Loving God of all journeys, journey today with this dear reader; hold his/her hand as needed. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Exodus 20: 1 God spoke all these words: 2 I am God, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a life of slavery. 3 No other gods, only me. 4 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. 7 No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverant use of his name. 8 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Work six days and do everything you need to do. 12 Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you. 13 No murder. 14 No adultery. 15 No stealing. 16 No lies about your neighbor. 17 No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's. 18 All the people, experiencing the thunder and lightning, the trumpet blast and the smoking mountain, were afraid - they pulled back and stood at a distance. 19 They said to Moses, "You speak to us and we'll listen, but don't have God speak to us or we'll die." 20 Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. God has come to test you and instill a deep and reverent awe within you so that you won't sin." (The Message)
Yesterday a colleague shared how much he dislikes going to the doctor. Can I get a witness? Those of us who tend to tip the scales away from health, hate stepping on them. I always hear what I read in a cartoon strip, "Elvis, is that you?" or worse, "One at a time!" And of course, stepping on the scale comes after a long wait of thumbing through magazines that highlight the news of the day, Grant being elected President; a thing called a car is going to be mass produced by a company started by Henry Ford. Then the cuff on the arm and the squeezing of life out of your arm in order to see if you're healthy. A probe under your tongue or in your ear and a reading that says if you're feverish or not. Then the doctor comes in and you exchange greetings, he asks questions, you answer; then the consultation, followed by the writing of a prescription.
The Ten Commandments can be seen as both a consulation with a divine doctor, and that divine doctor writing us a prescription. Our visits to a doctor are a desire on our part to be healthy as should we see the reading of the Commandments. They contain everything! Our proper relationship with and towards God, and our proper and healthy relationship with each other, and a proper and healthy relationship with ourselves. Read them again. Each has a powerful message of respect, dignity, humility, worship, reverence, and hope. Each leads us away from sin and its consequences towards a life filled with hope. Too many have called these the do's and don'ts of righteous living and that tends to make it seem too constrictive. See it as our prescription for fullness of life.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for Jesus, Who brought us the fullness of life and the fulfillment of Your law. He did not abolish the law so we should read it and be guided by it as a remembrance of what pleases You. Let me be all about pleasing You this day; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Ice Cream Scoop??
Amazing God, may this dear reader see Your presence and power in mighty ways during this day; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Philippians 3: You know my pedigree: 5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; 6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book. 7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash - along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. 8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ 9 and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ - God's righteousness. 10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. 11 If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. 12 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. 13 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. 14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. (The Message)
It's not who you are, but Whose you are. Paul encountered what you and I have probably encountered; those who brag on what someone in their lineage did for the church property or building. "That tree! This pew! That organ pipe! This candle holder! That ice cream scoop!" Well, okay, not that ice cream scoop, but you know what I'm getting at. People looking backwards instead of forwards. Paul had the lineage and he also had the connections. And by his own account he was in every sense of the word, religious and thought he was near righteousness by the way he kept the law. But when Jesus came along, he came to life. I pray that has happened to you as well. Church and all that goes with "church" comes alive and is a powerful and blessed experience when we know the person of Jesus Christ. He offers to us a living relationship and a daily walk and when we enter into that, everything falls into place. Paul's life was never again the same, and neither should ours. Our should be that life of walking and reaching for Christ in order to live and do the things that Christ has asked of us.
So, why be content with only existing when we have an invitation to the fullness of life through Jesus Christ? Every day an adventure. Every day a blessing with hope and promise.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to reach for Christ today. And may I seek to know Christ more than yesterday. May the fullness of life be mine. I ask this in His precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Philippians 3: You know my pedigree: 5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; 6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book. 7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash - along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. 8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ 9 and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ - God's righteousness. 10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. 11 If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. 12 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. 13 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. 14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. (The Message)
It's not who you are, but Whose you are. Paul encountered what you and I have probably encountered; those who brag on what someone in their lineage did for the church property or building. "That tree! This pew! That organ pipe! This candle holder! That ice cream scoop!" Well, okay, not that ice cream scoop, but you know what I'm getting at. People looking backwards instead of forwards. Paul had the lineage and he also had the connections. And by his own account he was in every sense of the word, religious and thought he was near righteousness by the way he kept the law. But when Jesus came along, he came to life. I pray that has happened to you as well. Church and all that goes with "church" comes alive and is a powerful and blessed experience when we know the person of Jesus Christ. He offers to us a living relationship and a daily walk and when we enter into that, everything falls into place. Paul's life was never again the same, and neither should ours. Our should be that life of walking and reaching for Christ in order to live and do the things that Christ has asked of us.
So, why be content with only existing when we have an invitation to the fullness of life through Jesus Christ? Every day an adventure. Every day a blessing with hope and promise.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to reach for Christ today. And may I seek to know Christ more than yesterday. May the fullness of life be mine. I ask this in His precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 26, 2011
Living a Kingdom Life?
Loving Lord, bless and watch over the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 21:33 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. 34 When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits. 35 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. 36 The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. 37 The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.' 38 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 39 They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him. 40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?" 41 "He'll kill them - a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time." 42 Jesus said, "Right - and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles: The stone the masons threw out is now the cornerstone. This is God's work; we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it! 43 "This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. 44 Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed." 45 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. 46 They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God. (The Message)
The lessons never ended for the religious leaders of Jesus' time. They had becomes to comfortable and accomodating to themselves; that God was taken out of the equation. More importantly, God's love and concern for humanity was taken out of their messages and practices. It became of matter of What must we do to protect our comfortable way of life? People were not attracted to this way of life; except those who wanted to become them (think Saul of Tarsus). Jesus reminds them of their history and how they had dealt with those whom God had sent as messengers with God's word for their lives. They were at best, ignored and left alone; at worst, they were killed. God's message of love and action and care for others was not heard. God's call for repentance and acts of service was not heeded. They began to make up their own message of self-service. At the crucial point of history, God sent Jesus, His Son, to bring the message. At this point of His life, Jesus is talking to them about what He knows they will do to Him. And all because they dared not live "a kingdom life."
Everyday we get a chance to live a kingdom life - the uncomfortable, outrageous, courageous life that puts others first; and what do we do? Honestly, many of us prefer our routines and our comforts. We don't want to try something new or out of the ordinary. And that may even hold true for the church we attend. What is it going to take to make Jesus real for those outside of the church? How can we hope to win the world for Christ when we live a life that says we don't need Jesus?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me those days I choose me over You. Help me to see what lies beyond me. Open my soul and heart to love beyond myself and those whom I call mine. Let me love others. Help me to be uncomfortable, outrageous, and courageous. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Matthew 21:33 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. 34 When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits. 35 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. 36 The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. 37 The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.' 38 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 39 They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him. 40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?" 41 "He'll kill them - a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time." 42 Jesus said, "Right - and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles: The stone the masons threw out is now the cornerstone. This is God's work; we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it! 43 "This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. 44 Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed." 45 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. 46 They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God. (The Message)
The lessons never ended for the religious leaders of Jesus' time. They had becomes to comfortable and accomodating to themselves; that God was taken out of the equation. More importantly, God's love and concern for humanity was taken out of their messages and practices. It became of matter of What must we do to protect our comfortable way of life? People were not attracted to this way of life; except those who wanted to become them (think Saul of Tarsus). Jesus reminds them of their history and how they had dealt with those whom God had sent as messengers with God's word for their lives. They were at best, ignored and left alone; at worst, they were killed. God's message of love and action and care for others was not heard. God's call for repentance and acts of service was not heeded. They began to make up their own message of self-service. At the crucial point of history, God sent Jesus, His Son, to bring the message. At this point of His life, Jesus is talking to them about what He knows they will do to Him. And all because they dared not live "a kingdom life."
