Rolling Up Our Sleeves!

1 Peter 1:10 The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. 11 The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it - that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. 12 All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves - through the Holy Spirit - the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! 13 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. (The Message)

Our hall closets are filled with surprises for the little one in our house. Our son-in-law works at a store where he has had great discounts on the gifts that he and our daughter will be sharing with their son. You know that our grandson has no idea of what is there, but if he did, I venture to guess that not one surprise would be left unopened. Peter is reminding us that thousands of years ago, the prophets wondered, What is this message God has asked me to share, all about? They were not privileged to know what we know. Theirs was but a piece of an awesome puzzle that we have seen completed in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit did share with them that this Messiah, the Anointed One of God would experience suffering, then would experience glory. They wanted to know who and when. All they were told, and it was enough for them, was that they were serving God. We, on the other hand, we have heard the complete message, we know the story of Jesus. We are blessed, but what are we doing about it? Peter says, "Angels would have given anything to be in on this!" What we can do is to "roll up (our) sleeves," and put our mind in gear and be completely ready to receive the gift that is coming when Jesus returns.

It's a divine coincidence that today, Nellie and I, and a group of about 30 from our two conferences, will be rolling up our sleeves and taking to the streets of South Corpus Christi to share the news of the coming new church to their area. Groups have gone before us and they have been blessed with divine appointments, prayers offered for people who could not believe that at the right time, God sent them someone to pray for them. One of the most moving stories is that of a couple outside, asked by the new pastor of that church if he and his prayer partner could pray for them. They said Yes, pray for our marriage. They had been discussing divorce and this divine appointment blessed them and their relationship.

Are your sleeves rolled up to share in that which you have received the precious and powerful message of Jesus Christ?

PRAYER: Awesome God, bless us as we seek to bless You and Yours. Help us to not find excuses, but instead to roll up our sleeves to do Your work. We pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS This message comes a little late because we got up early and stood in line to vote. We were about 12 from the front and it took us 40 minutes to vote. If you have not yet voted, please do!