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Due to travel messages for both 5/22 and 5/23 are posted below. A message will not be prepared for Friday, May 24, 2013.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Geese family in Donegal Springs 5/17/13 (Photo by Ester)

Geese family in Donegal Springs
Photo taken by Ester

Listen to this message on your audio player. Note: Due to my quality microphone not working with Windows 8 the sound is rather poor and occasionally has a very annoying feedback type noise. A new microphone has been ordered!

"A Refuge In Times Of Trouble"

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7)

Like many of you we were stunned and deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction in Oklahoma from the massive tornado Monday. Being Brooksyne's home state and having many relatives from both sides of our family who live there we have an even more personal interest. At times like this especially we wonder how this all works together with the goodness of God. Why, we wonder do these things happen.

Of course in reality every day things like this happen somewhere in the world many times over in various scales. It just really hits us when it's either personal or on a scale such as the tornado that is very newsworthy. Actually events of a similar or on a larger scale in a remote location may not even make the news. Yet, regardless of the amount of publicity or lack thereof great sorrow remains for those left behind.

Today we share a word of hope and encouragement from one of the most obscure Old Testament prophets. Nahum served and spoke for God during very troubling times, as Assyria was tormenting the people of God. This oppression caused a troubling, yet frequently asked question; How could God allow such evil and inhumanity to go unanswered? Now of course we make a distinction between human-caused evil like the Boston bombing last month and natural disasters like the tornado but both result in "times of trouble".

In different ways we may ask the same question, particularly during "times of trouble". We often consider our Christian brothers and sisters throughout many parts of the world who are being persecuted or are otherwise suffering. On a personal level you might be in the heat of a difficult trial and you may wonder, "Where is God when I hurt?"

We are reading a powerful book by Randy Alcorn titled, "If God Is Good" which delves into many of these issues and we recommend it to our Daily Encouragement readers who may want to go deeper. Of course no book we've read ever satisfies all our questions but this one has some interesting perspective. In today's message let us consider our refuge in times of trouble.

The prophet Nahum speaks through the Holy Scriptures, the inspired and inerrant Word of God, with a great message for us and our brethren around the world.

1) "The Lord is good!" This attribute is insufficiently pondered today. It is so well assumed that it's taken for granted by most. But what if the Supreme Being of the universe was not good? That's a thought that I find hard to even comprehend and have no desire to ponder in depth just how dreadful life would be if it were true. But Psalm 100:5 reminds us, "For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

2) He's "a refuge in time of trouble." The text does not teach that there will not be times of trouble for such has always been the experience of the human race. The Hebrew word for refuge conveys a fortified place; a defense: force, fortress, rock, strength. What a great assurance during the inevitable times of trouble! Jesus is the rock in a weary land. He is an anchor in the times of storm. "The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil" (Proverbs 10:29).

3) "He cares for those who trust in Him." Here's our part; we must trust God. When we are in the middle of a tunnel, with darkness behind us and darkness before us, God still calls us to trust, to lean hard on Him. When we're in the valley of deepest despair we must trust. When we're on the spiritual mountain we still must trust! A very familiar New Testament verse many have memorized instructs the believer not to carry the heavy burdens of life in our own strength but to "cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7). Our Lord Jesus is the great Burden Bearer.

Finally today, hear the word of the Psalmist, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:8). Today let us lean hard on our steadfast refuge!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we want to trust You at all times – in times of rejoicing and times of trouble. You promise to be our refuge who will rescue us from danger. Certainly we don't read anywhere in Scripture that we will not face danger, for it is in these intensely dangerous situations that we find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Daily we witness Your rescue from dangerous situations on this side of eternity, but we also daily witness (by faith) Your rescue that takes place on the other side of eternity. We consider the children who perished during the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma as well as scores of believers who, through other circumstances, passed on from here to eternity. Everyone of them found You to be their refuge as You rescued them from the many dangers, toils and snares that will always be a part of this life. Comfort those who remain. Give strength, hope and a determined faith to those who must rebuild their lives in the wake of the Oklahoma tragedy. May our faith increase and our devotion deepen as we lean hard on You. Amen.

See Isaiah 43:1&2

Note: Due to chaplain work from early morning and returning home in the afternoon we were unable to post a message yesterday (Tuesday, 5/21/13).

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Cares Chorus" Video Kelly Willard

"You Are My Refuge" Video Shannon Wexelberg, Matthew Ward

"You Carry Me" Video Shannon Wexelberg

"Lay Your Burdens Down" Video Not specified

"Lay Your Burden Down" Video Chuck Girard

"Learning To Lean" Video Blackwood Brothers

Note: Today through Friday afternoon I will be attending a Watchmen On The Wall briefing in Washington, DC along with my Pastor, John Keefer and my brother, Pat Weber, who is a pastor in the Lehigh Valley. We expect to have a message prepared for tomorrow but do not expect to post on Friday.

The "Watchmen On The Wall" pastor's briefing in Washington DC encourages pastors to be a "watchman pastor", standing up for Biblical values against the tide of evil that is sweeping our land. The conference is so very important due to a sense of urgency regarding the state of our land. This conference will challenge pastors to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Biblical truth.

Our basic commission in this regard is to:

1) Pray for our nation.
2) Preach the Bible without apology.
3) Partner with those who also hold Biblical values.

Pastor friends: I urge you to examine this ministry and join me in being a "Watchman Pastor".
Lay people: Consider sending this message to your pastor with a note asking him to look into this.

What is a Watchman Pastor? The name is from Isaiah 62:6: "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest." A Watchman Pastor is called to do the following:

* Watch what is going on in the culture.
* Pray for wisdom to engage Biblically, courageously, and winsomely.
* Sound the alarm from the pulpit.
* Take a bold stand with others to defend and advance faith, family, and freedom.

The music at the briefing we be led by Charles Billingsley, a musician I have long enjoyed. Here is a song I expect we will sing. "God Of The Ages" Video

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Dew-laced Purple pansies
(Photo by our friend Doris High)

"Will You Be The One?"

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:4-8).

Will you be the one
To answer to His call
And will you stand
When those around you fall
Will you be the one
To take His light into a darkened world
Tell me will you be the one

On Sunday we heard an interesting message in our church that began with a powerful testimony. We first met Debbie Hollinger and her husband David over ten years ago when I served as chaplain for several years at Four Seasons Produce, the company David started. In fact we recall joining them for a meal shortly after we moved to this area in 2001. It turns out that Debbie is a longtime friend from childhood with Faithe Keefer, our Pastor's wife.

Debbie shared about "Home International" a ministry she started in India due to a burden God placed on her heart for orphaned girls. A recurring theme in her message was, "Will you be the one?" as she encouraged the congregation to step out in faith in serving the Lord in whatever way He may be leading them.

In illustrating this concept she shared about a little girl named Emily who grew up in the coal region of Pennsylvania during the great depression in a home steeped in sin, which gave no consideration whatsoever to God. Mrs. Coons, a neighbor lady, invited five year old Emily to attend her church where she got saved. She stood alone in her walk with God throughout her childhood and teen years persevering in her faith. Emily grew up, married a preacher and became mother to Debbie and her siblings. She raised her family to serve the Lord.

Debbie was sharing the transmission of her faith going back to Mrs. Coons. All who believe have a similar story although perhaps not as dramatic. In our church I have a friend who can trace back his spiritual heritage for many generations but at some point a believer reached out to someone in his family and led them to faith. I suppose there may be some who have an unbroken chain of faith in their family all the way back to the establishment of the church but I've never heard that testimony!

The work of the Lord certainly includes some famous preachers. But I believe the greatest part of God's work is due to devoted lesser-known people like Mrs. Coons, who faithfully serve God in their sphere of influence. That's something we all can do. Today we need to heed God's call. Al Denson wrote the song "Will you be the one?" It begins with this thoughtful verse,

In a world full of broken dreams
Where the truth is hard to find
For every promise that is kept
There are many left behind
Though it seems that nobody cares
It still matters what you do
Cause there's a difference you can make
But the choice is up to you

The difference you make by taking a bold, unswerving stand for Jesus may not be fully disclosed in your lifetime. Before Emily passed away she could not have foreseen that her daughter, Debbie, would raise up three Christian homes where 61 orphans would find refuge from homelessness and abuse as well as the gift of salvation through her missionary endeavor.

May the Lord help us to be faithful to God's calling in whatever specific way He leads us. "The story of the Gospel is simple. The grace of the Gospel is glorious. The sacrifice of the Gospel is incomprehensible. The victory of the Gospel is eternal. The core of the Gospel is Christ." (unknown source)

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You've called us all to a life of obedience. This includes the command that we are to raise our families in such a way that they will come to know You and grow in godliness in accordance to their individual faith. We also have opportunity to influence others for Jesus as we follow the great commission in reaching out to those who don't know Him, whether it's our neighbor, co-worker, team member or the homeless living on the streets. We want to make a difference in our world, one person at a time, since You touch individual hearts for the kingdom one at a time. We want to faithfully do our part through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Will You Be The One?" Video Al Denson This song came to mind when I heard Debbie speak this last Sunday. I haven't heard it in years but managed to find an original Al Denson version.

"Little Is Much" Video Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

"Going Home" Video Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Home International

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne

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