Everyday we get a chance to live a kingdom life - the uncomfortable, outrageous, courageous life that puts others first; and what do we do? Honestly, many of us prefer our routines and our comforts. We don't want to try something new or out of the ordinary. And that may even hold true for the church we attend. What is it going to take to make Jesus real for those outside of the church? How can we hope to win the world for Christ when we live a life that says we don't need Jesus?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me those days I choose me over You. Help me to see what lies beyond me. Open my soul and heart to love beyond myself and those whom I call mine. Let me love others. Help me to be uncomfortable, outrageous, and courageous. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Journey With God!
Blessed Lord, take the hand of this dear reader and guide them gently through the day to Your path; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Exodus 17: 1 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn't a drop of water for the people to drink. 2 The people took Moses to task: "Give us water to drink." But Moses said, "Why pester me? Why are you testing God?" 3 But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses, "Why did you take us from Egypt and drag us out here with our children and animals to die of thirst?" 4 Moses cried out in prayer to God, "What can I do with these people? Any minute now they'll kill me!" 5 God said to Moses, "Go on out ahead of the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile. And go. 6 I'm going to be present before you there on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it and the people will drink." 7 He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarreling of the Israelites and because of their testing of God when they said, "Is God here with us, or not?" (The Message)
What if we re-named ourselves at certain points of our lives, what would your name be? What if we re-named our churches every year, what name would we give to them? Can you imagine wearing a name or placing a sign based on where you were in relationship with God? DOUBTER. QUARRELER. TROUBLE-MAKER. SWEET SPIRIT. HELPER. ANGEL ON EARTH. DIVIDER. IN LOVE WITH GOD. TESTED. TESTER. BORED. Hos about your church? QUARREL CENTER. GOSSIP CENTRAL. DON'T BOTHER US. COUNTRY CLUB. FRIENDLY TO US. WHAT DO YOU WANT? LEAVE US ALONE. WHAT MAY WE DO FOR YOU? HOW CAN WE HELP BRING HEAVEN TO YOU?
You can begin to understand the wanderings in the wilderness by a people being formed by God as God's people. Moses was leading the people by following God. There was no real estate that Moses' feet touched that were not touched first by God. Moses led by trusting God. The people grumbled as they followed and found fault every three yards. Today's text tells of a very important need that God's people faced and that was thirst. We all know that we can go longer without food than we can without water. We die very quickly without water. Moses led the people to this place and there appeared to be no water. The people started with their favorite hymn, "Why Did You Bring Us Here? We Were Better Off Where We Were!" Moses prayed to the Lord with all his heart and God answered him quickly and showed him where to touch the rock with the same staff that had done the miracles in providing their liberty.
How do you journey with God on a daily basis? Do you quickly forget what God has done in your life and then grumble and gripe because you think God has never done anything for you before? Do what Moses did; stay in touch with God.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to stay in touch with You. Forgive my quickness to forget what You did yesterday or earlier today that blessed me. Remind me I am never alone; You journey with me. I thank You and praise You, in the Name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Exodus 17: 1 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn't a drop of water for the people to drink. 2 The people took Moses to task: "Give us water to drink." But Moses said, "Why pester me? Why are you testing God?" 3 But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses, "Why did you take us from Egypt and drag us out here with our children and animals to die of thirst?" 4 Moses cried out in prayer to God, "What can I do with these people? Any minute now they'll kill me!" 5 God said to Moses, "Go on out ahead of the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile. And go. 6 I'm going to be present before you there on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it and the people will drink." 7 He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarreling of the Israelites and because of their testing of God when they said, "Is God here with us, or not?" (The Message)
What if we re-named ourselves at certain points of our lives, what would your name be? What if we re-named our churches every year, what name would we give to them? Can you imagine wearing a name or placing a sign based on where you were in relationship with God? DOUBTER. QUARRELER. TROUBLE-MAKER. SWEET SPIRIT. HELPER. ANGEL ON EARTH. DIVIDER. IN LOVE WITH GOD. TESTED. TESTER. BORED. Hos about your church? QUARREL CENTER. GOSSIP CENTRAL. DON'T BOTHER US. COUNTRY CLUB. FRIENDLY TO US. WHAT DO YOU WANT? LEAVE US ALONE. WHAT MAY WE DO FOR YOU? HOW CAN WE HELP BRING HEAVEN TO YOU?
You can begin to understand the wanderings in the wilderness by a people being formed by God as God's people. Moses was leading the people by following God. There was no real estate that Moses' feet touched that were not touched first by God. Moses led by trusting God. The people grumbled as they followed and found fault every three yards. Today's text tells of a very important need that God's people faced and that was thirst. We all know that we can go longer without food than we can without water. We die very quickly without water. Moses led the people to this place and there appeared to be no water. The people started with their favorite hymn, "Why Did You Bring Us Here? We Were Better Off Where We Were!" Moses prayed to the Lord with all his heart and God answered him quickly and showed him where to touch the rock with the same staff that had done the miracles in providing their liberty.
How do you journey with God on a daily basis? Do you quickly forget what God has done in your life and then grumble and gripe because you think God has never done anything for you before? Do what Moses did; stay in touch with God.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to stay in touch with You. Forgive my quickness to forget what You did yesterday or earlier today that blessed me. Remind me I am never alone; You journey with me. I thank You and praise You, in the Name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Living Like Christ. Living in Christ. Living With Christ
God of all people, bless and protect the needs and life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Philippians 2: 1 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - 2 then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. 3 Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. 4 Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. 5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. 9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. 12 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. 13 That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. (The Message)
Sometimes we live life thinking like we've always thought and never give a thought to thinking like Christ. Our way of thinking is usually me-centered and getting ahead; Christ's thinking was service and helping others. Thinking of our own needs, we will disagree with those who don't see things our way, and we'll try to sweet talk ourselves to the front of the line. Christ-thinking is thinking of others, looking for solutions and helping others, making sure everyone gets what they want and need.
Living like Christ is living in obedience to God. Living in Christ is living with the renewing energy of His Spirit so that we never tire of doing good and doing for others. Living with Christ is receiving the fullness of life, which should being us the kind of satisfaction the world cannot offer.
PRAYER: Loving God, make me an instrument of Yours. Give me the mind of Christ so that my thoughts today be Your thoughts. May my focus and joy be on serving You and pleasing You and helping others come to Your love. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Philippians 2: 1 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - 2 then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. 3 Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. 4 Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. 5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. 9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. 12 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. 13 That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. (The Message)
Sometimes we live life thinking like we've always thought and never give a thought to thinking like Christ. Our way of thinking is usually me-centered and getting ahead; Christ's thinking was service and helping others. Thinking of our own needs, we will disagree with those who don't see things our way, and we'll try to sweet talk ourselves to the front of the line. Christ-thinking is thinking of others, looking for solutions and helping others, making sure everyone gets what they want and need.
