BLUEPRINT FOR MARRIAGES

Gracious giver of life, enrich the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

First things first! Today is the 32nd anniversary of our marriage. It was at 2 p.m. on a Saturday that Nellie Rosales became Nellie Valverde, and for that I am very thankful and blessed. Not bad considering the short dating time she and I spent. We knew that we clicked and that God had intended us for each other. So, Happy Anniversary Nellie! (Yes, I've already told her in person, but she does read this!).

I thought it would be fun and a blessing to look at some key Bible verses during these next few weeks. This being my anniversary I thought one from Genesis would be appropriate: From Genesis 2: 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." 19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; 22 and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.

Most couples that come in for premartial counseling will hear my mini-version of what should be a sermon on this passage. But fear not, this is not a sermon. It is the biblical foundation for what is the basic unit of worship, instruction, love, training, etc., the family. It comes from an ancient source but it holds true even today; some concepts and comments you may not agree with, but prayerfully consider the meaning and message to us today. The Genesis writer says God made us all, male and female in chapter one. As we take a closer look at creation in this chapter, we see God's hand involved in our creation. Then God addresses the basic human need we have for companionship. The writer says that God wanted a "helper" for the man. The true meaning of this word has been debated since that day. The true word as close as we can get it in King James English is helpmeet. But you wonder what in the word is a "helpmeet?" Most have said it is somewhere between partner and helper and companion. That makes it more clear right? It was not seen as a subordinate role so much as it was one who made life more bearable and survivable if two were involved in the everyday challenges of life. I'll let you and yours "discuss" this at your leisure. The story moves next to humor. God thought it would be a hoot to bring all other creatures to see which among all the man would choose as a suitable helpmeet. None fit the bill so God moves to cosmic surgery and creates from the man's own rib a woman. Here the man gets poetic, "Here at last is bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh!" The man wasn't dumb, he knew from whence this woman came and it blessed him. And in this festive mood and in the mood he was still in from having named all the animals, he says, "She shall be called woman, because she was taken from man." The Hebrew has "ish" which is man, and "ishah" which is woman. The connection is permanent as far as the man is concerned. There is that connection between those in love that says from that protective part of my anatomy has come this one to protect and bless my very life.

The writer then says in case you're wondering that's why we have marriage in verse 24:Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. The writer understand that this new relationship is now between a husband and wife and the very intimate nature of marriage that makes two into one. This is the very blueprint of what can be a wonderful structure. With God's blessing and our invitation to God to be among us and bless us, wonderful and permanent structures can be built.

PRAYER: God of families, bless all marriages today. Bless them with love, compassion, understanding and all that they need. We ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST OUR CONNECTION IN LOVE

Gracious God, grant to this dear reader the blessing of the fullness of life in all she or he may be facing; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.

It was three years ago today that God richly blessed Nellie and I with the wonderful joy of being grandparents as we witnessed the arrival of Sarai Evangelina Cortez, daughter to our daughter Sarai Cortez and our son-in-law, Eric Cortez. What a wonderful joy of life to be grandparents!

Our text for today comes from the end of Colossians 4 as we conclude our four letter study of Go Enthusiastically Proclaim Christ (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians): 7 Tych'icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Ones'imus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 10 Aristar'chus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, receive him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Ep'aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in La-odice'a and in Hi-erap'olis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odice'a, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the La-odice'ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice'a. 17 And say to Archip'pus, "See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord." 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you.

Last night I started to write a short story about my mom's letters to me while I was in college. This was in the ancient days of old when ye did not texth nor tweeth, we wrote with our own hands with pen and paper. We had real, honest-to-goodness mailboxes in the student center and I still remember the thrill of finding an honest letter in the mailbox. The only spam we knew of was the little metal tin with that meat byproduct; we had junk mail. These were flyers and brochures that announced amazing results and wonderful lives if we would only buy their product. The only difference was that in those days enhancement products were not mailed to folks. What is this we call progress? But my mother's letters were a connection of love back home. The letters sometimes included money, mostly notice that I was loved and missed back home. On those occasions that I did get a dollar or two she would write, "This is for gum, ha ha." Ha ha was the ancient equivalent of LOL. And in those days a dollar would buy a lot of gum.

