“Antisemitism”

Thursday, April 25, 2024

“Antisemitism”

Message summary: “God chose Israel, so that through Israel He might bring Jesus Christ to the whole world”.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).

Today I will be speaking to a men’s group then heading over to the Old Windmill Farm where Brooksyne and I will assist Jesse and Anna on what they expect to be a very busy day. Several times each year hundreds of Jews will converge upon the farm during their festivals, in this case during Passover. The orthodox Jews, especially from Brooklyn, New York and Lakewood, New Jersey, love coming to the farm.*

Anna told me I could help out by driving the team that pulls the hay wagon but I still need some more training on parking!

The last time the Jews had a major convergence on the farm was during Succot in early October. In fact I was at the farm October 4th just three days before the hamas terrorist attack in Israel. Since that time there has been a heightened expression of antisemitism as we are seeing now in many of our country’s centers of indoctrination (AKA colleges and universities starting with those deemed most “elite”).

We hope the Jewish guests find a source of peace and feel the genuine welcome that the Lapps provide visitors at the farm but in a much greater sense we pray they find the true source of peace in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The ancient, yet ongoing peril of antisemitism (hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people) is all through the Bible, notably Pharaoh’s attempts at extinction and Haman’s. And all though history, most notably the holocaust, a people with a relatively tiny percentage of the world’s population have always faced a vastly disproportionate amount of hate and scorn.

J. Dwight Pentecost was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and wrote a popular book on eschatology (the study of end times) titled, “Things to Come”. I recall hearing a quote of his, probably while in Bible College, in which he asserted that one of the most remarkable evidences of the Scripture’s authority is the survival of the Jews as a distinct people. I am sure it’s worded more profoundly than that but I can’t seem to find it in writing. Perhaps a good internet sleuth could help me!

The spiritual root of antisemitism is scorn of the promise to Abraham, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).

Of course antisemitism has also occurred through the church age by some who call themselves Christians and some probably still do, asserting the Jews killed Jesus. This is rooted in a very faulty view of redemption and the purpose for the death of Christ who came to earth to die for our sins. “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). “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In our mission service this last Sunday a missionary used the slide that is at the top of our message today. “God chose Israel, so that through Israel He might bring Jesus Christ to the whole world”. 

An article on antisemtism on the teaching website gotquestions.org asserts and I agree,

“The truth is that the world hates the Jews because the world hates God. The Jews were God’s firstborn, His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). Through the Jewish patriarchs, the prophets, and the temple, God used the Jews to bring forth His Word, the Law, and morality to a world of sin. He sent forth His son, Jesus the Christ, in a Jewish body to redeem the world of sin. Satan, the prince of the earth (John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2), has poisoned the minds of men with his hatred of the Jews”.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, today we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the entire country of Israel. We pray for peace in the Middle East and in our world. We pray that many will this day receive the Prince of Peace, Jesus, as their Messiah.  For when the roll is called up yonder we will see those from every tribe and nation, all peoples and languages, standing together as one united in the name of Christ shouting out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Revelation 7

* Note: I spoke to Jesse late yesterday afternoon and he said normally they get lots of calls prior to these Jewish festival days but this year they have had hardly any. With all the antisemitism I can understand why they would fear getting out. I’ll report tomorrow how the turnout was.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Note: This message cannot cover all the nuances of course. Have Jews mistreated other people in history and modern times? Of course, what people group has not in some way. In responding to the terrorist attack is the war being engaged in flawlessly? Likely not. An enemy as dastardly as they face who use tunnels and place civilians at or near military sites will inevitably lead to deadly consequences and collateral damage much more than conventional war. The charge that they are committing genocide is ludicrous. If they wanted to do that they could do so very quickly. Actually in light of what they are enduring their resttaint is pretty remarkable.

“A Lesson From Succot”  Message with photos about my visit to the Old Windmill Farm last October 4.

What is the cause of all the anti-Semitism in the world? (from gotquestions.org) 

What is antisemitism and what is the true spiritual origin of anti-Semitism? – Podcast Episode 181  (from gotquestions.org) What is antisemitism? Why has there been so much anti-Semitism throughout world history? What is the true spiritual cause of antisemitism?

The Regathering of Israel 

Why are the Jewish People Special?

Israel in Prophecy John F Walvoord

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WETA, the PBS station in the greater Washington DC area, just presented a “Get Out Of Town” travel show about Lancaster County, including a segment about the Old Windmill Farm. Brooksyne and Ester was invited to the farm that day to be part of the guests. To watch click on the photo above or here. The Old Windmill Farm segment starts at 11:50 and last about 4 minutes. It features a mother and daughter but you may see a few glimpses of Brooksyne. (It’s as famous as she has ever been!) Also note they included a  portion of a prayer prayed by Jesse before they dug into the homemade butter and bread.

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Finally today: I am teaching our Crossroads adult ABF (Sunday School) class this Sunday and will use some of the material from today’s message. I find a consideration of the relative size of Israel in both population and land mass interesting in light of its newsworthiness and influence. Since I am speaking to a local group I also reduce the world to the size of our county to help visualize just how small.

The Middle East region represents an area of over 5.0 million square miles. Vast deserts are common in the region. Yet Israel has just 8,630 square miles or a minuscule 0.1726%  of the land area of the Middle East.

The total land area on earth is 57,268,900 square miles So Israel has just 0.015069260977599% of the land area in the world.

To visualize locally: Lancaster County has 944 sq mi land area. .015% of that is 0.1416 sq mile or 89.6 acres, a small to medium sized farm (according to my friend Ken Pierce).

According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, the Israeli Jewish population stood at 7,181,000 people in 2023, comprising 73% percent of the total population of Israel (if the Arab populations in East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are included).

