Best Be Right with God

Photo by Eradio Valverde

No Better Place to Be Than Taking Refuge with God.

From Psalm 2: 1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 3 "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling 12 kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him.

This psalm at first reading made me think of the saying and Broadway play, "Your Arms Are Too Short to Box with God." Yet, sometimes we find ourselves trying to box with God only to discover that our arms are indeed too short. The psalmist knew that sometimes people, even nations find themselves thinking they are greater than God and God's purposes for His creation only to discover their arms are too short as well. I think, as did the psalmist, that God laughs when we think we have the answer or the plan and we got it on our own. There is no plan greater than the plan of trying to get us all to form a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The starting point was the passage from the gospel that spoke of Jesus' Transfiguration where God declares that Jesus is His Son sent with a holy mission, and through Jesus we find that which we need for our lives. Our sole job is, and here's another song title, "Trust and Obey." God stands with us and walks with us, relying on us to do our part in getting His message to all. And when times seem rougher we can find no better place in which to hide than in God.

The human experience is a tough one at times. This past Sunday the preacher shared how a young man had made his plans to end his life and simply went to church to say goodbye to God. He sat on the last row and sat next to an elderly lady who noticed the young man was not doing well. She said, "You look sad young man, but you know it's going to be alright." She then did what the young man did not expect, she put her arm around him and continued to assure him that whatever he was facing was going to be okay. The young man thanked the woman and then waited to talk to the pastor to share how he had already laid out his guns on his bed, a tarp on the floor to minimize the mess the bullet would cause, and wrote his farewell letter to his mother, only to discover that because of this lady's hug and kind words, life was worth living. Nothing should ever convince us that life would be better if we ended it. Nothing can ever convince that life is lived best through self-medication or vices and habits that we think get rid of pain or experiences; we only discover that we are deeper than we thought because of the solutions and remedies we sought. Jesus told us that His enemy came only to "steal, kill, and destroy." (Jn 10:10). He came so that we might have life and that in abundance.

You can try to hide in things of this world, but you'll be discovered. Hide in God and you'll be blessed. It's your choice.

PRAYER: Loving God, for warm embraces and kind words, we are thankful. Help us to share those with those we think are in need. Grant to us that spirit that shares life and life in abundance. This we ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

God Invites Us to High Places

Photo by Eradio Valverde of Palo Duro Canyon, Texas

O These Mountain Top Experiences

From Exodus 24: 12The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them." 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Rarely do we say or hear, "God dragged me down to squalor and suffering." More often than not, we drag ourselves down to those places by bad choices and bad decisions. More often than not, God's invitation is to higher places, to rise above where we are, to the heavenly places. Such was the case with Moses in today's Old Testament reading. God said to Moses, "Why don't you come up with me to this mountain." Notice God didn't say, "Go up that mountain by yourself and wait there." God was there at the foot of the mountain and at the top and the invitation was to journey with God. And Moses was not alone either, he had Joshua with him and the elders of Israel. To these Moses said, wait there and if you have any problems go to Aaron and Hur. Then Moses journeyed higher up to the mountain and a cloud covered the mountain. This is referred to as "the glory of the Lord" settling on Mount Sinai for six days. This was a long retreat! On the seventh day God called Moses out of the cloud. Then a "devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people" took over. Then Moses reentered the cloud and went up on the mountain and was there for 40 days and 40 nights.

This lesson teaches us that we are not alone, God is with us. Yet it will seem a long time if we don't hear from God and even when we do as we are being formed into that which God would have us be, sometimes we have to be patient and wait. We don't always know why we have to wait, as we are ready now! Or, so we think. Realize that in the waiting, God is there and God is working; we should know that it is all part of the process. Moses needed the time up on the mountain for his own wellbeing, spiritual and physical, but it meant first waiting for six days, then forty days and nights. All part of the plan, all part of the formation.

God is with you right now and may be asking you to be patient as you await an answer. You may have submitted an application for a new job; while you're waiting you're still busy and working, and you might even be getting paid for it too. Seek to do and be all that God needs while you wait. You may have not heard from your son or daughter and you're worried. Keep praying and keep trusting, God is with you and God is with your child. Meanwhile, you continue to be and do what God has asked, and God may be forming you for even greater tasks. Whether it feels like you're on the top of the mountain or just starting out, God is with you! Enjoy the wait. Enjoy the journey.

PRAYER: Thank You, Loving God for today. I may not be or have what I think I want or need, but I have You and You have me. Walk with me spiritually as I sit and wait for whatever answer or response that I have asked. But, use me while I wait for Your good. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS Thank you all for your Anniversary wishes. We had a great day being together for most of the day. I was at Bishop's Convocation and we traveled back to Corpus Christi, then had a nice supper that our daughter, Caitlin provided for us and grandson, Liam. God bless you all!

Eyewitness to Glory

Photo by Eradio Valverde, Jr.

What Have You Seen or Heard?