Here is Paul connecting with those with he has worked and whom he loves. The connection of love is important for him as it is for us. May we strive to always in love seek to serve and glorify God. Every person Paul mentions is important. Each has served in a different capacity, but Paul views their contribution as important. Paul has been encouraged by their efforts and is encouraging them to continue on. Do we do the same with our connected ones? May we seek to see the encouragement that we are offering to others and may it ever increase. Let us also be open to seeing the encouragement in others. All for the good of Christ.

PRAYER: God of love and encouragement, bless me to be an encourager and a person of love. In Christ Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST THE OPENER OF ALL DOORS THROUGH PRAYER

God of love and peace, pour out a rich blessing on the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today is from Colossians 4:2-6 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, 4 that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.

Growing up I was fascinated by the phrase, "Open sesame!" I know that's probably not the correct spelling nor am I young enough to say that I grew up on the Street by that name on TV, but the phrase came from the tale "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." I remember seeing something on television that showed the mass of marauders coming to a close door and yelling that phrase and the door would somehow open! It is through prayer, Paul says and knows, that doors are opened. And especially if it is a closed door to God's love and message. Paul knew from personal experience, as do many of us, how the door of hardened hearts have been opened miraculously through the power of prayer. We also know that doors of other types also can shut closed on us and we have seen other unexpected doors to open and thus is the life of faith.

What door is closed to you and your sharing of God's word today? Have you taken it to God in prayer so that it might open in a way to share God's love and saving grace with that person? You will be amazed and blessed as doors that seemed to be forever closed come open in a wonderful, unexplainable way. Take it to the Lord in prayer today.

PRAYER: Opener of doors, open those doors that need to be opened to reach a life that is in peril of losing its very soul. Use us to see those openings as great opportunities to bring a blessing to You and to Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST THE ENABLER TO BE OUR BEST IN ALL THINGS!

Loving God the marker of days, make this day as a day of rich blessing for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: Colossians 3:18-25: 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. And to see it in a different light here is the same passage in The Message version: 18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. 19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them. 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end. 21 Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits. 22 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. 25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.

In all our roles and responsibilities our aim should be to please the Lord. Whether we're married and have a spouse or a child with parents or parents with children, how we interact and how we honor and work with each other, our goal should be to honor the Lord. You and I have worked alongside those who know just enough to get by; head down not hard at work but to avoid the radar, hoping just to punch in and punch out, never "punching it" in terms of being the best or the hardest worker. Should we be this way in the things of God? The answer is no! A sainted mentor of mine would say when he was a district superintendent to those pastors just starting out, "You're getting minimum salary to start with, but it doesn't have to stay this way. If you work at it, you'll see the results of your hard work and you'll be rewarded." A friend of mine on the seminary board is celebrating thirty years at his first appointment, a once two-point circuit that is now the second largest church in his conference.

Ask God to make you the best wife, the best husband, the best child, the best parent, the best servant of the Most High and see if God won't be honored by what God will share!

PRAYER: God of power, fill me with Your Spirit so that in all things I might be the best at loving, understanding, supporting and working, for You, for my loved ones, for all and for me. I ask this in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST-MADE AND CHRIST LED, THE TRUE LENTEN JOURNEY

