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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Lebanon County
We passed this Christmas display in rural Lebanon County yesterday which appears to be rough hewn logs on sleighs!

Note: This week we are considering how words can be a blessing and at times a great source of discomfort.

"The Sustaining Word"

Message summary: "The word that sustains the weary" is one of the most blessed words we can receive and share with others.

Listen to our message on your audio player.

"The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary" (Isaiah 50:4).

John and Rahn Keefer
Pastor John is a good friend of ours whose twin brother Rahn went to be with the Lord last Sunday morning. Rahn had suffered from cancer for quite some time and, though there was some improvement at various stages along the way, more recently his health declined severely and we knew his departure was near.

On Sunday afternoon Brooksyne was impressed of the Lord to pray for some friends experiencing critical health problems and was then prompted to make some calls. She called Pastor John for an update only to receive the news that Rahn had died that morning, about four hours before she placed the call. They conversed for a few minutes as John shared that the family was gathered around Rahn singing hymns when suddenly, Rahn, who had been somewhat unresponsive during this time, suddenly rallied and his face broke into an unmistakable expression that he was viewing an angelic presence. It was in that glorious moment that he breathed his last on this side.

Later that evening John wrote a brief note expressing that he and his family were grateful for Brooksyne's call. Based on today's verse it was her intent to give a "word that sustains the weary".

"The word that sustains the weary" is one of the most blessed words we can receive and share with others. The dictionary definition of "sustain" is to "strengthen or support physically or mentally". We would add to that definition "spiritually" and that's primarily the type of sustaining we are referring to in this message.

Isaiah 50:4 "Artwork by John Bell copyright 1998-2018 (www.jrbell.com) used with permission"

Today's passage was written by Isaiah. It begins, "The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue". "The Sovereign LORD" is the source of the sustaining word and "an instructed tongue" is His gift. For believers who minister to those who are downtrodden and weary this is a vital necessity.

"To know the word that sustains the weary". That word will vary depending on the need. Effective ministry is not using a flip chart of pat answers but rather a Spirit-given word in response to a specific need. Most of the time a word like this will come from a one on one personal interaction, although it might also be heard in a sermon or even through a message like a Daily Encouragement.

This sustaining "word" may in part be our knowledge of the Bible where we can direct others to a Bible verse to draw strength. The purest form of ministry in our view is the Bible along with solid exposition.

So let us thank God when we receive "the word that sustains the weary" and seek to be His instrument dispensing "the word that sustains the weary".

What troubles you today? What problem are you dealing with that seems insurmountable? God is a lot bigger than any problem. Remember to give Your problems to Him as He sustains you day by day, moment by moment. Don't get ahead of Him or that will lead to worry and anxiety. He reveals His grace as the problems unfold but doesn't reveal how His grace will work out for the "What if's". Let us be careful not to rob ourselves of the peace He grants to us today.

God will not fail us. We can stand on His promises, for it is based on His inerrant, enduring Word of truth! Today, receive "
the word that sustains the weary"!

There is no problem so big, God cannot solve it.
There is no mountain so tall, He cannot move it.
There is no storm so dark, God cannot calm it.
There is no sorrow so deep, God cannot soothe it.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Sustaining Father, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life, day in and day out. When events in my life shake the very foundations of who I am or the path before me is unclear I gain courage and direction when I remember the inspirational words of Moses, "The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged."* You sustain me in my wilderness journeyings and even if others forsake me, You remain faithful. Remarkable as it seems, even if I am faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself. Thank You for being my Supreme Savior and the Sustainer of my soul, my everlasting hope and joy. Amen."

* Deuteronomy 31:8

Further study on sustain:

Let us consider several verses regarding God's sustaining power beginning with the simple promise, "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:4). He may give us a sustaining word through another believer but ultimately the Lord is the One who sustains.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). Our role is the casting of our burdens upon the Lord; His role is to sustain us!

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you" (Isaiah 46:4). What a wonderful assurance this statement brings to the believer, especially as we grow older. How powerful to read a proclamation by God made over 2,700 years ago that remains just as true and effective today!

It looks back to the self-revealing One that Moses encountered at the burning bush some 700 years earlier who said, "I AM THAT I AM."  It looks ahead to the One who spoke the words again some 700 years later stating, "I AM."  And today He still declares, "I am He."

I want to encourage each reader to draw strength from God's promises in this verse:

I am He who will sustain you.
    I have made you.
        I will carry you.
            I will sustain you.
                I will rescue you.

Notice the promise that God will sustain is repeated twice in this text as to give us double the assurance. Sustain is also translated "I will bear you" (NASV) and "I will take care of you" (New Century Version).

A note from the "Full Life Study Bible" summarizes this: "He has cared for us from the beginning of our lives, continues to act on our behalf, and will sustain us even to the end."

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We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). 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. Like many ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful.

Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.

If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.

To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376


Make A DonationPlease Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber"

Thank you

Stephen & Brooksyne

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"He Will Carry You"  Video   Lynda Randle

"Big Enough"  Video  Clark family

"Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary"  Video  Collingsworth family

"The Isaiah 50:4 image used in message by John Bell copyright 1998-2018 (www.jrbell.com) used with permission".

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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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