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(Click refresh or reload for current message) "Spiritual Amnesia" Message summary: "Spiritual amnesia" is a dangerous condition each of us must battle against. It can affect us at any age. Listen to our message on your audio player. "Be
careful that
you do not
forget the
LORD your God"
(Deuteronomy
8:11a). "Those
twelve stones
which they had
taken from the
Jordan, Joshua
set up at
Gilgal. And he
said to the
people of
Israel, “When
your children
ask their
fathers in
times to come,
‘What do these
stones
mean?'
tell them,
‘Israel
crossed the
Jordan on dry
ground.’ For
the Lord your
God dried up
the Jordan
before you
until you had
crossed over.
The Lord your
God did to the
Jordan what He
had done to
the Red Sea
when He dried
it up before
us until we
had crossed
over. He did
this so that
all the
peoples of the
earth might
know that the
hand of the
Lord is
powerful and
so that you
might always
fear the Lord
your God”"
(Joshua
4:20-24). As a physical disease amnesia "refers to the loss of memories, such as facts, information and experiences" (Mayo Clinic). Peter Greer is the leader of "Hope International", a ministry based here in Lancaster County. He's also a thoughtful writer and speaker who cautions believers against a condition he refers to as "spiritual amnesia". Spiritual amnesia is something we all battle against in one way or another. In
his final
sermon Moses
gave this
solemn
warning, "Be
careful that
you do not
forget the
LORD your God".
It's a
critical
caution for
every
generation. Yesterday I taught our Adult Bible Fellowship class and used this as a theme, encouraging our class, made up mostly of empty-nesters who are 60+, to consider what momentos or memory aids we are purposefully leaving to those who follow us which are similar in purpose to the pile of stones in Joshua.
EBENEZER
ALTAR, "a
stone of
help." Our
witness/reminders
of God's
faithful help. Now
that's an idea
our readers
might want to
incorporate
and it would
be especially
beneficial as
you begin
married life
together
but... it's
not too late
to start!* Joshua instructed the Israelites to answer the question "What do these stones mean?" by recounting the story of God's wonderful deliverance that had just taken place, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever" (Joshua 4:24). There are several other monuments in the book of Joshua that often involve stones. In fact, immediately prior to his death, Joshua set up a stone (Joshua 24:27) as a witness in regard to his powerful challenge to the people in making the daily choice to serve God. "And the people said to Joshua, 'The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey'.” We have two challenges for our readers to consider regarding monuments in your life: 1) Do you recall certain "stone piles" in your life that remind you of God's faithfulness? These may be either purposefully set up as the 12 stones from the Jordan River in Joshua's time or they may be a divinely ordained event in life. What a blessing to recall these "stone pile" monuments as a reminder of God's faithfulness and our commitment to follow in His ways. 2) Do you have "stone piles" set up as monuments for those who follow you? These may be specific memories of God's help, places, items or people that prompt the question, "What does this mean?" Perhaps it's a spiritual journal, a book of answered prayers, a picture that signifies God's miraculous provision, or maybe a former "help" needed such as an arm or leg brace before God provided divine healing. We do this so "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever". Perhaps
we all need to
set up some
monuments
within our
lives and be
on our guard
against
spiritual
amnesia since
it is a
recurring
condition each
of us must
battle
against, no
matter our age
or experiences
in life.
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13 Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
* For many years we have kept a guest book that we have each guest to our home sign (or we register). However we started this well into our marriage and wish we had done so at the beginning. Sometimes regrets that we didn't start doing something earlier can be a hindrance to getting starting now. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Monuments" Watch on YouTube Legacy Five This song is based on the Bible account in today's passage. God's
people stood
on the river
of Jordan "He's
Been Faithful"
Watch
on YouTube
The Brooklyn
Tabernacle
Choir
Dedicated to
friends we
know who are
going through
a hard
challenge as
they read this
message.
![]() Brooksyne
often brings
treats to ABF
class.
Yesterday she
set it up with
the U.S. red,
white and blue
colors in
light of the
Memorial Day
weekend.
Note:
we have been
sharing about
the baby birds
in a nest on a
fan above our
outdoor dining
table. As of
this morning
they are still
there and
practically
spilling out
of the nest
due to their
size!
Further
study thoughts:
Last week I
read a quote
by Gary Bauer,
"Of all the
dangers facing
our country,
perhaps the
greatest is
the one that
doesn’t make
many headlines
-- our
collective
national
amnesia". As
we study God's
Word we notice
how connected
and cognizant
the people of
God were with
their past and
how throughout
the Scriptures
God instituted
reminders for
them. Tomorrow
we study about
Joseph's tomb
which is still
in Shechem
where he was
buried after
the Israelites
carried his
bones through
the Exodus and
wilderness
wanderings and
through the
conquest in
Joshua. However,
as we consider
our present
day, we're
struck by how
many know so
little about
the past and
even more
stunning is
their lack of
interest.
Monuments or
memorials are
visible
markers
intended to
remind us. Now
the "woke
virus" is
causing a
removal of
these
physical
monuments in
many settings.
Peter Greer's book "Mission Drift" has a vitally important message for the church and individuals. "Too often, as Christian organizations grow, the Gospel often becomes cursory, expendable, or even forgotten. Again and again, leaders have watched their ministries, businesses, and nonprofits professionalize, expand, and lose sight of their original goals. Even churches can stray from their calling." And based on recent events entire denominations.
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Joy, PA 17552
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Daily Encouragement on: ![]() ![]() Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact. 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 and a variety of other versions. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |