Thursday, January 29, 2009

SUPER SUNDAY, SUPER SWORD!


God of all life, bring the fullness of life with joy, calm, joy and peace to this dear reader, in Jesus' Name, amen.

This Sunday is known as Super Sunday. The reason? Super Bowl. That makes it for many households here in this country, it is a big deal. I'm looking forward to it for the hot wings that my wife will make. Hot wings are on the menu on those nights such as this; add to that list The Oscars, The Emmys, The Grammys, well, you get the picture. Suffice it to say you have to sign a waiver to enjoy these delicacies. I also look forward to the ads. Thanks to the Internet some ads get leaked and that ruins the much awaited day. For most Texans the absence of a Texas team makes it just another football contest. Yes, I do know the teams, Arizona Cardinals and that other team from Pittsburgh (being a former Oiler fan, that's a name that is not spoken in this household...). It's still a big night.

During that contest, twenty-two men are on the field, equipped with the latest gear that is supposed to protect them from hard hits, bone-crushing tackles, etc. In spite of that equipment, players still get hurt. Well, we've been talking about the great resource we have in our spiritual battles that are found in The Holy Bible. Our theme this week has been about bringing the Word of God to life, and as Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:17 "Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." If we face life knowing in our minds that we are saved and in a loving relationship with God, we are protected. And like the Roman guard that Paul faced each day, Paul knew that the power of that guard to protect Paul and himself, he had a sword. Our sword "is the word of God," meaning our Bible. The more we read and learn The Bible, the stronger we are in facing all that we face. Don't let your sword get dusty, use it!

PRAYER: God of power and might, I thank You for the gift of spiritual protection that You offer to us. Let me claim the knowledge of my relationship with You as my helmet and let me use Your Word as my sword in fighting off temptation, injustice, oppression, and evil. I ask this in Christ Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

THE IMPLANTED WORD


Merciful God, shower mercy and blessings to this your child today. In Jesus' Name, amen.

It is said that some music has the power to take you immediately back to where you were when you first heard a particular song; you find yourself surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells, and people who were right there just as that song is playing. I have many of those but "Last Train to London" brings me always back to Highway 83 from Rio Grande City to Penitas, TX, on the night my wife went into labor with our first child, Nellie. It's funny because the chorus says, "I really want this night to last forever," and I know that was the last thing my wife wanted! It turned out it almost did - twenty-two hours of labor and a decision to deliver our baby through C-section.

The letter of James in chapter one, verses 21-24, the author speaks of "the implanted word" and the power that word has to "save our souls." That begs the question, does The Bible play a part of our life's "soundtrack?" Have we allowed sermons, or books on the Bible have a place in our lives. Have we allowed God's Word to play a part in helping us make the right choices and live in the right way as the first part of that verse says? Is the Word of God truly "implanted" in us? Is it at least like a contact lense that helps us better see life?

We are a blessed people to have ready and easy access to God's Holy Word. We can walk into any bookstore, at any time, and buy a new Bible. Not all people on the face of this earth do. Some are hungry for the Word and cannot obtain a copy for themselves. We leave ours unattended and unread, and we panic as we face some of life's hard challenges because we have not rooted and grounded ourselves in the Word, in other words, we have not allowed the word to be implanted in our souls. And that puts our very soul in peril of being lost.

Below this devotion appears the text for today. Your reading that will allow you to have at least a few verses to fuel up for this day. And on days this devotion doesn't appear, use your own Bible. Let the Word truly be implanted in you today.

PRAYER: Loving God of the Word, implant Your love in my heart today. Let me love myself in the right way and let me love others in the same way. Above all, let me love You as I should. May Your Word be implanted in my soul so that as I face today and the surprises, blessings, and challenges come, I will know just what to say. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Here is that text: "Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing .

STUDY GUIDE: James 1:21-23 speaks of what should happen as we hear the Word of God. Please find, read, and allow that passage to sink into your heart.

Monday, January 26, 2009

LIFEBOOK


God of the universe and of the individual, bless and protect this dear reader in all that is coming before them today. In Jesus' Name, amen.

We concluded our sermon series on "Let's Go To The Movies" by looking at the premise behind "InkHeart." From what my daughter Nellie Garcia says, it's a great book. The movie was okay, slow at the beginning and ends really well. The thing I liked most about it was the ad above the box office window, "Every story ever written is just waiting to come to life" or something along those lines. We applied that yesterday to the stories found in The Holy Bible.