From 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Nothing beats a personal experience or an eyewitness. I can tell you about a new donut shop that makes melt-in-your-mouth donuts and you might believe me, but when you finally put that tasty donut in your mouth, you will know for certain what I'm talking about. I'm sorry, it's early and I'm hungry and I can't have donuts! The same is true about knowing the Lord and what He offers. Peter writes this letter to believers who were not with him when he saw the Transfiguration (which we discussed yesterday) and he's making the case that Jesus is real and what is taught about Him is true. Have you ever said or heard, "Nobody can make this stuff up!"? Well, that's the case for Peter: Nobody made this stuff up; that which we shared about Christ's power and return is all true. Peter adds, "We were eyewitnesses of His majesty;" we were there when God declared, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with Him on the holy mountain." Peter had confirmation and so have we. This weekend I shared how one Sunday I heard the Lord asking me to honor the men of my church. I argued and said I did not know what that was about, and I didn't do it. I heard after church, "You did not honor the men of your church." The next Sunday again I heard the same thing and I wanted to argue again, but I stood in the pulpit and asked the men in the church to stand. I had no idea what to say but God gave me the words and they were of encouragement. I said something along the lines of it not being easy for men to be in church when they see others washing cars or playing golf or towing their boats towards the water; but their having made the decision to be in church was a blessing to God, to themselves, and to their families. As they stood and as I asked the women to applaud their presence I could see tears not only on the women but on some of the men. The next morning one of our office volunteers thanked me saying I did not know how much her husband needed that word on that day.

God can still speak to us during our times of need or doubt. We may be facing something with an undesired outcome, but we have to stay connected to God and listen to what God may say through reading His Word or through reflection and silence after our prayers. Peter says, "You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." Jesus is the morning star and Jesus is Who should be in your hearts. His love and His presence is the light we need when we believe ourselves to be in darkness. Let Him shine and Let Him take control. God's Holy Spirit will move in and among you and especially your need.

PRAYER: Loving God, make Your light to shine in the dark places of my life. Let me be attentive to You and Your movement in my life. Come into my heart again and again, Lord Jesus, and be the morning star that hints of the great light coming my way. This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Joy: Today Nellie and I celebrate 36 years of marriage. Not bad for a whirlwind romance! She abducted me and has not released my heart since that time! ;)

Completely on Earth; Completely in Glory

Image from angusday.org

Jesus is The Complete Word of God

From Matthew 17: 1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

I write this not far from where Jesus has been made very real to me during my youth. Up the road from where I write these words is Mt. Wesley Methodist Encampment, where for several summers I, and the youth group from El Buen Pastor UMC, Houston, spent a week in worship, learning, fun, and singing. We had great speakers who came to share their faith and one even had an altar call for youth to come and respond to Jesus' invitation to be their Lord and Savior. The camp in those days was truly isolated from the town of Kerrville, Texas. At Vesper Point we could see the lights of the small town and we could even see the images of a drive-in movie theatre and we tried to guess which movie was playing. For us South Texans, this was a true mountain that offered mountain top experiences; a good feeling in our spirits that we had truly spent time with God and all was right in the world. We knew that we were closer to God than we had ever been and we were being blessed to come down from the mountain to live a life that would bless others.

Jesus took with Him those disciples of His inner circle; Peter, James, and John. These three saw and experienced more than the other disciples. Jesus had a reason for this and these were the three that He trusted most. It was on this occasion that something unexplainable happened. And aren't the most wonderful things that God offers us for our blessing sometimes unexplainable? You begin to realize as you're older that these experiences were meant to be enjoyed not explained. This is especially handy for boys and men with out limited vocabulary. I would return from camp and Mom and Dad would ask, "How was camp?" I would say, "Good."

Peter, James, and John experienced the Transfiguration; an event that showed that Jesus was completely with them and also at that moment completely in Glory, that is, the Heavenly realm that most mortals do not see while alive. I believe it was an experience meant to be enjoyed by them, but they were so besides themselves they did not know how to act or what to do. Then add to it that the passage says that Moses and Elijah joined Jesus and were talking to Him! Talk about giddy! The Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi with God saying, there is a great day coming when I will act in judgment; to be ready remember Moses' teachings and I will send Elijah. (Malachi 4). The disciples knew this passage and the Spirit helped them to understand who the second and third persons were among them and all Peter can think to do is to build "three dwellings" for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. It was his way of saying, "Don't let this moment end! Please stay with us!" A true mountain top experience is one that we want never to end. Then comes the icing on this delicious cake, a voice from Heaven, God's voice, says, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!" This knocks the disciples down to the ground with fear. As if seeing two dead guys back in this realm was not enough, to hear the voice of God made them fear what might be next.

The thing that brought them back, as happens to so many of us, was the touch of Jesus and His calm words, "Get up and do not be afraid." They realized now they were alone and were instructed not to tell anyone about this amazing vision until after His resurrection.

I'm thankful that now and many years after my mountain top experience I have been able to share what God has done in my life. I love God and trust Him and try very hard to walk with Him each day. Those mountain top experiences served to prepare me for when God spoke to my heart to become a minister to eventually say yes; a decision I have never regretted.

You may be in a valley or low experience right now, but this mountain top experience of the disciples with Jesus serves to help you realize that this too will pass. Jesus' touch and soothing words are your as well. Get up, and that means lift your spirit, and do not be afraid. Jesus rose from the dead after having endured much pain and suffering and whatever you may be going through will pass with the power and presence of Jesus in your life as you invite Him in.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for coming and touching our lives with mountain top experiences. May the blessings of those serve to help us when we're in valleys of sorrow and pain. I pray a special blessing of encouragement and deliverance for those reading this who may be going through sadness or sickness. Heal and help them and stay with us now and forever. This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Traveling This Freeway!

Photo by Matt Logue from http://cellophane66.blogspot.com/

The Psalm in a Modern Light

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. 38Affirm 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!

We have an interesting Interstate freeway system. The product of President Einsenhower, it was designed with the military in mind. East to West, the interstate freeways are even-numbered; North to South, odd-numbered. Most have long stretches of straight road designed to allow military planes to land if necessary, and the interstate system continues to grow. Some have a fear of these fast roads and when we moved from the small town of Kingsville to Houston, we kept hearing people talk about the "spaghetti bowl." Have you gone there yet? No, we're poor and don't eat out much - No, ha ha, the spaghetti bowl is where all the bridges from the interstate meet downtown! Yeah, ha ha.

The psalmist knew the best way to travel anywhere was with and following God. The only way to travel with God is to get to know God better and better each and every day. He knows that a humble heart opens the entrance onto this path and so he asks for lessons that help us learn and keep the course on which we know God would have us go. A keen insight to observe and know what God is sharing is also necessary; and he calls the law and God's commandments a "road," and declares that those who do these things will say, like him, "I love traveling this freeway!" (v. 35). The desire is to continue the journey, enjoying it but not being distracted by whatever is on either side of the freeway. Gone are the Stucky's of old (most of them anyway) that used to call our attention to pull off the interstate and buy something. The interstate of life is also lined with "Stucky's" that serve no real purpose in our journeying with God.

Ours is the "pilgrim way" which leads to new discoveries and finds that will bless us and those with whom we share them. Our is also a journey to hear God and sing God's praises and not be distracted by voices calling off by putting us down. Our journey down this road is best traveled with th hunger to love God more and more.

PRAYER: Awesome Lord, thank You for Your word. May my journeys today be blessed and protected by You. As I travel through this life, make me a pilgrim to discover, enjoy, and share new and wondrous blessings. This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

All You Need is Love

Image from http://mirtam.memphisseminary.edu

But God Meant Everybody!

From Leviticus 19: 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.15 You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Our oldest was six years old when she asked her mom, "Not everybody likes Daddy, right?" Sadly, a lesson she was learning from church in her Sunday school. Where one would assume teachers would teach their children love from them and towards everyone, this teacher did not like me or my sermons, and used her Sunday school hour to criticize and put down my pastorate. God's intention for all who would believe in God is to be holy; not holier than thou, as was the case with this teacher, but the holy that exudes the humility, love, and awe towards God, and a loving acceptance of all people, no exceptions. The Great Commission states our mission is to all the world, again, no exceptions. In this passage God is saying that our holiness should also lead us to love and acceptance of both poor and rich, kindness and charity, and love beyond hatred or indifference. And it starts with love for ourselves. For some people that's an easy thing and they love themselves a little too much; others struggle with self-image and negativity towards themselves; some with bitterness and uneasiness about their past, and thus cannot love others in the right way because they do not love themselves. Love for neighbor begins with love for self the way God loves us. God's love sees us just as we are and accepts us. God's love should rub off on us as we begin to love all people. I have said that the Communion ritual of Confession should include the line, "We have not recognized all people as our neighbor" right before "we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves." Yes, there are differences between us but that should make us unique and special, not bring about barrier and lines that we dare not cross. The billboard above says it all, God means this and we should follow it and live it.

This past Sunday our worship concluded with a CD playing The Beatles' "All You Need is Love." It was a special service and marriage vows were reaffirmed and the sermon stressed love for all, and as the lyrics came on the screen I realized I had not known all the words to that song. If you're like me, we either hum the unknown words or make up words that sound just like we think they're singing. "There's nothing you can do that can't be done; Nothing you can sing that can't be sun; Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game, it's easy. Nothing you can make that can't be made;No one you can save that can't be saved; Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time, it's easy...All you need is love." Love has saved many a person for all eternity, and it may just be that our love today towards someone struggling without it, may lead them to a relationship with God that lasts for all time and beyond time.

All you need is love. For everyone.

PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me for taking sides or for loving myself too much that I forget to love others. Forgive me for not recognizing others as my neighbor, and forgive me for not loving my neighbor as myself. I need more of Your love so that I may love more. This I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Are We Pointing to Jesus Christ?

Photo is that of our youngest granddaughter, Eliana Beth Garcia, in an outfit that Grandma and Grandpa bought.

Jesus Should Be Central to Who We Are

From 1 Corinthians 3: 10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," 20 and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." 21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours,22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Is your life thriving? Is your church thriving? Who or what is at the center of your life? Who or what is at the center of your church's life? The answer to the third and fourth questions will answer the first two. Think about it. What/Who do you live for? And is there still passion and intensity about that person/thing? It is the visible and tangible passion you show about the persons and things in the center of your life that will either attract or repel others to you. The same is true about our churches. A recent conversation that I read between a UM bishop and a church growth consultant talked about thriving churches and what makes them so. The first reason is an excitement and joy about what Jesus can do and is doing in their lives and in the life of the church. These are churches that demonstrate the need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and as a result others come to faith because of that invitation. Interesting second thing is that the folks who make up a thriving church have discovered the need to go from being simply members to disciples. Do you notice the difference? A member has joined, may attend, listen, then go home. Nothing really has changed in his or her life; the card has been punched and after 2 more punches they earn a Sunday off. A disciple is one who cannot get enough of Jesus and tells others about the blessings that come through faith in God through Jesus Christ. Paul talks about this in this passage in two ways: Jesus should be our foundation, and we should let God build upon that foundation both in our lives and in the life of our church. The second thing that Paul stresses to the believers is that we should know that our bodies are special and belong to God. More importantly, in our bodies lives the Holy Spirit. Speaking to those fearful for their lives because of persecution Paul reassures them that they would not die even if this temple (body) was destroyed. If we see ourselves as being holy and special to God, no one nor nothing can destroy us.

Jesus should be the source of unity in our relationships, especially within the church. The church in Corinth as we discussed sometime ago, had a division as to who baptized who and which of these baptizers was more important than the other, and Paul said they were missing the point. It is Christ Jesus who matters and we should be all about Jesus. Period. And we belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God. Anything else is either extra or a distraction.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for making me special and holy through Jesus Christ. I thank You for the relationship Jesus makes possible with You. Let my life be centered and focused on Jesus so that I may help grow the Church. Grant me wisdom and the words with which to bless You and Yours. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

It's Simple; Just Be Perfect!

Image from http://firstchurchmn.wordpress.com

Ah! Wait! What?

From Matthew 5: 38 "You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, and as that's being done, a lot of people wonder what in the world He's talking about. It was, after all, Moses who gave us the law of controlled retribution; "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." People sometimes don't get along and sometimes someone will hit someone. In Moses' time, that usually meant the family or entire clan of the one injured would go and kill all of the members of the hitter's family. So, Moses in his wisdom said if someone takes out your eye, then your family can go and take that guy's out. If it's just a tooth, well, then you knock his tooth out. And that seemed to work pretty well if you like the idea of people hitting people and injuring them. Let's check the news: A man in Florida does not like loud music coming out of an SUV and warns them he'll shoot in the car. The music gets turned up louder and the man shoots and kills a teenager. In another place, a man is watching a movie and the guy in front of him is texting while the movie is on. The man bothered by the texting asks the texter to quit. The texter says no, he's going to keep texting and the first man goes to his car, retrieves a gun and kills the man. Jesus' take on this law is that people should get along even if one party has to give in to the other. Is it worth losing your life just because you're right? If someone hits you on your right check, let him/her hit you on the left one as well. And this goes against what most dads teach their kids. "If somebody hits you, you hit 'em back!" Hmm. Then, Jesus continues (Does He never stop?!) The law of Jesus' time and place was that Roman soldiers had police authority and they also had judge, jury and executioner authority. If a soldier who usually walked with a heavy pack, grew tired of carrying such pack, he could tap you on your shoulder with the flat side of his spear. That was an order for you to stop and do what the solider asked. He could ask you to carry the pack for him for one mile. After one mile, the soldier was either well-rested or could find another citizen to carry his pack. If you refused, the soldier could turn the spear and with the business end of the spear finish your life. Jesus asks, is it worth it? To stand up to a soldier and say, "I ain't carrying nuthin' for you!"? Jesus say, astonish the solider or the one asking of you something and go the second mile. They won't and don't expect that. They'll be amazed and blessed by your helpful attitude.

This Sermon on the Mount changed the perspective of those hearing and receiving this sermon. Give to everyone who asks something of you, even those who want to borrow from you. AND, Jesus continued, you know those who go out of their way to make your life unbearable, love them! Common thinking, the worldly thinking was to hate them back! Jesus says, nonsense, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be the children of your Father in heaven." Do the unexpected! What good do you do if you love those who love you? And if you're friendly only to your immediate family, what amazing, unexpected thing have you done? Even those who don't know God do that! And here's the shocker: "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." If we were made in the image of God, our image should reflect perfection. Wait! What? Who in this world is perfect? The one who never gives up trying to be.

Live your life to bless others and soon you might find others wanting to imitate you. Last night, Nellie was listening to a youth choir from El Buen Pastor UMC- Edinburg sing. Our five year old grandson, Liam, asked, "How does someone learn to sing like that? I want to sing like that!" If good singing inspires little ones, imagine what good living will do for others.

PRAYER: Amazing God, You are awesome and perfect. We admit we're not and sometimes feel so far from perfection we want to give up. But give us strength to be like Jesus taught; to love and pray for everyone, and to resist evil in doing the unexpected. May we never give up. This we pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Your Bottle's Ready!

Photograph of Eliana Beth Garcia by her grandpa, Eradio Valverde

They Serve Their Purpose When You're a Baby!

From 1 Corinthians 3:1And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?4 For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

There is a story in our family about some children past bottle-feeding age. After school, the younger one asked the older one for a bottle. The legend goes, and I must point out this did not happen in our immediate family, the older fixes a bottle for the younger one and then one for themselves. Ahh! A refreshing bottle of milk after school. We'll stop there.

Paul says, when I first met you I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as bottle-fed infants. You were not ready to hear the meatier stuff of our faith, just milk. But what's worse, Paul continues, you're still not ready! You still belong to and are guided by the flesh and not the spirit. How can I tell? There is much jealousy and quarreling among you; all driven by human inclinations not the Spirit! And then you argue about who the best pastor was who has served your church! Sounds very familiar doesn't it?

Paul's message was straight-forward; come to Jesus and be guided in all aspects of your life by God's Holy Spirit. If you just come to church and not to Jesus, you'll still be the same person you've always been. In Christ, we become new creatures, guided by God and driven by love towards others. Those who have not yet surrounded to Jesus are still driven by the same other selfish things; me, me, me! Rise above those things and come to Jesus, for in Him we can find a better life. I believe the opposite of jealousy is encouragement and celebration for others. The opposite of quarreling is agreement and encouragement. Where do you find yourself today? Guided by the Holy Spirit or by your own selfish interests?

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to die to self and be made new in You. Help me to be a person guided by love and driven to share hope, love, joy, and encouragement towards others, especially those with whom I seek to serve You. Forgive us those times we have put ourselves before You; for we pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

"I Swear Marriage is Hard!"

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It's As Easy As Blowing Up a Hot Water Bottle

From Matthew 5:31 "It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be "Yes, Yes' or "No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Okay, the title is not so good, but we're going to cover two things this day; Divorce and Oaths (Swearing). And the picture is from last night's Intense Ministries evangelistic campaign at Beacon of Hope, a joint ministry of our First UMC and Disciples of Christ church in Aransas Pass, TX.

Marriage is tough, and it is the leading cause of divorce. Since Adam and Eve's day, well, Eve couldn't say, "I'm going home to my mother!" Neither could Adam. But after marriage is instituted, couples reached the point of dissatisfaction or worse, unfaithfulness, and they left. One went his way, and there other hers. Even during the Exodus, this massive forty year campaign to form a people, as they journeyed in the wilderness, couples fought and bickered and someone, usually the man, threw someone out. The ancient way to say This Is It was to throw all the wife's belongings in the front yard (or in the case of the Exodus people) right outside of the entrance of the tent. Many would wonder what this meant. "Is hubby airing out my clothes? Water is scarce and we haven't have time to wash! What with all this marching and attacks and manna gathering!" So they came to Moses to ask for a ruling and he ruled that a man who divorces his wife had to give her a certificate of divorce (Deut. 24). Basically, a paper or papyrus scroll that said, "I hereby divorce you." Moses hoped to make divorce difficult if not impossible, but there were still those who believed it was for the best. And yes, there are times when divorce is the ultimate remedy for a troubled marriage. Jesus in this passage is stressing the seriousness of marriage. He compares the seriousness of marriage and remarriage to the sin of adultery. Marriage is difficult, but if built on the right foundation of Godly love and commitment, it can last in most cases. Divorce is a terrible thing. As a child my grandparents divorced and it was viewed as a great shame on the family. My grandmother who already lived behind us, practically moved in with us and in our move to Houston she moved with us. My grandfather remarried and we did not see him for a long period of time and my dad did not want to meet my grandfather's new wife. I also remember when my dad repented of that and we went to see my grandfather, whom I still loved and missed, and met his new wife. In other family members, divorce has occurred and it is a difficult burden on all concerned, more so the couple who choose it regardless of reasons or causes. The law allows for divorce and it allows for remarriage; but Jesus is stressing commitment on the part of both husband wife to each other. This new kingdom of God requires our whole commitment to God and God's love and to sharing that with one another especially in our marriages and relationships.

"I swear! Cross my heart and hope to die! Stick a needle in my eye!" Playground swearing back in the days of soap in the mouth remedies for those who swore beyond the playground oaths. We believed that if a friend did not believe us we had to swear; "I swear on a stack of Bibles!" (Usually today an iPad will do - if you have a Bible app with lots of versions of God's holy word). We wanted to be believed and we thought that swearing was that which truth would shine. In Jesus' day, folks swore "by heaven," or "by the earth," or even "I swear by Jerusalem!" Jesus said, think of how foolish and terrible that is, for we know heaven is where God lives and where God's throne is; earth is God's footstool, and Jerusalem is God's great city. To swear on one's mother's grave or mother's life - not needed. Jesus said for us to be people of our word. To be honest with one another. Our words when used should mean what we say. Our yes should be yes, and our no, no. If we take it beyond that we've left the realm of God and invited the "evil one" to be a part of our relationship.

Be a person of Godly character. Be known for sharing as loving and truthful people. In all relationships, especially marriage. Live and love with an eternal commitment to God, and to one another.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless the marriages of those praying this; help us all find solutions and answers when we're challenged to the point of anger. Help us seek You first and in You that which will keep us together. May all our relationships be honest and truthful and based on You. May we be people of our word, saying yes when we mean yes, and no when no is what we mean. This is hard, but with You it is made easier. And it is in Christ Jesus that we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS If you live in the Aransas Pass area, tonight at FUMC's gym, Intense Ministry finishes their evangelism outreach with their biggest show at 6:30 p.m. If you don't live in this area and would like to sponsor an event with them, please visit their website, www.intenseministries.com or contact the founder and director: Josh Whisneant, 409-201-5166 or email Josh at Whisneant@aol.com. They will go to your schools, put on a demonstration there with no religious implications but will invite the kids back to your church. And throughout their presentation they invite those with no church home to come to yours.

Control Your Thoughts!

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Or They'll Control You!

From Matthew 5: 27 "You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

As we have been discovering, entry into this Kingdom of God requires much change in our thinking and in our doing. Yesterday, Jesus added a new dimension to the Law's commandment about murder; anger is just as bad. And today's passage is about the commandment on adultery. Jesus said, "You know the commandment; don't commit adultery; but here's the thing, we defile ourselves just by thinking lustfully about another person." Our heart gives us away. We are told that we must control our thinking. Natural thoughts are those of desire for some, but Jesus says we should not look at others as objects, but as brothers and sisters, children of God. The passages that follow show the seriousness with which Jesus considers lust and other things that break the letter of the law. What your eye sees is controlled by our thinking. Do we see an attractive person as an object or lust or can we tell our mind to see that person as sister or brother? Kingdom living is rising above the expected and what some excuse as normal. In the same way, our mind can control the actions of our hands; not taking what is not ours or grabbing for that which will draw us deeper into sin. Any of these, Jesus warns, draws us away from God until we face possible eternal separation from God.

