Amazing God of love, pour out Your love on the life of this dear reader during those times of challenge they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 1: 1 Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. 3 After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but "must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. 5 John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon." 6 When they were together for the last time they asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?" 7 He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. 8 What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." 9 These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. 10 They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared - in white robes! 11 They said, "You Galileans! - why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly - and mysteriously - as he left." (The Message)
Okay, so the world did not end on the 21st of May. The source behind that date said that it was "invisible" and that the first step that did take place on that day was the Judgment of God and so, on the 21st of October, the world will end. Sigh. That means no birthday for me four days later, at least here on earth. Shucks. But, I bet they have greater gifts in Heaven! Re-read this passage, especially verse 7b. Read it out loud, "Timing is the Father's business." This coming Sunday we celebrate the day when Jesus left the earth in full sight of the disciples with the angels being the ones doing some of the heavy talking, namely, "You've got work to do! God needs witnesses to tell the story in all those places you're from and you go to often, like Jerusalem (your hometown), Judea (beyond your hometown, i.e. your state), and Samaria (even those places you're not crazy about!). And you won't get it done by just standing here and looking upward all the time!"
So it is with us and our lives and churches. We've got work to do. Especially since so many no longer come to church, church has to go to them. We find ourselves like the "church" of Jesus' day. People no longer felt welcome or that it was necessary, so Jesus came and signed up disciples to get the church's work started. In John Wesley's day, the church was not reaching the people, so Wesley signed up followers to get the church to the people where the people were at. What made us believe that line in that movie, "If you build it they will come?" That may hold true for a baseball stadium in the middle of a corn field, but a true church, where God's Kingdom fills the hearts of people is everywhere, not just a corn field. Our work is to build up the Kingdom wherever we can.
PRAYER: Loving God, build up in me Your Kingdom and help me find those who will help take the story to the streets, the ballparks, the stores, work places, lakes, oceans, RV Parks, wherever You lead, so that those there will find You and Your love. I know it won't be easy, but with the power of Your Holy Spirit I can do it. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Go Deep!
Loving God, may today be a somber day of remembrance that freedom comes with a great price. May Your comfort be with all the loved ones of those who died in our wars. In Christ Jesus' Name I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (NRSV).
Twice in this chapter we read of the power of Jesus to open both our eyes and our minds to deeper understanding of the things of God. That's really the key of a deeper relationship with God when we "go deep." To try to know God in a shallow way both cheats us and demeans God. Basically what Jesus is saying is that we can't just read those parts of the Bible where we read every day or every time we pick up the Word of God. Not that that isn't meaningful or powerful, but there's so much more! To better understand and to gather a deeper meaning of our favorite passage, know the whole story of God and God's plan and purpose for our lives.
The disciples and followers of Jesus did not know the whole story nor did they know until they had received "power from on high" on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). This coming Sunday will be Ascension Sunday when we remember that on that day the church remembers that Jesus arose not only from the dead, but arose from the earth into the realm of Heaven. And no better instruction can be ours than to know the whole story behind that.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to go deeper today and all days in my love and knowledge of You. Help me to know the whole story of Your great love for me. Help me to have truly open eyes to Your presence and power and an open mind to more deeply understand all things. 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 24: 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (NRSV).
Twice in this chapter we read of the power of Jesus to open both our eyes and our minds to deeper understanding of the things of God. That's really the key of a deeper relationship with God when we "go deep." To try to know God in a shallow way both cheats us and demeans God. Basically what Jesus is saying is that we can't just read those parts of the Bible where we read every day or every time we pick up the Word of God. Not that that isn't meaningful or powerful, but there's so much more! To better understand and to gather a deeper meaning of our favorite passage, know the whole story of God and God's plan and purpose for our lives.
The disciples and followers of Jesus did not know the whole story nor did they know until they had received "power from on high" on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). This coming Sunday will be Ascension Sunday when we remember that on that day the church remembers that Jesus arose not only from the dead, but arose from the earth into the realm of Heaven. And no better instruction can be ours than to know the whole story behind that.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to go deeper today and all days in my love and knowledge of You. Help me to know the whole story of Your great love for me. Help me to have truly open eyes to Your presence and power and an open mind to more deeply understand all things. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Great Barbecues!
Amazing God of love and peace, pour out Your joy upon the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 66: 8 Bless our God, O peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! 9 Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch? 10 He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, 11 Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, 12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place. 13 I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house. I'm doing what I said I'd do, 14 What I solemnly swore I'd do that day when I was in so much trouble: 15 The choicest cuts of meat for the sacrificial meal; Even the fragrance of roasted lamb is like a meal! Or make it an ox garnished with goat meat! 16 All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me. 17 I called out to him with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music. 18 If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened. 19 But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer. 20 Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love. (The Message)
I don't know about you, but when we celebrate something big or important like a holiday, we barbecue! And I'm not talking about hot dogs and burgers, I'm talking real meat! One of the most memorable BBQs was when I was still a boy and my best friend's dad who worked at a meat market was barbecuing in his front yard and I was invited over. You name it and that meat was on the grill that night. Later, as an intern pastor in the Valley of Texas, I learned that folks down there were BBQ fanatics. Every Friday night there was an invitation to a BBQ of some sort. And folks there were the ones who discovered there is no such thing as any part of the cow that you throw away! You can pretty much eat the whole cow. I know for some of you it's early and the thought of any thing other than cold cereal may be turning you off, but this text is alive with celebration of what God has done in our lives! Every bad experience the psalmist calls "training." The "road to life" was lined with those experiences that were not necessarily pleasant at the time, but now looking back in thanksgiving, it was a process of making us who we are and who we're met to be. And in response, the psalmist is having a BBQ! Yes, it's a sacrificial offering to God, but you can almost smell the roasting of the meat offered up in thanks to God. And then as he's cooking and grilling, he's singing! This is what Valley folks would call a pachanga, a true all-out celebration of life.
What training experiences have you or are you facing? Just think of the great barbecue that's going to happen some day soon in order to thank God for what these experiences made you to be. Remember God is with us and as the psalmist says at the close of this passage, because we don't "cozy up with evil," God hears our prayers and is with us.
PRAYER: Loving God, at times it does not seem like a training experience, it seems like torture, but You are still with me. Let me celebrate Your presence and response to my prayers. May I seek to share this someday as a celebration of all You have done; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Psalm 66: 8 Bless our God, O peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! 9 Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch? 10 He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, 11 Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, 12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place. 13 I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house. I'm doing what I said I'd do, 14 What I solemnly swore I'd do that day when I was in so much trouble: 15 The choicest cuts of meat for the sacrificial meal; Even the fragrance of roasted lamb is like a meal! Or make it an ox garnished with goat meat! 16 All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me. 17 I called out to him with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music. 18 If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened. 19 But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer. 20 Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love. (The Message)
I don't know about you, but when we celebrate something big or important like a holiday, we barbecue! And I'm not talking about hot dogs and burgers, I'm talking real meat! One of the most memorable BBQs was when I was still a boy and my best friend's dad who worked at a meat market was barbecuing in his front yard and I was invited over. You name it and that meat was on the grill that night. Later, as an intern pastor in the Valley of Texas, I learned that folks down there were BBQ fanatics. Every Friday night there was an invitation to a BBQ of some sort. And folks there were the ones who discovered there is no such thing as any part of the cow that you throw away! You can pretty much eat the whole cow. I know for some of you it's early and the thought of any thing other than cold cereal may be turning you off, but this text is alive with celebration of what God has done in our lives! Every bad experience the psalmist calls "training." The "road to life" was lined with those experiences that were not necessarily pleasant at the time, but now looking back in thanksgiving, it was a process of making us who we are and who we're met to be. And in response, the psalmist is having a BBQ! Yes, it's a sacrificial offering to God, but you can almost smell the roasting of the meat offered up in thanks to God. And then as he's cooking and grilling, he's singing! This is what Valley folks would call a pachanga, a true all-out celebration of life.
What training experiences have you or are you facing? Just think of the great barbecue that's going to happen some day soon in order to thank God for what these experiences made you to be. Remember God is with us and as the psalmist says at the close of this passage, because we don't "cozy up with evil," God hears our prayers and is with us.
PRAYER: Loving God, at times it does not seem like a training experience, it seems like torture, but You are still with me. Let me celebrate Your presence and response to my prayers. May I seek to share this someday as a celebration of all You have done; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Jesus Has the Last Word on Everything!