From page one to the maps, we can find God speaking to us about our worth in His eyes, the power of faith and prayer, the awesomeness of God's abilities to see us through any and all circumstances of life; and it all boils down to a simple fact: We must read The Bible. I showed or tried to show a video about Bible facts and the reality is that most people on the street know little to nothing about the Bible. Could someone name the disciples of Jesus? No, but he could name the 7 Dwarfs! Could someone name four books of the Bible? No, but knew five or six different coffee drinks. And on and on. In sharing with some I made the comment that we are so biblically illiterate that our children, and in some cases, adults, might not know if something is a "Goliath task" or we feel like we're in the "belly of a fish." Eden as paradise place might not be known by folks just by the mention of the word. Being in the lion's den also might not register. And on and on.

God knows all our excuses; we must commit ourselves to overcoming them and just making time to read as we should.

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for your Word. Forgive me the times I prefer to read something other than The Bible. Today let me begin to make The Bible my lifebook. I can only do it with Your help and presence in my life. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Friday, January 23, 2009

OUR UNWILLINGNESS


Loving God, shine upon this dear reader and his/her day! In Jesus' Name, amen.

This morning I read from a poster in my home office. It is written by a famous man and in it he describes an event where he "went very unwillingly." I smiled as I read that because of the number of things that I have had to attend or do "very unwillingly." The person in question is none other than The Rev. John Wesley and the account to which he refers was his attendance to a lay-led Bible study. His words say, "In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ. I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt that I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

My most unwilling participation was my Walk to Emmaus in May of 1985. It was Walk #22 held in Kerrville, TX, at Mount Wesley, long a bastion of spiritual awakening and stengthening of faith. I had cancelled once or twice, but was strongly convinced by two dear friends and colleagues that I should attend; after all, they were attending. I did attend. But like Wesley, I went "very unwillingly." And to add insult to injury, we FLEW to Kerrville! One of the lay directors was in the process of getting his pilot's license and he needed the hours, and so four pastors were scheduled to fly with him and his instructor in a tiny plane. You that have heard this story know that two of the four pastors, myself included, were extra large. The lay person was too. Half of the human cargo would, in my opinion, be testing the limits of the single engine plane. The other XL pastor cancelled out, leaving the five of us to attend. Long story short, I was blessed beyond my expectations. What I entered into very unwillingly, blessed me, like Wesley.

I believe God uses our unwilling events to surprise us and strengthen us. I believe God knows our heart and needs and with His sense of humor sends the most unbelieveable blessing in the midst of that which we think will bore us or waste our time. Where are you going today unwillingly? Are you ready to be blessed?

PRAYER: Loving God, bless me even when I think I will be bored or wasting my time. Forgive me for my unwillingness in some things. I know that even there, I am not far from You. Let me be a blessing to You, I ask in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Thursday, January 22, 2009

GOD'S LOVE AND OUR FAITHFULNESS


Loving and eternal God, shower this dear reader with that which s/he needs, in Jesus' Name, amen.

When I attended seminary I was in my twenties, as were most of my classmates. I lived in a dorm filled with 20 yr. olds. So, in Old Testament class as we were introduced to the story of Hosea I can still hear the snickers of the young as the story is told of a prophet ordered by God to marry a woman of ill repute. To make matters worse, this woman of the night was named Gomer. It hadn't been too many years before that the name Gomer brought to mind someone else. For those too young to remember, the show on television was Gomer Pyle USMC, and it was a spin-off from The Andy Griffith Show. (You might have to visit YouTube.com to search for clips of either show to remember). But God's point was this: Israel, the people of God, was living their life as a nation not unlike this woman. She, the nation, would go off with any other god. Israel was unfaithful and did not know how to live her life as faithful to God. Yet, God said, and this from verse 19 of chapter two: "And I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. 20 I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord. "

Unfaithfulness in a marriage is perhaps one of the greatest, if not deadliest crises a couple can face. Most couples choose to separate and divorce after such an encounter, and bibilically, it is supported. But God tells the unfaithful nation that in spite of their ways, He is still their's. Their relationship would be built on righteousness and justice, "in steadfast love, and mercy." For us as individuals and couples, ours is to understand God's love and receive it, enjoy it and live it in all areas of our lives. "Not Easily Broken," the movie title and the theme for this week, is built on such love and mercy.

