DOING WHAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT ALWAYS

Good day dear friends.

Our text for today comes from Acts 4: 5 The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, 6 Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander - everybody who was anybody was there. 7 They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: "Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?" 8 With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: "Rulers and leaders of the people, 9 if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, 10 I'll be completely frank with you - we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. 11 Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' 12 Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one." (The Message)

The name and power of Jesus can get us into trouble. The power of the Holy Spirit empowers us to do what is right and good before God. This does not always sit right with humans. Such was the case with Peter and John. They shared what they had and that was the power to heal. They healed a man born crippled. This was met with joy by the man and those who knew and loved the man, but the religious leaders frowned upon their having done this. Did this stop the two from continuing with their message and mission about God and God's power to heal and restore? No. What's happened with the Church? What's happened with us?

PRAYER: May it be so with us, loving God, as we seek to be Your people today and all days. May the Church follow our example in awakening again to doing the things that are right and good for all people. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

The Good Shepherd

Good day dear friends.

Our text for today comes from John 10: 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." (NRSV)

We continue to marvel the mystery of Christ's willingness to die in our place. In this powerful passage of Scripture, which I count among my most favorite (v. 10 is my favorite verse), Jesus explains in terms that for that day were very understandable and can be for us as well. A good shepherd was committed to the sheep of his fold. The shepherd claimed the sheep as his own and knew no limits of what he would do to protect and care for them. The good shepherd spent the time needed for the sheep to get to know him and to now his voice. Re-read the 23rd Psalm and some of the passages of David as he remembered his days in the pasture. He fought lions and bears to protect his sheep and would have died to protect them had that been necessary. It was necessary for Jesus. And Jesus offered Himself willingly for us.

Easter re-claims the victory of that first Resurrection Sunday. Easter is the season that celebrates the power of God over sin and death. Easter is our message to the world that there can be hope in this place when it seems there is none. Easter is our message of promise that we are cared for and loved, by the only Good Shepherd the world has ever known.

Live you life as a confident lamb of God. Know that your every step, your every provision, is being guided and protected by He who knows and loves you. Spend time with the Shepherd and get to know His voice through prayer, Bible reading and reflection, through worship, through studying the faith, and your life will be blessed and a blessing to others.

PRAYER: Loving God, as I, and the one who prays this for themselves, go about this day, may the message of Easter stay with us. May we be a blessing of hope and peace to those who do not know it yet. May we be a source of love for those who feel unloved. And may we seek to learn Your voice so that we can share it with others. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: Dear friends, today is the day that the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church begins. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in the ten days before us. Pray that we who represent you may do so in the knowledge and blessing of God. Thank you for praying for one another.

Forgive Google, for they know not what they do!

Dear friends, the appearance of this new posting is the result of a forced change-over from the classic style to the "new look". One of the drawbacks of the new look is that the blog site now does not recognize paragraph breaks, so it appears that everything was typed in one big paragraph. Please believe me, it was not. Check yesterday's post and the breaks are there. I guess this is the breaks, huh? PLEASE CLICK ON "IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE" on the right under ARCHIVE to read today's post. It's more positive than this one...

It's All About Love!

Good day dear friends. Our text comes from 1 John 3: 16 This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.17 If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. 18 My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. 19 This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. 20 It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. 21 And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! 22We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him. 23 Again, this is God's command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. 24 As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us. (The Message) Last night it was my honor and privilege to be the master of ceremonies for the annual Wesley Community Center banquet. We were celebrating 70 years of faithful ministry to the communities of Robstown and Corpus Christi. It started when some concerned church women saw the needs of the poor in their area and decided to do something about it. I opened with a statement about Jesus' having said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them," and I said, "Jesus also meant to say, 'Where two or three women are gathered in my name, watch out!" Love serves no purpose if it is not shared nor lived out. That's what this passage is saying. In Christ we saw ultimate LOVE lived out. Love is meant to be shared and love means having to share with others from your heart, your life, your treasures and resources. Rick Warren says, "The one who dies rich, sins!" To me that means the one who has amassed a fortune but does not have enough love to share it with others is living a sinful life. It is a joy to share and give. It is a joy to give of our lives to others. When we become others-centered, the world ceases to revolve around us and the world becomes better. It is said that "idleness is the devil's workshop," I say selfishness is the devil's factory. Thoughtfulness and sacrifice is God's harvest ground. Where are you and what are you doing? PRAYER: Loving God, may today be a day in which I give of myself and of the great love You have shared with us. May we seek to be all about love, for You and for Yours. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Showers of Blessings

Good day dear friends. Our text for today comes from Acts 3: 12 When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people: 13 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus. The very One that Pilate called innocent, you repudiated. 14 You repudiated the Holy One, the Just One, and asked for a murderer in his place. 15 You no sooner killed the Author of Life than God raised him from the dead - and we're the witnesses. 16 Faith in Jesus' name put this man, whose condition you know so well, on his feet - yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes. 17 "And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders. 18 But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans. 19 "Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, (The Message)

Christians know where their power lies, it lies in God. No one can nor should take credit for what God has done or is doing. Such was the case with Peter and John. The passage begins with Peter's response to the congregation gathered after witnessing what was for many, their first miracle; a man born without the ability to walk, carried everywhere by his friends, is now not just walking, but "leaping and jumping, and praising God," as the Sunday school song says. Peter asks, how can you be so amazed at what our God can do? It was the same God we have always believed in, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, Who also provided us with Jesus, that did this miracle. Yes, even the same one you turned over to be tried and killed, that's the One who made this man's walking possible. It was in the name of Jesus, through faith, that had made possible this man's walking among you.

What also amazes me is Peter's message of understanding about why so many were involved in this process of turning Jesus over to be killed, and offers to them a chance to believe and to get right with God. Peter offers them an opportunity to confess and come clean with what they've done personally with their lives, and to receive, through that new relationship a "shower of blessings" with which to be refreshed.

That continues to be the message we as individual members of Christ' Church and as the Church need to continue to offer to all. Our "demonstration plus proclamation should equal credibility" among those who have not yet believed. This quote comes from John Maxwell's "Leadership Bible." Dr. Maxwell was for years a successful Wesleyan preacher in San Diego, CA, later became a writer and speaker and founder of a leadership education empire. His Bible has leadership message by most of the stories and teachings of the Bible. This passage is one Maxwell labels as that which allowed the Christian movement to pick up steam and grow throughout the area. It was thanks to the faithfulness of Peter, John, and the others to make it so. It continues to depend on leaders such as you and me, to see that this movement never ends.

PRAYER: Loving God of all people, even the unsaved, bless and use us to make known this message of love and forgiveness. If ever Your church needed showers of blessings, it is now. Make me a part of that shower and let me join with others in living a life that demonstrates faith that matches our proclamation, so that it may be a credible message to all. I pray in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Just When We Need Him Most

Our text for today comes from Luke 24: 36 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." 37They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. 38 He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. 39 Look at my hands; look at my feet - it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. 42 They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. 43 He took it and ate it right before their eyes.44 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." 45 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. 46 He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, 47 and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations - starting from here, from Jerusalem! 48 You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. (The Message)

Jesus meets us in our place of need when invited. And sometimes Jesus meets us in our place of need when we least expect it or even during times we don't invite Him! Such was the case in this powerful Resurrection story. The story takes place as the two men from the Emmaus Walk join the eleven in the Upper Room. They were joyously sharing their stories about Jesus' defeat of death when in the midst of this conversation, Jesus appears. He knows what they are feeling and He knows what they are thinking and doubting, and He addresses these needs. He points out His wounds. He eats with them and then, like He had done with the two followers on the Emmaus road, He opens their minds to understanding of the Scriptures. In this version, Jesus shares about how the scriptures speak of a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins, and how we should proclaim that as well. Jesus calls them, as He calls us, His witnesses.

What did you see? What did you hear? What can you share about this experience to help us better understand this situation? These are the questions some might ask witnesses in a case before a judge and jury. These are also the questions that we who know Jesus, and He risen from the dead, can share with others.

PRAYER: God of Resurrection power, speak to my needs and weaknesses. Make me bold in proclaiming what I have experienced and received from You. I know the world still needs to hear and I want to be a part of that! I pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

How Is It With Your Heart?

Loving God of action and involvement; bless the day's activities of this dear reader in ways that bring glory to Thy Name, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from John 13: 1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. 2 It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. 4 So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. 6 When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." 8 Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet - ever!" Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing." 9 "Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!" 10 Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." 11 (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") 12 After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. 13 You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. 14 So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. 15 I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. 16 I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. 17 If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it - and live a blessed life. "Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, 32 God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified - glory all around! 33 "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not able to come.' 34 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. 35 This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." (The Message)

It was the third year they had celebrated this special holy meal. Passover was observed by every good Jew and Jesus and His 12 were good Jews. The first two meals had been celebrations of God's acts in their history; God liberating the Jews from slavery in Egypt and allowing them to leave in the Exodus. The meal was important and meaningful to every good Jew. This meal was different in some ways; Jesus took on the role of a common servant and washed the feet of each disciple. This passage only records Peter's objection that Jesus should not be washing his feet. Upon explanation of the why behind it, Peter wants to be completely washed. The other difference was that in this celebration, Jesus reveals that he is going to die and again this is not yet fully understood nor accepted. And the final is a new commandment given to them by Jesus that they love one another. A love so special that others will know they belong to Jesus by the way they demonstrate that love to each other.

How is it with you and your life? Do you live a life that shows a Christ-like love to others? Can people see that you belong to Jesus? Is it the same with the place at which you worship? Does everyone love one another and welcome everyone in loving ways?

PRAYER: Loving God, let it be seen in me and this dear reader praying this as their own, that we belong to You. May our actions, our words and our thoughts be those of love, love from You for us, to share with others. Make this special holy day even more special and holy by the way we love You and Yours. Our prayer is lifted up in the Name of He who gave Himself for us, Jesus the Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

P. S. Today is Maundy Thursday! Find a worship space or church for tonight's celebration of Jesus' Last Supper. They may even tell you what "Maundy" means!

A God Who Loves the World!

Read ISAIAH 49:1-7; JOHN 12:20-36 Key Verse: "I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’"

The passage from the prophet Isaiah speaks of One called to minister to the earth. He mentions that this was a "servant" known even while forming in the womb. One who would be a "light to the nations," with a plan of "salvation" that would "reach to the end of the earth." Salvation is that restored relationship with God, reached when one realizes that with all the baggage of sin burdening our hearts we are going nowhere, but when God removes that sin upon our confession, we become a new creation, ready to receive and to share love. Salvation is that which leads us to new life, beyond just existence, to what Jesus called "abundant life" or "life to the fullest." And so it is with those who know, love, and trust Jesus; a life that goes beyond just breathing; a life filled with joy and wonder and opportunities for serving and helping.

As we pray for the coming General Conference of The United Methodist Church, may we pray that all delegates may be reminded of that wonderful relationship that is still available for us all, and that we have a task to take that message out of Tampa into all the world, until everyone has heard and everyone has had a chance to respond.

PRAYER: Loving God, may our prayers bless and protect all delegates, and may our prayers bring new life to our Church through You. We cannot do it without You. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.