,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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Many Hardships
2008-03-03 01:01:00
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24). "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22b).
We have a fun time in our home with the easy button. Push the easy button and a voice emphatically states, "That was easy." Most of you know that this is a popular ad campaign run by the super office store, Staples. Of course the intent of the button is to show us how much easier our lives will be if we remember to shop at Staples.
I have considered using this button in my preaching. When I conclude a point that I feel listeners should have grasped I could merely push the easy button. In order to experience a more interactive participation I could distribute an easy button to each attendee and they could all push it simultaneously, sort of an affirming response to my message similar to collectively saying "Amen!" Wouldn't that make an interesting church service! (It might be a bit distracting as well.)
Of course I am teasing but the easy button has got me to pondering. We live in a time when easy is valued, expected and even an entitlement to many. We strive to do whatever is needed to make life easier, whether it’s our chores, our jobs, our relationships, or physical exercise; in other words whatever takes physical, mental, or emotional exertion on our part. This mentality can spill over into the spiritual as well and rather than considering the harder demands of Biblical discipleship we may tend to look for the easy way. When facing a call that may be hard or require great sacrifice we may choose an easier solution.
John and Esther Spurrier have served as missionaries in Zambia, Africa since the mid-seventies. John is a medical doctor who serves at Macha hospital in Zambia where he seeks to compassionately minister to the sick and needy. Yesterday he and Esther shared about their ministry in Zambia during our worship service. The power point presentation gripped our hearts as they featured photos of the sick, weak and dying they minister to daily. They issued a strong and convicting challenge to the congregation to respond to the voice of the Lord who says, “Whom shall I send and who shall go for us?” Like Isaiah, our response should be, "Here am I. Send me."
Is there an "easy button" in the Christian life? Many of us would say, "If so, I sure want to find it."
In the first daily text are the very words of Jesus, but a portion I really doubt if too many have memorized. He's teaching His disciples: "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!"
In the second text Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey and are returning to some of the cities where they had earlier established churches. Their basic message to these young churches is summed up in this phrase: "strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith" (Acts 14:22a).
But Luke sums up the essence of their verbal message in a single phrase, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22b). This portion bears careful attention in an age when the call to follow Christ is often presented to unbelievers as “simple" or “easy.” We might not be too comfortable sharing the above verse with those we are seeking to lead to Christ!
Notice the part "you must go through." This hard reality seems to be an acknowledgement that there is no easy button in life. Testings of all kinds are present from our childhood to the final breath we draw in this life. Thankfully, during our times of hardships, we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
I am sure some of you today are "going through many hardships." You wonder how the particular matter you are dealing with is going to work out. You sure would like to find that "easy button."
My fellow believer let me encourage you today. God is faithful! He will make a way. It may not be the way we would prefer, and it may not be easy, but we have a promise of entry into the kingdom of God and His promises are absolutely sure. Let this truth encourage you today.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone. For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Keep me faithful to the end. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.
See Hebrews 6:12, 19
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
Tags: strength through trials,daily encouragement,archive,blog
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