The Middle East is comprised of 17 countries with a population of 371 million. So Israeli Jews comprise just 1.9355795148248% of the population in the entire Middle East.

The world’s population is at 8.1 billion. Thus Israeli Jews make up just 0.088654320987654% of people in the world.

To visualize locally: Lancaster County has a population of 550,000. .088% of 550,000 is just 484, the size of a small village.

Note: In case you’re wondering I didn’t figure these percentages out in my head! I used these: calculator and this one

“A Glimpse Of Heaven”

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

“A Glimpse Of Heaven”

Message summary: It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11).

Yesterday we took a rail trail bike ride through Swatara State Park and visited Bordner’s Cabin in a remote part of northern Lebanon County. This is a cabin built at the bottom of a cascading waterfall by a high school shop teacher, Armar Bordner, in 1939. He lived in the cabin until his death in the early 90’s.

It has been called Lebanon County’s Falling Water, a reference to a house in western Pennsylvania designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Since we’ve been to both we can say they are both very scenic and interesting. However it will cost you $36.00 to visit the real Fallingwater while visiting Bordner’s cabin is free although it requires either a mile+ walk or bike ride to get there!

We enjoyed eating our lunch in the cabin while the sun highlighted the cascading water through the paneless picture window. We had to talk a little louder than usual over the sound of the roaring waterfall. Due to its remoteness we were alone most of the time since many are unaware of its existence or don’t have the physical endurance it takes to reach the cabin. It’s a beautiful view we enjoy riding to every year. If you’ve toured Fallingwater (Wright’s architectural wonder) you’ll hear the guide say, “It’s the ultimate view” but he’s probably never visited Bordner’s cabin.

I consider other “ultimate views”. I have traveled from coast to coast and from the tip of Florida to Canada and  several other countries. Some of my favorite “ultimate views” is an overlook on Mount Battie near Camden, Maine that looks down over the harbor and out into the ocean. Or the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, seeing the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and many others. Take a moment and consider some of your personal favorite “ultimate views”.

But what is the ultimate ultimate view?  I’m quite certain it won’t be any view we designate as “ultimate” on this side of eternity although we do hear the phrase, “It’s a bit of heaven here on earth” or a beautiful view being like a “glimpse of heaven”.

Will it be the view of Christ in all His glory? Or perhaps when we get our first glance of the New Jerusalem through the open gate made of a single pearl?

We must in faith wait, but the daily text grants us an eyewitness glimpse and I can’t read it without sensing the awe. Just imagine the scene, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True”.

As I study heaven I note that no single extended Scripture portion gives us substantial information. Rather we see glimpses of what heaven is like. Today’s portion comes from the book of Revelation. It’s a tremendous comfort to believers. John had just received a remarkable revelation from an angel and had bowed down to worship the angel when he was firmly rebuked and told to “Worship God”.

Then he saw heaven standing open and what did he see? Actually not what we might expect! If the verse was not before me I would expect it to say something to the effect, “Jesus sitting at the right hand of His Father” which is indeed the most common place we see Him (by faith) after the ascension. But John says he saw a “white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True”. As you read on through the passage this is clearly a vision of Jesus.

As we briefly examine the two titles given to Jesus Christ from our daily passage may it encourage our hearts:

1) Jesus Christ is called “Faithful”. This translates the very common Greek word “pistos”, which objectively has the meaning of trustworthiness and reliability. This is one of the great attributes of God found throughout the Scriptures. Believers can join with Jeremiah in declaring, “Great is Thy faithfulness!”

2) Jesus Christ is called “True”. This word denotes real and genuine. It places Him in contrast to the antichrist who is also depicted on a white horse earlier in Revelation 6:2. While on earth Jesus told His discipleswhen Thomas boldly asked Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus responded by saying “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

We close with a powerful thought from Warren Wiersbe, one of our favorite writers, concerning this verse:

“This description of Christ is thrilling! He is no longer on a humble donkey, but on a fiery white charger. His eyes are not filled with tears as when He beheld Jerusalem; nor is He wearing a mocking crown of thorns. Instead of being stripped by His enemies, He wears a garment dipped in blood, signifying judgment and victory. When on earth, He was abandoned by His followers; but here the armies of heaven follow Him in conquest. He comes to rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2). He comes not to bear the wrath of God on the cross, but to tread the winepress of God’s wrath at the Battle of Armageddon. He is King of kings and Lord of lords!”

Wow, Wiersbe’s description of Christ is like that of a dramatic narration at the end of an Easter Cantata. It is sure to be the ultimate view!

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase.
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, how blessed we are to view glimpses of beauty and awe on this side of heaven. But with great anticipation we await the glorious day when we will behold the ultimate view; Jesus in all His glory. This world with all its troubles and disappointments will vanish from our memory as we behold a new heaven and a new earth. Contemplating that ultimate view diminishes our heartaches and burdens of this life. Keep us keeping on as we journey below so that we will ultimately reach our eternal resting place. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“It Will Be Worth It All”  Watch on YouTube  The Browns  (This is the song referenced in today’s message.)

“It Will Be Worth It All”  Watch on YouTube  Gaither Homecoming Friends

“Hymn Of Heaven”    Watch on YouTube   Phil Wickham

How to visit Bordner’s Cabin at Swatara State Park (many photos)

Short video of the Acriggs waterfall yesterday. We both enjoy the sound of a waterfall!

Fallingwater (the Frank Lloyd Wright designed property)

Fallingwater Full Walkthrough Tour in 4K Video   (Save $36.00!)

