Praise the Lord!

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Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops; Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors, Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars; Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds; Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke the word, and there they were! He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave his orders, and that's it!  Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders; Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests;  Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight;  Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important people, Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children.  Let them praise the name of God - it's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument - his very own people! Praise from all who love God! Israel's children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah! (Psalm 148)

Imagine a person sitting down and just writing their praises to God.  Such was the case with David.  We don't know if he was already king  and had that kind of time to write, or under a tree one day after watching his flocks as a boy; but he wrote this beautiful psalm  His heart belonged to God and so did his mind.  Someone taught him about God and it stuck and took hold of his life and his overall success as a man of God and as a king was because of his desire to please God.  Yes, we know of his sins and it only emphasizes what we already know, the Bible is a book filled with imperfect people; the only one we know to be perfect and sinless is Jesus.

The first and last words in this version of the psalm are the same.  Hallelujah!  It means "God be praised!" and usually used in exclamation.  So, the shouts of a king in a palace or a boy in the pasture brought attention to others about the faith David had in God.  Do we bring attention to God in any part of our day? I have to confess my first thoughts on reading this psalm reminded me of the story my mother told of the three times his padrinos (My dad could not directly ask for my mother's hand in marriage; he had to select two respected men to do the asking.  In his case it was his dad and Mr. Chapa from the grocery store.  I thank God I only had to have one padrino go with me and that was Rev. Jose Galindo my intern pastor and mentor. Oh, and we got a yes on our first visit!) had to visit my grandfather before he okayed the marriage.  His first objection was that my dad was not a Catholic, but an "Aleluya," a derogative name given to Protestants by Catholics in those days. Our worship services as overheard by Catholics was that they were spirited and people shouted out Aleluyas during singing and preaching.  Where are those days now?

David says our praise of God should not be limited to any one place.  In the skies, the mountaintops, any and all people and angels; Sun and moon are in on it too, sea dragons, the elements of nature, orchards and forests, wild beasts, cattle, snakes, and birds in flight, people of all ages!  Praise the Lord!

PRAYER:  Loving God, I pause to shout your praises now!  You are worthy.  You deserve it!  I have been blessed as have those around me.  I say it again, Praise You!  I ask Your presence with Donna Hisey as she undergoes her surgery this morning.  Guide and bless her surgeon and be with the loved ones awaiting news of the outcome.  In all things be glorified dear Father, for we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Shout when no one is looking, your praises to God!

Eradio Valverde

How Are You Dressed?

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I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots,and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory;and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (Isaiah 61:10-62:3)

Dress for a prophet seemed not to be the most important part of their being.  The dress of the prophet John the Baptist was almost ridiculed for he was dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist.  Yet, Isaiah as he writes today's passage speaks of "the garments of salvation," and "the robe of righteousness" and even "as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  In other words, he believed it was important to know about God's grace and dress spiritually with that attitude of gratitude and goodness, to show the world that God's presence in our lives makes a difference.  The physical clothing does not necessarily matter, but how we present ourselves, our words, actions, and how we interact with people should give them a clue about Who we belong to.  Through my many years of ministry I have known those who dress with the above garments and have given glory to God because of how they blessed God and God's people.

This was years before the arrival of Christ, yet Isaiah knew He was coming.  His arrival, his life and ministry would change everything, among the changes, righteousness and praise would be evident, and all who saw Israel would give honor and glory to God.  And they have, and this continues even today.  Even a "new name" has been given to believers, Christian, "Little Christ's."  Is this true for you?

PRAYER:  Loving God, make true that we are dressed with all that we need to give honor and glory to You.  Let our lips bring forth Your praise and our actions righteousness.  Help us to share and give; help us to build up and grow all things Yours.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Dress for spiritual success!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  I thank you for your prayers.  Konnor Dominic Lester was born yesterday morning at 7:27 a.m., weighing in at 7 lbs, and 19 inches length.  Baby and Mom, Dad and big sister were doing great.  We give thanks to God for Konnor's arrival and we pray healing for Mom as she recovers from her C-section.  

In the Fullness of Time... (God's Time!)

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But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)

I don't know about you but now it seems that time goes by so fast.  If you do a daily routine that involves knowing the date, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I read the Upper Room each morning after my time in prayers, and so I know the date.  As I write this devotional I note the date again in my head, and in a bit I will play my Daily Challenge of Solitaire on my tablet.  But ask me later this morning what date it is, I will probably forget!  But I know it's gotten here fast.

As Paul writes today's passage to the church in Galatia, he recalls the birth of Jesus with the words, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children."  It was all in God's time, not ours.  As we read yesterday, two old people from the temple had waited many years for Jesus; one saw Him and knew that he could at last die in peace.  The other knew in her heart that God had finally acted on our behalf and sent Jesus.  The reason is also clear, and important to us; "In order to redeem" us and so that we might be adopted as God's children.  Not only is our sin taken away, our identity changes as one outside the family of God, into being an adopted child, and because we are now children, God has sent His Spirit into our hearts and we can now cry out to God as "Abba!  Father!"  Abba being the almost-equivalent of "Daddy!" or "Dada" in our English, a term that blesses those dads called that, because no one else gets to use that with them.  And, the good news continues; we are no longer slaves, but children, and if children, Paul writes, we are heirs, through God, into the fullness of God's spiritual riches for us.

As we count down the days of this year, and await the start of a new one, we do so confident of all that this passage shares with us.  God's in control.  All things come in God's time, and when they do, the blessings we receive are beyond that which we expected.  Last night, our three youngest grandchildren made it to have Christmas with us, and they opened a ton of gifts from us and from their aunts and uncle.  The expression of their faces made it all worth it.  The joy on ours was to see them and be with them, and they had that expression, but as I handed out gifts, it was Christmas all over again for them.  

PRAYER:  Loving God, help me to keep Your time for my life, knowing that Your pace brings a peace that I can find nowhere else.  Help me to proclaim that I belong to You and have enjoyed and will enjoy even more, all that You provide for us.  And let that be a part of the joy I can share with others, especially those outside the realm of Your love.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be a child and cry to the Lord in your prayers, "Abba!  Father!"

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  And speaking of Daddys, today in New Braunfels, Kody and Kat Lester are expecting the arrival of their son by C-section early this morning.  Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery that all may be well and joyful to them.

