Loving God who combats fear, strengthen the faith of hope in this dear reader's life; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for this morning is Psalm 137: 1 Alongside Babylon's rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion. 2 Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps; 3 That's where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: "Sing us a happy Zion song!" 4 Oh, how could we ever sing God's song in this wasteland? 5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves. 6 Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest. 7 God, remember those Edomites, and remember the ruin of Jerusalem, That day they yelled out, "Wreck it, smash it to bits!" 8 And you, Babylonians - ravagers! A reward to whoever gets back at you for all you've done to us; 9 Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies and smashes their heads on the rocks!
This passage is more a lamentation than it is a song of joy. It is a song of bitterness of one found in a new, unwanted land, where memories of one's former city linger strongly. It is a song of exile and a song of revenge. It is not a psalm that glorifies God, but it is again, following the week's theme, where we may find ourselves if we stray from God. The image of our being away from God is not a good one, but it is one that shows the emotions that come from not being obedient to God. And it is the result, not of God's action, but of our choice. Most of us, thank God, have never found ourselves captive by an enemy army, but captivity to bad habits or sin is not just as bad, but worse, for its results are eternal. The best thing is to stay away from that which, as Jesus warned in John 10:10, can "steal, kill, and destroy." Ours is a faith of life and that of abundance or fullness of life as shared in that same verse. Ours is a faith that allows us to sing God's song, no matter where we find ourselves.
PRAYER: Loving God, many are the times something has seemed so right or comforting, yet deep down I have known it is not the right thing for my life. Free me from my captors in whatever sly form they may take. Give me eyes of faith to see that which glorifies You and blesses me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
IT IS OUR CHOICE, HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE?
God of abundant life, bring the fullness of life to the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text from Lamentations 1: 1 Oh, oh, oh . . . How empty the city, once teeming with people. A widow, this city, once in the front rank of nations, once queen of the ball, she's now a drudge in the kitchen. 2 She cries herself to sleep each night, tears soaking her pillow. No one's left among her lovers to sit and hold her hand. Her friends have all dumped her. 3 After years of pain and hard labor, Judah has gone into exile. She camps out among the nations, never feels at home. Hunted by all, she's stuck between a rock and a hard place. 4 Zion's roads weep, empty of pilgrims headed to the feasts. All her city gates are deserted, her priests in despair. Her virgins are sad. How bitter her fate. 5 Her enemies have become her masters. Her foes are living it up because God laid her low, punishing her repeated rebellions. Her children, prisoners of the enemy, trudge into exile. 6 All beauty has drained from Daughter Zion's face. Her princes are like deer famished for food, chased to exhaustion by hunters.
Like so many passages in the Bible, there is a sermon in almost every sentence of this passage. There are images of situations where we ourselves have been in at one time or another. And truth be told, our memories, if we're honest with ourselves, will tell us that we usually ended up there because of our own stubbornness and rebellion against God. The Bible paints wonderful, vivid pictures of the joy and love and wonder of the life lived in obedience, but it also shares God's sadness that comes upon those who think they know more or don't need God. The life lived in God is a city full of people; the city without God becomse like the widow now financially strapped, working among the working poor, crying herself to sleep every night, having only her pillow to hold. Friends and lovers have deserted her, especially the ones whose relationship promised so much, but nothing can be found in emptiness. Forbidden love does not last. The writer says that even the roads cry because they are no longer used like before. The ones charged with bringing folks to God now find themselves in despair. The enemies once held by that city because of unfaithfulness to God, have become the masters of the city. The celebrations that should be carried on by the people of God are now enjoyed by those who have taken away the blessings. From good homes to tents, from belonging and being wanted, to a life of being alone and unwanted.
It is always our choice whether we will seek to follow God or to follow our own desires and devices. God is not fooled, God knows our hearts. Our call then is to seek God while we can, seek the joy and wonder of God's love and realize that the temptations that come from all sides have nothing eternal to offer except bitterness and loneliness.
How will you choose?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me the times I have chosen wrong. Forgive me the times I thought I knew more and could do more on my own. Free me to follow You and to seek You. Let the joy and wonder of Your love bless me today. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text from Lamentations 1: 1 Oh, oh, oh . . . How empty the city, once teeming with people. A widow, this city, once in the front rank of nations, once queen of the ball, she's now a drudge in the kitchen. 2 She cries herself to sleep each night, tears soaking her pillow. No one's left among her lovers to sit and hold her hand. Her friends have all dumped her. 3 After years of pain and hard labor, Judah has gone into exile. She camps out among the nations, never feels at home. Hunted by all, she's stuck between a rock and a hard place. 4 Zion's roads weep, empty of pilgrims headed to the feasts. All her city gates are deserted, her priests in despair. Her virgins are sad. How bitter her fate. 5 Her enemies have become her masters. Her foes are living it up because God laid her low, punishing her repeated rebellions. Her children, prisoners of the enemy, trudge into exile. 6 All beauty has drained from Daughter Zion's face. Her princes are like deer famished for food, chased to exhaustion by hunters.
Like so many passages in the Bible, there is a sermon in almost every sentence of this passage. There are images of situations where we ourselves have been in at one time or another. And truth be told, our memories, if we're honest with ourselves, will tell us that we usually ended up there because of our own stubbornness and rebellion against God. The Bible paints wonderful, vivid pictures of the joy and love and wonder of the life lived in obedience, but it also shares God's sadness that comes upon those who think they know more or don't need God. The life lived in God is a city full of people; the city without God becomse like the widow now financially strapped, working among the working poor, crying herself to sleep every night, having only her pillow to hold. Friends and lovers have deserted her, especially the ones whose relationship promised so much, but nothing can be found in emptiness. Forbidden love does not last. The writer says that even the roads cry because they are no longer used like before. The ones charged with bringing folks to God now find themselves in despair. The enemies once held by that city because of unfaithfulness to God, have become the masters of the city. The celebrations that should be carried on by the people of God are now enjoyed by those who have taken away the blessings. From good homes to tents, from belonging and being wanted, to a life of being alone and unwanted.
It is always our choice whether we will seek to follow God or to follow our own desires and devices. God is not fooled, God knows our hearts. Our call then is to seek God while we can, seek the joy and wonder of God's love and realize that the temptations that come from all sides have nothing eternal to offer except bitterness and loneliness.
How will you choose?