Living like Christ is living in obedience to God. Living in Christ is living with the renewing energy of His Spirit so that we never tire of doing good and doing for others. Living with Christ is receiving the fullness of life, which should being us the kind of satisfaction the world cannot offer.
PRAYER: Loving God, make me an instrument of Yours. Give me the mind of Christ so that my thoughts today be Your thoughts. May my focus and joy be on serving You and pleasing You and helping others come to Your love. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Authority of Jesus
Amazing God, bless with showers of Your grace, the needs in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 21: 23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, "From heaven,' he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, "Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He answered, "I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir'; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (NRSV)
What authority do you let Jesus have in your life? Can He make you uncomfortable? I know we seek Him when we need comforting, why not when we need to be uncomfortable? Authority is permission with credentials, however we might define credentials. Jesus stepped on toes usually when doing supernatural things or very human things against humans. In this case, Jesus had spent time in the Temple upsetting the money-changer's cart. He drove them out call the Temple, "my Father's house," and saying things like, "this is supposed to be a house of prayer!" Whose authority do you suppose had given the money-changers entrance into the Temple to practice their wares? Uh huh. The chief priests and the elders. And this upset them as did the fact Jesus was doing some mighty amazing things that defied explanation. Who gave you that right? they demanded to know. Jesus throws it back to them: Who gave John the right to baptize? Heaven or Humans? They knew they could not answer that question without risking much difficulty. Then the story about the man who had two sons; one who said no, but did the work requested of him by the dad, and the other who said yes, but did not do the work. Who did the will of the Father?, Jesus wanted to know.
The religious people of Jesus' day sought to be comfortable. They had their revenue-generating schemes in place. They had fine clothing. They lived in nice homes within walking distance of their work. They were so comfortable they would work only with those who would come and spend time inside their domain. This meant the comfortable among the laity (non-clergy or nonprofessional religious types). They had not reached the tax collectors or prostitutes. John had. Jesus did. Who was doing the will of God?
Why not give Jesus power over your life to make you uncomfortable today? Cross the room or the street to talk to those who are not comfortable with the creature comforts of this life. Seek the ones no one is seeking. Find the ones which others care nothing about.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I find great comfort in being comfortable. I confess that I also realize that being a Christian is not about seeking to be comfortable; I have to go beyond my comfort zone to reach others. Forgive me and empower me to be uncomfortable and to reach those who need Your touch. I ask this in the Name of He who came to show me that, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Matthew 21: 23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, "From heaven,' he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, "Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He answered, "I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir'; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (NRSV)
What authority do you let Jesus have in your life? Can He make you uncomfortable? I know we seek Him when we need comforting, why not when we need to be uncomfortable? Authority is permission with credentials, however we might define credentials. Jesus stepped on toes usually when doing supernatural things or very human things against humans. In this case, Jesus had spent time in the Temple upsetting the money-changer's cart. He drove them out call the Temple, "my Father's house," and saying things like, "this is supposed to be a house of prayer!" Whose authority do you suppose had given the money-changers entrance into the Temple to practice their wares? Uh huh. The chief priests and the elders. And this upset them as did the fact Jesus was doing some mighty amazing things that defied explanation. Who gave you that right? they demanded to know. Jesus throws it back to them: Who gave John the right to baptize? Heaven or Humans? They knew they could not answer that question without risking much difficulty. Then the story about the man who had two sons; one who said no, but did the work requested of him by the dad, and the other who said yes, but did not do the work. Who did the will of the Father?, Jesus wanted to know.
The religious people of Jesus' day sought to be comfortable. They had their revenue-generating schemes in place. They had fine clothing. They lived in nice homes within walking distance of their work. They were so comfortable they would work only with those who would come and spend time inside their domain. This meant the comfortable among the laity (non-clergy or nonprofessional religious types). They had not reached the tax collectors or prostitutes. John had. Jesus did. Who was doing the will of God?
Why not give Jesus power over your life to make you uncomfortable today? Cross the room or the street to talk to those who are not comfortable with the creature comforts of this life. Seek the ones no one is seeking. Find the ones which others care nothing about.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I find great comfort in being comfortable. I confess that I also realize that being a Christian is not about seeking to be comfortable; I have to go beyond my comfort zone to reach others. Forgive me and empower me to be uncomfortable and to reach those who need Your touch. I ask this in the Name of He who came to show me that, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A Way to Live, and One Not
O God of the comforting presence, be with this dear reader today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 105: 1 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! 2 Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! 3 Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! 4 Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. 5 Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered - 6 O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen. 37 He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot, and not one among his tribes even stumbled. 38 Egypt was glad to have them go - they were scared to death of them. 39 God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day and a fire to light their way through the night; 40 They prayed and he brought quail, filled them with the bread of heaven; 41 He opened the rock and water poured out; it flowed like a river through that desert - 42 All because he remembered his Covenant, his promise to Abraham, his servant. 43 Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out! 44 He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations 45 So they could do everything he told them - could follow his instructions to the letter. Hallelujah! (The Message)
A life lived in prayer involves a lot of giving thanks. One cannot live and not see the things of God all around us. And one should not live a life that does not share the Good News with anyone who might be in need or who is asking. And some can live lives that produce music that give witness and praise to the wonders of God. All of us can live a life that honors God in our midst. And all of us should never lose the wonder of the awesomeness of God all around us.
How are you living? Please don't tell me it's the opposite of the above! Selfish and thinking you deserved what you have? Closed minded and closed-eyed aboutg God? Quiet because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or embarrass someone, namely you? Thinking that you've done enough because you sat through one hour of worship? And you think you have seen and heard everything?
Your choice!
PRAYER: Lord, You know what I want! Please help me change when I think I want the wrong thing! I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Sharon Allsbrooks is undergoing surgery this morning in Corpus Christi. She is the wife of Rev. John Alsbrooks of Brady, Texas.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 105: 1 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! 2 Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! 3 Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! 4 Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. 5 Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered - 6 O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen. 37 He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot, and not one among his tribes even stumbled. 38 Egypt was glad to have them go - they were scared to death of them. 39 God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day and a fire to light their way through the night; 40 They prayed and he brought quail, filled them with the bread of heaven; 41 He opened the rock and water poured out; it flowed like a river through that desert - 42 All because he remembered his Covenant, his promise to Abraham, his servant. 43 Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out! 44 He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations 45 So they could do everything he told them - could follow his instructions to the letter. Hallelujah! (The Message)
A life lived in prayer involves a lot of giving thanks. One cannot live and not see the things of God all around us. And one should not live a life that does not share the Good News with anyone who might be in need or who is asking. And some can live lives that produce music that give witness and praise to the wonders of God. All of us can live a life that honors God in our midst. And all of us should never lose the wonder of the awesomeness of God all around us.
How are you living? Please don't tell me it's the opposite of the above! Selfish and thinking you deserved what you have? Closed minded and closed-eyed aboutg God? Quiet because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or embarrass someone, namely you? Thinking that you've done enough because you sat through one hour of worship? And you think you have seen and heard everything?
Your choice!
PRAYER: Lord, You know what I want! Please help me change when I think I want the wrong thing! I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Sharon Allsbrooks is undergoing surgery this morning in Corpus Christi. She is the wife of Rev. John Alsbrooks of Brady, Texas.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Who Are You Complaining About Really?
Loving God bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Exodus 16: 2 The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said, "Why didn't God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" 4 God said to Moses, "I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day's ration. I'm going to test them to see if they'll live according to my Teaching or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have gathered, it will turn out to be twice as much as their daily ration." 6 Moses and Aaron told the People of Israel, "This evening you will know that it is God who brought you out of Egypt; 7 and in the morning you will see the Glory of God. Yes, he's listened to your complaints against him. You haven't been complaining against us, you know, but against God." 8 Moses said, "Since it will be God who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, it's God who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are we in all this? You haven't been complaining to us - you've been complaining to God!" 9 Moses instructed Aaron: "Tell the whole company of Israel: 'Come near to God. He's heard your complaints.'" 10 When Aaron gave out the instructions to the whole company of Israel, they turned to face the wilderness. And there it was: the Glory of God visible in the Cloud. 11 God spoke to Moses, 12 "I've listened to the complaints of the Israelites. Now tell them: 'At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you'll eat your fill of bread; and you'll realize that I am God, your God.'" 13 That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp. 14 When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground. 15 The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was. (The Message)
You've been there and one that. You've been both the complainer and the complained against. How often, though, have you complained against God? I know, you didn't mean or even think it was God against Whom you were lifting up your complaints. It was the Sunday school teacher, or choir director, or finance committee chair, or the pastor - not God! Pastor Moses had a difficult congregation. They had a short memory of where they had been and what they had been through. He could give them credit for remembering the high points of any otherwise miserable existence. But how they forgot they had been slaves, owned by another human being and driven past the point of exhaustion daily, I don't know. How they could forget their children had been killed had they been born male, I don't know. What they did remember was they had meat to eat! Hey, isn't everything made better with meat? Forget freedom, you had hot dogs! Slavery was fine with fajitas! Okay, there was a lot of walking. And with old people going too slow and the kids running wild and loose. One minute you're tugging at Grandma to help her along, then your grandchild zooms past you like a gazelle and your son hollers for you to go catch him! Then God responds with love and in ways you notice that you do matter after all, and you have not been abandoned or unloved as you first thought.
We have complained against God and we have then seen God answer our complaints (if we've had our eyes and ears open); but what have we done about it? Have we spent enough time talking with God about our complaints and the targets of those complaints, asking perhaps for a new perspective? Or, is it more fun talking to other complainers about where we find ourselves? The truth is the more time we spend talking to God who sits on the throne than to gossips on the phone, the better the outcome will be. Shouldn't we go to the Throne rather than the phone?
PRAYER: Loving God, this hits hard, knowing that I have really been complaining about You. Forgive me for those times and help me have a more positive attitude about where I am and what I am to do. Help me to serve You in all things and in all ways. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Exodus 16: 2 The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said, "Why didn't God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" 4 God said to Moses, "I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day's ration. I'm going to test them to see if they'll live according to my Teaching or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have gathered, it will turn out to be twice as much as their daily ration." 6 Moses and Aaron told the People of Israel, "This evening you will know that it is God who brought you out of Egypt; 7 and in the morning you will see the Glory of God. Yes, he's listened to your complaints against him. You haven't been complaining against us, you know, but against God." 8 Moses said, "Since it will be God who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, it's God who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are we in all this? You haven't been complaining to us - you've been complaining to God!" 9 Moses instructed Aaron: "Tell the whole company of Israel: 'Come near to God. He's heard your complaints.'" 10 When Aaron gave out the instructions to the whole company of Israel, they turned to face the wilderness. And there it was: the Glory of God visible in the Cloud. 11 God spoke to Moses, 12 "I've listened to the complaints of the Israelites. Now tell them: 'At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you'll eat your fill of bread; and you'll realize that I am God, your God.'" 13 That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp. 14 When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground. 15 The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was. (The Message)
You've been there and one that. You've been both the complainer and the complained against. How often, though, have you complained against God? I know, you didn't mean or even think it was God against Whom you were lifting up your complaints. It was the Sunday school teacher, or choir director, or finance committee chair, or the pastor - not God! Pastor Moses had a difficult congregation. They had a short memory of where they had been and what they had been through. He could give them credit for remembering the high points of any otherwise miserable existence. But how they forgot they had been slaves, owned by another human being and driven past the point of exhaustion daily, I don't know. How they could forget their children had been killed had they been born male, I don't know. What they did remember was they had meat to eat! Hey, isn't everything made better with meat? Forget freedom, you had hot dogs! Slavery was fine with fajitas! Okay, there was a lot of walking. And with old people going too slow and the kids running wild and loose. One minute you're tugging at Grandma to help her along, then your grandchild zooms past you like a gazelle and your son hollers for you to go catch him! Then God responds with love and in ways you notice that you do matter after all, and you have not been abandoned or unloved as you first thought.
We have complained against God and we have then seen God answer our complaints (if we've had our eyes and ears open); but what have we done about it? Have we spent enough time talking with God about our complaints and the targets of those complaints, asking perhaps for a new perspective? Or, is it more fun talking to other complainers about where we find ourselves? The truth is the more time we spend talking to God who sits on the throne than to gossips on the phone, the better the outcome will be. Shouldn't we go to the Throne rather than the phone?
PRAYER: Loving God, this hits hard, knowing that I have really been complaining about You. Forgive me for those times and help me have a more positive attitude about where I am and what I am to do. Help me to serve You in all things and in all ways. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Am I A Credit To The Message of Christ?
Amazing God of peace and protection, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Philippians 1:21 Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. 22 As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. 23 Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better 24 . But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. 25 So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. 26 You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. 27 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, 28 not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you - and both because of God. 29 There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. 30 You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter. (The Message)
I saw a show late last night whose name I am trying to forget. It is about helping turn certain businesses around. This first and last episode that I saw involved a declining establishment where the wait staff and the cook staff were part of the problem in killing the business. The cook had been professionally trained and could work at almost any fine establishment if he could find work in such, but this was his only job. He never cleaned the deep fat fryers nor his work area and the food he produced was terrible. He had no pride in what he did. The consultant hired to turn this place around believed it was because the owner/manager never acknowledged him nor directly interacted with him, so his conduct and work ethic was less than what one would expect from an employee.
Paul is writing to people who wanted him to come and visit and be with them. They had done much and there was still much to be done but they were holding back in a way and wanted and they believed, needed, his presence. Paul writes that they must "live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not." (v. 27). How many times do we think we need extra attention or acclamation from someone before we do what we should? How many times has the church stopped growing as a result of not caring anymore? Has Christ stopped visiting the Church and being her main encourager? Sadly, in some churches, Christ is no longer invited or sought. But in those whose lives Christ is the center, new things happen everytime they are together and new people are sought. We should all follow that list Paul shares: 1) stand united. 2) singular in vision. 3) sharing in such a way people come to the Message. 4) Do not flinch nor dodge because of the opposition. 5) Courage and singleness of vision will bring God the victory.
If you seek Christ daily, you're on the right track. If you know that Christ seeks you daily you're on the right track as well. And ask yourself the important question, Am I a credit to the Message of Christ (meaning you yourself)?
PRAYER: Loving God, I think I already know the answer, but I seek to be a credit to You and Your Son and the Good News of salvation and new life. Help today be the day when I can truly know and say that I am a credit to You. I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Philippians 1:21 Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. 22 As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. 23 Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better 24 . But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. 25 So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. 26 You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. 27 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, 28 not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you - and both because of God. 29 There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. 30 You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter. (The Message)
I saw a show late last night whose name I am trying to forget. It is about helping turn certain businesses around. This first and last episode that I saw involved a declining establishment where the wait staff and the cook staff were part of the problem in killing the business. The cook had been professionally trained and could work at almost any fine establishment if he could find work in such, but this was his only job. He never cleaned the deep fat fryers nor his work area and the food he produced was terrible. He had no pride in what he did. The consultant hired to turn this place around believed it was because the owner/manager never acknowledged him nor directly interacted with him, so his conduct and work ethic was less than what one would expect from an employee.
Paul is writing to people who wanted him to come and visit and be with them. They had done much and there was still much to be done but they were holding back in a way and wanted and they believed, needed, his presence. Paul writes that they must "live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not." (v. 27). How many times do we think we need extra attention or acclamation from someone before we do what we should? How many times has the church stopped growing as a result of not caring anymore? Has Christ stopped visiting the Church and being her main encourager? Sadly, in some churches, Christ is no longer invited or sought. But in those whose lives Christ is the center, new things happen everytime they are together and new people are sought. We should all follow that list Paul shares: 1) stand united. 2) singular in vision. 3) sharing in such a way people come to the Message. 4) Do not flinch nor dodge because of the opposition. 5) Courage and singleness of vision will bring God the victory.
If you seek Christ daily, you're on the right track. If you know that Christ seeks you daily you're on the right track as well. And ask yourself the important question, Am I a credit to the Message of Christ (meaning you yourself)?
PRAYER: Loving God, I think I already know the answer, but I seek to be a credit to You and Your Son and the Good News of salvation and new life. Help today be the day when I can truly know and say that I am a credit to You. I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 12, 2011
How Ya Plowin'?
Loving God of peace and healing, be with this nation. May the principles of forgiveness be with us all; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 20: 1 "God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. 3 "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. 4 He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. 5 They went. 6 At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing? 7 ' "They said, 'Because no one hired us.' "He told them to go to work in his vineyard. 8 "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.' 9 "Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. 10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. 11 Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 12 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.' 13 "He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? 14 So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. 15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?' 16 "Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first." (The Message)
Oh, the grumblings of workers in God's Kingdom... One would think that no one would grumble and complain, but Jesus knew better and we're learning! Is it the working or the workers that we're about? Jesus' point is that there is much work to be done in bringing others to know God's love. Some will "get it" early in life, others, late in life. What does it matter? The question is, did the work get done? Did people come to know God as a loving, forgiving God who desires a relationship with you and me? Yet, our being human gets in the way and people grumble and point and compare. We rarely stop and just thank God that we're where we are for a purpose and a reason and we put ourselves to work. Yes, some will work in places that seem nicer than others; and some places are nicer than others. Some will work with many people; some will work in smaller groups. Some will work at getting more to come and be a part of the work; others will grumble that they're not been given a chance to grow, while doing nothing. Hmm. Some will lead lives of complete recklessness and could-care-less-ness, set bad examples, then one day, one word or sermon will completely change that man or woman, and their lives are different, knowing that they must be right with God and others will say, "Why them and why now?" This is sometimes true in some settings where these new believers might get the "job" or "office" some "older and long-time" members may have wanted but never got! Jesus was all about moving forward, thus His use of the plow illustration. The best rows are plowed when you look straight ahead and don't get distracted by looking right nor left - just do the work.
How are you plowing?
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the work I have. Use me to the fullest while I labor here and bless my efforts for Thy good. Forgive me times that I've looked to my left or right and thought I might have deserved this or that. Help me keep going. I pray this in Your name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Matthew 20: 1 "God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. 3 "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. 4 He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. 5 They went. 6 At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing? 7 ' "They said, 'Because no one hired us.' "He told them to go to work in his vineyard. 8 "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.' 9 "Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. 10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. 11 Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 12 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.' 13 "He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? 14 So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. 15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?' 16 "Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first." (The Message)
Oh, the grumblings of workers in God's Kingdom... One would think that no one would grumble and complain, but Jesus knew better and we're learning! Is it the working or the workers that we're about? Jesus' point is that there is much work to be done in bringing others to know God's love. Some will "get it" early in life, others, late in life. What does it matter? The question is, did the work get done? Did people come to know God as a loving, forgiving God who desires a relationship with you and me? Yet, our being human gets in the way and people grumble and point and compare. We rarely stop and just thank God that we're where we are for a purpose and a reason and we put ourselves to work. Yes, some will work in places that seem nicer than others; and some places are nicer than others. Some will work with many people; some will work in smaller groups. Some will work at getting more to come and be a part of the work; others will grumble that they're not been given a chance to grow, while doing nothing. Hmm. Some will lead lives of complete recklessness and could-care-less-ness, set bad examples, then one day, one word or sermon will completely change that man or woman, and their lives are different, knowing that they must be right with God and others will say, "Why them and why now?" This is sometimes true in some settings where these new believers might get the "job" or "office" some "older and long-time" members may have wanted but never got! Jesus was all about moving forward, thus His use of the plow illustration. The best rows are plowed when you look straight ahead and don't get distracted by looking right nor left - just do the work.
How are you plowing?
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the work I have. Use me to the fullest while I labor here and bless my efforts for Thy good. Forgive me times that I've looked to my left or right and thought I might have deserved this or that. Help me keep going. I pray this in Your name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 08, 2011
What Red Sea Are You Trying to Cross?
Loving God of solutions and remedies, bless the life of this dear reader in whatever challenges and opportunities they may have; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Exodus 14:19 The angel of God that had been leading the camp of Israel now shifted and got behind them. And the Pillar of Cloud that had been in front also shifted to the rear. 20 The Cloud was now between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. The Cloud enshrouded one camp in darkness and flooded the other with light. The two camps didn't come near each other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and God, with a terrific east wind all night long, made the sea go back. He made the sea dry ground. The seawaters split. 22 The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground with the waters a wall to the right and to the left. 23 The Egyptians came after them in full pursuit, every horse and chariot and driver of Pharaoh racing into the middle of the sea. 24 It was now the morning watch. God looked down from the Pillar of Fire and Cloud on the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. 25 He clogged the wheels of their chariots; they were stuck in the mud. The Egyptians said, "Run from Israel! God is fighting on their side and against Egypt!" 26 God said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots, over their horsemen." 27 Moses stretched his hand out over the sea: As the day broke and the Egyptians were running, the sea returned to its place as before. God dumped the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, drowning the chariots and riders of Pharaoh's army that had chased after Israel into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites walked right through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall to the right and to the left. 30 God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, 31 and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses. (The Message)
This is precisely the story that drove someone, and it probably had to be a preacher, who invented the story about the little boy who went home after Sunday school and relayed to his parents (remember when both parents and children went to Sunday school?) how Moses defeated Pharoah: "Moses called in air support and the fighter jets came in and strafed the Egyptian army. Then Moses sent tanks to flank both sides of the enemy and they opened fire with their big cannons; meanwhile the engineers used this distraction to build a pontoon bridge across this Red Sea and they crossed it using that bridge and won the war!" One of the parents said, "Is that how it really happened?" The little boy said, "No, but you wouldn't believe it the way my Sunday school teacher told it to me."
