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12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 1 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 New Revised Standard Version)
A blessed and tremendous Tuesday be yours, ConCafe Family! May the joys of the Lord strengthen you in rich and awesome ways is my prayer for you, Friend. Pray for one another. Pray for your own needs. Prayers for this old man as I will be filling in for our pastor, Matt Pennington, who has not had a break in a long time. Prayers for him to get some rest and that God share with me the words I should share with the kind folks of First UMC of Gonzales.
Paul believed that if one believed in Christ, that person should not only live, but act, with boldness; such is the hope that we have found in Christ Jesus. Paul believed and rightly so, that many believers would rather live guarded lives with guarded minds. His comparison is to use the scriptural reference to Moses, who when he saw that his encounters with God affected his countenance, that if he wore a veil after each appointed time, that would be beneficial to the people; but what happened was the veiled face made for veiled minds. A veiled mind does not fully understand nor appreciate the great stregnth and beauty of what God shares through His word. There is no fullness of truth nor life found in the hearts, minds, and spirits of the veiled. Paul says that those who come to know Christ come to an unveiling, meaning the shallowness is removed and replaced by the fullness of God. To see the fullness of God is to reflect the glory of God and we are therefore transformed into the same image of glory that is found in God. And thus comes encouragement for the work of ministry that we have been entrusted to do.
If we're honest, we sometimes have those days where someone has hidden our energy and our drive. And it's not under the bed or in the closet; it's right where it has always been, but it has taken a backseat to fear, doubt, and anxiety. Paul says if we can recover our seeing the glory of God present and active in our lives, we can recover hope and with the recovery of hope comes the drive that we need every day. Thanks to God's mercy, we have been forgiven and given new opportunity to serve. And since God's mercy has allowed us to renounce the shameful things that we used to hide. We commit ourselves solely to the sharing of God's truth, which in turn, blesses all who seek God.
Tuesday seems like a great day to hear this message. It may be that a close loved one is feeling a bit anxious in her/his life, but hasn't said anything about it; but knowing there is help, both in God, and those called to be trained and licensed to help, we can find that which we need to keep moving forward. We should let no burden or worry weigh us down when we have the glory of God within our reach. And that is a message we can share with others.
PRAYER: Loving God, burden us with Your love, and shine on us the glory of God. Bless those whom we love with that which they need. For those who need healing but fear the road ahead as scary, lighten their load with hope and the surety of Your presence with them. For those who fear the unknown and that burdens them with fear, shine through us, the light of peace that with You by our side,we can face and defeat all things that are not from You. For those who need sleep, bring calm and stillness to anxious heart and troubled minds, and grant them Thy peace; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Be all the things that God has given you to be!
Receive my blessings of peace and joy,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