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me the times I have chosen wrong. Forgive me the times I thought I knew more and could do more on my own. Free me to follow You and to seek You. Let the joy and wonder of Your love bless me today. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
BOLD, LOVING, AND SENSIBLE
Loving God, bless the life of this dear reader in whatever challenges and opportunies may come their way today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today: 2 Timothy 1: 1 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. 2 I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! 3 Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. 4 I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. 5 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! 6 And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! 7 God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. 8 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, 9 who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. 10 But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. 11 This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. 12 It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground - the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end. 13 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. 14 Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
Will shyness be the death of the Christian faith? Or will it be more sinister reasons? Or will it be apathy? In today's passage Paul is writing to a young disciple, a believer whose faith came, not through the shy faith of the first women in his life, on the contrary, it was their boldness in Jesus that helped him come to faith. Paul mentions a grandmother names Lois and a mother names Eunice, whose example touched the life of this young boy and allowed him to become a believer. Paul doesn't mention a grandfather or father and we don't know the reason for that neglect. I have my suspicions as may you, but for now we celebrate those loving parents and grandparents whose lives are so bold, so loving, and yes, so sensible, that they touch others. And how difficult is it to proclaim as Paul sums up this great faith: "death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus." Lois, Eunice, and Timothy knew it, and because they told others, you and I know it now. Who are you sharing this with?
Paul never had regrets about his faith for he knew that the One in whom he trusted could be trusted. And so should we!
PRAYER: Loving God, help me today be a bold, loving and sensible witness to the great faith that we have, that You defeated death, and that our lives are worth living in a positive way. May we shine brightly to those around us, especially the children, so that our faith in You will never die and we'll see new believers come to You daily. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text for today: 2 Timothy 1: 1 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. 2 I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! 3 Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. 4 I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. 5 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! 6 And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! 7 God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. 8 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, 9 who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. 10 But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. 11 This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. 12 It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground - the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end. 13 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. 14 Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
Will shyness be the death of the Christian faith? Or will it be more sinister reasons? Or will it be apathy? In today's passage Paul is writing to a young disciple, a believer whose faith came, not through the shy faith of the first women in his life, on the contrary, it was their boldness in Jesus that helped him come to faith. Paul mentions a grandmother names Lois and a mother names Eunice, whose example touched the life of this young boy and allowed him to become a believer. Paul doesn't mention a grandfather or father and we don't know the reason for that neglect. I have my suspicions as may you, but for now we celebrate those loving parents and grandparents whose lives are so bold, so loving, and yes, so sensible, that they touch others. And how difficult is it to proclaim as Paul sums up this great faith: "death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus." Lois, Eunice, and Timothy knew it, and because they told others, you and I know it now. Who are you sharing this with?
Paul never had regrets about his faith for he knew that the One in whom he trusted could be trusted. And so should we!
PRAYER: Loving God, help me today be a bold, loving and sensible witness to the great faith that we have, that You defeated death, and that our lives are worth living in a positive way. May we shine brightly to those around us, especially the children, so that our faith in You will never die and we'll see new believers come to You daily. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 27, 2010
THE FIRST STEP IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST
Loving God of all days, be with this dear reader in all they face; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 17: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, "Come here at once and take your place at the table'? 8 Would you not rather say to him, "Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!' "
The apostles' request comes at an odd time in their ministry with Jesus. Two chapters back they heard Jesus speak of the way God seeks the lost and welcomes them back. One chapter back, Jesus deals with getting right with God and with each other, and so after seeing what they had seen, and hearing what they heard, their only request needs to be for Jesus to "increase our faith." They knew that to follow God and do what God wants requires a lot of faith. By asking their hope is to receive it like so many of Jesus' miracles with just a word; but Jesus says, if you had faith the size of the smallest seed, like the mustard seed, you could move this mulberry tree and send it even to the ocean. And then He says that a good slave/servants does what s/he is told, and should expect no recognition or reward in return for doing what needed to be done.
Strong faith comes from doing what one has heard is necessary to do. It is one thing to sit and learn, that is what a disciple is, but to listen, learn, and do, is an apostle. Jesus had taught them enough for them to get busy, but yet their unbelief was tied to their reluctance. So it is with us. We have enough faith, but what do we do with it? It is taking that first step or speaking that first word that is the hardest. And it is precisely the place so many Christians get stuck, in fear of that first step or word or action. The faithful one is the one who risks and takes a leap of faith in taking that first step, saying that first word, and leaving the results to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me in my unbelief and reluctance to take that first step or to share that first word. Let my faith be sufficient to see me through what today brings, but let me go beyond and above all, by trusting You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Luke 17: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, "Come here at once and take your place at the table'? 8 Would you not rather say to him, "Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!' "
The apostles' request comes at an odd time in their ministry with Jesus. Two chapters back they heard Jesus speak of the way God seeks the lost and welcomes them back. One chapter back, Jesus deals with getting right with God and with each other, and so after seeing what they had seen, and hearing what they heard, their only request needs to be for Jesus to "increase our faith." They knew that to follow God and do what God wants requires a lot of faith. By asking their hope is to receive it like so many of Jesus' miracles with just a word; but Jesus says, if you had faith the size of the smallest seed, like the mustard seed, you could move this mulberry tree and send it even to the ocean. And then He says that a good slave/servants does what s/he is told, and should expect no recognition or reward in return for doing what needed to be done.
Strong faith comes from doing what one has heard is necessary to do. It is one thing to sit and learn, that is what a disciple is, but to listen, learn, and do, is an apostle. Jesus had taught them enough for them to get busy, but yet their unbelief was tied to their reluctance. So it is with us. We have enough faith, but what do we do with it? It is taking that first step or speaking that first word that is the hardest. And it is precisely the place so many Christians get stuck, in fear of that first step or word or action. The faithful one is the one who risks and takes a leap of faith in taking that first step, saying that first word, and leaving the results to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me in my unbelief and reluctance to take that first step or to share that first word. Let my faith be sufficient to see me through what today brings, but let me go beyond and above all, by trusting You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 23, 2010
WHAT AN AWESOME FAITH WE HAVE!
God of today, make the life challenges and opportunities of this dear reader shine and be bright for all to see; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today is from the Psalmist who wrote in Psalms 91: 1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
The Psalmist was a person of great faith. His was a living faith which was daily tested and proven true. He saw God at work in all things and thus he was able to show us how he saw God. God was a shelter, whose shadow we can rely on. In his and our prayers to God we can say as the Psalmist, "I trust You!" Nothing that can come our way as a potential harm can sway us off course, no traps nor snares of our enemies nor any deadly illnesses or disease. God will cover us as a powerful fowl covers its offspring. Ours is a faith of deliverance, of rescue, satisfaction, and salvation.
