A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to donate online.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Monday, October 29, 2012  Our friend Sandy (yes, that's her name) sent us this photo of steps they have taken in preparation for the coming storm from Hurricane Sandy. They live along a creek and last year had significant damage from flooding. They were unable to return to their home for two months. Note: Due to the big storm resulting from Hurricane Sandy that is expected to arrive in our area tomorrow morning we are going to get our message out this Sunday evening! Based on the weather forecast and possible power outages we may or may not be able to post messages in the coming days since any combination of cable and/or electric outage puts us out of internet access. The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:1-3). "None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand" (Daniel 12:10b). We have a major storm, "Sandy", now arriving on the East coast of the USA and coming our way. Yesterday there were large signs along the highway warning of the storm and we received an ominous recorded message on our cell phones from the power company advising us that we will likely lose power. "Storm could cause severe, widespread damage resulting in power outages lasting several days." Our TV stations have practically wall to wall storm coverage (mixed with scores of political ads!). I first heard of the impending storm last Thursday morning. It's being described as "a hurricane wrapped in a Northeaster". We've had plenty of advance warning giving us ample time to get ready. On Saturday Brooksyne and I "battened down the hatches", moving anything that might blow away and filling water containers, since we have a well that depends on power to run. We even caught up on all our laundry! We will run the dishwasher shortly. Modern forecasting can look ahead many days in the case of a storm. In ancient times forecasting was not as sophisticated of course but they nevertheless had short-term ways of forecasting weather and Jesus uses such a method today to correct the Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to Him, not as earnest seekers, but rather to test Him. They asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. Jesus, during the course of His ministry, demonstrated many signs and wonders but in this case he gave a weather lesson. "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.'" This expresses an ancient folksy weather observation, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning." But Jesus really wasn't giving a lesson on weather. He continues: "Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?" He went on to rebuke them: "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Although Jesus did perform signs and wonders for earnest seekers he didn't oblige these Pharisees and Sadducees. Essentially He seems to point to His death and resurrection as the ultimate sign when he used the phrase, "the sign of Jonah." Initially it seems to me the failure of the Pharisees and Sadducees to "discern the signs of the times" resulted in their inability to understand or interpret that Jesus the Messiah was indeed among them. But today I also consider the phrase "discern the signs of the times" in another sense. A wonderful verse in an obscure portion of the Old Testament refers to the "Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). These men had insight concerning the times in which they lived resulting in a plan of action. We need to be able to discern the signs of the times in which we live. Discernment is defined as "the activity of determining the value and quality of a certain subject or event, particularly the activity of going past the mere perception of something and making detailed judgments about that thing. As a virtue, a discerning individual is considered to possess wisdom, and be of good judgment; especially so with regard to subject matter often overlooked by others." Daniel wrote, "None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand" (Daniel 12:10b). As we receive instruction from the Word of God and the Spirit of God may we have prayerful insight to discern the times and perceive things from an eternal and spiritual perspective. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, You have given to some the spiritual gift of discernment, and for others it's the years of reading the Scriptures, listening to godly teaching and walking in obedience to You that discernment has characterized our faith journey. We want to be observant, understanding, and discerning about our times, so that we are prepared to do battle with the enemy and show others the way to eternal life. Amen.The science behind red sky forecasting: Red sky at night, sailors delight. When we see a red sky at night, this means that the setting sun is sending its light through a high concentration of dust particles. This usually indicates high pressure and stable air coming in from the west. Basically good weather will follow. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning. A red sunrise reflects the dust particles of a system that has just passed from the west. This indicates that a storm system may be moving to the east. If the morning sky is a deep fiery red, it means a high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain is on its way. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 4/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 10/28/12: $14,791.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry! SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed or as an email subscription through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God 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. © Copyright 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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