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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Monday, June
12, 2023
Saturday
we joined
friends from
our ABF class
for a 19 mile
ride along the
Susquehanna
River. This is
a photo of the
Safe Harbor
Trestle.
(Click to enlarge)
"He
Is Able!"
Message
summary: Today's
message is
written with
reassurance
that Christ is
able to hold
us fast.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:10). "Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24,25).
Jim and Wendy Gambini have been our friends for over twenty years since we first moved to Lancaster County in early 2001. Jim was our pastor for the first several years, a significant change for us, since I had a pastoral role from the first week of our marriage in 1976 up to the time we moved to Lancaster County. Now we would find ourselves seated in a pew every Sunday in the church just up the road from our farmhouse rental.
"Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:10). "Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24,25).
When
I fear my
faith will
fail, Christ
will hold me
fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
Jim and Wendy Gambini have been our friends for over twenty years since we first moved to Lancaster County in early 2001. Jim was our pastor for the first several years, a significant change for us, since I had a pastoral role from the first week of our marriage in 1976 up to the time we moved to Lancaster County. Now we would find ourselves seated in a pew every Sunday in the church just up the road from our farmhouse rental.
A
lot has
changed since
2001 but we
have continued
to stay up
with the
Gambinis
through
the
years even
after they
moved to
Georgia many
years ago to
be near their
son and his
family. Wendy
has been ill
for several
years and
yesterday we
received word
that she
passed away.
She was only a
year younger
than Brooksyne
and Brooksyne
was often
mistaken for
her at church
and in other
local
settings.
Jim
wrote this
thoughtful
note
concerning
their 44th
wedding
anniversary
several years
ago while
Wendy's
disease was
progressing:
"Forty-four
years ago we
stood before a
couple hundred
people and
vowed our
lives and our
love to each
other. For
some insane
reason she has
loved and
cared for me
without
wavering or
hesitation. I
can honestly
say "I love
her more today
than yesterday
but not as
much as
tomorrow". The
past couple of
years have
introduced us
to a lot of
circumstances
that we
probably would
not have
chosen for
ourselves but
the grace of
God has always
been
superabundant.
He has held us
fast to
Himself and to
each other. I
wouldn't have
it any other
way. We have
loved God and
each other
through it all
but HIS loving
kindness
endures
forever."
When
I read Jim's
line, "He has
held us fast",
I considered a
wonderful hymn
we have been
enjoying the
last several
years titled,
"He Will Hold
Me Fast".
We'll provide
a link and a
background
story below. As
expressed in
his note in
recent years
the Gambinis
have faced
some critical
health
challenges,
the kind that
tests one's
faith, but Jim
gives a
powerful
expression of
assurance that
"the grace
of God has
always been
superabundant".
His
words also
remind us of
how we were
blessed week
after week by
Jim's
well-crafted,
thoroughly
prepared
sermons. But
we also
remember Jim
for his
benedictions
concluding our
service. He
would often
use Jude's
benediction in
our second
daily text.
So
today let us
consider
Jude's
benediction. A
benediction is
a short prayer
for divine
help, blessing
and guidance,
usually spoken
at the end of
a worship
service but
suitable for
all occasions
including a
blessing in
the home. The
word comes
from the Latin
“bene”, well
and “dicere”,
to speak.
Through
the years when
I was a pastor
I used a
variety of
Biblical
benedictions
when I
concluded a
worship
service. In
fact I have
them adhered
to the back
flyleaf on my
pulpit Bible.
(I also have
invocations to
use at the
beginning of a
worship
service on the
front
flyleaf.)
Brooksyne has
told me that's
how she
memorized
various
passages from
the Bible from
hearing them
as weekly
benedictions.
That very well
may be true of
other
congregants as
well whose
pastors
frequently
repeat various
Scriptures in
closing.
The first part of Jude’s benediction expresses what God will do for us using the glorious phrase, "He is able".
The first part of Jude’s benediction expresses what God will do for us using the glorious phrase, "He is able".
He
is able to
hold us fast
through this
life, to “keep
us from
falling”
and prepare us
for the life
to come, "to
present us
faultless
before the
presence of
His glory with
exceeding joy".
In the epistles there are several rich expressions of what God is able to do for us:
He
is able to
establish us
according to
the gospel and
the preaching
of Jesus
Christ (Romans
16:25).- He is able to make all grace abound to us, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, we may have an abundance for every good deed (2 Corinthians 9:8).
- "For this reason I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)
- Since He Himself was tempted in that which He suffered, He is able to come to our aid when we are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
- He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
The
second part of
Jude's
benediction is
a powerful
declaration of
praise to God
as a result of
this
assurance.
"To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
Today we pray this benediction for you, our reader, that you will experience rich assurance and great joy as you recognize your position in Christ and have a deep settled assurance that Christ will hold you fast. Hold fast to the truth, that He is able to save us who draw near to God through Him, and He is making intercession for us. Be assured that Christ will hold you fast!
He
will hold me
fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Be
encouraged
today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Daily
prayer:
Father, what
great joy and
peace comes
when we
realize that
You will
always hold us
fast. Give us
the rich
assurance of
sufficient
strength for
today and
bright hope
for tomorrow.
Only You are
able to keep
us from
falling and to
receive us
before Your
glorious
presence
without fault
and with great
joy. You are
the only wise
God our Savior
in whom we can
truly ascribe
glory,
majesty, power
and authority
through Jesus
Christ our
Lord in all
generations
both now and
forevermore.
In Jesus’
mighty Name we
find assurance
of salvation
and sustaining
grace to hold
us fast no
matter the
test, because
Your Spirit is
right there
with us in the
midst of it.
Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"He
Will Hold Me
Fast"
Click to
listen on
YouTube
Shane and
Shane
"He
Will Hold Me
Fast"
Click to
listen on
YouTube
Selah
We
pray that God
would use
these words to
encourage our
friend Jim and
all who are
facing a hard
time.
When I fear my
faith will
fail, Christ
will hold me
fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
If you listen to either of the two videos you may assume that it's a newer song. It does have a newer melody but "He Will Hold You Fast" was first introduced in Philadelphia in the early 1900’s!
Robert Harkness who composed the original tune writes,
"During a
campaign in
Toronto,
Canada, a
young convert
with whom I
was dealing
expressed the
fear that he
would not be
able to "hold
out."
A day or two later in a letter to Miss Ada Habershon, of London, I mentioned the need for a song which would give definite assurance of success in the Christian life.
The weeks passed and a couple of months later during a great campaign in Philadelphia, U.S.A., I received a batch of seven new songs written by Miss Habershon.
As Dr. Torrey preached his sermon one afternoon (instead of listening!) I occupied the time in setting the seven lyrics to music. One of these was "He will hold me fast".
The same evening it was introduced by Charles M. Alexander to an audience of 4,000 people. Its success was immediate, and it has continued to be a great favorite. It has been translated into many languages.
A day or two later in a letter to Miss Ada Habershon, of London, I mentioned the need for a song which would give definite assurance of success in the Christian life.
The weeks passed and a couple of months later during a great campaign in Philadelphia, U.S.A., I received a batch of seven new songs written by Miss Habershon.
As Dr. Torrey preached his sermon one afternoon (instead of listening!) I occupied the time in setting the seven lyrics to music. One of these was "He will hold me fast".
The same evening it was introduced by Charles M. Alexander to an audience of 4,000 people. Its success was immediate, and it has continued to be a great favorite. It has been translated into many languages.
Like many hymns it grew less and less familiar. (We don't recall ever hearing it until several years ago.) Then a musician named Matthew Merker rediscovered and revised it. He tells the story here: The Story Behind the Song video
Brooksyne's note: We are blessed when pastors send the congregation off with a blessing, a challenge, or a reassuring text.
Several
benedictions
that Stephen
used while
pastoring for
nearly thirty
years are
stored up in
my memory bank
simply because
I heard them
repeatedly and
I'm grateful
for that way
of getting the
Word engrafted
in my heart
without a
great deal of
exercise
getting it
there. I have
thoroughly
enjoyed Warren
Wiersbe who
has written
many books
over the years
including one
that might be
of interest to
you as he
invites you to
become a
"benediction
believer". It
might also be
of special
interest to
our readers
who are
Pastors.
"Blessing:
Receiving and
sharing the
blessing of
the Lord" by
Warren Wiersbe
- The words
bless,
blessed, and
blessing are
found over 500
times in the
Bible. A
blessing, says
the author, is
any act of God
that brings
Him glory by
accomplishing
His will and
helping His
people grow
and do His
will.
Scattered
throughout the
Bible are
statements of
blessing that
we call
"benedictions."
In these
pages, the
author
examines 12 of
the most
prominent
benedictions
of the Bible
and helps
readers learn
what the
blessings are
that God wants
us to receive
from Him and
share with
others. In
doing so, the
author invites
us to become
"benediction
believers."
Here's
a group photo
of the trail
ride members
of our ABF
class on the
Safe Harbor
rail trestle
overlooking
the
Susquehanna
River.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
I
don't believe
anyone in our
class wanted
to rock climb
but we enjoyed
watching those
who did. It's
easy to see
the age
difference of
rock climbers
and bikers!
Prior
to our church
service
yesterday we
visited with
Susanna and
Grover. Grover
served as a
military
chaplain in
Vietnam (his
story here)
and Susanna
was airlifted
out of Vietnam
in 1975 (her
story here).
And here they
are almost 50
years later!
Yesterday
we heard a
powerful
sermon on hope
from David
Harrop, our
mission
pastor. He
talked about
Mr. 38 and Ms.
12 he found in
the Bible. Any
reader have
any idea who
he was
speaking of?
Especially
touching to us
was a very
painful
experience he
had 38 years
ago. Here's
the video
of the sermon.
He
stood back up
after the
final song to
reinforce his
message with a
short
benediction,
solemnly
quoting from
Lamentations
3.
"The
steadfast love
of the Lord
never ceases;
His mercies
never come to
an end; they
are new every
morning; great
is Your
faithfulness.
'The Lord is
my portion,'
says my soul,
'therefore I
will hope in
Him.' The Lord
is good to
those who wait
for Him, to
the soul who
seeks Him. It
is good that
one should
wait quietly
for the
salvation of
the Lord.
Finally
today:
Cheering
the Patient:
We found this
photo from
over 12 years
ago when Jim
and Wendy
stopped in to
see Ester in
the emergency
room at
Hershey
Medical Center
when she had
Atrial
Fibrillation
and needed to
be shocked
back to
rhythm. As
many of you
know, Ester
has dealt with
the pesty
rhythm problem
since she was
12 years old.
222 BPM is not
only dangerous
but also
extremely
uncomfortable.
That visit
really cheered
Ester up as
she greatly
loved Pastor
Jim and Wendy!
Anytime Ester
dealt with
that recurring
health matter
"Aunt" Wendy
would find out
and show up as
soon as we got
to the
hospital. She
was a very
caring
pastor's wife
and will be
missed by so
many lives she
touched along
the way,
whether in a
church setting
or in her many
administrative
roles she held
at various
businesses.
I
found this
article on our
website that
Jim wrote many
years ago
based on a
sermon he had
preached: “DEALING
WITH LIFE’S
TRANSITIONS”
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
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recurring
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Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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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