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16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:16-21 NRSV)
Good Wednesday, dear Friend. I apologize for not letting you know earlier about the crud visiting Nellie and our household. Thankfully, I am on the mend and I feel well enough to write a devotional. Thank you for your prayers. And as we pray, I respectfully ask for prayers for Mr. Jimmy Borrer, who continues in ICU in Kyle, TX. Prayers that a treatment he is receiving be that which he needs. Please pray for his wife and family. Also, Mr. Percy Pettus, longtime member of FUMC Gonzales passed away yesterday. I pray for his widow, Arlene. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
This is a letter from the head disciple, Peter, to the Church about his faith and his purpose in sharing what He saw and heard. The mutterings from doubters and even among Christians who were beginning to doubt; "We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty." In other words, this is the real deal and we know this because we saw it and we heard it from God, Who said, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Heaven called us! And we heard it! Just reading that again gives me chills. We were on that mountain top where Jesus and His inner circle of Peter, James, and John heard the voice. What a blessing to stand on that mountain where these fishermen from Galilee were blessed to hear the voice of the Almighty. Imagine having been one of those three. In your List of Top Three Things I Will Never Forget, hearing the voice of God declare Jesus as God's Son, and Beloved, would top that list. No one else in the whole world would ever have that same distinction. I think that Peter at this point in his life listed that above, "I betrayed Jesus three times..." Peter can assert that he along with two others, heard, understood, received, and believed the message that Jesus was Lord, Son of God, and the Messiah. This was the "lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star (Jesus) rises in your hearts." And all of this was from the Holy Spirit.
This epistle reading confirms the gospel lesson on the Transfiguration. It shows that the three disciples who witnessed that event received a blessing strong enough to keep moving forward in faith. They could say, "I was there and I heard it with my own ears!" And as loyal evangelists took it as their responsibility to share those news with all who would hear.
You and I have had our own personal experience with the Lord. Something has confirmed to us that Jesus is real, that He is alive, and that He still is that bright lamp shining for all who need it. For those living in despair, they need to hear everything about Jesus and what He offers to all in need. It falls on us to share with all who will listen.
PRAYER: Awesome God, shine Your light brightly on us and on those who need to know about Who You are and what You do for those in despair. Bless our faith, bless those for whom we are praying. We lift up Jimmy Borrer for Your healing touch to be with him and Your comfort with Kathleen and family. Bless our sister Arlene. In Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Help us be light bearers.
Receive my blessings of peace and love.
Pastor Eradio Valverde
