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So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God. (Ephesians 2:11-22)
May this be a wonderful day for you dearFriend! May the joys of the Lord start flowing fresh into your heart, mind, and spirit as we devote time to Him through our study and prayer. I would add that Satan have nothing to do in your life or mine, in the Name of Jesus! I thank you all for the prayers for my dear brother in Christ, Rev. Virgilio Vasquez Garza. His surgery went well and the doctor will evaluate him tomorrow. Pray that that go well. Jenice Benedict has asked that I share this with you: "After 5 months of being in a cast and then in a walking cast boot (because she shattered her tibia in 20 pieces while skiing in February and had surgery to repair), our daughter Alison is now using just a leg brace to do her walking and physical therapy. Going through this ordeal has been hard not only because of the great pain but being a single person (with no helper) in a state so far away from home while continuing to do her job in dental sales. Now, she has new aches and pains all associated with using the leg and muscles. The whole process has been a battle mentally and physically. Please continue to pray for Alison's complete healing and restored leg function. Thank you. Please pray for Alison and her Mom and Dad.
My dad's best work friend was a man named Jim. It didn't start out that way, because Jim decided, without knowing my dad, that he hated him. My dad was a wonderful man in the regard he loved all people and had a sense of humor that broke down walls and barriers. Jim was blunt in telling my dad that he had no use for him and before too long, Jim and my dad were carpooling to work together. Later, when Jim's daughter committed suicide, the only one Jim sought was my dad. I have shared with you that our oldest one day went to talk to Mom with a conversation that went something like, "Not everybody likes Dad, right?" It helped explain why she no longer wanted to attend Sunday school in the church I was serving. Nellie had to tell her that not everyone would always like her either. Sad reality.
Imagine being on the outside because of the way you were born. I can't remember the day before I was born being asked by God what I wanted to be in terms of my race or nationality. Neither can you. But the problem is still with us. Christ came so that we could break down those barriers and instead of having walls, use the bricks to make homes or stoves or fireplaces; useful things like shelter, feeding the hungry, and warming the poor with no resources with which to stay warm. In the church at Ephesus, the problem was very much alive. The question was, "Do you have to be Jewish to be a Christian? Or, can you become a Christian without becoming a Jew?" You can imagine, some said, "Yes, you have to be a Jew; in fact, you must be circumcised for you to accept Jesus as your Lord." Others, "No, you can accept Jesus as Lord without having to become a Jew first." The biggest issue for the ones who wanted people to be Jews first, especially believed that the males had to have been circumcised in the flesh before becoming Christian. The once top Jewish persecutor, Paul, who before meeting Jesus, now argued for the ones who were Gentiles to not be Jews first. The reality, Paul argues, is that before Christ, we were aliens and outsiders; Christ opened the door for us to come in, and now we're all part of the same family. Where we were once far away from each other, now we're close; all because of the blood of Jesus. Once we were living without peace; now He is our peace. Once we were two separate groups; now we're one. Once we had a wall separating us; Christ broke down that wall. Jesus came to put to death the hostilities we have felt for one another. Paul believes, as should we, that Christ came to do away with not only the labels, but the practices that once separated us; strangers no more; aliens no more - we are all citizens and saints, members of the same household of God. If we would practice that radical love, the world would begin to change immediately.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that I among all people, sometimes build walls so that others can stay out of my life. Help me to tear those walls down, and to use those materials for the good of others. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Smile at those who frown at you. Not only may they crack a smile, you might just crack a wall...
Eradio Valverde