To see photos go here: https://www.dailyencouragement.net/archives/2024-04-24.htm

To get to Bordner’s Cabin you take the Bear Hole trail. I (Stephen) had a bike accident on this trail two years ago and tore my rotator cuff among other injuries. Thankfully I am able to get back on the trails! (Agriggs waterfall is on the other side of the cabin.)
Click on photo to enlarge

Any time we ride the Swatara Rail Trail we check out the condition of this fixer upper that’s at the northern end on Swopes Valley Road. This photo was taken yesterday but here’s a photo from 2017. As Brooksyne was looking more closely at the crumbling house she discovered a very deep basement made of cinder blocks that has not yet caved in.
Click on photo to enlarge

A portion of the Swatara Rail Trail.

Wild blue bells along the Swatara Rail Trail.

“Life In Our Neighborhood”

Monday, April 22, 2024

Early yesterday morning I sat out on our front porch before heading to church and watched a procession of gray Amish buggies pass by heading to their church service being held in our neighbor’s home up the street and around the bend.

Click on photo to enlarge

“Life In Our Neighborhood”

Message summary: We urge our readers to carefully observe your neighborhood and consider the ways you might help to keep it clean, attractive and peaceful.

Listen to our message on your audio player .

“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days” ( Acts 28:7).

It’s another beautiful spring morning here in rural Pennsylvania following a pleasant weekend of sunshine and blue skies. There is peace in our home and in our neighborhood, a welcome disconnect from so much of the unsettling news we read or hear about worldwide.

We considered this when we began to work outside early Saturday morning and observed the sights and sounds of our neighborhood.

• Three doors up we heard the sounds of construction as our neighbor Jeff is building his wife a greenhouse.
• Next door on one side a couple had come over to voluntarily help our elderly neighbors, Doug and Marion prune their overgrown shrubbery and spread mulch. This was their third visit and Marion told us how they brought along coffee and donuts as part of their blessing.
• On the other side Matt worked on some landscaping improvements in his backyard.
• Marvin mowed the strip of grass between the farm field and road across from us to keep a tidy neighborhood even though it’s not his property.
• An elderly man from way up the street was walking his dog and stopped to fill his already bulging plastic bag with more debris collected along the roadside. We often see him starting his walk with an empty bag and returning with a filled garbage bag.

In our neighborhood we help each other out and can always count on some help when we have a need such as borrowing a tool or calling a seasoned farmer to help release an animal trap when our dog, Roxie, got caught in it years ago. We’ve had neighbors bring us their surplus from their gardens such as corn, green beans, cucumbers, etc. Brooksyne often shares goodies with neighbors as well as her overflow of plants and ground coverings.

I got to thinking about the enjoyment we have living in our home for over 22 years now and part of that enjoyment is the people who live around us. A neighborhood is defined as ” one living or located near another” or “a section lived in by neighbors and usually having distinguishingcharacteristics”. We realize our readers live in a variety of neighborhoods which are vastly different.

Some readers live in cities which are subdivided into neighborhoods. Kansas City has nearly 240 identified neighborhoods.* Chicago, although a much larger city, has 178 official neighborhoods. I thought of this when hearing from Lisa, a reader in Chicago, and considered how vastly different her neighborhood would be from ours.

Other readers live in suburbs and sub-divisions/developments which, at least from our perspective, is more like a city. I grew up in this type of neighborhood in the Kansas City area.

Then we have those, like us, who live in rural settings where our neighbors are scattered out a bit. We live on a farm lane with an open field in front of us and behind us though we have several neighbors on each side, a row of seven homes with farmland on each side.

Neighborhoods are the most local building block of society beyond our own family and it’s such a blessing to live in a good neighborhood. It’s a large reason why we added onto our house rather than moving into a new neighborhood with many unknowns about those who lived there. Many of you also live in a neighborhood but perhaps you haven’t stopped to think about it for awhile.

Our daily text describes a good neighborhood Paul encountered following a shipwreck: “Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days” (Acts 28:7).

Due to the shipwreck Paul and others landed on the island of Malta where he encountered “unusual kindness and welcome” (Acts 28:2) in the neighborhood of Publius. He was providentially placed in the neighborhood where he was received and provided hospitality (v.7). After a time on the island they were honored greatly and provided for, including whatever they needed, for the remainder of the trip (v.10).

I don’t know what that neighborhood on Malta is like today but what an example of a great neighborhood as described in Scripture. We urge all our readers to see what you can do to make an ongoing positive contribution to your neighborhood. Publius is a good example!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You bless us daily by Your multitude of provisions – the air we breathe, the blue skies, the sunshine, the rain and the clouds, the grass at our feet, our home, our families, our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world, and our neighbors beside us, across from us and up the road from us. We thank you for those who make a positive difference in our lives and we pray that we also will make a positive contribution to their lives. For those who are unfriendly or hard to get along with we pray for them, that we would not speak badly of them or avoid them but show us ways that we might influence them for the good and even be an example to them of what it is to be a good neighbor, for You tell us “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s not a simple command, but with Your help we will carry it out and spread the same kind of love we have for ourselves to those around us. Help us to do so we pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

Today in view of not being aware of any Christian songs about neighborhood we share the musical selections from our church service at Calvary Church in Lancaster yesterday beginning with an instrumental prelude from the orchestra followed by the choir leading worship  Watch on YouTube 

* Neighborhoods of Kansas City, Missouri

“The Road Marked With Suffering “

​​​​​​​Friday, April 19, 2024

“The Road Marked With Suffering “

Message summary: Today some of you are traveling on the road marked by suffering. We encourage you to worship God in the midst of your trial even though there is pain in the offering.  May our hearts choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your Name!”

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“The LORD gives and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).

