✝ Daily Encouragement (3/18/24) "Restraining Evil"
Published: Mon, 03/18/24
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Monday, March 18, 2024
Late yesterday afternoon was an enjoyable time for a bike ride through rural
areas south of Mount Joy.
Click to enlarge "Restraining
Evil"
Message
summary:
A very important spiritual reality for us to consider is the area of darkness that surrounds us. We are called to let our light shine and by God's grace and power I want mine to shine brightly to expose and dispel the darkness which will also restrain evil! Please join
us.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live
as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible" (Ephesians 5:8-14). "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of
darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
Yesterday I taught our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) on the topic of
God's purpose for the church sharing four common expressions of this purpose: to evangelize the lost, to worship God, to disciple believers and to show compassion to the needy.
I had my lesson all prepared with a spiffy PowerPoint presentation but
during the night before teaching I considered a fifth purpose: the aspect of the church being a restraining influence on evil.
Many seek to silence this restraining voice of the church and relish the
time the world will be freed from the "old-time religion" as they see it. That will happen during the tribulation!
But for now all over the world individual believers, local churches and
parachurch ministries are actively restraining evil. Here's an example:
I visited a truck chapel in Elkton, Maryland with a longtime friend, Bunny
O'Hare. These chapels are staffed by chaplains and volunteers who have a burden to reach the truck drivers. It is located at a huge truck-stop along I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia.
As we walked out among the hundreds of parked trucks looking for opportunities to interface with drivers I asked Bunny if prostitution was prevalent in this setting. So often truck-stops are plagued by sexual immorality with so many lonely truckers and desperate women. Bunny told me it hadn't been since the chapel was placed on the site.
Although I knew the answer I asked him why, which is a great way to get
various perspectives and insights even when you think you already know the answer to something.
The presence of the chapel and chaplain was a restraining influence on evil.
We discussed the power of light to expose and dispel darkness. As God's
servants walk through the area praying and living as children of light darkness is dissipated.
That's a great spiritual reality for all of is to consider today in whatever area of darkness that surrounds us. We are called to let our light shine and by God's grace and power we want ours to shine brightly and expose and dispel the darkness and restrain evil! Please join us.
Be encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, as Your redeemed children You have called us to let our lights shine for Jesus. By clothing ourselves in Your armor of light, we will expose the evil deeds of darkness and display the fruit of goodness, righteousness and truth. Any good or positive influence we present in the face of darkness is a reflection of Your Spirit abiding in our hearts and flowing out of our actions and attitudes. Be glorified in all we say and
do
is our prayer.
Amen.
In class yesterday we talked about a current expression of evil that has come to Lancaster County; the city
library is hosting a "drag queen" story hour. A group of Christians will be seeking to expose the darkness with a presence at the event to express their disapproval. Here's the story.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"You Can't Tear Us
Apart"
Watch on YouTube
Acoustic Truth Brooksyne's note: I heard this on the Christian radio over the weekend and really
appreciated its message regarding the Christian's response to the current evil influences of our day.
Yesterday our choir sang "Is He Worthy"
followed by our
current favorite, "Worthy of It All". If you care to listen here's the video cued where the song begins.
These goats across from the Rocky Acre Farm ran to greet
me
.
This is also a bed and breakfast.  Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
717-823-0592
Daily Encouragement Net
https://www.dailyencouragement.net
Mail service provider is aweber.com
495 Kraybill Church Rd
Mount Joy PA 17552
USA
Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options