✝ Daily Encouragement (8/9/22) "Strengthened By Grace" (Part 1)
Published: Tue, 08/09/22
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive our Daily Encouragement messages or it was forwarded to you. Don't forget to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive our Daily Encouragement messages or it was forwarded to you. Don't forget to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.
|
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
 Yesterday we passed this home and beautifully landscaped lawn along Rt 343 in Lebanon County.
Click on photo to enlarge "Strengthened By Grace"
(Part 1)
To face life's changes,
look to the unchanging God. Note: As study progressed for today's teaching it became necessary to make it a two part message as I studied the richness of our text. Tomorrow we will focus on the phrase, "It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace".
Message summary: Today may peace strengthen your heart as you look beyond the present turmoil in our world and in your life to the immutable God.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so" (Hebrews 13:8,9).
In May I (Stephen) had a bike accident on a mountain trail and sustained several surface injuries where my body hit the gravel, but most severely I tore my rotator cuff. The surface injuries to my knees and arm have healed leaving only scars as a reminder, especially my left knee. I am slowly regaining strength in my shoulder, in part aided by Physical Therapy. I had a similar injury about fifteen years ago when I was
swimming in Louisville, KY. Over time, without medical intervention, that injury healed, although the healing left some limitations that I could live with.
Regarding my most recent injury I am in the process of seeing just how much restoration will return to my shoulder though it is already diminishing as a result of aging anyway. I don't think I will be doing any power-lifting but I never had that aspiration anyway!
Though our physical strength diminishes due to the aging process, the good news is that our spiritual strength can increase and help mature us in our walk with Christ, "It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace". More on that thought tomorrow.
I was blessed by the context of our verse today, a verse many of us have memorized, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Jesus is the same unchanging Rock, immutable Hope, and Firm Foundation today that He was yesterday, that He is today and He will still be tomorrow and always will be! An old, now rarely sung hymn states,
"Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same,
All may change, but Jesus never, glory to His name! "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". This is a timeless doctrinal truth. It's always a present tense verse.
Today (August 9, 2022) or whenever you may read this message, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday (since the beginning), today (in context, as God calls us to be strengthened by grace), and forever, into never-ending eternity. Christ the Immutable One is our sure anchor amid waves of suffering, affliction and uncertainty, "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19).
Consider the instability of this present world and how we long for stability and security. But don't be deceived, the world is unable to offer any real guarantee for this stability. Wars and rumors of wars, terrorist actions and threats of all kinds will always exist on this side of eternity. It's real and a part of our fallen world which is in rebellion against God Almighty.
Today may the peace of God strengthen your heart as you choose not to solely focus on the present turmoil in our world, but wholeheartedly focus on the immutable God.
On Your faithfulness, God
You're faithful God Jesus, You're the same Yesterday, today, and forever  Daily prayer: Faithful Father, to You we ascribe glory, honor and majesty, for You are the same yesterday, today and
forever. You change not, Your mercies are renewed daily, and just as You have been in the past You forever will be in the future. Our Lord is the same unchanging Rock, immutable Hope, and Firm Foundation today that He was yesterday, and that He will be tomorrow! What more could we hope for than that which You have already supplied through the sacrificial life and unstoppable love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Yesterday, Today, Forever" Video Congregational singing by Clays Mill Road Baptist Church in Lexington KY.
This is the chorus to the song referred to in the message. This is how singing was in our early days!
"Yesterday, Today And Forever" Video Passion, Kristian Stanfill (In searching for the old hymn mentioned in our message I found this new song.) "Same God" Video Jonsal Barrientes (We also used
this song yesterday but it also fits so well with today's message)
Last Saturday Ester joined a group of her friends from her Sunday School class, called Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) in our church, to go to Longwood Gardens.
 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbekia)
Longwood Gardens has one of the most astounding variety of flowers in the world and is considered one of the world's premier flower gardens.
Click on photo to enlarge
I am surprised they would have fake birds! But it's still a neat sight. (I know why - no messes to clean up throughout the pristine flower garden displays.)
Click on photo to enlarge
 They now have a temporary feature called "Light".
Installations by Bruce Munro at Longwood Gardens Video
 A highlight for Ester was the illuminated fountain show. We first saw this magnificent presentation about 5 years ago with our late friend Jerry Smoker
Illuminated Fountain Show 2022 - Longwood Gardens Video
|
Listen to these messages
