A LOVE OVERHAUL

Gracious God, pour your blessings upon this person reading this; may they know of Your great love for them especially in all they face. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

As we continue our theme of being "Overhauled spiritually," please find Mark 12:28-34 and read what it says there about love and how an overhaul of love might be in order if your priorities are not right.

The passage from Mark 12 reads "28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that "he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33 and "to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and "to love one's neighbor as oneself,'—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question.

We can take love for granted at times. Sadly, we take the ones we love for granted thus the commandment to love. Jesus as He recited the teaching that had been His since childhood spoke of the need to make an effort to love the One worthy of our love, namely God. Loving God is something we should not take for granted. We seek to love God with all our emotions, with our spiritual being, all our thoughts, and with all our physical strength. And, Jesus continued, we should love ourselves in the way God intended, not a conceited self-serving love, but a caring sort of love that we should extend to others, especially our "neighbors" which we know are all of God's people. Is it easy? Of course not, but it is or should be our goal.

You and I have probably driven our share of vehicles that many have questioned how they managed to still be on the road, and from time to time we'll see those type of cars on the road and the reality is that many if not all of the parts within have to be replaced, with a complete re-doing of the engine being an overhaul. God does the same for us as we ask, especially when it comes to love.

Don't take love for granted. Ask God to overhaul your heart, soul, mind and body.

PRAYER: My prayer is for You to overhaul me completely. Let me be a person of love as You intended. Let me love You as I should and let me love myself in a caring way and may that be the way I love others. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

OUR DAY OF PRAYER

Loving God, the person reading this as well as myself have at times found ourselves in the "Valley of Dry Bones" as shared in Your word in Ezekiel 37. Ours has at times been walking among the ruins of a relationship or financial venture or hard doubt in questions of personal faith, yet even then, You have been with us and have spoken the word of hope: Walk in faith and do things of faith even when it seems there is little to no faith left in you. And we thank You for those words and more importantly for Your presence.

Ezekiel saw a land where life had long been absent. The only visitors had been the blistering sun and those birds and animals that prey on the dead. Once the predators had gone, the sun still beat down on the bones and soon all signs of life were gone. Yet even in the midst of such finality You had not spoken the final word. So, speak today in my life that word that I need to hear. Like David, I am surrounded by those "enemies" that seek my destruction, be it an illness or a health condition or a fear I have about the pressures of today, but like David and others of faith, let me lift Your name high.

Blessed Father bless the person reading this with that which is best for their life. May they share this prayer with others, especially those beset by trials and tribulations. Ours is a living hope, a neverending faith, and a promise from You that You are always with us, even 'til the end of the world. And it is in Your precious Name we pray, Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

AN OVERHAULED FAITH

Loving God, please bring your blessings upon this person who reads this devotional. I know their heart yearns for You and for Your guidance and blessing in whatever they face today. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Hebrews 11 shares the stories of those whose faith was overhauled. They were not content to stay where they found themselves in their walk or lack thereof, with God. Verses 1 through 7 shares just some of a multitude who have asked of God, "God, increase or renew my faith!"

Hebrews 11:1-7: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith."

Look at that list: Abel offered to God what he knew God merited, not what Abel thought was best for Abel. This can only come through an "overhauled" faith. Enoch sought always to please God, not himself nor others, and because of that and because Enoch "walked with God" he did not experience death. And Noah, because of his faith in God was warned by God about that which was coming so that he might be prepared. And the list goes on and on and I suggest you read the entire chapter at your leisure. Could you add your name to that list? Of course, through a new, revitalized faith.

The pressures and worries of this time, the economy, the upcoming elections, relationships, illnesses, etc. can only be addressed with a faith that endures. God stands ready to share that with you, if you would only ask.

PRAYER: Loving God, increase my faith and increase my daily walk with You. You know my heart and the worries that have troubled me, but I trust in You and I know You will bless me. May I be a blessing to others. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

OUR "OVERHAUL"

Gracious God, please bless the person reading this in whatever he or she is facing. This is my prayer in Jesus' name, amen.