Lord, as this dear reader continues their Lenten Journey bless them in wondrous ways; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Colossians 3:5-17: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you once walked, when you lived in them. 8 But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, 13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If you haven't given up something for Lent, Paul shares a great list to choose from! How about giving up sexual sin? Impure thoughts and actions. Lust? Desiring and coveting material things to the point of worshiping them? You can see why John Wesley asked all his society members, "Are you willing to flee the coming wrath of God?" That was then and is still now a great question. Lent is about putting to death the sinful part of our nature and seeking the spiritual one. Our having become Christians meant a new change in our lives, a new birth as it were at the cost of the death of our physical desires. Still need a list, Paul continues: Anger? Hmm. But isn't that so much fun to be fuming mad at someone? How about doing something wicked at the expense of that anger? Yeah, revenge! Full-out revenge! How about the cold shoulder? Yes, that's fun too. "I don't see you so I don't have to acknowledge you." How about I just talk bad about you? "Did you know that so-and-so did/said this and thus?" How about giving up cursing/cussing/bad language? How about not telling the truth to someone's face? That's quite a list! But Paul says, that's our old nature. In Christ we have taken up a new nature. It's like finally taking off that old shirt/blouse and putting on a new, clean, fresh one! And not only putting it on, allowing the thought of this new garment on us give us a new attitude that the old clothes just didn't do. And why not let the things you're taking on as part of this new nature include these things: holiness, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience, bearing or putting up with one another, and how about forgiveness? And to crown this all off, why not take up love as your new nature? All these, joined together bring us peace. The peace that is best defined, not as the absence of conflict or trouble, but the sense of well-being that fills up every nook and cranny of our hearts with that assurance that all is well with us, thanks to God.

Such is the daily journey of the Christian but made more so during these forty days of Lent. It becomes not second nature, but our true nature of being spiritual beings, led and guided by God on this wonderful journey called life. So as you fast, put away those things that can kill, steal, or destroy our spiritual lives and take up the things that bring us to the fullness of life.

PRAYER: Loving God of the Journey, journey with me today. As I have read above, let me give up those things that have made me a miserable person, guided only by human and earthly pleasures and desires. I repent of those and I believe in the gospel, the good news of a better life and I accept it in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST IN THE CENTER OF OUR LENTEN JOURNEY

God of the Journey, bless the Lenten path of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Colossians 3:1-4: 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Today is Ash Wednesday and already we've had the first of two worship services that mark this 40-Day Journey (we don't count Sundays) leading up to Easter. For many it is a time of "giving up" something as a form of sacrifice and spiritual renewal. I've shared how I was not familiar with Lent growing up as it was not usually celebrated within our little church, but my Catholic friends would show up with what I thought was a smudge of mud on their forehead. "Hey, did you know you have mud on your forehead?" "It ain't mud," they'd reply very seriously since they had been made to get up so early and go to church, "It's ashes!" Their look said it all: You don't know nothing! And then they would add, "I'm giving up candy for Lent!" And sorta smile and sorta frown at the same time. "WHY?" I would ask, wondering the gravity of the crime that this dear soul had commited to have such a sentence placed on his life. "The priest said we had to give up something during these forty days but I don't know why..." I didn't know either and I thanked God I did not attend their church. Then throughout the day I'd hear those friends commiserating about giving up Cokes, bread, meat (meat?), and all the fun foods in my life and I would wonder why! Then I began to remember that during this time on Fridays my mom would make some neat fish foods, like salmon croquettes and sardines straight out of the can and then it began to click - it wouldn't be too much later after that that I found out my mom was still a Catholic and observed the no-meat on Friday teaching of her church.

I write this this morning with a smudge of mud on my forehead. I took part in our Ash Wednesday service and I had both oil and ashes placed on my forehead and I now understand the purpose of this journey. Today's passage speaks of being raised with Christ and the understanding behind that is that we also die in Christ to our sins and our past life; through faith we become new creatures and we should be seeking the things from above. That's exactly the purpose behind this Lenten Journey to seek heavenly things and renounce those things that mire or tie us down to the earthly things. The giving up of certain things is that sacrifice but the sacrifice isn't complete until we take up something spiritual in its place. We can give up meat, but take up the meat of the Gospel. We can do without sweets but replace them with the sweetness of spiritual music and singing. And keep always in your heart that idea that on Easter Sunday we get the greatest blessing of all; the celebration of Christ rising from the dead. And because He lives, so do we.

