The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday,
February 23,
2022
Yesterday following an early morning chaplain
visit I hiked up along Little Swatara Creek in Lebanon
County. This gentle stream which runs into the Swatara
Creek and then the Susquehanna River often floods with
water coming off Blue Mountain.
"UR
BLSD"
Message
summary: Can you say in your
heart I am a child of Abraham? Do
you have faith in Jesus Christ today? If so, you are
blessed!
"So those who
have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith"
(Galatians 3:9).
Here in Pennsylvania for an additional fee you can have a personalized message on your license plate. These vanity plates are available in many other states as well. Perhaps you have one.
Here in Pennsylvania for an additional fee you can have a personalized message on your license plate. These vanity plates are available in many other states as well. Perhaps you have one.
These can be
witty such as a hearse with the simple message "EXPIRED", a
lawyer with the advertisement "I SUE", a fancy restored
classic car with "SHOW OFF".
But some use
these tags as a witness such as "HONRGOD", "GODB4ME" "GOD4EVR"
and "PREACHR". Tim Casey, a long-time friend from northern PA,
has on his tag the simple message "Pslm 34" since Psalm 34 was
his favorite Psalm.
We followed a car that had the letters UR BLSD on
the tag. We immediately took it to mean "You Are Blessed."
This was an interesting means of stimulating discussion
between Brooksyne and me which prompted our perspective as
believers. Since we didn't know the owner of the car we can't
be certain it was intended as a spiritual message but we sure
took it that way!
So many express an attitude of entitlement rather than an attitude of being grateful for their blessings. It's rampant in our world, characterized by whining and a sense of victimization. Such an attitude can be summed up "never enough".
We followed a car that had the letters UR BLSD on
the tag. We immediately took it to mean "You Are Blessed."
This was an interesting means of stimulating discussion
between Brooksyne and me which prompted our perspective as
believers. Since we didn't know the owner of the car we can't
be certain it was intended as a spiritual message but we sure
took it that way!So many express an attitude of entitlement rather than an attitude of being grateful for their blessings. It's rampant in our world, characterized by whining and a sense of victimization. Such an attitude can be summed up "never enough".
But when we
acknowledge our blessings it can be summed up with "more than
enough". I think back to Pauline, a resident who lived at
Longwood Manor for a couple of years before her death. Each
week I would greet her, "Hello, Pauline. How are you today?"
Without fail she would respond, "Too blessed to be stressed."
It wasn't just a catch phrase; she meant it, even as I
observed her physical deterioration and memory failure! What a
joyful disposition it brings to one's life to recognize UR
BLSD no matter the circumstances. But for the faithful
follower of Christ it has an infinitely richer meaning.
Galatians 3:9 states "So those who have faith". Now certainly the Apostle Paul is not speaking of some generic notion of faith but rather our specific faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:9 states "So those who have faith". Now certainly the Apostle Paul is not speaking of some generic notion of faith but rather our specific faith in Jesus Christ.
How thankful we
should be with the inclusiveness of this verse, "those who
have faith". Wherever you live that can include you.
Some 2,000 years after it was written initially to the
Galatian churches* it can include us.
By faith in
Christ we "are blessed along with Abraham, the man of
faith". A simple children's song many will recall
reinforced this. Remember singing and doing the very busy
motions of, "Father Abraham had many sons and I am one of
them"?
Can you say in
your heart I am a child of Abraham? Do
you have faith in Jesus Christ today? If so, UR BLSD! "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" (Ephesians 1:3).
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
I thank You that my blessings far exceed my
needs. I experience laughter more often than
tears. Eternal life awaits me because of the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ my Lord. I walk in
the blessed hope of salvation that never
diminishes. Your surpassing peace upholds me
because I know Jesus, the Peace Speaker. I'm
so glad Your ear is attentive to my effectual
fervent prayers. You promise to destroy the
strongholds the enemy deposits in my life.
Father, You have blessed me in more ways than
I could ever recall in one sitting or even a
lifetime. Thank You for the abundant life I
have in You and for every spiritual blessing
in Christ. Amen. Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"The
Blessing" Video (Symphonic
Version) Passion City Church
This song was such a blessing worldwide
early in the pandemic and this version
reminds us of how things looked back then as
adaptations were made.
"He Will
Hold Me Fast" Video Shane
& Shane We dedicate this song
today to our friends, Rick and Rachel.
The lyrics to this song will bring assurance
to the troubled soul. We also enjoy this version
by the The Acappella Company
"Jesus,
Strong and Kind" Video CityAlight
"Father
Abraham" Video Sing along with
the kids!
*
Galatians was not written to believers in
a specific city like many other NT letters but rather to churches in a
region in present day Turkey. In fact
1:2 states, "To the churches
of Galatia".
Finally
today:
This
morning I had breakfast with Tom
Alderson. He has an interesting
testimony we hope to share in a future
encouragement. He got saved in his late
twenties and began to grow in his faith
along with his wife. He was a coal miner
working in a deep mine 1000 feet below
the surface.
The
mine shut down and he felt God's call to
ministry and moved to Springfield MO for
training. Their favorite verse is
Matthew 6:33 and when they first drove
to Springfield from eastern Ohio their
ETA on their GPS was 6:33 which they
felt was a confirmation!
He
now pastors Faith Outreach Center not
far from where we live which is his
first pastorate. They moved here just
four months ago so there's much for them
to experience and learn about not only
in Mount Joy but especially in Lancaster
County and the surrounding counties.
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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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