What will you do about it?
PRAYER: Thank You, loving God, for all You share. Let me take full advantage of all things so that Your light may shine in me for others to see. Help me during dark moments to see Your fullness and not be distracted. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today is from the Psalmist who wrote in Psalms 91: 1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
The Psalmist was a person of great faith. His was a living faith which was daily tested and proven true. He saw God at work in all things and thus he was able to show us how he saw God. God was a shelter, whose shadow we can rely on. In his and our prayers to God we can say as the Psalmist, "I trust You!" Nothing that can come our way as a potential harm can sway us off course, no traps nor snares of our enemies nor any deadly illnesses or disease. God will cover us as a powerful fowl covers its offspring. Ours is a faith of deliverance, of rescue, satisfaction, and salvation.
What will you do about it?
PRAYER: Thank You, loving God, for all You share. Let me take full advantage of all things so that Your light may shine in me for others to see. Help me during dark moments to see Your fullness and not be distracted. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
GOD IS IN THE DETAILS
Blessed God of the Ages, be the God of right now, today, in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Jeremiah 32: 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. 2 At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah, 3 where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him. 6 Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Hanamel son of your uncle Shallum is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours." 8 Then my cousin Hanamel came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the Lord, and said to me, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself." Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. 9 And I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. 10 I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. 11 Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions, and the open copy; 12 and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard. 13 In their presence I charged Baruch, saying, 14 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. 15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.
Our trouble is that we sometimes get too busy with being busy that we forget God is in the details. We tend to think we're too smart, too strong, too self-reliant to allow God's guidance in our lives. Such was the case in most of the Bible stories, yet God sought out to be among those who knew, loved, and trusted Him. And in today's text, Jeremiah received the Word of God in the midst of a terrible war that his country was losing. The stress and anxiety about this war and all that the implications that came with it made thinking about investing in land something foolish. If you knew your country was about to be invaded, would buying land rank high among the priorities of the day? Yet, God tells Jeremiah to buy land. And God outlined exactly the way this purchase was going to happen. He even named names of those who would be involved. And so it happened. It was God's way of saying no matter how life rages on around you, I am still in control, it is I who have the last word in all things. Even that which seems like the least of your worries, in my book, matter more. The purchase of this land gave hope that this land would remain in the hands of those who loved God.
Can you hear God even in the howling of the wind outside? Can you be still enough to hear God telling you what hope God can offer to you even when others say all is hopeless?
PRAYER: Awesome God, help me to slow down and be still enough to hear Your voice. The voices on the television and on the radio speak a word that confuses my faith at times, and it's in the midst of all the madness that I need to hear You. Speak to my heart, enter my heart and let me have hope so that I may share hope. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Jeremiah 32: 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. 2 At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah, 3 where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him. 6 Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Hanamel son of your uncle Shallum is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours." 8 Then my cousin Hanamel came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the Lord, and said to me, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself." Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. 9 And I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. 10 I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. 11 Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions, and the open copy; 12 and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard. 13 In their presence I charged Baruch, saying, 14 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. 15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.
Our trouble is that we sometimes get too busy with being busy that we forget God is in the details. We tend to think we're too smart, too strong, too self-reliant to allow God's guidance in our lives. Such was the case in most of the Bible stories, yet God sought out to be among those who knew, loved, and trusted Him. And in today's text, Jeremiah received the Word of God in the midst of a terrible war that his country was losing. The stress and anxiety about this war and all that the implications that came with it made thinking about investing in land something foolish. If you knew your country was about to be invaded, would buying land rank high among the priorities of the day? Yet, God tells Jeremiah to buy land. And God outlined exactly the way this purchase was going to happen. He even named names of those who would be involved. And so it happened. It was God's way of saying no matter how life rages on around you, I am still in control, it is I who have the last word in all things. Even that which seems like the least of your worries, in my book, matter more. The purchase of this land gave hope that this land would remain in the hands of those who loved God.
Can you hear God even in the howling of the wind outside? Can you be still enough to hear God telling you what hope God can offer to you even when others say all is hopeless?
PRAYER: Awesome God, help me to slow down and be still enough to hear Your voice. The voices on the television and on the radio speak a word that confuses my faith at times, and it's in the midst of all the madness that I need to hear You. Speak to my heart, enter my heart and let me have hope so that I may share hope. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
WEALTH THAT TRULY COUNTS
Lord, Your awesomeness touches and transforms; make Your touch do that for this reader in whatever she or he faces; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text from 1 Timothy 6: 6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. 7 Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, 8 if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. 9 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. 10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. 11 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. 12 Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. 13 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch: 14 Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. 15 He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. 16 He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes - human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes. 17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage - 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. (The Message)
This is a page that is thousands of years old, yet it reads as fresh today as it did then. People have always desired money and wealth and the thought behind such a desire is that with it comes happiness. Paul knew the opposite to be true and he knew the truth of real wealth. For Paul, as well as for me and you, to seek and reach a righteous life, and read again the things that come with it, "wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy," speak of true wonderful blessings. That first word has always described me. God gave me a sense of wonder that at times makes me stop or pull over and just gaze and marvel at the things of God. The landing of a duck onto water, the playfulness of a dolphin, the straight line of ants carrying food home. I belive this list is in the right order, a sense of wonder will lead to a finding of faith. And behind true faith can be found the meaning of true love. And if you love others the way God wants, you will be courteous. It is after all, not about us, but others and about God.
Slow down today and let wonder take you to those places where your faith will deepen. Let your faith take you down the path of love. And as you love, be concerned and open towards others. And you will see God.
PRAYER: Loving God of wonder, take me down those paths today so that I may see You present and powerful in my life and inthe life of thers. Make it truly be all about You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text from 1 Timothy 6: 6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. 7 Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, 8 if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. 9 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. 10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. 11 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. 12 Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. 13 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch: 14 Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. 15 He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. 16 He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes - human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes. 17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage - 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. (The Message)
This is a page that is thousands of years old, yet it reads as fresh today as it did then. People have always desired money and wealth and the thought behind such a desire is that with it comes happiness. Paul knew the opposite to be true and he knew the truth of real wealth. For Paul, as well as for me and you, to seek and reach a righteous life, and read again the things that come with it, "wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy," speak of true wonderful blessings. That first word has always described me. God gave me a sense of wonder that at times makes me stop or pull over and just gaze and marvel at the things of God. The landing of a duck onto water, the playfulness of a dolphin, the straight line of ants carrying food home. I belive this list is in the right order, a sense of wonder will lead to a finding of faith. And behind true faith can be found the meaning of true love. And if you love others the way God wants, you will be courteous. It is after all, not about us, but others and about God.
Slow down today and let wonder take you to those places where your faith will deepen. Let your faith take you down the path of love. And as you love, be concerned and open towards others. And you will see God.
PRAYER: Loving God of wonder, take me down those paths today so that I may see You present and powerful in my life and inthe life of thers. Make it truly be all about You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 20, 2010
WOULD A VISIT FROM THE DEAD HELP YOU?
Loving God as we celebrate a new day of life, may the heart of this dear reader be blessed by Your presence and protection; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Luke 19:19 "There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. 20 A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. 21 All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. 22 "Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. 26 Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.' 27 "The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father 28 where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.' 30 "'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.' 31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"(The Message version)
Who would you like to return from the dead? Your mother or father? A beloved spouse? Your grandmother or grandfather? If this were possible, could you handle it mentally and emotionally? What would you talk about? Would their return help you believe more in the afterlife? Some sadly, say they will only believe in life after death is they're visited by a loved one who does return from the dead. They're going to die disappointed and as those alienated far from our loving God, for the only One who has returned from the dead is Jesus. Jesus came to live a life that blessed and showed us a better way to live. His painful death was also an example and a lesson of the great passion He has for us. And His glorious resurrection is also a blessing. In this story that Jesus shared, He is trying to convince those who listen, about God's great love. In the previous chapter, the Chapter of the Lost, the Lord shared three stories about the lost and how much you and I matter to God and the great rejoicing that happens upon our return to relationship with God. In this story it is about those who get caught up in the desires of this world. In this story an unnamed rich man lived the dream life of so many. He had money for all his wants and wishes and could do anything and everything he wanted. Yet the one thing he didn't care to do was to care for others, especially the poor, one of whom had been deposited at his door. The poor man had a name, Lazarus (meaning "God is my help"), and he was hungry and sick. The only comfort this man received was a visit by dogs who licked his sores. The visit finally by death brought what life on earth could not, comfort from his suffering and entry to the place where he really mattered. Jesus says this death was a triumphant one where angels came to carry him to the "lap of Abraham," a reference to Heaven. There he sat as a beloved child of God in a place where he would worry no more about anything. The rich man, on the other hand, died and was sent to a place of torment where he was so hot and thirsty, he asked if Lazarus, whose earthly tortured body had probably disgusted him, could dip his finger in water and to place that finger on his tongue. The contact that the rich man couldn't even fathom now seems the only thing that he believes can bring him comfort.
His request? Now in death the rich man is concerned about others, namely his five brothers and he asks that God send Lazarus to talk to them about God and help them avoid the same place where the rich man now finds himself. Jesus tells the truth, if they haven't believed God yet with all God has already provided, what good will a visit from a dead person do them?
We have so much to help our unbelief and once we get into relationship with God, the evidence multiplies, why then do so many doubt and not believe? Why then, do so many want to live lives like the rich man blind and uncaring to the needs of the poor? Why not make a conscious decision now to live a better, loving and caring life?
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I sometimes think that more of what the world offers would bring me pleasure and comfort, but I am already blessed in a rich way. Help me to care more for those around me especially the poor. Give me Your heart to love so that my hands might be Yours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Luke 19:19 "There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. 20 A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. 21 All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. 22 "Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. 26 Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.' 27 "The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father 28 where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.' 30 "'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.' 31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"(The Message version)
Who would you like to return from the dead? Your mother or father? A beloved spouse? Your grandmother or grandfather? If this were possible, could you handle it mentally and emotionally? What would you talk about? Would their return help you believe more in the afterlife? Some sadly, say they will only believe in life after death is they're visited by a loved one who does return from the dead. They're going to die disappointed and as those alienated far from our loving God, for the only One who has returned from the dead is Jesus. Jesus came to live a life that blessed and showed us a better way to live. His painful death was also an example and a lesson of the great passion He has for us. And His glorious resurrection is also a blessing. In this story that Jesus shared, He is trying to convince those who listen, about God's great love. In the previous chapter, the Chapter of the Lost, the Lord shared three stories about the lost and how much you and I matter to God and the great rejoicing that happens upon our return to relationship with God. In this story it is about those who get caught up in the desires of this world. In this story an unnamed rich man lived the dream life of so many. He had money for all his wants and wishes and could do anything and everything he wanted. Yet the one thing he didn't care to do was to care for others, especially the poor, one of whom had been deposited at his door. The poor man had a name, Lazarus (meaning "God is my help"), and he was hungry and sick. The only comfort this man received was a visit by dogs who licked his sores. The visit finally by death brought what life on earth could not, comfort from his suffering and entry to the place where he really mattered. Jesus says this death was a triumphant one where angels came to carry him to the "lap of Abraham," a reference to Heaven. There he sat as a beloved child of God in a place where he would worry no more about anything. The rich man, on the other hand, died and was sent to a place of torment where he was so hot and thirsty, he asked if Lazarus, whose earthly tortured body had probably disgusted him, could dip his finger in water and to place that finger on his tongue. The contact that the rich man couldn't even fathom now seems the only thing that he believes can bring him comfort.
His request? Now in death the rich man is concerned about others, namely his five brothers and he asks that God send Lazarus to talk to them about God and help them avoid the same place where the rich man now finds himself. Jesus tells the truth, if they haven't believed God yet with all God has already provided, what good will a visit from a dead person do them?
We have so much to help our unbelief and once we get into relationship with God, the evidence multiplies, why then do so many doubt and not believe? Why then, do so many want to live lives like the rich man blind and uncaring to the needs of the poor? Why not make a conscious decision now to live a better, loving and caring life?
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I sometimes think that more of what the world offers would bring me pleasure and comfort, but I am already blessed in a rich way. Help me to care more for those around me especially the poor. Give me Your heart to love so that my hands might be Yours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 16, 2010
IT WASN'T MAY FAULT! OR WAS IT? HELP ME ANYWAY!
