Daily Encouragement (4/21/20) "A Lesson From Seedtime"
Published: Tue, 04/21/20
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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive our Daily Encouragement messages or it was forwarded to you. Don't forget to add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.   Tuesday, April 21, 2020
 Rye harvest on Musser Road, Lancaster County, PA
"A Lesson From Seedtime"
 Listen to this message on your audio player.“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22). “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:5). “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9). Often we don't understand the trouble in this life.
Though we trust His perfect plan we sometimes question why. All the tears we've cried. Every sleepless night. Late yesterday afternoon my neighbor, Janden, stopped by in a golf cart and asked if I wanted to go see the Rye harvest. Janden is a young man who works in the parts department at one of our area's farm equipment dealerships. He was excited about showing me a new 850HP chopper his company had just sold to a local farmer. What a sight to see this huge machine at work!  A very busy time for the farmers is ramping up in our area. A drive through the country reveals a buzz of activity on farm after farm as it’s planting time or
"seedtime". We see a lot of different farming methods in our area from modern hi-tech such as the huge chopper to old order methods using horse (or mule) teams that I also witnessed yesterday afternoon along Rt 30 making large round bales. It sure makes for some interesting sights as we travel about.Today we consider the challenge of farming in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic many may be unaware of. Due to disruption of supply chains, processing plants and changes in consumption fresh milk is now being dumped and many chickens are not even making it to market.
The word “seedtime” is used only once in the entire Bible (in most commonly used versions). "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22). This is known as the Noahaic covenant, the promise that God gave to Noah following the great flood. The flood occurred many thousands of years ago but this covenant promise has and will continue unabated "as long as the earth endures". Seedtime is otherwise known as sowing or planting as a physical phenomenon and we see this promise being faithfully fulfilled all around us. It's interesting that in this covenant our normal designations for the seasons of Spring and Fall (Autumn) are not used but rather the agricultural seasons (seedtime and harvest). There is a great spiritual truth as well in seedtime and harvest, in sowing and reaping. The second daily verse states, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:5). I don’t believe farmers typically "sow in tears" but as they sow (seedtime) they are certainly aware of the many dangers that face their growing crop till harvest (drought, flooding, disease, insects, etc.). It’s sure that way for us, also, as we sow in a spiritual sense. Many reading this message have sown their faith seeds in the midst of sorrowful experiences. 1) There may be some matters in your life that you have committed to the Lord but they're not yet fully resolved. At times we may cry out to God in tears petitioning for His help. I spoke to a young man who shared that he is overcoming a particular matter in his life but it remains a source of temptation for him. He is earnest in his desire to follow the Lord and live by His commands. I encouraged him to press on in faithfulness and gave him
several specific tips. As he stays faithful I am confident that he will overcome based upon this wonderful Scripture: “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
2) You are seeking to faithfully follow the Lord and sow His seed in the lives of others. You have such a burden for loved ones who are not following the truth. But they are unreceptive, perhaps even hard, and you see no evidence of a forthcoming harvest. You continue to sow, at times in tears. For some of you this has gone on for years and years. You are weary and perhaps discouraged. But God’s Word states, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." Let us share a great, great promise. Read it slowly and accept it by faith. Brooksyne and I memorized this passage early in our marriage and have so often drawn strength and much needed perspective from it: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:7-9). It will be worth it all. It will be worth it all.
Every fear erased on that day. It will be worth it all. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer:
Father, there have been many times that we acted in faith when it seemed futile in doing so. When we get our eyes on the challenge it takes our eyes off of you, the One who heals the sick, raises the dead and casts mountains into the depths of the sea. Father, we choose to walk by faith and not by sight. We choose to believe in things impossible with man, but possible with You. We do believe
and choose to walk in faith until the invisible is made visible, either here below or in heaven above. Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Worth it All" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir The choir director, Carol Cymbala, has a great introduction to this song that will encourage many through these times.
 The machine chops the Rye and dispenses it into a truck. This will be used for animal feed.
 Lots of lights at sunset!
 This photo shows the tractor making the furrow rows.
 Yesterday Moses and Eli James finished work on the the back side of our utility barn. They are covering the crack in the wood siding to better weatherproof the barn. Notice our dogwood tree is budding!
 James made a peanut butter birdfeeder with the pine scraps. You place peanut butter in the holes, hang the feeder and watch the birds come for a tasty meal! These will be on sale at the Old Windmill Farm.
Finally today: A friend injected some humor by suggesting the caption for yesterday's goat photo be "Old goat and baby goat"!
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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." © Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
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