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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
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Monday,
November 9,
2020
A beautiful,
warm and sunny Sunday afternoon on the Old Windmill Farm.
"No
Matter What"
Message summary: Today's text is a powerful reminder of considering our greatest blessings no matter what circumstances we face.
“Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose
us in Him before the creation of the world to be
holy and blameless in His sight. In love He
predestined us for adoption to sonship through
Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and
will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which He
has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we
have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s
grace that He lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:3-8).
Our
church is in the midst of a sermon series titled, "No Matter What". It is based on a verse by verse exposition
through the book of Philippians; a powerful series
of truths so fitting during this Covid and election
period with so much uncertainty. Yesterday's service
reminded us of our heavenly citizenship and no
matter what happens let us press on in our walk
with Christ based on chapter three.Today let us consider that we who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ have the greatest blessing in the heavenly realms, “the riches of God’s grace lavished on us”. His grace prevails no matter what happens on the earthly sphere. The word “lavish” means to “superabound.” His grace always abounds and is more than sufficient no matter what.
After
I write these messages each morning Brooksyne edits
and sharpens my writing. She often includes
additional reflection that compliments the theme of
the message and writes the prayer. One thing she
frequently does is break down my long run-on
sentences to make them more reader friendly.
In the original Greek, in which the Apostle Paul wrote, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one single sentence; that's 12 verses! English translations typically break this down since grammatically it is very difficult to read as a single sentence.* Jim Gambini, a pastor friend, likened this powerful portion of Scripture to a multifaceted gem such as the Hope diamond, with the facets summed up in a single powerful phrase, "God’s glorious grace".
This is a powerful reminder of our blessings in Christ no matter what circumstances we face. Paul is writing here from a Roman prison. He could have used his time and energy being anxious or angry about his confinement. He could have strategized a plan for escaping when the guards were distracted. He could have made a list of grievances of the prison food or the inhumane treatment he received.
In the original Greek, in which the Apostle Paul wrote, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one single sentence; that's 12 verses! English translations typically break this down since grammatically it is very difficult to read as a single sentence.* Jim Gambini, a pastor friend, likened this powerful portion of Scripture to a multifaceted gem such as the Hope diamond, with the facets summed up in a single powerful phrase, "God’s glorious grace".
This is a powerful reminder of our blessings in Christ no matter what circumstances we face. Paul is writing here from a Roman prison. He could have used his time and energy being anxious or angry about his confinement. He could have strategized a plan for escaping when the guards were distracted. He could have made a list of grievances of the prison food or the inhumane treatment he received.
But
instead he focused on God’s matchless grace and
powerfully expressed this truth to others. By God’s
matchless grace he rose above his dire visible
circumstances and set his mind on glorious eternal
truths, giving selflessly of himself as he wrote of
the grace and blessing which God poured into Him
right in the midst of his external troubles.
The
authorities thought they were rendering Paul
powerless by keeping him in confinement, but God had
much bigger plans. In the midst of his captivity he
was inspired to write life-changing truths that
could only be revealed by the Holy Spirit that would
release the prison doors for those held captive by
the prince of darkness during his lifetime, for the
generations to follow, and now nearly 2,000 years
later as a part of the Holy Scriptures.
As we consider the deplorable, cramped surroundings from which these life changing words were written it is further testimony to God’s unleashed power when a transformed life is sensitive and obedient to God’s leading. God’s power is not limited by our lack of finances, a physical affliction, limited education, the political situation in our country or any other external circumstance. Nothing is lacking when we fully depend upon God’s grace.
Today let us consider but one phrase in the daily Scripture text, "the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us". I want to personally and deeply appropriate this truth in my life today. “The riches of God’s grace.” What greater type of riches can there possibly be?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
As we consider the deplorable, cramped surroundings from which these life changing words were written it is further testimony to God’s unleashed power when a transformed life is sensitive and obedient to God’s leading. God’s power is not limited by our lack of finances, a physical affliction, limited education, the political situation in our country or any other external circumstance. Nothing is lacking when we fully depend upon God’s grace.
Today let us consider but one phrase in the daily Scripture text, "the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us". I want to personally and deeply appropriate this truth in my life today. “The riches of God’s grace.” What greater type of riches can there possibly be?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, Your grace exceeds our
greatest sin and reaches our deepest need. When we
read the first chapter of Ephesians we are taken
back by just how privileged we are to be chosen in
Christ before the creation of the world, to be
predestined and adopted as Your child through Him.
Some of the richest and most tender portions of
Scripture that disclose the extent of Your love are
revealed to us from deplorable and unjust
situations. What a wonderful reminder that Your work
is not limited to ideal circumstances but You do an
inner work within our heart no matter
what difficulty we face. Because You lavish
Your love on us we cannot contain it but must share
it with those around us. Help us to do so freely and
generously through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.* The American Standard Version of the Bible translates Ephesians 1:3-14 as one sentence, although it used many colons and semi-colons!
"Yet
Not I But Through Christ In Me"
Video (includes
pastor's closing prayer) Yesterday we
concluded our service with this song which
has really been "hitting the spot" in our
lives since we first heard it several months
ago and seemed especially appropriate for
this season.
"There
Is A King"
Video
Calvary Church worship team This
is a recent song we heard for the first time
yesterday in our church service. It really
ministered to us and reminded us of the one
true king.
It
won't be long, we will behold Him
And every tear He'll wipe away
We'll be at home, the war will be over
Soon we will meet our Savior face to face
And every tear He'll wipe away
We'll be at home, the war will be over
Soon we will meet our Savior face to face
"Wonderful
Grace Of Jesus" Video Gospel Music
Hymn Sing
Wonderful
the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!
“Wonderful,
the Matchless Grace of Jesus” is a hymn that
attempts to quantify the magnificent grace of
Jesus by using depth and dimension to describe
the countless riches of His grace. We might do
that as well when we try to describe to others
how wealthy a person might be, either through
what they own, their prosperous lifestyle or
their associations with powerful people. But
the words of this hymn makes the description
of one’s accumulations and associations on
earth pale in significance to the wealth of
God’s grace given to us through Christ Jesus!
Finally
today:
Yesterday
after church we headed over to the Old
Windmill Farm where Jesse, Anna and the
children prepared a sumptuous belated birthday
meal for us. Anna Ruth had been planning this
surprise event with Ester over the past couple
weeks. We were simply told, "Plan to arrive at
the Lapps following church services on the
8th." We complied and had such a great
afternoon. Fifteen gathered around the
extended farm table
(including ten children - three young cousins
visiting). We enjoyed
the bumpy hay rides and of course we visited
with the new animals. There's nothing quite
like visiting a working farm - much easier to
visit than it is to build and maintain a farm.
The Lapps are very hard workers as is everyone
who takes on farm duties.
Brooksyne
drove the tractor for a round. Growing up on a
farm in Tulsa she learned to drive a tractor
at 12 or 13 years of age which sure helped her
in learning to drive her first car.
Hay
ride in the alfalfa field as I drove the
tractor.
This
bunny in Brooksyne's purse is one of the
youngest animals now on the farm. Perhaps she
thought she could sneak it home by tucking it
into her purse, but it just wasn't big enough
to cover up the live evidence.
This
was a very old Deutz tractor made in West
Germany and previously used in the rice fields
in Arkansas.
Send a message to
Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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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