| A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, July 11, 2008  Mountain Lake  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Beautiful Feet" "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7). Brooksyne continues to recover from her broken ankle and has just four more days before she walks on it again! Needless to say, she's getting excited. Her temporary season of immobility has given her a new appreciation for an important joint and a greater sensitivity to the world of the disabled. Several years ago there was an interesting TV commercial that ran during the World Series. While the song, "You are so beautiful to me" played in the background there were scenes of different athletes demonstrating the injuries they sustained common to their sport. It began with the cauliflower ear of a wrestler and also featured a grinning hockey player whose front tooth was missing. It was a clever advertisement for Nike athletic shoes. One brief scene in the commercial shows the gnarled and callused feet of a runner. This brings to mind the daily Scripture verse. The Bible says that the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful! I normally don't consider the feet a beautiful part of the anatomy, but God's Word says they are! But what does the Lord see as beauty in our feet? I certainly don't believe it's primarily related to physical features as we reckon beauty. I believe God is extolling those who are sent to spread the Good News that "God reigns!" This verse refers first to those who proclaimed release to the captives in Babylon. There's little doubt that many held captive by godless authority over a period of years had lost sight of the God of Israel. This passage also foreshadows the announcement of salvation through the coming Messiah (Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15).  Our friend, Willie Anderson, is a street preacher whom we've not met personally but often hear from through our Daily Encouragement ministry. He shared with us, "I have been preaching in South Dallas, Texas for over three years which some say is the worst part of Dallas where there is every kind of sinful and criminal activity. Some have asked me to pray for them and their loved ones. Some have ridiculed, cursed, and fussed at me. Others have said, 'Keep preaching.' 'We hear you.' And some say 'Amen'." I called Willie this morning and he's staying true to his call! God's messengers will climb the rugged mountain terrains, cross the hot dry desserts, and stand on street corners of crowded cities to proclaim the message of God's peace to a troubled world. Not only will they use their feet to travel to difficult places, but they'll use their hands to bandage the wounded, and their voices to speak the truth in love. I believe God sees beauty in our surrendered devotion and sacrificial service as we fully dedicate our lives to Him. Some feet are doubtlessly callused, some are arthritic and still others may be laden with painful bunions. But feet that have been active in "bringing good news, proclaiming peace, bringing good tidings, and proclaiming salvation" are beautiful in the eyes of God. The heart of the message is, "Your God reigns!" Today all over the world God is calling His children to continue to bring the Good News to a world besieged with bad news. Some 2,700 years after Isaiah first heard this Word from the Lord our victorious message has not changed. From the rooftops we proclaim, "Our God Reigns!" I encourage all readers to dedicate their feet to His glorious service! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, Your reign is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting. Though millions have heard this powerful message there are still so many people groups who have not heard this glorious life transforming truth. As You call dedicated believers to go to the ends of the earth, You also fit them with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. May they fearlessly make known the mystery of Your gospel to all who will listen. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to play in your audio player) "How Beautiful" Video "Our God Reigns" Video "Take My Life And Let It Be" Audio "Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee" Today's photo was taken by Ashley, a young lady who grew up in the church we served in New England in the nineties. She is now in medical school at George Washington University and is traveling as part of her training. I purposely did not identify the location. This vast caldera mountain lake was described by the writer Aldous Huxley as "the most beautiful lake in the world." Where is she? (Hint: 14°42′N 91°12′W) Many years ago Brooksyne and I went to this country and visited this lake. It is stunningly beautiful! Here's another photo of the lake. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber - May 6, 2008 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 04/15/08  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.(2008 YTD financial offerings through 7/10/2008 $12,794.00)  Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!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."  How to become a child of God 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. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
