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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
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Tuesday,
December
8,
2020
The
Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO
A great seasonal childhood Christmas memory was our family trip each year to see the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza.
A great seasonal childhood Christmas memory was our family trip each year to see the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza.
"God's
Mysterious Ways"
Message summary: 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! Even when we don't understand, even when His plan seems so mysterious.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.“Abraham
was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of
Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers”
(Matthew 1:2).
William
Cowper is best known for his hymn, "There is a
Fountain". But he wrote another hymn that begins
with this verse
God
moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Although
this hymn is probably unknown to most of us many
have heard the expression “God works in
mysterious ways, His wonders to perform". I
first heard it when Brooksyne and I were dating in
Bible College in the seventies. We often exchanged
favorite Scripture verses and she shared the above
quote and initially thought it was in the Bible.
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 but she could not find a
reference either. Finally she had to concede that it
was not a Scripture verse but it is a very good
quote and is certainly Biblically-based!
All of us, in one way or another, 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 a contemporary writer today. Perhaps he would phrase “mysterious ways” to be “unexpected ways.” Yet, as I think about it, God’s ways can certainly be 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. But Matthew’s genealogy continues, "Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers".
Judah
is actually presented in a rather poor light in
Genesis (see chapter 38). However he was
the one who wanted to save Joseph's life. (Genesis 37:25-27)
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! Even when we don't understand, even when His plan seems so mysterious.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
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! Even when we don't understand, even when His plan seems so mysterious.
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, fulfilling
Your purpose in our lives. You go before us, walk
beside us, and uphold us with Your righteous right
hand directing us all the while according to Your
plan. Help us to trust You as we walk by faith and
not by sight, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Special Year-end
Financial Appeal
We want to
thank all who have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for many
years!). We realize there are many fine
ministries and causes requesting support at this
time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need
and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. Like many ministries,
we typically see a spike in giving at the end of
the year for which we are most thankful.
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.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
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.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters, and
for those who may not be concerned regarding
receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber"Thank you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
"There Is A Fountain"
Video
Shane and Shane This version includes the
original hymn as well as a newer bridge, a
feature in contemporary renditions we often
enjoy.
"He Will Hold Me Fast"
Video
Selah
A response to yesterday's message
about excuses from a life overcomer:
Today's Daily Encouragement struck a chord
with me. I had Paralytic Polio when I was
four years old. My older brother, John, at
the same time, had the Bulbar type of Polio
but in 1944, there must have been a shortage
of iron lungs because he died at the age of
six. I'm so grateful that I found the Lord
when I was young. With His help, after
several surgeries, I was finally able to
walk to school for the sixth grade! I have
functioned well, working as a church
secretary and then I worked for the Army
both in Michigan and then in Germany when I
was newly married. As the years went by, we
had three children and now we have 20 in our
total family, kids and grandkids.
Sometime around 2011, I began to have
balance issues as a result of the "Late
Affects of Polio". Now I can walk using a
walker and use a wheelchair when outside our
home. God has been so good to me!!
In some of the old hymnbooks you
will find the hymn, "God Works In Mysterious
Ways, His Wonders to Perform" by William
Cowper
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.
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.
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.
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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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.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note:
We also provide this easy option due to
the convenience, for international
supporters, and for those who may not be
concerned regarding receiving an official
tax deductible receipt.
Click
here to send an offering using
PayPal. This will open to a page that
states "Brooksyne Weber".Permissions:
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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."
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."
© Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA