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12 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. 13 Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 14 If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. 5 They're the ones who will be called on the carpet - and before God himself. 6 Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus. 7 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. 8 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. 9 Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless - cheerfully. 10 Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: 11 if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything - encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! (1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 The Message Bible).
Happy and Blessed Tuesday, dear Friend! May this day be a day of new beginnings in those areas of you life that need them. May this be a day of prayer for you for all who are on your prayer list, your church's prayer list, or whose image has come to your mind and you are worried about them. Pray for one another, pray for the Church, pray for the world, and pray for all who seem to be opposed to you and what you seek to do in your life.
The Old Testament character Job sure had his days of asking why is life so difficult and even his wife lovingly suggested that he curse God so he could die, for she thought that would be better than the suffering he was going through, but Job's faith went beyond that and he never cursed God. Nor should we. I love the writer of this letter who says that we should not jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. On the contrary we know God's loveline/helpline is open 24/7, eight days a week. Peter says that we should be thankful that we are in the very thick of what Jesus experienced for this is a spiritual refining process, with glory awaiting us "just around the corner." Peter says that if we are being bullied because of Christ, we should count that as a fortunate thing; he says "It's the Spirit of God and His glory in you that brought you to the notice of others." It will be them who are doing this to you who will be called on to make amends for their abuse of you.
Peter is all about the Message, or good news about Jesus. It was the message he and others preached as soon as they were able, and it is the message that was with and in those who have died; they haven't lost anything because they are still in on the things of God's promise. Peter believed, even at his writing, that things were wrapping up and we should take nothing for granted. We should be "wide-awake in prayer," knowing that prayer supports and sustains us as we face what we face. We should also be all about love, loving one another, "as if our live depended on it," which it does. Love is a powerful force and it can, as the writer says, "can make up for practically anything." We should offer meals to the hungry, a bed to the homeless and that with cheerfulness. We should be generous people with the different things and tools that God has given to us to bless Him and those who are in need. If we have been blessed with words, we should use those words to bless and help others. If we are called to be helpers, let us help others with God's hearty help. All this combined together will bring about God's brilliant presence in everything we do and God will get the credit as He deserves, for He is the one who is mighty in everything, even to the end of time. And his amen? "Oh, yes!" Amen.
The message for believers from Page One of Genesis to Page Last of Revelation: We are not alone. God is with us. God will see us through. It may be scary at times, but hold on, we will make it! So, dear friend, place your trust in the Living God, the God Who loves you enough to have sent His Son to help you find abundant life and the road that leads to eternal life.
PRAYER: God of the Ages, we thank You and praise You for all You do for us. Let us be fruitful and faithful in our service to You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Remind someone who is facing a problem that God is with them.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