The Consolation of Israel is Our Consolation As Well

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When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’  There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. (Luke 2:22-40)

It was Jewish custom to present a male child in the Temple on the 8th day of his birth to receive the physical sign of the Covenant.  Mary would receive purification from her delivery of the baby, and Joseph had to offer up the sacrifice of two birds.  This was a normal procedure.  Except this child was not an ordinary child and several people knew it.  One was an old righteous and devout man named Simeon, whose constant prayers were for the "consolation of Israel."  His prayers were for God not to forget Israel and to send them that which God had promised.  On this day of Jesus' presentation, the Holy Spirit rested on Simeon and guided him to approach Joseph and Mary; it was also his knowledge that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah from the Lord, and today he was seeing Him.   Simeon takes Jesus into his arms and prays a prayer of thanksgiving for his eyes had just seen the One longed for; Simeon then blesses the parents and tells Mary that Jesus was "destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed -- and a sword shall pierce your own soul too."    As we have read the gospels, all this old man shared was true.

Present also was Anna, a prophet of the Lord, who lived at the temple worshiping and praising God, a woman of prayer and fasting.  At that moment of Simeon's blessing, she enters and begins to praise God and speaks about the child Jesus as the sign for those awaiting Israel's redemption.  As Joseph and Mary finish their obligation they leave and retuned to Galilee, to their town of Nazareth.

The name of Jesus has raised so many, and many have been lowered because of Him as well.  I pray we have been among those raised in our spiritual lives and even in our day-to-day lives because of what Jesus has brought to us.  The comfort and peace sought and awaited by many in Israel and throughout the world have been comforted and blessed; for the consolation of Israel is indeed our consolation as well.  Jesus continues to be He whom the world seeks for the personal salvation God offers to us, as well as the blessing sought for the continuation of God's work here on the earth.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, guide us to faithfulness and fruitfulness.  Help us to be among those lifted up because of Jesus; may we tire of the low places of sin and be lifted high to the glory of life in abundance through the power and Name of Jesus; in Whose name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be part of God's consolation by speaking peace and hope to someone today!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  The Rev. Emet Huntsman was set for a delicate heart surgery in San Antonio today, but his doctor is sick and so the surgery has been delayed.  I will share word as to when it will happen.

Does Your Soul Magnify the Lord?

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And Mary said,‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ (Luke 1:46b-55)

The recommended psalm for this Sunday comes not from the Book of Psalms, but from the Gospel of Luke.  This declaration is from the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary.  Believed to be a preteen or very young teenager, she was selected by God to bear His Son.  At first, fear and nervousness took hold of Mary for she was not yet married to Joseph and wondered about all that would be involved in such a birth.  The angel Gabriel told her that her cousin Elizabeth, whom many believed would never bear children, was pregnant as well, and it was during a visit Mary took to see for herself this wonderful state of Elizabeth that she responded with this psalm.  Elizabeth told Mary, "As soon as I heard the sound of your getting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

So, from confusion to declaration, Mary declares what she has felt from God; Her soul has made great the presence and power of the Lord and her spirit was full of joy in God, whom she now knew as Savior; He who could bring us into a right relationship with all people who sought Him.  Mary recognized that God had looked beyond what she considered a lower state among other women, but still chose her.  She knew that birth would be a blessing to coming generations and those would look with favor on her and what she did; many have called her blessed.  God's name is holy, and God has done great things; among those many, showing mercy to those who fear Him.  God's strength is mighty and never-ending.  And God's reckoning brings about changes:  The proud have been scattered in their own thoughts; The powerful have lost their power; and the lowly have been lifted up.  The hungry have eaten and from good things; and the rich sent away with nothing.  Such was that which the Spirit revealed to Mary that her Son would do in the years to come.  God had not forgotten Israel, nor Abraham or Abraham's descendants.   

Mary could have very easily chosen to abuse this new status of hers; but her character was to be obedient and faithful to the Lord God.  She chose to serve the Almighty even in her humble state.  Her first reaction was to praise God in a mighty way that lifted high God's name and status in her heart.  How is it with us?  As we receive blessings from God do we say, "I deserved that and that proves I'm something special above others?"  Or, do we follow Mary's lead and magnify the Lord?

The world desperately needs to see more people magnifying God than themselves.  I chose to turn off television news because it has become a circus of too many chasing themselves and their lot instead of doing for others, in this country and others.  I shared a couple of days ago, letters from underprivileged children in the Valley where children asked for the most basic of things and some asked not for themselves but for their brothers or sisters,  and I thank God people in the area responded by adopting families for Christmas.  Last night my son-in-law Jorge Garcia, shared how in his school went to the office while he was there and he heard a little girl ask if she could call her mom.  He heard the little girl say, "We have food!  And blankets and other presents!"  The mother arrived ten minutes later and everyone was crying.  Jorge also has an autistic child in his class and he came in with a big box wrapped as a Christmas gift and he would not put it down.  He had asked for a new backpack and a jacket.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, help me to magnify You.  Great is Your Name and all You have done for me.  Bless me in ways that bless others.  Let me look not for my own concerns but for those which will truly make great Your name throughout the world.  Christmas becomes real when we look to You instead of only us.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Seek to magnify the Lord in your soul, and it will immediately fill up with joy!

Eradio Valverde

You Can't Outgive God!

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Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16)

David tried.  No success.  As the passage says, once David was in his palace, he thought about God who did not have a home in Israel, and tells the prophet Nathan that he wanted to build a house for God.  It was a nice gesture, but it went against what God had wanted and not wanted in His dealings with Israel.  God always wanted people to know that He is everywhere.  The people, wanting to please God, had said, since You don't want a house, how about a nice throne?  And they built the ark of the covenant as a symbolic throne for God; and yet God was still everywhere, not confined to one throne.  And as result, David got a house from God.  The House of David would become a very powerful symbol of God's love and presence with Israel.  It was not so much an actual dwelling as it was a symbol of the family of David.  And it is from the House of David that Our Savior Jesus comes from; thus the presence of this passage at Christmas.

I love how God reminds us that where ever we have been, God has been with us.  He tells David that He has accompanied David from the pasture to the palace.  He reminds David that all of his enemies are no more because of God's power over them.  And God will continue to guide His people to the place where they should be, blessings them to be the people of God.  In other words, you can't outgive God.  You can try, but you won't be successful.  Think you have more love than God has for you?  Think again.  Think you will do greater things for God than God will do for you?  Think again.  In fact, think about worshipping and serving God like never before.  The same God of Whom it is said loved the World so much that He gave, will continue to give to us all that we need.  

