 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Thursday, December 9, 2010  We pass this pump and wash basin along Cold Spring Road on one of our varied routes through the country to our church. I have enjoyed old pumps since I was a child when there was one in front of my grandparent's home in Harwood, Missouri. I couldn't resist pumping this one to see if I could get water out, but alas I was unable to get any. As a child when we made the regular trip 90 mile trip from our home in Belton Missouri down to Harwood where my grandparents lived my sister Genelle and I would jump out of the car, race to the pump and vigorously pump till the water surged out!  Listen to this message on your audio player."The Unexpected" "Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers" (Matthew 1:2). Many years ago I became familiar with the expression that I am sure is known by many, "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform." I first heard it when Brooksyne and I were dating in Bible College. We often exchanged favorite Scripture verses and she shared the above quote. When I tried to find the reference I was stumped and told her I didn’t think it was in the Bible. She was confident that it was and yet she could not find a reference either. Finally she had to concede that it was not a Scripture but a very good quote. Many years later (before the computer age) we found its origin in a hymn written by William Cowper in the 1700’s. All of us can testify to God working in mysterious ways to perform His wondrous works in our lives (some in far more pronounced ways than others). Cowper might word it a little differently if he were our contemporary writing today. Perhaps he would phrase "mysterious ways" to be "unexpected ways." Yet, as I think about it, God's ways are mysterious. As we consider the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew we begin with Abraham, who was clearly promised a future offspring who would be a blessing to all people on earth (Genesis 12:3). The following two descendants of Abraham; Isaac and Jacob are also well-known in the Scriptures. However when we come to the sons of Jacob we are thrown with an unexpected twist. Since the narrative focus in Genesis focuses on his son Joseph we would expect Joseph to be the focus in the genealogy as well. (See this daily encouragement message.) But Matthew's genealogy continues, "Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers." In fact Judah is actually presented in a rather poor light in Genesis. But Judah was clearly ordained to be in the Messianic line. As Jacob blessed his sons just before his death, Judah received a blessing that is Messianic in nature; "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his" (Genesis 49:10). This is an example of God working in mysterious or unexpected ways. In our own lives we consider times when we experience twists and turns that seem to make no sense at all. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” It's indisputable that we know only in part! We see and experience only a small part of the bigger picture of God working out His plan for our lives. It's so easy to focus only on a part that is mysterious, unexpected and perhaps painful. But in doing so we may very well lose perspective of the bigger picture. Faith calls us to the bigger picture and the confident assurance that indeed "all things are working out for the good" according to His plan! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we choose to walk by faith and not by sight as we trust You in the mysterious working of Your divine plan in our lives. You go before us, walk beside us, and uphold us with Your righteous hand as You direct us according to Your Word. * In some of the old hymnbooks you will find the hymn, "God Works In Mysterious Ways, His Wonders to Perform" by William Cowper God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain. William Cowper was a British poet and hymnist. He struggled throughout his life with depression, doubts, and fears and yet he wrote some very inspired works over his lifetime. In our weakness, Christ is made strong.  A number enjoyed our pet photos we posted in yesterday's message. Here's another photo of Roxie that I didn't post but thought you might enjoy. Just like teens roll their eyes when they think something is uncool so do dogs! It's as though she's rolling her eyes away from the camera indicating, "Oh, no! It was Santa's hat last year. Now it's the red felt antlers that light up! What will they come up with next year? I wish I had the nerve to rebel like Dottie!" Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" Video "I Will Cast All My Cares Upon You" Video Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online?  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 considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents? Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents" Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children? Here's an idea! "The Blessing" Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/10)  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 daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details.2010 YTD financial offerings as of 12/7/10 $13,764.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed or as an email subscription through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2010 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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