A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Wednesday, September 26, 2007  "God's Strength" "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees" (Hebrews 12:12). The last several weeks my knee has been hurting. This is a result of an injury I had in college over 30 years ago. Periodically it flares up and at one point about 10 years ago I had arthroscopic surgery which helped for many years. Now I suppose I am also dealing with the pain that comes with aging as we encounter a lot of people in my age bracket that have knee problems in one way or another. Well there's only one reference in the Bible to weak knees so let's take a look today! The nature of the ministry Brooksyne and I have places us in contact with a lot of hurting people. It may be those we see as chaplains or those we hear from through this writing ministry. Just yesterday a long time reader (whom we have never met) wrote and shared in detail concerning her young child's recently diagnosed heart problems. She wanted prayer and some perspective from Brooksyne since we also have dealt with Ester's heart disease for 18 years now. An occupational hazard of "people work" is either failing to really sense the pain others are going though (becoming desensitized) or of burning out. Many in ministry for Christ will know what I mean. We need to prayerfully be cautious about either of these dangers. Our daily text comes from a section of Hebrews where followers of Christ are implored to be persevering. The chapter begins with a call to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This is one of the great Biblical texts describing the long-term nature of our service for Christ. The strenuous race we run is not a brief sprint but a life-long marathon. The verse that immediately precedes our daily text states that "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (12:11). As we run the race for Christ sometimes everything just seems to be going great; runners describe this by using the terms, "having the wind" or being "in pace". But at other times the going is really tough. These providential hard times are ultimately a part of God's disciplinary work in our lives. Are your arms feeble or your knees weak today? Are you dealing with setbacks that weary you along the way? Strengthen or lift up your arms today in faith and praise to God. This must primarily be an act of willful obedience rather than an emotional response. As you lift them up in obedience I believe you will experience the uplifting spiritual, physical and mental revitalization that Isaiah writes about in 40:29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed, For the Lord will go before you, and His light will show the way, Be strong and take courage, do not fear or be dismayed, For the One who lives within you will be strong in you today. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we are encouraged and emboldened when we consider that in everything we experience today You go before us preparing the way. As we wait upon You in prayer and faith we are renewed in our strength physically and spiritually. Thank You for physical renewal that meets our needs here and now. And thank You most especially for Your spiritual renewal that not only meets our needs here and now but for all eternity. Amen.  Last night I went to a meeting with the authors of a new book concerning the Amish schoolhouse shootings here in Lancaster County last year. It's really a remarkable demonstration of grace and the authors, who are scholars on Amish life, dealt with the underlying Amish spiritual understanding that prompts this forgiveness. Today Brooksyne and I plan to drop by and visit our Amish friends Jesse and Anna and their children.  Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended TragedyMore information and ordering info. Today's suggested music: "Be Strong and Take Courage" (Audio) The chorus to this song are posted today in the message. |
Administration Information  Stephen and Brooksyne "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.  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? Thanks! See here for details.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 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! Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.) 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 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved  |