The study guide I provide on Sunday mornings shares this for today:

Exodus 4:10-17 tells the story of a needed overhaul in the life and spirit of a man who felt that he could not do anything for God. Yet God brought about exactly the change that this man needed. Please read this and be blessed in what it shares.

The text reads like this in the New Revised Standard Version:

10 But Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11 Then the Lord said to him, "Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak." 13 But he said, "O my Lord, please send someone else." 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, "What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. 16 He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. 17 Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs."

Have you ever needed an overhaul? Not of your car's engine but of you, your attitude and spirit towards God's work? This is exactly what Moses needed as he is being called into God's service. Moses has his excuses lined up: I am not a good speaker, in fact, I stutter. God has the answer for that: Isn't it I who gives speech to all mortals? I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say. Then Moses finally says what he's truly feeling, "O my Lord, please send someone else." That angered God. Moses was still going, but God would use Moses' brother Aaron as his "mouth piece."

We are so clever when it comes to making up excuses why we cannot do things for God, when in fact the truth is we really don't want to do anything. Yes, some of us do have great reasons why we think we cannot serve God when in fact God will be with us and our excuse and help us overcome them so that God's work can be done.

PRAYER: Living God of all people, help me with my overhaul today. Remove all doubt and excuses from my mind, heart, and spirit. Let me see what I can do when I know You are truly with me. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

OUR DAY OF PRAYER

The uncle spoke about the time his work as a migrant farm worker kept him from buying Pampers for his baby. His nephew asked the uncle if he could take him to Wal-Mart to buy "something." The uncle said, "You can't buy Pampers for us!" The boy, about twelve years old said, "No Tio! I need to buy something at the store, please take me." The uncle complied and watched as his nephew bought the disposable diapers for his cousin.

Today, our oldest daughter buried one of her students, Jose E. Garcia. A seventh grader at Ann Richards Middle School, active on the football team, and always one ready to help his teacher and classmates, Jose died when fishing with his next-door neighbors in a canal near Mile 7 outside of La Joya, Texas. Jose slipped in and because he suffered from asthma those who dove in to try and save him say he may have suffered an attack that prevented his being saved. His body went under the water and it took police divers a while to find his body.

Jose's father was in Indiana working as a migrant worker and the La Joya school district paid for his bus ticket to return home to bury his son. One of the La Joya funeral homes donated the plot, the coffin, and the service. Our daughter's mother-in-law made a special white cloth with a dove that all his classmates signed. Two hundred red balloons lined the walk from the street into the church. As Jose's coffin passed the balloons were released, filling the sky with a display of love and sorrow. The football team came and sobbed openly at this unexpected death of a teammate.

The entire school district is taking this death very hard. Our daughter, Nellie and her class are suffering too. The visit of death is never easy and requires our prayers for God's comfort and peace to be with each who are hurting and mourning today. Jose's mother had been sedated for the burial and the white cloth when removed from the coffin and placed in her care became a baby she rocked and rocked. May God bring her comfort is my prayer.

PRAYER: Loving God of all life, we acknowledge our grief when someone dies. Though we did not know Jose Garcia personally we know that he touched lives during his short life. We cannot understand why this tragic accident robbed a family and a school from such a nice and thoughtful, loving boy, but we trust You to receive him and grand him eternal life through Christ Jesus in whom Jose believed. Comfort his mother and father. You know they're hurting not only emotionally but financially. Bless them with comfort and with the resources they need not only during this tough time, but at all times. Help those reading this, dear God with whatever they face. In You we place our hope and faith. We pray that this week may see us living the way of love. Your love as shared with us and as we share it with others. We pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

e.v.

A BLESSED LIFE OF LOVE

The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17. Given by God to Moses as a way to prepare His people to Be His people, these were given as part of the start of their journey in the wilderness. Each commandment is law. Please read each one carefully and see what God has in store for those who keep them:

1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

All hold the promise of a strong, right relationship with God and within those are those which promise us a strong, right relationship with one another. The Ten Commandments are God's Gold Standard for living. If we put God first and then seek to keep God's commandments and love and follow His Son, Jesus, we are blessed. And as a result of our blessed life, our relationship with others, our parents, our spouses, our family, our neighbors also will be blessed.