Many years ago, a Sunday school teaching, presidential candidate confessed to a magazine that specializes in lust, that he was guilty of having committed adultery in his heart. Some were shocked, some were relieved to hear someone honestly confess that he had lost control of his thinking and had lusted after another in his mind. Jimmy Carter went on to be elected, and today he still is active in his church and in doing good for humanity. Would seeking an office such as president cause us to be as honest? Yet, Jesus is not talking just to politicians; He's talking to us. Much is expected of us who accept a relationship with Him and who desire to enter into the kingdom of God here on the earth, where we pray that God's will be done here as it is in heaven.

The Good News for us all is that Jesus walks with us and provides for us that which empowers us to resist and to control our hearts and minds to be set apart and to a higher standard than that which the world expects from us. The Sermon on the Mount can be said to be a call to rise above.

PRAYER: Loving God, may it be so in my life, in my heart, and in my mind, that I seek You and Your goodness. Control my thoughts and desires. Fill me with Your Spirit and may the Spirit guide me to faithfulness and fruitfulness. This I pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Anger & Reconciliation

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It Is The Way of Jesus

From Matthew 5: 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, "You shall not murder'; and "whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, "You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Woah! Wait! Did I just hear Jesus make the Commandments stricter? That might have been the thought of some among the crowd listening to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount covered in this passage. Jesus take the Commandment of Thou Shalt Not Kill and make it one of anger. Well, I stay away from murder, isn't that enough? No, Jesus says, anger with a brother or sister is just as bad. Many have been the times we have been angry with someone to the point where they no longer live in our opinion; they count for nothing and we avoid them and avoid thinking about them. Sigh, don't raise your hands; we're all guilty as charged.

Jesus knew it was easier to stay away from killing someone with a weapon than to realize that our words have power to kill, so do our thoughts. And Jesus wants us to know that anger is a big thing that should not control our lives. It's not the Jesus way! Jesus' way is reconciliation; that of forgiving those who have harmed us and asking for forgiveness when we know we have harmed or hurt others. It was serious enough for Jesus to say, "If you call someone a 'fool', you're 'liable to the hell of fire.'" That's serious! And if you come to sacrifice something on the altar of God and your remember that there's something not right in one of your relationships, leave your gift there and get right with that person, then come back and offer your gift. Reconciliation is important to the point Jesus says we don't want to have to be imprisoned over it. Those who don't forgive and live with hate towards someone find themselves in a ever tightening prison with themselves holding the only key.

This new kingdom that Jesus ushered in is a kingdom with requirements and His interpretations of the law give us new and needed insight towards healthier living before God and one another.

PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me of my sins. Help me to be forgiving towards those who have hurt/harmed me. Let me realize that my anger can kill or maim; I want to do neither. I want to bless others and give them life. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Happy Are Those Who Fear the Lord

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Being Light for Those in Darkness

From Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. 2Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. 7 They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.

"Why would I be afraid of the Lord?" I would ask as a child in Sunday school. Of course I never voiced it out loud, I was afraid more of the Sunday school teacher's embarrassment of a pupil who did not know all the answers! I was a youth before I had the courage to ask one of my pastors. His answer blessed me, "Fear of the Lord is the deep awe and respect you have for God, not that you're afraid of Him." That made me happy; I had been fearing God for a long time!

David understood that fear and associated it with worship and praise, study and prayer. He also understood the blessings and consequences that came of that deep awe and respect, and love, we should have for our Creator. He believed if one carried that from childhood to parenthood, the children of one would be blessed. They would have all they needed for their understanding, attitude and gratitude would bless them in the deeper knowledge of that which God provides that escapes rust and theft. They, like their parent(s), would be light for both whose who already knew the Lord and those that would come to know the Lord because of our living and sharing. The one who loves the Lord is a person who seeks to share graciousness, mercy, and righteousness. Theirs is a life filled with blessing in their sharing with one another and especially with those who lack. They will long be remembered and appreciated. Even when people might speak badly about them, they know the One who has the last word will speak a word of blessing on their lives. Fear of anything is the last thing in their hearts, for their hearts are filled with the peace and power of the Lord. They will overcome all things and everyone that may come against them and their work for God. Blessed will be their home.

PRAYER: Loving God, may the above be part of our morning prayer. We seek You and we seek to live our lives with awe, respect and love for You. And may that bless us as we seek to bless You and Yours. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: Many are traveling and many will gather today in San Antonio for the called session of the annual conference. May we pray that God's will be done in our midst and that as we begin a new conference that we do it with fear of the Lord.

Going Beyond Our Comfort Zones

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Why Does God Demand So Much?

From Isaiah 58: 1 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. 3 "Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. 4 Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

Yesterday as we met for our district pastors' meeting, one of our pastors could not be with us as she was preparing for two funerals she has today. As I read her email I remembered that a dear friend of mine has had something like 16 funerals in one month. And I realized that unless we leave our comfort zones and walk our neighborhoods and invite people into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will become a church that specializes only in burying people. Not that that's bad, we know death is a part of life and death is something for which we prepare people; but we should be a full-service church - baptisms, confirmation, marriages and other worship celebrations that glorify God and bless people. Yet, even if the pastor gets excited about moving past what makes/keeps us comfortable some people in the pews want to stay right there and be comfortable. I have had people say that as long as they're happy and the church is there to bury them, they need not do anything else or worry about anyone else.

This is basically what Isaiah is saying to the people on God's behalf: You're too comfortable and you're at the point of abusing people with your neglect. You should be leading the charge to help people. You're religious but not relational. You fast but only for your own needs. Some even fast to quarrel better and hit harder. Is that what God wants/expects from us?

