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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Windmill on Amish farm (Click on photo for video)
Working windmill on Amish farm (click on photo for video!)

"Leaning On The Everlasting Arms"

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"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27).

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms!

Leaning on the everlasting arms Through the years we've become connected with many people all over the world through this ministry. Early this morning I checked our email and we had a gracious note from a reader in Singapore. Many we've never met face to face but through emails and phone calls have communicated.

We recently heard from some readers in California and I recalled that he is a General Manager of a Christian radio station so decided to refresh my memory by checking into his biographical page on the station website.

I learned that his great, great, great, great grandfather served the church as a musician and to this day we sing songs with the music written by Anthony J. Showalter, who wrote the music to “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. So today let's examine the only Scripture verse that speaks of the everlasting arms!

Leaning on the everlasting arms
Today's Scripture portion is among the final words of Moses spoken to the new generation just prior to his death, and prior to their move into the Promised Land. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). He wanted the Israelites to have a deep assurance of God's protection and care at this major point of transition in their lives. Joshua would soon assume leadership and they would be crossing the Jordan River to their new home. 

There likely was great comfort in Moses' steady leadership and at the same time the future was full of speculation, uncertainty and uncharted territory. After all, the preceding generation had spied out the land and seen giants! But God had not led them out of Egypt to drift indefinitely through the wilderness. There was a long-standing promise to be fulfilled which went all the way back to Abraham.

Moses preaching
Although the wonderful truth in today's verse was initially given as a blessing to the little-known tribe of Asher about 3,400 years ago, it has timeless application for all of God's children in every generation. For God does not change!

As we conclude another time unit established at Creation known as the year
(Genesis 1:14) we have an assurance of refuge in an eternal God and security in His everlasting arms!

Today we all need this same assurance. But some do especially. Hardly a day goes by that we do not receive a call or email or personally see someone in distress. Add to that the national and international distresses viewed by all. We include the downing of the AirAsia flight with many lives lost leaving families in shock and deep grief. Some of you are facing very difficult circumstances. Perhaps you're waiting for a call that may very well change the direction of your life. Others have lost a loved one and this season has been especially difficult. Some of you are dealing with discouragement concerning hardships in life.

Many of you know this song.  Sing or hum its melody today (even silently if you are unable to sing the words aloud) and be reminded of God's steadfast care!

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man Daily prayer: Father, we identify with the Israelites who surely had concerns and fears regarding their future as they journeyed into uncharted territory. We are comfortable with the familiar and can easily worry about the unknown. But we find peace and refuge in You, our eternal God, when we experience the unfamiliar as we learn to trust You for all that concerns us. It is in Your everlasting arms that we find a place of reassurance. Your arms never grow weary nor do they turn us away as we come to You for strength, support, and rest.  Amen.



DonateSpecial Note: We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year. We typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Our ministry (and support) is essentially comprised of half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies (of course, this varies week by week). Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job for each of us (20+ hours weekly). Our goal for many years is that each phase would provide half of our ministry expenses and family income. You can donate by check, online or using PayPal. If you would like to make a donation see here for more information or donate directly online here. Thank you!



Martin sled and skates
We've not had any significant snow or ice covered ponds in our area thus far this season but it looks like our friends, the Martins, are ready when it comes!

Barley sprouts grown as feed on Amish dairy farm
These are barley sprouts, grown in the barn under artificial light to supplement dairy feed. Our friend Jesse told us they grow from seed to ready to feed in 7 days!

Monkey bread
Monkey Bread fresh out of the oven this morning. Enjoying the last of our sweet treats before the New Year's weight loss resolutions take effect!

Brooksyne's Christmas gifts 2014
Sitting among my Christmas gifts are the Baby & Body Works ultra shea lotions. Since Stephen knows I shop there only during sales I'm sure he did the same before he selected such an array of fragrances.

"Man Cave" Stephen's Christmas gift 2014

Utility barnI (Stephen) enjoy my utility barn that is also my workshop with lots of storage in the loft. Brooksyne and Ester call it my "man cave" and this Christmas gave me a small plaque that I now have hanging on the door.  I enjoy going out to my barn to fix broken items, construct do it yourself furniture kits, work on our bikes, lawnmower and other things on wheels. At times I just putter around and even hang out with my guy friends who stop by.






Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

“Leaning On the Everlasting Arms”  Video  Homecoming Friends

"Learning To Lean"  Video   Sensational Nightingales

"Music Box"  Video  A great short (30 minutes) film parable featuring the Sensational Nightingales. We first saw this about 30 years ago and it sure has a thought-provoking message.


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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."

© Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

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