PRAYER: LOVING GOD, I thank You for Your precious and powerful Commandments. Help me to see You in the words and the love You hold for us behind each word. Let me apply them to my life. I ask this in Christ Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

WORDS OF LIFE AND LOVE

The Shema is the core of Jewish faith. Found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 it contains these powerful words:
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

My brother once lived in the Miami area and on one of our visits out there he took us to some of thoe "Mill" malls, such as the one at Katy, Katy Mills, there's one in Nashville, etc. and this one is shaped like an alligator and is named Sawgrass Mills Mall. We went into a store where Jewish icons and other stuff was sold and each one contained a little handwritten tag on it. I asked the man what was the tag all about. He replied it was The Shema. I told him I knew the verse and considered it a very powerful verse and so he gave me one. For years I had it in my wallet and when that wallet finally said its final goodbyes so did the tag.

But the words have life beyond tags. It is a declaration or pledge of faith. The LORD is our God, and we are to love God with all our heart, our soul and our might. And these words are so powerful they are worthy to be in our hearts at all times. We are to teach them to our children and they should be our topic of conversation at home and away; when we are lying down and when we are getting up. It should be a "sign" on our hand, an "emblem" on our foreheads and written on the doorposts of our homes and gates.

The Lord blesses those who live and share these words. These are words of life and love. Our words for the week are those that say and declare in our living, The way of love.

PRAYER: Loving God, let me live the way of love. May my actions, words, thoughts and deed reflect one who is committed to You in a way that invites others to come to You. I pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

PRAYER REQUEST: Dear friends, one of our daughter Nellie's middle school students, Jose E. Garcia drowned this weekend. Please be in prayer for his family and for the Ann Richards School in La Joya, Texas. May God share with them His peace.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD!

Good day dear friends.

I thank you for your prayers for our grandson, Liam Carlos Vasquez, who's still in the clear as far as his jaundice goes, and I praise God for that. Please continue to lift him up, his mom, Caty as she recovers from delivery, and for dad, Joaquin.

Here is our study guide for today:

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 please read the story of man whose road-worthiness reflects a true grounding in the right place. Please read that prayer offered up by this man and reflect on how this ancient prayer might bless you right now.
Here is that text from 2 Chronicles 20:1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; already they are at Hazazon-tamar" (that is, En-gedi). 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid; he set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the towns of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said, "O Lord, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In your hand are power and might, so that no one is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 They have lived in it, and in it have built you a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 "If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save.' 10 See now, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

"Jumping Jehoshaphat!" was an old exclamation of surprise in this country some years back, usually from the mouth of actor Gabby Hays in his old westerns, and the person in that expression is the "star" of today's text. Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah and on this day mentioned in the passage a great army rose up against him. Rather than jump to conclusions about what to do, he did what we should always do and that is to go to God in prayer. His prayer is mentioned above and it is a prayer of submission. He acknowledges what God only God can do and asks God for help. I love in verse 12 where he says, "For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

For today's devotional thought on our church's prayer line I read directly from the headlines: An out-of-work money manager in California kills his wife, three sons, mother-in-law and then himself. In Ohio a 90 year-old woman shot herself in the stomach as authorities arrived to evict her from her modest home of 38 years. In Massachusetts, a housewife who had hidden their mounting money troubles from her husband, faxed a note to the mortgage company that by the time they foreclosed she would be dead. This woman killed her three beloved cats, then herself, leaving an insurance policy, funeral instructions and a suicide note. And officials fear more of these desperate acts all because of the economy.

Friends, even if we pray the last line of Jehoshaphat's prayer, that is still declaring our faith in God. "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." Never take your eyes off Jesus. Live the life that keeps our eyes on God and walks towards, not away, from Him.

PRAYER: Loving God, You know the needs in my life; You know my worries; and as your son Jehoshaphat said I say as well, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you! Grant me patience, peace, and the hope that only You can. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

LIFE THE LIFE!

Good day dear friends.

