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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3jSDj0e
4 Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:4b-8 NRSV)
Happy and blessed Tuesday, dear Friend. May our prayers, our actions, and our thoughts reflect our commitment and faith in Christ Jesus! And may our prayers include Baby Hudson, who still needs our prayers. Pray that divine wisdom come to the doctors as they treat this precious baby so that soon Mom and Dad can hold and enjoy this gift from God. Pray for one another; lift your needs to the Lord, and continue to praise God for this Easter season!
What an incredible memory I have of standing in the cave where the beloved disciple John had the vision from the Risen Christ about what was to come. In vivid description, Jesus shared information for specific churches concerning important matters for the Church. We should know that God desires us to have peace. In yesterday's gospel lesson, Jesus appears to the disciples and twice He says, "Peace be unto you." And in today's passage, He, God, says it again, along with the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus too! He who is "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." Peace! And the reminder of that which we too easily forget, that you and I were made to be "priests (bridges between God and humanity) "who serve God in bringing glory and dominion forever and ever." And then the reminder that Jesus will be returning in "the clouds; every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and on His account all the tribes of the earth will wail." And it will be as God is proclaiming it. And we hear what God wants us to hear now, and which we will hear again when He returns, "I am the Alpha and the Omega (The A to Z)," 'says the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.'" Hallelujah, amen!
Grace and peace is ours. Let us receive it with joy and hope. Let it help us face doubt and fear with the strength of God with us, and move forward to helping others to continue life with hope. Happy Easter! The resurrected Christ is with us!
PRAYER: Loving Father, into Your hands we commit our weakness and receive from You our new strength. Into our hearts and minds we receive Your grace and peace, and we join hearts and minds with the knowledge that Christ will come again! Hallelujah, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Shine Jesus in the dark and fearful places!
Receive my blessings of love and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