PRAYER: Loving God as I start this forty-day journey, let me walk slowly and gently with You. As I give up earthly things as a part of my sacrifice, let me take up Your things to make the preparation between now and Easter a wonderful spiritual experience for me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST IS EXALTED IN ALL THINGS!

Lord of the universe, please help center the life of this dear reader during today's needs and joys; I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Our text comes from Colossians 2:18-23: (The Message version) 18 Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. 19 They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us. 20 So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? 21 "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" 22 Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? 23 Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.

We all have our "angel stories," incredible, hard-to-explain occurrences where the only explanation we say or hear folks say, "It must have been an angel watching out for me." And Scripture does say in Psalm 91:11 that God will give His angels "charge over you;" but at no point should we worship angels. Angels are created beings. Our worship stays centered on the Creator. Nor should we listen to those who say that we are less than them because we've not had visions like them or worse, we should not tell others that because we've had a vision that we're better than anyone and we should not expect others to seek the same thing we may have seen. Paul says that believers should exalt Christ in all things. This version says Christ is the Head and we are the body. Our spiritual growth is directly from God in the way God nourishes us. We should be at that mature point in our spiritual journey where we put behind "pretnetious and infantile religion." And we should not be bullied by those who continue to stay where they are with their "don't touch this! Don't taste that!" attitude. Ours is faith in the eternal God whose presence will be with us always and we will always be with God. Our should be the life that exalts God and encourages others.

PRAYER: Loving God of encouragement and nurture, bless my life in a way that I might bless others. Let me seek to be Yours in all things. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST HAD MADE IT ALL RIGHT

Gracious God of all blessings, be glorified in the needs and life of this dear reader today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text comes from Colossians 2:11-17: 11 In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17 These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

If you think about it the Bible talks a lot of painful physical things that can and have happened to people in its pages. Abraham had to go back and inform the men and boys of his tribe that in order to have a God they needed to undergo circumcision and then there's the matter of crucifixion that Christ endured for our sins. The act of circumcision was an act of faith and a sign of the covenant between God and ourselves; the murderous act of crucifixion was the ultimate sacrifice of God's sacrificial Lamb for final payment of our sinfulness. The question then is what are we doing about it? How are we living our lives in response to such news? For Paul, the challenge was to counter people's beliefs in Colossae about the body being inherently evil and to counter that painful things had to be done to the body to remove them. Paul reminds the believers that Christ's act had already paid their price and nothing further, but faith, was required on their part. No satisfaction of any earthly demands by any group was needed. We were once dead in our trespasses, now we're alive. No one can condemn us in any matter. Jesus Christ has already taken care of that for us.

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for Jesus and all that He did for us. We pray that He would continue through us to reach more and do more. Help us to be the people You've called us to be. In Jesus Christ's precious name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST OUR MOTIVATOR

Merciful God, bless the needs of this dear reader in a way that blesses and strengthen their faith; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Colossians 2:1-10: 1 I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn't make any difference. Know that I'm on your side, right alongside you. You're not in this alone. 2 I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. 3 All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! 4 I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." 5 I'm a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I'm on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ. 6 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. 7 You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. 8 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. 9 Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. 10 When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.

Several years ago, Christianity Today reported that 85 percent of the members of Yale University's Campus Crusade for Christ chapter are Asian, whereas "the university's Buddhist meditation meetings are almost exclusively attended by whites." (Tennett, Timothy: Invitation to World Missons: A Trinitarian Missiology for the Twenty-first Century. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids). And did you know that all ten of the most gospel-resistant people groups in the world are located in Western Europe, while all ten of the most gospel-receptive people groups in the world are located in either China or India. China, in fact, can now boast of the fastest growing church in the world with an estimated 16.500 new Christians every day. Paul's message continues to be timeless and as urgent now as it ever was. The Message version of the text above tells us plainly, Christ should be our motivation for living a life that helps save others. We still have Him who can bring us meaning and purpose. Are we sharing Him?