PRAYER: Loving God, grant me love and wisdom to faithfully live my life in all my relationships, especially my relationship with You. Grant to me a witness that I can share about You so that others may receive. I pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

-------------------------------PRAYER UPDATE AND REQUEST--------------------------------------------
Michael Callway, for whom we had been praying died Tuesday morning and his memorial service will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in our church. Please hold Alice, his wife and their children and grandchildren in prayer. Also, please continue prayers for Peggy Underwood of Boulder, Colorado; she goes today to visit a radiologist for possible treatment of her cancer. Marcus Phipps our music director continues to recover at home and we continue to ask the Lord grant him full recovery from back surgery.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

SACRIFICIAL LOVE


Gracious God, send your blessing on whatever this dear reader may be facing today; in Jesus' Name, amen.

Our story ends with what the book of Revelation shares; that Christ is the bridegroom of the church, and we, as His church, are His bride. Such is the love and relationship Christ desires with us, that we will be "wed" to Him in the End. The marriage ceremony in our church we mention the example that Christ gives to each couple, and that is the example of sacrificial love.

Most couples will experience that at sometime in their marriage. There's a commercial on by a major electronics store about the husband who in order to pay for his wedding, sold his season tickets to his favorite football team. Many men at this point would say, "Whoa? He did WHAT?" Fellas, it's a commercial, but it could happen. Sit down, sip some water, catch your breath! The ad continues with the sales person saying that that wife came in and to "make it up" to her husband, buys him a 60 inch flat screen TV so that it would be almost like being there. Okay, I know several "theological" discussions can follow about what it means to be there and "being there" via television. The point is that the man, because of his love for this woman, sold his season tickets to pay for a wedding.

Christ gave His life for you and me; such is His love for us. He withheld nothing in order to establish an eternal relationship with us. What are we doing for the love of our spouses or special people in our lives?

PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, for loving me that much. Help me today love You more and to love my spouse, children, parents, friends, siblings in the same way. Make me a person of love that understands Your sacrifice and who is willing to make sacrifices for the ones I love. I ask this in Jesus' precious and powerful Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Monday, January 19, 2009

THREEFOLD CORD


Loving God, may Your gift of faith, hope, and love be with this dear reader. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

We're into week three of the sermon series, "Let's Go to The Movies," and we looked at a limited release movie called, "Not Easily Broken." When we selected the movies we did it only by title and perceived theme. We were right with both in this case, but never considered it might not play here in Harlingen. The local theatre said to call them next week and ask again if they were going to show it. I highly doubt it. I wanted to see this but if I really want to see it I'll have to travel to San Antonio or Corpus Christi. The theme is about handling crisis in a marriage and that was the theme of my sermon. For the text I used an OT and NT text. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil... And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." 1 Corinthians 4-8b, 13: Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends...And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."

For the illustration I bought three different colored cords and had my daughters weave them into a threefold cord. Each color represented what Paul mentions in verse 13, and I made the point that all marriages, families, and relationships are blessed when they place their faith, hope, and love in God. With such a foundation, nothing can tear those marriages, families or relationships apart.

Jesus mentions something in Matthew 19:6 that begs our attention: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." During the first part of the sermon I called up those who had married in January and presented them with Bible markers made with smaller versions of the threefold cord, but I also asked them about their vows and whether they were more in love today than the day they married. I'll just say interesting answers. But as the couples are declared "husband and wife" in today's wedding ceremony, what Jesus says in the above passage is declared: "Those whom God has joined together, let no one tear asunder" or the modern equivalent. Marriages are meant to be strong. It is in the marriage that society either teaches each other how to be a better person and citizen, or it fails and helps society become weaker. The message for the Christian church is to strengthen marriages and to help families instill those values and beliefs that can make each person a true believer and follower of Christ Jesus.

What's in your marriage?

PRAYER: Loving God of love and marriage, bring your blessings upon my marriage, family, or relationships. I stand in need of being a more loving person, a person of more faith, and one who can share a message of hope in all situations. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Study Guide for today: Matthew 19:6 mentions the solid bonds of marriage. Please find that passage and see what it says to you about your marriage or the marriage of close loved ones. Pray for them this day.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

DOING THE UNEXPECTED!


God of all places, grant the safety and blessing of this dear reader wherever You lead them today. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Jesus had a way to turning life upside down. I also say that Jesus called us to do the unexpected. Society almost expects some reactions from us when someone does something to anger us, and for us to do the opposite makes society wonder what's going on. To know and love and follow Jesus means that life in the fullest is going on. In Matthew 5, in that awesome sermon called The Sermon on the Mount we find Jesus teaching these words:

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Society would have us hate our enemies, though everybody that doesn't know Jesus does that. To curse our enemies is another "natural" response. But Jesus says for us to love our enemies! How is that possible. I remember my very first Bible class in college and the dumbstruck feeling I had when I heard The Rev. Virgil Matthews, Dean of the college and the man in charge of the preministerial program say that the opposite of love was not hate, but indifference. I think you could have heard a pin drop in that room of 18 and 19 year olds. We had learned to think that hating someone was the opposite of loving someone. But as Dean Matthews explained to hate someone still means we hold some sort of feeling for them; to be indifferent means you have no feeling; in fact to feel indifferent may even suggest that that person is dead to you. Yet, to hate is not the response, natural or otherwise, that is expected of us - we are called to love even those who hate us. (We're not called to be indifferent either, just in case you're wondering!) Jesus emphasizes we are to "be perfect, ...as (our) heavenly Father is perfect."

To live and do the unexpected is possible only if we allow Jesus to live in us. More of Jesus, less of me.

PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus, and live in me. Drain me of what I have considered to be natural for all these years, and place in my heart and mind, that which truly astounds the world. Let me live as one who loves and one who cares for others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Updates: Marcus Phipps returned home yesterday afternoon and is recovering slowly. Isis Hernandez is also on her way to recovery as well. Thank you for your prayers.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

OUR DAY OF PRAYER


Gracious Father, open the windows of Heaven with rich and unexpected blessings upon this dear reader. Amen!

Today is our Day of Prayer. Our focus has been on forgiveness, especially among friends. It was heartwarming to hear from our daughter who was relating our granddaughter's first day of the spring semester in her day care. Sarai Evangelina is learning to talk and she's a quick learner but is at that stage where she will learn one's name and no one else can share it. For example, Nellie is or would like to be known as "Grandma." But she hears our daughter calling her, "Mom." And one day while visiting in San Marcos a church member from there addressed her as "Nellie." Little Sarai heard that and before going to bed, came to her grandma, handed her something and said, "Here, Nellie," laughed and ran away. Her mom heard her and said, "Don't call her Nellie! She's Grandma!" Well, she still does not call her Grandma, she now calls her "Mom-mom." For the record I have been and will always be, "Daddy." Well, yesterday in class she met a new assistant teacher named Carli. The main teacher told Sarai's mom, "Sarai had no trouble repeating new names and words, except for Teacher Carli. She said, "No," when asked to repeat her laugh and thereafter laughed whenever we would say that the teacher's name was Carli. My daughter replied, "Carli is the name of my sister, Sarai's aunt and best friend." What a joy to hear that and to know it is true; among the other relationship titles we may have in life with others, isn't it special to be called and known as "friend."

May we pray that today we would be a friend to those we know as "Honey," "Dear," "Darling," "Dad," "Mom," "Child," "Son," "Daughter," etc. It's so easy to just be "husband" or "wife." Can't we add the specialness of "friend" to all relationships? And if friends, especially "BFFs," can we not learn to forgive one another? Make that your prayer today. Or, if you wish, you can pray this sample prayer:

PRAYER: God of love and God whose Son wanted to call us all "friends," may I truly be a friend to those special people in my life. I'm thankful to be a spouse, but let me make my spouse thankful as I make him/her my friend today and all days. May I be a friend to my parents, to my children, to my employees or employers; may I be a friend to Jesus in all that I say, think, or do. And as friends, let me learn how to forgive when necessary. May my heart be filled not only with love, but also the spirit of compassion and understanding when it comes time to forgive. I ask this in Jesus' precious Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request Updates: Isis Hernandez' surgery went well and she was able to go home a couple of hours after it. Marcus is excited because his surgery went so well that a big toe that had been numb because of his back problems has feeling in it and he may be going home today. I have not heard about the procedure for Mrs. Heard, but I trust that no news is good news.

