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 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription  Listen to these messages  Text only for printing Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn     See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archive edition Monday, November 10, 2014  If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably is a _____. We stopped by our neighbors' house yesterday afternoon to take a look at their pet duck (more photos below). Most of us are accustomed to hearing barking when we see pets in the front yard, but the Cookes' are alerted to our arrival by a very boisterous "Quack, quack". Listen to this message on your audio player."Clearly Seen" "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). We had a beautiful autumn weekend in our area. On Saturday we had breakfast with our friends Bob and Laura, and then took them on a tour on the lesser traveled back roads through scenic Lancaster County. "The universe declares your majesty", is a line from the popular song, "God of Wonders" and these words come to mind in that outdoor setting. What a remarkable blessing to see God's handiwork in His creation which is also a declaration of His majesty.  Bob and Laura have adopted some interesting pets in recent months. Early this summer two ducks wandered up from the Donegal Creek and planted themselves in the Cooke's yard, essentially becoming domesticated. Sadly, the drake (male) was killed by a predator several weeks ago so they are very protective of the other one since they have become very fond of their new pet!Now the duck will let you pick her up as you can see from our photo above with Brooksyne and Laura (of course it was due to Laura's prompting). Many of us have heard the expression, "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it probably is _____." You can fill in the blank accordingly. Ester likes to quote the blunt answer made by one of the Duck Dynasty men who fills in the blank with "dinner". Most would consider this statement to mean things usually are as they appear with the blank being filled in with the word, "duck". Consider this observation in regard to God's creation and those things which are clearly seen as well as those present but invisible to the naked eye. Of course many now deny God and His creation but for others the reality of a Creator and His creation is, "clearly seen". Today's Bible verse begins with a foundational statement consistent throughout the Scripture, "For since the creation of the world." Indeed the very first words in sacred Scripture declare, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." In our daily Bible text the Apostle Paul speaks of God's "invisible qualities" as "His eternal power and divine nature". Paul uses a very interesting Greek word for "eternal" in this passage. The word aidios means "everduring" (forward and backward). This power is constant; there's been no diminishment whatsoever from eternity past and there will be no diminishment in eternity future. On the one hand God's qualities are invisible but on the other hand they are "clearly seen being understood from what has been made." I've read many of Max Lucado's books and recall a story I read many years ago when he was serving in missions in Brazil. He records the arduous journey to a remote, barely accessible location to visit a Brazilian farmer. Upon introduction Max told the old farmer he was a missionary and explained that his work was to try to get people to believe in God. The farmer exclaimed what an easy job it must be to draw people to faith in God as he gestured to the massive evidences for creation that surrounded him. For him it was clearly seen. The farmer expressed a common sense and wisdom so lacking today in our age of unbelief. The issues concerning origins are a source of major attack on the historic, Biblical Christian faith. Regrettably many feel they must concede in these areas in the face of seemingly apparent scientific evidence. The alternative views that are more "scientifically enlightening" compel many to look to man's errant, finite knowledge rather than the God of the Universe who has unfathomable understanding and infinite creative power. I can think of nothing on this earth, seen by the naked eye, that has infinite (never-ending) qualities, thus it requires faith on our part to grasp this aspect of God's character. From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures unwaveringly and unambiguously proclaim the work of the Creator. According to the daily text and certainly in my observation God's invisible qualities are "clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." I pray that the Lord will open every reader's eyes today to clearly see the glory of God and to believe and serve Him today. Indeed "God of wonders beyond our galaxy, You are Holy. The universe declares Your majesty, You are Holy. Lord of heaven and earth! Today we respond by acknowledging the work of the Creator and say a solemn Amen to the apostle John when he wrote, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being" (Revelation 4:11). Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father God, You physically reign in a place invisible to my eyes while Your Holy Spirit with His invisible qualities is at work deep within my heart. Though I cannot see You I recognize Your masterful handiwork. Though I cannot touch You I feel Your divine presence. Only a God like You is great enough to mastermind the universe, yet small enough to live within my heart. Father, You have made Your wonders to be remembered and appreciated. You are gracious and compassionate; Your presence is seen and felt everywhere. I acknowledge You as the Creator of the universe and the Light of my life, for You are my Lord and Master from eternity past to all eternity future. Amen. I (Brooksyne) was greeted first greeted by the friendly ducks in early September. The neighbors were gone but the duck walked right beside me down the long driveway, and escorted me back to my car, and everywhere I went. It was my first encounter with a pet duck and strangely after a while I felt like "waddling" right along with them (at my age I'm probably doing so already). Sadly, the male duck which was the very friendly one, was attacked by a predator several weeks ago, and killed.  Bob put together this duck house which will also have fencing. The duck lays one egg every night so she will enjoy this shelter as the cool weather is closing in (in our minds, at least). They will soon get a male (drake) duck to be a companion to their present duck who is quite lonely without her long-time companion. After all, our friends have never learned duck language.  Our neighbors, Bob and Laura Cooke, moved here from New Jersey just a few years ago and welcome any exploring in uncharted territory so we took lots of back roads and eventually stopped at our Amish friends' house. These Australian Cattle puppies, (Blue Heeler) are full of energy and adventure. They were squirming to get down.  Moses opened the door to the barn loft at my request. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "God Of Wonders" Video Chris Tomlin "He's Everything To Me" Video Carroll Roberson Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne  Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/13) 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. 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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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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