Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Friday, January 3, 2020

Wisconsin barn
This photo taken by my cousin Georgia who wrote,
"Old and still so beautiful! I just love those really old, stone foundation barns you still see around Wisconsin."
So do I, regardless of where they are!

"Feeble Knees"

Message summary: Are you dealing with setbacks that weary you along the way? Strengthen or lift up your arms today in faith and praise to God.

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"Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees" (Job 4:3,4). "Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, but He will save you'" (Isaiah 35:3,4). "Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble" (Hebrews 12:12).

The last several weeks my left knee has really been hurting. This is ultimately a result of an injury I had in college over 45 years ago. At the time I was advised an injury like this will likely cause pain as you age. Well, they were right! Periodically it flares up and at one point about 25 years ago I had arthroscopic surgery which has helped for many years. But in December I tripped and fell on a raised sidewalk up in Wellsboro, PA and really must have done some damage. Next week I have an appointment with an orthopedic physician.

In the meantime I'm walking around like Chester on Gunsmoke. Yesterday Brooksyne did our chaplain duties solo but we hope to get out together today.

In the Bible most references to knees have to do with bowing such as "Every knee shall bow".

But there a couple of references to weak knees, something we are sure people in the Bible dealt with. Now I suppose I am also dealing with the pain that comes with aging as we encounter a lot of people in our age bracket that have knee problems in one way or another. It was surely prevalent in the Bible times as well!

The nature of our ministry places us in contact with a lot of hurting people. It may be those we see as chaplains or those who write to us through this online ministry.

Our first daily text seems to be a commendation to Job from his friend Eliphaz. Prior to his time of testing Job apparently had an esteemed teaching ministry. He had instructed many, strengthened feeble hands, supported those who stumbled and strengthened faltering knees. That remains the essential heart of ministry to those who are in need today.

Our second daily text is a rich powerful gem from Isaiah. I do not recall ever giving this verse much consideration, indicative of the riches in God's word, many yet undiscovered even to longtime Bible readers. Or maybe we just forget!

One or both of these texts may be the inspiration for our third daily text that 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 this 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.

Just two days ago we replaced our old 2019 calendars for new 2020 calendars. Though we may not voice it for we'd sound very foolish if we did and we all know better, but there's often the wishful thought that a new year is before us so the old problems that we dealt with in 2019 can be tossed away with the old calendar and will not transfer with us into the new year.

A new year, a new beginning. But do you still find that your hands are weak or your knees are feeble today, figuratively speaking or physically, for that matter. 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 as a daily spiritual exercise 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 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 prepares us for all eternity. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"He Will Hold Me Fast" Video Shane & Shane

"Thy Will" Video Hillary Scott & The Scott Family

Here are some of God's Promises For The New Year

He will be with us. (Genesis 3:12)
He will never leave us nor ever forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
He will equip us with everything good for doing His will and work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 13:21)
He will provide fresh mercy and grace every day for each day's need. (Lamentations 3:22)
He will accept our worship as we treat those in need with benevolence and live lives dedicated to integrity and purity. (James 1:27)
He will be reliable and trustworthy. (James 1:17)
He will give us wisdom generously when we ask Him for it consistently. (James 1:5-6)
He will grant us grace and lift us up when we choose to live humbly. (James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:6)
He will give us new beginnings in Christ. (1 Peter 1:3)
He will restore, strengthen and steady us. (1 Peter 5:10)
He will care for us if we will give our cares to Him.. (1 Peter 1:7)
He will forgive all our sins if we will acknowledge them, turn from them and dedicate ourselves to stay away from them. (1 John 1:9)
He will produce the character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in us by His Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
He will love us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
He will bless us, forgive all our sins, heal all our diseases, redeem our lives from destruction, crown our lives with love and compassion and satisfy the needs of our lives. (Psalm 103:2-3)
He will give us courage, strength and grace to redemptively deal with all we face. (Philippians 4:13; Psalm 31:2)
He will grant us success as we take in and live out His Word. (Joshua 1:8)
He will be our light, protection and salvation. (Psalm 27:1-2)
He will hear and respond to our prayers. (Psalm 17:6)
He will transform us by continually renewing our minds so we can think and live in His ways. (Romans 12:1 and following)
He will bring further along to completion what He has begun in us. (Philippians 1:6)
He will keep working into us His will and purpose so that we will do and want to do His will and purposes. (Philippians 2:13)

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Ministry Update

We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.

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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.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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