God of precious and powerful moments and days; richly bless the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 3: 13 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? 14 Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. 15 Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 16 Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. 17 It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. 18 That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all - was put to death and then made alive - to bring us to God. 19 He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment 20 because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact - saved from the water by the water. 21 The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. 22 Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. (The Message)
I grew up in an interesting and wonderful time. As a child I was instructed by my parents as to right and wrong. I was also disciplined by both my parents. Yes, that means that I would be subject to two interrogations and punishments, usually spankings. And I always believed I was striving to do what was right. Sometimes what I thought was right was more fun than right and as a result, well, you know. Then, life got more interesting when I went to school when my Dad and/or my Mom would tell the teacher, in front of me, "Is my son misbehaves you can paddle him and then let us know and when he gets home we'll paddle him again!" What?? Thank God, it wasn't until 9th grade that I got my first school paddling for laughing during band rehearsal. It was funny and the one swat with the paddle was more humorous than hurtful. I laughinly told my Dad and he just laughed with me. Life changed when I started wanting to do something and I would ask my Mom and she would say, "Go ask your Dad." I would ask him and he would say, "Go ask your Mother." And sometimes that would go on for more times than I thought fair! But always striving for the right. Peter is saying the same thing about more important matters, those of the eternal nature. When it comes to our faith, we must live right and do what is right and just before God. And we should be willing and ready to defend our faith in ways that attract others to God's way to life. And our model should always be Jesus who suffered and died for the just and unjust alike. Christ died for you and me. Peter believes that during His three days in the grave Jesus visited those in hell and shared with them the right way to live. And if we have been baptized we can stand right before God and others about who we are and Whose we are.
I learned early in my ministry when it comes to all things, Jesus has the last word on all things. I've seen doctors proven wrong because Jesus had a different diagnosis. I've seen lawyers proven wrong because a different advocate had something to say. I've seen probable tragedy turn into victory and on and on, in the lives of so many parishioners and family members. Jesus has the last word.
What are you facing and what have you been told by humans? Have you asked Jesus what He thinks and wants for you? He'll have the last word.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for all that Your son does for us, especially when it is the unexplained and sometimes the unbelieveable. Have the last word in my life and in my life's challenges and opportunities. I ask this in His precious Name, Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 3: 13 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? 14 Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. 15 Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 16 Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. 17 It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. 18 That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all - was put to death and then made alive - to bring us to God. 19 He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment 20 because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact - saved from the water by the water. 21 The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. 22 Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. (The Message)
I grew up in an interesting and wonderful time. As a child I was instructed by my parents as to right and wrong. I was also disciplined by both my parents. Yes, that means that I would be subject to two interrogations and punishments, usually spankings. And I always believed I was striving to do what was right. Sometimes what I thought was right was more fun than right and as a result, well, you know. Then, life got more interesting when I went to school when my Dad and/or my Mom would tell the teacher, in front of me, "Is my son misbehaves you can paddle him and then let us know and when he gets home we'll paddle him again!" What?? Thank God, it wasn't until 9th grade that I got my first school paddling for laughing during band rehearsal. It was funny and the one swat with the paddle was more humorous than hurtful. I laughinly told my Dad and he just laughed with me. Life changed when I started wanting to do something and I would ask my Mom and she would say, "Go ask your Dad." I would ask him and he would say, "Go ask your Mother." And sometimes that would go on for more times than I thought fair! But always striving for the right. Peter is saying the same thing about more important matters, those of the eternal nature. When it comes to our faith, we must live right and do what is right and just before God. And we should be willing and ready to defend our faith in ways that attract others to God's way to life. And our model should always be Jesus who suffered and died for the just and unjust alike. Christ died for you and me. Peter believes that during His three days in the grave Jesus visited those in hell and shared with them the right way to live. And if we have been baptized we can stand right before God and others about who we are and Whose we are.
I learned early in my ministry when it comes to all things, Jesus has the last word on all things. I've seen doctors proven wrong because Jesus had a different diagnosis. I've seen lawyers proven wrong because a different advocate had something to say. I've seen probable tragedy turn into victory and on and on, in the lives of so many parishioners and family members. Jesus has the last word.
What are you facing and what have you been told by humans? Have you asked Jesus what He thinks and wants for you? He'll have the last word.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for all that Your son does for us, especially when it is the unexplained and sometimes the unbelieveable. Have the last word in my life and in my life's challenges and opportunities. I ask this in His precious Name, Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Placing Others Before God
Blessed Lord, hold the hand of this dear reader today in whatever they may face; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 17: 22 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. 23 When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines 25 or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. 26 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living 27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. 28 We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' 29 Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it? 30 "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better - but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. 31 He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead." (The Message)
Since the beginning of time we humans have been creative and imaginative when it comes to creating stuff. Yet, nothing compares with what God has made. This was what Paul said as he encountered the many shrines to idols and false gods in Athens. Eager to cover every base, the Athenians had even built one for the unknown god. Paul took advantage of that and said, Listen up, I have the whole story behind that unknown God, for I know Him and you can too. And he tells them the story of God and God's love and invites them to believe in this God, our God. Paul even mocks the idea that is an Old Testament idea as well, that of creating something handmade and then calling it a god. It makes no sense. That is why it is written in the OT as foolish to worship the creation instead of the Creator.
In our lives many idols and shrines have erected dwelling places in us; cars, homes, televisions, music players, etc., etc. They take center stage in our lives and when we measure the time we spend with them vs. the time we spend with God, we find out who we are, and where we're heading, to a spiritual death. As Paul did to the Athenians, let him do to us: Share a word of worry and a call to action, renouncing those idols and false gods and turning instead to the true God, the Creator of all things.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me renounce the things that have taken priority in my life over You. Let me seek to place You first in my life as I know I should. Forgive me for those times that other things have taken Your place. I pray 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 Acts 17: 22 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. 23 When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines 25 or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. 26 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living 27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. 28 We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' 29 Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it? 30 "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better - but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. 31 He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead." (The Message)
Since the beginning of time we humans have been creative and imaginative when it comes to creating stuff. Yet, nothing compares with what God has made. This was what Paul said as he encountered the many shrines to idols and false gods in Athens. Eager to cover every base, the Athenians had even built one for the unknown god. Paul took advantage of that and said, Listen up, I have the whole story behind that unknown God, for I know Him and you can too. And he tells them the story of God and God's love and invites them to believe in this God, our God. Paul even mocks the idea that is an Old Testament idea as well, that of creating something handmade and then calling it a god. It makes no sense. That is why it is written in the OT as foolish to worship the creation instead of the Creator.
In our lives many idols and shrines have erected dwelling places in us; cars, homes, televisions, music players, etc., etc. They take center stage in our lives and when we measure the time we spend with them vs. the time we spend with God, we find out who we are, and where we're heading, to a spiritual death. As Paul did to the Athenians, let him do to us: Share a word of worry and a call to action, renouncing those idols and false gods and turning instead to the true God, the Creator of all things.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me renounce the things that have taken priority in my life over You. Let me seek to place You first in my life as I know I should. Forgive me for those times that other things have taken Your place. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 23, 2011
Good Girl Lucy
We lost our great dog Lucy today. She had been sick some time and finally old age claimed a great dog. She had been with us about thirteen years. We were "loaned" Lucy while her original family went on vacation. I know it was a ploy to get rid of that poor girl, as she was accused of chewing things up, something she never did with us. I hate to admit when I first saw her I said, "That's the ugliest dog I've ever seen!" It was a bit of anger towards knowing what this family wanted to do with this dog - give her away. We took her and she took to me. In theory she was Caty's dog, but Lucy didn't know that really; she loved us all and really responded to me. She loved to go bye-bye, meaning to ride in a car or Suburban. She hated baths, but once Nellie started she gave in and received the bath. She was great at hiding and being stubborn when she heard the water running and the word bath mentioned out loud. She was a calm dog and never panicked or went hyper on us. She loved music (poor dog had no choice in this household) and when she saw me jumping around to rock, she would stand right in front of me as if to say, "Hey! I can dance!" And she would. She knew that when I wore a baseball cap it was time to go for a walk. She also had an internal clock that told her when it was Sunday morning. On Sunday mornings early, she would come with me in the old Suburban to go to the nearest Starbucks in Harlingen and later here in Corpus Christi, to pick up a copy of the Sunday Times. We never fought for any particular sections, though I think she secretly loved reading Modern Love and parts of the Arts and Leisure that featured full page color ads of movies. She was also a great HEB dog that would wait patiently for me while I went in alone to the store and would get super excited when she saw me coming back, jumping all three seats in that truck to come and see what I had bought.