A popular culture magazine, Rolling Stone, has an article on a Yoga Cult that is drawing thousands to a practice of spiritual meaning that's centered around a person named Ilchi Lee. Your membership in this cult is very dependent on money. If you think tithing is bad, try a $13,000 entrance fee and another $100,000 fee for your "enlightenment." And think back to those who were in a sweat lodge not too long ago looking for meaning and purpose, also at high dollar cost, only to find that some died and some are now permanently damaged physically because of the conditions in that sweat lodge. We know God's Mystery to be God's love revealed in Jesus Christ. If we lived that life in an inviting way, others would want to know more and would want to give themselves to the love of God in Christ Jesus. We have found the fullness of life as shared with us by Jesus; enjoy it!

PRAYER: Loving God, embrace me today in a way that gives me the motivation I need to live Your life. Help me to share in ways You will show me, the meaning and purpose I have found in You so that others who are still seeking that will find in You what I have. Bless me and strengthen me. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST IS IN YOU!

God of our assurances, bless this dear reader in all he or she may need or face; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Our text comes from Colossians 1: 24-29: (The Message version) 24 I want you to know how glad I am that it's me sitting here in this jail and not you. There's a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world - the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church's part of that suffering. 25 When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth. 26 This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. 27 God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. 28 We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. 29 That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.

Which is worse? To be run down or to be run over? Which do you think your church is? And which do you think you are? Yes, there is a difference. To be run down means inside you've run out of energy because of hard work or a hard struggle. To be run over means you've been hit by outside stress and pressures and you've been knocked down. In either case, the key is not to be knocked out. Our churches are reflecting today the stresses and pressures of a world that is filled with fear and loathing. The fears however real or unreal, cause people to react negatively towards challenges and worse, towards others. The church, meaning you and me, is forgetting what Paul says is a mystery as he shares in verse 27: "Christ is in you." Can you say that to yourself right now (quietly if you're at work or in a classroom!) "Christ is in me!" Paul says that to know this is to make us rich knowing that we can all "look forward to sharing in God's glory." Some folks are acting poor and knocked out! And sadly, this is what they're bringing to worship. Our job and joy should be to be filled up and living out a rich life that becomes contagious to those around us, a life of hope and promise that says the best is yet to come.

Paul wrote these words of joy and hope in a prison cell. He gave thanks it was him and not us sitting in that jail. And with joy he sets out to encourage the church (that's you and me) to do its work. What would we have written under similar circumstances? In today's world we'd be on the phone to our attorney with a simple message: GET ME OUT OF HERE! And then we'd pray the same. Paul prayed that he might glorify God and help the church at the same time. The church still needs our help.

PRAYER: Loving God, tomorrow is not yet revealed, but I know You're involved and You're with me. I pray that my spirit would soar today as I know that all that I need to do, You will do with me. I know that all that I may face today, You will face with me. I pray that I might be the message of joy and hope that those around me need to receive. May I be a joyful ambassador of Yours to all. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST IS OUR REASON FOR BEING

God of love and grace, pour out that which this dear reader needs in the face of whatever challenges and opportunities may come their way; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today from Colossians 1:13-23:He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 21 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— 23 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

I remember struggling during my teenage years with the question Why am I here? Perhaps you did as well or may be wrestling with that even now. I don't know why I asked that question but I asked it. I know it was part of my growing up and part of me asking that question as I wrestled with what to do with my life. I thank God for the Christian background that I had received from my mom and dad and from my years in church, but reaching out and receiving what was being offered was what I needed to do. Paul shares here what has been the basis of many a book and millions of sermons: We were created by God through Christ for God's love and service. As we realize that and submit lovingly to that our meaning and purpose in life become clearer. We become those who know the Why and the Who behind life and realize we have a lot to share with others because of it. Paul presents it in a way that I call a homecoming. A reunion party of the like Jesus described in the return home of the Prodigal Son. Look at verse 21 and 22 again, "(We or I) who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His fleshly body through death, so as to present (us)(me) holy and blameless and irreproachable before Him."

