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  Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter    The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Wednesday, June 29, 2011  Evidence of a large activity! I took this photo last week at the Lancaster Auction in Bird-In-Hand. These scooters are used by the Amish who, at least in our area, do not use bicycles.  Listen to this message on your audio player."Faithful Friends" "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble" (Proverbs 25:19). I had a visit to my dentist yesterday. An annual exam revealed some cavities and I had to go back to have them filled. Although it is more preventative to save the teeth it was also causing some pain. Our friend Wendy works for the dentist, Dr. Dinse, so Ester went with me, not so much to care for her dad, but mostly to see Wendy! Wendy is our former pastor's wife and a cheerful sister who lights up any room she's in. We are blessed by having adequate access to dental care here in America, something we may easily take for granted. But I only need to muse for a few minutes of the availability of dental care in many third world countries and view a few photos of rotten teeth to remind me of this blessing! A toothache is something I suppose all of us have experienced at some point in life. I recall a lengthy period in New England when I had a bad tooth that eventually needed extraction. I procrastinated dreading the pain and the cost but it didn't get any better. Finally I had suffered long enough and had it removed. What a blessed relief when the bad tooth was gone - my whole body felt better. Many of you can identify with me can't you? You've had a toothache. You've tried the Orajel and other home remedies. Perhaps you placed a heating pad on your cheek or a bag of ice. Anything to get some relief. You finally go to the dentist. If not a bad tooth you've surely had "a lame foot" at some time in your life. I've had both! I get the idea that Solomon was speaking from experience as well in this Proverb. The Bible has some interesting verses about teeth. The most common reference is the "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" found numerous times in a variety of places. The most colorful reference is when Job describes his physical plight, "I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth" (Job 19:20). And here's a romantic line for men the next time you express affection to your wives: "Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing. Each has its twin, not one of them is alone" (Song of Solomon 6:6). Be prepared for her bewildered response to such romantic overtures! When Stephen boldly proclaimed God's Word the unbelieving crowd reacted by gnashing their teeth. "When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him." What a word picture describing intense anger! To a much less important degree, I can easily see in my mind's eye our 7 year old dog Roxie getting extremely annoyed at Ester's 6 month pup Mollie. When she's had enough with Mollie's antics she growls and gnashes her teeth at her. Up until we got Mollie I never saw Roxie's full set of teeth. The Proverb of "a bad tooth or a lame foot" is a simile to describe another condition; "reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble." And I suspect most of us have experienced this as well. We've felt the sharp sting and deep disappointment of disloyalty and rejection that is especially painful "in times of trouble". Job stated in the midst of his trouble, "All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me" (Job 19:19). I've been so blessed by faithful friends but certainly have had the experience of a friend turning against me, although I choose not to focus on those painful memories. Instead I focus on the blessing of steadfast, loyal friends of whom I have many. In this encouragement I want to consider the wonderful contribution of true and faithful friends who are there and who are reliable in the inevitable times of trouble in our lives. I especially like lasting, reliable friends. We need good friends don't we; friends who are loyal and faithful, particularly in times of trouble. I sure want to be known as that kind of friend. I certainly don't want someone's memories of me to be so dreadful it stirs up the painful analogy of a bad tooth or a lame foot! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Jesus, You are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. We thank You also for our brothers and sisters in the faith who are often closer than our blood relations because we are joined together as a family of believers sharing common experiences and spiritual goals. So many times we find strength and encouragement from those who bear our burdens, lend a hand, and hold us accountable for our attitudes and actions. Thank You for loving, supportive, and reliable friends who draw us to our true source of hope and strength, especially in times of trouble. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Yesterday I asked why a particular branch of old order horse and buggy Mennonites use tractors with steel wheels (no rubber tires). The answer: Use of steel wheels ensures tractors are not used as a substitute for automobiles to run errands or to make more extensive trips than are convenient with horse-drawn carriages. The steel wheel rule also prevents large agricultural operations, reinforcing an emphasis on small farms that provide manual labor for all of the family members. Source However... You still see these tractors on the road!  We pass this interesting "witness" sign on Hollander Road between New Holland and Intercourse, Pennsylvania. Reading it in passing makes it appear that, should you happen to be unprepared for Judgment Day, you can still rent a trailer for $25.00 a day! When I see this sign I also think of an old song and a memory of my Dad and me traveling about the Kansas City area in his pickup truck back in the sixties listening to one of his favorite singers on the old push-button AM radio! Video While I'm at it I am smiling as I recall another Roger Miller song, "Kansas City Star, that's what I are" Video Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Old Friends" Video Gaither Homecoming Great song, especially as you get older! Another version "Old Friends" Video This is not a religious song but I still like the sentiment and sound and it does go with today's message! |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 6/27/11: $6,425.00 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. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter: The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.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 2011 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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