Then the day came when arthritis got more than she could bear to jump up on the Suburban and that one Sunday I told her I was sorry and I couldn't take her with me. I don't know if she ever forgave me for that. When I got back I would take her from the side entrance of our backyard to the front yard and let her sniff around to get the latest news from neighborhood dogs. I think she liked that but wasn't too happy to not be riding in the truck any longer. I remember when she would tire after about a block of walking and stubbornly held back so that I would walk slower or not run with her.
I woke up yesterday thinking that she had finally gone home and thought that Sunday would be an appropriate day for her to rest in the Lord, but she picked up her ear when she heard the door open and opened her eyes when I called to her. It was about a week ago I made her favorite noise, scraping a plate with a fork. She got up and moved from her favorite spot to come closer to our patio. I think Jesus used that sound sometime this morning when it was time to leave her old, sickly body, to run in the fields of grass that I know have been prepared for precious animals such as Lucy. In fact, Nellie said she dreamed last night that Lucy was better and was running all over the place like she used to; God's way of telling her and us that today would be the day she would run in another place where there is no pain nor sorrow nor death.
So, goodbye dear friend and family member. I will always remember you and miss you. I pray that one day we will again run in wonderful fields and not grow tired.
STAYING CONNECTED!
Loving God of the Resurrection, bring new life to the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 15:1 "I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. 2 He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. 3 You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. 4 "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me. 5 "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. 6 Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. 7 But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. 8 This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. (The Message)
Used to be one could ride in one's car and be completely disconnected from one's work. When car phones and huge in-a-bag cellular phones made their appearance, a mentor of mine in ministry said, "Why do I want a car phone? It's the only time I have peace and quiet!" Now, many folks cannot imagine a world without a cell phone. Some call them "chains" from the work place, others call it an umblical cord, some a lifeline, and on and on. It is a way to stay connected. Can you imagine a world without being connected to Jesus? Sadly, many may not even be aware of it or the need to stay connected, and live difficult lives because they are not connected. Jesus in His statement today talks about our being and staying connected with God. "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you." (v. 4) What a life! Living in Christ Jesus and having Christ living in us!
Stay connected to Him through prayer, prayer thoughts, prayer words, prayer actions. Read your Bible and listen as you read. It will make a world of difference! It'll make your world so much better!
PRAYER: Loving God, help me stay connected to You. You are the source of hope, love, and peace for my life and do I need it now! 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 John 15:1 "I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. 2 He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. 3 You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. 4 "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me. 5 "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. 6 Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. 7 But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. 8 This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. (The Message)
Used to be one could ride in one's car and be completely disconnected from one's work. When car phones and huge in-a-bag cellular phones made their appearance, a mentor of mine in ministry said, "Why do I want a car phone? It's the only time I have peace and quiet!" Now, many folks cannot imagine a world without a cell phone. Some call them "chains" from the work place, others call it an umblical cord, some a lifeline, and on and on. It is a way to stay connected. Can you imagine a world without being connected to Jesus? Sadly, many may not even be aware of it or the need to stay connected, and live difficult lives because they are not connected. Jesus in His statement today talks about our being and staying connected with God. "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you." (v. 4) What a life! Living in Christ Jesus and having Christ living in us!
Stay connected to Him through prayer, prayer thoughts, prayer words, prayer actions. Read your Bible and listen as you read. It will make a world of difference! It'll make your world so much better!
PRAYER: Loving God, help me stay connected to You. You are the source of hope, love, and peace for my life and do I need it now! I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Have You Had a Taste of God?
O God who provides showers of blessings, some expected, some not, shower with blessings this dear reader today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 2:2-10: 2 Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. 3 You've had a taste of God. 4 Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. 5 Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 6 The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. 7 To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. 8 For the untrusting it's . . . a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted. 9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you - 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (The Message)
When you have a taste of God, you have a taste of life. And not just the existence of life, the fullness, the richness of life. It is an experience that brings into, to borrow an old line from the ancient days of television, living color all of life's experiences. Peter as he shares his experiences with Christ Jesus is reminding his readers of how wonderful and beautiful it is to trust God. God sent Jesus whom many rejected (and still do!) and God has made Him the chief cornerstone of a life well lived. Those who have tasted God have made Jesus the cornerstone of their lives. It is the place of honor and remembrance of what happened in the construction of that life and it is also a declaration to others that they too can have that for their lives as well. Chief among what can and does happen for those who accept and believe is that we have come from feeling rejected, unaccepted, unwanted and unloved, into that life which says we do matter, we are worty, we are accepted, wanted, and loved!
What more could you want?
PRAYER: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Let others have that taste of You that I have had through Christ Jesus my Lord. Let me help tell others about You through Him, with Your help; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 2:2-10: 2 Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. 3 You've had a taste of God. 4 Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. 5 Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 6 The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. 7 To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. 8 For the untrusting it's . . . a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted. 9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you - 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (The Message)
When you have a taste of God, you have a taste of life. And not just the existence of life, the fullness, the richness of life. It is an experience that brings into, to borrow an old line from the ancient days of television, living color all of life's experiences. Peter as he shares his experiences with Christ Jesus is reminding his readers of how wonderful and beautiful it is to trust God. God sent Jesus whom many rejected (and still do!) and God has made Him the chief cornerstone of a life well lived. Those who have tasted God have made Jesus the cornerstone of their lives. It is the place of honor and remembrance of what happened in the construction of that life and it is also a declaration to others that they too can have that for their lives as well. Chief among what can and does happen for those who accept and believe is that we have come from feeling rejected, unaccepted, unwanted and unloved, into that life which says we do matter, we are worty, we are accepted, wanted, and loved!
What more could you want?
PRAYER: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Let others have that taste of You that I have had through Christ Jesus my Lord. Let me help tell others about You through Him, with Your help; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Commitment and Sacrifice
God of the Way, Truth, and Life, pour out Your blessing and strength on this dear reader today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 7: 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed - he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. 56 He said, "Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God's side!" 57 Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, 58 they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them. 59 As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, "Master Jesus, take my life." 60 Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, "Master, don't blame them for this sin" - his last words. Then he died. Saul was right there, congratulating the killers. (The Message)
The cost of following Christ varies from person to person, but it is not cheap. For Stephen, it cost him his life. This passage is a sad one for it tells of that death, the first death of one who died for Jesus. Stephen is called the first Deacon (servant of the Lord) and the first martyr. His crime? Following Jesus in a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led way. He was doing some unexplainable things that most would call miracles and speaking up the life of Christ which went against the Jews and their holy temple. The story goes that false witnesses were bribed to speak against him and so brought to trial they prevailed and they sentenced him to death.
Many today don't want to leave the comfort of the couch to follow Jesus. Others don't want to deviate from their normal routine. Some want their Sundays to themselves. Some feel called but won't leave their home or their job. Stephen left all, even this earth, to follow and be with Jesus. The Scriptures tell us that when he was on trial he had the face of an angel and also says that as he's dying this painful death, he prays that God not hold this sin against them. What is also interesting to note is that even in the midst of someone suffering and dying for God, God is at work in a mysterious and powerful way. One of the ones who was called to be a witness to this murder later becomes the greatest evangelist that ever preached during that early period of the Church.
Where are you? In the camp watching others do the work? In the camp that speaks against the ones doing the work? In the camp working hard to discredit and harm the one doing the work? Or is God at work in you calling you to faithful service? Be prayerful about knowing that serving God requires committment and sacrifice. It is not cheap.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray this morning I know what camp I'm in. I ask that You place me where You will to do what You will in my life for Your good and Your people's good. 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 Acts 7: 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed - he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. 56 He said, "Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God's side!" 57 Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, 58 they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them. 59 As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, "Master Jesus, take my life." 60 Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, "Master, don't blame them for this sin" - his last words. Then he died. Saul was right there, congratulating the killers. (The Message)
The cost of following Christ varies from person to person, but it is not cheap. For Stephen, it cost him his life. This passage is a sad one for it tells of that death, the first death of one who died for Jesus. Stephen is called the first Deacon (servant of the Lord) and the first martyr. His crime? Following Jesus in a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led way. He was doing some unexplainable things that most would call miracles and speaking up the life of Christ which went against the Jews and their holy temple. The story goes that false witnesses were bribed to speak against him and so brought to trial they prevailed and they sentenced him to death.