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for giving so much to me.  Help me to give to You and Yours in return the things that bless You.  May Christmas be a time when I remember it is Your birthday that we are celebrating, not mine.  It is in Christ Jesus' strong name that I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.  Please give to those around You as led by God.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  Dear friends; Pastor Matt, Bill Meadows and myself visited Mr. Ashley Pirkle.  We talked about his faith and life, and reflected some on what he'd like at his funeral.  He's in good spirits, but his body needs our prayers as cancer has claimed his liver.  We wait on God and ask God's will be done.  Please continue to pray for Ashley and for Donald Cuvelier, who is also in hospice care at The Heights Nursing Facility.

Faith That Brings Obedience

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Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul closes out his great letter to the believers in Rome with what scholars call The Final Doxology.  Paul loves all believers, but those in the capital city of the world hold a special place in his heart.  He yearns to visit them on his way to Spain, but work among believers in need kept him from making that trip as he had planned.  And a subsequent arrest made his trip to Rome possible, but not on the terms Paul desired.  Yet, the closing words of the letter, today's passage, speak of his desire and need to always praise God. Paul found strength in God, as can we, and Paul found pleasure in sharing the Good News with all people.  No longer could the mystery of God's love be kept as such, but now was the basis for sharing Good News.  Paul knew that what Christ had shared with him had changed his life, and he had seen many lives changed as well.  People came to faith through the sharing of the Good News, and it was the kind of faith that also brought obedience to God.

Faith without obedience is not really much of a faith.  Paul shared the faith spoken of in the Bible that brought about change in a person's life, then brought about the change needed in the person's community or church.  A Sunday sit and listen, go home, do just what we need, return back Sunday to sit and listen again, is not really faith.  Faith is about helping, loving, showing God's love when it is needed most.  Last night our son-in-law, Jorge Garcia, shared a letter from his school with the names and needs of students during this holiday season.  It's their Christmas List and quite honestly it made Nellie and I cry.  I can't share names, but I can share with you the needs that children from an area south of here need.  A sixth grader wrote,"I just need a coat for me because mine doesn't fit anymore."  Another just wrote, "Blankets."  A sixth grade girl:  "My wish is to have a Christmas tree."  Another: "Jacket, Blanket, Food."  Many of these kids for the two weeks they are out of school will have little to nothing to eat. Another girl wrote, "I wish I can buy jackets for my family and a computer to do my homework."  A little boy:  "All I want for Christmas is a working heater.  This month is too cold and my sisters and I get really cold at night."  Followed by one who also wrote, "Heater - sometimes I can't sleep at night because the house is too cold."  Faith responds to such needs, and from what we understand many of the teachers at that school have adopted these families to share what they can.  Faith is knowing that what we take for granted can be the greatest needs of someone else.

PRAYER: Lord, increase our faith, and make us obedient enough to respond to needs around us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Look around and meet needs you see.  Let your faith be an obedient one.

Eradio Valverde

Nothing, You See, Is Impossible With God!

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In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

I like comparing passages with different versions of the Bible.  I prefer usually the New Revised Standard, though in college and seminary I used the Revised Standard Version, but like the New International Version, and the paraphrased The Message Bible.  Interesting how the title for today's devotional is from verse 37, which above reads "For nothing will be impossible with God."  The Message's version is the title, "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God, and NIV has it as "No word from God will ever fail."  Powerful any way you look at it, better said, God is powerful, and can do anything He wants.  And this applies to the Christmas story.  It is a story that others might have framed with more "believable" stuff.  God chooses an old couple to bear John the Baptist, and a young woman of 12-14 years old to be the mother of Jesus.  And she, unwed, a virgin, but betrothed to a carpenter, Joseph.  The realm of Heaven was involved, for God sends the angel that stands in His presence, Gabriel, to share announcements with Zechariah and with Mary.  Zach doesn't believe it and he's struck mute until the event happened; Mary does believe but asks how this would be, all through the Holy Spirit.  To me, this is all a miraculous event; God working through the impossible to make possible His will and love show.  And it's been the same thing in my life and yours.  I've stopped counting the wonderful, unexplainable things that have blessed my life; it's more fun to just enjoy them as I've said, "Thank You, Lord!"

The world may not completely see the holy behind the hustle and bustle, but some do. The late Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, pastor of Marble Collegiate Church and noted author, was standing on a busy New York City street at this time of year several years ago, and the thought came to him, "All of this because of the birth of a little baby far away."  I ventured, with my family, this past Saturday to North Star Mall in San Antonio, and there are few words to describe the mess; parking, crowds, lines, lack of seating space at eateries, et al.  Yes, all because of a little baby born so long ago in a far away place.  And all because of the power of a loving God.

Take a deep breath and be thankful.  You may not have yet finished your shopping; your cards may not be going out on time, and the list may be endless of things to do, but know this; God is in the mix and God is the reason for the "How" that Mary asked.  And all the "How's" you may have, if you turn them over to God, you will be blessed.

PRAYER:  Awesome God, great is Your Name and Your power among all people.  Work that which needs Your attention in me, and let me never forget the reason for this season.  You acted on our behalf and sent Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus our Lord and Savior to deliver us to an abundant life.  Let me be a part of that blessing to the whole world; I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be the peace of Christmas for someone today!

Eradio Valverde

The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us!

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When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations,‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O Lord,like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126)

Yesterday as I was leaving our subdivision to get on the road to work, I passed two small boys on one bike.  The older one was peddling and the younger one stood on the rear wheel's rod and it made me smile and today I wonder if that younger one will look back one day and treasure that memory of his older friend or brother who did that for him as they went to school.  I consider it a great thing that this older one cares enough to do something like that.  I also thought about our nephew who works in a pharmacy in South Texas.  He won recognition as the outstanding Rx Tech for his region, The Valley.  And I've seen him at work and I've heard his stories.  He does not like the elderly to walk away without their medicines.  He will search on the internet for coupons, discounts, assistance, etc,  One example he shared was a $500 bill for one month's drugs for one old man, who sadly said, "I guess I can do without it."  My nephew said, "Let me work on this."  The man walked away, with his prescription having paid only $5.00.  I bet most of those people know what great things our nephew Bobby has done for them.

How about us?  Have we noticed the great things God has done for us?  The psalmist wrote this psalm as a word of gratitude and hope; remembering that once they were sad and sorrowful, then God acted and that changed what was in their mouth; it was now filled with laughter and shouts of joy.  Others said, "God has done great things for them!"  And they themselves have said, "God has done great things for us!"  And then the prayer for God to continue His good work among us, comparing it to the water courses in the Negeb. This is usually a very dry region plagued by drought, but once a year, massive rainfall turns the arid ground into rushing torrents of water; God, continue to bless us in that way spiritually, the psalmist prays.  Make us glad for all You do.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the blessings that we have received.  Forgive us for not keeping better track of what You do, but always grant us a grateful heart so that we can share with others.  May the prayer of the psalmist be our prayer; that Your good work continue among us.  You know our needs and we trust you, Loving Father.  We pray in faith and in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Do something great for someone just to plant a precious memory in them.

Eradio Valverde

I'll Trade You!

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The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,to bind up the broken-hearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives,and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—  to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations;they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing;I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God;for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11)

As a kid I used to get in trouble for trading something my parents bought for something my friend's parents had bought them.  I was usually on the losing end of the deal.  I didn't think so, but my Dad did.  I traded what I thought was junk for treasure!  The value I placed on my item did not compare to the value I saw in the other item.  

The prophet Isaiah shares God's offer for a trade, and guess who wins? God wants to remove from His people the ashes of mourning and grief and replace it with a garland, a symbol of victory.  To take away our mourning and give us oil of gladness, a symbol of anointing and blessing from God Himself.  To take away our faint spirits and instead replace it with a mantle of praise; a mantle being like a stole around our necks.  God will take our ruined cities and repair them even after generations of neglect and disrepair.  And for our feeling of neglect, God will give us a covenant, a promise of belonging (to God no less!).From being unknowns to becoming known about all nations; from being no one's people to being God's people.  All in all, it's quite a trade, and it costs only our belief in God.

That's what the Advent message is; the words of God shared by the ancient prophet to people even today who would hear and receive and act on this important trade offer. From evil and neglect to the springing forth of righteousness and praise. 

PRAYER:  Loving God, help me to trade with You that which has kept me down and out. I freely hand over to you anything that is keeping me from being the blessed person You have called me to be.  Take my sorrows and griefs and make me joyful and hopeful.  Take my sin and replace it with Your Holy Spirit.  Take my evil and replace it with righteousness.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Tell someone that you know about a great trade they can make today!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Dear friend, please be in prayer for Mary Tomas who is undergoing hip replacement surgery today at 11 in Gonzales Hospital.  Blessings to you all for your prayers! And may God's blessings for a great day be yours as well!

Checklist for Abundant Living

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

For many, this is the time of year for lists.  Many shopping lists have been shared, and people are going crazy looking for the items that have been suggested or requested; evidence the number of people out and about at shopping centers, malls, or just count the number of times you've seen the UPS or Fedex trucks pass you.  An Advent List for Abundant Living has been shared with us today through this passage.  The writer is Paul, and he's one whose life after meeting Jesus changed radically, and most of the life experiences were difficult ones for him; even these words may have come from his jail cell.  But the list is awesome if we think of the blessings that are ours if we would but do these:

Rejoice always.  The story about the minister asking for prayer requests in a church one Sunday morning and the little boy raises his hand and says, "I'd like to pray for more smiling faces for next Sunday!"  Joy is ours and we should express it and share it more!

Pray without ceasing.  The sheep in the comic strip above asks the right question:  Are there times when you DON'T need Jesus?  I can't think of any.  I need Jesus all the time, and it becomes easy to pray breath prayers, thought prayers, sometimes out loud praying while driving (with eyes open, of course!).  It's good to stay connected with God through prayer; life becomes more bearable and more bless-able.

Give thanks in all circumstances.  For many this is hard.  We're a demanding bunch and things for some have to go their way or they're not thankful.  Paul says to be thankful in all circumstances "is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  What lesson came our way through something we considered a failure.  Did we fall?  Get up and give thanks; for that fall will never occur again.  A grateful attitude gives us higher altitude.

Do not quench the Spirit.  Welcome the Holy Spirit into your daily life.  He will guide you to many wonderful adventures.  Life in the Spirit for the average Christian is never average or boring; always something new and wonderful.  Look carefully!

Do not despise the words of prophets.  Who speaks for God in your life?  Listen, pray, reflect and ask, is this God speaking to me and my life?  Are there things I am not doing that I should be doing?  Are there things that I am doing that I should not be doing?

Hold fast to what is good.  You know what's good for your life; enjoy it and be blessed by it. Some blessings never grow old; don't let the temptation of something new sway you from what is good for your spirit.

Abstain from every form of evil.  Abstinence from harmful, deadly things is a good practice. Just because everyone else does it does not necessarily make it right.  A thoughtful, prayerful spirit knows what to reject and walk away from.

Be holy.  Paul says that if we're willing, God will Himself sanctify us completely.  It's a process, not a "holier than thou" attitude.  It's a process of humility and grace working together to bless our path of righteousness.  

If we do these things, our Advent and our lives will be wonderfully blessed for this season and all seasons.

PRAYER:  Loving God, let this be the list for my day-to-day work that I do for You.  Grant me strength, courage, boldness to live and do and be the Gospel for all people.  This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Begin by smiling.  Now.  Great smile!

Eradio Valverde

I Confess, I'm Not the Messiah

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There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. (John 1: 6-8, 19-28)

The man sent by God to be the Herald of Jesus' ministry was a man of God.  He sought God early in life; scripture says even before his birth he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and once he started his ministry, he gave it his all.  Word soon spread about him and his call to repentance and salvation, and those talking about him wondered who he really was.  Was he the Messiah?  Was he the prophet Elijah back from heaven, for you will remember, Elijah did not die but was carried off in a chariot of fire; and others wondered if he was the prophet.  His confession?  "I am not the Messiah."  There.  An honest answer.  No pretending about who he was or was not.  And, since you've asked, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord."  Word straight from the prophet's book. Those sent by the Pharisees, so-called religious men seeking out any who might disturb their peace, had to ask, "Why then are you baptizing?"  This was something reserved for those born unclean, the Gentiles!  We Jews are born clean; we don't need baptism!"  John's baptism was for the cleansing away of sins, and many heard his call to repentance and presented themselves in need of being cleansed.  This baptism, said John, is by water; one is among you whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

Advent is in full swing.  Preparations should be ready, for the celebration of Jesus' birth is soon.  Our focus, our joy should be on He who was born to take away our sin and make us right with God.  At the same time, we realize that He is coming back for us and we should be ready for that as well.  We've heard Jesus' witness, John say, that he came to testify to the light, "so that all might believe through him."  John was not the light, but he gave his testimony about Jesus and what Jesus can still do for us.

PRAYER:  Loving God, send us to be new witnesses of the light and love of the world.  Send us among those who have not yet realized the joy and love that can be theirs because of Your love in Jesus.  Grant us boldness and joy and help us be the link to life that so many want and have not yet found.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be the reflection of Christ's light today!  Begin with a great smile!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Requests:  Our prayers for Rev. Tina Carter of Austin.  She has been battling cancer for some years now, and it was in remission, but has returned stronger and more aggressive.  She heads back to MD Anderson for consultations on what may be next.  May the Lord bring a new healing for her.

I Now Pronounce You Well!

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God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob!  You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people, you put their sins far out of sight. I can't wait to hear what he'll say. God's about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they'll never again live like fools.  See how close his salvation is to those who fear him? Our country is home base for Glory!  Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss! Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies!  Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty; our land responds with Bounty and Blessing. Right Living strides out before him, and clears a path for his passage. (Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 The Message)

My brother has a friend who was an attorney for a short while.  He studied at the YMCA in a certain city, passed the bar, and in walks a couple who want a divorce.  They're friendly with each other and it appears there will be no messy divorce.  They simply said their relationship had come to an end and they wanted to stay friends.  He drew up the paperwork and when it was time walked them to the judge's courtroom.  The matter was a simple rubber-stamp and the three walked back to his office.  The couple sat in the chairs staring at him and the lawyer wondered what he should do.  He then leaned over his desk and said, "I now pronounce you divorced."  The couple nodded in agreement, stood up and walked out.  The lawyer told my brother, "It was the only thing I could think of to get them out of my office."

"God's about to pronounce us well."  What an interesting verse.  The Psalmist is writing about a coming event (Sounds like Advent to me!) and it involves God's smile on the earth; good times returning to God's people - the cloud of guilt and shame that has hung over the people of God will be lifted, and the psalmist can't wait to hear what God's got to say!  And then this verse, where God will pronounce you and me, all our loved ones, even people that annoy and bother us, well.  To hear a doctor say that cancer is in remission, or that an illness that has plagued us for so long is gone, or to finally feel free from pain that came unexpected, and leaves in the same way; well!  This pronouncement comes from the God who loves us, and who is leading us away from foolishness to wisdom.  We will be people of Love and Truth, and out in the streets no less!  We will be people known for Right Living, and Whole Living, both at the same time!  We will be surrounded by a loving truth, and a steady rain of righteousness.  God's gift to us will be Goodness and Beauty and the land will produce Bounty and Blessing.  All because we are making right God's passage among us.  That is Advent's Good News!  Receive it!

PRAYER:  Loving Father, for Your love, we thank You.  For the promise of this pronouncement that came from Jesus' lips we are blessed!  Let us be a blessing to others in all ways; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Stay warm and warm others with your smile and good deeds!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: Dear friend, please pray for me as I prepare to preach at all services this Sunday at FUMC-Gonzales.  It's a new series on Advent, and Sunday's message will be BEHOLD:  ZACHARIAH UN-MUTED. And, if you need a church home or in the area of Gonzales on Sunday, we invite you to come and worship with us.

ADVENT: This is Good News!

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Comfort, O comfort my people,says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid,that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out:‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level,and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together,for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain,O Zion, herald of good tidings;lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear;say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Lord God comes with might,and his arm rules for him;his reward is with him,and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms,and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. (Isaiah 40:1-11)

There are certain parts of our body that if they are uncomfortable, or in pain, the rest of the body suffers.  Take for instance, a toothache.  A tooth is tiny compared to the rest of the body, but if it is in pain, the rest of the body suffers.  If an ant bites you and your body doesn't react well to ant bites, your day is miserable.  It's in pain, then you itch.  Comfort is what you need and desire.  Imagine feeling abandoned by God.  Even though it was through their own choices and actions, the people of God felt alienated from God.  Prophet after prophet came with messages from God that basically said, Get right with God and God will be right here with you.  The cycle was that people would get right, they would enjoy some years of God's blessings, then they'd fall back and do what they knew they shouldn't do, and they felt alienated again from God.  Very few of our personal relationships would tolerate such a cycle.  I don't imagine our spouses would put up with a cycle of unfaithfulness.  Yet, God's love is so great that this passage demonstrates that.  The first words from the prophet as he heard them from God:  "Comfort, O comfort my people...speak tenderly to Jerusalem..."  Her time of alienation from God was coming to an end.  A voice was coming that would say Good News is coming.  The Lord will act on our behalf, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed; all people would see it.  

The Good News is that every obstacle that we think is blocking us from God's love has been removed!  If you feel like you're in a valley, that valley is now lifted up.  If you're facing a mountain, that mountain or hill has been made low.  If you feel you've been walking on uneven ground, that ground has been level; and if you're in a rough place, it is now smooth.  God, who is our shepherd, has acted on our behalf through Jesus, for Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecy of that voice crying in the wilderness.  Jesus is the human embodiment of that shepherd who has fed and is feeding His flock, and it is Jesus who is gathering us in His arms and who will carry us in His bosom.

Notice how safe and secure most infants sleep when in their mother or father's arms.  All that you think was keeping you from rest in your Father's arms is gone, and you can rest secure in God's loving embrace and face life with that certainty and sureness that God is with us.  That's Good News!

PRAYER:  Awesome Father, thank You for this passage and more importantly, thank You for Jesus who has removed all barriers and obstacles to Your love.  Embrace us and hold us; and carry us through difficult parts of our lives.  Whatever this dear reader is facing, Lord, in Your mercy and strength, see them through; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Share the Good News with someone in need today!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Updates:  Rev. Virgilio Vasquez Garza's eye pressure has dropped to acceptable levels and for that we thank God.  Please pray the levels stay there or drop even further.  Rev. Scott Bradford has had all removed from his surgery and he is thankful; praise God for that.  We ask prayers for Mrs. Jane Boothe, who was in ICU yesterday in the Gonzales Hospital.  We pray for her healing and strength.  Again, thank you for your prayers!

