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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Tuesday,
December 26, 2023
After
our meal we
drove through
Bethlehem PA,
which of
course
decorates well
for Christmas.
The Christmas
wreaths sure
dress up these
attractive
doors on an
old stone
building.
Bethlehem, PA
was
established on
Christmas Eve
in 1741. It
reminds us of
Lititz, here
in Lancaster
County, which
was also
established by
the Moravians
15 years later
in 1756.
Lititz also
has a Moravian
School for
Girls and a
Moravian
church.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"The
Long Wait"
Message
summary:
God has
fulfilled the
biggest
promise. Let
us wait with
faith and
assurance that
“in His time”
He will also
take care of
the varied and
ever-changing
needs we all
deal with, for
our God is
faithful!
“He (Simeon) was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4,5).
Brooksyne
and I both
enjoy coffee,
especially
first thing in
the morning.
It’s kind of
an unwritten
rule in our
household,
"The first one
up makes the
coffee". Then
we busy
ourselves for
a few minutes
until the pot
is ready. One
of the welcome
sounds in the
early morning
is the
gurgling of
coffee brewing
when it’s just
about ready. When
we visited the
church in
Taunton, MA on
Dec. 10 our
friend, Greg
Shibilo, told
us he uses the
old percolator
style coffee
pot which has
a distinctive
sound and many
think it brews
a better
tasting
coffee.
Freshly brewed
coffee is also
one of the
more pleasant
aromas that
cheerfully
awakens one’s
senses in the
early morning
when you’re
torn between
starting your
day or wishing
you had a few
more minutes
to sleep. Even
though it
brews pretty
fast I often
use the “pause
and serve”
feature which
allows you
take an early
cup even while
it’s still
brewing!
The “pause and serve” feature of a coffee pot is designed for those who are impatient by nature. We live in an instant age where many have a hard time waiting. In fact one of the dominant characteristics of our age is impatience. Waiting can cause much stress and anxiety. Not all that long ago when ordering by mail it took 6 to 8 weeks for items to arrive. Now we can receive an item the same day we order if we’re willing to pay extra for the shipping.
But today we want to consider one of the longest waiting periods of history where modern invention and the latest technology could not speed up the process nor provide the solution for humankind’s deepest need. It was not a material item but it was a spiritual deliverance intended not only for the current generation but for all generations that followed.
God had first promised the Messiah after Adam and Eve’s transgression in the garden. Over the next several millenniums there was a growing number of Messianic promises that the Jewish people were given.
The “pause and serve” feature of a coffee pot is designed for those who are impatient by nature. We live in an instant age where many have a hard time waiting. In fact one of the dominant characteristics of our age is impatience. Waiting can cause much stress and anxiety. Not all that long ago when ordering by mail it took 6 to 8 weeks for items to arrive. Now we can receive an item the same day we order if we’re willing to pay extra for the shipping.
But today we want to consider one of the longest waiting periods of history where modern invention and the latest technology could not speed up the process nor provide the solution for humankind’s deepest need. It was not a material item but it was a spiritual deliverance intended not only for the current generation but for all generations that followed.
God had first promised the Messiah after Adam and Eve’s transgression in the garden. Over the next several millenniums there was a growing number of Messianic promises that the Jewish people were given.
At
the time of
Christ’s birth
two elderly
Jewish people
are mentioned
in Luke who
had longed for
the Messiah’s
coming.
Simeon had
been “waiting
for the
consolation of
Israel”,
and Anna “spoke
about the
child to all
who were
looking
forward to the
redemption of
Jerusalem”.
I wonder if
their
conversations
were filled
with
anticipation
and hope,
similar to our
conversations
today when we
speak of the
Lord’s second
coming to
other
believers.
The apostle Paul does not refer to the Christmas story as recorded in Matthew and Luke. But in the second daily text the Apostle Paul is reflecting on the events of Christ’s incarnation (birth). His intriguing phrase, “when the fullness of the time was come” describes that wonderful moment in space and time when God acted on our behalf in sending His Son to redeem a lost and very needy people. The long wait was finally over. The faith of devout people like Simeon and Anna and others like them were no longer conversations filled with the hopes of future fulfillment but it was now reality.
And God still keeps His promises, for “God keeps every promise He makes” (Proverbs 30:5). He always has and always will, for that is His nature. We have the perspective of looking back and seeing the fulfillment of the greatest of God’s promises. This occurred after a long wait and in the fullness of time. “When we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:3-5).
I come to a better understanding of this verse when I recognize that it’s the fullness of God’s time, not our own timing. All of us are waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in our lives. The wait is very trying. Many are living with an ongoing burden for spiritually wayward family members; others have a long-standing physical ailment in their lives or in someone they love. I consider several friends who wait for that job opening. Many of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ live in very oppressive conditions invisible to our view but it's all they know at the present time. Surely their wait is ongoing and severe. We continue to pray for the release of those held hostage in Gaza and consider their horrendous ordeal as of this writing. Each one of us wait for that next great cosmic event when Jesus again keeps His last word to us when He declared, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
God has fulfilled the biggest promise. Let us wait with faith and assurance that “in His time” He will also take care of the varied and ever-changing needs we all deal with, for our God is faithful!
