Daily Encouragement (2/16/22) "Retaining The Knowledge Of God"

Published: Wed, 02/16/22

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2022
 
Cameron Estate Mansion and Inn in Lancaster County PA
The grounds on the Cameron Estate Mansion and Inn about a mile west of us.
 
"Retaining The Knowledge Of God"
 
Message summary: Let us determine that it is worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God! Retaining the knowledge that God has imparted and obeying His mandates is essential to having a sound mind and living a virtuous, God-honoring life. 
 
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"Male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done" (Romans 1:28).
 
Yesterday I (Stephen) went to an appointment at Hershey Medical Center where I had a Videostroboscopic exam. This is a scope procedure to examine my throat due to persistent congestion and coughing, a condition I have dealt with for many years that is increasing as I age. I was diagnosed with a condition called Laryngopharygeal Reflux (LPR) which according to WebMD is a real thing.
 
Prior to the procedure the receptionist gave me a form to fill out which is not at all unusual. We're accustomed to these forms for our first visit. But I was rather flabbergasted when I got to a line that would customarily have a place for a checkmark beside male or female. I have that part down pretty well at 67 years of age. (Actually I had it down by the time I was two years old!)
 
But this form was different, I guess you would say this medical practice is "woke"*. Instead of male and female it had "Pronouns (e.g., He/him, she/her, they/them, etc.)" Well it was very disconcerting to read this. I've been seeing online forms that state (Male, Female, Other which has been a hint of things to come). But this is the first time I saw anything like this on a medical form. I wrote "Male XY (this wokeness is insulting)". I actually took a photo of it before I went in for the exam to show Brooksyne and post it below.
 
Hershey med form
 
But my journey into insanity was not done. A few minutes later a lady called my name and escorted me to the exam room for the scope procedure where there were three apparent ladies. Penn State Hershey is a medical school so they might have been training people. It's nice when people introduce themselves and if you're a man or a woman (which is usually quite evident though less so in this age) we introducing ourselves by simply saying something like, "Hi, my name is Stephen."
 
Well, they proceeded to introduce themselves like obedient, very woke robots, "Hi my name is Candy, I'm a she/her" the next one said "Hi, my name is Sal, I'm a they/them" and finally, "Hi my name is Debbie, I'm a she/her". (These are not their real names as I've forgotten their names, but I do remember their "preferred" pronouns.) After this I wondered if the polite thing to do was say, "Hi, I'm Stephen, I'm a he/him" but I didn't.
 
As they looked at the form together and went over it with me, I am quite sure they all, including Sal, saw my comment regarding pronouns on the form. They kept the form so it's probably now part of my medical record. It turns out Sal, the "they/them", actually did the procedure and was proficient and courteous and likewise I was courteous to all of them as well.
 
But my experience yesterday is another indication of the increasing slide into moral insanity as the teachings and restraints of Holy Scripture are cast aside. Absolutely foundational and taught in the very first chapter of the Bible is that "Male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). That's consistent all though the Bible and it seems the human race pretty much understood this up till about ten years ago when the trans madness really started up. Now "experts" tell us there are many genders and you better go along so you can get that right.
 
After an experience like yesterday a consideration of Romans 1 is in order. The ESV has a heading for verses 18-32 which states, "God's Wrath on Unrighteousness". The NASB states, "Unbelief and Its Consequences" and the NIV has "God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity".
 
There are three occurrences of “God gave them over” in Romans 1:
1) “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another” (Romans 1:24).
2) “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones” (Romans 1:26).
3) “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28).

 
This is a summary of man's condition of sinfulness due to their rebellion against God. It describes what happens when we do not retain the knowledge of God or obey His decrees. Let us determine that it is worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God! Retaining the knowledge that God has imparted and obeying His mandates is essential to having a sound mind and living a virtuous, God-honoring life. 
 
 
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
 
Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we want to be a people whose hearts and minds are one with Yours. Through our diligent study and application of Your living word our thoughts and attitudes are formed. Keep us faithful to the truth of Your knowledge. We stand in firm opposition to the world’s substitutes; the acceptance, condoning, and celebration of anything You describe as sin. The world may dress it up, commercialize it, make it appealing, and cover up the disastrous results it brings on the individual, his or her family and society at large. Help us to read, retain, and regard Your knowledge as our pattern for life. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
 
* Woke is a term we've been hearing for several years that doesn't have the traditional meaning for the word, that is, "not asleep" in a literal sense. The old meaning of the word defines woke as simply the “past simple of wake”, as in to wake up, or awake such as asking someone "have you woke up yet?" Now it's used to describe someone who has "woken up" to issues of perceived injustices in our time and the latest fads especially regarding sexuality.
 
A fad impacting many young people especially is confusion whether they are male or female and the belief you can choose. This is a lie from the very pit of hell.
 

 
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
 
"God, Turn It Around"  Video  Jon Reddick with Matt Maher
 
"May the Mind of Christ My Savior"   Video  Jake Armerding
 
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self-abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

 
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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."
 

 
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