Amazing God of grace, pour out a double portion of grace on this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
I thought the Message version of Psalm 79 would be fitting for today. These are verses 1-9: 1 God! Barbarians have broken into your home, violated your holy temple, left Jerusalem a pile of rubble! 2 They've served up the corpses of your servants as carrion food for birds of prey, Threw the bones of your holy people out to the wild animals to gnaw on. 3 They dumped out their blood like buckets of water. All around Jerusalem, their bodies were left to rot, unburied. 4 We're nothing but a joke to our neighbors, graffiti scrawled on the city walls. 5 How long do we have to put up with this, God? Do you have it in for us for good? Will your smoldering rage never cool down? 6 If you're going to be angry, be angry with the pagans who care nothing about you, or your rival kingdoms who ignore you. 7 They're the ones who ruined Jacob, who wrecked and looted the place where he lived. 8 Don't blame us for the sins of our parents. Hurry up and help us; we're at the end of our rope. 9 You're famous for helping; God, give us a break. Your reputation is on the line. Pull us out of this mess, forgive us our sins - do what you're famous for doing!
We sometimes reach a point of despair where we feel it is everyone else's fault for our mess, not our own. And sometimes it might just be that someone has done us wrong. The psalm for today shares a despair for the ruin of the country of Israel; those who invaded completely destroyed everything and almost everyone. The writer is lamenting this fact and crying out to God to act on their behalf. The writer even blames "our parents" and their "sins," not once saying, perhaps we have strayed and our unfaithfulness has caused this - help us to do what's right.
We can always cry out to God for help. This is especially true when we reach our breaking point. Yet, I believe we need to throw in asking God to help us right our wrongs and forgive our sins so that we might live in a more faithful and fruitful way.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that some of the ruin that I sometimes feel around me could easily be blamed on me, so forgive me. Help me in my situation. Be glorified in my life so that I might be a blessing to others. Help me to live a faithful and fruitful life. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
PS A word of gratitude for all who are praying for my Dad, Eradio, Sr. Nellie and I were able to go and visit with him at his home yesterday afternoon. He was in good spirits, though his face was a bit banged up from his fall. He said his doctor gave him a couple of new medicines to help with his low hemoglobin count. The source of that has not been determined, but we remain hopeful in the Lord. Blessings to you all!
I thought the Message version of Psalm 79 would be fitting for today. These are verses 1-9: 1 God! Barbarians have broken into your home, violated your holy temple, left Jerusalem a pile of rubble! 2 They've served up the corpses of your servants as carrion food for birds of prey, Threw the bones of your holy people out to the wild animals to gnaw on. 3 They dumped out their blood like buckets of water. All around Jerusalem, their bodies were left to rot, unburied. 4 We're nothing but a joke to our neighbors, graffiti scrawled on the city walls. 5 How long do we have to put up with this, God? Do you have it in for us for good? Will your smoldering rage never cool down? 6 If you're going to be angry, be angry with the pagans who care nothing about you, or your rival kingdoms who ignore you. 7 They're the ones who ruined Jacob, who wrecked and looted the place where he lived. 8 Don't blame us for the sins of our parents. Hurry up and help us; we're at the end of our rope. 9 You're famous for helping; God, give us a break. Your reputation is on the line. Pull us out of this mess, forgive us our sins - do what you're famous for doing!
We sometimes reach a point of despair where we feel it is everyone else's fault for our mess, not our own. And sometimes it might just be that someone has done us wrong. The psalm for today shares a despair for the ruin of the country of Israel; those who invaded completely destroyed everything and almost everyone. The writer is lamenting this fact and crying out to God to act on their behalf. The writer even blames "our parents" and their "sins," not once saying, perhaps we have strayed and our unfaithfulness has caused this - help us to do what's right.
We can always cry out to God for help. This is especially true when we reach our breaking point. Yet, I believe we need to throw in asking God to help us right our wrongs and forgive our sins so that we might live in a more faithful and fruitful way.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that some of the ruin that I sometimes feel around me could easily be blamed on me, so forgive me. Help me in my situation. Be glorified in my life so that I might be a blessing to others. Help me to live a faithful and fruitful life. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
PS A word of gratitude for all who are praying for my Dad, Eradio, Sr. Nellie and I were able to go and visit with him at his home yesterday afternoon. He was in good spirits, though his face was a bit banged up from his fall. He said his doctor gave him a couple of new medicines to help with his low hemoglobin count. The source of that has not been determined, but we remain hopeful in the Lord. Blessings to you all!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
TEARS IN HEAVEN? PROBABLY CAUSED BY US
Loving God of all people, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader in his/her journey today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text is from Jeremiah 8:18-9:1: 18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19 Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?") 20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 1 O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!
Unlike most kids of my day, I went to a lot of funerals. There was no child care nor nursery for kids to wait while parents grieved and mourned the loss of a family member or friend. It was and is a haunting scene of crying and wailing. For a young boy it was straight out of a scary movie the likes of which I avoided (and still do!). I didn't understand the why behind it, but after a while and several funerals later, I and my brothers and sisters looked for anything humorous that would take our minds away from the hurt. Sadly, there is no humor in the hurt that we inflict upon God by our disobedience and our turning away from where we know God would have us be. In this passage the prophet is speaking of the lament of God for those who have turned away and followed earthly pleasures, passions and delights and strayed from God's path. It is like those at funerals who have lost all joy and hope and for a period seem only to grieve. Why would we knowingly cause that for God?
We were blessed with free will. We can do whatever we want. But it pleases God to no end when we choose God's way rather than our way. Many times it is not the easy choice nor the choice of the world or even of our dear friends, but we do it not for them or even for us, we do it for God.
What will you choose today? Will you please someone close in hopes of bringing them and you joy? or will you seek to please the Lord God?
PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have grieved Your heart. Help me to be the person I was meant to be. Let me bring joy to You this day and all days. Lord, there are those grieving much today for different losses in their lives, I ask you please visit them with Your comfort and peace. Bless me and my loved ones this day; I ask it all in the Name of Christ Jesus my Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text is from Jeremiah 8:18-9:1: 18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19 Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?") 20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 1 O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!