Please continue to hold Michael Callaway in your prayers. A tumor was discovered on his spine on top of the other areas where he is battling cancer. We know God will have the last word. Thank you and blessings unto you for your taking time to pray for one another.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

LOVING ENEMIES


Gracious Lord shine down Your strength on this dear reader; may this day be a day of great blessing. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Good day dear friends.

As we pray for each other today, please lift up two persons as they face surgerical procedures this morning: Isis Hernandez, our church secretary/receptionist, is undergoing surgery here at Harlingen Medical Center; and Susan Heard from Houston, is undering a procedure to remove fluid from her lungs. These sisters need our prayers. Also, a prayer of recovery for Marcus Phipps, our music director, as he recovers from back surgery at Valley Baptist Hospital.

The theme for this week is forgiveness and the Apostle Paul had a 'word' on that: Romans 12:20-21 finds him saying, "20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

How difficult it is to forgive those who trespass against us. Those who usually do we move from the Friend category to the Enemy category. And as sad as it is to think there are those who do consider us their "enemy," it is doubly sad when we consider someone an "enemy." The word "enemy" comes from the word "enmity" which means to hold deep-seated hatred. Wow, that's pretty serious, to hold one so hateful that we place them in that category. It was one thing to be ignored by some as I grew up, but when I went away to college and encountered those who hated me because of the color of my skin, that was another thing. Two of my classmates, and I use the word loosely, for these boys dropped out; but their joy and pleasure in life was to hate me for my having been born different from them. I considered them not as enemies, but as those that I avoided but prayed for. I was sad that they didn't come to know the real me nor I the real them or the persons they could have been.

But Paul says for those who hold deep-seated hatred for you, if they're hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Imagine that! The person our "enemy" would least expect assistance giving them aid and keeping them alive. Paul adds that by our doing so we are "heaping burning coals on their heads." That may be true, but our motive and purpose in helping is because though someone may hate us, we are called to love everyone. It's not easy, for some people are just plain unloveable, but it is the calling we have from God. As Paul concludes, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

PRAYER: God of eternal forgiveness, forgive me for having thoughts against others. Let me truly be a person who loves even those who could care less for me. Let me be a servant of Yours motivated by only love. When I see someone in need, let me give of myself and what I have because I love. I thank You for the model of Jesus who loved even those who killed Him. And it is in His Name that I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Study Guide:Leave it to Paul to have at least one "word" about this topic. If you find Romans 12:20-21 you’ll find that word. What does it say to your life?

Monday, January 12, 2009

FRIENDS AND FORGIVENESS

Gracious Lord, take the hand of this gracious reader and help him/her stand in wherever they find themselves or in whatever they're facing; in Jesus' Name, amen.

Good day dear friends.


We're still going to the movies! Yesterday's sermon was on, yawn, BrideWars. No, I did not see it nor will I. It has a great title and the theme was on friends and forgiveness. I told the congregation that having gone through three weddings and having officiated at more than my share of them, to see it would be a reality show and I'm not much into those! Our text was Jesus' response to Peter's question/declaration of needing to forgive 7 times. Jesus replied, "Seventy-seven times" or some versions have Jesus saying, "Seventy times seven." (Mt. 18:21-22)

Several in the congregation learned the text message abbreviation of "BFF." For those cellular challenged, that stands for "best friends forever." I shared my definition of a friend and then we talked about what we do if our friends violate what the definition shares or if they trespass against us. The answer of course, if that we have two choices: Live with the pain, anger, guilt, weight, burden, baggage, etc. of NOT forgiving, or forgive and move on. Neither is easy, but one robs you of your life, the other allows you to move forward and enjoy the fullness of life. I also shared how about Dick Tibbits, author of "Forgive to Live" (http://www.forgivetolive.net/) was invited down to San Marcos to speak to pastors on the issue of forgiveness. His life came to a radical change when his BFF fired him from his very nice job as second-in-command of a huge hospital. Dick discovered he was dying because of all the weight he carried because of his anger and his unwillingness to forgive. He saw countless doctors who could not figure out what was killing him until one asked if he had forgiven his former BFF. Once he did, Dick's life changed.