Many today don't want to leave the comfort of the couch to follow Jesus. Others don't want to deviate from their normal routine. Some want their Sundays to themselves. Some feel called but won't leave their home or their job. Stephen left all, even this earth, to follow and be with Jesus. The Scriptures tell us that when he was on trial he had the face of an angel and also says that as he's dying this painful death, he prays that God not hold this sin against them. What is also interesting to note is that even in the midst of someone suffering and dying for God, God is at work in a mysterious and powerful way. One of the ones who was called to be a witness to this murder later becomes the greatest evangelist that ever preached during that early period of the Church.
Where are you? In the camp watching others do the work? In the camp that speaks against the ones doing the work? In the camp working hard to discredit and harm the one doing the work? Or is God at work in you calling you to faithful service? Be prayerful about knowing that serving God requires committment and sacrifice. It is not cheap.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray this morning I know what camp I'm in. I ask that You place me where You will to do what You will in my life for Your good and Your people's good. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Prayer as a Key to Knowing Jesus and Knowing God
Amazing God shine brightly on the path of this dear reader today guiding them to that which blesses them and glorifies You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 14: 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (NRSV).
Knowing Jesus is the key to life. Knowing Jesus is the difference between merely existing and living life to the fullness. Knowing Jesus is knowing God the Father. The disciples did not yet clearly understand this. They knew Jesus was from God and that Jesus could do some pretty amazing things that they could not yet explain, but when it came to revealing a side of death they had not yet known except through the resurrection of Lazarus, they thought something was up. Jesus reveals that in knowing Him, you know the Father. Philip wants that and asks to be shown the Father. Jesus replies that if you have known and seen Him, you have seen the Father. Jesus reveals that His mission was a mission from God and His teachings and miracles were works of wonders done by God the Father. And, in a passage that gets overlooked and placed on back burners, Jesus said that those who believed in Him would be able to not only do what He did, but even greater works still. If we ask something that will glorify the Father in Jesus' name, it will be done.
The key to this is knowing Jesus through prayer. This has been one of my themes as pastor and now as a superintendent. We must re-learn and recapture the power of prayer. We must know to use prayer as a means of grace and as an instrument of worship. We must make our prayers altars of praise for God. As we pray we must glorify God and share our thanks and praise with God. We must enjoy the two-sided relationship with God that is prayer. Jesus' earlier statement about the sheep knowing the voice of the shepherd is a clue about prayer and our listening to God as and after we pray. I've taught folks that when we say "amen," we're really saying, "Okay, Lord, it's Your turn," and then we turn our hearts to God to listen closely to what God may say to us.
Listen closely to the voice of the shepherd today.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray, I am opening my heart, my spirit, my soul, my ears to You. Let me not only share with You what is in my heart but also be open to receiving that which You may share with me. I want to know Your voice and be led by You. I ask and pray this, wanting to glorify You in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from John 14: 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (NRSV).
Knowing Jesus is the key to life. Knowing Jesus is the difference between merely existing and living life to the fullness. Knowing Jesus is knowing God the Father. The disciples did not yet clearly understand this. They knew Jesus was from God and that Jesus could do some pretty amazing things that they could not yet explain, but when it came to revealing a side of death they had not yet known except through the resurrection of Lazarus, they thought something was up. Jesus reveals that in knowing Him, you know the Father. Philip wants that and asks to be shown the Father. Jesus replies that if you have known and seen Him, you have seen the Father. Jesus reveals that His mission was a mission from God and His teachings and miracles were works of wonders done by God the Father. And, in a passage that gets overlooked and placed on back burners, Jesus said that those who believed in Him would be able to not only do what He did, but even greater works still. If we ask something that will glorify the Father in Jesus' name, it will be done.
The key to this is knowing Jesus through prayer. This has been one of my themes as pastor and now as a superintendent. We must re-learn and recapture the power of prayer. We must know to use prayer as a means of grace and as an instrument of worship. We must make our prayers altars of praise for God. As we pray we must glorify God and share our thanks and praise with God. We must enjoy the two-sided relationship with God that is prayer. Jesus' earlier statement about the sheep knowing the voice of the shepherd is a clue about prayer and our listening to God as and after we pray. I've taught folks that when we say "amen," we're really saying, "Okay, Lord, it's Your turn," and then we turn our hearts to God to listen closely to what God may say to us.
Listen closely to the voice of the shepherd today.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray, I am opening my heart, my spirit, my soul, my ears to You. Let me not only share with You what is in my heart but also be open to receiving that which You may share with me. I want to know Your voice and be led by You. I ask and pray this, wanting to glorify You in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 16, 2011
THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!
Loving God of all seasons, may this day be truly a day of new beginnings and joy for the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 14: 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NRSV)
This is the Gospel text for this coming Sunday and we will take a couple of days to study the power and beauty behind this very special text. This passage happens just after Jesus has revealed to His disciples that He would suffer and die. Like most loved ones, this is not news one likes to hear or process. Their reaction was much like ours when we have faced this type of news, denial, anger, saying things we don't really mean or believe. In their case, the disciples did not yet know the power of Jesus over death, so Jesus tells them about troubled hearts. The person with no belief in God suffers a lot when told news of a grave nature such as this. Jesus says that those who believe in God should not be troubled because of that belief. He takes it further by sharing how God has a "dwelling place" for those who believe. This was a word of life beyond this life. And earlier Jesus had told the disciples that He was involved in the construction of that place, so you know it has to be good! One of the secrets of Walt Disney was that he knew that if you continue to build and make new attractions, people who see the construction will have to come back to see what is coming. Imagine God's work! And Jesus personalized this for He said that He would be preparing a place and that He would come Himself to take us with Him so that where he is, we might be also. That in itself is powerful enough, but He had to continue explaining because of so many human emotions and doubts. In verse 5 it was Thomas who says, "Lord we don't know where you're going, how can we know the way?" Good question. And listen for the great answer: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Last Sunday's passage dealt with John 10 and how Jesus is the gate for the sheep and the good shepherd. This passage is about Jesus is the way. For many years, before the name "Christian" was given to believers, followers of Jesus were called Followers of the Way, meaning that in Jesus we know how to live and we know where we are going. It came from this passage and for that reason I named my blog, The University of the Way, meaning our need to staying focused on Jesus and what Jesus offers to us. The second part of this important teaching is that Jesus called Himself truth. We should leave no room for doubt in our lives when it comes to such an important and eternal question about life after death. Jesus spoke to His disciples and He shares with us the truth. There is nothing false in Jesus. Lastly, Jesus said He was life. Last Sunday we heard Jesus say He came so that you and I might have life and that in abundance. It's a recurring theme in Jesus' message, for He himself is life for you and me. And Jesus provides our access to God the Father.
Can we say we're lost? Not if we know Jesus! Can we say that we can't believe unless it's the truth? Jesus is the truth. Can we say that life ends with death? Not if we believe and trust Jesus!
PRAYER: Loving God of all life and truth, bless me today with that strength of faith that I need. May I reflect to others that I do know the way, the truth and the life because I know You! I pray 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 John 14: 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NRSV)
This is the Gospel text for this coming Sunday and we will take a couple of days to study the power and beauty behind this very special text. This passage happens just after Jesus has revealed to His disciples that He would suffer and die. Like most loved ones, this is not news one likes to hear or process. Their reaction was much like ours when we have faced this type of news, denial, anger, saying things we don't really mean or believe. In their case, the disciples did not yet know the power of Jesus over death, so Jesus tells them about troubled hearts. The person with no belief in God suffers a lot when told news of a grave nature such as this. Jesus says that those who believe in God should not be troubled because of that belief. He takes it further by sharing how God has a "dwelling place" for those who believe. This was a word of life beyond this life. And earlier Jesus had told the disciples that He was involved in the construction of that place, so you know it has to be good! One of the secrets of Walt Disney was that he knew that if you continue to build and make new attractions, people who see the construction will have to come back to see what is coming. Imagine God's work! And Jesus personalized this for He said that He would be preparing a place and that He would come Himself to take us with Him so that where he is, we might be also. That in itself is powerful enough, but He had to continue explaining because of so many human emotions and doubts. In verse 5 it was Thomas who says, "Lord we don't know where you're going, how can we know the way?" Good question. And listen for the great answer: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Last Sunday's passage dealt with John 10 and how Jesus is the gate for the sheep and the good shepherd. This passage is about Jesus is the way. For many years, before the name "Christian" was given to believers, followers of Jesus were called Followers of the Way, meaning that in Jesus we know how to live and we know where we are going. It came from this passage and for that reason I named my blog, The University of the Way, meaning our need to staying focused on Jesus and what Jesus offers to us. The second part of this important teaching is that Jesus called Himself truth. We should leave no room for doubt in our lives when it comes to such an important and eternal question about life after death. Jesus spoke to His disciples and He shares with us the truth. There is nothing false in Jesus. Lastly, Jesus said He was life. Last Sunday we heard Jesus say He came so that you and I might have life and that in abundance. It's a recurring theme in Jesus' message, for He himself is life for you and me. And Jesus provides our access to God the Father.