We can keep running away from God in so many ways, even while seated in a pew; but know this dear friend, that when we hear that God loves you, why don't you come home? There's no better place to be!

PRAYER: Father, I thank You that while I ran, You ran with me. When I tired of running and turned towards home, You were there and You guided me straight into Your arms. Receive this dear reader as he or she stops their running and turn towards You. I ask this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

CHRIST'S SAINTS GIVE THANKS ALWAYS

Amazing God of the unexpected, bless and protect this dear reader in amazing and unexpected ways; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our prayers are needed for Wil and Bonnie Blayney of San Antonio, whose son was found dead yesterday. May the Lord comfort them in this sad loss.

We begin our study of Colossians as we finish the book Epistles study of Go Enthusiastically Proclaim Christ. As we look at Colossians, let's see what Christ message is there for us. So, let's begin with Colossians 1: 1-12: 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. 7 This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

When was the last time you gave thanks, and please don't tell me back in November right before you gobbled up the turkey. Let me make the question harder: When was the last time you gave thansk for your church? Okay, not hard enough, when was the last time you gave thanks for the members of your church? You want it more difficult: When was the last time you gave thanks for the ones who sat in your pew? Okay, I'm meddling, but I'm also making the point we're seeing here, we need to give thanks for all who are of our church family. Yes, and other church families as well, but let's begin where it's more difficult at times. Paul gave thanks for everyone who would be hearing or reading his letters. Yes, even the troublemakers that caused him to write in the first place. And we'll get to those in a few days, but for now let's see what it means to give thanks for all church members. And the way to start with proper thanksgiving is to follow Paul's model and pray for each other. Paul gave thanks and then he asked for God to fill the brothers and sisters with all they needed to be better Christians. He asked for God to send spiritual wisdom and understanding so that the lives lived would be pleasing to God and counted as worthy lives. He asked those things, as should we, so that we might give evidence or witness to the moving of God in our midst. And friends, if ever the church needed it, it is now. I'm in our seminary board meeting and we're hearing of both great ways that God is moving and the sad ways we're moving. Most of the people here know of what is happening in the inner city churches of our urban areas, "church people" are moving away and those replacing them are not being reached. This seminary is about to start a new school here in our Orlando campus called The School of Urban Ministry precisely because our pastors and lay leaders have to be trained in reaching the unchurches in urban areas. Your prayers for this new school and its efforts to train and lead the Church would be appreciated.

As for where you are right now, begin right now by thanking God for your pastor. Yes, even if you're not happy with the one you have; thank God for him or her and ask that God bless their ministry. Then pray for the church family even the ones you don't like or don't greet you on Sundays. Ask God to bless you to be the one who leads by example. Ask that God begin a mighty revival in all places beginning in our hearts.

PRAYER: Loving God may Your Spirit begin a revival in my heart. Let my heart be one filled with thanks for all people especially in a way that gives You thanks for them. Next, help us all have Your Holy Spirit move in us so that we live worthy lives, lives that bless You and Yours. I ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

PROCLAIM THAT WITH AND IN CHRIST JESUS WE CAN DO ALL THINGS!

God of all victories, I celebrate the victory you will give to this dear reader in all that he or she may face today; in Christ Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