Yesterday morning I met with a group of college business students at Hershey Medical Center *¹ to explain our chaplaincy ministry. I urged them, when they entered the business world after college, to consider how they can make an impact for Christ. In our view the use of chaplaincy service is one way of doing so and the instructor had requested that I share our ministry with them.

From there I went to a nearby company to visit the employees. When I walked in the production manager asked me to speak to an employee whose girlfriend died this last weekend of an overdose. We had ministered to the employee previously so I had an open and very receptive door.  We we went aside to a private place and I joined him as he ate his lunch. He is in the rehab phase of overcoming drug addiction so I prayed with him and urged him to turn his life fully to the Lord. He is on “the road marked with suffering”.

“Blessed Be Your Name” is a song that has blessed many of us.  It’s a great exclamation of praise with a lively, contagious tune. But as a Bible student I especially appreciate the thoughtful, Scripturally-based words.  In fact the song is prompted by the daily verse. There’s a verse in the song I would like to consider in today’s message:

“On the road marked with suffering.
Though there’s pain in the offering.
Blessed be Your name.”

There are certainly those periods in life when we all travel “on the road marked with suffering” . Sometimes these are events that make international news due to the immensity and sheer evil of the impact, such as 9/11/01 or more recently October 7, 2023 in Israel.

Usually they are felt more on the local level but with no less intensity for those dealing with the ongoing pain of such loss as the man I spoke to yesterday. Not one of us escapes the road marked with suffering , although the severity varies with each individual and through each phase of life .

“The LORD gives and the LORD takes away”. This is a remarkable faith statement. Job is an example of one who suffered intensely, yet he recognized, “The LORD gives and the LORD takes away”. We have no problem theologically with a God who gives but we may cringe at the notion that the Lord also takes away! This is a great mystery of sovereignty and providence, but God’s overall control must be asserted.

“Blessed be the Name of the Lord” . What a powerful declaration of praise in the midst of suffering. A line in the song that especially intrigues me states, “Though there’s pain in the offering”.  Have you experienced this?  I can’t say for sure what the songwriter meant when he wrote these words, but I have a pretty good idea.

I believe he’s reflecting on just how hard it is to offer sincere praise to God and declare, “Blessed be Your Name” while walking the road marked by suffering.

But this worship is just what Job demonstrates so powerfully. In the previous verse, following a severe wave of affliction, “He fell to the ground in worship”.

A commentary in a Study Bible states that “Job reacted to the disaster that happened to him with intense grief, but also with a humble spirit that submitted to God and continued to worship Him in the midst of extreme adversity. Job teaches by example and words how we as faithful believers should face life’s calamities. Though we may experience severe sufferings and unexplainable affliction, we should pray for grace to accept what God allows to come upon us.” *²

Today some of you are traveling on the road marked by suffering. We encourage you to worship God in the midst of your trial even when there is pain in your offering.  May our hearts choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your Name!”

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, when we’re walking down the road of suffering You renew our hope and brighten our spirit as we remember that Your steadfast love never ceases even in the midst of affliction. We do not walk alone, but You, Man of Sorrows, walk along with us and greatly identify with our suffering. Your mercies are new every day because You are a loving, faithful God. You give strength to the weary, increase the power of the weak, and comfort the sorrowful. You help us to soar on wings like eagles and rise above the troubling circumstances that surround our lives as we await Your soon return. With thanksgiving and praise we say, “Blessed be Your Name!”

*¹ We met at the hospital since the students were already there for another meeting.

*² Note on Job 1:20-22 in the Full Life Study Bible

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“Blessed Be Your Name”  Watch on YouTube  Maranatha! Music

“Blessed Be Your Name” was written by Matt and Beth Redman and has an uncanny ability to be appropriate in a variety of settings.  Many of us have sung it as a joyful praise in our churches. It’s also a powerful funeral song. The most interesting time I ever heard it was at a wedding I participated in. It was sung as the ceremony concluded and the bride and groom departed down the aisle! It really is a fitting song in this context for as a couple embarks upon the journey of marriage they most certainly will have good times and hard times! Yet what power when a mutual determination is made regardless of the circumstances of life that a couple will embrace praise and declare together, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”. BTW: This wedding was nearly 20 years ago and the Paradis couple, Sean and Jeanette, along with their two children are doing very well and staying faithful to God. Jeanette’s parents are Tom and Marsha, very good friends from our St. Marys, PA congregation we served from 1977-1993.

“Is He Worthy?”  Watch on YouTube  Michael Sanchez and the Shadow Mountain Choir and Orchestra    This is a great song to give us perspective and hope as we consider world events and personal times of being on “The Road Marked With Suffering”. “Do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? We do“.

“No More Death”

Thursday, April 18, 2024

“No More Death”

Message summary: Today we consider our experience in heaven when “the old order of things has passed away” and death, the last enemy, has been destroyed.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“Man is destined to die” (Hebrews 9:27). “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

On Tuesday Don, a long time friend, called to tell me that Marty, a mutual friend had passed away. I attended several prayer meetings with Marty, a lifelong farmer who had a simple but very earnest faith. He was “old and full of years” (Job 42:7) so his death was not a shock but there will still be a long time of grief for those who loved him.

On the very same day one person was killed in a 13-vehicle pile-up on Route 30 in our area . That death was a shock. Just out for a drive on a normal morning, perhaps a commute, and life ends.

Today’s message will be more sobering than most but does indeed end with a promise of hope and encouragement. Each day some 166,859 people die worldwide.* In fact we are sure that any reader old enough to realize the meaning of death likely knows someone who has died. Death is simply part of the present “order of things” which will pass away.