We must realize that we are called by God to be loving and forgiving people. We need to forgive even those who have died and we pray gone on to glory. We need to release them of the anger we might be carrying towards them and release ourselves from carrying the baggage they left us holding. This could be a parent, spouse or ex, child, relative, neighbor, friend, etc. It's YOUR call! Choose life and forgive!

PRAYER: Lord, I am the first to confess that forgiving is hard. Most times I'd rather wallow in my anger and pity for myself, but I know that that's not to what I was called; I am called to life and to live as one who loves. Free me from my anger towards whomever it is, and release me to live as one who loves and forgives. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Eradio Valverde

Study Guide for today for further reflection:

Colossians 3:13-17 says a lot about forgiving one another. Please find this passage and let it fill your mind, soul, and spirit with what God would have you receive.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

AWAY WITH SLOPPY LIVING!




Loving God, may this be a day of love and mercy for this gracious reader; in Jesus' Name, amen.


Our study guide for today calls for a reading from 1 Peter 1:17 and I love the way it reads in The Message:


"You call out to God for help and he helps - he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living."


Most of us hope that in this version "sloppy living" refers to an irresponsible spiritual way of life and not one ordered by mom or dad in hopes of having our "room clean," though some would argue otherwise. In keeping with out theme of making the most of our time here on earth, living in a way that is disciplined, that is one devoted to God, given to God in prayer and reflection, and shared with others in positive service to one another, allows for us to live in ways that are anything but "sloppy." Sloppy refers to an attitude of not caring for anything or not taking anyone or anything seriously; Christians are or should be above that. We live in the way that brings glory to God because we realize the price God paid through His Son, Jesus. We study and admire and adhere to the model of life given us by Jesus in God's Word for us. I also believe it refers to all our affairs are put in order, our priorities for God and life are placed accordingly and we seek to bless God by the way we live.


PRAYER: Loving God, may I today set about putting First things first. May my life reflect a life in order. Forgive me for my occasional sloppiness. May I shine like the light of Christ in all things. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.


Have a blessed and great day in the Lord!


Eradio Valverde


PRAYER REQUESTS: May we join in prayer for Michael Calloway who's battling cancer. Yesterday while in bed prior to receiving Holy Communion, he joined our church, First UMC - Harlingen. We welcome him to our church family and lift him up for healing. May the Lord bless his wife, Alice and their four children, their families and their needs. Amen!

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

OUR DAY OF PRAYER


Gracious God smile down lovingly upon this dear reader who is your servant. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

Good day dear friends. Today is our day of prayer. I know, everyday should be a day of prayer, and they are, but this is that day we can set aside as the most serious and most blessed of days in which to pray. We chose Wednesday for where it falls. It's midweek for so many, having Sunday start the week is a great day, then comes Monday, which not so many people like because it's the start of the work or school week. Tuesday is an okay day, and Wednesday marks that day when we can see the weekend again! Now, not everyone subscribes to that point of view, so bear with us! Especially because we've been talking about how precious time is and what we make of it. How will people remember us when it comes to discussing the "dash" between the years of our birth and death. So, here is a sample prayer to pray sometime today, if not now:

Loving God of all the years, I thank You for walking every inch of the way with me. You've held my hand and even held me up when some of the days brought waves of sorrow or confusion or challenge and I found myself not strong enough to stand on my own. You've wiped away many a tear from my face, both of joy and of sorrow. What I ask now is that You help me in my journey. I don't want to know how much longer I have, I just want to make the most of each step, of each moment, of each encounter I have with others. Let me truly be a person who brings a smile and a joy to each person as I seek to serve You. Give me peace, give me patience with those who have already judged me and are not ready to receive anything from me other than a quick goodbye. Let me love even them.

I thank You for those dear ones in my life. My family and those that I count as family. My friends and those I count as friends. Bless and protect them I ask. Make their lives count too. I pray a blessing on those still wondering and wandering, who have not yet found You and wonder their purpose in life. If I can help in their journey, please show me how.

I pray for those hurting and saddened by disease and illness. I pray for their complete and total healing. Bring to them joy and peace. I know there are those who are awaiting the departure of loved ones because of the ravages of cancer and other diseases and time is so precious and fleeting, so be there in their midst and share with them exactly what they need; the hope and peace of a life that does not end with death because of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Comfort and use me to comfort those who mourn.

