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| RSS feed Podcast feed  A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message ·  Listen to this message · Easy read/printFriday, September 22, 2006  "Thy Great Faithfulness" "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22). Today is the last day of summer. The cool, fragrant autumn air did not wait for its official starting time at 12:03 A.M. tomorrow morning to make its appearance. It's already bright and crisp outside with the distinct feel of fall in the air. I took the photo above early this morning just a short walk down the lane from our home. The four days of each calendar year representing the change of seasons are regular reminders of God's faithfulness in His keeping of the longstanding promise in our daily text. This promise will be kept "as long as the earth endures." The Equinoxes are the two days out of the whole year when the northern and southern hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight, and the days and nights are the same length. At the equator, the sun is directly overhead. (Equinox means "equal night.") It's another remarkably predictable evidence of God's faithfulness and the precise order in His providential design. Due to the Creator's remarkable order astronomers* can determine years ahead when this day will occur. For instance the Spring or vernal equinox will be at 4:18 PM EST on March 20, 2547 just in case you want to plan ahead and get that marked on your calendar. It's astounding that many of these same scientists are blinded to the Creator behind the design! What takes greater faith, that this is a matter of random chance or purposeful, intelligent design? Many years ago I read an article by an astronomer by the name of Robert Jastrow, who made this statement. "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." Hallelujah, I am on that final rock! God gave Noah the wonderful promise expressed in the daily verse immediately after the flood. It's a promise that we see fulfilled every day, but should particularly note at the seasonal changes. Consider the steady, yet often ignored, testimony of God's great faithfulness seen in the changing of the seasons expressed in this promise. It can give us a rich assurance today of God's faithfulness in all things and certainly that which concerns us. In fact it was the inspiration behind one of the verses to a classic hymn most of you will recognize. With joy and assurance receive it! "Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above. Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love." Be encouraged today, Stephen C. Weber Daily prayer: Almighty Father You are a God of perfect order, and Your immutable character does not change. Your perfect design of the universe and all of created life that sustains it is also testimony to Your unchanging faithfulness. We join with the beauty of Your creation in bringing praise, honor and glory to You, our Faithful God, who provides for all our needs. Amen. * Many confuse astronomy with astrology. Astronomy is the science the science that deals with the material universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. Astrology is an occultic pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Chisholm, Thomas O. / Runyan, William M. Public domain Brooksyne is playing this song in the background to today's podcast. Audio version from live worship service  Yesterday I shared a story about Jimmy. As we drove by his apartment yesterday sure enough he was sitting out on the porch and allowed me to take his photo and is pleased it will be on the internet. Many in our community look out for Jimmy.  Yesterday we saw one of those great Lancaster County sights at a local grocery store. Out of consideration for Amish shoppers many stores provide these stalls in their parking lots. (Click on photo to enlarge). Monday I placed a photo of a friend who was jumping off a very high platform into a lake in the mountains of central PA. However due to cropping you really can't tell whether he's going up or down. Gravity was in affect that particular day and he was going down. (For those who have taken the test here is the answer key.) This test is intended to check your overall knowledge of the Bible, based upon your personal reading and exposure to Biblical teaching over time. This is not material you "cram" for, since it is a broad overview of Biblical knowledge and understanding. Knowing the answers to many of these questions indicates your overall familiarity with the Bible. I would not expect a newer Christian who has only recently started reading and studying the Bible to know as many answers as a long-time student of Scripture. This test will take awhile so take it when you are able to concentrate for an extended period of time. I suggest you initially take it with your Bible closed and then do so with an open Bible by going back over it. You may also print the test out and share it with others if you would like. This test is completely anonymous and collects no personally identifying information. I will only receive a composite of all answers. Click here to get started with the test. If you'd like to leave the test at any time, just click "Exit this test". Your answers will be saved. Here is the answer key. (After you take the test!) |
| ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION  Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.Personal Ministry Update Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.) Contact us Please feel free to pass this message on!  The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2006 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" |
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