Daily Expect the Day of God

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But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him (2 Peter 3:8-15a)

If you've ever ordered something you really wanted from an online retailer, you know about waiting.  If you ordered something you really can't live without, you really know about waiting.  There's tracking numbers that you can input online and it will tell you just exactly where your item is (and I just misspelled item and it corrected itself to time).  And, if you ordered something you really want from China, you really, really, know about waiting.  Advent is about waiting.  We have the first gift that John 3:16 tells us about:  "For God so loved the world, He gave;" and that would be a good place to stop to think about this great love behind this great gift; "His only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth would not perish, but have everlasting life."  For us the question is, what have we done about it?

Advent, as this passage shows, is also about awaiting the second gift, Christ's return.  The title for today's devotional comes from The Message version of the Bible, and it states the obvious; those who love God should not be afraid of Christ's coming, but instead be awaiting it.  At the very least we should not be surprised by it.  "Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again."  How often have we said that?  Most of you said it just two days ago in worship, for it was Communion Sunday and this is one of the responses we say in our worship.  The writer of this epistle stresses time; God's time is different from our time.  We may think God is slow or way behind, but God's time works according to God's plan, not ours.  If God's time was like our time, many of us would already have perished, the writer says.  God does not want anyone to perish, but to come to the fullness of life in Jesus Christ, through our repentance.  When the Lord comes will be "like a thief," for no one knows the day nor hour; but our job is to maintain (or obtain) a life of holiness and godliness; meaning, live a life like Jesus, at peace with God, with ourselves and with one another.  Our live should be blameless and without blemish, and filled with the patience that only God can give to us.

PRAYER:  Loving God, fill me with You and empty me of me.  Grant me love, peace, and patience.  Help me to live a life that glorifies You in all things and all ways.  Help me to enjoy the blessings of this day and to live a holy and God-like way.  This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior, whose arrival I await, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Show love to those who need love.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer update:  Rev. Virgilio Vasquez Garza underwent his surgery and awaits news on how effective that way.  The goal is to lower the pressure in his eye, so please continue to pray for his healing.  Rev. Scott Bradford await an office procedure to provide more mobility and assist in his healing, so please continue to pray for him.  Our prayers for the community of San Marcos, who yesterday lost a police officer in the line of duty.  While on his day off, serving a warrant, he was gunned down by the one being served the warrant.  This officer leaves behind a wife and four children.  Pray for the end of violence among us.

ADVENT: The Real Action Comes Next!

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The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ (Mark 1:1-8)

Our friends the sheep in agnusday.org (the cartoon shown above) have it right; John the Baptism is the Ultimate Opening Act.  He comes before Jesus to get the crowd ready, gets a lot done, but he himself is not the main act in this drama of the Good News of Jesus coming to the earth.  John's arrival was predicted by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who called John a "messenger" who cried out in the wilderness this message:  "Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight," and whose message included the forgiveness of sins and a spiritual washing the likes of which had never been seen in Israel.  Baptism was for those born unclean, not for Jews, but when God's message strikes a chord in your heart, you respond in whatever way seems appropriate.  And John drew crowds of people from all around to come and hear the message and to repent of their sins.  This in spite of the way he was dressed, though that may have drawn some out of curiosity and were then hit by the message.  John wore camel's hair with a  leather belt around his waist and he ate locusts and wild honey - yet, he never said, "Hey, look at me!"  He knew Who was coming after him and served Jesus well.  He even said, "I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals."

This is what Advent is about.  So many arrangements still to do to truly celebrate the arrival of the Christ child.  So many still to invite and to bring to the family reunion that is Christmas; nonbelievers, lapsed believers, pre-believers, non-active church members, nominal believers; what a list we have of those who should come and be a part of the big celebration.  And all it takes is just a word on our part.  It does not have to be something fancy or powerful, simply an invitation to come and see what Christmas is all about.  It might be a children's program, though some churches have already held theirs; it might be special music or a special message.  And the same Holy Spirit that brought the crowds to the Jordan River can bring crowds to our worship celebrations to hear the Good News:  God loves the world!  God loves the world so much that God gave His only Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Pray and God will give you the words; you provide the mouth.

PRAYER:  Loving God, speak to my life in ways that gives me opportunities and openings in which I can share the Good News with someone today and all days.  Give me excitement and boldness to be about bringing those who need to hear.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Open your mouth and say something about Good News today!

Eradio Valverde

God, Come Back!

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Listen, Shepherd, Israel's Shepherd - get all your Joseph sheep together. Throw beams of light from your dazzling throne So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh can see where they're going. Get out of bed - you've slept long enough! Come on the run before it's too late. God, come back! Smile your blessing smile: That will be our salvation.  God, God of the angel armies, how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano while your people call for fire and brimstone?  You put us on a diet of tears, bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink. You make us look ridiculous to our friends; our enemies poke fun day after day.  God of the angel armies, come back! Smile your blessing smile: That will be our salvation. (Psalm 80:1-7 The Message)

Have you ever said or done something wrong, and someone walks away?  It's a terrible feeling isn't it?  Yesterday in our Bible study we were studying the life of Paul and we came across the verse, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger," and we talked of how this has saved many a marriage.  My thought is that if one spends one night on the couch in anger, away from one's spouse, a second night becomes easier, and by the third night, other thoughts about moving out or away from the marriage might enter in our heads.  Here, the psalmist is saying that because of Israel's actions, God had walked away from them.  They realize God is their shepherd and as a result of their own actions, the sheep have scattered; only God can bring them back together.  Because God's light is no longer present among them, they're in darkness and need God's light to once again shine in their lives.  The verse says, "God, come back!  Smile your blessing smile:  That will be our salvation."  Our own actions have brought about this diet of tears that we're on; we're at the point of ridicule from all of our enemies, come back!

God did come back.  It was in the form of a baby, born in the prophetic little town of Bethlehem; and from there all prophecies in their scriptures were fulfilled, and we had and have, our Messiah, our Lord and Savior.  Though it may seem at times that God has moved away from God, it's us that have moved.  I have always loved the illustration of the older couple riding in a car when they see an older vehicle with two young people sitting side by side (the two-headed monster as was said of those couples), and the wife says, "Remember when we used to do that?  Why don't we do that any more?"  The husband replies, "It wasn't me that moved away!"  And so it is with us, we are the ones who choose to move away from God; God stays in HIs place and enters in wherever He is invited.

We should invite God to be even closer today than He was yesterday.

