A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Wednesday, July 11, 2012  Flower box on Drawbridge in Lewes Delaware  Listen to this message on your audio player."Our God Reigns!" "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).  In what way does God see beauty in our feet? I don't believe it's primarily related to physical features as we reckon beauty. I believe God is extolling those who are obedient to His calling to go forth and 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).God's messengers will climb the rugged mountain terrains, cross the hot dry deserts, and stand on the street corners of crowded cities to proclaim the message of God's peace to a troubled world. In 1991 we witnessed this first hand when we traveled to El Progresso Guatemala to visit Mirza, a 10 year old girl, who lived with us two years earlier while she received medical care here in the U.S. for spina bifida. We grew very fond of Mirza and marveled at her courage and strength as she went through multiple surgeries, endured a full body cast, and then months of rigorous physical therapy before returning her to her family in 1990. We longed to see her and wanted to meet her family so a year later we traveled to her home, but the only way we could actually get to it was by foot, though locals in the community also got around on mules. It was so high on a mountain and so rugged in terrain that we would have considered the place uninhabitable, but then we looked around the bend.  Just down the road from her house sat a very small church with large letters across the entrance: Asamblea de Dios. We were humbled and grateful for those missionaries and national workers who cared deeply for the souls of these who lived in an area where the gospel might never be preached. They endured the rough terrain as they also learned the culture and language of the mountain people to present the Good News and provide a place for further instruction and teaching from God's Word.Not only will dedicated believers go on foot 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 bringing 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 message, "Your God reigns", there are still so many people groups who have not heard this glorious life transforming truth, and in many instances even those who live right across the street. As You call upon us to go to the ends of the earth and to our own neighborhood, You also fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. As we go forth we ask You to take our feet and let them be swift and beautiful to Thee as we fearlessly make known the mystery of Your gospel to all who will listen. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. A much younger Weber couple with Ester at 18 months sporting a feeding tube for several months following her second heart surgery. Stephen is holding Mirza at (almost 9 years of age, but the size of a 4 year old) with her newly fitted braces that enabled her to walk with the help of a walker for the first time in her life.  We really like this photo of Mirza. She came to the U.S. to be treated for Spina Bifida which involved three surgeries and a lot of therapy. Up to this point she had only been able to get around by walking on her knees. She endured major surgery and then was fitted with a spica cast that went from her neck all the way down to her feet for several months. It was quite an ordeal to care for her and Ester together with all their medical challenges, but it was also an incredible time of trusting God for their needs and seeing Him at work in their lives and in our own. Many in our church came to our aid and helped us when they were able. Much to our disappointment we've lost contact with Mirza, but hope that we will someday hear from her again, as we have Marvin (also from Guatemala) who stayed with us in 1990 and 1991. Colorful Lewes Delaware Yesterday we visited Lewes Delaware and the surrounding area. (Lewes is pronounced Lewis by locals) It is a colonial town that reminds us of Cape Cod.  We had a pleasant walk down the main street.  An interesting garden gate made with a cultivator.  A colonial home, one of many in the first town in the first state.  Ester got a kick out of this door frame in a home built in the 1600's, knowing that it would bother her tall daddy who also likes things to be straight! Perhaps this house was built by a "drunken sailor". Certainly the bubble level developed in the 1920's has been a great tool to carpenters in the last century. Tomorrow we will share some action photos from our bike hike and unplanned swim in the ocean at Cape Henlopen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber Our 36th anniversary photo (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 4/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider supporting Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 7/10/12: $8,271.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!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. These messages are 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! Our other blogs: "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!) (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. 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 2012 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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