I again thank you all for your prayers for baby Liam and his delivery, which went well and fast! The nurses and doctor were amazed at how Caty went from barely dilated to "Girlfriend, you're having a baby!" (as the nurse put it). Caty and Joaquin were set to go home when the major labor pains came and thank God. The doctor said, "Come back Friday and we'll see." The hospital said, "No room on Friday, come back on Wednesday." Liam said, "Nah, I'm here and I might as well make my appearance!" Photos of the precious boy are on my Facebook, Eradio Valverde.

I ask prayers for Liam as today his blood will be checked again since he is a bit jaundiced. Pray that the time spent in the sun has done its work! Thank you.

THE DEVOTIONAL IS IN RED BELOW:
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NOTE TO HARLINGEN FOLKS: The devotional line at church is up again. Call in the church number 956-423-0540 and ask for the prayer line. If you call in after hours, press 121 and you'll hear the devotional.
We need children for our Christmas program! Yesterday Jan had no children show up for practice and she's about three weeks behind schedule. Believe it or not Christmas is almost upon us and we have to get this program in shape! Please call the church office for more information.---------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is our study guide for today:

Please find 1 Kings 18 and beginning with verse 20 forward read about a man who was ready when everyone else was not. Read how this one man’s faith in God outdid the faith of 400 who had faith in some other god. Where is your faith and are you passing inspection?

Here is that text from 1 Kings 18:20 So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." The people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets number four hundred fifty. 23 Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God." All the people answered, "Well spoken!" 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it." 26 So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. 27 At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28 Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. 29 As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come closer to me"; and all the people came closer to him. First he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down; 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, "Israel shall be your name"; 32 with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two measures of seed. 33 Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it a second time. Again he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it a third time, 35 so that the water ran all around the altar, and filled the trench also with water. 36 At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God."

Our theme for this week is "Live the Life." In other words, live a Christian life that sends out the message that we're on a mission for God. Our sermon series is about having a transformation in all of us from being simply members of a church, to being missionaries willing to follow God. I shared a plane trip I took once from Miami to Dallas with a jumbo jet filled with returning Mormon missionaries. These are the young men who give two years of their lives to serve their church in worldwide mission. I asked the congregation how United Methodists would respond with such a request and I got laughter. I then challenged the church, as I'm challenging you, to spend two minutes sometime this week being a missionary for Jesus Christ. Simply find an opportunity to speak positively about your faith with someone in need. Two minutes. That's all. It may lead to more, but with those two minutes you might find you're saving someone's life for all eternity.

The text above tells of the prophet Elijah's faith in spite of his very life being in danger all the time. He stepped forward. He lived the life and God vindicated him. God will do the same for us if we live the life.

Step forward. Give two minutes of your life to saving someone's life.

PRAYER: Loving God, give me faith to share my life with someone. My prayer is to truly live the life as I have learned it from Christ Jesus Himself. Let me have the boldness to share two minutes of my life with someone in need. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

WHO WILL REACH THOSE YOU KNOW?

Good morning dear friends.

Here is my study guide for today: In the book of 1 Kings 3:4-15, a man is led by God to ask of God what he would. Please read the story and compare it to how you would have answered. This goes in line with the "if you found a genie and were granted one wish, what would it be?"

Here is that passage from 1 Kings 3:4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." 6 And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life." 15 Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem where he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and offerings of well-being, and provided a feast for all his servants.

Wasn't that a favorite game of yours as a child? The ole "If you found a bottle, you rubbed it and out came a genie and could grant you any wish, what would you wish?" We spent hours talking about that and if we played it on consecutive days our answers would always change. We would wish for money, cars, houses, A's on exams, etc. Even today a distorted form exists: If you won the lottery what would you do? The lottery is just about money. And how you throw away dollar after dollar.

In this passage this new king has a dream from God in which he is asked, not by a genie, but by God, "What would you wish for?" He could have easily asked for any of those things mentioned above, but he asked for wisdom to be a good king. Right answer! God was so pleased with this that He gave Solomon the gift of wisdom and as a bonus, riches, honor and if he kept the commandments, long life.

God offers us wisdom in James 1:5, "If any man lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him." What a precious gift is wisdom especially to know what it is God would have us do to go from being simply members in a church to truly God's servants (missionaries if you please) in serving others. Sunday I mentioned the day of us continually sending missionaries to other countries may be coming to an end, now other countries send missionaries here. Regardless, there will not be enough missionaries to reach those you know; God is counting on you to do it. Loving reach out. Or as the Bible says, "Go and tell!"