God expects us, the people who make up His church, to work to remove all that is not Godly in our midst, such as children being hungry ("We give so many food stamps there is no hunger in our community!" WRONG), people being homeless ("It's their own choice! They messed up and ended up on the streets!"), people wearing the same clothes day after day because they have no other; kids going to school with torn shoes, no coats during this cold weather; people not wanting to be with their own relatives. If we begin to look beyond ourselves and guide our churches into the mission field, great blessings will return to God's church. We will be the light God called us to be both as individuals and as a church. All our present fears and challenges will be removed, and we will be the source of love and hope for those who now have neither. We will truly become a home for all people.

PRAYER: Living and Loving God, speak to my heart and the heart of those around me; bless us as we seek to bless You and Yours. Give us courage to "afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted." This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The Mind of Christ

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Blessings of the Holy Spirit

From 1 Corinthians 2: 1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7 But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him"— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

I date myself by remembering and using this quote from a movie from 1984. I know it's 30 years ago, but it was a scene from "Romancing the Stone" where this novelist, Joan Wilder, i s traveling with an adventurer, Jack Colton, trying to find Joan's sister who has been kidnapped and they find themselves at the gate of these ruthless drug cartel people. The drug people do not like to be bothered but when they knock at the door, the man recognizes Joan because he reads to them from her novels during the night. His reaction and hers, were priceless. She and Jack think they're about to be killed but the man asks, "Joan? Joan Wilder?!" And the doors get flung open, the man announces to his men, "This is Joan Wilder!" The groups responses in awe, "Joan Wilder."

Paul confesses he came with Christ's message "in weakness and in fear and in much trembling." But he came knowing "Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and with the message of the wisdom of God that defied the wisdom of the age nor of the rulers of the age. And this, thanks to the Holy Spirit. Once Paul connected with these new listeners, they connected with God and God's Holy Spirit and then they began to understand what Paul was offering. This blessing to understand the things of God or at least to reach the point of declaring the understandable as being a mystery of God, is the mind of Christ, which Paul says you and me possess.

Centered in and walking with God daily gives us that mind of Christ. The slogan made into bracelets and bumper stickers with the W.W.J.D. asked the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" to help guide us in our thinking and decision making. He or she led by God will understand that which they must do and decide because of the possession of the mind of Christ, which is deep personal faith in Christ. Some doors may open, others may not, but we seek on trying to share Christ as Paul did. Our message of Jesus seeks to find others who are "salt and light" as Jesus taught, who seek to being God's flavor and brilliance to those lacking zest for life and a darkness of peace and purpose.

Let's get busy!

PRAYER: Loving God, increase my faith. Truly give me the mind of Christ so that I can share You and Your love with others. This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update: Thank you for your prayers for Nate Pennington, all went well and he is home resting and recovering. Thanks be to God!

Take Two Tablets

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Understanding the Law and God's Love Behind It

From Matthew 5: 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

I was brand-new when it came to college life. I thought one took 40 hours a semester thinking I usually work those in a week! And I heard about societies and clubs you could join, like Pre-Med and Pre-Law. I chuckled when I heard about pre-law because that's how most of my dorm behaved, like there was no law to govern their behavior. I thought pre-law was a reference to humanity before the 10 Commandments. Yet, if you think about it, God gave the Law to bring about civil and religious behavior among people used to living under dictator style life. As slaves to the Egyptians they only knew that their job was to do as the Egyptians said or they would die. They prayed to God for deliverance and after 400 years were delivered from that life. What they did not realize was that God wanted to form them into a people. God led them to the wilderness and for 40 years this formation came through evidences of God's power and God's love. Chief among all things besides their freedom, was the giving of the Law. Moses shared with them what God expected from them as a people of God and as people to people. The Law sought to curb the maniacal approaches towards revenge and retribution. Behind all the Law was God's love. Fast forward to Jesus' time and people knew the Law only as a list of Dos and Don'ts, emphasis on the Don'ts.

It was on that mount that as Jesus preached about entry into this kingdom and responsibilities in the kingdom that He reminds them about the Law. Jesus stresses that He did not come to do away with the Law or to undo the teachings of the prophets. What they had shared on God's behalf, Jesus said, still stood as scripture and teaching for a better way to live. Jesus reminds people that the Law exists for good and we have forgotten that, but more importantly behind the Law is found the grace of God, that undeserved but constantly flowing love from God. And this passage is but a prelude to what came next in Jesus' teaching about the Law and how to better understand it and follow it. If you think the law is not important think back to those times you have come to a busy intersection and all traffic lights are out. Most civil people will stop and await their turn, civil law and working traffic lights served to teach us that; but there's always that one clown who is more important and in a greater hurry that the law does not apply to him/her.

In our spiritual lives and in our dealings with others, we know about love and respect because of what was taught through the Law. We know what delights God and what displeases Him because of the Law; and Jesus says, "Keep that up, but understand how much God loves you and that's why we have the law."

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Your love and involvement in our lives. I pray that we might truly be people of love and respect, honoring and glorifying You in our actions with others. This Sermon on the Mount shows a different, but better way, to live. May it be so in me. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: This morning, Nate Pennington son of Rev. Matt and Brooke Pennington is having ENT surgery here in Corpus Christi. Please pray that the procedure go well for Nate and that God's peace and patience be with Brooke and Matt. Thank you for caring enough to pray for one another!

Power and Light

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This Little Light of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine!

From Matthew 5: 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

I don't remember when I first heard it or learned it, but it was one that stayed with me and one whose hand motions I have loved. I loved seeing my daughters learn it and sing it, and now am enjoying the blessing of seeing our grandchildren learning it. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no? I'm gonna let it shine..."

