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A beautiful morning here in Pennsylvania!
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"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet" (Proverbs 31:21).
This morning we woke up to a sunny, brisk and windy day. The big snow storm yesterday has kept us in since our driveway is currently blocked by drifting snow and the road has about 18" of snow on it. I expect my neighbor will be down sometime today with his tractor to dig us out, but in the meantime we are prepared and doing fine. We have plenty of milk, bread and eggs and as the cashier reminded us at the store, toilet paper!
We don't recall a big issue of preparing for storms when we lived in northern Pennsylvania. It is rather commonplace to have a lot of big winter storms that produce snow and ice in that mountainous region. But in New England we noticed a near panic whenever a hurricane or blizzard was forecast and it is similar here in Lancaster County. The grocery stores are packed before the storm begins and people prepare as if they may be shut in for weeks although it's rarely more than a day.
Certainly in the pioneer days it could have been months before some people could get away from their cabins, especially in the country. But of course with our modern equipment we're much more able to deal with mounting snow. Though we live in the country we expect by late this afternoon we might be able get out if needed. But many businesses remain closed due to the treacherous road conditions.
Today's text is found in a portion describing a wife of great worth written by an otherwise unknown King Lemuel in an oracle taught to him by his mother. It begins in verse 10 with the wonderful words, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." The remainder of the chapter lists characteristics that any husband is blessed to have in a wife! Let's examine just one in the study which also speaks of being prepared for snow.
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." This speaks of preparation. She takes her responsibilities seriously and plans ahead. The virtuous woman, always concerned about the welfare of her family, is not afraid of the snow. Snow here is used as a symbol of the harsh cold weather that accompanies it. She is not afraid of the cold because she has made preparations ahead of time to dress her family in warm, protective clothing.
We could take this a step further in symbolism. This sin-filled world is often cold, harsh and even life-threatening to those who dare to differ with its philosophical statement, "You only go through this world once, so eat, drink and be merry…." and other such godless thinking that takes no thought of preparing for eternity.
But the virtuous Christian woman will clothe her children spiritually with "kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12) so that they can endure the offenses of those who oppose their Christian stance. She will teach them by example and Scripture how to be fully equipped in the armor of God as listed in Ephesians 6 to ward off the evil one who is intent on doing them evil. Her responsibilities go farther than just providing physical needs but she must also provide them with the tools that will help them bear, both offensively and defensively, the harsh elements of evil influences and destructive behavior.
Certainly we recognize that all the characteristics of the virtuous woman is beyond the ability of a normal human to fully achieve. Nevertheless the model of that which pleases God and the characteristics we are to strive for in this pilgrimage are presented in this famous chapter of Proverbs. We do well to apply God's Word so that we carry out our responsibilities according to His will.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, it is beyond our grasp to physically, spiritually, and materially provide for all the needs of our household apart from Your infinite provision for us. We are able to equip our household with that which protects them from danger, both physically and spiritually, as we obey Your Scriptural principles. Give us strength for today and a bright expectation for tomorrow so that we are fully prepared and ready for that which we cannot yet see. We walk in faith and obedience to You. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Colossians 3:12-14
Ephesians 6:11-18
The
bluejays came around yesterday joining the other birds who came to feed
from our bird feeders. This one looks like he's had plenty to eat and
is now protecting itself by hiding deep in the tree branches. The wind
was so strong the bird's feathers were blowing as they ate. Then
they'd quickly dive back from the harsh winds and blowing snow into the
protective tree branches.
"Proverbs 31 Woman" Video
"Call Her Blessed" Video
"Worth More Than Rubies" Video
"Far Above Riches" Audio
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Listen to this message on your
audio player. "When It Snows!"
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet" (Proverbs 31:21).
This morning we woke up to a sunny, brisk and windy day. The big snow storm yesterday has kept us in since our driveway is currently blocked by drifting snow and the road has about 18" of snow on it. I expect my neighbor will be down sometime today with his tractor to dig us out, but in the meantime we are prepared and doing fine. We have plenty of milk, bread and eggs and as the cashier reminded us at the store, toilet paper!