PRAYER:  Loving God, help me to stay on the path of righteousness.  Help me to live in ways that bless You and Yours.  I pray that I might stay in the light of Your smile.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Let your smile reflect God's smile today in the lives of those around you!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  I spoke with Rev. Scott Bradford yesterday and he was still in some pain.  He will have more mobility today and so please pray that God be with him as he faces a minor procedure to give him mobility; and for complete healing.  Blessings for your prayers!

Grease-Stained Rags & Lava Soap

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Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend, make the mountains shudder at your presence -  As when a forest catches fire, as when fire makes a pot to boil -  To shock your enemies into facing you, make the nations shake in their boots! You did terrible things we never expected, descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence. Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him.  You meet those who happily do what is right, who keep a good memory of the way you work. But how angry you've been with us! We've sinned and kept at it so long! Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?  We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. We dry up like autumn leaves - sin-dried, we're blown off by the wind.  No one prays to you or makes the effort to reach out to you Because you've turned away from us, left us to stew in our sins. Still, God, you are our Father. We're the clay and you're our potter: All of us are what you made us. Don't be too angry with us, O God. Don't keep a permanent account of wrongdoing. Keep in mind, please, we are your people - all of us. (Isaiah 64:1-9 The Message)

Growing up poor, one tends to have used cars that need a lot of attention.  My dad was a very handy man when it came to repairing our old cars.  He always seemed to have either an old t-shirt or a red shop rag with which he wiped his hands.  And in our bathroom, he always had a bar of Lava soap with which he washed his hands.  I was reminded of this in the reading of today's passage from the prophet Isaiah.  As he awaited for God to "rip open the heavens and descend" in such a way that "the mountains (would) shudder" at God's presence, he reflected on why the people were in the condition in which they were.  Isaiah knew they had sinned against God and God's silence towards them was deafening; but they needed and wanted God to come down.  I love the line, "Our best efforts are greased-stained rags."  In other words, there's nothing we can do on our own to save ourselves when it comes to our sin.  It takes a great action on God's part to remove our sin.  That's what Advent is all about.  As we await the celebration of God's sending Jesus the first time, and as we reflect on our spiritual lives as we await Christ's return, we need to ask God to remove our sins.  I remember holding the rags my Dad had dirtied as he tried to get the car running again; nothing could ever make that rag new or completely clean again I would think.  We can never say that about our spiritual life; God can make us new and completely clean through what God did in the first visit on the earth of Jesus our Lord.

We begin be confessing our sins, and asking that God make us new and clean.  We ask that God would be at work in us, using us to get the word out about His love and mercy.  We look towards the manger and see the Savior; the one who takes away the sins of the world, and even our sins.

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to demonstrate that love towards us.  We pray that we might be made new and clean each day as we confess our sins and turn them over to You.  Help us to live in such a way that we give witness to Your presence and power in our lives.  This we pray in Christ Jesus our Lord's strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be a handy clean rag that helps others know where to get clean of their sin today!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  I ask continued prayers for Rev. Scott Bradford, a dear friend and colleague, senior pastor of First UMC in San Angelo.  He has undergone a second surgery in as many weeks and is in severe pain; we pray for his quick healing and comfort.  Thank you.

Free and Open Access to God!

May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours. Every time I think of you - and I think of you often! - I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There's no end to what has happened in you - it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.  Just think - you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. The Cross: The Irony of God's Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:3-9 The Message Version)

One of many things I missed during the seven years of ministry as a district superintendent was the easy access to an altar.  It was in my fifth year that I made known to one of my pastors, whose husband had just made an incredible baptismal font from an old pew, that I would love to have a prayer kneeler made from an old pew if he had time, and I would pay him for it.  Right before Christmas that year they delivered a beautiful prayer kneeler, and it was a  gift!  So, I had a place set aside for prayer, as I still do, but having keys to the beautiful sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Gonzales gives me a place where I have, as Paul wrote above, "free and open access to God, given bye Jesus."

In this version of the epistle reading for this coming first Sunday of Advent, Paul calls Jesus' second coming to earth, "the Finale."  And Paul's prayer to the believers in Corinth was one of rich and wonderful blessings as they awaited Christ's return.  "May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ be yours."  Our garage has two huge bags from the Disney store with gifts for four of our five grandchildren; gifts that we hope they will enjoy and be blessed by at Christmas.  But, you and I, already have these "gifts and benefits from God.  We have the gift of prayer, the availability of Bible study, the place to worship God, a fellowship of other believers; but the greatest is the relationship we have with God the Father through Jesus that we call our salvation.  That moment when we asked for our sins to be taken away, and for the place in our heart that so easily gets given to others or things, is now occupied by Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  As we live our our lives, we do so with the hope that we will be ready whenever the Lord returns.  This coming Sunday, most churches will have their worship spaces decorated with those reminders of Christ's first visit, and the hymns and songs will be about Jesus' birth, all part of Advent.  But we know and are reminded that Advent also includes Jesus' return for us someday.  In the meantime, "God Himself is right alongside to keep you (us) steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus."  And then Paul reminds us, "He (God) will never give up on you.  Never forget that."

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for this passage and especially for the free and open access we have to You.  Let us not abandon that, for You seek to hear from us and be in conversation with us.  As we pray, let us not only share what's on our hearts, but be open to what is on Your heart; this we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have and great and blessed day in the Lord!  Remind someone of the free and open access they have to God!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Dear friends, last night Mr. Dwight Brown died in Gonzales Hospital.  He battled long and hard against cancer, but last night he entered into rest from that disease and into the embrace of our Lord.  Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his sons, Dakota and Austin.  

1st Sunday of Advent: Keep Awake!

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‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’  (Mark 13:24-37)

This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth and for Christ's return.  Both are equally important for the Christian believer.  We are thankful that God sent Jesus to the world to do and share all He did, but we should also be thankful that God has not forgotten us and promised to return for us.  This gospel for His return is important for it contains much we should know and much we should share.

We will never know the exact day nor hour of Jesus' return, but we will know that Jesus is near.  Jesus' comments to the disciples always had them wondering and worried about His leaving and His coming back.  He shares signs that they and we might see, and I should point out many of these visible signs have stirred many a generation when they occurred.  Those who saw the darkening of the sun or the showers of falling stars wondered if Jesus was indeed coming then, but they should have rejoiced in knowing that Jesus was near.  The main message we should receive and share come in the last two words of this passage:  Keep awake, which I take to mean, be ready.  In one of the holiday movies we watched during this Thanksgiving, the star of the movie keep her passport in her coat, because she said, "You never know."  

