Lord of all journeys, travel with this dear reader today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Happy Leap Year Day or whatever this "extra" day is! Happy Birthday for those blessed with this as their birthday!
From the Letter to the Romans, fourth chapter: 13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith "was reckoned to him as righteousness." 23 Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. (New Revised Standard Version)
It has become a universal joke because of its reality; you order new cable service and in the old days when you ordered telephone service, the "promise" was, "We'll have a service person out there between 8 and 5." And that was not the best way to plan a day. If you were lucky, the service person came at 8 a.m., the work was done, and you could go about your day. Usually, it was after 5 when you would get a call and the voice would say that they would re-schedule for another time as soon as possible. Or, if you had to leave your house for an errand when you return the door hanger announces that the service person came by and will call again to reschedule. Not so with God. God promises, God delivers.
Paul is recounting the story of the man who is considered the Father of the Faith, Abraham. When he visited by God and is promised things that an old man shouldn't be promised, Abraham believed, and God delivered. The gift of faith is a gift of hope and peace. If you have that sort of faith live a life that reflects the hope and peace that only God can give. After all, God promises, God delivers!
PRAYER: Loving God of hope and peace and fulfilled promises, I and the person who is praying this as their own, ask that we might truly life that life that invites others to come to know You and your promises of hope and peace. May it be that when facing something that seems impossible that I can remember that when You promise, Your deliver. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Grace is Free, But It Is Not Cheap!
Loving God, may my head follow my heart to You this day, and may it be the prayer of this dear reader as well; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
We continue with Mark 8 today: 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (NRSV)
Grace is free, but it is not cheap. Discipleship is a must for all who claim to follow Jesus Christ, but it is not easy. Jesus, after rebuking Peter for having his head and heart on the things of earth continued His teaching on discipleship and said what is quoted above. Discipleship is Jesus-centered, not you or me centered. Discipleship is denying ourselves. In other words we put ourselves last, our desires, our wishes, everything that competes with God, last. And in a hidden reference to that which was coming and to which He had alluded, we must take up our cross, and follow Jesus. For many of us the cross is a reference to the knowledge that those in Jesus' day who followed Him might end up on a cross. Tradition tells us that Peter ended up on a cross, though he chose to be crucified upside down for he was not worthy to die the same as his savior. The way of Christ is a dangerous way for we might lose friends or family members, who might be embarrassed of us for having chosen to live as Jesus. Salvation, or the path of coming into a living and loving relationship with Jesus comes at the cost of losing our lives for the sake of Jesus and the sake of the gospel. Again, the way of the world says we must stay alive and at whatever cost. The way of Christ says what do you gain by saving your life and losing your soul?
We're on a Lenten Journey in which we are being reminded of our mortality, but more importantly of the power over mortal things that Jesus holds, including our very souls for eternity. For some this makes perfect sense, for others it does not. May we seek first, the Kingdom of God and God's righteousness, setting our hearts and heads on God's things; and everything else will fall into place and make perfect sense not only for now, but for all eternity.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray, and he or she who make this prayer their own, may my head and heart be on You and Your things. May the fears and doubts that come with human-centered things fade away especially as You and I journey together on these forty days towards You. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Our grandson, Caleb Eradio Garcia, spent the night in a McAllen, TX, hospital due to a stomach virus he has. He was placed on an IV (his "robot" arm as he called it) and we expect he will be released today. Please pray for Caleb and his mom and dad, Jorge and Nellie Garcia. Thank you! Prayers also for Billy Henderson, son of DS Bill Henderson, who is in Afghanistan and all of the fighting that is going on right now in that place. Thank you for sharing your prayers with others.
We continue with Mark 8 today: 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (NRSV)
Grace is free, but it is not cheap. Discipleship is a must for all who claim to follow Jesus Christ, but it is not easy. Jesus, after rebuking Peter for having his head and heart on the things of earth continued His teaching on discipleship and said what is quoted above. Discipleship is Jesus-centered, not you or me centered. Discipleship is denying ourselves. In other words we put ourselves last, our desires, our wishes, everything that competes with God, last. And in a hidden reference to that which was coming and to which He had alluded, we must take up our cross, and follow Jesus. For many of us the cross is a reference to the knowledge that those in Jesus' day who followed Him might end up on a cross. Tradition tells us that Peter ended up on a cross, though he chose to be crucified upside down for he was not worthy to die the same as his savior. The way of Christ is a dangerous way for we might lose friends or family members, who might be embarrassed of us for having chosen to live as Jesus. Salvation, or the path of coming into a living and loving relationship with Jesus comes at the cost of losing our lives for the sake of Jesus and the sake of the gospel. Again, the way of the world says we must stay alive and at whatever cost. The way of Christ says what do you gain by saving your life and losing your soul?
We're on a Lenten Journey in which we are being reminded of our mortality, but more importantly of the power over mortal things that Jesus holds, including our very souls for eternity. For some this makes perfect sense, for others it does not. May we seek first, the Kingdom of God and God's righteousness, setting our hearts and heads on God's things; and everything else will fall into place and make perfect sense not only for now, but for all eternity.
PRAYER: Loving God as I pray, and he or she who make this prayer their own, may my head and heart be on You and Your things. May the fears and doubts that come with human-centered things fade away especially as You and I journey together on these forty days towards You. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Our grandson, Caleb Eradio Garcia, spent the night in a McAllen, TX, hospital due to a stomach virus he has. He was placed on an IV (his "robot" arm as he called it) and we expect he will be released today. Please pray for Caleb and his mom and dad, Jorge and Nellie Garcia. Thank you! Prayers also for Billy Henderson, son of DS Bill Henderson, who is in Afghanistan and all of the fighting that is going on right now in that place. Thank you for sharing your prayers with others.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Where's Your Head?
Precious Lord, take the hand of this dear reader during this Lenten Journey and guide them gently towards peace and maturity; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Mark 8: 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." (NRSV)
This is half of this coming Sunday's Gospel reading. It is part of the story leading up to Jesus' passion and resurrection. Jesus was being completely honest with His disciples about what lay ahead for Him. He left no part out. Jesus would suffer. Jesus would be rejected by the religious folk of His day, and Jesus would be killed. That's probably the point most of us would stop concentrating on what Jesus said. "Wait! What?" That's what happened to Peter. He heard the word kill and that's all he wanted to hear. There is a small phrase right after what was said, and it reads, "And after three days rise again." And (Jesus) "said all this quite openly." But Peter didn't hear that. There was that word kill and all that that means. Peter takes Jesus aside and began to "rebuke Him." Jesus knew that this sort of talk was not helping the disciples nor Peter so Jesus responds by rebuking Peter and calling him "Satan," and all because his mind was on human things not the things of God.
When was the last time that happened to you, when your earthly thinking got your faith in trouble? It's easy to do. The things of earth are ever present and we're very likely to get pulled into (or down) to them. The things of God are what nourish and strengthen us. The divine things are the ones that get us through situations when we think all is lost. We need to stay on the divine things by our prayers, our scripture reading, our devotional times, our worship time, our fasting, and our quiet times with God.
Where's your head today? It might also tell you where your heart is.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess as does this person who prays this with me, that at times I think like everyone else and see only what I think are human realities and so the options and outcomes are not what I want. Let me think on You and Your presence, Your voice, the voice of truth that tells me a different story than the world would have me hear; and may that speak to me about what is possible with You. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Mark 8: 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." (NRSV)
This is half of this coming Sunday's Gospel reading. It is part of the story leading up to Jesus' passion and resurrection. Jesus was being completely honest with His disciples about what lay ahead for Him. He left no part out. Jesus would suffer. Jesus would be rejected by the religious folk of His day, and Jesus would be killed. That's probably the point most of us would stop concentrating on what Jesus said. "Wait! What?" That's what happened to Peter. He heard the word kill and that's all he wanted to hear. There is a small phrase right after what was said, and it reads, "And after three days rise again." And (Jesus) "said all this quite openly." But Peter didn't hear that. There was that word kill and all that that means. Peter takes Jesus aside and began to "rebuke Him." Jesus knew that this sort of talk was not helping the disciples nor Peter so Jesus responds by rebuking Peter and calling him "Satan," and all because his mind was on human things not the things of God.
When was the last time that happened to you, when your earthly thinking got your faith in trouble? It's easy to do. The things of earth are ever present and we're very likely to get pulled into (or down) to them. The things of God are what nourish and strengthen us. The divine things are the ones that get us through situations when we think all is lost. We need to stay on the divine things by our prayers, our scripture reading, our devotional times, our worship time, our fasting, and our quiet times with God.
Where's your head today? It might also tell you where your heart is.
PRAYER: Loving God, I confess as does this person who prays this with me, that at times I think like everyone else and see only what I think are human realities and so the options and outcomes are not what I want. Let me think on You and Your presence, Your voice, the voice of truth that tells me a different story than the world would have me hear; and may that speak to me about what is possible with You. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, February 23, 2012
You Are Dust, And To Dust You Shall Return
God of the journey, travel with this dear reader as they prepare for deeper understanding of Your love; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
1 Peter 3: 18 That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all - was put to death and then made alive - to bring us to God. 19 He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment 20 because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact - saved from the water by the water. 21 The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. 22 Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. (The message)
The journey of Lent begins with a somber reminder of who and what we are. To hear or say the words, "You are dust and to dust you shall return" can be a moving experience, but it is a part of what these forty days are all about. We must grow and mature in our spiritual lives to a deeper understanding of Who God is through Jesus and what God offers to us during this time of the Christian year. To hear those words make some people suffer the fear of their mortality. Add to that the other penitent acts that some add in their fasting or sacrifice, and we begin to understand just a bit of what the writer of this epistle is saying. Christ suffered for us. The sins Christ bore, we caused; they're our sins. Sins that drove Him to the cross where He paid the price for our sinfulness. Our duty is to recognize that we are sinners and need the loving forgiveness that God offers to us.
Turn away from your sin. Recognize that you are not perfect and that only through forgiveness will we fit into God's kingdom. We can't be satisfied with being better persons, we must become new persons through all that Christ did for us.
PRAYER: Loving God I confess I am a sinner and I stand in need of Your loving forgiveness. I desire to be made new not just better. In all of my life, make my thoughts, my feelings, my actions, my every being, new. As the dust grows ever nearer to my journeying feet, make my life count in a way that brings others to You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
1 Peter 3: 18 That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all - was put to death and then made alive - to bring us to God. 19 He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment 20 because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact - saved from the water by the water. 21 The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. 22 Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. (The message)
The journey of Lent begins with a somber reminder of who and what we are. To hear or say the words, "You are dust and to dust you shall return" can be a moving experience, but it is a part of what these forty days are all about. We must grow and mature in our spiritual lives to a deeper understanding of Who God is through Jesus and what God offers to us during this time of the Christian year. To hear those words make some people suffer the fear of their mortality. Add to that the other penitent acts that some add in their fasting or sacrifice, and we begin to understand just a bit of what the writer of this epistle is saying. Christ suffered for us. The sins Christ bore, we caused; they're our sins. Sins that drove Him to the cross where He paid the price for our sinfulness. Our duty is to recognize that we are sinners and need the loving forgiveness that God offers to us.
Turn away from your sin. Recognize that you are not perfect and that only through forgiveness will we fit into God's kingdom. We can't be satisfied with being better persons, we must become new persons through all that Christ did for us.
PRAYER: Loving God I confess I am a sinner and I stand in need of Your loving forgiveness. I desire to be made new not just better. In all of my life, make my thoughts, my feelings, my actions, my every being, new. As the dust grows ever nearer to my journeying feet, make my life count in a way that brings others to You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Hey Man, You've Got Mud on Your Forehead!
Loving God, may the mark of obedience be upon this dear reader today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
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." 12 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. 13 For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him. 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." Luke 1 (The Message)
Today our Lenten Journey begins, and for many of you it has already started earlier today in a quiet setting where you were reminded of your mortality and you thought more about what you were giving up for this forty day journey. The passage for this coming Sunday mentions the forty days of Jesus' temptation and formation in the wilderness/desert. Those forty days made a world of difference for what was to follow Him during His earthly ministry of 40 days. Our journey is not much different, it is a time of spiritual discernment and preparation to allow us to more fully understand Jesus' gift for us. The emphasis is on knowing all that Jesus gave up for us and then how on that Good Friday, He submitted Himself unto death. Come Easter Sunday, we are ready to fully understand and appreciate the power of God over sin and death.
Again, I stress that whatever nourishment you may give up during the Lenten season, replace it with a spiritual nourishment to follow true fasting. In other words if you give up soft drinks, take up Bible reading or if you gave up candy, replace it with a time of prayer. And let it be a time of listening to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I and this person who makes this prayer his/her own, journey during these forty days, let us be open to Your voice and leading. Like Jesus we may be tempted to give up or to stray from the path, but instead of hearing the voice of temptation may we be grounded in the voice that leads to life. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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." 12 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. 13 For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him. 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." Luke 1 (The Message)
Today our Lenten Journey begins, and for many of you it has already started earlier today in a quiet setting where you were reminded of your mortality and you thought more about what you were giving up for this forty day journey. The passage for this coming Sunday mentions the forty days of Jesus' temptation and formation in the wilderness/desert. Those forty days made a world of difference for what was to follow Him during His earthly ministry of 40 days. Our journey is not much different, it is a time of spiritual discernment and preparation to allow us to more fully understand Jesus' gift for us. The emphasis is on knowing all that Jesus gave up for us and then how on that Good Friday, He submitted Himself unto death. Come Easter Sunday, we are ready to fully understand and appreciate the power of God over sin and death.
Again, I stress that whatever nourishment you may give up during the Lenten season, replace it with a spiritual nourishment to follow true fasting. In other words if you give up soft drinks, take up Bible reading or if you gave up candy, replace it with a time of prayer. And let it be a time of listening to God.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I and this person who makes this prayer his/her own, journey during these forty days, let us be open to Your voice and leading. Like Jesus we may be tempted to give up or to stray from the path, but instead of hearing the voice of temptation may we be grounded in the voice that leads to life. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Our Journey Begins Right Where We Are...
Lord of the Journey, help this dear reader in their preparation for spiritual strength and blessing; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4: 3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step." This is credited to Lau-Tzu, whose original translation some believe read, "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet," meaning that more important than that first step, a long journey begins with being still. Another said this reads better as ""Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." As we prepare for a 40-day journey called Lent, we begin with understanding where we are and where God wants us to be. At the start of our journey tomorrow we should know where we are standing. A good question to ask ourselves is, Am I standing closer to God than I was last year or do I find myself farther away? Lent allows us to grow closer to God. The passage for today comes from Paul who when he encountered the Lord was miles from where God wanted him, though Paul himself thought he was exactly where God wanted, and doing what God wanted. Paul was standing up for religion but was knocked down for Christ. From his enounter forward sharing the gospel was his life. From then on, Paul understood that where he had been had been in darkness, and his call now was to bring others to the light of Jesus Christ.
You and I have the best picture of God through Jesus Christ. We have a strong message of hope and we need to share it with others. Let Lent be a time for personal growth knowing that sometimes growth within comes from sharing what we already have with those who have yet to hear.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I and this person who makes this prayer his/her own, let us journey in the light of Jesus. May we be ready to share the Good News of the relationship we have with You through Your Son. May this time of Lent bring me closer to the place You would have me be. Give me light to recognize clearly all that I need. May my eyes be open as well as my ears and my mind to Your call. I pray this 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 2 Corinthians 4: 3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step." This is credited to Lau-Tzu, whose original translation some believe read, "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet," meaning that more important than that first step, a long journey begins with being still. Another said this reads better as ""Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." As we prepare for a 40-day journey called Lent, we begin with understanding where we are and where God wants us to be. At the start of our journey tomorrow we should know where we are standing. A good question to ask ourselves is, Am I standing closer to God than I was last year or do I find myself farther away? Lent allows us to grow closer to God. The passage for today comes from Paul who when he encountered the Lord was miles from where God wanted him, though Paul himself thought he was exactly where God wanted, and doing what God wanted. Paul was standing up for religion but was knocked down for Christ. From his enounter forward sharing the gospel was his life. From then on, Paul understood that where he had been had been in darkness, and his call now was to bring others to the light of Jesus Christ.
You and I have the best picture of God through Jesus Christ. We have a strong message of hope and we need to share it with others. Let Lent be a time for personal growth knowing that sometimes growth within comes from sharing what we already have with those who have yet to hear.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I and this person who makes this prayer his/her own, let us journey in the light of Jesus. May we be ready to share the Good News of the relationship we have with You through Your Son. May this time of Lent bring me closer to the place You would have me be. Give me light to recognize clearly all that I need. May my eyes be open as well as my ears and my mind to Your call. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, February 20, 2012
Readying for the Journey?
Lord, this Lenten Journey is all about You; help this dear reader in what the journey is all about; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for Ash Wednesday comes from Matthew 6:1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2 "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure - 'playactors' I call them - treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. 3 When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. 4 Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. 5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? 6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. 16 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. 17 If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. 18 God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well. A Life of God-Worship 19 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. 20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 21 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. (The Message)
For many starting the Lenten Journey is like New Year's resolutions all over again. The stress becomes on choosing just the right thing to "give up." And sadly, many who "give up" something usually quit after a week or two and then "take it back." Lent should not be like that. It is a spiritual journey of preparation and fasting is a part of the discipline that helps us "take up" something that we don't usually do or don't do as often as we should. Think about prayer. You might pray once or twice a day or you might limit your prayers to meals or unexpected emergencies. Why not take up prayer as a discipline you're going to commit to for a set amount of time each day? You could commit to pray at least five times a day, using prayer as worship, and using prayer as your personal listening time for God. Set the times and hold to them. And listen carefully to God. If you feel led to give up something, make it something that usually interferes with your prayer time! Your iPod, your tv shows, your recreational time; you know what it is - give it up for 40 days starting Wednesday and see if God doesn't richly bless you for the time you spent praying instead of listening to music or watching television. I have to confess that I still don't see how giving up chocolate helps anything or anyone; hey, but that's just me! (wink).
Jesus talked about a "good life" in the above passage. Jesus knew that most want to live a more spiritual life but either can't or won't. Lent is the Christian Church's response to help in that endeavor. Some will give up meat for these 40 days or soft drinks, but what good does it do if something spiritual doesn't take its place? And where this all matters and where it all takes place is deep inside of you, not on the outside, "look at me! See how wonderful I am" theatre as this version calls it. It's in the quiet times between you and God.
Remember the starting day is Wednesday, but be praying and reflecting on where you will start.
PRAYER: Loving God of all journeys, as I and whoever makes this prayer their own, begin our 40-day journey with You, travel with us, guide, bless, and protect us. But grant to our souls that which we lack so that when that week of all weeks, Holy Week arrives, we will be ready to celebrate and receive what it truly means for us. We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for Ash Wednesday comes from Matthew 6:1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2 "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure - 'playactors' I call them - treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. 3 When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. 4 Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. 5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? 6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. 16 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. 17 If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. 18 God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well. A Life of God-Worship 19 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. 20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 21 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. (The Message)
For many starting the Lenten Journey is like New Year's resolutions all over again. The stress becomes on choosing just the right thing to "give up." And sadly, many who "give up" something usually quit after a week or two and then "take it back." Lent should not be like that. It is a spiritual journey of preparation and fasting is a part of the discipline that helps us "take up" something that we don't usually do or don't do as often as we should. Think about prayer. You might pray once or twice a day or you might limit your prayers to meals or unexpected emergencies. Why not take up prayer as a discipline you're going to commit to for a set amount of time each day? You could commit to pray at least five times a day, using prayer as worship, and using prayer as your personal listening time for God. Set the times and hold to them. And listen carefully to God. If you feel led to give up something, make it something that usually interferes with your prayer time! Your iPod, your tv shows, your recreational time; you know what it is - give it up for 40 days starting Wednesday and see if God doesn't richly bless you for the time you spent praying instead of listening to music or watching television. I have to confess that I still don't see how giving up chocolate helps anything or anyone; hey, but that's just me! (wink).
Jesus talked about a "good life" in the above passage. Jesus knew that most want to live a more spiritual life but either can't or won't. Lent is the Christian Church's response to help in that endeavor. Some will give up meat for these 40 days or soft drinks, but what good does it do if something spiritual doesn't take its place? And where this all matters and where it all takes place is deep inside of you, not on the outside, "look at me! See how wonderful I am" theatre as this version calls it. It's in the quiet times between you and God.
Remember the starting day is Wednesday, but be praying and reflecting on where you will start.
PRAYER: Loving God of all journeys, as I and whoever makes this prayer their own, begin our 40-day journey with You, travel with us, guide, bless, and protect us. But grant to our souls that which we lack so that when that week of all weeks, Holy Week arrives, we will be ready to celebrate and receive what it truly means for us. We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Shy, Silent God?
Loving God of all days, bless this day as a joy for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 50: 1 The God of gods - it's God! - speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west. 2 From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view. 3 Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him. 4 He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court: 5 "Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me." 6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge. (The Message)
This week's lectionary theme has been on God speaking and not in any shy way, but in a bold, declaratory way. The Psalmist knew it, the early believers knew it, and Jesus knew it. God speaks and we must listen. Has God stopped speaking? Only if we have stopped listening. A theme of my ministry has been the use of prayer as a two-way form of worship. We speak from our hearts and then as we say amen, it is our turn to listen. Yet, we're saying we're too busy. We're saying life is too loud and too fast, how can we possibly hear God? Jesus knew to find a quiet place, as should we. Jesus knew to find a quiet time, as should we. Jesus knew to worship and glorify God in His prayers and so should we. Jesus knew to always be listening to the voice of God, and so should we.
You might be blessed hearing God speak to you!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for not being a shy nor silent God. Thank You for caring enough to be involved with me and with those who make this prayer their own. May I hear You speaking truth and guidance for my life. May I be bold enough to respond. 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 Psalm 50: 1 The God of gods - it's God! - speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west. 2 From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view. 3 Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him. 4 He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court: 5 "Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me." 6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge. (The Message)
This week's lectionary theme has been on God speaking and not in any shy way, but in a bold, declaratory way. The Psalmist knew it, the early believers knew it, and Jesus knew it. God speaks and we must listen. Has God stopped speaking? Only if we have stopped listening. A theme of my ministry has been the use of prayer as a two-way form of worship. We speak from our hearts and then as we say amen, it is our turn to listen. Yet, we're saying we're too busy. We're saying life is too loud and too fast, how can we possibly hear God? Jesus knew to find a quiet place, as should we. Jesus knew to find a quiet time, as should we. Jesus knew to worship and glorify God in His prayers and so should we. Jesus knew to always be listening to the voice of God, and so should we.
You might be blessed hearing God speak to you!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for not being a shy nor silent God. Thank You for caring enough to be involved with me and with those who make this prayer their own. May I hear You speaking truth and guidance for my life. May I be bold enough to respond. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Becoming a Mentor to Others
Amazing God of provision and supply, pour down from the heavens that which this dear reader needs; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 2 Kings 2: 1 Just before God took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on a walk out of Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to Bethel." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" So they both went to Bethel. 3 The guild of prophets at Bethel met Elisha and said, "Did you know that God is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes," he said, "I know it. But keep it quiet." 4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to Jericho." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" So they both went to Jericho. 5 The guild of prophets at Jericho came to Elisha and said, "Did you know that God is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes," he said, "I know it. But keep it quiet." 6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to the Jordan." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" And so the two of them went their way together. 7 Meanwhile, fifty men from the guild of prophets gathered some distance away while the two of them stood at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and hit the water with it. The river divided and the two men walked through on dry land. 9 When they reached the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I'm taken from you? Ask anything." Elisha said, "Your life repeated in my life. I want to be a holy man just like you." 10 "That's a hard one!" said Elijah. "But if you're watching when I'm taken from you, you'll get what you've asked for. But only if you're watching." 11 And so it happened. They were walking along and talking. Suddenly a chariot and horses of fire came between them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it all and shouted, "My father, my father! You - the chariot and cavalry of Israel!" When he could no longer see anything, he grabbed his robe and ripped it to pieces. (The Message)
I believe everyone has had a mentor in their life. One who was older, wiser, experienced in the craft and skill of one's calling or career. We looked up to them, treasured their advice and counsel, and hoped that we could be at least half as good as they. This was and is true in ministry for those who seek to serve the Lord in the professional ministry. In our tradition we assign mentors and these do their jobs, but the kind of mentor I'm mentioning are the ones we select and we know to be the ones from whom we can learn. So it was with Elisha. He had been called and set apart by God to be a prophet and he came to know Elijah as his mentor. He saw what the power of God could do in one's life if one knew to seek and obey God and so he tried to copy Elijah. He learned much and was blessed much. Then the day came when he knew that his mentor was being called home to Heaven. In a comical way, he is reminded of this by several "guilds of prophets" along the way. Each tried to distract him as did Elijah to keep him from feeling the pain of separation, for it was obvious to all how much Elisha loved and admired and would miss his mentor. Even at this point of separation Elisha desired to learn and when given the opportunity to respond as to what he wanted, Elisha said, "I want a double portion of your spirit" (from other versions) or "Your life lrepeated in mine." And so it was that at this point some would call death, Elisha witnessed a bibical miracle, a man being taken up to heaven without dying, and to receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit.
Who was your mentor? What did you learn? What did you ask of this mentor and what have you done with it? Who has blessed you in your spiritual life and what are you doing to become the mentor of somene else?
PRAYER: Loving God, may I not hide my talents and blessings from others. May I be faithful to You in living a life that gives witness to others about Your power and presence in mine. May I and others who are praying this prayer as their own, become mentors of life and light to many. 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 2 Kings 2: 1 Just before God took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on a walk out of Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to Bethel." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" So they both went to Bethel. 3 The guild of prophets at Bethel met Elisha and said, "Did you know that God is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes," he said, "I know it. But keep it quiet." 4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to Jericho." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" So they both went to Jericho. 5 The guild of prophets at Jericho came to Elisha and said, "Did you know that God is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes," he said, "I know it. But keep it quiet." 6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here. God has sent me on an errand to the Jordan." Elisha said, "Not on your life! I'm not letting you out of my sight!" And so the two of them went their way together. 7 Meanwhile, fifty men from the guild of prophets gathered some distance away while the two of them stood at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and hit the water with it. The river divided and the two men walked through on dry land. 9 When they reached the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I'm taken from you? Ask anything." Elisha said, "Your life repeated in my life. I want to be a holy man just like you." 10 "That's a hard one!" said Elijah. "But if you're watching when I'm taken from you, you'll get what you've asked for. But only if you're watching." 11 And so it happened. They were walking along and talking. Suddenly a chariot and horses of fire came between them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it all and shouted, "My father, my father! You - the chariot and cavalry of Israel!" When he could no longer see anything, he grabbed his robe and ripped it to pieces. (The Message)
I believe everyone has had a mentor in their life. One who was older, wiser, experienced in the craft and skill of one's calling or career. We looked up to them, treasured their advice and counsel, and hoped that we could be at least half as good as they. This was and is true in ministry for those who seek to serve the Lord in the professional ministry. In our tradition we assign mentors and these do their jobs, but the kind of mentor I'm mentioning are the ones we select and we know to be the ones from whom we can learn. So it was with Elisha. He had been called and set apart by God to be a prophet and he came to know Elijah as his mentor. He saw what the power of God could do in one's life if one knew to seek and obey God and so he tried to copy Elijah. He learned much and was blessed much. Then the day came when he knew that his mentor was being called home to Heaven. In a comical way, he is reminded of this by several "guilds of prophets" along the way. Each tried to distract him as did Elijah to keep him from feeling the pain of separation, for it was obvious to all how much Elisha loved and admired and would miss his mentor. Even at this point of separation Elisha desired to learn and when given the opportunity to respond as to what he wanted, Elisha said, "I want a double portion of your spirit" (from other versions) or "Your life lrepeated in mine." And so it was that at this point some would call death, Elisha witnessed a bibical miracle, a man being taken up to heaven without dying, and to receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit.
Who was your mentor? What did you learn? What did you ask of this mentor and what have you done with it? Who has blessed you in your spiritual life and what are you doing to become the mentor of somene else?
PRAYER: Loving God, may I not hide my talents and blessings from others. May I be faithful to You in living a life that gives witness to others about Your power and presence in mine. May I and others who are praying this prayer as their own, become mentors of life and light to many. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Afraid of the Dark?
Loving God, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4: 3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)
Are you afraid of the dark? I'm not a big fan. Growing up I enjoyed playing outside in the sunlight and hated when it was getting dark and no matter what part of the neighborhood I was in, I could hear my Mom calling me to come home. I knew night was coming and soon I would have to be in bed. I am a big fan of light. I dislike dimly lit rooms and prefer a room with bright light. In our spiritual life God has offered us the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. And while not everyone is running to hear and accept the Good News, those of us who have know it to be just what God wanted; God loves us, desires to have a relationship with us, and through Jesus Christ we can enter into that relationship. Yet, the world offers another path. There are more glamorous and attractive ways to live or so we believe, but when it's all said and done and we see it for what it is, the only true way for me to live is in the light of the world.
This week is a week of our hearing about Jesus Christ as He who is God's Son and the long awaited Messiah. The emphasis has been on what God wants for us and in God's declaration about Jesus through the text we studied yesterday on the Transfiguration. Today it is on our knowing and accepting Jesus for Who He can be in our lives as well. If you want to get out of the darkness of life, come to Jesus! Ask Him to enter your heart as Lord and Savior and He will. Jesus is Who God said He is.
PRAYER: Loving God of light, thank You for Jesus. May today be a day when I can share the light of Jesus with others, and if I have to, I'll share it with words. I pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4: 3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)
Are you afraid of the dark? I'm not a big fan. Growing up I enjoyed playing outside in the sunlight and hated when it was getting dark and no matter what part of the neighborhood I was in, I could hear my Mom calling me to come home. I knew night was coming and soon I would have to be in bed. I am a big fan of light. I dislike dimly lit rooms and prefer a room with bright light. In our spiritual life God has offered us the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. And while not everyone is running to hear and accept the Good News, those of us who have know it to be just what God wanted; God loves us, desires to have a relationship with us, and through Jesus Christ we can enter into that relationship. Yet, the world offers another path. There are more glamorous and attractive ways to live or so we believe, but when it's all said and done and we see it for what it is, the only true way for me to live is in the light of the world.
This week is a week of our hearing about Jesus Christ as He who is God's Son and the long awaited Messiah. The emphasis has been on what God wants for us and in God's declaration about Jesus through the text we studied yesterday on the Transfiguration. Today it is on our knowing and accepting Jesus for Who He can be in our lives as well. If you want to get out of the darkness of life, come to Jesus! Ask Him to enter your heart as Lord and Savior and He will. Jesus is Who God said He is.
PRAYER: Loving God of light, thank You for Jesus. May today be a day when I can share the light of Jesus with others, and if I have to, I'll share it with words. I pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, February 13, 2012
Your Confirmation Moment
Master of life and teacher of great things, bless the life of this dear reader with Your lessons of love; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Mark 9: 2 Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. 3 His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. 4 Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus. 5 Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials - one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." 6 He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing. 7 Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him." 8 The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus. 9 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you're free to talk." (The Message)
God sometimes provides Ah-hah moments or what we could call confirmation moments; those points in our lives when sometime we have suspected suddenly becomes proved right or true. It is those positive, wonderful confirmation moments that lift our spirits and help us know we're in the place or doing the right thing. Some of these confirmation moments come in our times of worship and prayer, sometimes in a time of spiritual retreat. These times of renewal and refreshing are vital to our survival as Christians. Every Sunday or every worship opportunity, if approached right, with a receptive and ready spirit, can be one of those confirmation moments. If we listen closely to God, God may just surprise us with that which we need right at that moment. So it was with these three influential disciples; Peter, James and John. For some reason, Jesus selected them to see and hear things the others did not. It was at this event the Church calls The Transfiguration, that these three had an awesome confirmation moment of Jesus' divinity and special relationship with God. After hearing Jesus speak about seeing and experiencing God's glory, they were taken by Jesus to a secluded place for worship and prayer. As they arrived to the spot where Jesus was leading them, Jesus was changed in a way that has been historically called transfiguration. It's not an easy word to define nor is the event any easier to explain. What happened was that God opened Heaven inside of Jesus so that these three could see Jesus for who He truly was. The words used to try to describe it include radiance, bright light, all within Jesus. And to make matters even more difficult to explain to those who did not see it, these three realized that they were no longer alone. They understood and recognized that standing with them were these figures from their history; Moses and Elijah. The three do not know what to do other than to try to provide hospitality to their guests, but God spoke. They heard one of two times that God spoke and said, "This is my Son, listen to Him." This was their confirmation moment.
What confirmation moment do you need? Have you spent time in worship and prayer? Have you made time during your day to truly listen to God? Have you sought a place to be alone with God so that God may speak to you and your life and need? You will be blessed.
PRAYER: Loving God, You know my needs better than I do. Let me seek to know You and Your presence and plan for my life. I know of Your love for me; help me to share that knowledge with others. 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 Mark 9: 2 Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. 3 His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. 4 Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus. 5 Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials - one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." 6 He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing. 7 Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him." 8 The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus. 9 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you're free to talk." (The Message)
God sometimes provides Ah-hah moments or what we could call confirmation moments; those points in our lives when sometime we have suspected suddenly becomes proved right or true. It is those positive, wonderful confirmation moments that lift our spirits and help us know we're in the place or doing the right thing. Some of these confirmation moments come in our times of worship and prayer, sometimes in a time of spiritual retreat. These times of renewal and refreshing are vital to our survival as Christians. Every Sunday or every worship opportunity, if approached right, with a receptive and ready spirit, can be one of those confirmation moments. If we listen closely to God, God may just surprise us with that which we need right at that moment. So it was with these three influential disciples; Peter, James and John. For some reason, Jesus selected them to see and hear things the others did not. It was at this event the Church calls The Transfiguration, that these three had an awesome confirmation moment of Jesus' divinity and special relationship with God. After hearing Jesus speak about seeing and experiencing God's glory, they were taken by Jesus to a secluded place for worship and prayer. As they arrived to the spot where Jesus was leading them, Jesus was changed in a way that has been historically called transfiguration. It's not an easy word to define nor is the event any easier to explain. What happened was that God opened Heaven inside of Jesus so that these three could see Jesus for who He truly was. The words used to try to describe it include radiance, bright light, all within Jesus. And to make matters even more difficult to explain to those who did not see it, these three realized that they were no longer alone. They understood and recognized that standing with them were these figures from their history; Moses and Elijah. The three do not know what to do other than to try to provide hospitality to their guests, but God spoke. They heard one of two times that God spoke and said, "This is my Son, listen to Him." This was their confirmation moment.
What confirmation moment do you need? Have you spent time in worship and prayer? Have you made time during your day to truly listen to God? Have you sought a place to be alone with God so that God may speak to you and your life and need? You will be blessed.
PRAYER: Loving God, You know my needs better than I do. Let me seek to know You and Your presence and plan for my life. I know of Your love for me; help me to share that knowledge with others. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wal-Mart Culture
Wal-Marts are a reality of life, whether or not we like them. They've even become a part of the attraction to rural church appointment, "I want a church near a Wal-Mart," has been heard before. Wal-Marts have a culture of their own. In some, there are convenient banks, hair salons, insurance agencies, or eye glasses centers. In all, there are greeters, with the blue vests, who are supposed to greet shoppers as they enter and in some cases, the greeters hand out specials or ads. They also have shopping carts to hand those who seek them. In some they even offer free coffee. I read once about a retired man who drove fifty miles past his Wal-Mart to the next Wal-Mart. When asked why, he replied that at the other Wal-Mart they greeted him and knew his name, and the coffee tasted better.
I don't know if the coffee really tasted better, but I do know when people greet you and make the effort to know your name, everything tastes better. And the culture of Wal-Mart may not be that different from that of our churches. Some drive past your church to get to the other church because the "coffee" tastes better, maybe because the people there know your name, greet you with a smile and show they are truly grateful that you are there. "Full service" at your church may mean those things and other things; greeters who really greet, ushers who really "ush" and go the extra mile. Some churches may not even have "service" because they're really a smallish club for members only, with a "secret" language with words such as "narthex," "Doxology," or even "Gloria Patri.". Shhh, not so loud, we have guests and if we're not careful, they may just learn these words! And they may want to actually join our club!
I don't know, maybe He was serious when He said, "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me."
I don't know if the coffee really tasted better, but I do know when people greet you and make the effort to know your name, everything tastes better. And the culture of Wal-Mart may not be that different from that of our churches. Some drive past your church to get to the other church because the "coffee" tastes better, maybe because the people there know your name, greet you with a smile and show they are truly grateful that you are there. "Full service" at your church may mean those things and other things; greeters who really greet, ushers who really "ush" and go the extra mile. Some churches may not even have "service" because they're really a smallish club for members only, with a "secret" language with words such as "narthex," "Doxology," or even "Gloria Patri.". Shhh, not so loud, we have guests and if we're not careful, they may just learn these words! And they may want to actually join our club!
I don't know, maybe He was serious when He said, "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me."
Thursday, February 09, 2012
God Put Me Together When I Was Falling Apart!
Amazing God of the Journey, strengthen the needs of this dear reader in their journey today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today is from Psalm 30: 1 I give you all the credit, God - you got me out of that mess, you didn't let my foes gloat. 2 God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. 3 God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out. 4 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! 5 He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. 6 When things were going great I crowed, "I've got it made. 7 I'm God's favorite. He made me king of the mountain." Then you looked the other way and I fell to pieces. 8 I called out to you, God; I laid my case before you: 9 "Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead? auction me off at a cemetery yard sale? When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs and stories of you won't sell. 10 So listen! and be kind! Help me out of this!" 11 You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. 12 I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough. (The Message)
You know you're in a difficult sitiuation when you yell for help. You know you're well-loved and protected when your yells for help get answered. Life is that way, and what makes it nice for those of us who believe is that God is with us and answers us when we yell. This version of the psalm is a far cry from the more solemn versions of it. In real language it is describing some of this writer's life. There have been great moments, and there have been not so great moments. There were times when the writer was up, and times when the writer wad down. There were even times when the writer was down-and-out. But when God pulled and put this writer back together and when God pulled the writer up from those down-and-out times, those were times of great celebration! And not just for celebrating alone, but with others! Yesterday, in a tax seminar sponsored by our pensions board, the presenter laughed when she was reading IRS definitions of worship; and guess what? Worship, according to IRS guidelines, is done in fellowship! Yep. In a group, not alone. So, whenever someone says, "I don't need to go to church to worship!" Ask them if they'd like to be audited, no, ask them if they know the Internal Revenue Service's definition of worship.
The bottom line? Praise God all the time, for we know that we are never alone, God is with us. Pray for assurance and guidance and pray for our faithfulness. Join others in praising the name of God. It will do wonders for your soul.
PRAYER: Loving God, I praise Your name and I give You thanks for the blessings You have shared with me during my life's journey. I ask for the boldness to share with others that joy that is mine in knowing You and knowing that I am known and loved by You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER CONCERNS: Dear friends, please lift up prayers for Mrs. Marisa Barrera, wife of the Rev. Rudolfo Barrera, retired UM pastor. Marisa is battling cancer of the liver and lungs. It is believed to be in Stage Four. Please ask for God's comfort and peace with her during these days as well as for Rev. Barrera. We also ask for prayer for Mrs. Raquel Mariscal, wife of the Rev. Arturo Mariscal, who is also battling cancer. And for Ian Warshack, a young man mentioned before, who is being moved out of ICU, but still may face some amputations due to the illness he has. May God be with him. Thank you for sharing your faith in God through your prayers even for those whom you do not know.
Our text for today is from Psalm 30: 1 I give you all the credit, God - you got me out of that mess, you didn't let my foes gloat. 2 God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. 3 God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out. 4 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! 5 He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. 6 When things were going great I crowed, "I've got it made. 7 I'm God's favorite. He made me king of the mountain." Then you looked the other way and I fell to pieces. 8 I called out to you, God; I laid my case before you: 9 "Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead? auction me off at a cemetery yard sale? When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs and stories of you won't sell. 10 So listen! and be kind! Help me out of this!" 11 You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. 12 I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough. (The Message)
You know you're in a difficult sitiuation when you yell for help. You know you're well-loved and protected when your yells for help get answered. Life is that way, and what makes it nice for those of us who believe is that God is with us and answers us when we yell. This version of the psalm is a far cry from the more solemn versions of it. In real language it is describing some of this writer's life. There have been great moments, and there have been not so great moments. There were times when the writer was up, and times when the writer wad down. There were even times when the writer was down-and-out. But when God pulled and put this writer back together and when God pulled the writer up from those down-and-out times, those were times of great celebration! And not just for celebrating alone, but with others! Yesterday, in a tax seminar sponsored by our pensions board, the presenter laughed when she was reading IRS definitions of worship; and guess what? Worship, according to IRS guidelines, is done in fellowship! Yep. In a group, not alone. So, whenever someone says, "I don't need to go to church to worship!" Ask them if they'd like to be audited, no, ask them if they know the Internal Revenue Service's definition of worship.
The bottom line? Praise God all the time, for we know that we are never alone, God is with us. Pray for assurance and guidance and pray for our faithfulness. Join others in praising the name of God. It will do wonders for your soul.
PRAYER: Loving God, I praise Your name and I give You thanks for the blessings You have shared with me during my life's journey. I ask for the boldness to share with others that joy that is mine in knowing You and knowing that I am known and loved by You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER CONCERNS: Dear friends, please lift up prayers for Mrs. Marisa Barrera, wife of the Rev. Rudolfo Barrera, retired UM pastor. Marisa is battling cancer of the liver and lungs. It is believed to be in Stage Four. Please ask for God's comfort and peace with her during these days as well as for Rev. Barrera. We also ask for prayer for Mrs. Raquel Mariscal, wife of the Rev. Arturo Mariscal, who is also battling cancer. And for Ian Warshack, a young man mentioned before, who is being moved out of ICU, but still may face some amputations due to the illness he has. May God be with him. Thank you for sharing your faith in God through your prayers even for those whom you do not know.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dipped and Healed!
Loving God of peace, pour out Your joy upon this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 2 Kings 5: 1 Naaman was general of the army under the king of Aram. He was important to his master, who held him in the highest esteem because it was by him that God had given victory to Aram: a truly great man, but afflicted with a grievous skin disease. 2 It so happened that Aram, on one of its raiding expeditions against Israel, captured a young girl who became a maid to Naaman's wife. 3 One day she said to her mistress, "Oh, if only my master could meet the prophet of Samaria, he would be healed of his skin disease." 4 Naaman went straight to his master and reported what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "Well then, go," said the king of Aram. "And I'll send a letter of introduction to the king of Israel." So he went off, taking with him about 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes. 6 Naaman delivered the letter to the king of Israel. The letter read, "When you get this letter, you'll know that I've personally sent my servant Naaman to you; heal him of his skin disease." 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he was terribly upset, ripping his robe to pieces. He said, "Am I a god with the power to bring death or life that I get orders to heal this man from his disease? What's going on here? That king's trying to pick a fight, that's what!" 8 Elisha the man of God heard what had happened, that the king of Israel was so distressed that he'd ripped his robe to shreds. He sent word to the king, "Why are you so upset, ripping your robe like this? Send him to me so he'll learn that there's a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman with his horses and chariots arrived in style and stopped at Elisha's door. 10 Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: "Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new." 11 Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. 12 The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I'd at least get clean." He stomped off, mad as a hornet. 13 But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple 'wash and be clean'?" 14 So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new. (The Message)
We can only imagine the actual timeline in this story. We read it as if all of these things occurred on the same day. They didn't. Even had they had planes and cars, cell phones and internet, it would have taken several days. Add to the reality the personalities that peak out at us in this story, and we begin to see it was an act of God and one that took some time to finally happen. We know the characters; Naaman, important military figure, well-loved and respected by Aram, his king. Aram, king, victor over Israel. The unnamed girl, prisoner of war, captive, who lived in the household of Naaman. The unnamed wife of Naaman. The king of Israel, unnamed for this story, and Elisha, the prophet. The scenario: Naaman has leprosy. It bothers him. He probably kept it hidden for his complaining took place at home. The wife is told by the unnamed girl of a man in Israel, who can heal Naaman of this dreaded disease. The wife tells Naaman, Naaman tells Aram. Aram says, "By all means, let's get the proper papers in order, a proper gift (and what a gift it was!) for this holy man, and let's get a caravan ready to take you there!"
The story gets good in that after that long trip, the king of Israel freaks out, tears his clothes and somehow, word of this frustration and fear of Israel's king gets to Elisha, and Elisha sends word to the king, "Don't fret my king, send him to me; I"ll deal with him!" So, the king of Israel sends Naaman to Samaria where Elisha lives. Upon arrival, Naaman does not even get to see Elisha. Protocol was broken. Here is a man of his king, with orders from his king, and the word from Israel's king to come and see the prophet and the prophet does not even come out. A servant comes out and tells Naaman to dip himself seven times in the Jordan river. This insults the general in two ways. The prophet does not come to see him and he is given the task to go to what Naaman perceives to be a dirty river. Naaman's servant calms him down and says, "Think of how easy this really is, all you have to do is go down to the river and dip. Try it! He finally does it and he is healed. His skin is made new, like that of a baby.
This is a story of faith and patience, sacrifice and obedience. God provided a way of healing, through a long process. Healing came eventually, unlike Monday's healing through Jesus. Both healing of this terrible disease came through faith and both required faith in God's servants, Jesus and Elisha. Both required the sick to ask for the healing. Neither was disappointed once it arrived. In the Naaman story, if you keep reading, Naaman declares his faith in God. What he did after that, we do not know.
What would you have done? How would you have lived?
PRAYER: Living God of healing and wholeness, you know my needs and I entrust them to Your care. Let my heart be grateful for Your love and presence in my life. May I bet a witness to the most important healings that can occur in one's life, namely the healing of my heart, from sin-scarred and heavy, to a new heart, clean from sin. Let that heart pour out love for all people. 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 2 Kings 5: 1 Naaman was general of the army under the king of Aram. He was important to his master, who held him in the highest esteem because it was by him that God had given victory to Aram: a truly great man, but afflicted with a grievous skin disease. 2 It so happened that Aram, on one of its raiding expeditions against Israel, captured a young girl who became a maid to Naaman's wife. 3 One day she said to her mistress, "Oh, if only my master could meet the prophet of Samaria, he would be healed of his skin disease." 4 Naaman went straight to his master and reported what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "Well then, go," said the king of Aram. "And I'll send a letter of introduction to the king of Israel." So he went off, taking with him about 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes. 6 Naaman delivered the letter to the king of Israel. The letter read, "When you get this letter, you'll know that I've personally sent my servant Naaman to you; heal him of his skin disease." 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he was terribly upset, ripping his robe to pieces. He said, "Am I a god with the power to bring death or life that I get orders to heal this man from his disease? What's going on here? That king's trying to pick a fight, that's what!" 8 Elisha the man of God heard what had happened, that the king of Israel was so distressed that he'd ripped his robe to shreds. He sent word to the king, "Why are you so upset, ripping your robe like this? Send him to me so he'll learn that there's a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman with his horses and chariots arrived in style and stopped at Elisha's door. 10 Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: "Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new." 11 Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. 12 The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I'd at least get clean." He stomped off, mad as a hornet. 13 But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple 'wash and be clean'?" 14 So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new. (The Message)
We can only imagine the actual timeline in this story. We read it as if all of these things occurred on the same day. They didn't. Even had they had planes and cars, cell phones and internet, it would have taken several days. Add to the reality the personalities that peak out at us in this story, and we begin to see it was an act of God and one that took some time to finally happen. We know the characters; Naaman, important military figure, well-loved and respected by Aram, his king. Aram, king, victor over Israel. The unnamed girl, prisoner of war, captive, who lived in the household of Naaman. The unnamed wife of Naaman. The king of Israel, unnamed for this story, and Elisha, the prophet. The scenario: Naaman has leprosy. It bothers him. He probably kept it hidden for his complaining took place at home. The wife is told by the unnamed girl of a man in Israel, who can heal Naaman of this dreaded disease. The wife tells Naaman, Naaman tells Aram. Aram says, "By all means, let's get the proper papers in order, a proper gift (and what a gift it was!) for this holy man, and let's get a caravan ready to take you there!"
The story gets good in that after that long trip, the king of Israel freaks out, tears his clothes and somehow, word of this frustration and fear of Israel's king gets to Elisha, and Elisha sends word to the king, "Don't fret my king, send him to me; I"ll deal with him!" So, the king of Israel sends Naaman to Samaria where Elisha lives. Upon arrival, Naaman does not even get to see Elisha. Protocol was broken. Here is a man of his king, with orders from his king, and the word from Israel's king to come and see the prophet and the prophet does not even come out. A servant comes out and tells Naaman to dip himself seven times in the Jordan river. This insults the general in two ways. The prophet does not come to see him and he is given the task to go to what Naaman perceives to be a dirty river. Naaman's servant calms him down and says, "Think of how easy this really is, all you have to do is go down to the river and dip. Try it! He finally does it and he is healed. His skin is made new, like that of a baby.
This is a story of faith and patience, sacrifice and obedience. God provided a way of healing, through a long process. Healing came eventually, unlike Monday's healing through Jesus. Both healing of this terrible disease came through faith and both required faith in God's servants, Jesus and Elisha. Both required the sick to ask for the healing. Neither was disappointed once it arrived. In the Naaman story, if you keep reading, Naaman declares his faith in God. What he did after that, we do not know.
What would you have done? How would you have lived?
PRAYER: Living God of healing and wholeness, you know my needs and I entrust them to Your care. Let my heart be grateful for Your love and presence in my life. May I bet a witness to the most important healings that can occur in one's life, namely the healing of my heart, from sin-scarred and heavy, to a new heart, clean from sin. Let that heart pour out love for all people. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Our Best for Christ Jesus
Loving God of peace and healing, may Your loving touch be upon the needs of this dear reader in whatever way You deem best; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Corinthians 9: 24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. 25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. 26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (The Message)
Comedians talk about the things everyone thinks about, but doesn't want to say aloud. One comedians some years back prior to the Olympics imitated that runner in a race who realizes that he is going to come in last. "All those years of training, and I'm coming in last?" Of course, the reality is that to even be in the Olympics representing your country is a great honor and to come in last still means this runner could probably beat the average person in a race. Yet, what an honor to win! Paul says that the Christian life is the same thing. We train to win over all things. We keep ourselves in the best shape we can to face all that may come our way. We're to "give it everything" we got. We should not be content in living sloppy Christian lives where we accept mediocrity as a standard. To serve Christ is to serve the One and only; to serve the best. Anything else falls short.
Think about Who you represent in your life today and all days.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to fully understand how important it is to be in the best shape I need to better represent You. Make clear to me as I listen to You what that means and how I best can achieve that, for Your good and Your glory. I pray 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 9: 24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. 25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. 26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (The Message)
Comedians talk about the things everyone thinks about, but doesn't want to say aloud. One comedians some years back prior to the Olympics imitated that runner in a race who realizes that he is going to come in last. "All those years of training, and I'm coming in last?" Of course, the reality is that to even be in the Olympics representing your country is a great honor and to come in last still means this runner could probably beat the average person in a race. Yet, what an honor to win! Paul says that the Christian life is the same thing. We train to win over all things. We keep ourselves in the best shape we can to face all that may come our way. We're to "give it everything" we got. We should not be content in living sloppy Christian lives where we accept mediocrity as a standard. To serve Christ is to serve the One and only; to serve the best. Anything else falls short.
Think about Who you represent in your life today and all days.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to fully understand how important it is to be in the best shape I need to better represent You. Make clear to me as I listen to You what that means and how I best can achieve that, for Your good and Your glory. I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, February 06, 2012
The Touch of Jesus!
Loving God who made us all, make aware in the life of this dear reader, the worth and value they have to You in all things; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Mark 1: 40 A leper came to him, begging on his knees, "If you want to, you can cleanse me." 41 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to. Be clean." 42 Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. 43 Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: 44 "Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people." 45 But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over. (The Message)
The omitted verse from this passage comes between verses 41 and 42, "And immediately, Jesus took the antibacterial hand soap, coated a generous amount on the palms of his hands and then rubbed it all over both sides of his hands to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria." We could also add, "For Jesus had seen this done many times in the celebration of His Holy Communion by those called to serve Him." Okay, those are not real verses. And I am not condemning those who use antibacterial soap before the Lord's Supper, for I am one of those. But do you notice the power of Jesus' touch in verse forty-one. Those who were declared to have this dreaded skin disease were as good as declared dead. They could no longer live among the living, they had to live among the tombs. They were isolated from their families and friends and all they could do was to await their death. Yet, even lepers hear good news. They heard about a man who had the power to heal even leprosy. This one leper comes to Jesus and very convinced in his heart about what Jesus could do said to Jesus, "If you want to, you can cleanse me." His hope was that Jesus would want to; and He did. I believe the last thing this poor man expected was to feel a human touch ever again, and that's exactly what Jesus did. Jesus touched him and immediately, the disease left the man. Jesus' touch gave the man new skin, smooth and soft. And it's interesting to note that Jesus tells him to tell no one about this healing, but instead to go to the priest of his village, offer up the sacrifice for healing, fulfill the Mosaic law about having been healed, and that would be it. The man reacted as anyone of us would had we been the one to receive new skin and more importantly, new life! He told everyone who would listen.
The touch of Jesus sometime in your life gave you new life. The touch of Jesus may have even brought healing to you. What did you do about it? Were you obedient to Jesus and tell no one? Or, like the grateful man, have you told everybody? Imagine if everyone we met knew about the touch of Jesus in our lives, we might have a run for the place where Jesus still touches folks, our worship settings, our hearts, our minds, and our bodies.
Tell someone!
PRAYER: Loving God, for the touch of Jesus I am thankful. That touch made me new in many respects. May I receive from You the boldness and courage to give witness to what You are willing to do yet for others. 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 Mark 1: 40 A leper came to him, begging on his knees, "If you want to, you can cleanse me." 41 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to. Be clean." 42 Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. 43 Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: 44 "Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people." 45 But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over. (The Message)
The omitted verse from this passage comes between verses 41 and 42, "And immediately, Jesus took the antibacterial hand soap, coated a generous amount on the palms of his hands and then rubbed it all over both sides of his hands to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria." We could also add, "For Jesus had seen this done many times in the celebration of His Holy Communion by those called to serve Him." Okay, those are not real verses. And I am not condemning those who use antibacterial soap before the Lord's Supper, for I am one of those. But do you notice the power of Jesus' touch in verse forty-one. Those who were declared to have this dreaded skin disease were as good as declared dead. They could no longer live among the living, they had to live among the tombs. They were isolated from their families and friends and all they could do was to await their death. Yet, even lepers hear good news. They heard about a man who had the power to heal even leprosy. This one leper comes to Jesus and very convinced in his heart about what Jesus could do said to Jesus, "If you want to, you can cleanse me." His hope was that Jesus would want to; and He did. I believe the last thing this poor man expected was to feel a human touch ever again, and that's exactly what Jesus did. Jesus touched him and immediately, the disease left the man. Jesus' touch gave the man new skin, smooth and soft. And it's interesting to note that Jesus tells him to tell no one about this healing, but instead to go to the priest of his village, offer up the sacrifice for healing, fulfill the Mosaic law about having been healed, and that would be it. The man reacted as anyone of us would had we been the one to receive new skin and more importantly, new life! He told everyone who would listen.
The touch of Jesus sometime in your life gave you new life. The touch of Jesus may have even brought healing to you. What did you do about it? Were you obedient to Jesus and tell no one? Or, like the grateful man, have you told everybody? Imagine if everyone we met knew about the touch of Jesus in our lives, we might have a run for the place where Jesus still touches folks, our worship settings, our hearts, our minds, and our bodies.
Tell someone!
PRAYER: Loving God, for the touch of Jesus I am thankful. That touch made me new in many respects. May I receive from You the boldness and courage to give witness to what You are willing to do yet for others. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Southwest Culture
Sitting in our airline terminal and we have just been informed of bad weather delay in Houston. I have been up since 2:29. a.m. That's given me some time to pray, look around, go out of the secure area to check on my connection, and that delight of delights, going through security a second time! Ah, what fun. But it has also allowed me to notice the difference between the gate of airline on which I am booked and the gate of Southwest Ailrines. These folks have a different culture about who they are and what they offer. For example, our gate is strictly business. The SW gate has red tin foil hearts and a red and white paper heart chain. They know Valentine's Day is coming and they're ready. And if you've ever flown SW you know they have fun in all they do and it shows. And it's contagious.
I think about the Church. Business as usual, and that in a strict way? Or do your hearts show?
I think about the Church. Business as usual, and that in a strict way? Or do your hearts show?
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Do You Feel The Urge to Praise?
Loving God of the journey; may this day be a day of rich discovery and joy for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 147: 1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. 2 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel's scattered exiles. 3 He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. 4 He counts the stars and assigns each a name. 5 Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does 6 God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch. 7 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, 8 Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, 9 feeding both cattle and crows. 10 He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him. 11 Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength. 12 Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! 13 He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. 14 He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. 15 He launches his promises earthward - how swift and sure they come! 16 He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, 17 He broadcasts hail like birdseed - who can survive his winter? 18 Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter - suddenly it's spring! 19 He speaks the same way to Jacob, speaks words that work to Israel. 20 He never did this to the other nations; they never heard such commands. Hallelujah! (The Message)
The Lectionary recommends the optional reading of verses one through eleven (1-11); the focus is on verses twelve to twenty (12-20), but as you read the entire psalm you see the picture the psalmist is painting about God. There are powerful worship-worthy references to the power of God that need a special place in our minds and heart. The first for me is that God is a God of rebuilding. The psalmist knew the power of God to pull us out of our brokenness and put us back together. Then the psalmist says that God is a God who regathers. How often have we not found ourselves looking here and there for the things that should have stayed here and now? God is a God of healing. God has the last word in all of our ills and illnesses. God is a God who provides that which we need. The psalmist is asking, if God provides for cattle and crows, will not God do the same for us? The urge on our part should be to worship God always and everywhere. We get God's attention through our worship and praise. We get noticed when we notice the goodness of God. A relationship with God is a great place to be.
PRAYER: Loving God let my heart and life join the chorus of praise that is being lifted up by brothers and sisters who believe in You. May my life be a song of praise for Your goodness. May my actions reflect my faith in Your faithfulness. May others come to see You reflected in 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 147: 1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. 2 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel's scattered exiles. 3 He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. 4 He counts the stars and assigns each a name. 5 Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does 6 God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch. 7 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, 8 Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, 9 feeding both cattle and crows. 10 He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him. 11 Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength. 12 Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! 13 He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. 14 He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. 15 He launches his promises earthward - how swift and sure they come! 16 He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, 17 He broadcasts hail like birdseed - who can survive his winter? 18 Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter - suddenly it's spring! 19 He speaks the same way to Jacob, speaks words that work to Israel. 20 He never did this to the other nations; they never heard such commands. Hallelujah! (The Message)
The Lectionary recommends the optional reading of verses one through eleven (1-11); the focus is on verses twelve to twenty (12-20), but as you read the entire psalm you see the picture the psalmist is painting about God. There are powerful worship-worthy references to the power of God that need a special place in our minds and heart. The first for me is that God is a God of rebuilding. The psalmist knew the power of God to pull us out of our brokenness and put us back together. Then the psalmist says that God is a God who regathers. How often have we not found ourselves looking here and there for the things that should have stayed here and now? God is a God of healing. God has the last word in all of our ills and illnesses. God is a God who provides that which we need. The psalmist is asking, if God provides for cattle and crows, will not God do the same for us? The urge on our part should be to worship God always and everywhere. We get God's attention through our worship and praise. We get noticed when we notice the goodness of God. A relationship with God is a great place to be.
PRAYER: Loving God let my heart and life join the chorus of praise that is being lifted up by brothers and sisters who believe in You. May my life be a song of praise for Your goodness. May my actions reflect my faith in Your faithfulness. May others come to see You reflected in me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Everlasting God!
Loving God of great surprises, bless the life of this dear reader with an unexpected blessing of joy and peace; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Today's text is very special to me. It comes from Isaiah 40:21-31: 21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; 23 who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (New Revised Standard Version)
If you've ever heard the Christian Song, "Everlasting God" by Lincoln Brewster, at the very end a child is heard reading this passage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM). The first time I heard it, I was taken back many years to La Trinidad United Methodist Church, on a Sunday morning, when our firstborn, Nellie Maria, was asked to read the Scripture for the day. She was six years old and was already reading at a sixth grade level. Her voice and that of the child on the recording were the same. Today is Nellie Maria's birthday, so it is extra special to have this OT lesson on her birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NELLIE!).
The passage is the prophet's song of praise to Almighty God. His life experiences had allowed him this time of reflection on the greatness of God and God's presence in his life. He had reached a point of faith that others' lack of faith puzzled him. It was as if he's asking, "Weren't you ever in Sunday school? Did you not pay attention? Have you not ever picked up a Bible or seen across the sky or in the beauty of the earth, the presence and majesty of God?" Sadly, there are still many like that and Isaiah would be puzzled. It's as near as your next breath, proof of the presence of God. If you can reach the nearest window and look out and see the stars or the moon or the beginning of a new day, you've seen God's handiwork. If you hear the singing of a bird or the rustle of the wind, you're listening to God. If you smell the bouquet of fresh flowers in your garden, you're smelling the presence of God's awesomeness. At some point in our life our faith should allow us to recite this affirmation of faith: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Our God is a God that will never die. Our God is the creator of all things. God's strength cannot be compared to ours, where one day we are strong, the next we are not. God understands all things. God gives power to the faint and give strength to the weak. Even the youth among us may faint and grow weary and the young may fall from exhaustion; but we who wait for the Lord shall receive new strength, even that which seems like we have mounted up with wings like eagles. We will run and not be weary, we shall walk and not even faint. What more do we need for having a great day?
PRAYER: Loving God, grant me an increase of faith today to face all that may come my way. Let me be a beacon of inspiration to others, especially the weak that I may live this affirmation of Your presence and strength in my life. I claim for my life that strength so that I may not grow weary nor faint, but instead have that newness of faith that gives my life wings, and my legs untiring strength. I ask and pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Today's text is very special to me. It comes from Isaiah 40:21-31: 21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; 23 who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (New Revised Standard Version)
If you've ever heard the Christian Song, "Everlasting God" by Lincoln Brewster, at the very end a child is heard reading this passage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM). The first time I heard it, I was taken back many years to La Trinidad United Methodist Church, on a Sunday morning, when our firstborn, Nellie Maria, was asked to read the Scripture for the day. She was six years old and was already reading at a sixth grade level. Her voice and that of the child on the recording were the same. Today is Nellie Maria's birthday, so it is extra special to have this OT lesson on her birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NELLIE!).
The passage is the prophet's song of praise to Almighty God. His life experiences had allowed him this time of reflection on the greatness of God and God's presence in his life. He had reached a point of faith that others' lack of faith puzzled him. It was as if he's asking, "Weren't you ever in Sunday school? Did you not pay attention? Have you not ever picked up a Bible or seen across the sky or in the beauty of the earth, the presence and majesty of God?" Sadly, there are still many like that and Isaiah would be puzzled. It's as near as your next breath, proof of the presence of God. If you can reach the nearest window and look out and see the stars or the moon or the beginning of a new day, you've seen God's handiwork. If you hear the singing of a bird or the rustle of the wind, you're listening to God. If you smell the bouquet of fresh flowers in your garden, you're smelling the presence of God's awesomeness. At some point in our life our faith should allow us to recite this affirmation of faith: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Our God is a God that will never die. Our God is the creator of all things. God's strength cannot be compared to ours, where one day we are strong, the next we are not. God understands all things. God gives power to the faint and give strength to the weak. Even the youth among us may faint and grow weary and the young may fall from exhaustion; but we who wait for the Lord shall receive new strength, even that which seems like we have mounted up with wings like eagles. We will run and not be weary, we shall walk and not even faint. What more do we need for having a great day?
PRAYER: Loving God, grant me an increase of faith today to face all that may come my way. Let me be a beacon of inspiration to others, especially the weak that I may live this affirmation of Your presence and strength in my life. I claim for my life that strength so that I may not grow weary nor faint, but instead have that newness of faith that gives my life wings, and my legs untiring strength. I ask and pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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