Unlike most kids of my day, I went to a lot of funerals. There was no child care nor nursery for kids to wait while parents grieved and mourned the loss of a family member or friend. It was and is a haunting scene of crying and wailing. For a young boy it was straight out of a scary movie the likes of which I avoided (and still do!). I didn't understand the why behind it, but after a while and several funerals later, I and my brothers and sisters looked for anything humorous that would take our minds away from the hurt. Sadly, there is no humor in the hurt that we inflict upon God by our disobedience and our turning away from where we know God would have us be. In this passage the prophet is speaking of the lament of God for those who have turned away and followed earthly pleasures, passions and delights and strayed from God's path. It is like those at funerals who have lost all joy and hope and for a period seem only to grieve. Why would we knowingly cause that for God?
We were blessed with free will. We can do whatever we want. But it pleases God to no end when we choose God's way rather than our way. Many times it is not the easy choice nor the choice of the world or even of our dear friends, but we do it not for them or even for us, we do it for God.
What will you choose today? Will you please someone close in hopes of bringing them and you joy? or will you seek to please the Lord God?
PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have grieved Your heart. Help me to be the person I was meant to be. Let me bring joy to You this day and all days. Lord, there are those grieving much today for different losses in their lives, I ask you please visit them with Your comfort and peace. Bless me and my loved ones this day; I ask it all in the Name of Christ Jesus my Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
EVENTUALLY THE NEWS IS GOING TO GET OUT
Amazing God of all days, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text from 1 Timothy 2: 1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. 3 This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. 4 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: 5 that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us - Jesus, 6 who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. 7 This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. (The Message version)
The message is simple but powerful; prayer works if we work at prayer. Forget trying to come up with an excuse for not knowing how or not having time - PRAY! Men and women of faith know how the power found in prayer and so they pray. In this modern version of The Bible instead of saying "supplications, intercessions, thanksgiving, etc.", it says "Pray everyw ay you know how." Just open your mind and/or mouth and talk to God! Pray for everyone you know. And the great thing is that we know when folks are praying for us. Pray for those in charge of governments, yes, all over the world including those we consider our enemies, and ask for God's will to be done.
I love the part that says, "Eventually the news is going to get out (about Jesus)," and won't that be a great day? What are you doing in the meantime to get that to happen?
PRAYER: Awesome God, I thank You for prayer. Like a parent that just loves to hear from their children, so do You just want to hear from us. I pray that prayer would bless all who need Your blessing and bring about the solutions to those things we are encountering. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text from 1 Timothy 2: 1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. 3 This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. 4 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: 5 that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us - Jesus, 6 who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. 7 This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. (The Message version)
The message is simple but powerful; prayer works if we work at prayer. Forget trying to come up with an excuse for not knowing how or not having time - PRAY! Men and women of faith know how the power found in prayer and so they pray. In this modern version of The Bible instead of saying "supplications, intercessions, thanksgiving, etc.", it says "Pray everyw ay you know how." Just open your mind and/or mouth and talk to God! Pray for everyone you know. And the great thing is that we know when folks are praying for us. Pray for those in charge of governments, yes, all over the world including those we consider our enemies, and ask for God's will to be done.
I love the part that says, "Eventually the news is going to get out (about Jesus)," and won't that be a great day? What are you doing in the meantime to get that to happen?
PRAYER: Awesome God, I thank You for prayer. Like a parent that just loves to hear from their children, so do You just want to hear from us. I pray that prayer would bless all who need Your blessing and bring about the solutions to those things we are encountering. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 13, 2010
THE BANK CALLED TO SAY IT LOVED YOU?
Precious Lord, bless the needs of this dear reader today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today from Luke 16: 1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, "What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' 3 Then the manager said to himself, "What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?' 6 He answered, "A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' 7 Then he asked another, "And how much do you owe?' He replied, "A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, "Take your bill and make it eighty.' 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. 10 "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
Jesus talked a lot about money and its influence on people. Jesus knew that money has a spiritual effect on people, usually a negative one. In this parable He tells of a person so rich he had a business manager who handled his day-to-day affairs (he must not have been married!). But the rich person hears that he has been defrauded by this manager and so he calls him in for an audit of what he has done. He in effect, fires the man and wants this audit completed before he leaves. The man, being shrewd in the ways of the world, settles matters in ways most would not agree, especially the rich man, but guess what, the rich man complements the man for knowing how to take care of himself. The manager cut the debt owed to his boss in huge ways in hopes of being taken care of once he found himself on the street.
The point of Jesus' story to us is to be smart but for the right things not the things of this world, using every situation to help educate us in the things that matter. We are called to be good stewards of what God has shared with us in ways that glorify God. God will know where our hearts lie. The Message version closes with verse thirteen reading: "No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank."
PRAYER: Loving God, help me today in the things that are Yours and the things that I selfishly think are mine. I know all are Yours. Help me to be creative and resourceful with what I have to better Your Kingdom. Help me to be a person that loves You above all else. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text for today from Luke 16: 1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, "What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' 3 Then the manager said to himself, "What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?' 6 He answered, "A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' 7 Then he asked another, "And how much do you owe?' He replied, "A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, "Take your bill and make it eighty.' 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. 10 "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
Jesus talked a lot about money and its influence on people. Jesus knew that money has a spiritual effect on people, usually a negative one. In this parable He tells of a person so rich he had a business manager who handled his day-to-day affairs (he must not have been married!). But the rich person hears that he has been defrauded by this manager and so he calls him in for an audit of what he has done. He in effect, fires the man and wants this audit completed before he leaves. The man, being shrewd in the ways of the world, settles matters in ways most would not agree, especially the rich man, but guess what, the rich man complements the man for knowing how to take care of himself. The manager cut the debt owed to his boss in huge ways in hopes of being taken care of once he found himself on the street.
The point of Jesus' story to us is to be smart but for the right things not the things of this world, using every situation to help educate us in the things that matter. We are called to be good stewards of what God has shared with us in ways that glorify God. God will know where our hearts lie. The Message version closes with verse thirteen reading: "No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank."
PRAYER: Loving God, help me today in the things that are Yours and the things that I selfishly think are mine. I know all are Yours. Help me to be creative and resourceful with what I have to better Your Kingdom. Help me to be a person that loves You above all else. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, September 09, 2010
FOOLS FOR THE LORD?
Awesome God of all journeys, journey with this dear reader this morning in all that they may face; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for this morning, it is Psalm 14: 1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Gosh, even found among those who say there is a God we find fools. It is not limited to the unbelieving. Consider things folks have done through the ages in the name of God. We find in history, murders, invasions, the whole list of what Paul warned were things of the flesh found among the things that should happen only among unbelievers. And I'm not far behind, at times. I'm not always the believer I should be and I have my faults. I pray about those every day and ask to be made new every day. Yet, I seek God. I say "amen" and then start listening. And sometimes I don't like what I hear God saying. I seek to not go astray from God and to become the strong believer whose life can show others how to better live.