PRAYER: Loving God of all people, send me. Here I am. I have weaknesses, fear, shyness, doubt, and any number of things that I could easily hide behind when it comes to serving You, but today remove those and use me. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

YOUR ORDINATION AND COMMISSION

Good day dear friends.

Here is our study guide for today: The "Father of the Faith" is the man who said yes to God in moving from a familiar place to a new, unknown place. His story if found in Genesis 12. Make a list of things you would have found in your struggle with God’s leading vs. what you want, if you were this man.

Abraham is the man in question as is his wife, Sarah. Both were the Parents of the Faith as it were, because they both said yes to God. God's request came as a most difficult one for both. In verse one it reads, "Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you."

I live in a part of the country where folks born and raise here may leave here for college or military service, but ultimately "come home." The saying is that once you drink Valley water you can't leave. For many, including these, the request from God would come as a difficult one. For me to leave my family, many would say, is just asking too much. In fact yesterday I spoke with a young woman who left the Valley to pursue her education and lived in the Dallas area for a number of years, but after some time of working and going to school, she and her husband decided to come home. She said she missed some of the things that Dallas offers, but quickly added, "It's nice to be near family." Yet, that was part of God's demand, "your kindred and your father's house," you are to leave. Ouch.

Jesus spoke of those willing to leave father and mother, etc. for the sake of the Kingdom and their recompense would be great. Such is the demand of faith: Go where God sends you and you will never be alone, and you will be blessed.

Where is God leading you? Outside your comfort zone? To a conversation with someone with whom you've never before or in a long time not spoken? God is with you and your "mission" may well be to talk about God and what God has done for and with you. Your baptism was your "ordination into ministry and one's commissioning as a missionary. Every baptized disciple has both a ministry to the Body and a mission to the world." (Leonard Sweet, "Not Your Father's Seminary," Rev magazine, March/April 2008 from http://www.leonardsweet.com/)

PRAYER: LORD, with the power you've vested in me, send me forth, even to the ends of the earth. I know I am never alone and I will be blessed. I do it not for the blessing but for the love I have for you. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.

STRONG FAITH

Good day dear friends.

Please be in prayer for Kim Kowalski and family. Her husband, our brother in Christ Jesus, Jeff, died yesterday at home at about 1 p.m. Jeff always said he was given an additional twenty-five years as it was that long ago he was shot several time in the line of duty as a police officer in St. Louis. He should have died then according to doctors. This last battle was with cancer which claimed his life. Jeff is being returned to St. Louis where he will be remembered as one of the most decorated police officers in that city's history. Please pray for safe travel and for comfort and peace for his widow and family.

Please continue to pray for Richard Brotzman whose dad, Dean is buried today in Kerrville Funeral there is at 1 p.m.

Here is today's study guide:
The letters of Peter towards the end of the New Testament speak of a man whose faith never waned. Please find and read 1 Peter 5 and see what Peter wrote then and how it could bless you now.

Here is that text from 1 Peter 5:1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it --not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 12 Through Silva'nus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Peter has been "the man" this week. On Sunday we looked at his life and how he went from being a spectator to being a playmaker. This particular passage shares a perspective on life that benefits all who read it and believe it.

Peter believes 1) Elders (or pastors) should stay on task and do so with a humble servant's heart. 2) For others, we are all to live a life surrendered completely to God trusting God's will will be done. 3) We are not to be people of worry, God can take our cares away. 4) Live a life of discipline. 5) Be alert, know that we do have an enemy who seeks nothing more than to destroy us, or as Jesus said in John 10:10, "steal, kill, and destroy." 6) Resist temptation. 7) Stay strong in the faith. 8) Know that whatever suffering we may be facing, we are not alone. God is with us, and there are others who are going through the same thing. 9) Our suffering ends and God will restore, support, strengthen, and establish us.

PRAYER: Give me the faith of what Peter speaks. May I trust completely in You for all that I face. Thank You for being with us and I ask you be with those who are facing the same. Grant us wisdom, courage, peace, and patience; in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.