Can we say we're lost? Not if we know Jesus! Can we say that we can't believe unless it's the truth? Jesus is the truth. Can we say that life ends with death? Not if we believe and trust Jesus!
PRAYER: Loving God of all life and truth, bless me today with that strength of faith that I need. May I reflect to others that I do know the way, the truth and the life because I know You! I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 12, 2011
KNOWING THE SHEPHERD
God of all details, bless this dear reader in all that she or he is preparing and may Your hand be gently upon their shoulder; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from the 23rd Psalm: 1 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (The Message).
In one of my churches I had a man who had been in a Hollywood movie. Not a great part, but a B movie, and he had played the part of an American soldier in a war movie. He was also a writer, having written a book about the life of a regional war hero during Vietnam, and he was an artist, having made the set of the stable our church used for years. He was, and is, a gifted speaker and when called to preach or share a witness he would quite willingly. He had constructed a soldier we called "Roman," (but say it in Spanish, Row-mahn!), with which he talked about the full armor of Christ. But he once told the story that many of you have heard about a church banquet where a famous actor had been invited to dazzle the crowd with his rendition of the 23rd Psalm. Drawing from his years on the stage the man mystified the crowd with a great, moving delivery of the Psalm. The crowd applauded wildly for they had never heard it presented quite like this. On the dais with the actor sat an old retired minister who had served the church many years ago. Once the actor sat down, the old preacher stood and began to recite with years of having experienced the presence of the Shepherd, "1 The LORD is my shepherd ; I shall not want . 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever ." Not a dry eye in the house as the congregation felt the power of the Shepherd in this simple re-sharing of the same Psalm. The old man sat down, and there was complete silence. The actor rose and said, "I know the Psalm, but this man knows the Shepherd."
Indeed, life in the fullest, life in abundance comes in knowing the Shepherd not just the Psalm. Many have the times and days when you and I have said, "We are blessed. God has provided!" Many too are the times we have said, "If God had not renewed my stength, I don't know how I could have made it." And better yet, during the dark days of disease or death we have said, "If God had not held me up with His strength, I would have collapsed, but God held me up!" After facing adversity or challenge we have also said, "God brought me through that and I even looked good in the eyes of those who sought to bring me down." And what about the hope that we can have that will help us say, "With God on our side I can expect only God's best and blessing every single day of my life. And when this life is over, it'll only be better." Dear friend, if you don't know the Shepherd, invite Him in to your heart, surround your will and sins to Him, He will forgive them and give you new life, a life in abundance.
PRAYER: Loving Shepherd as I pray, I again commit my life to You. Forgive me of my many sins. Wash me clean in Your blood and make me new. Come into my heart and live and give me life in abundance; this I ask 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 the 23rd Psalm: 1 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (The Message).
In one of my churches I had a man who had been in a Hollywood movie. Not a great part, but a B movie, and he had played the part of an American soldier in a war movie. He was also a writer, having written a book about the life of a regional war hero during Vietnam, and he was an artist, having made the set of the stable our church used for years. He was, and is, a gifted speaker and when called to preach or share a witness he would quite willingly. He had constructed a soldier we called "Roman," (but say it in Spanish, Row-mahn!), with which he talked about the full armor of Christ. But he once told the story that many of you have heard about a church banquet where a famous actor had been invited to dazzle the crowd with his rendition of the 23rd Psalm. Drawing from his years on the stage the man mystified the crowd with a great, moving delivery of the Psalm. The crowd applauded wildly for they had never heard it presented quite like this. On the dais with the actor sat an old retired minister who had served the church many years ago. Once the actor sat down, the old preacher stood and began to recite with years of having experienced the presence of the Shepherd, "1 The LORD is my shepherd ; I shall not want . 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever ." Not a dry eye in the house as the congregation felt the power of the Shepherd in this simple re-sharing of the same Psalm. The old man sat down, and there was complete silence. The actor rose and said, "I know the Psalm, but this man knows the Shepherd."
Indeed, life in the fullest, life in abundance comes in knowing the Shepherd not just the Psalm. Many have the times and days when you and I have said, "We are blessed. God has provided!" Many too are the times we have said, "If God had not renewed my stength, I don't know how I could have made it." And better yet, during the dark days of disease or death we have said, "If God had not held me up with His strength, I would have collapsed, but God held me up!" After facing adversity or challenge we have also said, "God brought me through that and I even looked good in the eyes of those who sought to bring me down." And what about the hope that we can have that will help us say, "With God on our side I can expect only God's best and blessing every single day of my life. And when this life is over, it'll only be better." Dear friend, if you don't know the Shepherd, invite Him in to your heart, surround your will and sins to Him, He will forgive them and give you new life, a life in abundance.
PRAYER: Loving Shepherd as I pray, I again commit my life to You. Forgive me of my many sins. Wash me clean in Your blood and make me new. Come into my heart and live and give me life in abundance; this I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Abundant Life Requires Our Knowing Who the True Shepherd Is!
God of amazing love, demonstrate gently Your love to this dear reader in all that he or she may face; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Peter 2: 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (The Message).
You and I have been there. It seems like nothing we do is perceived as right by others. And thank God, most of us have not suffered physical abuse, but the emotional and mental kind seem even worse. We have had days where we just need encouragement about who we are and Whose we are. As a pastor I have been there and so have most of the pastors I know. We tend to forget that the very nature of our job is spiritual and as such, we're open to attack on all fronts, especially the spiritual. Lay folks are not exempt either. In Christ Jesus we have the model of the One who suffered and endured all for us; in all things, with all accusations and all beatings, He committed no sin, and neither should we. That is easier said than done, but we should be in prayer always, sometimes just asking for a heart to love the one(s) who are attacking us. God will give it to us.
A pastor recently shared that two of the most difficult questions were asked in the setting of the pastor-parish relations committee; are you happy here and are you giving your best? I shared how I would answer: I'm happy for the special privilege of knowing that God has me here. I'm happy for the victories, small and sometimes unseen they may be, of the large number of junior high students we attract to our Sunday school, the mess of a paint job they made in their new space, the fellowship and discipleship that I am seeing formed in those lives. I'm happy that I am involved in the community, through Rotary, through my involvement in the law enforcement breakfasts, and I listed several of the things I knew this pastor was doing quite well in the setting to which they were assigned. Let me also tell you where I am giving my best: In my prayers for you. I pray for you each day. I give my best in my sermon preparation time, for I want God to share with me the words that God will use to bless you, encourage and strengthen you. I give my best in those times members of the church have called me to be by their bedside. I give my best in the prayers that follow such visits. I give my best in... and the list can go on. Now, the areas in which I am not happy; there are still many in our community that do not know the love that God offers through this church. I am not happy that sometimes members believe I am the only one who should be doing the work that God called of all believers. I am not happy with those who find time to instead of praying for me, talk to others about me in ways that are not constructive.
We do our best as pastors and members and believers in the Good Shepherd. He already did the hard and most difficult part, the part that corresponds to us is to follow obediently and lovingly, working to grow the fold in which more sheep can be brought in.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me be an encourager to others, especially those who sometimes feel neglected or unfairly blamed or accused for all they do. Remind me that I am Yours and You are with me and like the good shepherd You are, You will lovingly guide and bless me. I pray 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 1 Peter 2: 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (The Message).
