Daily Encouragement (4/29/20) "Living In A Perilous Time"
Published: Wed, 04/29/20
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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Shock's Mill railroad bridge from the Northwest River Trail
Click on photo to enlarge
"Living In A Perilous Time"
 Listen to this message on your audio player.“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:10,11). "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Timothy 3:1). We live in a perilous time. Now surely each generation has been able to say that to various degrees and all of us, as individuals and families, have experienced times of peril and trouble in life. Presently we are all sharing in a peril as we deal with a world-wide pandemic but this isn't the first or even the most deadly. Concerning the end times Jesus said, there will be "pestilences". This is a passage I have surely read many times but am not sure I really thought much about the "pestilences". A pestilence is defined as "any virulent or fatal contagious or infectious disease, especially one of epidemic proportions". The Amplified Bible states, "[deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics)". See Luke 21:11 in various translations But our perilous time includes so much more than the present pandemic. Violence and perversions abound. Millions (probably hundreds of millions) of people on earth hate Jesus Christ along with His followers and many consider it a religious virtue to kill us. Certainly there have been believers in any generation in this present church age who felt that they lived in perilous times and indeed many have. Consider believers who lived during the Black Plague in Europe that killed over thirty percent of the population during the late Middle Ages. There are places today that face chronic adversity much greater than most of us face over our lifetime. However I believe worldwide there is a subtle yet systematic undermining of the Christian's right to freely express and even practice faith that is leading to outright persecution. The secular worldview scoffs at the view I espouse, but the primary problem in the world remains spiritual; not social, psychological or economic. More specifically, and yet it is seen as culturally and politically incorrect in these "tolerant" and diverse times, the main need is the message of salvation through the only Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins!!! In the New International Version the phrase "perilous times" is translated "terrible times". The underlying Greek word for perilous or terrible is used only one other place in the entire New Testament describing the Gaderene demoniacs as "fierce" and "violent". Doesn't that increasingly describe our times? The Apostle Paul emphasized that perilous times shall come. God's Word teaches us the way to live. Love God. Honor and obey our parents. Respect life. Uphold moral standards. When God and His ways are rejected perilous times come. Man reaps what he sows, both individually and as a society. But God has promised better things for those who remain faithful to Him! Where is your citizenship today? Paul wrote from prison, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20,21). John wrote from Patmos, during the fierce reign of Emperor Domitian, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). Be encouraged today and stay faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ in these perilous times! Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer:
Father, life's experiences teach us that darkness and turbulence rage around us, so help us to hear the Prince of Peace calmly say, "Peace be still" to our anxious hearts. May our steadfast trust be found in the One who calms the storms and not in world leaders who have made such a mockery of world
peace throughout history. When world conflict and deadly pestilence closes in grant us faith to know that nothing of evil origin can ever separate us from Your love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Conflict will always exist in this current world, but I thank You, Peace-speaker, for resolving the inner
conflict within my heart and for all who trust in You.Brooksyne digging deeper: For a reminder of the fact that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord in the midst of trouble, hardship, persecution, danger or any other frightening situation read Romans 8:28-39. Better yet this is an excellent portion to memorize as I did years ago (though admittedly I need to re-memorize portions of it). This passage is so faith building, comforting and reassuring in the midst of adversity. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
 "Perilous Times" Video The Sensational Nightingales
I first heard of the Sensational Nightingales almost 40 years ago when we saw the very thoughtful "The Music Box", a classic film parable that has seen all over the world. The story of a man living a gloomy existence who is given a joyous gift but refuses to share it, Music Box is a delightful musical Christian parable about sharing the joy in Christ. Video
"Eagle sight" Video Linda, a reader from West Virginia sent us this video in response to yesterday's message about eagle eyesight. This eagle is being released off a skyscraper in Dubai and flying down to his handler demonstrating his incredible eyesight and other senses!
"Psalm 91 (On Eagles Wings)" Video Shane and Shane (song suggested by the same reader) "What is the meaning of pestilence in the Bible?" (from gotquestions.org)
Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
 We have been getting out for walks along the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, a beautiful recreational trail
along the Susquehanna River about 5 miles from our home. We usually ride our bikes along this trail but so far this year we have been walking. Last night we had the dogs with us and of course they enjoyed the sights and smells, though they pulled away as we neared the surging river in certain areas.For many years this trail was essentially inaccessible but in the last ten years has been developed and much of it is now paved. Presently there is another great trail along the Susquehanna River in Manor Township, not connected to this one. This will be connected to the former Low Grade railroad line through southern Lancaster County.
Shock's Mill railroad bridge from the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail was built over 100 years ago.
Click on photo to enlarge
 The trail now goes through a long abandoned railroad tunnel north of Columbia, PA.
Chiques Creek from Northwest River Trail walking bridge where it flows into the Susquehanna River.
 Walking along an active rail line near the Northwest River Trail. Stephen was hoping a train would come by, but it was not to be, no matter how long we drew out our walk.
 Part of the trail runs below bluffs, including Chiques Rock, and these small brooks run down into the river.
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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. 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 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
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