Again, thank You for being my God and parent. In Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde
STUDY GUIDE: Our midweek day of prayer. May we pray for the Lord to make us more aware of how precious time is. Ask God to help you understand the changes you should make to better live your life.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME


Gracious God, in this life with which you are so familiar, grant them peace in all they face. Amen.

Our text for Sunday and the theme from the movie ask the question, how are you making the most of your time while alive? Our text for today comes from Colossians 4:5 that says, "Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time." The concern in that passage is how we act around those who are not from our church or fellowship circles. To act wisely is certainly to act in ways that are welcoming and inviting. We know it is very easy to act nice and kind to those we know and we know to be nice and kind to us; but what about the ones that God sends to visit our church in search of a home or in search of meaning and purpose for their lives?


Do we get angered because they may be sitting in our place or do we act standoffish because they don't act or dress or talk like us?

We as Christians should be known as the people of God. If God is love, as God's word declares, why aren't we?

PRAYER: Loving God, give me a heart like Yours. Let me love all, especially those who make me uncomfortable or even those who make me angry or nervous. I pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Colossians 4:5 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

PRAYER REQUESTS: For a young man, Randy Mesquias, who underwent emergency surgery last evening to remove his appendix at Harlingen Medical Center.

Some of you may know that on New Year's Eve here in Harlingen, at a local grocery store where many of us shop, a man shot to death his girlfriend. He had abducted her from McAllen, driven to Brownsville, here to the HEB where he killed Maura Marroquin, then drove to Weslaco and drove a stolen vehicle into the Wal-Mart where he shot himself. Sadly, some of our church members were at the HEB and were traumatized by what they saw and heard. This includes an 11 year-old girl, two others who had just purchased their groceries, feared getting trampled by the mad exodus of shoppers, left their groceries at the checkout stand and then were denied access back in the store, as it had become a crime scene. Pray for the Marroquin family as well as the family of the shooter.

STUDY GUIDE FOR TODAY: Paul in Colossians 4:5 stresses something similar to what he shared in Sunday’s passage. Please find that and see what that adds to your life.

Monday, January 05, 2009

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES: BENJAMIN BUTTON

Loving God of new life, smile down upon this dear reader with the rich blessings of life and grace. In Jesus' Name, amen.

We started a new sermon series called, "Let's Go to the Movies," a fun way to attract new worshipers and a way to address some of the themes that are (or perceived to be) in new releases. This week we used "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as our movie and we addressed a couple of issues, that of growing old, and one's fear of death. The movie, based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, addresses those and some others. The text was on Eph. 5:15-19 and Matt. 5:13-17.

Do you have a fear of growing old or of looking old? Do you have a fear of death? Our oldest, Nellie Maria, when she was about 5 or 6, came to us one day at the point of tears and declared, "I don't want to be 10!" Why, we asked, "Because I will be really old and you two will be dead!" Innocent fears based on perceived "scientific" data. Thank God, all three of us survived Nellie's being 10! The Bible speaks in favor of growing old and our realization of the fact that we all will die one day. As it does, it speaks of God being with us and never abandoning us. It also shows us the proper way to grow old and that is to all us to truly be people of "salt" and "light." I mentioned in my sermon a quote from Dr. Charles Allen from one of his books when he said that old age has a way of boiling away the superficial things to the true essence of who we truly are. I read this early in my career as I was beginning to make visits into nursing homes. Dr. Allen could not have been more right. I discovered those souls who had boiled down to plain bitterness and pessimism. And I was richly blessed by those who had become pure sugar and love. Which path are you on?

The Psalmist in both Psalm 89:47ff and 90:10 speaks of our finite lives, but of God's infinite love for us and the knowledge that we can truly "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Once we accept these, life becomes better.

PRAYER: Loving God, make me truly a person of love. Let me add Your flavor to life and let my life shine in ways that point to You. Bless this reader in her/his struggle(s) with life. Help them to adjust their attitude towards You so that You may guide them and me, in the way that You would have us go. I pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

STUDY GUIDE: We find in Psalm 89:47ff, some very honest but some would say, disturbing thoughts on our mortality. Please find that passage and see what it says to you about your own life and attitude towards it.