You and I have been there. It seems like nothing we do is perceived as right by others. And thank God, most of us have not suffered physical abuse, but the emotional and mental kind seem even worse. We have had days where we just need encouragement about who we are and Whose we are. As a pastor I have been there and so have most of the pastors I know. We tend to forget that the very nature of our job is spiritual and as such, we're open to attack on all fronts, especially the spiritual. Lay folks are not exempt either. In Christ Jesus we have the model of the One who suffered and endured all for us; in all things, with all accusations and all beatings, He committed no sin, and neither should we. That is easier said than done, but we should be in prayer always, sometimes just asking for a heart to love the one(s) who are attacking us. God will give it to us.
A pastor recently shared that two of the most difficult questions were asked in the setting of the pastor-parish relations committee; are you happy here and are you giving your best? I shared how I would answer: I'm happy for the special privilege of knowing that God has me here. I'm happy for the victories, small and sometimes unseen they may be, of the large number of junior high students we attract to our Sunday school, the mess of a paint job they made in their new space, the fellowship and discipleship that I am seeing formed in those lives. I'm happy that I am involved in the community, through Rotary, through my involvement in the law enforcement breakfasts, and I listed several of the things I knew this pastor was doing quite well in the setting to which they were assigned. Let me also tell you where I am giving my best: In my prayers for you. I pray for you each day. I give my best in my sermon preparation time, for I want God to share with me the words that God will use to bless you, encourage and strengthen you. I give my best in those times members of the church have called me to be by their bedside. I give my best in the prayers that follow such visits. I give my best in... and the list can go on. Now, the areas in which I am not happy; there are still many in our community that do not know the love that God offers through this church. I am not happy that sometimes members believe I am the only one who should be doing the work that God called of all believers. I am not happy with those who find time to instead of praying for me, talk to others about me in ways that are not constructive.
We do our best as pastors and members and believers in the Good Shepherd. He already did the hard and most difficult part, the part that corresponds to us is to follow obediently and lovingly, working to grow the fold in which more sheep can be brought in.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me be an encourager to others, especially those who sometimes feel neglected or unfairly blamed or accused for all they do. Remind me that I am Yours and You are with me and like the good shepherd You are, You will lovingly guide and bless me. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Formula for Life in Abundance
Loving God bless and protect this dear reader in all they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text comes from Acts 2: 42 They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43 Everyone around was in awe - all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44 And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45 They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. 46 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, 47 as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (The Message).
One of our daughters works in Austin and yesterday she called to say there are billboards up in the Austin area that say that the world will end on May 21, 2011. That would really put a damper on our district conference set for the next day on Sunday, June 22nd. Not to mention several graduation parties, the actual ceremonies, etc. She investigated and found that this small, radical group believes the Bible has mathematical formulas for knowing when the world would end. This same group made the same prediction for 1994 and the group's leader said he had the equations wrong; now that he has corrected those equations he knows for sure that Saturday, the 21st is the last day or the first day of Judgment. The only thing I would agree with is that the Bible does contain formulas; how to live life to the fullest, how to know God's love, how to love one another, how to receive eternal life, and how to have life in abundance. This passage for today is just that formula. The first believers outside of the small group that actually followed Jesus, came to the abundant life knowledge by doing what they knew to be best for their life. Here's that formula: Step one. You can never hear enough about the life and teachings of Jesus. Do you worship in a place where a clock sits over the entrance to the church (in other words where your preacher can see?). Or does you church have an official, self-designated time keeper; you know, the one who points to the watch when the sermon has run too long or makes the throat-cutting motion when he (you know it's always a man!) thinks the preacher has gone "over time?" Those folks don't yet know life in abundance. Step two. Enjoy the fellowship of other believers. And not just around a meal. These folks who know Jesus and the abundant life He has brought to them enjoy each other's company and there is no time limit for sharing with each other and those who come to be with them immediately after or immediately before worship. Step three. Enjoy and celebrate a common meal. Yes, fellowship dinners are great as is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Breaking bread as it used to be called is a time to be thankful together for sharing with others what God has shared with you and yes, I'm talking food. Step four. Pray. Pray for each other, pray for the ones who don't have time to be with you (or don't want to), pray for the Church and its mission, its leaders and servants. Pray together and pray alone. There is power in prayer and we gain more and bless more when we pray more.
The results were seen almost immediately: God worked marvelous and unexplainable things. "Signs and wonders" done by those who had been with Jesus. As a result, those believers came to trust God for and in all things. These sold their possessions to help one another and to help the church. Nothing was held back. Everything was done as a celebration for what God had, was, and will do. Compare that to those times when we hold back. We claim "the economy." We claim "we're realists." We claim "we need to be ready for a rainy day (and you wonder why some places are experiencing droughts?)." We claim, "We don't know what tomorrow holds." Those who live like that don't attract many people. The places where folks trust and celebrate what God can do and have a general positive outlook on life, do attract folks. And that was the case with this first church. Yes, there was a sense of Christ's immediate return but that made them work all the harder and better to meet the needs of people while they waited. Even if Jesus does not come in a couple of Saturdays and even if He does, we have work to do and much to celebrate.
PRAYER: Loving God, we trust You and we celebrate all that You are doing in our midst. I pray that I might do more and be more like You would have me be. Give me a heart for celebration of everything. Let me be the example of one who truly knows life in abundance. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Acts 2: 42 They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43 Everyone around was in awe - all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44 And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45 They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. 46 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, 47 as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (The Message).
One of our daughters works in Austin and yesterday she called to say there are billboards up in the Austin area that say that the world will end on May 21, 2011. That would really put a damper on our district conference set for the next day on Sunday, June 22nd. Not to mention several graduation parties, the actual ceremonies, etc. She investigated and found that this small, radical group believes the Bible has mathematical formulas for knowing when the world would end. This same group made the same prediction for 1994 and the group's leader said he had the equations wrong; now that he has corrected those equations he knows for sure that Saturday, the 21st is the last day or the first day of Judgment. The only thing I would agree with is that the Bible does contain formulas; how to live life to the fullest, how to know God's love, how to love one another, how to receive eternal life, and how to have life in abundance. This passage for today is just that formula. The first believers outside of the small group that actually followed Jesus, came to the abundant life knowledge by doing what they knew to be best for their life. Here's that formula: Step one. You can never hear enough about the life and teachings of Jesus. Do you worship in a place where a clock sits over the entrance to the church (in other words where your preacher can see?). Or does you church have an official, self-designated time keeper; you know, the one who points to the watch when the sermon has run too long or makes the throat-cutting motion when he (you know it's always a man!) thinks the preacher has gone "over time?" Those folks don't yet know life in abundance. Step two. Enjoy the fellowship of other believers. And not just around a meal. These folks who know Jesus and the abundant life He has brought to them enjoy each other's company and there is no time limit for sharing with each other and those who come to be with them immediately after or immediately before worship. Step three. Enjoy and celebrate a common meal. Yes, fellowship dinners are great as is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Breaking bread as it used to be called is a time to be thankful together for sharing with others what God has shared with you and yes, I'm talking food. Step four. Pray. Pray for each other, pray for the ones who don't have time to be with you (or don't want to), pray for the Church and its mission, its leaders and servants. Pray together and pray alone. There is power in prayer and we gain more and bless more when we pray more.
The results were seen almost immediately: God worked marvelous and unexplainable things. "Signs and wonders" done by those who had been with Jesus. As a result, those believers came to trust God for and in all things. These sold their possessions to help one another and to help the church. Nothing was held back. Everything was done as a celebration for what God had, was, and will do. Compare that to those times when we hold back. We claim "the economy." We claim "we're realists." We claim "we need to be ready for a rainy day (and you wonder why some places are experiencing droughts?)." We claim, "We don't know what tomorrow holds." Those who live like that don't attract many people. The places where folks trust and celebrate what God can do and have a general positive outlook on life, do attract folks. And that was the case with this first church. Yes, there was a sense of Christ's immediate return but that made them work all the harder and better to meet the needs of people while they waited. Even if Jesus does not come in a couple of Saturdays and even if He does, we have work to do and much to celebrate.
PRAYER: Loving God, we trust You and we celebrate all that You are doing in our midst. I pray that I might do more and be more like You would have me be. Give me a heart for celebration of everything. Let me be the example of one who truly knows life in abundance. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 09, 2011
The Gate of Life
Of all the assurances we may need for life, let the blessed assurance that we belong to You be the one which blesses the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 10: 1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (NRSV)
There are some passages to which The Message version does not do justice and this is one of those. Of all of the famous John verses and passages this ranks at the very top, especially verse 10. This discourse between Jesus and His disciples comes after the great encounter in the Temple between He and the religious rulers who were upset about a man born blind being healed. It's one of the great dramas that involves Jesus, a blind man, the religious leaders, and the blind man's mom and dad. The big question is Why did you heal this man, and did you really heal this man? After that drama, Jesus is talking to His disciples about what really matters in life. We tend to forget that we are sheep as far as God is concerned and God provides a great Shepherd for us. The two formative churches in my life were both name The Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor of Kingsville and Houston). In this passage Jesus is describing all that has gone on in Israel's history regarding the care and feeding of God's sheep. Many have come and will continue to come, but not through the front door, who will claim to be shepherds and many will follow them. But those who know the voice of the shepherd will not. Those who know the voice of the shepherd know who He is and what He can provide and so they are not so easily misguided. Jesus explains plainly in verses 9 and 10: "I am the gate." Whoever believes in Christ Jesus has entry into a life saved from sin and not only saved but soothed. Any other gates that might present itself serves to lead us into total destruction. Jesus' mission and ministry was to bring us life and that in abundance.
What gates have you tried in your quest for life? Have you found Jesus to be the One for whom your heart has ached all this time? In Jesus we find the One who leads us away from the destructive nature of false gates and takes us to a place where we are not only safe, but taken care of, and have the fullness of life found only in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, lead me away from the gates of destruction and into the true gate, Jesus. Let me find in Him the fullness of life. I pray this in His precious and powerful Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Th
Our text for today comes from John 10: 1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (NRSV)
There are some passages to which The Message version does not do justice and this is one of those. Of all of the famous John verses and passages this ranks at the very top, especially verse 10. This discourse between Jesus and His disciples comes after the great encounter in the Temple between He and the religious rulers who were upset about a man born blind being healed. It's one of the great dramas that involves Jesus, a blind man, the religious leaders, and the blind man's mom and dad. The big question is Why did you heal this man, and did you really heal this man? After that drama, Jesus is talking to His disciples about what really matters in life. We tend to forget that we are sheep as far as God is concerned and God provides a great Shepherd for us. The two formative churches in my life were both name The Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor of Kingsville and Houston). In this passage Jesus is describing all that has gone on in Israel's history regarding the care and feeding of God's sheep. Many have come and will continue to come, but not through the front door, who will claim to be shepherds and many will follow them. But those who know the voice of the shepherd will not. Those who know the voice of the shepherd know who He is and what He can provide and so they are not so easily misguided. Jesus explains plainly in verses 9 and 10: "I am the gate." Whoever believes in Christ Jesus has entry into a life saved from sin and not only saved but soothed. Any other gates that might present itself serves to lead us into total destruction. Jesus' mission and ministry was to bring us life and that in abundance.
What gates have you tried in your quest for life? Have you found Jesus to be the One for whom your heart has ached all this time? In Jesus we find the One who leads us away from the destructive nature of false gates and takes us to a place where we are not only safe, but taken care of, and have the fullness of life found only in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, lead me away from the gates of destruction and into the true gate, Jesus. Let me find in Him the fullness of life. I pray this in His precious and powerful Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Th
Thursday, May 05, 2011
A New Life in Christ Jesus!
Loving God of riches in Christ Jesus, provide for the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 2: 14 That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: 36 "All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt - God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross." 37 Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?" 38 Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away - whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." 40 He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!" 41 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. (The Message).
The excitement of Jesus' Resurrection could not be contained. The disciples had a new attitude and zest for life and it carried over into every aspect of their lives, including their preaching life; or so is the case in Peter's life. On the day of Pentecost, when believers from all over the world gathered to celebrate again the giving of the Law to Moses, as God would have it, a new celebration comes: The coming of the Holy Spirit. Peter's sermon as found abridged here is to call all to a remembrance of Who Jesus is: Master and Messiah. And as Master and Messiah Christ offers to us: New life, forgiveness of sins, and the fullness of life as found in the Holy Spirit. A new life lived in Christ will be a magnet to those who do not yet know it and some will ask, "What must I do to have what you have?" And when that question comes, be ready and share the new life in Christ that you have!
PRAYER: Loving God, pour out Your Holy Spirit on me so that I may have this new life. Let my life reflect Your presence in me. Let me offer to the world what You offered to me, especially to those who only know what the culture may be offering. 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 Acts 2: 14 That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: 36 "All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt - God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross." 37 Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?" 38 Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away - whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." 40 He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!" 41 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. (The Message).
The excitement of Jesus' Resurrection could not be contained. The disciples had a new attitude and zest for life and it carried over into every aspect of their lives, including their preaching life; or so is the case in Peter's life. On the day of Pentecost, when believers from all over the world gathered to celebrate again the giving of the Law to Moses, as God would have it, a new celebration comes: The coming of the Holy Spirit. Peter's sermon as found abridged here is to call all to a remembrance of Who Jesus is: Master and Messiah. And as Master and Messiah Christ offers to us: New life, forgiveness of sins, and the fullness of life as found in the Holy Spirit. A new life lived in Christ will be a magnet to those who do not yet know it and some will ask, "What must I do to have what you have?" And when that question comes, be ready and share the new life in Christ that you have!
PRAYER: Loving God, pour out Your Holy Spirit on me so that I may have this new life. Let my life reflect Your presence in me. Let me offer to the world what You offered to me, especially to those who only know what the culture may be offering. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
A Bible Study Led By Jesus!
Loving God, bring peace and blessings to this dear reader in all they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 25 Then he (Jesus) said to them, "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? 26 Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" 27 Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. 28 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on 29 but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. 30 And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. 31 At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared. 32 Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" 33 They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, 34 talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up - Simon saw him!" 35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread. (The Message)
Can you imagine a Bible study led by Jesus? That's exactly what happened to these two. They hadn't "gotten it" or understood all they had learned as children and as followers, so the Master Himself, had to teach them about what Scripture meant about His life, death, and resurrection. Can you think of anyone who knows the Bible better than Jesus? That would be a Bible study that I would not want to end! And that's why these two said, "Stay for supper with us! It's getting late, no need for you to rush off!" Interestingly enough, they still did not know that this was Jesus. They probably assumed it was a learned master of the Bible, an off-duty rabbi or traveling scholar. It was not until supper when Jesus took the bread and broke it that they knew who this was! It was that ah-ha moment, the breaking of the bread, the remembrance that came to them from that fateful evening, that this is Jesus! And He disappeared. They did what you and I would do, they rushed off to tell of what they had seen and experienced!
I still remember the excitement I had as a child from my Sunday school days. Last night a pastor in his soon-to-be "new" church, my friend, Tommy Hays, and I, got a "tour" of this church's Godly Play room and were marveled at the intricate instruments of cast figures, scenes, sand box, scrolls, etc. used in the teaching of the Bible used now with children. Tommy said what I was about to say, "Where was this stuff when I was growing up?" Yet, I still felt wonder and excitement about what the Bible held for me. I remember bring frustrated on the playground by finding out that my friends did not and could not own Bibles in those days. I thought that was a sad state to be in, one without a Bible in the home to read and re-read the stories of God and Jesus and all that God did. If you could have multiplied my excitement then to the excitement these two followers had, we could begin to understand their joy. If you could multiply your excitement for what you receive each Sunday in your Sunday school or your worship service, you too, would be contagious with the joy that is ours in the Risen Christ.
PRAYER: O God of wonder and excitement, visit my heart again and again with the joy and thrill of knowing You and what You have done, are doing, and will continue to do in my life and in the lives of those who trust 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 24: 25 Then he (Jesus) said to them, "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? 26 Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" 27 Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. 28 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on 29 but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. 30 And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. 31 At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared. 32 Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" 33 They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, 34 talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up - Simon saw him!" 35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread. (The Message)
Can you imagine a Bible study led by Jesus? That's exactly what happened to these two. They hadn't "gotten it" or understood all they had learned as children and as followers, so the Master Himself, had to teach them about what Scripture meant about His life, death, and resurrection. Can you think of anyone who knows the Bible better than Jesus? That would be a Bible study that I would not want to end! And that's why these two said, "Stay for supper with us! It's getting late, no need for you to rush off!" Interestingly enough, they still did not know that this was Jesus. They probably assumed it was a learned master of the Bible, an off-duty rabbi or traveling scholar. It was not until supper when Jesus took the bread and broke it that they knew who this was! It was that ah-ha moment, the breaking of the bread, the remembrance that came to them from that fateful evening, that this is Jesus! And He disappeared. They did what you and I would do, they rushed off to tell of what they had seen and experienced!
I still remember the excitement I had as a child from my Sunday school days. Last night a pastor in his soon-to-be "new" church, my friend, Tommy Hays, and I, got a "tour" of this church's Godly Play room and were marveled at the intricate instruments of cast figures, scenes, sand box, scrolls, etc. used in the teaching of the Bible used now with children. Tommy said what I was about to say, "Where was this stuff when I was growing up?" Yet, I still felt wonder and excitement about what the Bible held for me. I remember bring frustrated on the playground by finding out that my friends did not and could not own Bibles in those days. I thought that was a sad state to be in, one without a Bible in the home to read and re-read the stories of God and Jesus and all that God did. If you could have multiplied my excitement then to the excitement these two followers had, we could begin to understand their joy. If you could multiply your excitement for what you receive each Sunday in your Sunday school or your worship service, you too, would be contagious with the joy that is ours in the Risen Christ.
PRAYER: O God of wonder and excitement, visit my heart again and again with the joy and thrill of knowing You and what You have done, are doing, and will continue to do in my life and in the lives of those who trust You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
I Had Hoped...
God of all people, shine brightly the love we need in our hearts; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." (The Message)
As these two followers of Jesus walked down the Emmaus Road, one of them whose name we know was Cleopas asked Jesus if he was the only one who did not know the things that had taken place in Jerusalem. This was like asking, "You didn't know that Osama Bin Laden has been found and killed?" Where have you been these last few days? Jesus acts the innocent and asks, "What things?" The two respond excitedly about Jesus the Nazarene, calling him a prophet who was mighty in deed and word before God and all of the people and about the great hope they had in Him only to be disappointed by His having been killed and buried. Their hopes were dashed and this walk back to their home was a walk of disappointment and sorrow. Yet, they shared how some women had gone to the tomb earlier that day and having not found His body did have a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive. They also share how some others went to check the tomb and found it as the women had said but, hear this, "They did not see him." That would have been disappointing if it ended there, but it doesn't. The two wanted to believe that angels could and did appear and more importantly, wanted to believe that Jesus could be alive somewhere and was.
Again, you and I have been there. We're beset by troubles all around and we seek answers and direction only to find it is not as we had hoped. We feel sorrow and sadness, but it's right then that Jesus appear and addresses our sadness and our questions.
What can Jesus address in your life today?
PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus and speak to the questions and doubts or worries that I have. I believe You are right here and are answering and addresses my needs as I pray. And I pray in fullness of faith 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 24: 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." (The Message)
As these two followers of Jesus walked down the Emmaus Road, one of them whose name we know was Cleopas asked Jesus if he was the only one who did not know the things that had taken place in Jerusalem. This was like asking, "You didn't know that Osama Bin Laden has been found and killed?" Where have you been these last few days? Jesus acts the innocent and asks, "What things?" The two respond excitedly about Jesus the Nazarene, calling him a prophet who was mighty in deed and word before God and all of the people and about the great hope they had in Him only to be disappointed by His having been killed and buried. Their hopes were dashed and this walk back to their home was a walk of disappointment and sorrow. Yet, they shared how some women had gone to the tomb earlier that day and having not found His body did have a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive. They also share how some others went to check the tomb and found it as the women had said but, hear this, "They did not see him." That would have been disappointing if it ended there, but it doesn't. The two wanted to believe that angels could and did appear and more importantly, wanted to believe that Jesus could be alive somewhere and was.
Again, you and I have been there. We're beset by troubles all around and we seek answers and direction only to find it is not as we had hoped. We feel sorrow and sadness, but it's right then that Jesus appear and addresses our sadness and our questions.
What can Jesus address in your life today?
PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus and speak to the questions and doubts or worries that I have. I believe You are right here and are answering and addresses my needs as I pray. And I pray in fullness of faith in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 02, 2011
Jesus, Just When You Need Him the Most!
God of love and peace, may there be peace on the earth and may there be peace in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 13 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. 14 They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. 15 In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. 16 But they were not able to recognize who he was. 17 He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?" (The Message).
This is part of this Sunday's Gospel reading for the Lectionary. The entire text will be discussed in portions for it is a profound text and the retreat for spiritual leaders that our church uses has had profound impact on and in the lives of so many. We'll talk about the retreat later, for now we'll discuss the setting of the scriptural passage. It is Easter Sunday and it's getting late. Of the followers of Jesus, these two decide it is best to return to their home in Emmaus, which lies about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. It is not believed these two were part of the original twelve, but of the group that slowly grew to about 125. The excitement and confusion, not to mention the fear, is what drove these men outside of the city. They may have felt it was safer for them outside of Jerusalem so off they went to regroup and rest. Their conversation was, of course, on the events of the weekend, from the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. They also knew that "the women" had shared with them news of their own, that they had seen the Risen Jesus. It's in the middle of this deep conversation that the Risen Lord appears to them and walked along with them. This was common in those times to join up with travelers on the road; safety in numbers and companionship, made for a better walk. But for some reason they could not recognize who this person is walking with them, and the question he asks makes them wonder even more about themselves and their own future, so they did not immediately know this was Jesus. Much has been made about this, that they could not recognize Jesus. Some has said it is because it is faster to walk looking ahead rather than each other (please share that with those drivers who cannot drive and talk without staring at their passengers everytime they make a point!); others believed they had been crying so much their eyes were in no shape to truly recognize others, especially the one for whom one cried. And some said this was the very reason: You don't leave a funeral and expect the "guest of honor" to be among those going home with you.
Whatever the reason, Jesus comes into their midst as He does ours. Jesus has an interest and a desire to know our thoughts and actions and especially those that trouble and disturb us. His appearance in the midst of these two men comes at a critical point in their life and faith as a way to reassure them that He was indeed alive and there for them. I don't know about you, but Jesus sure has come to my side during times I have needed Him most. He comes not to disturb, but to comfort and console. Jesus comes with power to bless and protect, and I welcome Jesus' presence all the time.
What are you thinking about this morning? Do you need a visit from Jesus? Just call Him.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for Your presence always with me, especially those times I have needed You most. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 13 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. 14 They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. 15 In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. 16 But they were not able to recognize who he was. 17 He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?" (The Message).
This is part of this Sunday's Gospel reading for the Lectionary. The entire text will be discussed in portions for it is a profound text and the retreat for spiritual leaders that our church uses has had profound impact on and in the lives of so many. We'll talk about the retreat later, for now we'll discuss the setting of the scriptural passage. It is Easter Sunday and it's getting late. Of the followers of Jesus, these two decide it is best to return to their home in Emmaus, which lies about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. It is not believed these two were part of the original twelve, but of the group that slowly grew to about 125. The excitement and confusion, not to mention the fear, is what drove these men outside of the city. They may have felt it was safer for them outside of Jerusalem so off they went to regroup and rest. Their conversation was, of course, on the events of the weekend, from the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. They also knew that "the women" had shared with them news of their own, that they had seen the Risen Jesus. It's in the middle of this deep conversation that the Risen Lord appears to them and walked along with them. This was common in those times to join up with travelers on the road; safety in numbers and companionship, made for a better walk. But for some reason they could not recognize who this person is walking with them, and the question he asks makes them wonder even more about themselves and their own future, so they did not immediately know this was Jesus. Much has been made about this, that they could not recognize Jesus. Some has said it is because it is faster to walk looking ahead rather than each other (please share that with those drivers who cannot drive and talk without staring at their passengers everytime they make a point!); others believed they had been crying so much their eyes were in no shape to truly recognize others, especially the one for whom one cried. And some said this was the very reason: You don't leave a funeral and expect the "guest of honor" to be among those going home with you.
Whatever the reason, Jesus comes into their midst as He does ours. Jesus has an interest and a desire to know our thoughts and actions and especially those that trouble and disturb us. His appearance in the midst of these two men comes at a critical point in their life and faith as a way to reassure them that He was indeed alive and there for them. I don't know about you, but Jesus sure has come to my side during times I have needed Him most. He comes not to disturb, but to comfort and console. Jesus comes with power to bless and protect, and I welcome Jesus' presence all the time.
What are you thinking about this morning? Do you need a visit from Jesus? Just call Him.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for Your presence always with me, especially those times I have needed You most. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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