Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "perilous". It's found only one time in the Bible, in 2 Timothy 3:1:

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. KJV

This is the Greek word "chalepos". Strong's Concordance says: difficult, dangerous, furious, through the idea of reducing strength. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: hard to do, hard to take, hard to approach, hard to bear, troublesome. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: painful, grievous. The Amplified Bible says this in 2 Timothy 3:1:

1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. AMP

We ARE living in those 'last days'! The next verses go on to describe just what this will look like.

2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.  3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.  4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.  5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].  AMP

None of the things that we see going on in the world today came as a surprise to God! He warned us that these things were coming! And even though they are, as the Amplified Bible says, "hard to deal with and hard to bear", they are NOT impossible for us to deal victoriously with! God's Word works in every situation, and as we continue in His Word, led daily by Holy Spirit, God will manifest Himself in our lives so that those observing us will SEE the evidence and ask us about this great hope that they see in us. Our maintaining peace and joy in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty will speak much louder than any words! I really love seeing the videos and posts of your family simply living your blessed lives! THAT is the picture of godly joy, peace, prosperity, love, fun, family and hope that the world needs to see! Thank you both for sharing that wonderful encouragement! We love you all so much! Here are Hillsong Kids with "This Is Living Now":

Love and Shalom fom the Swoveys!