Our passage comes from Philippians 4: 10-23: 10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress. 15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Who cares for you? We all know that of course, God cares for us and that is a wonderful feeling, but beyond the care of God you and I know how special it is to know that someone is actually doing something for us, be it prayer for us, speaking well of us, sharing concern for us, etc. Paul knew this too and as he writes the conclusion of his letter to the believers in Philppi, he shares that good feeling he has about them. Then he goes on to share how he is okay at the moment and how his faith journey has taken him from mountain to valley in terms of having and not having, being full with having had a good meal and even going hungry. The secret he knows is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as he shares in verse 13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." The "him" is of course, Jesus Christ, the source of all our strength. Paul's having accepted to become a preacher of the gospel meant he would accept both the challenges and opportunities of each day, precisely because the Risen Christ was with him. I experienced the power of this scripture as I interned with a man who lived that very verse. I asked to be assigned by Perkins School of Theology (SMU) to El Mesias UMC so I could improve my preaching by serving with a man who was and is known as a great preacher. That pastor, as God would have it, was made a district superintendent and so he could not serve as my field instructor. The superintendent with whom he swapped positions would be my FI. My first day on the job had me sharing an office with the church secretary seated at what best could be described as a vanity. I'm not sure of the exact definition of that sort of furniture suffice it to say that my legs did not fit under it. The church felt that that would serve as my desk. I guess that leadership did not think I would ever need to do private counseling or much writing! My FI, the Rev. Jose Galindo, said, "Let's go find you a desk." I should add this was his second month there as pastor and we went to what was a storage room of some sort. And many of you know that sadly, many a Sunday school classroom when they cease to serve as a place for instruction becomes a storage room. There among the dust and cobwebs of neglect sat a large US-goverment issue metal desk. This became my desk. Racing through my mind was the thought, "Run! You can probably get your old job back at the phone company!" I had had that thought as I checked out the apartment that I would be staying in for my one semester as intern minister. Rev. Galindo said to me in a way that assured me that he indeed believed it, "I can do all things through Him who stengthens me." And did I need strength at that moment. Later that night as I began meeting the congregation of El Mesias I met a young lady named Nellie Rosales, with whom this month we will celebrate the 32nd year of her putting up with me.

The morning of a day does not determine the pace or result of the rest of the day; much in the same way that the evening or night; it is our faith in Christ Jesus to see us through what has come our way, to make the best or worst of it. Indeed, whatever our challenge or opportunity, we can do all things only and especially because of Christ Jesus with us. I know that this passage had a lot to do with John Wesley's Covenant Service prayer. Mr. Wesley knew that to face each New Year he had to remind himself of just who we was in God's scheme of things. Two Sundays ago our congregation said together that prayer as our reminder that indeed, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

PRAYER: I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PROCLAIM THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE AND WE CHOOSE JOY IN THE LORD!

Loving God of all days, on this day pour out rich and wonderful blessings to the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Philippians 4:1-9: 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Have your heard the saying, "Your attitude determines your altitude?" It's a very true statement. The King James Version of the Bible has Psalm 24 saying, "As thinketh a man, so is he." And that's a true verse from scripture as well. What's in your mind determines what's in your heart and what's in your heart determines your conversation and witness, and that goes a long way in determining the atmosphere around you. Paul knew this and so as he writes to Christians facing the stresses of daily life along with the persecutions of hatred, he says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." Rejoice, it's your choice, choose it! I heard once a company that a morale problem and it seemed everyone there was always grumpy. Finally, one employee said to herself, "Enough's enough, we're given two choices each day and we're choosing the wrong one!" So she took a manila folder, and drew a happy face on one side and a sad face on the other. She posted that near the door and the coworkers got the message. The atmosphere became happier and the work environment changed. Ours is to choose the joy that Christ offers us in spite of all we may be facing. Paul goes on to say, "Do not worry about anything, pray about everything!" And so should we

PRAYER: Living and Loving God, it's my choice and I choose Your joy. I choose this day to cover myself and my loved ones in prayer. You know my needs and in You I place them. May You as my God of peace bless those around me. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PROCLAIM THAT GOD IS STRONG BY THE WAY YOU LIVE!

God who never changes, bless the heart and spirit of this dear reader in all that she or he may face; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

My thanks to J. D. Welch who designed today's banner and to my wife, Nellie, who took the photo.

Our text comes from Philippians 3:15-21: 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Who had a powerful impact on your spiritual life? Was it not the one who lived the Christian life and modeled for you just how you are to live? Paul knows the power of a life lived well in Christ. He met and was instructed and blessed by the Risen Christ and so all his life he tried to model his life after the one he saw oh so briefly in Christ; so his urging folks to live a life that imitates him is not a vain or self-centered notion, it is one of peace and power. The one who impacted our life faced trials and hardships; he or she may have even faced times of deep despair as a result of those things that came along in their life, but they never gave up and held faithful until the end. Such is the strength of God with us and those who hold fast to Him. Paul knew that he and others who were trying to follow Jesus were being almost pried away from that hold they had on Him by those who mocked Christ and had become all too real "enemies of the cross." Paul knew that Jesus had died even for them, but unless they repented of their ways Paul also knew that "their end is destruction" all because "their god is the belly and their glory is in their shame." Who wants to live a life like that? Would you knowingly live a life that mocks and taunts others knowing that your end was coming in a painful way?

What is troubling you today? What is causing you to feel weak and alone? Hear the good news: God is with you and loves and cares for you and though we pass through times such as these the end in Christ is even greater than any trial or tribulation we may face. Hold fast to Christ. Live a life that blesses Him and models for others the better way to live.

PRAYER: For those who showed us the way through the way they lived, we give You thanks. May them be comforted this day. For those who now rest in You we ask that we may be comforted this day. We ask for more faith and more strength in those challenges that may come our way today. Help us to hold on to You in all things. We ask it in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Requests: Continued prayers for those looking for employment. Even in big cities doors seems to shut to them; let us pray that the mighty arm of God open bigger and better doors. For those still recovering and in need of healing; that God may place His healing hands on the pain and sources of pain to heal and transform those dear ones. For those by the bedsides of those hurting and sick; that God may comfort them. Thank you for being those who fight on behalf of others. Blessings!

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LIFE LIVED IN CHRIST!

Merciful God, blessing upon blessing on the needs of this dear reader in all they may face today; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.

First, my thanks to faithful long time reader J. D. Welch for designing some new banners for ConCafe and to my daughter Carli, who also designed some as well. I have plenty to choose from and today's is by Carli Valverde. Those who know the inside of churches will know where the background photo was taken. (Answer tomorrow!)

Our text comes from Philippians 3:1-14: 1 Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh— 4 even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Jesus came to bring us life and that in abundance (Jn. 10:10). The joy of knowing Christ and the love that He has for you and me should make our journey of life a blessed one. Yet, you and I know we encounter challenges and setbacks even within the church. Paul's was more of a physical one for his new male converts to Christianity were being charged with the need to present themselves (at whatever age) for circumcision. The ones urging this believed this to be a necessary sign and step of their being part of God's Covenant. Paul knew better and warned his followers to stay away. The other night on the Documentary Channel I started to watch what I thought was a documentary on a Jewish comedian. It turned out to be quite serious. This man born of a Catholic mother and Jewish father was raised Catholic but later decided to convert to Judaism. He had been circumcised at birth and when told he needed to be circumcised he thought, "Great! I'm covered!" Wrong. He was told that that had been a medical procedure not a religious one so he had to undergo it one more time. What made the story even more agonizing is that he converted two more times within Judaism to other expressions of the faith and each required "new" circumcisions. I know this isn't the way to start a morning! But you get the picture Paul was facing.

Paul shares his pedigree and upbringing and says this counts for nothing when compared to what he gained in Christ Jesus. In meeting and accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior all things paled in comparison. The journey of faith from that point on became that which blessed his life and should be blessing ours. What we do every day should be a joy and a blessing to God and to God's creatures. Each day should bring a new opportunity to bless God by what we say, think, or do.

PRAYER: Loving God, what a joy to be Yours. What a blessing is ours when we surrender to Jesus and make Him our Lord and Savior. Help me to stay on course on on task for the things You have asked me to do. Let me live my life in a way that grows the Kingdom. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde