Blessed God of new days and new starts, bless and proect the life of this dear reader in whatever may come their way; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 9: 16 If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't! 17 If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? 18 So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses! 19 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: 20 religious, nonreligious, 21 meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, 22 the defeated, the demoralized - whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. 23 I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! (The Message)
The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul came as a sort of course correction in the evangelization of the world. Paul's life was not God's Plan B, it was more of God's A1. Okay, now you're thinking steak sauce, which is not a bad thing, but it's early in the day (at least for me). In Paul, God saw and called forth a passionate person with a determination and commitment that God needed. Think on why you're a believer at this point of your life. What did God see in you? In Paul, God saw someone who would stay on task and complete the task the best he could. God saw a man who would use both head and heart to not only accept the Gospel (Called the "Message" thus this version's name), but also to proclaim it AND live it. Remember the pre-Jesus Saul? He was a go-getter and did he ever go and get and arrest followers of Jesus. Saul was a very well connected person who was able to secure the rights to arrest the Christians in Damascus, and it was on that road that God called him through the Risen Christ.
How did God call you to faith? Through your parents? If so, have you realized what your parents saw and believed in Jesus? If it was through a friend or spouse, the same question; have you found that same faith as this important person? If you have come to faith as one who believes and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, have you gotten into a life that is the Gospel? By that, we mean as one who fully understands it, shares it, and seeks to make his/her life a witness of the better way to live. In Paul's words of today, he didn't settle for being an armchair quarterback, he wanted to be the quarterback. He didn't want to reflect and critique Sunday's sermon on Monday; he wanted to preach and live his own. He didn't stop at only those people who were like him, he wanted to know that all people, as Jesus had directed him, had truly come to accept Jesus for themselves. Are you in on it? If you're not, you're missing out. Get going!
PRAYER: Loving God, I don't want to miss out! I want to be in on it. I want to be a part of whatever it takes to help the whole world come to know Your love and grace through Jesus Christ. Help me be a part of it in however I can best help. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed dayin the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Our God of Wholeness
Gracious God of opportunities, bless and protect this dear reader in whatever challenges they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Good day, dear friends, our text for today comes from the Gospel of Mark 1: 29 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew's house, accompanied by James and John. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. 31 He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them. 32 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, 33 the whole city lined up at his door! 34 He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn't let them say a word. 35 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. 36 Simon and those with him went looking for him. 37 They found him and said, "Everybody's looking for you." 38 Jesus said, "Let's go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I've come." 39 He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons. (The Message)
The smart-alec theologians and scholars might call a portion of this story, the double-miracle healing, for not only was the woman healed, Peter actually wanted his mother-in-law healed. For those of us who were blessed with sweet, loving mothers-in-law, we can identify with the ansxiousness of Peter and his household. For those of us whose mothers-in-law are in Heaven, we miss them dearly. Yet, this is the story of Jesus' early ministry according to Mark. The arrival of Jesus and His disciples to the home of Simon and Andrew finds a key member of the household very sick. A fever in those days was not a good sign and thus the people there told Jesus of this illness. Jesus takes her by the hand and she is healed. Her healing is so complete that she began fixing the evening meal. You might be one, like me, who would have said, "Well, the fever has left me, but I'm still a little weak, perhaps I should stay in bed a little longer to recover my strength."
That evening the village, having heard of this healing, brings to Jesus all of the sick and demon-possessed. Jesus healed them all, and in so doing begins to demonstrate the power of God within Him. Jesus was the Son of the God of wholeness. He reveals to His disciples that His power came from staying connected with God through prayer. And this prayer was a holy habit of Jesus, and one usually done in seclusion so that Jesus could not only speak to God, but listen to God as well. The lesson shared here is that we should stay connected with God and share with God all of our needs, trusting God to be at work in helping and blessing us. We should also model our lives as those who go forth, after prayer, to serve the God of wholeness.
PRAYER: Loving God, I praise and love You. I am blessed to have You as my God. I thank You for Your strength, ability, and desire to be at work in my life. Bring me to wholeness according to Thy will. Let me stay connected with You throughout this day, and guide me to more deeper service in all areas of my life. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Personal Note: Dear friends, I thank all of you who prayed for me this weekend as the first round of interviews were held in Dallas and Little Rock. I thank God for safe travel and for this special opportunities to meet the fine leaders of our jurisdiction. Please continue to pray for all the candidates before us as we have offered ourselves to serve God in this unique way. This coming Saturday I am traveling to Oklahoma City to meet with two delegations there. Blessings to you!
Good day, dear friends, our text for today comes from the Gospel of Mark 1: 29 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew's house, accompanied by James and John. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. 31 He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them. 32 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, 33 the whole city lined up at his door! 34 He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn't let them say a word. 35 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. 36 Simon and those with him went looking for him. 37 They found him and said, "Everybody's looking for you." 38 Jesus said, "Let's go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I've come." 39 He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons. (The Message)
The smart-alec theologians and scholars might call a portion of this story, the double-miracle healing, for not only was the woman healed, Peter actually wanted his mother-in-law healed. For those of us who were blessed with sweet, loving mothers-in-law, we can identify with the ansxiousness of Peter and his household. For those of us whose mothers-in-law are in Heaven, we miss them dearly. Yet, this is the story of Jesus' early ministry according to Mark. The arrival of Jesus and His disciples to the home of Simon and Andrew finds a key member of the household very sick. A fever in those days was not a good sign and thus the people there told Jesus of this illness. Jesus takes her by the hand and she is healed. Her healing is so complete that she began fixing the evening meal. You might be one, like me, who would have said, "Well, the fever has left me, but I'm still a little weak, perhaps I should stay in bed a little longer to recover my strength."
That evening the village, having heard of this healing, brings to Jesus all of the sick and demon-possessed. Jesus healed them all, and in so doing begins to demonstrate the power of God within Him. Jesus was the Son of the God of wholeness. He reveals to His disciples that His power came from staying connected with God through prayer. And this prayer was a holy habit of Jesus, and one usually done in seclusion so that Jesus could not only speak to God, but listen to God as well. The lesson shared here is that we should stay connected with God and share with God all of our needs, trusting God to be at work in helping and blessing us. We should also model our lives as those who go forth, after prayer, to serve the God of wholeness.
PRAYER: Loving God, I praise and love You. I am blessed to have You as my God. I thank You for Your strength, ability, and desire to be at work in my life. Bring me to wholeness according to Thy will. Let me stay connected with You throughout this day, and guide me to more deeper service in all areas of my life. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Personal Note: Dear friends, I thank all of you who prayed for me this weekend as the first round of interviews were held in Dallas and Little Rock. I thank God for safe travel and for this special opportunities to meet the fine leaders of our jurisdiction. Please continue to pray for all the candidates before us as we have offered ourselves to serve God in this unique way. This coming Saturday I am traveling to Oklahoma City to meet with two delegations there. Blessings to you!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Still driving your first car?
Loving God of light and mercy, shine brightly in the life and path of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 111: 1 Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got - Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. 2 God's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment! 3 Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. 4 His miracles are his memorial - This God of Grace, this God of Love. 5 He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. 6 He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter - a gift! 7 He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last - 8 Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof. All that he makes and does is honest and true: 9 He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. 10 The good life begins in the fear of God - Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever! (The Message)
What products last forever? Are you still driving your first car? Chances are you are not and if you are, you have either a well-kept classic or the prime example of what baling wire and duct tape can do for a car. What about the shoes you wore in junior high? Are you still wearing those? And the list goes on and on, and the answer is that very few products last forever. In that imagery, the Psalmist is saying (in this version) that God's "products are guaranteed to last. Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust proof." He started the list with Grace and Love (v. 4), the continued with "truth and justice." (v. 7). We can add to it as well, but we're also proving that God is always relevant for those who seek God. Many today struggle with finding and providing ways to make God and God's Church relevant, but we discover that one on one, friend to friend, or family member to family member, as we share and show, God becomes real and relevant.
In our worship settings we should praise the name of God. We should be part of a joyous gathering that provides a setting to worship God and a place where we receive what we need to carry on and to move forward. We should gather to give thanks to God. We should be reminded of God's generosity as we share back with God our lives and our gifts, our service and our witness.
While you're thinking about it, why not take someone to worship this weekend?
PRAYER: Loving God, You are indeed worthy of my praise and that is what I seek to do today and all days. I know of my need to worship and also of my need to share with others. Give me wisdom and boldness to take the next opportunity that presents itself to take someone with me to worship 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 Psalm 111: 1 Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got - Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. 2 God's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment! 3 Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. 4 His miracles are his memorial - This God of Grace, this God of Love. 5 He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. 6 He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter - a gift! 7 He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last - 8 Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof. All that he makes and does is honest and true: 9 He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. 10 The good life begins in the fear of God - Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever! (The Message)
What products last forever? Are you still driving your first car? Chances are you are not and if you are, you have either a well-kept classic or the prime example of what baling wire and duct tape can do for a car. What about the shoes you wore in junior high? Are you still wearing those? And the list goes on and on, and the answer is that very few products last forever. In that imagery, the Psalmist is saying (in this version) that God's "products are guaranteed to last. Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust proof." He started the list with Grace and Love (v. 4), the continued with "truth and justice." (v. 7). We can add to it as well, but we're also proving that God is always relevant for those who seek God. Many today struggle with finding and providing ways to make God and God's Church relevant, but we discover that one on one, friend to friend, or family member to family member, as we share and show, God becomes real and relevant.
In our worship settings we should praise the name of God. We should be part of a joyous gathering that provides a setting to worship God and a place where we receive what we need to carry on and to move forward. We should gather to give thanks to God. We should be reminded of God's generosity as we share back with God our lives and our gifts, our service and our witness.
While you're thinking about it, why not take someone to worship this weekend?
PRAYER: Loving God, You are indeed worthy of my praise and that is what I seek to do today and all days. I know of my need to worship and also of my need to share with others. Give me wisdom and boldness to take the next opportunity that presents itself to take someone with me to worship You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
God's Mouthpiece
Loving God of new paths and opportunities, may Your grace shine brightly upon the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Deuteronomy 18: 15 God, your God, is going to raise up a prophet for you. God will raise him up from among your kinsmen, a prophet like me. Listen obediently to him. 16 This is what you asked God, your God, for at Horeb on the day you were all gathered at the mountain and said, "We can't hear any more from God, our God; we can't stand seeing any more fire. We'll die!" 17 And God said to me, "They're right; they've spoken the truth. 18 I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him. 19 And anyone who won't listen to my words spoken by him, I will personally hold responsible. 20 "But any prophet who fakes it, who claims to speak in my name something I haven't commanded him to say, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die." (The Message)
I remember hearing in seminary that the word prophet literally meant "mouthpiece." And from countless black and white gangster movies I had seen, I knew that the word mouthpiece had been used to describe lawyers. "Don't ask me, ask my mouthpiece!" God uses people to speak God's word to people. And it usually is not a message one could label "comfortable," it is usually a message calling us to repent and get right with God. In today's passage the message is clear that God will call another prophet to continue to share God's word with all the people. The people knew that Moses was getting old and that he might not be with them much longer, and they also were tiring of their time in the desert. God tells them that this new prophet will come out of not only their ranks, but from their relatives. This prophet will speak, like Moses, for God; so everyone must listen to what this prophet will say. God then stresses that anyone would "fakes" it, that is, that does not speak for God but for him/herself, must die.
This week's texts speak of both Jesus and you and me. The Gospel reading says that when Jesus taught, He was being God's prophet. The Epistle says that when we talk and how we live should speak prophetic words to our neighbor. And today's text underscores the seriousness with which God takes on the message we have received and should be passing on to others. Have you ever thought of yourself as God's mouthpiece? Have you ever lived as God's mouthpiece?
PRAYER: Loving God, I understand and accept the seriousness for which you have called me and called all of us. May my life reflect the seriousness with which I have taken the teachings of Jesus and the way that I live my life before You and Yours. May I serve to share Your words in a way that blesses 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 Deuteronomy 18: 15 God, your God, is going to raise up a prophet for you. God will raise him up from among your kinsmen, a prophet like me. Listen obediently to him. 16 This is what you asked God, your God, for at Horeb on the day you were all gathered at the mountain and said, "We can't hear any more from God, our God; we can't stand seeing any more fire. We'll die!" 17 And God said to me, "They're right; they've spoken the truth. 18 I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him. 19 And anyone who won't listen to my words spoken by him, I will personally hold responsible. 20 "But any prophet who fakes it, who claims to speak in my name something I haven't commanded him to say, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die." (The Message)
I remember hearing in seminary that the word prophet literally meant "mouthpiece." And from countless black and white gangster movies I had seen, I knew that the word mouthpiece had been used to describe lawyers. "Don't ask me, ask my mouthpiece!" God uses people to speak God's word to people. And it usually is not a message one could label "comfortable," it is usually a message calling us to repent and get right with God. In today's passage the message is clear that God will call another prophet to continue to share God's word with all the people. The people knew that Moses was getting old and that he might not be with them much longer, and they also were tiring of their time in the desert. God tells them that this new prophet will come out of not only their ranks, but from their relatives. This prophet will speak, like Moses, for God; so everyone must listen to what this prophet will say. God then stresses that anyone would "fakes" it, that is, that does not speak for God but for him/herself, must die.
This week's texts speak of both Jesus and you and me. The Gospel reading says that when Jesus taught, He was being God's prophet. The Epistle says that when we talk and how we live should speak prophetic words to our neighbor. And today's text underscores the seriousness with which God takes on the message we have received and should be passing on to others. Have you ever thought of yourself as God's mouthpiece? Have you ever lived as God's mouthpiece?
PRAYER: Loving God, I understand and accept the seriousness for which you have called me and called all of us. May my life reflect the seriousness with which I have taken the teachings of Jesus and the way that I live my life before You and Yours. May I serve to share Your words in a way that blesses You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Helping Transform the World
God of unlimited resources, bless the needs in the life of this dear reader in whatever way blesses You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Key verses) 9 But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a Christian still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track. 10 For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn't there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused - maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong. 11 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him - because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! 12 When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these "weak ones." 13 So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters. (The Message)
We as Christians enjoy great freedoms. We are free from sin. We are free from death. We have and enjoy these freedoms because of the great price that God paid through Jesus, God's Son, on the cross. We are also responsible for how we live our lives as a positive influence on the lives of others. In Paul's day, the threat to baby Christians was the whole issue of what is considered right in living the Christian life in the midst of a culture where most everyone else was not a Christian but believed in the worship of the day. That worship was the worship of idols. Most merchants of the day either worshiped idols or provided the meat for the worship of them. The issue was, can we eat meat that has been offered in the worship of idols? Paul knows that there was nothing to idol worship. Paul knew and believed in the one, true God, as do we, so to eat meat offered to nothing was no big deal for him, yet, he knew it could be for someone just pulled out of idol worship. Paul urges believers to live lives that reinforce the faith rather than placing new Christians in positions of confusion and doubt. Never "trip up one of your brothers or sisters," Paul says in verse 13.
We too, have freedoms to make our choices on how we will live. We may choose to enjoy our freedom in ways that may confuse or cause doubt in the lives of new Christians. Paul asks if that is worth it in the long run. I know you know the answer to that, so why risk it? Ours is to reach new people, help them become believers and then disciples; all for the transformation of the world. Is your world already transformed, or does it look just like everyone else's?
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to understand my responsibility to You and Yours in the living of my life. May the choices I make be those which help build up Your Kingdom. Forgive me those times that I have placed myself first and cared nothing for someone else. 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 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Key verses) 9 But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a Christian still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track. 10 For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn't there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused - maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong. 11 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him - because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! 12 When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these "weak ones." 13 So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters. (The Message)
We as Christians enjoy great freedoms. We are free from sin. We are free from death. We have and enjoy these freedoms because of the great price that God paid through Jesus, God's Son, on the cross. We are also responsible for how we live our lives as a positive influence on the lives of others. In Paul's day, the threat to baby Christians was the whole issue of what is considered right in living the Christian life in the midst of a culture where most everyone else was not a Christian but believed in the worship of the day. That worship was the worship of idols. Most merchants of the day either worshiped idols or provided the meat for the worship of them. The issue was, can we eat meat that has been offered in the worship of idols? Paul knows that there was nothing to idol worship. Paul knew and believed in the one, true God, as do we, so to eat meat offered to nothing was no big deal for him, yet, he knew it could be for someone just pulled out of idol worship. Paul urges believers to live lives that reinforce the faith rather than placing new Christians in positions of confusion and doubt. Never "trip up one of your brothers or sisters," Paul says in verse 13.
We too, have freedoms to make our choices on how we will live. We may choose to enjoy our freedom in ways that may confuse or cause doubt in the lives of new Christians. Paul asks if that is worth it in the long run. I know you know the answer to that, so why risk it? Ours is to reach new people, help them become believers and then disciples; all for the transformation of the world. Is your world already transformed, or does it look just like everyone else's?
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to understand my responsibility to You and Yours in the living of my life. May the choices I make be those which help build up Your Kingdom. Forgive me those times that I have placed myself first and cared nothing for someone else. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Monday, January 23, 2012
Imagine being in a place of worship...
Amazing God of grace, pour out Your love upon the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 21 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching - so forthright, so confident - not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25 Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!" 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly - and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee. (The Message)
Imagine, in a place of worship on the day of worship. For some of us now that seems rare for most people. It wasn't for Jesus. But not everyone in Capernaum was in the place of worship either, but there were enough to be blessed by their experience with Him. Jesus taught. Imagine the teachings of Jesus that were not recorded. I believe we have the core of those teachings in our gospels, but to be there and experience His voice, His thoughts, His examples as He taught from that from which He came! There is a difference between knowing and experiencing truth. One can read about truth all day long and that will not match what comes from those who experience it. And as sometimes happens in a setting where good and positive things are happening, something or someone will oppose or challenge it. Mark says it was a demon possessed man who knew who Jesus was. He questions Jesus and even declares that he knows what Jesus is up to; but this demon was no match for Jesus and Jesus cast him out. Those who were in worship that day saw what perhaps very little of those who were not there believed. But it did make for a great story that was spread through out Galilee.
Imagine being in a place of worship this coming Sunday. Imagine being there expectant and hopeful for a teaching from God about God's love. Imagine being one who supports and prays for that person who brings the message. Imagine more like you in worship doing the same.
PRAYER: Loving God of power to cast out that which "steals, destroys, and kills," even in church and worship settings, let me be among those who are there not only to receive but to share life in abundance. Let me also be among those who go out and share the stories of You love beyond the worship place, for You are needed everywhere. I ask this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 21 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching - so forthright, so confident - not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25 Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!" 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly - and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee. (The Message)
Imagine, in a place of worship on the day of worship. For some of us now that seems rare for most people. It wasn't for Jesus. But not everyone in Capernaum was in the place of worship either, but there were enough to be blessed by their experience with Him. Jesus taught. Imagine the teachings of Jesus that were not recorded. I believe we have the core of those teachings in our gospels, but to be there and experience His voice, His thoughts, His examples as He taught from that from which He came! There is a difference between knowing and experiencing truth. One can read about truth all day long and that will not match what comes from those who experience it. And as sometimes happens in a setting where good and positive things are happening, something or someone will oppose or challenge it. Mark says it was a demon possessed man who knew who Jesus was. He questions Jesus and even declares that he knows what Jesus is up to; but this demon was no match for Jesus and Jesus cast him out. Those who were in worship that day saw what perhaps very little of those who were not there believed. But it did make for a great story that was spread through out Galilee.
Imagine being in a place of worship this coming Sunday. Imagine being there expectant and hopeful for a teaching from God about God's love. Imagine being one who supports and prays for that person who brings the message. Imagine more like you in worship doing the same.
PRAYER: Loving God of power to cast out that which "steals, destroys, and kills," even in church and worship settings, let me be among those who are there not only to receive but to share life in abundance. Let me also be among those who go out and share the stories of You love beyond the worship place, for You are needed everywhere. I ask this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Equipped to Serve God!
Loving God of the Journey of Life, journey closely with this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray,amen.
Our text comes from Psalm 62:5 God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? 6 He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. 7 My help and glory are in God 8 So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. 9 Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them together, they're nothing; two times nothing is nothing. 10 And a windfall, if it comes - don't make too much of it. 11 God said this once and for all; how many times Have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes Straight from God." 12 Love to you, Lord God! You pay a fair wage for a good day's work! (The Message)
One of my life's greatest blessings was to go to youth camp as a child and youth. In those days, the Rio Grande Conference went to Mount Wesley Methodist Encampment in Kerrville, Texas. I first went as a seventh grader recently moved to Houston. At that point in my life I had seen Kingsville, Monterrey, Mexico, the Valley, and now Houston. Monterrey had inspired me with mountains, a beautiful waterfall and caves. It was a short trip during those years when you don't remember much, but Kerrville had what seemed like mountains to me. The camp was located outside of town, isolated and ideal for a retreat. To climb to Vesper Point was to invite something spiritual to happen. The setting and the events, the speakers, all had a lot to do with my hearing God call me into ministry. This psalm reminds me of those days that I didn't fidget nor whisper jokes - I did indeed sit and wait for God. Those moments allowed me to have hope in God and in what might lie ahead for me and my life. I did feel that I could walk anywhere and do anything that God might ask of me, for I never walked alone. I had the fullness of life through Jesus Christ through those moments and during those times. God indeed took me to the mountain top and I could see what lay ahead for me, a journey filled with the blessings of God. I received my strength from God, "Straight from God" (v.11). I fell in love with God and that is a relationship that has never failed me, and I still seek to serve God in whatever ways God may still have for me.
Make time today to listen for God. And as you listen be reminded of all that God has shared with you. You can be a different person because of the presence of God and the strength that God provides for you. Come what may, we are never alone and we are never defeated because of what God shares with us. And in the joy of these discoveries, serve God! God rewards us lovingly and generously!
PRAYER: So be it, dear God, that I might find time today to be quiet and listen to you. Let me put down the cellphone, silence the music, turn my gaze away from the computer monitor, remove the ear buds from my music player and genuinely listen. May what I hear be a loving reminder of how blessed I am and how well equipped I am to serve You and Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
A personal note: Dear friends, I had not yet said anything about an important journey that begun this past summer and in a couple of weeks becomes more real for me. As I may have mentioned through this e-devotional, I am a delegate to General Conference and as a result of that election I have been blessed and humbled and honored by an endorsement by the Rio Grande Conference of The United Methodist Church to be a candidate for bishop. The process is long and hard. I have to travel very soon to begin my series of interviews with all the delegations of our South Central Jurisdiction. I ask for your prayers. I want God's will to be done, not mine. The time is too critical for us to elect just anybody and I truly want the right persons (for we are electing three this time) for this important ministry position. I love what I am doing as a district superintendent, but will serve with God's help if elected, to the best of my ability. I thank you for your prayers for my wife, Nellie, our family and myself.
Our text comes from Psalm 62:5 God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? 6 He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. 7 My help and glory are in God 8 So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. 9 Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them together, they're nothing; two times nothing is nothing. 10 And a windfall, if it comes - don't make too much of it. 11 God said this once and for all; how many times Have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes Straight from God." 12 Love to you, Lord God! You pay a fair wage for a good day's work! (The Message)
One of my life's greatest blessings was to go to youth camp as a child and youth. In those days, the Rio Grande Conference went to Mount Wesley Methodist Encampment in Kerrville, Texas. I first went as a seventh grader recently moved to Houston. At that point in my life I had seen Kingsville, Monterrey, Mexico, the Valley, and now Houston. Monterrey had inspired me with mountains, a beautiful waterfall and caves. It was a short trip during those years when you don't remember much, but Kerrville had what seemed like mountains to me. The camp was located outside of town, isolated and ideal for a retreat. To climb to Vesper Point was to invite something spiritual to happen. The setting and the events, the speakers, all had a lot to do with my hearing God call me into ministry. This psalm reminds me of those days that I didn't fidget nor whisper jokes - I did indeed sit and wait for God. Those moments allowed me to have hope in God and in what might lie ahead for me and my life. I did feel that I could walk anywhere and do anything that God might ask of me, for I never walked alone. I had the fullness of life through Jesus Christ through those moments and during those times. God indeed took me to the mountain top and I could see what lay ahead for me, a journey filled with the blessings of God. I received my strength from God, "Straight from God" (v.11). I fell in love with God and that is a relationship that has never failed me, and I still seek to serve God in whatever ways God may still have for me.
Make time today to listen for God. And as you listen be reminded of all that God has shared with you. You can be a different person because of the presence of God and the strength that God provides for you. Come what may, we are never alone and we are never defeated because of what God shares with us. And in the joy of these discoveries, serve God! God rewards us lovingly and generously!
PRAYER: So be it, dear God, that I might find time today to be quiet and listen to you. Let me put down the cellphone, silence the music, turn my gaze away from the computer monitor, remove the ear buds from my music player and genuinely listen. May what I hear be a loving reminder of how blessed I am and how well equipped I am to serve You and Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
A personal note: Dear friends, I had not yet said anything about an important journey that begun this past summer and in a couple of weeks becomes more real for me. As I may have mentioned through this e-devotional, I am a delegate to General Conference and as a result of that election I have been blessed and humbled and honored by an endorsement by the Rio Grande Conference of The United Methodist Church to be a candidate for bishop. The process is long and hard. I have to travel very soon to begin my series of interviews with all the delegations of our South Central Jurisdiction. I ask for your prayers. I want God's will to be done, not mine. The time is too critical for us to elect just anybody and I truly want the right persons (for we are electing three this time) for this important ministry position. I love what I am doing as a district superintendent, but will serve with God's help if elected, to the best of my ability. I thank you for your prayers for my wife, Nellie, our family and myself.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
God's Do-Overs
Loving God of second chances, give to this reader that understanding of Your grace; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Jonah 3: 1 Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 "Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer." 3 This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God's orders to the letter. 4 Jonah entered the city, went one day's walk and preached, "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed." 5 The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it - rich and poor, famous and obscure, leaders and followers. 10 God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn't do. (The Message)
"Do over!" How many times have we not said that during an intense game with family or friends? How close we were to victory and we flubbed it so we said, "Do over!" Depending on the friend or family member, you probably heard, "NO WAY! That's it, you had your chance and you blew it!" Game over. You lost. God doesn't play that way. In fact, God gives do overs time and time again. Jonah found out. Jonah was asked to share his faith in the Living God and he fled at first, then tried to hide from God and the task and you know where he ended up for three days. Then he finally did what God had asked, he shared his faith and the message God asked him to share. And what a message! "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed." I truly think that's the condensed version of the message the old boy preached, but the point was, he finally was obedient and he finally shared the message and guess what, the people believed! They "trusted God, (and) proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentence." Verse ten, here's the do-over: "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn't do." They got a second chance. So do we.
Have you ever talked to someone about your second chance? Don't you think someone could benefit greatly from hearing such a message from you? Don't wait until you're in the belly of a whale...
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for the many do-overs I have had in my life, thanks to You. I ask that I receive the courage and the boldness to share my faith with someone today. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Jonah 3: 1 Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 "Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer." 3 This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God's orders to the letter. 4 Jonah entered the city, went one day's walk and preached, "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed." 5 The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it - rich and poor, famous and obscure, leaders and followers. 10 God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn't do. (The Message)
"Do over!" How many times have we not said that during an intense game with family or friends? How close we were to victory and we flubbed it so we said, "Do over!" Depending on the friend or family member, you probably heard, "NO WAY! That's it, you had your chance and you blew it!" Game over. You lost. God doesn't play that way. In fact, God gives do overs time and time again. Jonah found out. Jonah was asked to share his faith in the Living God and he fled at first, then tried to hide from God and the task and you know where he ended up for three days. Then he finally did what God had asked, he shared his faith and the message God asked him to share. And what a message! "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed." I truly think that's the condensed version of the message the old boy preached, but the point was, he finally was obedient and he finally shared the message and guess what, the people believed! They "trusted God, (and) proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentence." Verse ten, here's the do-over: "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn't do." They got a second chance. So do we.
Have you ever talked to someone about your second chance? Don't you think someone could benefit greatly from hearing such a message from you? Don't wait until you're in the belly of a whale...
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for the many do-overs I have had in my life, thanks to You. I ask that I receive the courage and the boldness to share my faith with someone today. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Things and Time
God of the richness of life, pour out Your knowledge of the fullness of life upon this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 7: 29 I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple - in marriage, 30 grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things - your daily routines of shopping, and so on. 31 Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. (The Message)
Someone once said, "You never see a hearse with a trailer attached to it," meaning that the other phrase we often hear is, "You can't take it with you," is true. Paul shares the urgency of time with his readers in this passage. He knows that what really matters is that which we can't see, yet we carry on like the physical is more important. Paul is stressing that in our comfort we become complacent in all things and the urgency of helping bring more people to Christ falls by the wayside, and this is true especially in most churches today. Our minds and thoughts should be on Jesus and Jesus' message of Good News for the world. Yet, is it something we as individuals and as members of a church strive for? Our minds and concerns tend to focus on "making ends meet," or meeting deadlines or just attending meetings; Paul would ask, "Where is Christ Jesus in all of this?" And he would remind us of his belief that Jesus was coming back soon. The theme of this week's scripture lessons is on reaching more for God. Never have we seen scripture deal with the problem of better furnishings or new carpet or better choir robes; it always seems to be about sharing God's message with those who have not yet heard. And what are we doing about it?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people, use me today to reach at least someone new. May my life be part of that sermon that someone should experience about how loving and wonderful You are. I ask for boldness and wisdom so that I may be a part of that sharing. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 7: 29 I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple - in marriage, 30 grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things - your daily routines of shopping, and so on. 31 Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. (The Message)
Someone once said, "You never see a hearse with a trailer attached to it," meaning that the other phrase we often hear is, "You can't take it with you," is true. Paul shares the urgency of time with his readers in this passage. He knows that what really matters is that which we can't see, yet we carry on like the physical is more important. Paul is stressing that in our comfort we become complacent in all things and the urgency of helping bring more people to Christ falls by the wayside, and this is true especially in most churches today. Our minds and thoughts should be on Jesus and Jesus' message of Good News for the world. Yet, is it something we as individuals and as members of a church strive for? Our minds and concerns tend to focus on "making ends meet," or meeting deadlines or just attending meetings; Paul would ask, "Where is Christ Jesus in all of this?" And he would remind us of his belief that Jesus was coming back soon. The theme of this week's scripture lessons is on reaching more for God. Never have we seen scripture deal with the problem of better furnishings or new carpet or better choir robes; it always seems to be about sharing God's message with those who have not yet heard. And what are we doing about it?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people, use me today to reach at least someone new. May my life be part of that sermon that someone should experience about how loving and wonderful You are. I ask for boldness and wisdom so that I may be a part of that sharing. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Monday, January 16, 2012
Changing Our Diet
Loving God of justice and peace, may Your touch of peace be upon this dear reader's heart so that she or he may be a person of justice with all; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: 15 "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message." 16 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. 17 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 18 They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. 19 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. 20 Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed. (The Message)
What does your diet consist of? And I'm not talking about the "new" diet you resolved to follow until yesterday's playoff games; I'm talking about your intake of thoughts and messages. What message does the music you hear share with you? What message do the news share with you? What message do the televisions shows you watch give you about life and morality? What reading materials have you had that gave you inspiration to do and live better? I ask because it is important to ask. If you surround yourself with negative messages or messages that influence you to live less than the way God would have you live, then you know you should be asking yourself, why? Consider the world during the First Century when Jesus walked and taught and preached and did miracles. It was a dismal place. The religious people were no different nor any better than those who did not believe. The message from the holy places was a iist of Do Nots (I know it's early but that is do not in plural form, not donuts!). People's lives were not being changed because there was no message of hope nor power to change. That's why Jesus' sermon as shared in this language says, "Change your life and believe the Message." The "message" refers to what other versions call gospel. And gospel as we know refers to Good News. John the Baptist started sharing that message and here comes Jesus to seal the deal. And as Jesus begins His ministry He knows that He will need those who are ready to help in sharing and taking the message to others. Here we read that Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew, with the invitation to become fishers of others. They were primsed and ready to follow as some believe that they were disciples of John the Baptist. They had heard of the One who was coming and in seeing Him and hearing His invitation, they followed. The same happened with James and John. They hear the invitation and they too, follow. Their lives were changed, never to return to what they had been before.
What about you? You must have heard about the Good News which is why you're reading this, or, someone has shared this with you because they care about you and your life. The Good News says that we can change for the better. We can let God have reign over our inner being and lead us away from destruction and death to life and the fullness of life through Jesus Christ even today. This goes beyond a simple New Year's resolution, it goes to a personal revolution overthrowing the bad and accepting the presence and power of the good from God. Are you ready? Do you want it?
PRAYER: Loving God, let the revolution begin in me now, as I overthrow the negative and the bad that is leading me to certain death. Help me in my choices to choose the good and positive and the things that lead to life. Let this apply to physical and spiritual things alike in my life and body. I want to be a person who knows, loves, and serves You. I cannot do it alone, I need You, and I lift this prayer up in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: 15 "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message." 16 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. 17 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 18 They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. 19 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. 20 Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed. (The Message)
What does your diet consist of? And I'm not talking about the "new" diet you resolved to follow until yesterday's playoff games; I'm talking about your intake of thoughts and messages. What message does the music you hear share with you? What message do the news share with you? What message do the televisions shows you watch give you about life and morality? What reading materials have you had that gave you inspiration to do and live better? I ask because it is important to ask. If you surround yourself with negative messages or messages that influence you to live less than the way God would have you live, then you know you should be asking yourself, why? Consider the world during the First Century when Jesus walked and taught and preached and did miracles. It was a dismal place. The religious people were no different nor any better than those who did not believe. The message from the holy places was a iist of Do Nots (I know it's early but that is do not in plural form, not donuts!). People's lives were not being changed because there was no message of hope nor power to change. That's why Jesus' sermon as shared in this language says, "Change your life and believe the Message." The "message" refers to what other versions call gospel. And gospel as we know refers to Good News. John the Baptist started sharing that message and here comes Jesus to seal the deal. And as Jesus begins His ministry He knows that He will need those who are ready to help in sharing and taking the message to others. Here we read that Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew, with the invitation to become fishers of others. They were primsed and ready to follow as some believe that they were disciples of John the Baptist. They had heard of the One who was coming and in seeing Him and hearing His invitation, they followed. The same happened with James and John. They hear the invitation and they too, follow. Their lives were changed, never to return to what they had been before.
What about you? You must have heard about the Good News which is why you're reading this, or, someone has shared this with you because they care about you and your life. The Good News says that we can change for the better. We can let God have reign over our inner being and lead us away from destruction and death to life and the fullness of life through Jesus Christ even today. This goes beyond a simple New Year's resolution, it goes to a personal revolution overthrowing the bad and accepting the presence and power of the good from God. Are you ready? Do you want it?
PRAYER: Loving God, let the revolution begin in me now, as I overthrow the negative and the bad that is leading me to certain death. Help me in my choices to choose the good and positive and the things that lead to life. Let this apply to physical and spiritual things alike in my life and body. I want to be a person who knows, loves, and serves You. I cannot do it alone, I need You, and I lift this prayer up in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Going or Coming, God is with You!
Splendid God of grace and peace, pour out a double portion of peace on the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 139: 1 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. 2 I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 3 You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. 4 You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. 5 I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too - your reassuring presence, coming and going. 6 This is too much, too wonderful - I can't take it all in! 13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 14 I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration - what a creation! 15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. 17 Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! 18 I couldn't even begin to count them - any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! (The Message)
No one ever cared for you like God. Some might say, "My mom did." Yes, close, but not quite. Others might say, "My dad did?' Okay, but not as much. This is what the Psalm is saying. There is no aspect of your life, warts, wrinkles, pimples and all, that God did not know or better yet, that God did not care for. God has known us since Day One. The Psalmist even says that God knows us inside and out, like an "open book." Such is the love and care of God for you and me. The Psalmist uses this as a motivation to live life with that peace and comfort of knowing that there is nowhere we can go that God does not go with us. What a difference this makes in the lives of those who take this to heart and know that anywhere they go, God is with them, and all actions, words and thoughts should reflect the presence of God with us. Does this even include behind the steering wheel of our car? Yes, especially there. Many of us tend to forget we're Christians in that spot, we have a tendency to change religions from Christian to Impatients. Don't do that, God is there too and God will bless us as we try to go from point A to point B. May God's care for us begin a new attitude on our care towards our care for others.
PRAYER: Loving God, may I live life in a way that says to You and myself, God is with me and I am lovingly and carefully being watched by God. May my actions and my words reflect the love God has for me. 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 Psalm 139: 1 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. 2 I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 3 You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. 4 You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. 5 I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too - your reassuring presence, coming and going. 6 This is too much, too wonderful - I can't take it all in! 13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 14 I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration - what a creation! 15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. 17 Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! 18 I couldn't even begin to count them - any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! (The Message)
No one ever cared for you like God. Some might say, "My mom did." Yes, close, but not quite. Others might say, "My dad did?' Okay, but not as much. This is what the Psalm is saying. There is no aspect of your life, warts, wrinkles, pimples and all, that God did not know or better yet, that God did not care for. God has known us since Day One. The Psalmist even says that God knows us inside and out, like an "open book." Such is the love and care of God for you and me. The Psalmist uses this as a motivation to live life with that peace and comfort of knowing that there is nowhere we can go that God does not go with us. What a difference this makes in the lives of those who take this to heart and know that anywhere they go, God is with them, and all actions, words and thoughts should reflect the presence of God with us. Does this even include behind the steering wheel of our car? Yes, especially there. Many of us tend to forget we're Christians in that spot, we have a tendency to change religions from Christian to Impatients. Don't do that, God is there too and God will bless us as we try to go from point A to point B. May God's care for us begin a new attitude on our care towards our care for others.
PRAYER: Loving God, may I live life in a way that says to You and myself, God is with me and I am lovingly and carefully being watched by God. May my actions and my words reflect the love God has for me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Speak, Lord, for I Am Listening!
Loving God who provides daily bread, bless and grant to this dear reader the bread of life; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Samuel 3: 1 The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli's direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. 2 One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad - he could hardly see). 3 It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested. 4 Then God called out, "Samuel, Samuel!" 5 Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did. 6 God called again, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, "I heard you call. Here I am." 7 (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.) 8 God called again, "Samuel!" - the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am." 9 So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed. 10 Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." 11 God said to Samuel, "Listen carefully. I'm getting ready to do something in Israel that is going to shake everyone up and get their attention. 12 The time has come for me to bring down on Eli's family everything I warned him of, every last word of it. 13 I'm letting him know that the time's up. I'm bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God's name and God's place, and he did nothing to stop them. 14 This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli's family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering." 15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then rose early and went about his duties, opening the doors of the sanctuary, but he dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But then Eli summoned Samuel: "Samuel, my son!" Samuel came running: "Yes? What can I do for you?" 17 "What did he say? Tell it to me, all of it. Don't suppress or soften one word, as God is your judge! I want it all, word for word as he said it to you." 18 So Samuel told him, word for word. He held back nothing. Eli said, "He is God. Let him do whatever he thinks best." 19 Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel's prophetic record was flawless. 20 Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing - a true prophet of God. (The Message).
If you made a New Year's Resolution, from whom did it come? From you or from God? Did God tell you to lose weight or stop spending so much, or was that you? The tasks that you do, same question: you or God? The career or work path you took for your life, was it your desire and dream or was it God's? Today's passage deals with one of the most known call stories in the Bible, God calling the boy Samuel to be God's prophet. Samuel's whole life story to this point in his young life is very interesting and can be found in the two chapters prior to this one. Samuel's mom was a devout woman and she promised Samuel to the Lord. At an early age she turned him over to the care of Eli, and it was while under that care that this call from God comes to Samuel.
When God calls we have a choice, but our first choice should always be to listen. As God called Samuel, Samuel replied he was ready to listen. God explained to Samuel the purpose of that call. Our call may not come as crystal clear as Samuel's though I believe Samuel wasn't quite ready to hear a judgment pronounced on Eli and his family, but he heard it and delivered it as told. Our call may take some time to form and become doable, but we should keep in mind that God is with us and will help us in whatever God has called us to do or be. Whatever the task, it matters to God and to the person, person or situation to which we are called to serve.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak, for I am listening. Help me to hear what it is You would have me hear. If this is a call for new ministry or new service, so be it, but be with me. 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 1 Samuel 3: 1 The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli's direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. 2 One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad - he could hardly see). 3 It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested. 4 Then God called out, "Samuel, Samuel!" 5 Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did. 6 God called again, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, "I heard you call. Here I am." 7 (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.) 8 God called again, "Samuel!" - the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am." 9 So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed. 10 Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." 11 God said to Samuel, "Listen carefully. I'm getting ready to do something in Israel that is going to shake everyone up and get their attention. 12 The time has come for me to bring down on Eli's family everything I warned him of, every last word of it. 13 I'm letting him know that the time's up. I'm bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God's name and God's place, and he did nothing to stop them. 14 This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli's family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering." 15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then rose early and went about his duties, opening the doors of the sanctuary, but he dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But then Eli summoned Samuel: "Samuel, my son!" Samuel came running: "Yes? What can I do for you?" 17 "What did he say? Tell it to me, all of it. Don't suppress or soften one word, as God is your judge! I want it all, word for word as he said it to you." 18 So Samuel told him, word for word. He held back nothing. Eli said, "He is God. Let him do whatever he thinks best." 19 Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel's prophetic record was flawless. 20 Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing - a true prophet of God. (The Message).
If you made a New Year's Resolution, from whom did it come? From you or from God? Did God tell you to lose weight or stop spending so much, or was that you? The tasks that you do, same question: you or God? The career or work path you took for your life, was it your desire and dream or was it God's? Today's passage deals with one of the most known call stories in the Bible, God calling the boy Samuel to be God's prophet. Samuel's whole life story to this point in his young life is very interesting and can be found in the two chapters prior to this one. Samuel's mom was a devout woman and she promised Samuel to the Lord. At an early age she turned him over to the care of Eli, and it was while under that care that this call from God comes to Samuel.
When God calls we have a choice, but our first choice should always be to listen. As God called Samuel, Samuel replied he was ready to listen. God explained to Samuel the purpose of that call. Our call may not come as crystal clear as Samuel's though I believe Samuel wasn't quite ready to hear a judgment pronounced on Eli and his family, but he heard it and delivered it as told. Our call may take some time to form and become doable, but we should keep in mind that God is with us and will help us in whatever God has called us to do or be. Whatever the task, it matters to God and to the person, person or situation to which we are called to serve.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak, for I am listening. Help me to hear what it is You would have me hear. If this is a call for new ministry or new service, so be it, but be with me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
God Owns the Whole Thing!
Blessed God of all days, may this day be blessed for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 6: 12 Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. 13 You know the old saying, "First you eat to live, and then you live to eat"? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that's no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! 14 God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. 15 Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not. 16 There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." 17 Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever - the kind of sex that can never "become one." 18 There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. 19 Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. 20 God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. (The Message)
We're good at playing games. We're also quite good at rationalizing things. As the New Year's countdown approaches, we get out a slip of paper and a pen and we write that which we resolve to do, and usually the majority of people resolve to do something related to the body. Then at about this time of year we realize we did not have the willpower to continue the resolution and we give up. And that's when the games begin; What matters most is what's within. God doesn't judge me by my looks; it's what's in my heart! And so on. We sometimes play the game of keeping the spirit clean even though we're messing with the physical. This version of the Bible goes into deeper detail than most of us are used to. In fact, uses words that we would not be comfortable hearing from a pulpit. Yet, it is a clear picture of that which is rationalized for us in the movies or on television shows, that sex has nothing to do with our spiritual lives. A recent magazine headline said something to the effect that Christian teens are no longer waiting to engage in sexual acts. Paul knows as we should know, that God owns the whole thing, the body, the mind, the spirit; everything that defines who we are. Paul stresses what we know God's word to say, Glorify God through your body. Let everything we do reflect the presence of God in and through us. God owns the whole thing.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to do away with the games. Let me be honest with me. You own the entire me, and no part of me does not belong to You. Forgive me for what I have rationalized in some of my actions, and help me to reflect You alive and present in me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
God
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 6: 12 Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. 13 You know the old saying, "First you eat to live, and then you live to eat"? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that's no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! 14 God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. 15 Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not. 16 There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." 17 Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever - the kind of sex that can never "become one." 18 There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. 19 Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. 20 God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. (The Message)
We're good at playing games. We're also quite good at rationalizing things. As the New Year's countdown approaches, we get out a slip of paper and a pen and we write that which we resolve to do, and usually the majority of people resolve to do something related to the body. Then at about this time of year we realize we did not have the willpower to continue the resolution and we give up. And that's when the games begin; What matters most is what's within. God doesn't judge me by my looks; it's what's in my heart! And so on. We sometimes play the game of keeping the spirit clean even though we're messing with the physical. This version of the Bible goes into deeper detail than most of us are used to. In fact, uses words that we would not be comfortable hearing from a pulpit. Yet, it is a clear picture of that which is rationalized for us in the movies or on television shows, that sex has nothing to do with our spiritual lives. A recent magazine headline said something to the effect that Christian teens are no longer waiting to engage in sexual acts. Paul knows as we should know, that God owns the whole thing, the body, the mind, the spirit; everything that defines who we are. Paul stresses what we know God's word to say, Glorify God through your body. Let everything we do reflect the presence of God in and through us. God owns the whole thing.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to do away with the games. Let me be honest with me. You own the entire me, and no part of me does not belong to You. Forgive me for what I have rationalized in some of my actions, and help me to reflect You alive and present in me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
God
Monday, January 09, 2012
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are, Though He Knew Us When We Were Somewhere Else!
Loving God of life, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 1: 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, "Come, follow me." 44 (Philip's hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.) 45 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We've found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It's Jesus, Joseph's son, the one from Nazareth!" 46 Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You've got to be kidding." But Philip said, "Come, see for yourself." 47 When Jesus saw him coming he said, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body." 48 Nathanael said, "Where did you get that idea? You don't know me." Jesus answered, "One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree." 49 Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus said, "You've become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven't seen anything yet! 51 Before this is over you're going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again." (The Message)
Jesus meets us where we are, though He knew us when we were somewhere else. Such was the case here in this story but in our lives it may not seem as innocent. Some of us were in places where we hoped no one saw us, doing things we pray will never come to light. And yes, some of us where simply sitting under a fig tree. Jesus calls us out of love and out of a hope that we will never return to where we were. Jesus' call means a complete change of life and life-attitude so that we will never be the same. I've shared about a film one sees (or used to see) on the retreat called Walk to Emmaus; The disciples have just had the Last Supper and they're talking about what they'll do next and one of the disciples says to the other, "Don't you realize that we will never the same? We'll never get to go home again!" He was telling the truth. Those of us who encounter the Living, Risen Christ and have their lives transformed for the better, never should be the same again. And home is where we serve the Lord, not the same place we've laid our heads to sleep in years past. And the best part? Just as Jesus said to Nathanael, we haven't seen anything yet! "Before this is over," we're "going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again," meaning we will see and witness wonderful, unexplainable things. What will you see if you stay seated under the fig tree? Just a hint: Don't look up!
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for Your call upon my life. May my walk with You be one that never leaves me the same. May each step, each day, bring to me opportunities to witness Your power and grace. May I be among those angels that minister to You and Yours. 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 1: 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, "Come, follow me." 44 (Philip's hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.) 45 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We've found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It's Jesus, Joseph's son, the one from Nazareth!" 46 Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You've got to be kidding." But Philip said, "Come, see for yourself." 47 When Jesus saw him coming he said, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body." 48 Nathanael said, "Where did you get that idea? You don't know me." Jesus answered, "One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree." 49 Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus said, "You've become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven't seen anything yet! 51 Before this is over you're going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again." (The Message)
Jesus meets us where we are, though He knew us when we were somewhere else. Such was the case here in this story but in our lives it may not seem as innocent. Some of us were in places where we hoped no one saw us, doing things we pray will never come to light. And yes, some of us where simply sitting under a fig tree. Jesus calls us out of love and out of a hope that we will never return to where we were. Jesus' call means a complete change of life and life-attitude so that we will never be the same. I've shared about a film one sees (or used to see) on the retreat called Walk to Emmaus; The disciples have just had the Last Supper and they're talking about what they'll do next and one of the disciples says to the other, "Don't you realize that we will never the same? We'll never get to go home again!" He was telling the truth. Those of us who encounter the Living, Risen Christ and have their lives transformed for the better, never should be the same again. And home is where we serve the Lord, not the same place we've laid our heads to sleep in years past. And the best part? Just as Jesus said to Nathanael, we haven't seen anything yet! "Before this is over," we're "going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again," meaning we will see and witness wonderful, unexplainable things. What will you see if you stay seated under the fig tree? Just a hint: Don't look up!
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for Your call upon my life. May my walk with You be one that never leaves me the same. May each step, each day, bring to me opportunities to witness Your power and grace. May I be among those angels that minister to You and Yours. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, January 05, 2012
The Newness of This Day and This New Year!
Loving God of peace, grant a blessing of calm and confidence in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Genesis 1: 1 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth - all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. 3 God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared. 4 God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. 5 God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning - Day One. (The Message)
No better way to start a New Year than with a reminder of how everything, I repeat, everything, began. It began with God. A simple yet profound way to start any New Year and any day for that matter. You can tell yourself, "Everything I see today, was created by God, and God did not abandon me nor God's world!" And to further our thoughts about God's awesome power think about that first day of creation; From nothing came everything. And over everything God's Spirit "brooded like a bird" over it. And of all the things God created first, there comes light. And light is good, and it separates light from dark. And that was Day One.
May the newness of this day not scare us; nor may the thought of a New Year lead us to darkness. May all our days be days lived in the knowledge and comfort of God's presence and the power of God's light.
PRAYER: God of creation, create in me a new heart with new hope and new love, for You and Yours. May I live each day knowing Your Spirit is with me and that with that knowledge I can live in the light. 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 Genesis 1: 1 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth - all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. 3 God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared. 4 God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. 5 God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning - Day One. (The Message)
No better way to start a New Year than with a reminder of how everything, I repeat, everything, began. It began with God. A simple yet profound way to start any New Year and any day for that matter. You can tell yourself, "Everything I see today, was created by God, and God did not abandon me nor God's world!" And to further our thoughts about God's awesome power think about that first day of creation; From nothing came everything. And over everything God's Spirit "brooded like a bird" over it. And of all the things God created first, there comes light. And light is good, and it separates light from dark. And that was Day One.
May the newness of this day not scare us; nor may the thought of a New Year lead us to darkness. May all our days be days lived in the knowledge and comfort of God's presence and the power of God's light.
PRAYER: God of creation, create in me a new heart with new hope and new love, for You and Yours. May I live each day knowing Your Spirit is with me and that with that knowledge I can live in the light. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Next Steps to a New You in the New Year!
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on the life of this dear reader in all they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 19: 1 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. 2 The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?" "We've never even heard of that - a Holy Spirit? God within us?" 3 "How were you baptized, then?" asked Paul. "In John's baptism." 4 "That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus." 5 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. 6 Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God's actions. 7 Altogether there were about twelve people there that day. (The Message)
As many have been talking about having a "New You" in the New Year, some have actually taken steps to become a new person. This means different things to different people. As I shared yesterday, the loss of weight for many does actually mean a new person. For others, it is a time to reassess old habits and consider abandoning or quitting same so that a new person can truly emerge. John the Baptist's message was for a new person to emerge out of the waters of the Jordan River; a forgiven person who had left his/her sins in the water. This was a message that many took to heart and as today's lesson shows, kept preaching. Paul encounters a group who had been baptized for the forgiveness of sins and stopped there. Paul asks, in effect, did you take the next step? Have you "embraced Jesus with all your heart? Is He living in you?" This modern version is trying to explain what it means to have the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on to explain that John's baptism was valid and necessary, but John also spoke of the One who came after him and His baptism.
The presence of Jesus dwelling within us is evidence of God's Holy Spirit. If we surrendered our hearts and lives to Christ Jesus and invited Him in, He has come in and become our Lord and Savior. To me, it is a daily surrender and a daily asking; "Christ Jesus come into me and guide me and use me," is part of my prayer at the start of each day. And I keep praying thought prayers and situational prayers, knowing that I want not only to embrace Jesus, but to be embraced by Jesus as well. There are moments when I am too weak to stand on my own and the strong arms of Jesus hold me. How about you? Have you discovered the awesomeness of God's Holy Spirit and the difference it can make in your life?
PRAYER: Loving God, I want to receive Your presence in my life. I want to be Spirit-led and Spirit-changed, so that my life will be one that gives evidence of all that is possible within us through 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 Acts 19: 1 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. 2 The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?" "We've never even heard of that - a Holy Spirit? God within us?" 3 "How were you baptized, then?" asked Paul. "In John's baptism." 4 "That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus." 5 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. 6 Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God's actions. 7 Altogether there were about twelve people there that day. (The Message)
As many have been talking about having a "New You" in the New Year, some have actually taken steps to become a new person. This means different things to different people. As I shared yesterday, the loss of weight for many does actually mean a new person. For others, it is a time to reassess old habits and consider abandoning or quitting same so that a new person can truly emerge. John the Baptist's message was for a new person to emerge out of the waters of the Jordan River; a forgiven person who had left his/her sins in the water. This was a message that many took to heart and as today's lesson shows, kept preaching. Paul encounters a group who had been baptized for the forgiveness of sins and stopped there. Paul asks, in effect, did you take the next step? Have you "embraced Jesus with all your heart? Is He living in you?" This modern version is trying to explain what it means to have the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on to explain that John's baptism was valid and necessary, but John also spoke of the One who came after him and His baptism.
The presence of Jesus dwelling within us is evidence of God's Holy Spirit. If we surrendered our hearts and lives to Christ Jesus and invited Him in, He has come in and become our Lord and Savior. To me, it is a daily surrender and a daily asking; "Christ Jesus come into me and guide me and use me," is part of my prayer at the start of each day. And I keep praying thought prayers and situational prayers, knowing that I want not only to embrace Jesus, but to be embraced by Jesus as well. There are moments when I am too weak to stand on my own and the strong arms of Jesus hold me. How about you? Have you discovered the awesomeness of God's Holy Spirit and the difference it can make in your life?
PRAYER: Loving God, I want to receive Your presence in my life. I want to be Spirit-led and Spirit-changed, so that my life will be one that gives evidence of all that is possible within us through You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Life-Change is Possible!
Loving God of new and old things; bless and protect the days of this new year in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
CORRECTION: The Prayer Request from last night said surgery for Mrs. Leifeste is tomorrow Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., not today. My apologies for the wrong day! Keep praying!
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. 5 People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. 6 John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey. 7 As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. 8 I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism - a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit - will change you from the inside out." 9 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. 11 Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life." (The Message)
This is the time of year many of us resolve to change our lives. We have made a list of "resolutions" of things that we will do, for at least two weeks, then with the right invitation or temptation, go right back to what we were doing in 2011. Probably the number one resolution is that to lose weight. Sales of exercise equipment is high during this time of year and new gadgets and appliances appear in homes and for a few days the clinging and clanging of iron and steel may be heard in our own homes. Then one long, tiring day at work will cause us to place our blouse or shirt on the exercise equipment and before we know it, we have a thousand dollar wardrobe holder. So much for the resolution. Please know this has happened to me and I am not criticizing nor pointing fingers. Life-change is what is required. And so it was that on that day that this wild man from the desert came to the Jordan River with his loud message of life-change, many came to hear him. John would not have gotten very far in yelling, "All ye must lose weight!" His message was a deeper and more profound one. His message had something to do with the personal side of our lives, the spiritual, where we know we have deep-rooted sins, especially the kind we hope will never resurface nor brought to light so that others will know just how bad we are. John's message said, "You don't have to live that way! Come to God and have that sin removed once and for all!" That got the attention of the fat and skinny, the energetic and the lazy. This was a message that hit home in the hearts of all who truly heard it. The passage said that people began to confess their sins and received changed lives.
A changed life is still available to us. This morning's Upper Room devotional is by a former drunk, who gives God complete credit and glory for having changed his life. He went from facing a life on the streets to being a respected and loved husband, father and now grandfather. He also was able to be with his mother as she died some years ago, something he knows he would not have done had he stayed under the grip of alcohol. John the Baptist offered this to all, setting the stage for the power of Christ to change our life into a "kingdom life." I love the way it says, His baptism-a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit-will change your life from the inside out."
How's your inside? Want it changed? Leave it to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our voices join those whose lives have been set free from the clutches of sin. May I be among those who can say that God changed even me, from the inside out. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
CORRECTION: The Prayer Request from last night said surgery for Mrs. Leifeste is tomorrow Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., not today. My apologies for the wrong day! Keep praying!
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. 5 People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. 6 John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey. 7 As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. 8 I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism - a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit - will change you from the inside out." 9 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. 11 Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life." (The Message)
This is the time of year many of us resolve to change our lives. We have made a list of "resolutions" of things that we will do, for at least two weeks, then with the right invitation or temptation, go right back to what we were doing in 2011. Probably the number one resolution is that to lose weight. Sales of exercise equipment is high during this time of year and new gadgets and appliances appear in homes and for a few days the clinging and clanging of iron and steel may be heard in our own homes. Then one long, tiring day at work will cause us to place our blouse or shirt on the exercise equipment and before we know it, we have a thousand dollar wardrobe holder. So much for the resolution. Please know this has happened to me and I am not criticizing nor pointing fingers. Life-change is what is required. And so it was that on that day that this wild man from the desert came to the Jordan River with his loud message of life-change, many came to hear him. John would not have gotten very far in yelling, "All ye must lose weight!" His message was a deeper and more profound one. His message had something to do with the personal side of our lives, the spiritual, where we know we have deep-rooted sins, especially the kind we hope will never resurface nor brought to light so that others will know just how bad we are. John's message said, "You don't have to live that way! Come to God and have that sin removed once and for all!" That got the attention of the fat and skinny, the energetic and the lazy. This was a message that hit home in the hearts of all who truly heard it. The passage said that people began to confess their sins and received changed lives.
A changed life is still available to us. This morning's Upper Room devotional is by a former drunk, who gives God complete credit and glory for having changed his life. He went from facing a life on the streets to being a respected and loved husband, father and now grandfather. He also was able to be with his mother as she died some years ago, something he knows he would not have done had he stayed under the grip of alcohol. John the Baptist offered this to all, setting the stage for the power of Christ to change our life into a "kingdom life." I love the way it says, His baptism-a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit-will change your life from the inside out."
How's your inside? Want it changed? Leave it to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our voices join those whose lives have been set free from the clutches of sin. May I be among those who can say that God changed even me, from the inside out. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, January 02, 2012
Happy New Year!
Loving God, may the fullness of a relationship with You be this dear reader in all the days of this New Year; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Happy New Year! Here it is, 2012! And as Hollywood tried to warn us, it is the final year of existence for the human race! And this based on a Mayan calendar that simply runs out this year and then it starts again.
Our text for today is one recommended by my lovely wife for a New Year's verse, Matthew 6: 33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message).
Many people always ask at the start of a New Year, What does this year hold for me? And the answer is, God only knows and God's not telling! What we do know, as the hymn writer said, But we do know who holds this year! It's God. The modern language of this version shares some key thoughts for us and how we could and should live: If we immerse ourselves in the knowledge that God exists and God is with us; that is "God-reality." If we believe we do have a plan and purpose for our lives and that each day brings us closer to fulfilling that for ourselves if we listen for and trust in, God; that is "God-initiative." If we truly believe Christ in His words in that powerful prayer we call the Lord's Prayer and we ask and believe God does provide for "our daily bread," then that is God-provisions. Too many of us miss out by worrying so much about little details and we don't see the big, awesome picture that God is painting for us. God is in the present and God will be in the future, but our attention and energy should be right here, right now to whatever God is doing in your life and personal ministry. Listen again to that last verse, "God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Amen!
PRAYER: Loving God, this gift of a New Year comes from You. I also know that whatever I may encounter, whatever I may need, I need trust only in You. Let that be my resolve for a better me in this New Year; that I do fully and truly trust in You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Happy New Year! Here it is, 2012! And as Hollywood tried to warn us, it is the final year of existence for the human race! And this based on a Mayan calendar that simply runs out this year and then it starts again.
Our text for today is one recommended by my lovely wife for a New Year's verse, Matthew 6: 33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message).
Many people always ask at the start of a New Year, What does this year hold for me? And the answer is, God only knows and God's not telling! What we do know, as the hymn writer said, But we do know who holds this year! It's God. The modern language of this version shares some key thoughts for us and how we could and should live: If we immerse ourselves in the knowledge that God exists and God is with us; that is "God-reality." If we believe we do have a plan and purpose for our lives and that each day brings us closer to fulfilling that for ourselves if we listen for and trust in, God; that is "God-initiative." If we truly believe Christ in His words in that powerful prayer we call the Lord's Prayer and we ask and believe God does provide for "our daily bread," then that is God-provisions. Too many of us miss out by worrying so much about little details and we don't see the big, awesome picture that God is painting for us. God is in the present and God will be in the future, but our attention and energy should be right here, right now to whatever God is doing in your life and personal ministry. Listen again to that last verse, "God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Amen!
PRAYER: Loving God, this gift of a New Year comes from You. I also know that whatever I may encounter, whatever I may need, I need trust only in You. Let that be my resolve for a better me in this New Year; that I do fully and truly trust in You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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