Image from Mission Concepción in San Antonio, Texas. Photo by Eradio Valverde
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (1 John 3:1-7)
Dear Friend, may this find you drenched in the deluge of God's rich and wonderful blessings that have gone beyond the paper cup of expectation we carry around! God's too big to be skimpy with His blessings! Receive them and enjoy them, while sharing them with those who have not yet received God's love!
Nellie's paternal grandmother was really a great-aunt of hers. Mana was what they called her and she dedicated her whole life to raising my father-in-law and his siblings when they died at a young age. We talk about her often, last night being the most recent. This Wednesday at our discussion we will learn that in Heaven we will open our homes for fellowship and meals to those who have gone before us and who have died in the Lord. Among the ones Nellie and I are looking forward to seeing/meeting is Mana. As I read this morning's passage last night she entered into the discussion of one who abided, that is lived deeply in the Lord. Mana always had a Bible by her side and she always spoke positive, life-giving things to those around her, never condemning nor criticizing anyone. Perhaps you know someone like her, or yourself are one such person. I confess I am on my way there, but not quite there!
Hear what great things come to those who abide in the Lord: The first is God's love. Love so great from the Father that it makes us God's children! And while that in itself doesn't mean instant fame or recognition among those who don't know God, as we share God and God's love, they will come to know God and will know us as well. The second thing is that you and me are still a work in progress, under construction if you will. We're like that stretch of highway that isn't quite ready yet and two lanes become one while work is done on one of them - that's us! But the work will be completed, of that we should have no fear. In our journey we should rejoice in every phase of that which is still being done in and for us.
The great news is that when we see Jesus, we will recognize Him and we will become like Him! We saw the movie, Paul: Servant of Christ last week. It is a powerful movie, slow at first, but then gets good. And while this is a spoiler alert, you know that Paul saw Jesus and that first encounter changed his life and his last and final and eternal glimpse of Jesus was at his death; purity had fully become Paul's. As it will be ours.
Through Jesus we have hope. Hope is that ray of light that leads us through dark places with the expectation and knowledge that whatever has brought darkness or sadness to our lives will soon be gone. That hope leads us to purification in Jesus and guides us to a better way of life, seeking not sin, but to serve. And if we are in Christ, we are righteous people, no matter what our critics or enemies may say! If they see Jesus in us, they have seen righteousness! We have or can become, the stairs that lead to light and life as seen in the photo I have shared from Mission Concepción in San Antonio, Texas.
PRAYER: Loving Father, be glorified in the life of this dear reader. Guide us to accept and be love, hope, and purity for those who do not yet have it. Guide us all to be those who who have seen and received righteousness. This we pray in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be not stumbling blocks, but building blocks of faith that lead every upward!
Eradio Valverde
