Good day dear friends,
Our text for today comes from Romans 8: 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (NSRV)
All knowing God. God of mercy and love, You created a prayer life for your saints that some are not even aware of their prayers. being lifted up on their behalf, especially during times that we have no words to share. That's the thought that comes to my mind as I re-read verse 26. I urge prayer, especially the recapturing the power of prayer that our churches once knew, and I myself feel at times that I do not pray enough. I know that many are the blessings that could be ours if we would but pray and yet the busyness of our days keep us from going to our knees in prayer as we should. I have shared the story of a dear mother whose adult daughter was dying from cancer. The agony and pain of this mother's soul was such that one day she told me she could no longer pray. "Pastor, I do not have the words anymore." I grabbed a Bible and shared with her this passage and she was so relieved to see that even a sigh on ou part, in the Spirit's part is a prayer lifted up to God. Those who seek prayer as a way to stay connected, are connected, even when we are not aware of it.
This Sunday is the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, but we know already that the Spirit has been present with us and has been our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter all these years; and the Spirit will continue to be.
PRAYER: Loving God, how thoughtful are Your ways. How mighty are Your acts in Christ Jesus, and how awesome it is that we can and should be connected to You through our prayers. May our prayers never cease; may they be ways of praising and rejoicing and of receiving. May we know prayer is a two-way form of worship. After we say "amen," we are saying, "It is Your turn to talk, I'm listening." May it be so. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
How's the Graveyard?
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from Ezekiel 37: 1 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord." (NRSV)
Graveyards have both scared and fascinated me. Tombstones and grave markers and their messages, especially among older cementeries such as the kind found in New Orleans have been interesting to visit. Tombstones with the little picture of the deceased also are interesting. What people leave on the ground by the grave on certain days also intrigue me. Along the Mexican border, El Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, make for colorful, brightly decorated places. As the day grows longer I start heading for the gate. Imagine being taken by the hand of God and led to a boneyard. Nothing hidden by sod and cement, all the dead bodies out in the open and then to be told by the Lord to preach to them. Is your blood pressure up yet? Fear of the dead and public speaking? Ezekiel was the one taken by God to this place and it was to share a lesson with him and with us; nothing is ever dead or over until God declares it so. The lesson for Israel was that their choice to live in hopelessness was not a good nor valid choice. The lesson for the Church today is the same: Quit living and acting like the dead! We have a living God who still wants us to declare God's love for all people! The last two nights I have introduced new pastors to small churches. Theirs is a situation where they could easily declare their need for a peaceful death, but in one, the new chairperson of the pastor-parish relations committee said, "I choose life!" And so, their pastor-to-be is one who stirs things up. The second is a church that is receiving a pastor sent by the Bishop to close the present church she is serving eight years ago! The church is now thriving and I expect the same to happen in this part-time church. Nothing is dead nor over until God says so.
The same is true in our personal lives. Whatever we may be facing we must face it with God on our side. Our prayers and petitions should reflect a living hope in a living God. No illness, no difficulty, no set-back is over until God says it is. But we must stay connected and stay focused on what God would want for us, even if it seems we're right in the middle of a bone or graveyard. We know and we want the whole world to know of the one, true living and loving God.
PRAYER: Living God, our prayer is that You continue to walk among us even when it seems we're walking among the dead. May life be our hope in all things, in our churches, our places of work and service, and in our families and lives. May it be so; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Ezekiel 37: 1 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord." (NRSV)
Graveyards have both scared and fascinated me. Tombstones and grave markers and their messages, especially among older cementeries such as the kind found in New Orleans have been interesting to visit. Tombstones with the little picture of the deceased also are interesting. What people leave on the ground by the grave on certain days also intrigue me. Along the Mexican border, El Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, make for colorful, brightly decorated places. As the day grows longer I start heading for the gate. Imagine being taken by the hand of God and led to a boneyard. Nothing hidden by sod and cement, all the dead bodies out in the open and then to be told by the Lord to preach to them. Is your blood pressure up yet? Fear of the dead and public speaking? Ezekiel was the one taken by God to this place and it was to share a lesson with him and with us; nothing is ever dead or over until God declares it so. The lesson for Israel was that their choice to live in hopelessness was not a good nor valid choice. The lesson for the Church today is the same: Quit living and acting like the dead! We have a living God who still wants us to declare God's love for all people! The last two nights I have introduced new pastors to small churches. Theirs is a situation where they could easily declare their need for a peaceful death, but in one, the new chairperson of the pastor-parish relations committee said, "I choose life!" And so, their pastor-to-be is one who stirs things up. The second is a church that is receiving a pastor sent by the Bishop to close the present church she is serving eight years ago! The church is now thriving and I expect the same to happen in this part-time church. Nothing is dead nor over until God says so.
The same is true in our personal lives. Whatever we may be facing we must face it with God on our side. Our prayers and petitions should reflect a living hope in a living God. No illness, no difficulty, no set-back is over until God says it is. But we must stay connected and stay focused on what God would want for us, even if it seems we're right in the middle of a bone or graveyard. We know and we want the whole world to know of the one, true living and loving God.
PRAYER: Living God, our prayer is that You continue to walk among us even when it seems we're walking among the dead. May life be our hope in all things, in our churches, our places of work and service, and in our families and lives. May it be so; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tweeted God's Wonders Lately?
Good day dear friends. God's grace and peace be with you is my prayer.
Our text for today comes from Acts 2: 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (NRSV)
A day of miracles. Among them, speaking to people that would not normally share words. You've been there as have I. And sometimes it is not because of a language difference, it could be a matter of distrust or attitude; the result is the same, one of the parties feels less or better than the other, and nothing gets said. And like this event mentioned here, it was a "church" setting, for there it is the worst thing, to be gathering for the worship of God and no one says a word of welcome or greeting and some feel unwelcomed and unwanted. In some places it is indeed a miracle that someone speaks to them. But the miracle here was the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit and the disciples, men of Galilee regarded as less than others because of their home region, speaking in languages that covered the known world, each telling fo the wonders of God. I have shared this before, that if we ever travel to a place where the language is not ours, the first word that we hear in our native tongue makes us excited to know there may be someone with whom we can communicate. Such was the wonder of Pentecost - Common people sharing extraordinary things.
The Church today needs to speak to all. It has to learn the languages being spoken to convey the message of God. God is still the same and God is still doing some amazing, unexplainable things; we are God's interpreters and witnesses and we must share it with others. I heard some people talking about how young people today to not take cell phone calls anymore and some even will answer with disdain and ask the person to text instead. One even said that is the way to make dates to go out between boys and girls. And the one explaining it said much gets lost in texting that talking covers better. But for many, texting is the new language and some churches have even embraced that. Texting has led to tweeting and God only knows what is next. The question remains, how are we sharing the message of God's great works to all?
I would say continue to use your mouth and your words to share the goodness of God. God will provide. The miracle of Pentecost was an example of that. No matter how much more we are amazed at new ways of communicating, may we never forget to smile at others and to utter a word of welcome in whatever tongue you know. Some people still will respond. May it be so.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the Miracle of Pentecost we are thankful. You make possible ways in which we can share the goodness and wonder of Your love. May we also never forget to use our smiles, our handshakes, our hugs, and yes, even our words, to tell of Your great glory and grace for all people. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Acts 2: 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (NRSV)
A day of miracles. Among them, speaking to people that would not normally share words. You've been there as have I. And sometimes it is not because of a language difference, it could be a matter of distrust or attitude; the result is the same, one of the parties feels less or better than the other, and nothing gets said. And like this event mentioned here, it was a "church" setting, for there it is the worst thing, to be gathering for the worship of God and no one says a word of welcome or greeting and some feel unwelcomed and unwanted. In some places it is indeed a miracle that someone speaks to them. But the miracle here was the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit and the disciples, men of Galilee regarded as less than others because of their home region, speaking in languages that covered the known world, each telling fo the wonders of God. I have shared this before, that if we ever travel to a place where the language is not ours, the first word that we hear in our native tongue makes us excited to know there may be someone with whom we can communicate. Such was the wonder of Pentecost - Common people sharing extraordinary things.
The Church today needs to speak to all. It has to learn the languages being spoken to convey the message of God. God is still the same and God is still doing some amazing, unexplainable things; we are God's interpreters and witnesses and we must share it with others. I heard some people talking about how young people today to not take cell phone calls anymore and some even will answer with disdain and ask the person to text instead. One even said that is the way to make dates to go out between boys and girls. And the one explaining it said much gets lost in texting that talking covers better. But for many, texting is the new language and some churches have even embraced that. Texting has led to tweeting and God only knows what is next. The question remains, how are we sharing the message of God's great works to all?
I would say continue to use your mouth and your words to share the goodness of God. God will provide. The miracle of Pentecost was an example of that. No matter how much more we are amazed at new ways of communicating, may we never forget to smile at others and to utter a word of welcome in whatever tongue you know. Some people still will respond. May it be so.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the Miracle of Pentecost we are thankful. You make possible ways in which we can share the goodness and wonder of Your love. May we also never forget to use our smiles, our handshakes, our hugs, and yes, even our words, to tell of Your great glory and grace for all people. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Holy Spirit Has Come!
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from John 15&16: 26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 16:4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, "Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (NRSV)
This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. It started, on that day, as a day of great rejoicing and festival for the Jews; it was the day associated with Moses receiving the Law. Jews that could afford to, came from all over the known world to celebrate this day. Tomorrow's text is from Acts and we will examine that text tomorrow. This text sets the stage for that important and significant arrival. For that reason it is believed that the one-time single volume of Luke-Acts was separated and this gospel inserted; for John told the reason of this coming "Advocate." The passage is Jesus speaking to the still mourning group of disciples. In chapter 14 He told them of His coming death and they were not listening to much; they could only remember their having heard that Jesus was coming soon to His end. Here, Jesus sets the stage for what happened in Acts: There is an Advocate coming with power and might. The role of this person of the Triune God is to help you be my witnesses as well as teach about righteousness and judgment, for He will speak the truth about sin.
Sin, in case you forgot, is alive and well. It shouldn't be, but it is. One of John Wesley's three main points of faith was the doctrine of original sin. He taught that we are all born with original sin and only the grace of God can remove it. Grace, by the way, is the second point, and sanctification is the third. But original sin is disobedience. It is our inner desire to please ourselves and not obey God. The Scriptures teach that through Adam and Eve we have that original sin. You may have seen it come to life in your children or grandchildren (not to mention our own lives some time back), as they learn and explore their new life and new earth, they have a tendency to gravitate to that which is labled, "no!" So do we. We gravitate to that which separates us from God. Which is why God gave Moses the Law. And which is why Jesus said, "I've come not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it," covering pretty much of what bothers God even today. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit helps those in tune with God in that way know that God cares for us and wants us to move away from sin, original or otherwise. Grace is what leads us to a better place, a relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit already came and is with us even today. As Jesus said, The role of the Holy Spirit is to advocate on God's behalf through us as we seek to be God's witnesses (read Acts 1). The Holy Spirit is also the One who intercedes for us when we pray, able to even interpret to God our sighes when we can pray no longer. What a wonderful gift we should be taking advantage of.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit; may we learn that the Holy Spirit can be our help during times of trouble and our interpreter and intercessor during our times of prayer, even when we don't know what to say and can only sigh. What a precious gift You have shared with us! In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from John 15&16: 26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 16:4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, "Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (NRSV)
This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. It started, on that day, as a day of great rejoicing and festival for the Jews; it was the day associated with Moses receiving the Law. Jews that could afford to, came from all over the known world to celebrate this day. Tomorrow's text is from Acts and we will examine that text tomorrow. This text sets the stage for that important and significant arrival. For that reason it is believed that the one-time single volume of Luke-Acts was separated and this gospel inserted; for John told the reason of this coming "Advocate." The passage is Jesus speaking to the still mourning group of disciples. In chapter 14 He told them of His coming death and they were not listening to much; they could only remember their having heard that Jesus was coming soon to His end. Here, Jesus sets the stage for what happened in Acts: There is an Advocate coming with power and might. The role of this person of the Triune God is to help you be my witnesses as well as teach about righteousness and judgment, for He will speak the truth about sin.
Sin, in case you forgot, is alive and well. It shouldn't be, but it is. One of John Wesley's three main points of faith was the doctrine of original sin. He taught that we are all born with original sin and only the grace of God can remove it. Grace, by the way, is the second point, and sanctification is the third. But original sin is disobedience. It is our inner desire to please ourselves and not obey God. The Scriptures teach that through Adam and Eve we have that original sin. You may have seen it come to life in your children or grandchildren (not to mention our own lives some time back), as they learn and explore their new life and new earth, they have a tendency to gravitate to that which is labled, "no!" So do we. We gravitate to that which separates us from God. Which is why God gave Moses the Law. And which is why Jesus said, "I've come not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it," covering pretty much of what bothers God even today. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit helps those in tune with God in that way know that God cares for us and wants us to move away from sin, original or otherwise. Grace is what leads us to a better place, a relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit already came and is with us even today. As Jesus said, The role of the Holy Spirit is to advocate on God's behalf through us as we seek to be God's witnesses (read Acts 1). The Holy Spirit is also the One who intercedes for us when we pray, able to even interpret to God our sighes when we can pray no longer. What a wonderful gift we should be taking advantage of.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit; may we learn that the Holy Spirit can be our help during times of trouble and our interpreter and intercessor during our times of prayer, even when we don't know what to say and can only sigh. What a precious gift You have shared with us! In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Where Are You Planted?
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 1: 1 How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. 2 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. 3 You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4 You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust - 5 Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. (The Message) Okay, this version just doesn't quite do it for me. Here's NRSV: 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
There's something about the biblical image of a tree planted by streams of water that intrigues me. Early in my ministry I would pray for the sick using that image from Jeremiah 17:7-8. This opening Psalm speaks of how good it is for believers to stay connected to God. There is never a drought of the spiritual nature for the connected. A tree planted by a stream or river never knows thirst because its need is meant right at the source. Cool, flowing fresh water daily nourishing that tree; in the same way, God's Spirit and Word nourish us in our desire to stay connected to the Source. Those are the ones who bear fruit and are desired by those who are hungry. The psalmist also knew those who choose to be the opposite; away from God and mocking those whose desire is God. The modern images of "Sin Saloon," "Dead End Road," "Smart Mouth College (Where are those shirts?)," and "Skid Road" (though this modern version may be showing its age in that term is almost outdated), speak of places where the righteous do not desire to be.
The positive images continue with "In all they do, they prosper." What is this telling us about ourselves and our churches? Are we staying close to the Source, the one, true living God? Or, are we seeking to please ourselves with our desires and wants and find ourselves straying? It's always our choice, but I would pray that we pray to choose the connected life.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Your love and Your easy accessibility. Let us be like those trees planted by streams of water so that we never thirst and that we may bear fruit for You. May we prosper in our faithfulness to You. We need You and we love You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Psalm 1: 1 How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. 2 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. 3 You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4 You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust - 5 Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. (The Message) Okay, this version just doesn't quite do it for me. Here's NRSV: 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
There's something about the biblical image of a tree planted by streams of water that intrigues me. Early in my ministry I would pray for the sick using that image from Jeremiah 17:7-8. This opening Psalm speaks of how good it is for believers to stay connected to God. There is never a drought of the spiritual nature for the connected. A tree planted by a stream or river never knows thirst because its need is meant right at the source. Cool, flowing fresh water daily nourishing that tree; in the same way, God's Spirit and Word nourish us in our desire to stay connected to the Source. Those are the ones who bear fruit and are desired by those who are hungry. The psalmist also knew those who choose to be the opposite; away from God and mocking those whose desire is God. The modern images of "Sin Saloon," "Dead End Road," "Smart Mouth College (Where are those shirts?)," and "Skid Road" (though this modern version may be showing its age in that term is almost outdated), speak of places where the righteous do not desire to be.
The positive images continue with "In all they do, they prosper." What is this telling us about ourselves and our churches? Are we staying close to the Source, the one, true living God? Or, are we seeking to please ourselves with our desires and wants and find ourselves straying? It's always our choice, but I would pray that we pray to choose the connected life.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Your love and Your easy accessibility. Let us be like those trees planted by streams of water so that we never thirst and that we may bear fruit for You. May we prosper in our faithfulness to You. We need You and we love You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Are You Sure?
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 9 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son. 11 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. 12 So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 13 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. (The Message)
There was a reason that God led Fanny Crosby to write, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of Glory divine..." The story goes that Ms. Crosby went to visit some friends who were having an organ installed in their home and the hostess asked Fanny to listen to a melody that had come to her and she played it on the piano. She asked Fanny what she thought the tune said, and Fanny replied, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine." Many are the Christians who say, "I'm not sure that I'll go to Heaven if I die;" and that's a normal human thought, but the divine, as shared in the above passage, says if we believe in Christ Jesus, we have life and not just life now, but life eternal. The writer of 1 John says that this is God's own testimony, something we should take over human testimony.
Take time to read again the passage and if you have time to hear the hymn. There's a message for the Church in both. And you and I are the church. Live a life that shares life and one day will share eternal life.
PRAYER: Loving God, we praise You for Your testimony that in Your Son, Jesus Christ, we have life and not just for today here on the earth, but life without end in Your presence. Help us so to live so that others may come to life. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 9 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son. 11 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. 12 So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 13 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. (The Message)
There was a reason that God led Fanny Crosby to write, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of Glory divine..." The story goes that Ms. Crosby went to visit some friends who were having an organ installed in their home and the hostess asked Fanny to listen to a melody that had come to her and she played it on the piano. She asked Fanny what she thought the tune said, and Fanny replied, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine." Many are the Christians who say, "I'm not sure that I'll go to Heaven if I die;" and that's a normal human thought, but the divine, as shared in the above passage, says if we believe in Christ Jesus, we have life and not just life now, but life eternal. The writer of 1 John says that this is God's own testimony, something we should take over human testimony.
Take time to read again the passage and if you have time to hear the hymn. There's a message for the Church in both. And you and I are the church. Live a life that shares life and one day will share eternal life.
PRAYER: Loving God, we praise You for Your testimony that in Your Son, Jesus Christ, we have life and not just for today here on the earth, but life without end in Your presence. Help us so to live so that others may come to life. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Replacement Worthy?
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from Acts 1: 15 During this time, Peter stood up in the company - there were about one hundred twenty of them in the room at the time - 16 and said, "Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. 17 Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. 21 "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us 22 from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection." 23 They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose 25 to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." 26 They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles. (The Message)
Throughout our lives we have been either a part of a group of friends or co-workers or even fans of groups, music or otherwise, and we have realized the value of working together for the common good or a common goal. If it has been a group of co-workers it has saddened us when one has left to take another job or has been re-assigned to another location or retires. We mourn that loss and then we either move on without that person or adjust when another person is assigned to be a part of that group. In the entertainment world, whenever a member of one of our favorite groups leaves or dies, we wonder if that group can continue without that person. Some groups that we may like, if they don't lose their frontman or singer, usually will find a replacement and continue on. We even hear of off-shoots of that group rivaling other groups and wonder what the point is except to continue to make money.
The disciples found themselves at a crucial point. They knew they still had much work to do and believed that staying together as a group of twelve was the best way to go. They understood Scripture and what it had said about Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus and left the group to do it. They believed they needed a replacement for him and through prayer and the casting of lots or "drawing straws" as this version has it, they chose between two candidates. We know little of these men other than they were believers in Christ and were devout and committed enough to be in a select group from which one would be selected to become a Disciple. Joseph "Justus" Barsabbas, and Matthias, were the two nominated. And the lot fell to Matthias, who was then the twelfth disciple. Nothing else is recorded of him in scripture, but legend has it that he preached among cannibals and was crucified in that region. Another legend has him stoned by Jews near Jerusalem. Both legends have him preaching the Gospel.
The disciples were first learners from the Master; called and prepared by Jesus for their work of spreading the Good News. They later were known as Apostles, or those sent by the Teacher to accomplish that which they had been taught. All, according to legend and tradition, died for their faith. More importantly, they died in the faith, never wavering or doubting Him that called them. We are called to make disciples but our starting point should be in asking ourselves if we indeed are disciples. Have we faith in He who called us? Have we learned all we could about the Gospel and the love of God which we are to share? Are we living the faith in a way that calls others to faith? If the answers are yes, then we need to move on to the next step of making disciples for Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, may it be that today I begin the journey of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ so that I can be an apostle of His in my life. Grant me deeper and stronger faith. Let me move towards fullest of faith and life and may my life be a contagious example of what God can do in and through us. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from Acts 1: 15 During this time, Peter stood up in the company - there were about one hundred twenty of them in the room at the time - 16 and said, "Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. 17 Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. 21 "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us 22 from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection." 23 They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose 25 to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." 26 They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles. (The Message)
Throughout our lives we have been either a part of a group of friends or co-workers or even fans of groups, music or otherwise, and we have realized the value of working together for the common good or a common goal. If it has been a group of co-workers it has saddened us when one has left to take another job or has been re-assigned to another location or retires. We mourn that loss and then we either move on without that person or adjust when another person is assigned to be a part of that group. In the entertainment world, whenever a member of one of our favorite groups leaves or dies, we wonder if that group can continue without that person. Some groups that we may like, if they don't lose their frontman or singer, usually will find a replacement and continue on. We even hear of off-shoots of that group rivaling other groups and wonder what the point is except to continue to make money.
The disciples found themselves at a crucial point. They knew they still had much work to do and believed that staying together as a group of twelve was the best way to go. They understood Scripture and what it had said about Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus and left the group to do it. They believed they needed a replacement for him and through prayer and the casting of lots or "drawing straws" as this version has it, they chose between two candidates. We know little of these men other than they were believers in Christ and were devout and committed enough to be in a select group from which one would be selected to become a Disciple. Joseph "Justus" Barsabbas, and Matthias, were the two nominated. And the lot fell to Matthias, who was then the twelfth disciple. Nothing else is recorded of him in scripture, but legend has it that he preached among cannibals and was crucified in that region. Another legend has him stoned by Jews near Jerusalem. Both legends have him preaching the Gospel.
The disciples were first learners from the Master; called and prepared by Jesus for their work of spreading the Good News. They later were known as Apostles, or those sent by the Teacher to accomplish that which they had been taught. All, according to legend and tradition, died for their faith. More importantly, they died in the faith, never wavering or doubting Him that called them. We are called to make disciples but our starting point should be in asking ourselves if we indeed are disciples. Have we faith in He who called us? Have we learned all we could about the Gospel and the love of God which we are to share? Are we living the faith in a way that calls others to faith? If the answers are yes, then we need to move on to the next step of making disciples for Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, may it be that today I begin the journey of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ so that I can be an apostle of His in my life. Grant me deeper and stronger faith. Let me move towards fullest of faith and life and may my life be a contagious example of what God can do in and through us. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 14, 2012
Jesus' Long Prayer for You!
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from John 17: 6 I spelled out your character in detail To the men and women you gave me. They were yours in the first place; Then you gave them to me, And they have now done what you said. 7 They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, That everything you gave me is firsthand from you, 8 For the message you gave me, I gave them; And they took it, and were convinced That I came from you. They believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world But for those you gave me, For they are yours by right. 10 Everything mine is yours, and yours mine, And my life is on display in them. 11 For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; They'll continue in the world While I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life That you conferred as a gift through me, So they can be one heart and mind 12 As we are one heart and mind. As long as I was with them, I guarded them In the pursuit of the life you gave through me; I even posted a night watch. And not one of them got away, Except for the rebel bent on destruction (the exception that proved the rule of Scripture). 13 Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. 14 I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn't join the world's ways, 15 Just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. 16 They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. 17 Make them holy - consecrated - with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. 18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. 19 I'm consecrating myself for their sakes So they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission. (The Message)
Yesterday I missed my Mom terribly. She's been gone now for nine years. I am blessed with a wonderful wife whose mother also has been gone now for more years than mine, and she misses her on Mother's Day as well. But what I miss about my Mom was that she was, during my college years, the one I could call and ask for specific prayer requests that I had. I knew she would share those with my Dad and that both of them would pray for me. This in the days of long distance charges, mind you! Those charges would get larger during the ends of semesters; I wonder why... I know some of you are saying, couldn't you pray for yourself? Yes, I could and did. And I had others praying for me, but to know your Mom is praying for you is special. Since I met and married Nellie, she's my Chief-Prayer-Person, and she prays for me all the time and I am blessed as a result. But this passage is about Jesus praying for me and praying for you.
This passage is Jesus' long prayer. He taught us the Lord's Prayer, but John 17 is a passage about Jesus sharing openly and painfully that which was on His heart as His date on the cross approached. The care and compassion for you and me is reflected in that prayer. The purpose of His earthly ministry is shared there, and His desire for us to carry on is also shared that. And I believe it is a prayer that never stops. Jesus' love for you and me knows no end and neither does his prayer for us.
May we be blessed with new strength and hope knowing that we are prayed for. Nothing can come against us, we cannot be preyed on if we're prayed for, especially by Jesus! Live accordingly!
PRAYER: Loving God, may the words of Jesus' prayer bring blessing to me and those who read this prayer as their own today and all days. Many are the times we find ourselves weak and in need of receiving that which only You can provide. Give us strength and hope to live lives that transform others; in the name of He who prayed for us, Jesus our Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from John 17: 6 I spelled out your character in detail To the men and women you gave me. They were yours in the first place; Then you gave them to me, And they have now done what you said. 7 They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, That everything you gave me is firsthand from you, 8 For the message you gave me, I gave them; And they took it, and were convinced That I came from you. They believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world But for those you gave me, For they are yours by right. 10 Everything mine is yours, and yours mine, And my life is on display in them. 11 For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; They'll continue in the world While I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life That you conferred as a gift through me, So they can be one heart and mind 12 As we are one heart and mind. As long as I was with them, I guarded them In the pursuit of the life you gave through me; I even posted a night watch. And not one of them got away, Except for the rebel bent on destruction (the exception that proved the rule of Scripture). 13 Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. 14 I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn't join the world's ways, 15 Just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. 16 They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. 17 Make them holy - consecrated - with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. 18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. 19 I'm consecrating myself for their sakes So they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission. (The Message)
Yesterday I missed my Mom terribly. She's been gone now for nine years. I am blessed with a wonderful wife whose mother also has been gone now for more years than mine, and she misses her on Mother's Day as well. But what I miss about my Mom was that she was, during my college years, the one I could call and ask for specific prayer requests that I had. I knew she would share those with my Dad and that both of them would pray for me. This in the days of long distance charges, mind you! Those charges would get larger during the ends of semesters; I wonder why... I know some of you are saying, couldn't you pray for yourself? Yes, I could and did. And I had others praying for me, but to know your Mom is praying for you is special. Since I met and married Nellie, she's my Chief-Prayer-Person, and she prays for me all the time and I am blessed as a result. But this passage is about Jesus praying for me and praying for you.
This passage is Jesus' long prayer. He taught us the Lord's Prayer, but John 17 is a passage about Jesus sharing openly and painfully that which was on His heart as His date on the cross approached. The care and compassion for you and me is reflected in that prayer. The purpose of His earthly ministry is shared there, and His desire for us to carry on is also shared that. And I believe it is a prayer that never stops. Jesus' love for you and me knows no end and neither does his prayer for us.
May we be blessed with new strength and hope knowing that we are prayed for. Nothing can come against us, we cannot be preyed on if we're prayed for, especially by Jesus! Live accordingly!
PRAYER: Loving God, may the words of Jesus' prayer bring blessing to me and those who read this prayer as their own today and all days. Many are the times we find ourselves weak and in need of receiving that which only You can provide. Give us strength and hope to live lives that transform others; in the name of He who prayed for us, Jesus our Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Friday, May 11, 2012
GC2012 Did Not Take My Voice!
Good day dear friends. Happy Friday to everyone!
Our text for today is Psalm 98: 1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right. 2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do. 3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel - indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look - God's work of salvation! 4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir. 6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God. 7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in. 8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale - 9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it. (The Message)
Did our singing praises to God end with our denomination's General Conference? To hear some people tell it, it did. That's telling about how much confidence we put in a group of a thousand delegates from around the world to agree on our differences. It was just a meeting on steroids. Our faith in God should still be as strong and steadfast as ever. The Psalmist is one who saw many things that almost took him to his death and certainly to his ruin, yet he sang on. This psalm is but another example of his faith and confidence in God. In this version, the image is to involve all of creation in the praise of God. God has, will, and is showing what God can do in all things. We just have to watch and believe. Among the greatest things that God does, is that God loves us! Yes, that's right, you and me, loved by God. We may not deserve it according to our limited thinking, but still, God loves us. If God were to do nothing else between now and the end of time to have been loved by God would be sufficient. And the least we can do? Love God back! Sing love songs to God and join in with all creation as we sing together, "God is love and God merits our praise!"
When you walk outside today, yes, you'll have to turn off your computer or at least walk away from it. Look around and see what praise is already going on around you. Here, the earth is singing because of last night's rain. The trees are clapping their praise to God for all that God has done for us. The birds are singing and water in the oceans, bays, lakes, creeks and rivers, are also praising God.
Praise God! God loves you!
PRAYER: Loving God, I may not have much of a voice when it comes to singing, but I can make a joyful noise! Receive my love through my praise as I join heaven and nature singing about Your love for me. Thank You, and praise You! I praise You in Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today is Psalm 98: 1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right. 2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do. 3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel - indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look - God's work of salvation! 4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir. 6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God. 7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in. 8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale - 9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it. (The Message)
Did our singing praises to God end with our denomination's General Conference? To hear some people tell it, it did. That's telling about how much confidence we put in a group of a thousand delegates from around the world to agree on our differences. It was just a meeting on steroids. Our faith in God should still be as strong and steadfast as ever. The Psalmist is one who saw many things that almost took him to his death and certainly to his ruin, yet he sang on. This psalm is but another example of his faith and confidence in God. In this version, the image is to involve all of creation in the praise of God. God has, will, and is showing what God can do in all things. We just have to watch and believe. Among the greatest things that God does, is that God loves us! Yes, that's right, you and me, loved by God. We may not deserve it according to our limited thinking, but still, God loves us. If God were to do nothing else between now and the end of time to have been loved by God would be sufficient. And the least we can do? Love God back! Sing love songs to God and join in with all creation as we sing together, "God is love and God merits our praise!"
When you walk outside today, yes, you'll have to turn off your computer or at least walk away from it. Look around and see what praise is already going on around you. Here, the earth is singing because of last night's rain. The trees are clapping their praise to God for all that God has done for us. The birds are singing and water in the oceans, bays, lakes, creeks and rivers, are also praising God.
Praise God! God loves you!
PRAYER: Loving God, I may not have much of a voice when it comes to singing, but I can make a joyful noise! Receive my love through my praise as I join heaven and nature singing about Your love for me. Thank You, and praise You! I praise You in Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Loving God and Living Love
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 1 Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. 2 The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? 3The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 4 Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. 5 The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 6 Jesus - the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God's presence at Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us.[(s15.7)] A triple testimony (The Message)
I remember the time when anything my parents asked me to do was troublesome. I was just too into whatever it was that I was doing to be interrupted or bothered by one of their requests. What's more important than listening to music or reading comics? Not mowing the grass or running to the store to get milk or bread. Yet, I loved my parents but I loved myself a little more back then. Isn't this the trouble with us sometimes in our love for God? The writer of John is saying that in our relationship with God it's all about love and in our love for God we have to throw in there the reality that love involves others as well. And our obedience lived out is what amazed and conquers the world. When we respond in love to things that most would expect vengeance or hatred, the world is conquered. Jesus is the key to this amazing life that more need to be living. For the writer our faith is not simply believing, it is putting into practice the teachings and commands and examples of the Lord in our lives.
Think on the places where you are not living this way; your home, your work, your church,and ask yourself prayerfully what you can do to combat and change that for good.
The world is watching. And the world is in need.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our love for You be shared with others in a way that conquers the world. In Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 1 Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. 2 The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? 3The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 4 Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. 5 The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 6 Jesus - the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God's presence at Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us.[(s15.7)] A triple testimony (The Message)
I remember the time when anything my parents asked me to do was troublesome. I was just too into whatever it was that I was doing to be interrupted or bothered by one of their requests. What's more important than listening to music or reading comics? Not mowing the grass or running to the store to get milk or bread. Yet, I loved my parents but I loved myself a little more back then. Isn't this the trouble with us sometimes in our love for God? The writer of John is saying that in our relationship with God it's all about love and in our love for God we have to throw in there the reality that love involves others as well. And our obedience lived out is what amazed and conquers the world. When we respond in love to things that most would expect vengeance or hatred, the world is conquered. Jesus is the key to this amazing life that more need to be living. For the writer our faith is not simply believing, it is putting into practice the teachings and commands and examples of the Lord in our lives.
Think on the places where you are not living this way; your home, your work, your church,and ask yourself prayerfully what you can do to combat and change that for good.
The world is watching. And the world is in need.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our love for You be shared with others in a way that conquers the world. In Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Loving God and Living Love
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 1 Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. 2 The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? 3The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 4 Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. 5 The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 6 Jesus - the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God's presence at Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us.[(s15.7)] A triple testimony (The Message)
I remember the time when anything my parents asked me to do was troublesome. I was just too into whatever it was that I was doing to be interrupted or bothered by one of their requests. What's more important than listening to music or reading comics? Not mowing the grass or running to the store to get milk or bread. Yet, I loved my parents but I loved myself a little more back then. Isn't this the trouble with us sometimes in our love for God? The writer of John is saying that in our relationship with God it's all about love and in our love for God we have to throw in there the reality that love involves others as well. And our obedience lived out is what amazed and conquers the world. When we respond in love to things that most would expect vengeance or hatred, the world is conquered. Jesus is the key to this amazing life that more need to be living. For the writer our faith is not simply believing, it is putting into practice the teachings and commands and examples of the Lord in our lives.
Think on the places where you are not living this way; your home, your work, your church,and ask yourself prayerfully what you can do to combat and change that for good.
The world is watching. And the world is in need.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our love for You be shared with others in a way that conquers the world. In Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today comes from 1 John 5: 1 Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. 2 The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? 3The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 4 Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. 5 The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 6 Jesus - the Divine Christ! He experienced a life-giving birth and a death-killing death. Not only birth from the womb, but baptismal birth of his ministry and sacrificial death. And all the while the Spirit is confirming the truth, the reality of God's presence at Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, bringing those occasions alive for us.[(s15.7)] A triple testimony (The Message)
I remember the time when anything my parents asked me to do was troublesome. I was just too into whatever it was that I was doing to be interrupted or bothered by one of their requests. What's more important than listening to music or reading comics? Not mowing the grass or running to the store to get milk or bread. Yet, I loved my parents but I loved myself a little more back then. Isn't this the trouble with us sometimes in our love for God? The writer of John is saying that in our relationship with God it's all about love and in our love for God we have to throw in there the reality that love involves others as well. And our obedience lived out is what amazed and conquers the world. When we respond in love to things that most would expect vengeance or hatred, the world is conquered. Jesus is the key to this amazing life that more need to be living. For the writer our faith is not simply believing, it is putting into practice the teachings and commands and examples of the Lord in our lives.
Think on the places where you are not living this way; your home, your work, your church,and ask yourself prayerfully what you can do to combat and change that for good.
The world is watching. And the world is in need.
PRAYER: Loving God, may our love for You be shared with others in a way that conquers the world. In Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Ready For Outsiders?
Good day dear friends.
Our text for today is from Acts 10:44 No sooner were these words out of Peter's mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. 45The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on "outsider" Gentiles, 46 but there it was - they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God. 47 "Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did." 48 Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days. (The Message)
Can you imagine "outsiders" receiving the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine outsiders coming into our churches? Can you imagine outsiders leading our churches? Such was the reaction on the "believing Jews" who came with Peter to visit the Gentile (non-Jews) Chrisitans when they experienced hearing these outsiders speaking and praising God in other tongues. Is your church ready for that? I will never forget one Sunday in one of the churches I served when one Sunday morning we sang one of the eighteen Spanish hymns in our UM Hymnal. It is one of my favorite bymns and I was truly blessed . At the receiving line after worship a man so angry she was shaking said, "This is America! Why are we singing in a foreign language? Are we going to sing in Polish next Sunday?". I replied, "Yak se mas!" ( or however you spell it) and she stormed off to write a letter to the S.P.R.C. Which I turn became an item at our next meeting. Not every one is ready for outsiders nor the tongues spoken by outsiders but still they wonder why our churches are dying?
Peter, as well as Paul, knew the future of the Christian Church lay in reaching the outsiders. Actually, God knew that and used these to begin the move towards that goal. Today as our neighborhoods shift and as outsiders come in, will you be open to their presence?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people and languages, open my eyes and the eyes and hearts of all who call themselves Christian to become open to Yournwork among and through "outsiders.". In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen,
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today is from Acts 10:44 No sooner were these words out of Peter's mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. 45The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on "outsider" Gentiles, 46 but there it was - they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God. 47 "Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did." 48 Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days. (The Message)
Can you imagine "outsiders" receiving the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine outsiders coming into our churches? Can you imagine outsiders leading our churches? Such was the reaction on the "believing Jews" who came with Peter to visit the Gentile (non-Jews) Chrisitans when they experienced hearing these outsiders speaking and praising God in other tongues. Is your church ready for that? I will never forget one Sunday in one of the churches I served when one Sunday morning we sang one of the eighteen Spanish hymns in our UM Hymnal. It is one of my favorite bymns and I was truly blessed . At the receiving line after worship a man so angry she was shaking said, "This is America! Why are we singing in a foreign language? Are we going to sing in Polish next Sunday?". I replied, "Yak se mas!" ( or however you spell it) and she stormed off to write a letter to the S.P.R.C. Which I turn became an item at our next meeting. Not every one is ready for outsiders nor the tongues spoken by outsiders but still they wonder why our churches are dying?
Peter, as well as Paul, knew the future of the Christian Church lay in reaching the outsiders. Actually, God knew that and used these to begin the move towards that goal. Today as our neighborhoods shift and as outsiders come in, will you be open to their presence?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people and languages, open my eyes and the eyes and hearts of all who call themselves Christian to become open to Yournwork among and through "outsiders.". In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen,
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Monday, May 07, 2012
At Home in God's Love?
Good day dear friends.
This coming Sunday is Mother's Day here in the USA. Please don't forget and hubbies, NEVER, I repeat NEVER use the excuse to your wife, "You're not my mother!" WRONG! That's all I'm going to say about that!
Our text for this coming Sunday from the Gospels is from John 15: 9 "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done - kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. 11 "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. 12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. 13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. 14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you. 15 I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. 16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.17 "But remember the root command: Love one another. (The Message)
Nellie and I have been away from home for almost half a month. Home is a special word and an even more special place. By the way, Sunday is also Festival of the Christian Home. And the version of the recommended Lectionary text makes it easy to preach or hear a sermon on home. When I was not married, my home was with my Mom and Dad. I could truly be myself there and I felt welcome and loved whenever I was there. When I went away to college I longed for home and during the first two years of college went home almost every other week. There were so many from Houston at my school that getting a ride was no problem. There was one friend whose girlfriend was in Houston and so he went home every weekend. He didn't provide a helmet to ride in his car with him and at times it seems like it was truly needed! Now that Nellie and I have made a home, it's still the place to be. It's a refuge from the world and a place to truly be ourselves and to enjoy each other's company and to be blessed by the love we have for each other, and that's what Jesus was saying about making ourselves "at home" in God's love. Be yourself, find refuge from the world, enjoy God's company, and be blessed by the awesomeness of God's love.
Being at home in God's love means that we have to take that love wherever we go. We have to love others. That means everyone. No distinctions, no judgments about whom you can or cannot love; God meant everybody. And God meant that for the basic interactions that should be occurring with basic human presence. Civility, kindness, courtesy, caring for one another. And I think this is where we fail sometimes as individuals or as a Church. We put more importance on our needs than those of others and we close the doors of our homes to other people. Three weeks ago I was the Emcee at a special Wesley Community Center banquet where awards were given to the person(s) who exhibited Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors. I was asked to say a word about what each meant. I asked the question of those in the audience of who was young enough to remember sitting on their front porch and having interaction with their neighbors? Most of my age and above did. I then asked, but who was the person who invented the deck? What drove us from the front porch to the privacy and security of our decks? The deck is usually situated between a privacy fence big enough to hide what we are doing from our next door neighbors. You will rarely see a new home built with a porch. I also believe that when we could afford air conditioning that further drove us away from interaction with others.
Whom will you invite to the "front porch" of your life? Will all be welcome? Will you share God's love so that others may be at home with God?
PRAYER: Loving God, we fear our neighbors and that is why we live now in homes securely locked and without front porches. We have decks for those rare times we want to be outside. And we enjoy the comfort of air conditioning. Sadly, Lord, You know that is how we also live our lives, insulated from others and not wanting interaction with others. May You forgive us for that and move us towards being neighbors that love everyone. We cannot do it without Your love and strength; bless us with those; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
This coming Sunday is Mother's Day here in the USA. Please don't forget and hubbies, NEVER, I repeat NEVER use the excuse to your wife, "You're not my mother!" WRONG! That's all I'm going to say about that!
Our text for this coming Sunday from the Gospels is from John 15: 9 "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done - kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. 11 "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. 12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. 13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. 14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you. 15 I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. 16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.17 "But remember the root command: Love one another. (The Message)
Nellie and I have been away from home for almost half a month. Home is a special word and an even more special place. By the way, Sunday is also Festival of the Christian Home. And the version of the recommended Lectionary text makes it easy to preach or hear a sermon on home. When I was not married, my home was with my Mom and Dad. I could truly be myself there and I felt welcome and loved whenever I was there. When I went away to college I longed for home and during the first two years of college went home almost every other week. There were so many from Houston at my school that getting a ride was no problem. There was one friend whose girlfriend was in Houston and so he went home every weekend. He didn't provide a helmet to ride in his car with him and at times it seems like it was truly needed! Now that Nellie and I have made a home, it's still the place to be. It's a refuge from the world and a place to truly be ourselves and to enjoy each other's company and to be blessed by the love we have for each other, and that's what Jesus was saying about making ourselves "at home" in God's love. Be yourself, find refuge from the world, enjoy God's company, and be blessed by the awesomeness of God's love.
Being at home in God's love means that we have to take that love wherever we go. We have to love others. That means everyone. No distinctions, no judgments about whom you can or cannot love; God meant everybody. And God meant that for the basic interactions that should be occurring with basic human presence. Civility, kindness, courtesy, caring for one another. And I think this is where we fail sometimes as individuals or as a Church. We put more importance on our needs than those of others and we close the doors of our homes to other people. Three weeks ago I was the Emcee at a special Wesley Community Center banquet where awards were given to the person(s) who exhibited Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors. I was asked to say a word about what each meant. I asked the question of those in the audience of who was young enough to remember sitting on their front porch and having interaction with their neighbors? Most of my age and above did. I then asked, but who was the person who invented the deck? What drove us from the front porch to the privacy and security of our decks? The deck is usually situated between a privacy fence big enough to hide what we are doing from our next door neighbors. You will rarely see a new home built with a porch. I also believe that when we could afford air conditioning that further drove us away from interaction with others.
Whom will you invite to the "front porch" of your life? Will all be welcome? Will you share God's love so that others may be at home with God?
PRAYER: Loving God, we fear our neighbors and that is why we live now in homes securely locked and without front porches. We have decks for those rare times we want to be outside. And we enjoy the comfort of air conditioning. Sadly, Lord, You know that is how we also live our lives, insulated from others and not wanting interaction with others. May You forgive us for that and move us towards being neighbors that love everyone. We cannot do it without Your love and strength; bless us with those; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Friday, May 04, 2012
Worship is Key!
Good day dear friends. Today is the tenth and last day of General Conference 2012 in Tampa, Florida. We are set to adjourn this afternoon at 5:30 p.m., but many suspect we will be finishing closer to 12 midnight. My prayer blog for today can be found at http://50daysprayer.blogspot.com/2012/05/goodbye-farewell-hasta-la-vista.html.
Our text comes from Psalm 22: 25 Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. 26 Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. "Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!" 27 From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. 28 God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word. 29 All the power-mongers are before him - worshiping! All the poor and powerless, too - worshiping! Along with those who never got it together - worshiping! 30Our children and their children will get in on this As the word is passed along from parent to child.31 Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news - that God does what he says. (The Message)
Worship is an essential part of life. This time spent in General Conference, ten days with delegates from all over the world, has been a time of making decisions, plans, and worship. Worship has been key. All types of worship styles have been shared with us. There has not been one quiet lunch or break time in which the music of praise in some language has not wafted through the air of our meeting spaces. Some worship styles have blessed, some have troubled, some have even angered; but the purpose has not been about us, but about God. This psalm, part of which Jesus uttered from the cross, shares the psalmist's faith that the day would come when all those who knew and loved the Lord God would return to a place of worship. So strong is his faith that he says even unborn children would hear the good news.
There are several unborn children among us and they have been hearing this music and I wonder how it is blessing them as they continue to develop in their mother's womb. I also wondered what our Church will look like in their lifetime and I pray that it will have the fruits of our labors during our time together. It will begin with revival; a complete surrender of our lives and wills to God, repentant about our sins and a willingness to receive and take advantage of any second chances God will give us to live lives of righteousness. Let it begin with me.
PRAYER: Loving God of new life, start in me and those who pray this prayer as theirs. May our lives be transformed so that we can transform the world. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our text comes from Psalm 22: 25 Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. 26 Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. "Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!" 27 From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. 28 God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word. 29 All the power-mongers are before him - worshiping! All the poor and powerless, too - worshiping! Along with those who never got it together - worshiping! 30Our children and their children will get in on this As the word is passed along from parent to child.31 Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news - that God does what he says. (The Message)
Worship is an essential part of life. This time spent in General Conference, ten days with delegates from all over the world, has been a time of making decisions, plans, and worship. Worship has been key. All types of worship styles have been shared with us. There has not been one quiet lunch or break time in which the music of praise in some language has not wafted through the air of our meeting spaces. Some worship styles have blessed, some have troubled, some have even angered; but the purpose has not been about us, but about God. This psalm, part of which Jesus uttered from the cross, shares the psalmist's faith that the day would come when all those who knew and loved the Lord God would return to a place of worship. So strong is his faith that he says even unborn children would hear the good news.
There are several unborn children among us and they have been hearing this music and I wonder how it is blessing them as they continue to develop in their mother's womb. I also wondered what our Church will look like in their lifetime and I pray that it will have the fruits of our labors during our time together. It will begin with revival; a complete surrender of our lives and wills to God, repentant about our sins and a willingness to receive and take advantage of any second chances God will give us to live lives of righteousness. Let it begin with me.
PRAYER: Loving God of new life, start in me and those who pray this prayer as theirs. May our lives be transformed so that we can transform the world. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Got Love?
Good day dear friends. Live from Tampa, Florida, as the 2012 General Conference winds down. Much has happened, some are pleased, some are not. Do your own reading and decide for yourself.
Our text for today is this coming Sunday's Epistle reading from 1 John 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (NRSV)
I know I've shared this story before, but I pray it's been some time since, so you can share it with those who have never heard it. A young couple, deeply (I started to say "madly") in love, go to lunch to talk about their upcoming marriage. She brings along her childhood Bible so that they can together find a verse that best describes the love and perhaps put it on their wedding cake. They find the verse found above, verse 18, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts our fear." After lunch she goes to have coffee with her mother. The mom weeps with joy and the napkin on which they scribbled the verse is later given to the baker. When the big day arrives the ceremony goes off without a hitch, a beautiful event. When they get to the reception hall, as they are led to the cake the bride breaks down in tears for the smeared napkin given to the baker resulted in his going to John 4:18 which reads, "for you have had five husband, and the one you have now is not your husband." I don't know if that is a true story or not, but the message from John is true and perfect, we must be people of love.
We are recipients of God's perfect love and it is that sort of love we must share. The Church is the only place where agape, unconditional, love should be shared with people. The more we show love, the more people will see God. And the verse mentioned in the joke above is perhaps the most telling; as a Church we should show a love that has no fear. Do we? Or do we make ministry and program decisions based on fear more than love? Many are the churches that say they cannot do this or that because they do not have the money. What they really don't have is perfect love; they have plenty of fear. What we should show is the love for all people, claiming and living in love with all people even those who do not look nor speak like us.
PRAYER: Loving God, as we prepare for Sunday, prepare us for today. Let us know that today is the day in which we can receive and share perfect love, the love without fear. Help us to trust You more and love You and Yours more; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Our text for today is this coming Sunday's Epistle reading from 1 John 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (NRSV)
I know I've shared this story before, but I pray it's been some time since, so you can share it with those who have never heard it. A young couple, deeply (I started to say "madly") in love, go to lunch to talk about their upcoming marriage. She brings along her childhood Bible so that they can together find a verse that best describes the love and perhaps put it on their wedding cake. They find the verse found above, verse 18, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts our fear." After lunch she goes to have coffee with her mother. The mom weeps with joy and the napkin on which they scribbled the verse is later given to the baker. When the big day arrives the ceremony goes off without a hitch, a beautiful event. When they get to the reception hall, as they are led to the cake the bride breaks down in tears for the smeared napkin given to the baker resulted in his going to John 4:18 which reads, "for you have had five husband, and the one you have now is not your husband." I don't know if that is a true story or not, but the message from John is true and perfect, we must be people of love.
We are recipients of God's perfect love and it is that sort of love we must share. The Church is the only place where agape, unconditional, love should be shared with people. The more we show love, the more people will see God. And the verse mentioned in the joke above is perhaps the most telling; as a Church we should show a love that has no fear. Do we? Or do we make ministry and program decisions based on fear more than love? Many are the churches that say they cannot do this or that because they do not have the money. What they really don't have is perfect love; they have plenty of fear. What we should show is the love for all people, claiming and living in love with all people even those who do not look nor speak like us.
PRAYER: Loving God, as we prepare for Sunday, prepare us for today. Let us know that today is the day in which we can receive and share perfect love, the love without fear. Help us to trust You more and love You and Yours more; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Why Did You Take My Minister Away?
Good day dear friends. I thank you all for your prayers for us who are delegates to the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Florida. We are way behind schedule and today will be a very heavy day. Your prayers for wisdom and peace will be a blessing to us all.
The text for this coming Sunday from the Book of Acts is found in Acts 8: 26 Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." 27 He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.28 He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." 30 Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" 31 He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. 32 The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. 33 He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth? 34 The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" 35 Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.36 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be. 40 Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea. (The Message)
All of our spiritual disciplines are interrelated; if you read the Bible, you should pray for deeper and better understanding. If you worship, you should take a Bible with you to better understand the sermon and other messages that God may share during worship. If you sing, you should know the message behind the song or hymn and sometimes the song will show the biblical passage behind the author's writing such a message. This passage is about that exact same thing. The Holy Spirit guided Philip to a person who did not yet understand God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The person in question was an official of a foreign court, who also happened to be a man of Jewish faith. As he read a particular passage he was reading Isaiah and did not quite understand what he was reading. It was a passage foretelling the coming Messiah and what He would endure for our sake. Philip took advantage of that opening and shared Jesus with him, leading the official to ask for baptism, which he received. Then the Holy Spirit whisked away Philip, but the official had something far better, the new knowledge and relationship with God.
While we are ending appointment season, this passage should be preached about our system. The official did not cry nor yell, "Wait! I was just getting to know this servant of Yours, why is he being taken away so soon?" The official knew his need had been met in God through this servant and having that the man moved on with his life and although the Bible does not tell us more about him, his life was different and he may have had a hand in bringing more people to that special relationship that is ours in Jesus Christ.
What have you done with the first time God met your need in Jesus and you accepted Him as Lord and Savior? Well, it's not too late, get busy!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the servants You have used in my life and in the life of this dear reader to bring them to relationship with You. May we understand that although that first servant is now long gone, we have the most important part, a relationship in Jesus because of his/her work. May we now understand and undertake that which is ours to do; sharing Jesus. We ask for wisdom, courage and boldness in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
The text for this coming Sunday from the Book of Acts is found in Acts 8: 26 Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." 27 He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.28 He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." 30 Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" 31 He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. 32 The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. 33 He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth? 34 The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" 35 Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.36 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be. 40 Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea. (The Message)
All of our spiritual disciplines are interrelated; if you read the Bible, you should pray for deeper and better understanding. If you worship, you should take a Bible with you to better understand the sermon and other messages that God may share during worship. If you sing, you should know the message behind the song or hymn and sometimes the song will show the biblical passage behind the author's writing such a message. This passage is about that exact same thing. The Holy Spirit guided Philip to a person who did not yet understand God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The person in question was an official of a foreign court, who also happened to be a man of Jewish faith. As he read a particular passage he was reading Isaiah and did not quite understand what he was reading. It was a passage foretelling the coming Messiah and what He would endure for our sake. Philip took advantage of that opening and shared Jesus with him, leading the official to ask for baptism, which he received. Then the Holy Spirit whisked away Philip, but the official had something far better, the new knowledge and relationship with God.
While we are ending appointment season, this passage should be preached about our system. The official did not cry nor yell, "Wait! I was just getting to know this servant of Yours, why is he being taken away so soon?" The official knew his need had been met in God through this servant and having that the man moved on with his life and although the Bible does not tell us more about him, his life was different and he may have had a hand in bringing more people to that special relationship that is ours in Jesus Christ.
What have you done with the first time God met your need in Jesus and you accepted Him as Lord and Savior? Well, it's not too late, get busy!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the servants You have used in my life and in the life of this dear reader to bring them to relationship with You. May we understand that although that first servant is now long gone, we have the most important part, a relationship in Jesus because of his/her work. May we now understand and undertake that which is ours to do; sharing Jesus. We ask for wisdom, courage and boldness in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Abide in Jesus!
Good day dear friends. This morning's prayer for General Conference is posted at http://50daysprayer.blogspot.com/2012/05/take-heart-be-not-afraid.html.
Our gospel text for this coming Sunday is found in John 15: 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (NRSV)
This very powerful and moving statement comes after the chapter in which Jesus had shared with His disciples that He was going to be taken from them. John 14 was the subject of a devotional yesterday that spoke of something leading universities had some time ago called "the infidel club," where skeptics of God would gather to read and tear apart scripture. It is said that one night one club gathered to discuss John 14. The leader began to read the passage and soon one of the students exclaimed, "That is wonderful!" Another soon said, "That is beautiful," and soon a third, "That is grand!" As the Holy Spirit moved among that group, even the leader had to exclaim that the "Book was divine." Add to it this passage that speaks of Jesus' desire to have us "abide" in Him. The illustration is that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. That connectedness is what brings us blessings and results in our Christian lives. If we try to cut that relationship, we find that most times we fail or we can do nothing. But it is in the connectedness, in the fullness of that relationship that we can have fruit and be known as disciples.
To abide means to dwell in or with. The invitation from Jesus is to stay with Him on a daily basis. To live with Jesus means to walk with Jesus; to walk with Jesus means to know Jesus and act as Jesus. To abide with Jesus means to reach out in love to others, just like Jesus. We've said many times to friends or maybe just to each other, that some married couples after living together for some years begin to look alike. Could that be said of you and Jesus?
PRAYER: Loving Jesus, abide in me and let me abide in You. Help my actions and life reflect Your presence in a way that blesses You and Yours; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Our gospel text for this coming Sunday is found in John 15: 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (NRSV)
This very powerful and moving statement comes after the chapter in which Jesus had shared with His disciples that He was going to be taken from them. John 14 was the subject of a devotional yesterday that spoke of something leading universities had some time ago called "the infidel club," where skeptics of God would gather to read and tear apart scripture. It is said that one night one club gathered to discuss John 14. The leader began to read the passage and soon one of the students exclaimed, "That is wonderful!" Another soon said, "That is beautiful," and soon a third, "That is grand!" As the Holy Spirit moved among that group, even the leader had to exclaim that the "Book was divine." Add to it this passage that speaks of Jesus' desire to have us "abide" in Him. The illustration is that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. That connectedness is what brings us blessings and results in our Christian lives. If we try to cut that relationship, we find that most times we fail or we can do nothing. But it is in the connectedness, in the fullness of that relationship that we can have fruit and be known as disciples.
To abide means to dwell in or with. The invitation from Jesus is to stay with Him on a daily basis. To live with Jesus means to walk with Jesus; to walk with Jesus means to know Jesus and act as Jesus. To abide with Jesus means to reach out in love to others, just like Jesus. We've said many times to friends or maybe just to each other, that some married couples after living together for some years begin to look alike. Could that be said of you and Jesus?
PRAYER: Loving Jesus, abide in me and let me abide in You. Help my actions and life reflect Your presence in a way that blesses You and Yours; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
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