Wesley would ask the first members of the Methodist Society, "Are you willing to flee the coming wrath of God?" That was the entrance question. Guess what the correct answer was: YES! And so it should be with me and you. I seek to live a life that brings God's kingdom here and now and then I know the heavenly kingdom will be mine.
PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have sought my own way and not worried about you or others. Help me to believe and be made new today, I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text for this morning, it is Psalm 14: 1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Gosh, even found among those who say there is a God we find fools. It is not limited to the unbelieving. Consider things folks have done through the ages in the name of God. We find in history, murders, invasions, the whole list of what Paul warned were things of the flesh found among the things that should happen only among unbelievers. And I'm not far behind, at times. I'm not always the believer I should be and I have my faults. I pray about those every day and ask to be made new every day. Yet, I seek God. I say "amen" and then start listening. And sometimes I don't like what I hear God saying. I seek to not go astray from God and to become the strong believer whose life can show others how to better live.
Wesley would ask the first members of the Methodist Society, "Are you willing to flee the coming wrath of God?" That was the entrance question. Guess what the correct answer was: YES! And so it should be with me and you. I seek to live a life that brings God's kingdom here and now and then I know the heavenly kingdom will be mine.
PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have sought my own way and not worried about you or others. Help me to believe and be made new today, I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
JOYFUL REBELLION OR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE?
Blessed God, bless the life and needs of this dear reader, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Jeremiah 4: 11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. 22 "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good." 23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
What good comes from disobeying God? This passage is answering that question or better said, God is answering the question. Like a loving parent whose children think they know a better or only way, heartbreak comes to parents when they see the results of decisions and actions that had warned children to make the "right choice." How sad for a mom or dad to say about their children, "they sure do know how to do evil, but when it comes to doing what is right, they have no clue."
May it not be said of us or our children that we have not taught and followed God's way in our lives. May our decisions and actions and words reflect a commitment to God and the things of God. May it be so of our churches as well.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I have been there more times than I care to share. Forgive me for those times and help me to live a life that shows joyful obedience. May that obedience bless someone else who is thinking about following their own way instead of Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Jeremiah 4: 11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. 22 "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good." 23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
What good comes from disobeying God? This passage is answering that question or better said, God is answering the question. Like a loving parent whose children think they know a better or only way, heartbreak comes to parents when they see the results of decisions and actions that had warned children to make the "right choice." How sad for a mom or dad to say about their children, "they sure do know how to do evil, but when it comes to doing what is right, they have no clue."
May it not be said of us or our children that we have not taught and followed God's way in our lives. May our decisions and actions and words reflect a commitment to God and the things of God. May it be so of our churches as well.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I have been there more times than I care to share. Forgive me for those times and help me to live a life that shows joyful obedience. May that obedience bless someone else who is thinking about following their own way instead of Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
GRACE AND MERCY OVERFLOWING-AND IT SHOWS!
Loving God, bless and protect the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today from 1 Timothy 1: 12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I have shared many times how God through Christ Jesus has changed the lives of so many. My favorite took place in my first appointment, a student charge, where a young married man, who had just returned from having worked for the circus for many years, was a wild man and his face showed it. Yes, he had been one of those who truly ran away to join the circus! After sharing Christ with him, he accepted and on Sunday, in church, I did not recognize him. The Lord Jesus took a hold of his life and it showed. In all the churches since then I have seen the change that comes over people who surrunder their selfish and self-centered will to the will of the Lord God. Paul was no exception, he knew that his strength and fidelity to the service of Christ Jesus came from that surrender. Paul names his sins: Blasphemer, a persecutor and a man of violence (v. 13), and even while in ignorant unbelief, he received mercy and grace resulting in an overflowing of faith and love. Jesus, Paul declares, as should we, came into the world to save sinners, and Paul and I are "the foremost," but thanks be to God for God's unfailing love!
PRAYER: Loving God, let me surrender to You this morning . I ask that Your work in me may be made strong that I might show fidelity and obedience to You. Grant me mercy and grace overflowing. Remove me from the top ten list of sinners and place me on the list of those who love You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' name, through Whom I have been saved, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Here is our text for today from 1 Timothy 1: 12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I have shared many times how God through Christ Jesus has changed the lives of so many. My favorite took place in my first appointment, a student charge, where a young married man, who had just returned from having worked for the circus for many years, was a wild man and his face showed it. Yes, he had been one of those who truly ran away to join the circus! After sharing Christ with him, he accepted and on Sunday, in church, I did not recognize him. The Lord Jesus took a hold of his life and it showed. In all the churches since then I have seen the change that comes over people who surrunder their selfish and self-centered will to the will of the Lord God. Paul was no exception, he knew that his strength and fidelity to the service of Christ Jesus came from that surrender. Paul names his sins: Blasphemer, a persecutor and a man of violence (v. 13), and even while in ignorant unbelief, he received mercy and grace resulting in an overflowing of faith and love. Jesus, Paul declares, as should we, came into the world to save sinners, and Paul and I are "the foremost," but thanks be to God for God's unfailing love!
PRAYER: Loving God, let me surrender to You this morning . I ask that Your work in me may be made strong that I might show fidelity and obedience to You. Grant me mercy and grace overflowing. Remove me from the top ten list of sinners and place me on the list of those who love You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' name, through Whom I have been saved, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, September 06, 2010
REJOICING WITH AND OVER THE LOST BEING FOUND!
Loving God of all people, we thank You for this special day in which we honor those who have or still, labor with their hands. Allow them rest this day and we pray for a prosperous blessing for their labors and ours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
A very restful and Happy Labor Day to you all. Prayers for all who travel today to return to their homes after spending time enjoying this day off.
Here is our text for today: Luke 15: 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible for it is called the Chapter of the Lost. Three stories by Jesus explain how God feels about the lost. In this passage, two of the stories are shared. Before we get to the stories, notice why Jesus tells them. Jesus is being attacked for spending time with "sinners." Big gasp! Not only does Jesus talk to them, he sits down and eats with them. Now eating was (and is for us) a big deal. To "sup" with someone meant you fully accepted them. You sat at a common table and enjoyed a meal together. In the context of the stories shared, Jesus is identifying "the lost" as these people called "sinners" by the righteous (Pharisees and scribes). Please also note that if the sinners are lost, the Pharisees and scribes are found. We don't hear too many sermons about this part, we love the part of shepherds finding sheep or a poor woman finding a coin. That's important too, to illustrate God's great love, but don't overlook the love God has for those who are already part of God's love.