Sweet, simple, but powerful song based on this passage. Jesus' second part of our blessing and obligation as members of God's new kingdom is to be "the light of the world." We are to be those whose lives shine brightly and give example to others of what is right and good, of what is pleasing to God and brings blessing to those still in darkness. Those who would follow Jesus have assumed a great responsibility of lighting the way for others. Our choices, decisions, examples, all help others in their decision-making and path-taking. We have seen the Way of Christ and that is the one that should brighten the world around us. Have you stopped to consider the power of your smile on those around you? I read a blog by a professional speaker and successful business person, who was asked early in his career if he was mad at those around him. He asked why? The person asking him told him, you never smile and it looks like you're angry at those around you. He did not quite believe it but asked that at his next presentation he be videotaped so that he could see it for himself. The reality hit home hard. It did look like he was mad and did not help convince his listeners of what he was trying to share with others. You know those around you with smiles that shine whenever they flash their teeth or just make their mouths shine the happiness and joy inside of them. A smile goes a long way in showing the light within us. I know it is not always possible to be a person who smiles; but in spite of hardships or challenges we cannot lose the joy that is deep in our hearts placed there by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. But a smile is only one piece of a larger light. Our actions, our deeds, what we strive to do for others, our willingness to listen and to pray for others; these are part of our light. Nowhere does it say we are to be perfect, but we should be willing to do the things shared with us by Christ.

There are those among us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), who when fall arrives they get sad or depressed and as the winter months move in, their sadness deepens. They don't want to get out of bed and are moody. Chief among the remedies is light. Some doctors will prescribe working under a bright light at your work place, especially your desk and that light will make all the difference in the world. Some, of course, need therapy and medications, but think of the power of light on those who suffer such a malady. Your light may just help people who think they suffer the "winter blues" or "seasonal funks." The man I mentioned above, the professional speaker, is one who employs a light sold in office supply stores just to help fight against SAD. Imagine surrounding yourself with people of light or being a person of light always.

Our lives become the positive sermons on behalf of the living God. What others see in us will either convince them or convict them of what is right and good before God. We serve to give glory to God, not ourselves.

PRAYER: God of power and light, help me to shine in all ways to bring honor and glory to Your name. Let me reflect the light of Christ in my dealings with others; may my "sermon" life be one that brings others to You. This I pray in He who is Light, Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Be An Example to Others!

Image is from http://www.rcovenant.org

Salt Shakers

From Matthew 5: 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

I love the Sermon on the Mount. I love teaching it in a Bible study setting perhaps a bit more than preaching on it. And the reason is that Jesus shared so much in these passages known ad the Sermon on the Mount that we can miss much in a sermon while a Bible study allows for an in-depth look at what the Lord was sharing with us. The first part that we studied last week was His invitation and welcome into the Kingdom of God. Jesus shared the wonderful things available to us if we would but enter into a loving and trusting relationship with Him. This week's passage is to share with us what is expected of us as we become citizens of this radical kingdom.

The first is to become salt. We've heard or used the expression, "He or She is the salt of the earth," when we mean they're wonderful people. Jesus said, and did not ask, that we are the salt of the earth. Yet, He also says that we should not be flavorless salt for then our purpose is lost. We know the importance of salt in our foods and especially when we cook. Some of us may have heard a lecture or two from our physicians who have told us not to use table salt and to try to limit our salt intake. But to cook a meal without salt is to prepare something beyond repair. I should know I have been there. I was trying to be helpful to my beloved and I tried my hand at making carne guisada. I had all the ingredients cut up and ready by the stove and I put in all that I had seen her put in, and I stirred and I simmered and I served. Yuck. I had forgotten the salt! Nellie was gracious and we tried to salvage it with table salt but it was not the same. Salt when it is cooked goes into the meal and becomes a part of the meal. And everyone can tell. To receive a plate of unsalted food is to receive something that is beyond help.

Our Christian actions and service should be the cooked in flavor of society. As we strive to be spouses, parents, children, workers or bosses, we should strive to show Christ in our actions. We should be people of love and compassion, service to others, devoted to learning more about God's love and sharing that with as many as we can. Christians can flavor the world for better. William Barclay in his commentaries on this passage shares the other uses of salt. We've seen the old Westerns where meat was covered in salt as a preservative. The meat would last longer without refrigeration if it had this salt coating. Can you think how Christians can be the preservatives of life? Salt also served as insulation. During Jesus' time salt was used to line the bottom of the ovens so that as bread was baked or meals prepared in them the salt would evenly spread the heat to allow for better and quicker cooking. Once it was used several times, the people knew to throw it out and people would trample on it with their feet. (v. 13). Christians can serve as insulation for others especially when they go through difficult events in life. Our daughter was called after church yesterday to go and visit a friend and fellow nurse who told her that while attending their church, she and her boyfriend heard a sermon from a pastor that said to get rid of the things holding them back in life, so the boyfriend dumped his girlfriend. Our daughter's listening and caring ear was the insulation and comfort that her friend needed during that time. I saw two men who at our church service were grieving; one his wife's passing some months ago, another whose wife is battling cancer. A hug and a sympathetic word are the preservatives our friends need.

Tomorrow we'll discuss being light and the day after, that of what Jesus meant about the Law and the prophets.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for allowing us to be the salt of the earth. There are several ways in which we can be salt and we invite the presence and power of Your Holy Spirit to make this possible. Let my saltiness for You shake the world for the better. This I pray in Christ Jesus, the source of all things, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde