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25 All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long 26 but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. 27 All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! (Romans 16:25-27 The Message)
Happy Tuesday, dear ConCafe Family! All praises to God Who makes all things possible, and showers us with His mercy, grace, and love! And may His special favor shine upon you, dear Friend in your daily walk with Him is my prayer.
We are praise people, or should be. Our lips should be wholely employed in praising God, i.e. giving God praise, thanks, and glory! What percentage do you think your lips are used for that? During the political season, hmm, I heard from both sides of the aisle some non-praisey things; and during Medicare's AEP, those commercials shown almost nonstop had many a person stopping at my table just to complain about the number of ads that were being run. Some even to complain about a certain former New York quarterback who seemed to be the spokesperson for wonderful checks of $144.80 that were due to all seniors. Let me say the word "misleading," seemed to be on my lips to many a person who asked. But that's neither here nor there! Amp up your lips to sing God's praises! Paul did! And he's encouraging the congregation in the Roman church to follow his example in thanking God for the strength that comes in our working our lips for positive good in glorifying God! What was once a mystery (God's love through Jesus) is no longer a mystery, but a open, declared fact! And the Scriptures, long held by ancients to hold unexplainable, wonderful mysteries, now are seen as prophetic books, openly and boldly declaring the works of God to all people!
And the news were too powerful to keep in a corner of the world; now these are to be shared to all people in all corners of the world; that God is love and God's love has been brought to us by Jesus, God's only begotten Son! And the response of all new believers (as well as older ones) is to be obedient to God, faithfully following and keeping the commands of God, "Down to the last letter." And all our praise will be focused on He who is the incarnation of God, Jesus! And Paul ends with "YES!"
I was so blessed most of yesterday spending most of the day with the cutest baby in the world. He's a content, happy, laughing, giggling baby, and more so because he gets to spend most of his day in the arms of a beautiful woman, his grandmother. But, he loves seeing me and talking to me in whatever language that is that he speaks. The squeals and coos are easy to understand, as are his cries when hungry or wet. Eli is a precious gift from God shared with his mom and dad, and with his entire family; and Nellie and I to be with him. I had to pull myself away this afternoon to drive back home and find myself now, close to the midnight hour praying and asking God about this passage and sharing the joys that I have experienced. Eli was a mystery for eight months or so; we knew he was in there and though the closer the day drew nearer for him to make his appearance, the scarier it got due to some things that were happening with his mommy; but when he made his appearance, the mystery was gone. We could see, hear and finally touch that precious baby. And the now common ways of sharing joy, social media, exploded with photos and descriptions of this baby boy. We want the world to know how awesome God was in sharing this baby with us. Imagine the joy that would be ours if we would devote that same attention and care to sharing Jesus and the love and wonders He has shared with us. That's what Paul is saying through this passage; people, come alive in sharing what you know about God and His Son, Jesus; tell the world and show the world through the responses you can share of how your life is better and blessed because you know and serve Him. Let the world come to know the focus that it should have on God through Jesus. And let the people of God say, "Yes!"
PRAYER: Loving Father, for that which is now revealed about You and Your Son, Jesus, we thank You. And we pray that we might indeed come alive in sharing the good news in whatever way we can so that more will know about the awesomeness of Your love and grace. Use us to cover every corner of the world with the joy and peace that is ours through the sharing of Jesus; this we pray in His Name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Come alive in sharing Jesus with as many as you can!
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