In the first story, Jesus uses a reference with which everyone in the audience could identify with. Most people in that audience had someone in their family or neighborhood who worked as a shepherd. Everywhere you looked you saw shepherds and sheep. You understood the importance of this livelihood and you also had a comprehension of how shepherds cared for their flock. A shepherd who owned his/her sheep, loved the sheep and would give their lives for them. Every sheep was important. We could almost make the case for today's dog owners. How many times have you not seen a photocopied flyer on a utility pole with the dog's face and name and the word "reward" on it? Sadly, you seldom see one for a cat. Some might be tempted to say, "Your reward is that you can keep Tabby!" But Jesus continues with this story in saying that that one lamb was so important to this shepherd, that he secures the 99 and goes in search for the one lost sheep. He risked all that was involved in finding it, but searches until he finds it and then rejoices in finding it. He places it on his shoulders, then goes and tells his friends that he has found the lost lamb! That same party that the shepherd has with his friends happens in Heaven when one lost sinner is found!
Next story, everyone has or knows a woman. And most of us know women who are dependent on what money they receive to meet their financial obligations. That was common in Jesus' day as well. We don't know the marital status of this woman, nor is it important, but Jesus has connected with those listening and says, Suppose this woman has enough money to make it through ten days, but loses the money for one day? This woman would search high and low until she finds that money. Jesus infers that this lady has called her friends to let them know that she has lost this money. And when she finds it, she tells those same friends and possibly others, "I found the money! Be happy with me!" Jesus again says, the same kind of joy is found among angels in Heaven when one sinner returns to God. Notice this lost person has repented and entered or re-entered into relationship with God.
This is a personal passage for it calls us to re-examine where we are with God both in our relationship with God, making sure we repent of our sins and get right with God, and also in our attitude and relationship with those different from us, but whom we realize, are also already in relationship with God.
PRAYER: Lord God, we sometimes worry just about ourselves and those we already know and love. For that love You have for me and them, I thank You. I ask forgiveness for sometimes judging others as being "outside" of Your love because they are different or don't agree with me. Bless them as well. We thank You for this day and ask Your blessings on all who travel this day to be home or at work again. I ask these things in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
PS Prayer Request for the Bambrick family of San Marcos. Tom Bambrick, devoted husband and faithful servant of the Lord, went to his rest on Friday. I ask for prayers for Nita, his wife, and all the dear family members.
A BIG THANK YOU for all who journeyed in prayer with Nellie and I as we made our way from here to North Carolina and then home. We returned safe and sound, weary, but resting today for the joys and demands that lay ahead. May the Lord bless you and keep you!
A very restful and Happy Labor Day to you all. Prayers for all who travel today to return to their homes after spending time enjoying this day off.
Here is our text for today: Luke 15: 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible for it is called the Chapter of the Lost. Three stories by Jesus explain how God feels about the lost. In this passage, two of the stories are shared. Before we get to the stories, notice why Jesus tells them. Jesus is being attacked for spending time with "sinners." Big gasp! Not only does Jesus talk to them, he sits down and eats with them. Now eating was (and is for us) a big deal. To "sup" with someone meant you fully accepted them. You sat at a common table and enjoyed a meal together. In the context of the stories shared, Jesus is identifying "the lost" as these people called "sinners" by the righteous (Pharisees and scribes). Please also note that if the sinners are lost, the Pharisees and scribes are found. We don't hear too many sermons about this part, we love the part of shepherds finding sheep or a poor woman finding a coin. That's important too, to illustrate God's great love, but don't overlook the love God has for those who are already part of God's love.
In the first story, Jesus uses a reference with which everyone in the audience could identify with. Most people in that audience had someone in their family or neighborhood who worked as a shepherd. Everywhere you looked you saw shepherds and sheep. You understood the importance of this livelihood and you also had a comprehension of how shepherds cared for their flock. A shepherd who owned his/her sheep, loved the sheep and would give their lives for them. Every sheep was important. We could almost make the case for today's dog owners. How many times have you not seen a photocopied flyer on a utility pole with the dog's face and name and the word "reward" on it? Sadly, you seldom see one for a cat. Some might be tempted to say, "Your reward is that you can keep Tabby!" But Jesus continues with this story in saying that that one lamb was so important to this shepherd, that he secures the 99 and goes in search for the one lost sheep. He risked all that was involved in finding it, but searches until he finds it and then rejoices in finding it. He places it on his shoulders, then goes and tells his friends that he has found the lost lamb! That same party that the shepherd has with his friends happens in Heaven when one lost sinner is found!
Next story, everyone has or knows a woman. And most of us know women who are dependent on what money they receive to meet their financial obligations. That was common in Jesus' day as well. We don't know the marital status of this woman, nor is it important, but Jesus has connected with those listening and says, Suppose this woman has enough money to make it through ten days, but loses the money for one day? This woman would search high and low until she finds that money. Jesus infers that this lady has called her friends to let them know that she has lost this money. And when she finds it, she tells those same friends and possibly others, "I found the money! Be happy with me!" Jesus again says, the same kind of joy is found among angels in Heaven when one sinner returns to God. Notice this lost person has repented and entered or re-entered into relationship with God.
This is a personal passage for it calls us to re-examine where we are with God both in our relationship with God, making sure we repent of our sins and get right with God, and also in our attitude and relationship with those different from us, but whom we realize, are also already in relationship with God.
PRAYER: Lord God, we sometimes worry just about ourselves and those we already know and love. For that love You have for me and them, I thank You. I ask forgiveness for sometimes judging others as being "outside" of Your love because they are different or don't agree with me. Bless them as well. We thank You for this day and ask Your blessings on all who travel this day to be home or at work again. I ask these things in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
PS Prayer Request for the Bambrick family of San Marcos. Tom Bambrick, devoted husband and faithful servant of the Lord, went to his rest on Friday. I ask for prayers for Nita, his wife, and all the dear family members.
A BIG THANK YOU for all who journeyed in prayer with Nellie and I as we made our way from here to North Carolina and then home. We returned safe and sound, weary, but resting today for the joys and demands that lay ahead. May the Lord bless you and keep you!
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