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Friday, January 20, 2017
I passed this vineyard yesterday north of Mount Joy.
We still haven't had a significant snowfall this winter.
"The Assurance of God's Providence"
Message summary: We can have great assurance and peace when we rest in God’s providence.
Listen to this
message on your
audio player.
"During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: 'Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him'" (Daniel 2:19-22).
Today is Inauguration Day here in the USA. Some people are happy and excited, others angry and fearful. In light of this important date in America's history let us focus a few minutes on the Word of God and a teaching from some 2,600 years ago.
The daily Scripture portion is a powerful proclamation of the providence of God. Here's an historic definition of this theological term: "God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all His creatures and all their actions."
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and God revealed to Daniel both the dream and the meaning, a panoramic sweep through hundreds of years into the future and the rise and fall of various kingdoms. We look back now and see how this has marvelously been fulfilled.
"Praise be to the name of God forever and ever." Before Daniel
revealed the dream to the king he offers praise to God. He "blessed the
God of heaven" (v. 19).
"Wisdom and power are His." This timeless truth is so instructive and encouraging in light of the many issues of uncertainty we face; those things which cause us anxiety and fear. Some we commonly deal with such as the turmoil in the world and especially at this time here in America with a transition and uncertainty as to where the nation is headed. Others are personal and reflect our individual situation. It may be a health need, a job situation, a family matter or many other issues that trouble one's spirit.
"He changes times and seasons." We see the hand of God in the changing of the seasons as He ordained at creation. Following the great flood God made a covenant with Noah and seasonal changes have been an evidence of God's faithfulness ever since.
"He sets up kings and deposes them." History sure validates this. Some 2,600 years have passed since Daniel made this statement and history abundantly demonstrates that many kings and kingdoms have come and gone. We live out our lives in a tiny window in the scope of God's providential dealings. Our perspective is narrowly skewed if we don't constantly observe the bigger landscape of God's dealings with humankind.
"He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things." We must look to God as we direct our focus toward Him. A great need for the earnest follower of Christ in this information overload age is godly discernment. It seems that we are awash in fake news, outright lies, distortions, spins and misleading information. We need revelation from God's Word concerning the deep and hidden things not revealed by man, but revealed to our hearts by the inner working of the Holy Spirit.
"He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him." This last phrase really, really blesses us as we prepare this message. Daniel needed the light of God's revelation to interpret the king's dream. God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel in the middle of the night. Rather than rushing to the king and boasting of his interpretive skills Daniel broke forth in praise to God and made this glorious declaration about our omniscient God: "He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him."
Since we're unable to see "what lies in darkness" let us walk with God everyday of our earthly journey since "light dwells with Him." Nothing surprises God! Since He knows what lies ahead let us be assured that the light of His glory will illumine our path and give us the needed light to see our way through the troubling and narrow passages that await us. God will replace our fear of the future with His promise of provision for that which lies ahead.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, we know that wisdom is
given to those who submit to Your authority, honor You and reverence
Your holiness. The opposite is true of fools
since they despise wisdom and godly instruction. You grant a treasure
of good sense to the godly, for You are our shield, protecting us as we
walk in integrity. When we come under Your authority we will know how
to find the right course of action when seeking answers, for wisdom
will enter our hearts, and knowledge will fill us with joy. Wise
planning will watch over us. Discernment and understanding will keep us
safe. Father, You
are the bright light that comes bursting forth when darkness seeks to
blindside our view. All foes are rendered powerless in Your
presence and at Your command. Thank You for the marvelous wisdom
available to us as Your
children.
"These Things Are True Of You" Video Tommy Walker and Maranatha friends
"Keeper Of The Stars" Video Laura Story
"What A Day That Will Be" Video Bart Millard
"This is My Father's World" Video Glad
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
I passed this vineyard yesterday north of Mount Joy.
We still haven't had a significant snowfall this winter.
"The Assurance of God's Providence"
Message summary: We can have great assurance and peace when we rest in God’s providence.
Listen to this
message on your
audio player."During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: 'Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him'" (Daniel 2:19-22).
Unshakeable, immovable, faithful and true
Full of wisdom, strength and beauty
These things are true of You
Full of wisdom, strength and beauty
These things are true of You
Today is Inauguration Day here in the USA. Some people are happy and excited, others angry and fearful. In light of this important date in America's history let us focus a few minutes on the Word of God and a teaching from some 2,600 years ago.
The daily Scripture portion is a powerful proclamation of the providence of God. Here's an historic definition of this theological term: "God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all His creatures and all their actions."
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and God revealed to Daniel both the dream and the meaning, a panoramic sweep through hundreds of years into the future and the rise and fall of various kingdoms. We look back now and see how this has marvelously been fulfilled.
"Praise be to the name of God forever and ever." Before Daniel
revealed the dream to the king he offers praise to God. He "blessed the
God of heaven" (v. 19). "Wisdom and power are His." This timeless truth is so instructive and encouraging in light of the many issues of uncertainty we face; those things which cause us anxiety and fear. Some we commonly deal with such as the turmoil in the world and especially at this time here in America with a transition and uncertainty as to where the nation is headed. Others are personal and reflect our individual situation. It may be a health need, a job situation, a family matter or many other issues that trouble one's spirit.
"He changes times and seasons." We see the hand of God in the changing of the seasons as He ordained at creation. Following the great flood God made a covenant with Noah and seasonal changes have been an evidence of God's faithfulness ever since.
"He sets up kings and deposes them." History sure validates this. Some 2,600 years have passed since Daniel made this statement and history abundantly demonstrates that many kings and kingdoms have come and gone. We live out our lives in a tiny window in the scope of God's providential dealings. Our perspective is narrowly skewed if we don't constantly observe the bigger landscape of God's dealings with humankind.
"He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things." We must look to God as we direct our focus toward Him. A great need for the earnest follower of Christ in this information overload age is godly discernment. It seems that we are awash in fake news, outright lies, distortions, spins and misleading information. We need revelation from God's Word concerning the deep and hidden things not revealed by man, but revealed to our hearts by the inner working of the Holy Spirit.
"He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him." This last phrase really, really blesses us as we prepare this message. Daniel needed the light of God's revelation to interpret the king's dream. God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel in the middle of the night. Rather than rushing to the king and boasting of his interpretive skills Daniel broke forth in praise to God and made this glorious declaration about our omniscient God: "He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him."
Since we're unable to see "what lies in darkness" let us walk with God everyday of our earthly journey since "light dwells with Him." Nothing surprises God! Since He knows what lies ahead let us be assured that the light of His glory will illumine our path and give us the needed light to see our way through the troubling and narrow passages that await us. God will replace our fear of the future with His promise of provision for that which lies ahead.
And as I turn my face to You
Oh Lord I ask and pray
By the power of Your love and grace
Make these things true of me too
Oh Lord I ask and pray
By the power of Your love and grace
Make these things true of me too
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, we know that wisdom is
given to those who submit to Your authority, honor You and reverence
Your holiness. The opposite is true of fools
since they despise wisdom and godly instruction. You grant a treasure
of good sense to the godly, for You are our shield, protecting us as we
walk in integrity. When we come under Your authority we will know how
to find the right course of action when seeking answers, for wisdom
will enter our hearts, and knowledge will fill us with joy. Wise
planning will watch over us. Discernment and understanding will keep us
safe. Father, You
are the bright light that comes bursting forth when darkness seeks to
blindside our view. All foes are rendered powerless in Your
presence and at Your command. Thank You for the marvelous wisdom
available to us as Your
children.
(See Proverbs 2: The Benefits of Wisdom)
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"These Things Are True Of You" Video Tommy Walker and Maranatha friends
"Keeper Of The Stars" Video Laura Story
"What A Day That Will Be" Video Bart Millard
"This is My Father's World" Video Glad
Send 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 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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