We are regularly reminded of death; death in wars, famines, accidents and disease. Today many in our spiritual family will die as a result of persecution. Undoubtedly some reading this are presently feeling the “sting” of the recent death of a loved one.

Death is God’s appointed method of transition to the afterlife, just as conception and birth are His appointed method of transition into life as we now know it. As William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, wrote, “For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity”.

Forthrightly the writer of Hebrews states, “Man is destined to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Of course we are aware of the supernatural departure of Enoch and Elijah, as well as the wonderful promise of the rapture for those living at that time, however the norm for most is death.

In today’s second text Paul calls death the “last enemy”. We look for encouragement and comfort in the truths and promises of the Holy Scriptures. Death will one day be destroyed. The perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. Death will be swallowed up in victory. When the old order of things has passed away there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

Meanwhile we continue to deal with death and grief, but not like those who have no hope, for we have hope based on the Bible’s promises. Therefore, we comfort and encourage you all with these words today. When the old order (life as we now know it) passes away, there will indeed be no more death!

The important thing we must each ask ourselves is this, “Am I ready to die”? “Have I accepted the glorious gift of salvation by faith in Christ”? If you’ve answered “no” to the above soul-searching questions we welcome you to say this salvation  prayer from your heart and begin serving Jesus, who declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.”

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and ask You to forgive me of my sins. I believe that You came to this earth and died on the cross as a substitute for me for my sin penalty. I place my faith in You and what You have done for me. I receive You into my life and choose this day to follow and serve You. Thank You for hearing my prayer. Amen.”

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Loving Father, some of our readers are grieving the death of a loved one. We pray that You speak peace to these dear folks and nurture their trust, even helping them to grow spiritually in the midst of their grief. May they see You at work even when the answers they seek are not the ones they are given. As believers we trust that You are working for our good, even when we don’t understand, for we know that all things work together for good to those who love You, who are called according to Your purpose. Help us to remember that our sorrows and disappointments have a larger purpose than simply to make us miserable. These often come so others can observe our response, to see if we bear witness to Christ’s abiding presence in our lives, in the hard stuff of life. Remind us that if we want to share in Your glory we must also share in Your sufferings (Romans 8:17). We don’t get to choose what sufferings we must go through, but we do choose our response; whether it glorifies You or glorifies our suffering. Help us we pray. Amen.

* Daily deaths statistic from here.

Down the road from our house is an old cemetery established around 1800. The lot we purchased will be our final earthly resting place. If we die before the rapture we have a place ready so that we will rise with the saints to meet Jesus in the air! Brooksyne has often told me when she walks through that cemetery she envisions the saints rising from their graves when the trumpet call of God is sounded:  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

We are blessed at expressions of faith on old tombstones, but this one actually posts a warning to passersby:

Remember, friend, as you pass by
As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you must be;
Prepare for death and follow me.

Brooksyne’s note (followup from yesterday’s message): The first year we moved here in 2001 I wanted to get involved in nursing home ministry as I have always enjoyed that setting and ministering to those who are elderly, even in my teen years. One of the doors God opened for me was a Senior Day Care Center where approximately 30 elderly people were bused in for the day. Another home schooling family joined me in this ministry where I played piano and led out in hymns for about an hour.  We provided large print hymnals and the Seniors selected about half of the hymns themselves. A  homeschooling family from our church also got involved and their teenage son played the guitar.

The seniors seemed to really enjoy our time together over a period of gatherings and then one afternoon I got a phone call from Mr. Smith* who served on the board of this Senior Day Care Center. He informed me that the board had learned that at my monthly Hymn Sing and I was praying “in the name of Jesus”. He alerted me that there may possibly be a Muslim or other such individuals  present and they could be offended. His call really shook me as I couldn’t imagine praying publicly without praying in the name of Jesus. I informed Mr. Smith that all the hymns we sing are about Jesus so why wouldn’t I pray in the name of Jesus as well. He didn’t have an answer but “graciously” let me know that for me to have this role I would need to avoid praying in the name of Jesus. We left it at that though I didn’t say that I would stop doing so since I could never do that!

I thought it over a few days and was ready to resign from that position but decided to call Earl Martin who was a senior himself at the time and former minister. After he learned that I was leading hymns at this particular center he was overjoyed. He let me know that many had tried to get into that place for ministry but were turned away. Since I had the opening to be there he counseled me to stay and minister. I took his advice and continued to go and within a couple of visits I prayed just as I had before in the name of Jesus. It was a little intimidating at first as I was sure in my heart that one of the aids in attendance must have informed Mr. Smith of my praying in the name of Jesus. But God gave me courage and nothing more was said. In fact, I sought to win over this rather cold nurse’s aid by reaching out to her in kindness and love. Over time she actually came to me and asked for prayer. So, one never knows, how God will equip and use you if you remain obedient to His leading and don’t compromise what you know to be the right thing to do. I stayed on there about three years before I went on staff at another nursing home doing to the same thing and could no longer work it in my schedule.

*Not his real name

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“No More Night”  Watch on YouTube  The Heritage Singers

“I Believe”  Watch on YouTube  Phil Wickham ​​​​​​​

“Of Fish And Taxes”

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

“Of Fish And Taxes”

Message summary: Jesus makes a fish provide a four-drachma coin, the exact amount of silver coin needed, to pay the temple tax. This miracle reminds the disciples that He is indeed the all-powerful Son of God who controls all creation, including a single fish.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” (Matthew 17:27). “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes” (Romans 13:7).

Catching fish and stories related to those who made a living from it were common in the gospels. Several of the disciples were fishermen; in fact, some of the great teachings and miracles of Jesus took place out on the lake or on a nearby shore.  Jesus connected with the disciples and their livelihood by calling them out to be “fishers of men”. There’s even a great fishing story that took place between Christ’s resurrection and His ascension.