We don't recall a big issue of preparing for storms when we lived in northern Pennsylvania. It is rather commonplace to have a lot of big winter storms that produce snow and ice in that mountainous region. But in New England we noticed a near panic whenever a hurricane or blizzard was forecast and it is similar here in Lancaster County. The grocery stores are packed before the storm begins and people prepare as if they may be shut in for weeks although it's rarely more than a day.
Certainly in the pioneer days it could have been months before some people could get away from their cabins, especially in the country. But of course with our modern equipment we're much more able to deal with mounting snow. Though we live in the country we expect by late this afternoon we might be able get out if needed. But many businesses remain closed due to the treacherous road conditions.
Today's text is found in a portion describing a wife of great worth written by an otherwise unknown King Lemuel in an oracle taught to him by his mother. It begins in verse 10 with the wonderful words, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." The remainder of the chapter lists characteristics that any husband is blessed to have in a wife! Let's examine just one in the study which also speaks of being prepared for snow.
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." This speaks of preparation. She takes her responsibilities seriously and plans ahead. The virtuous woman, always concerned about the welfare of her family, is not afraid of the snow. Snow here is used as a symbol of the harsh cold weather that accompanies it. She is not afraid of the cold because she has made preparations ahead of time to dress her family in warm, protective clothing.
We could take this a step further in symbolism. This sin-filled world is often cold, harsh and even life-threatening to those who dare to differ with its philosophical statement, "You only go through this world once, so eat, drink and be merry…." and other such godless thinking that takes no thought of preparing for eternity.
But the virtuous Christian woman will clothe her children spiritually with "kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12) so that they can endure the offenses of those who oppose their Christian stance. She will teach them by example and Scripture how to be fully equipped in the armor of God as listed in Ephesians 6 to ward off the evil one who is intent on doing them evil. Her responsibilities go farther than just providing physical needs but she must also provide them with the tools that will help them bear, both offensively and defensively, the harsh elements of evil influences and destructive behavior.
Certainly we recognize that all the characteristics of the virtuous woman is beyond the ability of a normal human to fully achieve. Nevertheless the model of that which pleases God and the characteristics we are to strive for in this pilgrimage are presented in this famous chapter of Proverbs. We do well to apply God's Word so that we carry out our responsibilities according to His will.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, it is beyond our grasp to physically, spiritually, and materially provide for all the needs of our household apart from Your infinite provision for us. We are able to equip our household with that which protects them from danger, both physically and spiritually, as we obey Your Scriptural principles. Give us strength for today and a bright expectation for tomorrow so that we are fully prepared and ready for that which we cannot yet see. We walk in faith and obedience to You. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Colossians 3:12-14
Ephesians 6:11-18
After The Storm
Ester snapped a photo of us yesterday afternoon as we watched the snow from our front room picture window.
This is the view of our dining room early this morning.
Our
cars are covered with snow and our driveway snowed in with 4
foot drifts. Our mailbox post got knocked over by the snow plow so I
slowly trudged out to investigate. Looks like I'll need a couple rolls
of duct tape!
Here's
a view out our dining room window. The drifts are above our deck
railing. Roxie normally goes out this door but she looks out at the
deep snow and immediately walks in reverse!
The
bluejays came around yesterday joining the other birds who came to feed
from our bird feeders. This one looks like he's had plenty to eat and
is now protecting itself by hiding deep in the tree branches. The wind
was so strong the bird's feathers were blowing as they ate. Then
they'd quickly dive back from the harsh winds and blowing snow into the
protective tree branches.The plow with blower came through as I was finishing the message today.
However Kraybill Church Road still had too much snow to travel on!
The equipment has arrived to plow us out.
This machine came right through the large drifts!
This machine came right through the large drifts!
Today's
Suggested Music
and
Supplemental
Resources
Click
on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"Proverbs 31 Woman" Video
"Call Her Blessed" Video
"Worth More Than Rubies" Video
"Far Above Riches" Audio
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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 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."
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Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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