There is much to do, and much to share; Jesus warns for us to stay busy, but ready as well.  This follows the strong message of Christ the King:  Feed the hungry, quench the thirst of the thirsty, visit the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, and welcome the stranger; all part of what keeps us ready and keeps Christ ever before us and those we seek to help.

PRAYER:  Loving God, we thank You for Your love.  We want to be ready, awake, and still working.  Your Word shares that which we should do, and we seek to do it.  Grant us those opportunities in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Do something to bless someone in Jesus' name today.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  Thank you so much for your prayers.  I was able to preach at both services and I again ask for your prayers for this coming Sunday when I will preach three services in San Antonio at Windcrest UMC.  I am the coach and mentor of the pastor there and God has been good to us during these months.  Facing a huge debt in apportionments payment, we have reduced the amount from $98,000 to $40,000, and just a little over a month to do it in.  Pray that God's Spirit move among that church on Sunday and that God share with me the words that will inspire, encourage and bring victory to Jesus.  Blessings to you all!  E.V.

Sheep or Goat?

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‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ (Matthew 25:31-46)

Do you remember the days when you entered a restaurant and you would be asked, "Smoking or non?"  Airlines for a while asked that as well; and then those days went away.  Imagine being asked, as you entered your church, "Sheep or Goat?"  While it may never happen, Jesus says the day is coming when you will be judged according to whether you were a sheep or a goat in this life.  Sheep to the right; goats on the left.  Sheep into eternal glory, goats into eternal punishment.  Why?

Jesus, as He leaves earth, wants the church to know that their job is far from over.  Once you enter into relationship with Jesus, the work has only started.  You've reached a great place, but it's one of responsibility, not privilege.  The disciples heard this and learned from it, as should we.  How hard is the work?  Well, with Jesus living and guiding our hearts, it's not as hard as it should be.  The question we must be answering now is "Have I done enough for God and God's people?"  Hear what Jesus will say on that day, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing.  I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."  What?  When?  Jesus will respond, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Think about that list:  Hunger, Thirst.  Welcome. Clothed. Care. Visited.  Think about hunger in America on this day of plenty for most.  Just this past Sunday, CBS Sunday morning did a report on hunger in our country.  It made me weep.  There are children and adults who do not know where their next meal will come from.  And it has been schools, and some churches, who are trying to bridge the gap between dying of hunger or staying alive.  As a district superintendent one year I stressed a simple ministry that we can do in each of our churches, and that was to give a loaf of bread to the hungry in our neighborhoods.  At meetings where the pastor was leaving and we were to decide on the new pastor I showed up with ten loaves of bread; five whole wheat, five white.  It was a message about our communities.  And I asked the members of that committee to please take a loaf to share with a family that might not have bread.  At one meeting, one woman said, "There is NO hunger in this community!  The government gives food stamps, so no one is hungry!"  She was a bit angry, and the looks she got from the rest of the community said, in a nice way, "Dear one, there is hunger."  One person seated next to her asked if she could take two loaves because she knew of two families that did not have anything to eat.  The rest of the committee took a loaf.  

There is thirst in the world as well.  We take clean drinking water for granted.  Look no further than Flint, Michigan, as one example of a community in our country that does not have safe drinking water.  During the time we lived in Corpus Christi, we have over five alerts to boil our water before we drank it, and a couple of those we were told not to drink the water for boiling it would do nothing to kill the harmful materials in it.

Think of people who visit some churches and never get so much as a hello.  

Can you count the number of times you visited a prison on one hand?

Do you avoid visiting the sick because you might get sick?

Have you shared a coat with the cold, or a dress for a little girl who has none?

Sheep or Goat?  I think we already know.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, forgiveness is in my heart for failing in being faithful as I should.  Grant me new opportunities to fulfill this that Jesus said will determine my seat in eternity.  I want to sit with the sheep, so let me work hard to be a sheep to those in in need.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great, blessed, and safe Thanksgiving!  May this day bless you and guide you and yours to do more!

Eradio Valverde

Most are Ungrateful; Are You?

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On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:11-19)

Yesterday was a day of great blessing, for it was the day I joined a dedicated group of volunteers as we took Holy Communion to our members who are in nursing homes.  We usually go and round up those who have come as well as invite new people to come to the room with the piano.  Yesterday, as soon as Christina started playing the piano in a wonderful way, some heard the music and made their way to join us.  On the way there, Christina mentioned a lady with a beautiful voice and the hope she would join us, and she did.  The music of the hymns started those who knew the old hymns to singing their praises to God.  We had prayer and then I shared a brief message on this gospel passage on Thanksgiving.  

The ten men, sentenced by their illness to keep their distance from the living, for the most part were counted as dead, for their home was usually in the graveyards.  Yet, these men knew of Jesus and His power, for when they saw Him entering a village, they yelled out to Him, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  Jesus' response was to tell them to "Go and show yourselves to the priests,"  and as they went they were made clean.  I told the group yesterday it was truly a test of faith, for every step taken in the direction of the priest brought their healing.  Yet, sadly, it was only one, who noticed his healing, who turned back and fell on his face before Jesus to thank Him.  And the passage says, "He was a Samaritan."  Jesus asks the question, "Were not ten made clean?  But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"  But to the grateful man He says, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

We sometimes don't count our blessings.  We sometimes don't give God thanks for what God does all the time for us.  Only 10% were grateful in this passage; the other 90% walked away without giving thanks.  Is not our holiday tomorrow called "Thanksgiving?"  May our hearts join the hearts of others who will give thanks to God for all God has shared with us.  May it be a melodious sound of grateful hearts praising God for all God has given us.

PRAYER:  Lord, grant me a grateful heart.  Fill it with praise for You and all You have done on my behalf.  Thank You for open doors, great fellowship, and awesome food that has blessed my household.  And let me show my gratitude towards You in all that I will do for You; this I pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Give someone a blessing by showing your gratitude towards the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Yesterday I was also blessed to pray with a man named Buster, who was surrounded by all of his family.  That in itself was a witness to Buster's love for them.  One daughter said in the hallway that her dad was not afraid because he knew where he was going.  His son-in-law said that Buster blessed people by carrying a business card with the word Blessing on it, along with a short message that explained that blessing.  Another daughter believes Buster gave out over 3,000 of those cards just to bless people.  Pray for Buster that God have the last word in his life, for medically his chances were not good.  May God's comfort and strength be with all the family is our prayer.