If you trust in God, God will sometimes amaze us with ways we cannot describe. If you walk with God, God will lead you to amazing places. And not everyone will be impressed. And the sad part is that you might forget all that God did that was amazing and spectacular and ask God, What have you done for me lately? And if you don't hear the answer you like you might walk off again in the wrong direction. That's what Israel did, though the last verse in this passage ends on a positive faith note. God's power is undescribable. God has the might to do what we might call miracles and does, every day in different ways in our lives and in the lives of others. Whether we acknowledge them or not is not God's fault. But imagine if you had "reverent wonder" as this version of the Bible says in 2 Peter 1:6, you might see your "Red Sea" open and your "enemy" disappear. After all, the Exodus story is our story as well. The call and love from God to Israel is the same for you and me. Why not trust in God and walk with God today?
PRAYER: Loving God, open my eyes to the presence of Your wonder. May my Red Seas open and may my enemies be blessed. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Exodus 14:19 The angel of God that had been leading the camp of Israel now shifted and got behind them. And the Pillar of Cloud that had been in front also shifted to the rear. 20 The Cloud was now between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. The Cloud enshrouded one camp in darkness and flooded the other with light. The two camps didn't come near each other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and God, with a terrific east wind all night long, made the sea go back. He made the sea dry ground. The seawaters split. 22 The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground with the waters a wall to the right and to the left. 23 The Egyptians came after them in full pursuit, every horse and chariot and driver of Pharaoh racing into the middle of the sea. 24 It was now the morning watch. God looked down from the Pillar of Fire and Cloud on the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. 25 He clogged the wheels of their chariots; they were stuck in the mud. The Egyptians said, "Run from Israel! God is fighting on their side and against Egypt!" 26 God said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots, over their horsemen." 27 Moses stretched his hand out over the sea: As the day broke and the Egyptians were running, the sea returned to its place as before. God dumped the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, drowning the chariots and riders of Pharaoh's army that had chased after Israel into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29 But the Israelites walked right through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall to the right and to the left. 30 God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, 31 and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses. (The Message)
This is precisely the story that drove someone, and it probably had to be a preacher, who invented the story about the little boy who went home after Sunday school and relayed to his parents (remember when both parents and children went to Sunday school?) how Moses defeated Pharoah: "Moses called in air support and the fighter jets came in and strafed the Egyptian army. Then Moses sent tanks to flank both sides of the enemy and they opened fire with their big cannons; meanwhile the engineers used this distraction to build a pontoon bridge across this Red Sea and they crossed it using that bridge and won the war!" One of the parents said, "Is that how it really happened?" The little boy said, "No, but you wouldn't believe it the way my Sunday school teacher told it to me."
If you trust in God, God will sometimes amaze us with ways we cannot describe. If you walk with God, God will lead you to amazing places. And not everyone will be impressed. And the sad part is that you might forget all that God did that was amazing and spectacular and ask God, What have you done for me lately? And if you don't hear the answer you like you might walk off again in the wrong direction. That's what Israel did, though the last verse in this passage ends on a positive faith note. God's power is undescribable. God has the might to do what we might call miracles and does, every day in different ways in our lives and in the lives of others. Whether we acknowledge them or not is not God's fault. But imagine if you had "reverent wonder" as this version of the Bible says in 2 Peter 1:6, you might see your "Red Sea" open and your "enemy" disappear. After all, the Exodus story is our story as well. The call and love from God to Israel is the same for you and me. Why not trust in God and walk with God today?
PRAYER: Loving God, open my eyes to the presence of Your wonder. May my Red Seas open and may my enemies be blessed. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
What Ultimately Matters?
Loving God of signs and wonders, may this dear reader be blessed with passionate patience today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Romans 14: 1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. 2 For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly. 3 But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. 4 Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. 5 Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience. 6 What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. 7 None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. 8 It's God we are answerable to - all the way from life to death and everything in between - not each other. 9 That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. 10 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly - or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. 11 Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." 12 So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. (The Message)
I reminded one of my congregations that on Sunday we'll be remembering that ten years ago, we suffered a terrible tragedy on what is now known as 9/11. I told them it was a sad day for us as citizens of the USA. I also reminded them of how for about two weeks people were unlike other times. You could see it as you drove, people were more courteous. People appreciated people. There seemed to be more patience and compassion. There was more understanding. Why? People realized that things can change from one minute to the next. That's what Paul is saying in this passage. Why get caught up on things that divide us when we should center on He who unites us as one? Someone has said that churches do better when they identify a common enemy; I ask why can't we do better identifying to others the common Savior we share? Vegetarians vs. meateaters. What a contest. Saturday vs. Sunday for worship. Really? You did this. I did that. Does it matter in the end? Jesus came that we might have life and that to the fullest; anything that detracts us from that understanding and that way of life in the end, doesn't really matter.
Center on Jesus.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the multitudes of divisions we have we apologize and ask for forgiveness. Let me begin by centering on Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and let Him help me put the rest into perspective. I pray this in His name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Romans 14: 1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. 2 For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly. 3 But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. 4 Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. 5 Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience. 6 What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. 7 None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. 8 It's God we are answerable to - all the way from life to death and everything in between - not each other. 9 That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. 10 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly - or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. 11 Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." 12 So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. (The Message)
I reminded one of my congregations that on Sunday we'll be remembering that ten years ago, we suffered a terrible tragedy on what is now known as 9/11. I told them it was a sad day for us as citizens of the USA. I also reminded them of how for about two weeks people were unlike other times. You could see it as you drove, people were more courteous. People appreciated people. There seemed to be more patience and compassion. There was more understanding. Why? People realized that things can change from one minute to the next. That's what Paul is saying in this passage. Why get caught up on things that divide us when we should center on He who unites us as one? Someone has said that churches do better when they identify a common enemy; I ask why can't we do better identifying to others the common Savior we share? Vegetarians vs. meateaters. What a contest. Saturday vs. Sunday for worship. Really? You did this. I did that. Does it matter in the end? Jesus came that we might have life and that to the fullest; anything that detracts us from that understanding and that way of life in the end, doesn't really matter.
Center on Jesus.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the multitudes of divisions we have we apologize and ask for forgiveness. Let me begin by centering on Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and let Him help me put the rest into perspective. I pray this in His name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Forgive to Live!
God of mercy and grace, may Your showers of love be upon the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 18: 21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" 22 Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. 23 "The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. 24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. 25 He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. 26 "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. 28 "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!' 29 "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 30 But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. 32 "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. 33 Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' 34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. 35 And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." (The Message)
As our daughters grew up, we watched a lot of Sesame Street. One character I loved was The Count, who, as his name says, loves to count. His character was to teach children how to count and the joy of counting. There's one area, though, where we shouldn't count, but do, and that's the area of when people sin against us. (Sound familiar? It's in the Lord's Prayer!). To have someone hurt us never sits well with us. We ache and we hurt, sometimes we cry and we carry around the weight of this having been done to us. We know we should forgive but we can't. We wonder how we could ever be harmed in the way that happened and why in the world that person could do such a thing to us. It's an ancient problem and it was addressed by the rabbinical teachings that said every person was to forgive three times. Depending on your past hurts, that's either a small number or a huge number. For many, it is an unattainable number. Some scholars believe Peter knew this number and so, in order to impress his teacher, asks if we should forgive someone seven times. Keep in mind, this was a difficult question for Peter to ask, though you can almost hear the "what a good boy am I" tone in asking if seven was the new number.
Peter learns what we should know; God's math is different from ours. In the Old Testament we learn that when a man and a woman marry, the two become one. One plus one is one. I know the Count would freak with that, but that's Bible Math. Here in the New Testament we find Jesus saying we should forgive seventy times seven or Why do you keep count of something you should readily and always do? I may have mentioned the book, "Forgive to Live," a story by a man whose best friend who was also his boss, constant lunch companion, tennis and golf partner, from one day to the next, fired him from the best job he had ever had. It was a cold-blooded termination with no justification other than the money the hospital wanted to save by eliminating that position. This man became physically sick and almost died. Doctors tried and tried but could not find the cause of his illness. One doctor asked if there was someone whom he had not forgiven in his life. That was the answer. It was not a simple or easy answer, it took years of prayer and study but the man reached the conclusion that one must forgive to live. It make sense. Many times the victim is the only one who still carries around the weight and burden of an offense. The one who caused it goes on with his/her life and never even thinks about what s/he has done. It's not until we forgive that we can be freed of that unnecessary weight.
Do you need to forgive to live? Do it today.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to understand Your math. Help to me know what power there is in my learning to show mercy to those who have harmed or hurt me. Let me move on with my life. Let me forgive to live. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name; He who knew and taught how to forgive, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Matthew 18: 21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" 22 Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. 23 "The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. 24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. 25 He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. 26 "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. 28 "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!' 29 "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 30 But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. 32 "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. 33 Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' 34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. 35 And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." (The Message)
As our daughters grew up, we watched a lot of Sesame Street. One character I loved was The Count, who, as his name says, loves to count. His character was to teach children how to count and the joy of counting. There's one area, though, where we shouldn't count, but do, and that's the area of when people sin against us. (Sound familiar? It's in the Lord's Prayer!). To have someone hurt us never sits well with us. We ache and we hurt, sometimes we cry and we carry around the weight of this having been done to us. We know we should forgive but we can't. We wonder how we could ever be harmed in the way that happened and why in the world that person could do such a thing to us. It's an ancient problem and it was addressed by the rabbinical teachings that said every person was to forgive three times. Depending on your past hurts, that's either a small number or a huge number. For many, it is an unattainable number. Some scholars believe Peter knew this number and so, in order to impress his teacher, asks if we should forgive someone seven times. Keep in mind, this was a difficult question for Peter to ask, though you can almost hear the "what a good boy am I" tone in asking if seven was the new number.
Peter learns what we should know; God's math is different from ours. In the Old Testament we learn that when a man and a woman marry, the two become one. One plus one is one. I know the Count would freak with that, but that's Bible Math. Here in the New Testament we find Jesus saying we should forgive seventy times seven or Why do you keep count of something you should readily and always do? I may have mentioned the book, "Forgive to Live," a story by a man whose best friend who was also his boss, constant lunch companion, tennis and golf partner, from one day to the next, fired him from the best job he had ever had. It was a cold-blooded termination with no justification other than the money the hospital wanted to save by eliminating that position. This man became physically sick and almost died. Doctors tried and tried but could not find the cause of his illness. One doctor asked if there was someone whom he had not forgiven in his life. That was the answer. It was not a simple or easy answer, it took years of prayer and study but the man reached the conclusion that one must forgive to live. It make sense. Many times the victim is the only one who still carries around the weight and burden of an offense. The one who caused it goes on with his/her life and never even thinks about what s/he has done. It's not until we forgive that we can be freed of that unnecessary weight.
Do you need to forgive to live? Do it today.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to understand Your math. Help to me know what power there is in my learning to show mercy to those who have harmed or hurt me. Let me move on with my life. Let me forgive to live. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name; He who knew and taught how to forgive, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 05, 2011
Happy Labor Day!
Dear friends,
Today is Labor Day. May it be a happy and restful one. May we remember to give thanks to God for all who work, a prayer for those seeking work, and a thought of inspiration for those who are underemployed. Our United Methodist Hymnal has a prayer suited for today (UMH 409) "For Grace to Labor" by Thomas More, 16th Century: "The things, good Lord, that we pray for, give us the grace to labor for. Amen."
Though started by a labor union in New York, the day has come to mean a day of reflection on those who work. Our country was built by those who worked hard at making it what it is (or was), and we thank God that God is not finished with us yet and we trust that it is in God in whom we truly trust for today and tomorrow. Given all that we hear and fear, we rise above it all in our hope rooted strongly and deeply in our trust in God.
We also reflect on our work. Though you may be retired, you're probably working harder than ever or at least that is what we hear from most of those who are. If you have today off, reflect on what you have been called to do in your present setting or job. Last weekend during free time among pastors, we shared stories of now retired ministers and the work that some put in. I heard of one now retired pastor who worked so much, he had three suits and changes of clothes in his office. Many were the ones who had weddings with him that knew that he would shower in the church building, dress and do either the rehearsal or wedding. This was a pastor who, like most of us who started as solo pastors in small churches, learn to do everything. "Old habits die hard," is true in his case. And we compared it to a generational difference between some other pastors that seek to do as little as possible or do things differently from what could be called established ways. Those who either were children of blue collar, 8-to-5 (or longer) work houses, or who worked blue collar jobs prior to responding to our into ministry, know and follow a pattern of long, hard work. And there are those who say, "Take care of yourself." That is great advice but some have followed that a little too much, avoiding most things in the name of care. But let's look at Jesus. His life could be a case for both types of ministry: Jesus worked long and hard hours, resting only when He prayed. Some would remind us that Jesus was both the son of a carpenter and some believe, a carpenter himself while awaiting the start of His ministry. Others would say there were some times that Jesus just gave the word for the work or sign to be done and it was done. The common theme of Jesus' work was touch. Jesus was out and about in the midst of human suffering and need. Jesus touched those that never were touched. Jesus touched the untouchable, including a leper. Jesus ate with those whom society considered too filthy for any type of interaction, let alone fellowship. Our ministry as believer should be modeled after Jesus. Our touch and contact with all people should be one of love and hope.
May it be so!
PRAYER: Loving God, while we have been reading and reflecting on these words, You have been at work in this world and in my life. May this day remind me of how blessed I am and what I still need to be doing. Lord, You also know of those who seek a way to provide for their families so, remind me that these people need my love and understanding. Lord, be with those who can create jobs and let it be so. Lord, be with those who believe that some jobs need to go other places in the name of the bottom line, but especially bless the ones who have lost their jobs because of such actions. May we never lose faith in You and Your economy. Give us patience. Give us peace. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Today is Labor Day. May it be a happy and restful one. May we remember to give thanks to God for all who work, a prayer for those seeking work, and a thought of inspiration for those who are underemployed. Our United Methodist Hymnal has a prayer suited for today (UMH 409) "For Grace to Labor" by Thomas More, 16th Century: "The things, good Lord, that we pray for, give us the grace to labor for. Amen."
Though started by a labor union in New York, the day has come to mean a day of reflection on those who work. Our country was built by those who worked hard at making it what it is (or was), and we thank God that God is not finished with us yet and we trust that it is in God in whom we truly trust for today and tomorrow. Given all that we hear and fear, we rise above it all in our hope rooted strongly and deeply in our trust in God.
We also reflect on our work. Though you may be retired, you're probably working harder than ever or at least that is what we hear from most of those who are. If you have today off, reflect on what you have been called to do in your present setting or job. Last weekend during free time among pastors, we shared stories of now retired ministers and the work that some put in. I heard of one now retired pastor who worked so much, he had three suits and changes of clothes in his office. Many were the ones who had weddings with him that knew that he would shower in the church building, dress and do either the rehearsal or wedding. This was a pastor who, like most of us who started as solo pastors in small churches, learn to do everything. "Old habits die hard," is true in his case. And we compared it to a generational difference between some other pastors that seek to do as little as possible or do things differently from what could be called established ways. Those who either were children of blue collar, 8-to-5 (or longer) work houses, or who worked blue collar jobs prior to responding to our into ministry, know and follow a pattern of long, hard work. And there are those who say, "Take care of yourself." That is great advice but some have followed that a little too much, avoiding most things in the name of care. But let's look at Jesus. His life could be a case for both types of ministry: Jesus worked long and hard hours, resting only when He prayed. Some would remind us that Jesus was both the son of a carpenter and some believe, a carpenter himself while awaiting the start of His ministry. Others would say there were some times that Jesus just gave the word for the work or sign to be done and it was done. The common theme of Jesus' work was touch. Jesus was out and about in the midst of human suffering and need. Jesus touched those that never were touched. Jesus touched the untouchable, including a leper. Jesus ate with those whom society considered too filthy for any type of interaction, let alone fellowship. Our ministry as believer should be modeled after Jesus. Our touch and contact with all people should be one of love and hope.
May it be so!
PRAYER: Loving God, while we have been reading and reflecting on these words, You have been at work in this world and in my life. May this day remind me of how blessed I am and what I still need to be doing. Lord, You also know of those who seek a way to provide for their families so, remind me that these people need my love and understanding. Lord, be with those who can create jobs and let it be so. Lord, be with those who believe that some jobs need to go other places in the name of the bottom line, but especially bless the ones who have lost their jobs because of such actions. May we never lose faith in You and Your economy. Give us patience. Give us peace. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 01, 2011
A GPS Equipped iPod, Please!
Blessed God in the life and toil of this dear reader, be present and powerful; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Psalm 119: 33 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. 34 Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response. 35 Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! 36 Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. 37 Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. 38 Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you. 39 Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good. 40 See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways! (The Message)
When one is on a plane for many hours, watching movies is a good option. Such was the case in both going and coming from South Africa. On the way there I made the mistake of trying to catch up with my summer list of "must-see's" and even those I had never heard of. Such was the case with a movie starring Martin Sheen call "The Way." Remember, Martin is the dad, not Charlie, the son. The other son, who has kept the true family name, Emilio Estevez, wrote, produced and directed this movie. The title refers to a pilgramage one can take from varying points in Europe leading to a chapel where the remains of St. James the Disciple are said to rest. It is a very expensive and very extensive journey. The story of the movie deals with Martin Sheen being a rich eye doctor whose son, Emilio, cannot decide what to do with his life and drops out of college and tries this and that and finally tells his dad he is leaving to wander Europe. Dad, of course, does not approve and then gets word that his son has been killed on this pilgramage. Once in Europe to claim the son's body the dad learns of this journey and decides to honor his son's memory, begins the long trek to see why so many take this journey.
Today's psalm speaks of our trek through life and how much more meaningful and easier it becomes when we know and trust God. What killed the son in the movie is never fully explained but it has to do with his not staying the course. We know all too well what happens to us when we stray off=course in our lives. The psalmist knew as well thus his pleading to God to help him know what to do and where to go. It was like he was asking for an iPod to use while walking that would only speak to his heart about life and life's choices in a such a way that he would never lose his way. Yes, an iPod with a G.P.S., a God-Positioning System, so that one knows exactly where God is and where we are in relation to God. Listen to the life-affirmations that come from God, not the life-deflating comments of critics and cynics. Keep your spiritual appetite fixed on God and you will be filled and never lost.
PRAYER: Loving God, guide me today in the way I should go. Let me hear Your voice of love and leading so that I might reach those places along the way where I can be serve You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Psalm 119: 33 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. 34 Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response. 35 Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! 36 Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. 37 Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. 38 Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you. 39 Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good. 40 See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways! (The Message)
When one is on a plane for many hours, watching movies is a good option. Such was the case in both going and coming from South Africa. On the way there I made the mistake of trying to catch up with my summer list of "must-see's" and even those I had never heard of. Such was the case with a movie starring Martin Sheen call "The Way." Remember, Martin is the dad, not Charlie, the son. The other son, who has kept the true family name, Emilio Estevez, wrote, produced and directed this movie. The title refers to a pilgramage one can take from varying points in Europe leading to a chapel where the remains of St. James the Disciple are said to rest. It is a very expensive and very extensive journey. The story of the movie deals with Martin Sheen being a rich eye doctor whose son, Emilio, cannot decide what to do with his life and drops out of college and tries this and that and finally tells his dad he is leaving to wander Europe. Dad, of course, does not approve and then gets word that his son has been killed on this pilgramage. Once in Europe to claim the son's body the dad learns of this journey and decides to honor his son's memory, begins the long trek to see why so many take this journey.
Today's psalm speaks of our trek through life and how much more meaningful and easier it becomes when we know and trust God. What killed the son in the movie is never fully explained but it has to do with his not staying the course. We know all too well what happens to us when we stray off=course in our lives. The psalmist knew as well thus his pleading to God to help him know what to do and where to go. It was like he was asking for an iPod to use while walking that would only speak to his heart about life and life's choices in a such a way that he would never lose his way. Yes, an iPod with a G.P.S., a God-Positioning System, so that one knows exactly where God is and where we are in relation to God. Listen to the life-affirmations that come from God, not the life-deflating comments of critics and cynics. Keep your spiritual appetite fixed on God and you will be filled and never lost.
PRAYER: Loving God, guide me today in the way I should go. Let me hear Your voice of love and leading so that I might reach those places along the way where I can be serve You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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