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1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah) 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah) 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)-(Psalm 46, NRSV Bible)
A blessed and joyous Thursday to you, dear Friend! May it be a blessed day to witness to your faith and help others understand the beauty of giving thanks. I believe that if we started right now to list all the blessings God has shared with us we could not finish by the time we sit down a week from today to enjoy the feast that is Thanksgiving. God is good! All the time! And all the time? ____________!! And as we pray, please lift up Mrs. Glenna Reese in prayer as she undergoes knee replacement surgery in Houston tomorrow morning. Pray for their safe travel to Houston and back, and that God bless Glenna with a wonderful recovery and painless recovery. Prayers for Mr. Jorge Saenz and his post-surgery recovery today. He texted me to tell me the surgery went well, and we say, thanks be to God! I know Jorge to be in good spirits.
Like most young men of a certain age, Jorge Saenz has a favorite superhero that he's held on to for many years. I think the majority of young men at that age had the same superherto. I'm referring to the baby boy found by a Midwestern farm family when his spacecraft crashed near their home in a wheat field. The couple adopted the baby as theirs and named him Clark. You may know him better by his superhero name, Superman. The idea for such a character to be invented was marvelous. A seemingly human man who can do all things without fear or danger of death. His only known weakness is the material from his planet, Kryptonite. Superman is everything we're not. Superman fears nothing or no one. We, on the other hand...
This psalm is a wonderful affirmation of gratitude. We have to acknowledge that God is a place where we can hide and the source of strength for us; the place where we could find the assistance we need when we need it. Yet, why do so many of us fear things? It is a natural thing to have fears, but we are challenged and called by God to rise above our natural tendencies to become supernatural people. And in our supernatural God we have everything we need, just when we needed it. And these words from the man who knew God intimately, King David himself. So, these words are not empty words, or hopeful words, these are proven experience recollections. Came what may, David faced them trusting in God, knowing the outcome, whatever it may be, would be awesome. The opening verse could be our anthem and battle hymn: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." We are not supermen or superwomen; but , and we are blessed and loved, because, after all, we are children of the Most High. Mark that as today's praise of thankfulness!
PRAYER: Loving God we are richly and wonderfully blessed. The list of Your awesomeness in givng to us grows by the minute. Help us to celebrate You every day, every week, and every month, and help us to share how we have found in You that which we been helped by You! This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a superman/superwoman, and show your joy in the Lord!
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