The apostle Paul does not refer to the Christmas story as recorded in Matthew and Luke. But in the second daily text the Apostle Paul is reflecting on the events of Christ’s incarnation (birth). His intriguing phrase, “when the fullness of the time was come” describes that wonderful moment in space and time when God acted on our behalf in sending His Son to redeem a lost and very needy people. The long wait was finally over. The faith of devout people like Simeon and Anna and others like them were no longer conversations filled with the hopes of future fulfillment but it was now reality.
And God still keeps His promises, for “God keeps every promise He makes” (Proverbs 30:5). He always has and always will, for that is His nature. We have the perspective of looking back and seeing the fulfillment of the greatest of God’s promises. This occurred after a long wait and in the fullness of time. “When we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:3-5).
I come to a better understanding of this verse when I recognize that it’s the fullness of God’s time, not our own timing. All of us are waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled in our lives. The wait is very trying. Many are living with an ongoing burden for spiritually wayward family members; others have a long-standing physical ailment in their lives or in someone they love. I consider several friends who wait for that job opening. Many of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ live in very oppressive conditions invisible to our view but it's all they know at the present time. Surely their wait is ongoing and severe. We continue to pray for the release of those held hostage in Gaza and consider their horrendous ordeal as of this writing. Each one of us wait for that next great cosmic event when Jesus again keeps His last word to us when He declared, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
God has fulfilled the biggest promise. Let us wait with faith and assurance that “in His time” He will also take care of the varied and ever-changing needs we all deal with, for our God is faithful!
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, thank
You for
meeting our
greatest need
in the person
of Jesus who
was born when
the time had
fully come;
born of a
virgin
conceived by
the Holy
Spirit. We are
a redeemed
people because
You gave Your
only begotten
Son so that we
would not
perish but
have eternal
life. Just as
Simeon and
Anna awaited
the first
coming of the
Messiah, we
await the
second coming
of Christ’s
return when we
will be caught
up in the air
and dwell
forevermore in
the eternal
heavens. Keep
us watchful
and faithful
until that day
of promise is
fulfilled. In
Jesus’ name we
pray. Amen.
This
last weekend
we had five
Christmas Eve
services at
our church. We
attended the
first one on
Saturday
afternoon
where we also
served as
greeters in
the balcony.
We actually
sat in the
balcony which
some prefer
while we
typically sit
about six rows
from the
front.
Between
the services
they opened
the fellowship
area for some
good food and
of course
fellowship.
Here's our
Christmas
photo.
Saturday
evening,
following the
Christmas
service. we
enjoyed a
visit with Jim
and Dorothy
Schmidt, our
good friends
we met in
Boston over 20
years ago.
They have
lived at
Calvary Homes
for eight
years which is
a Christian
based local
retirement
community.
Many former
missionaries,
pastors, and
those in
Christian
service occupy
the apartments
in this large
facility.
On
Sunday morning
we went up to
the Lehigh
Valley to
attend church
with my
brother Pat
and family.
It
was rainy part
of the way but
we see the
Amish had
services and
crossed above
us on this
bridge on RT
222.
Pat
and Laverne
Weber
It
was Laverne's
birthday on
Sunday so we
enjoyed a nice
dinner with
their family.
It
was nice
visiting with
my older
brother Pat.
This
last weekend
we completed
the first
component
related to our
home addition
project. This
is our new
dining room
solid wall.
Previous to
our project,
it had a door
and three
windows that
needed removed
for the new
addition on
the other
side. We
really miss
the light from
the windows
but it is also
nice to have
more wall
space!
Another
view. (For
those who look
closely the
wires sticking
out to the
left of the
China Hutch is
the light
switch for a
light I will
install in the
future.)
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"Sometime
Every
Christmas"
Watch
on YouTube
Michael W.
Smith This
new song
composed by
MWS and
written by
Tony Wood may
very well
describe how
you look back
on Christmases
in your
memories.
Every
Christmas Full
Length Album
Audio (Yule
Log)
Watch
on YouTube
Michael W.
Smith
"Angels From the Realms of Glory" Watch on YouTube was written by James Montgomery. Interestingly, he was taken to a Moravian settlement at six years of age and raised by the Moravians in Scotland. He wrote "Angels from the Realms of Glory" December 24, 1816.
"Angels From the Realms of Glory" Watch on YouTube was written by James Montgomery. Interestingly, he was taken to a Moravian settlement at six years of age and raised by the Moravians in Scotland. He wrote "Angels from the Realms of Glory" December 24, 1816.
Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful.
We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
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.
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.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
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Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
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Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
Offerings
YTD:
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iHeart
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 and a variety of other versions.
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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