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Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Horst's Mill in Lebanon County
"Our Duty"
Horst's Mill in Lebanon County
"Our Duty"
Message summary: Our duty is to faithfully proclaim God's Word and leave the results to God.
Listen to our
message on your
audio player."As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10,11).
We've always lived in a state with four seasons. We enjoy the wintery snow although it causes inevitable closings, delays, inconveniences and safety issues. And of course many find various forms of recreation such as skiing, sledding and ice skating. When we were young for awhile we did some cross country skiing, but it never got us too excited - nothing like tennis in the summer, that is when we were younger. Now we mostly just enjoy looking at the snow!
According to the NOAA on average, thirteen inches of snow equals one inch of rain. However this ratio can vary from two inches for sleet to nearly fifty inches for very dry, powdery snow under certain conditions. Farmers like a lot of snow cover on their fields, as it tends to slowly saturate the soil while it melts. That contributes to every farmer's goal, a good harvest. The first part of the daily Scripture teaches this concept: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater..."
Scripture makes few references to snow since it was not common in that region of the world. In today's Scripture portion the prophet Isaiah uses rain and snow to illustrate a wonderful spiritual truth that has encouraged devoted readers through the ages.
The prophet Isaiah makes an analogy as he illustrates a powerful spiritual parallel. He is speaking prophetically for God. God's Word has been going out from His mouth from the very beginning; His initial instructions to Adam and Eve, His redemptive call to them after the Fall, "Where are you", down through the ages, through His prophets and through His written Word. Today His Word is still going out in so many different ways. He wants to use us today to spread His message of love and forgiveness.
Many years ago I memorized the daily text and especially the part that says, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Note a great promise in the passage. "It will not return to me empty". The specific way in which God's Word works is not always visible to us. At times the impact of God's Word is immediate and visible. That's wonderful isn't it?
But at other times the impact is not visible or may not be immediately apparent. It may seem fruitless and that can be a source of discouragement. However, when faithfully delivered, it will always have the impact God has designed. It most certainly will "accomplish what God desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it".
Our duty is to faithfully proclaim God's Word and leave the results to God. Today we want to encourage rescue mission workers, chaplains, crisis pregnancy counselors, pastors, teachers and many others who, in many different ways, faithfully proclaim God's Word. That should include all who claim to follow Christ. Keep it up. Don't give up. We just won't have the whole picture of our impact on this side. Remember this wonderful promise today as You share God's Word! Stay faithful!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father as we consider
the fertile fields and lush vegetation that are a result of Your
faithfully sending moisture to the earth, we're also reminded of the
power of Your Word that does not return void. The Word also
accomplishes great things as it breathes life and hope into those who
apply its salvation message to their lives. It turns our losses into
gains, our weaknesses into strength, our fear into courage and our
wanderings into purpose filled direction. Thank You for Your Holy Word
that has completely changed my life, thereby inspiring me to influence others for the kingdom. Amen.
A stately Berks County farmhouse
Lebanon County pond
Notice the nice arched bridge over the frozen pond and at the opposite end are two cows seeming to be at a loss as to whether they will go skating on the pond or wait for it to thaw.
Some outdoor recreational activities we saw during our journey Sunday afternoon.
Ice fishing tent on Middle Creek Reservoir
The Iron Valley snow tubing run in Lebanon County has a beautiful view looking across the Lebanon Valley all the way to Blue Mountain.
Ice skating on Mount Gretna Lake
Usually the lake is drained over the winter so it surprised us to see all the activity when we passed through Mount Gretna Sunday afternoon and saw the frozen lake. Many skaters joined the fun here since there's lots of room for many.
Today's
Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Preach the Word" Video Gold City
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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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