Today’s text indicates that Jesus paid taxes while He was on earth. Consider this reality: the Maker and Master of the universe was subjected to paying taxes just like we are. In this case it was the religious temple tax. But Jesus forthrightly taught, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).

Today’s account is an unexplained miracle. We’re not told how the first fish Peter caught would just happen to have the required tax amount stored in its mouth, an amount adequate to pay both Peter’s and Jesus’ tax.

It’s that way with a lot of miracles. There’s just no human explanation which is the definition of supernatural; forces or events that cannot be explained by science. Since we serve a miracle-working God, who is constantly working in the supernatural, I believe it.

Paul writes, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John writes concerning Christ, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3).

Instead of reaching deep into His pocket or pulling out His wallet Jesus uses a fish to provide a four-drachma coin, the exact amount of silver coin needed to pay the temple tax. This miracle reminds the disciples and us that He is indeed the all-powerful Son of God who controls all creation, including a single fish.

Here in the United States we are mindful of taxes especially now. After all, yesterday (April 15) was the last day to file our tax returns for 2024. How many of you waited till the last minute? Wouldn’t you like to see the miracle of the fish repeated for all your taxes? Just get a fishing license (which is a type of tax), cast your line, and get the exact amount you need from the first fish you catch! If that works let me know; I might just purchase a fishing license.

But in the meantime hear Paul’s simple command: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes” (Romans 13:7).

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, our citizenship here on earth brings about numerous responsibilities, including that of paying taxes. As citizens of Your eternal kingdom, some of the ungodly causes our taxes help support is a troublesome challenge to our spirit so we address that through prayer and proper action at the voting booths, where we can run for office or vote for officials most aligned with our biblical convictions. Once again, this tax season, we will dutifully pay our taxes as we render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s in keeping with our duties as citizens. Amen.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“There Is One Gospel”   Watch on YouTube   CityAlight

“So Bravely Run The Race”

Monday, April 15, 2024

“So Bravely Run The Race”

Message summary: Let us press on toward the goal and stay faithful to Christ as we bravely run our race with purpose and perseverance! So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly” (1 Corinthians 9:26). “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Today will be the running of the 128th Boston Marathon, always an exciting time to be in the Boston area where we lived in the nineties. We have been to the race several times and I always manage to glean material for a daily encouragement. One year we were at the finish line and another at a section known as “Heartbreak Hill”.

One interesting detail many may not know is that just past mile 25 is Kenmore Square. As a spectator, the air is thick with excitement and you can barely move. Per tradition, the Red Sox play an 11am game at Fenway Park, and fans spill out onto the sidewalks to catch the middle pack of runners. It’s also “Patriot’s Day” in Massachusetts, a state holiday. We were there one year and it is full of energy and excitement.

Over 50 years ago I was a decent runner in both cross country (fall) and track (spring) at Truman High School in Independence Missouri. I recall long training runs out on the country roads east of the city. I was actually a fairly decent runner at the time, won some races, and at one point, participated in the state track meet.

I suppose, due to my participation in long distance running, I have always found it interesting that Scripture writers, particularly Paul, use “running the race” as an example of the Christian life. In my teaching I frequently liken the Christian life to “a marathon, not a sprint”.

Two important components in being a good runner include having purpose and perseverance:

1) Running the race with purpose: In our first daily verse in speaking of his ministry in the Gospel (I Corinthians 9:26) Paul states, “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly”. A key word is “aimlessly.” Another version uses the word “uncertainly”. The Amplified Bible states, “without a definite goal”. Perhaps positive phrases to describe how Paul ran and how we should run are “with an aim, with certainty, with purpose, with a goal”. The runners, who have trained many years for the marathon, definitely have an aim or goal in mind. This speaks of the vital importance of purpose.

2) Running the race with perseverance: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). This speaks of the vital importance of perseverance. I’ve met plenty of sprinters and middle distance runners in the Christian race. Some may start and run for awhile but give up before crossing the finish line. A challenge I’ve often heard and a challenge I give myself is to be “in it for the long haul”. There’s an interesting allusion to running in Galatians where Paul writes, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” By God’s grace I certainly don’t want the word “were” in a description of how I am running the race.

As the Apostle Paul prepared to die he declared, “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7). That’s a great expression of assurance and confidence by a dying but victorious man! In the great Christian race all who faithfully finish are winners. Let us press on toward the goal and stay faithful to Christ as we bravely run our race with purpose and perseverance!

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, when I’m distracted from my goal or tempted to withdraw from the spiritual race, impress this biblical truth upon my heart: It’s not the one who runs the swiftest nor the one who shines for a day, but the one who endures to the end, the same shall be saved. May I be found faithful not only when celebrating victories but also on the days and seasons of my life when I am simply plodding on. It is only by Your grace, through my surrendered will, that I can accomplish this. Amen.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“It Will Be Worth It All”   Watch on YouTube   The Browns

“Worth It All”   Watch on YouTube   The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Saturday afternoon we saw this young man loading his spring wagon after a busy shopping trip at Costco. After he unloaded his items he told us he was going to strap down the items before boarding the buggy and taking hold of the reins. It would have been interesting to see where he sat on the wagon to get home!
Click on photo to enlarge

Yesterday in our ABF class we heard a mission presentation by Don and Karen Stauffer who work with That All May See, a mission providing eyecare to the needy, as well as a presentation of the Gospel. Don told us they always make it clear that their work must include the opportunity to freely share the Gospel.

Presenting the Gospel through an eye chart!

MY EXERCISE PROGRAM

“Physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). This speaks of the relative value in regard to spiritual training. Physical exercise is good for you. This unique training program recognizes and utilizes the exercise value of routine daily tasks. You just might be surprised at how much exercise you are getting!

1) Beating around the bush
2) Jumping to conclusions
3) Climbing the walls
4) Swallowing my pride
5) Passing the buck
6) Throwing my weight around
7) Dragging my heels
8) Pushing my luck
9) Making mountains out of molehills
10) Hitting the nail on the head
11) Wading through paperwork
12) Bending over backwards
13) Jumping on the bandwagon
14) Balancing the books
15) Running around in circles
16) Eating crow
17) Tooting my own horn
18) Climbing the ladder of success
19) Pulling out the stops
20) Adding fuel to the fire
21) Opening a can of worms
22) Putting my foot in my mouth
23) Starting the ball rolling
24) Going over the edge
25) Picking up the pieces. ​​​​​​​

“Mundane Faithfulness”

Friday, April 12, 2024

“Mundane Faithfulness”

Message summary: The vast majority of the work of Christ is being done by hundreds of millions of believers all around the world who work behind the scenes as they practice mundane faithfulness.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

Today I (Stephen) am preparing the message by myself since Brooksyne is making several chaplain visits. So I can use her as an illustration!

This Sunday she will be serving in the “Shepherds class” , which is comprised of disabled youth and adults. My observation is that this is very tedious ministry yet a means of honoring God and caring for a type of the “least of these”. We know several who serve in this class including Brian and Sandy who are the leaders who have served the disabled for many years. We first met them about 20 years ago at a “handicamp” in New Jersey.

I read this quote in an article concerning the death of a steadfast servant of God, “Some people make a big splash in life. Others spread their impact more quietly over decades”.

Bluntly, most of us aren’t making a big splash. Our service might even be described as “mundane faithfulness”. We go about our days seeking to be faithful in the little things. We are certainly open to making a big splash if that’s what God ordains but many of us never do.

Martin Luther asked his thoughtful listeners, “What will you do in the days of mundane faithfulness?” Mundane faithfulness is unheralded. It’s couples who keep their marriage vows, workers who do their jobs conscientiously day after day, year after year, parents who steadily care for and nurture their children and there are many areas where mundane faithfulness can be applied in the church setting.

We dedicate this message to the many, many people we’ve come across in our journey who are steadfastly making an impact for Christ in ways barely visible outside their own relatively small sphere of influence as they practice “mundane faithfulness”. Those who serve in “mundane faithfulness” in their churches are too numerous to count.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” is a command that we do well to practice all the days of our life. Today, make a fresh determination to serve the Lord in big or small ways in mundane faithfulness.

I contend that the vast majority of the work of Christ is being done by hundreds of millions of believers just like these around the world who work behind the scenes as they practice mundane faithfulness.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, it seems the longer we live the more likely it is that we grow weary, lose interest, or become frustrated by others who might not help carry the work load, whether it’s in the family, work, or church setting. But if we carry out that which You’ve laid upon our hearts and faithfully serve, even in the mundane chores that others are not attracted to, we do that which pleases You and make an essential contribution to the overall function of the home, workplace, church, community and world. Even that which is mundane to others can be appealing to those whose hearts are zealous, filled with spiritual fervor, because they are “doing their work heartily as unto the Lord”, which is even more important than doing it for others. Keep us joyfully on track and focused heavenward as we faithfully serve You in the mundane chores of life. Amen.

Handi*Vangelism Ministries International

“Walking In Newness Of Life”

Thursday, April 11, 2024

During our bike ride on Tuesday on the Schuylkill River Trail there were buds in many of the trees, evidence of new life. I don’t know what this tree is, but it presented a bright airy cluster of flowers as the bud recently opened.

“Walking In Newness Of Life”

Message summary: Our prayer for each reader and for ourselves: Lord, help us today to rejoice and give thanks for the new life you have given us!

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). “Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Sadie is a teacher at one of our local Amish schools. For an Easter gift she gave each of her 30 plus students a baby chick. These Rhode Island Red day-old chicks , which are brown egg layers, were delivered by mail. That must have been a fairly noisy package to deliver and an exciting time for Sadie’s students to each take home a baby chick.

Today let us consider new life. We see it all around us; the greening fields, the young animals romping through the pasture though not too far from their moms, and even the unpleasant odor of manure as farmers begin spreading this ever abounding, renewable fertilizer resource!

Early this morning Brooksyne was running an errand and took a photo of this cow with her calf in a pasture next to an Amish school not too far from our house. We also have an Amish school just up the road from us where Brooksyne visits now and then, taking treats to the children and then getting a treat in return from the students as they sing a hymn for her. On Good Friday they sang “It is Finished” and it had a tremendous salvation message in the lyrics.

Spring is a season of new life and what a powerful reminder it is today of God’s call for all who follow Christ to “walk in newness of life”.

Our first daily text describes church life shortly after Christ ascended. The church was newly birthed and filled with zealous believers: “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all”. It was all so new and exciting!

But new can become old and a greater challenge emerges both for individuals and churches. How do you keep it new and fresh when it’s “old”?

I want to focus on a single phrase in the second daily Scripture portion. “So we too might walk in newness of life”. The apostle Paul is writing and by now is well along in his life as a Christian believer. Many years have passed since he was dramatically converted on the road to Damascus and he began his new walk with Christ. The major transformation that began that day initiated his growing journey of faith and active service for the Lord. But for him it was no longer new. That’s a healthy peril of staying faithful. One hymn writer refers to the gospel as the “old, old story” that he never gets weary of hearing or telling others about.

The Father sent Jesus that we might have abundant life now and eternal life in the hereafter. One of the great teachings of Christ was his declaration prior to His death, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Christ died for our sins and was indeed raised from the dead through the glory of the Father and He has ordained a new life for His redeemed children. The apostle Paul uses the 1st person plural indicating that this was a very personal experience for him, not merely an injunction to his readers. The sense of this “new life” is active and ongoing.  The Amplified Bible expresses it “so that we too may habitually live and behave in newness of life”.

Genuine conversion leads to a new life! The verb for live or walk is in the present tense. There is a tendency to see the “new life” as the time that immediately follows our conversion to Christ and it is indeed a real joy to experience this phase. But I accepted Christ over 50 years ago, some of you long before that, and others more recently. We may feel this “newness of life” stage is long past. O, how we are mistaken!

Let us consider these words from the apostle Paul, who is surely very mature in his walk at this time. He speaks of living (present tense) in newness of life.  So whether we are a new Christian or a seasoned veteran let us hear these words and let us live this day in newness of life! My prayer for each reader and for myself: Lord, help us today to rejoice and give thanks for the new life you have given us!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, as we embrace the cross of Calvary and apply Christ’s redemptive blood to our hearts we find newness of life. We are no longer bound by the chains that fettered us to sin. What great liberty and boundless joy to know that our names are written down in heaven. If we set our hearts on this world, or declare allegiance to those things which have no eternal merit, we will wear down and lose the joy that comes with newness of life. But as we set our hopes and joys on serving Christ, the joy of our salvation is ongoing, uplifting, and a testimony to all who seek answers that this world cannot provide. Like the early apostles may we give testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Thank You for raising Christ from the dead so that we can be redeemed and walk in newness of life everyday! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“Bring Back the New Again”   Watch on YouTube  Gordon Jensen

See here for more photos: https://www.dailyencouragement.net/archives/2024-04-11.htm

“Warning and Pleadings”

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

“Warning and Pleadings”

Message summary: Today consider our response to warnings and pleadings. We still live in a “corrupt generation”.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“With many other words he (Peter) warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation'” (Acts 2:40).

Yesterday we went on a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill counties. When riding we usually look around to enjoy the scenery but looking down yesterday we saw a turtle on the trail. For some reason it just wasn’t interested in moving  off the trail, perhaps enjoying the warming sun. Brooksyne was intrigued by the pretty orange flesh coloring and took a closeup.

But we also knew the turtle needed to get off the trail lest it gets run over. It wasn’t the safest place to nestle down. Thankfully, when we drove back there was no evidence of a flattened turtle or a biker who had fallen due to hitting it! But verbal warnings and pleadings would be of no value due to some serious communication problems between us and the turtle.

Today let’s consider a crucial warning we can all understand if we will listen. Sadly, most are not listening, let along heeding.

Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost surely set the gold standard for apostolic preaching. His Spirit-empowered message focused on Jesus Christ. He warned and pleaded with His listeners, and the results brought about a remarkable surge of growth in the new church and set the early pattern for life as a community of believers (2:41-47).

“With many other words”. Peter’s entire message contained more than the selections recorded in Acts 2. This summary of the sermon by Luke (who wrote the Book of Acts) takes less than 5 minutes to read, but this description suggests a much longer message!

“He warned them; and he pleaded with them”. Peter’s appeal ended with warning and pleading which is much less prevalent in today’s preaching. So tempting to the preacher, particularly here in America, is to lovingly explain how Jesus can make your life better. But we all need hard preaching calling us to repentance and warning of the consequences if we do not repent.

The final phrase contains Peter’s challenge (if you will the very first altar call), “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”. These words sound harsh and unloving today.

The word used for “corrupt” is skolios in the Greek (from which we get the English scoliosis, abnormal curvature of spine). It is also translated perverse, wicked, unjust.

Peter, of course, is using skolios figuratively to refer to conduct or lifestyle which deviates from God’s standard, a turning away from the truth. Skolios refers to those things that are morally or spiritually corrupt. We speak of someone’s behavior as “crooked” or dishonest. Here Peter is exhorting them to be rescued from outward perverted conduct which characterizes every unregenerate person (and in this case a generation), all of whom are crooked in mind, heart, and action, bent ethically in every depraved way imaginable! (Precept Online Commentary)

Indeed we still live in a “corrupt generation”. This sermon would preach in any generation but it sure seems that, with the intensity of the corruption escalating year by year, it’s especially fitting today.

Today let me, using the very same words of the apostle Peter, warn and plead with you, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”. We do so by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter said many years later, “not living the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:   Father, we’re so thankful that You did not leave us without a Comforter after Christ’s ascension to heaven, but You sent the Holy Spirit to give power to believers on the day of Pentecost and for all who surrender their lives to Christ until His return. In response to Peter’s sermon regarding a corrupt generation such as ours where confusion abounds, where postmodernism is embraced and proven historic truth is rejected, where people seek to please themselves rather than You I choose to guard the basic spiritual principles presented in Scripture and exhorted by teachers of the Word. I choose to be faithful in my calling to live for You today and for all of eternity. Amen.

Brooksyne’s Note: As I was reading the message today I couldn’t help but think about Moses and the many times God spoke through him to the stiff-necked Israelites about their rebellion and the consequence of their disobedience.  Moses prepared his last sermon (Deuteronomy 31) and put it to song so that it would be frequently heard, memorized and a witness against those who chose to be rebellious and stiff-necked. Moses recited all the words of the song to the assembly and afterward said to the people, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you – they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. ” (Deuteronomy 32:45-47). Afterwards the Lord directed him to Mount Nebo in Moab where he would take his last breath.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

English translation of Acts 2:40 in various versions

Today we will share some photos of our bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail