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Hear the Devotional Narrated here: https://bit.ly/3fpblVM
24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' 28 He answered, "An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, "Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he replied, "No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' " 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 NRSV)
Happy Monday, dear Friend! I pray that Lord's rich blessings be with you and those whom you care about. I share a word of praise for Mr. Chet Marko and his family as they are on the mend after their battle with Covid-19. Chet is not 100% yet, but expects to be there soon. His wife, and his father are doing better, and we thank God for those news. I ask continued prayers for The Rev. Rob Clopton, as he has discovered the mass near his kidney is cancerous and doctors will have to remove the mass as well as the kidney. Prayers for Rob and Sandra and all who are praying for them. Our continued prayers for those battling impatience or boredom during this critical time. Prayers also for our nephew and his entire family in the RG Valley who have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Pray for their recovery and healing. Also, prayers for The Rev. Dr. Daniel Z. Rodriguez, retired pastor from our conference, in the hospital awaiting hip surgery. Prayers for his wife, Evelí as well. Dan was one of my childhood pastors in Kingsville. He arrived single there and married Eveli during that time. Prayers for the family of The Rev. Dr. Winn Alley, retired pastor and friend; formerly of our conference; died in Illinois. Prayers for his widow, Sandy, and their children. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
Many of us have seen stories of coworkers of someone who has done something really atrocious or suffered a great loss; when questioned, the coworkers answer, "I would never have suspected such a thing from him/her; they were so nice, quiet, and kind..." Jesus has just shared a teaching on how we receive or reject God's word. We may work alongside someone who does not care about God or God's people. We may even work among people who have not yet heard the word of God's saving grace. We may even have family members who fit one or two of those categories. The question becomes, what have we done to help them find the answers they may be asking.
I've shared before the story I read in a San Antonio newspaper about two men who retired the same day after about 35 years of working alongside each other. It was also on that day they discovered they were both United Methodists. What wonderful things they must have shared about work, family, hobbies, fears, concerns, but not one word about church, Sunday services, sermons, Sunday school lessons, or Bible studies. One can easily understand the old adage about not speaking about religion or politics; yet, how do we share life-saving words with those in need or perishing?
Jesus compared our life situation being like those who believe in Him as being "good seed among thorns," those who reject Him; and we wonder, how do people purposely become "children of the evil one?" Well, rather than getting into a long checklist, let's just ask ourselves; do we live a life that reflects the presence and peace of Jesus and His love towards others? Or, are we giving off indications that our choices were not only done with the Lord's guidance, and we are not truly living a life about the fullness of life. Do not be deceived dear friends, Jesus spoke clearly about what is coming. Look again at verses 41 to 43: Jesus is sending His angels to collect out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them (He's talking about people!) into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Not exactly a vacation paradise friends. Yes, the jokes about Texas' heat are funny, but the heat in Texas does not compare to the heat of the furnaces Jesus is talking about . Jesus also said, "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"
Dear one, if you truly feel in your soul that you are not right with God, right now is the time to make a change from certain eternal death to fullness of life here, and the eternal life blessed with the presence of God always. Please make the right decision.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we realize that choices made by us sometimes have not been made in love or counsel with You; forgive us for those, and lead us away from the consequences of them and into the fullness of life, as Jesus promised. Give us all the mind of Christ, the heart of Jesus, and the wisdom to make the right choices now and always. In His name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share a word of hope and love with all people today and all days.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
