Image from cassidaysermons.blogspot.com
Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/3QzufNU
View devo: https://bit.ly/41uJ1M8
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 NRSV)
Dear Friend, a blessed Tuesday be yours today! This is a most special day today for me, so if you would grant me a personal privilege, I wish my bride, a Happy Anniversary! It was on this very day, a Saturday, at 2 in the afternoon, that Nellie and I wed! Just a short 47 years ago. God is good and God has blessed us with countless blessings! Thank you all for your prayers for us. And as we pray, please pray for Edith Lucas whose brother Bobby Neuse has passed away. Pray for Bobby's family and for those who loved him; prayers for Edith as well. May God's comfort be with her.
Our romance required a little boldness. You see, I arrived in August of 1977, as an intern minister at Nellie's church, El Mesias UMC in Mission, Texas. Nellie was an active member, and from what her pastor told me, she was, and continues to be, a woman of prayer; a tither, and a school teacher. She was also a member of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee on which she served as secretary of that committee. Nellie was a great committee member and a person of high ethical standards so much so that when this single, minister-to-be, asked her on a date for which, he who was making the whopping sum of $120 a month, had spent money for this date since he was so sure she would say yes, and she didn't! No good explanation nor excuse, just "I can't." Why not? I demanded. "I just can't." I have since forgotten the non-biblical words I may or may not have thought; but I was sad. I will shorten the story. This was August when I was asking, later begging, for her to go out with me, and comes October and towards the end of the month, my birthday, and again she said no. I guess in retrospect, that I was not being bold, I was being stubborn, convinced she was the woman meant for me. And we talked on the phone and her feelings were being shared, and she finally said that her membership and obligation to my not failing my internship that she would not go out with me. "But my birthday? Alone!? I'm from Houston and I will not have anyone to spend it with! Just a meal at a nice place. No. All I have planned is a Men's meeting tonight..."You'd better go..." So I go and the UMM had planned for my Dad to fly in and spend that night of my birthday and the entire next day with him! What a nice surprise and I was truly blessed, but it wasn't a night nor a day with the woman I loved. And I told her so. I wish I could remember the day, but I do remember the moment. I had been re-reading Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky, which had been assigned to me in one of my major classes, and I came to the sentence where Mr. Alinsky says something to the effect that people don't expect to be pushed farther than what is expected; so on our phone call early one Saturday, I calmly told my intended, in a bold way, that if she would not meet me at the mall in McAllen in one hour, it, whatever "it" was, would be over. I further added that the singles class I had started, which was now filled with mostly single women whose moms I am certain had urged them to meet and marry a minister; that I would begin to date those women. Her words, which my daughters hate to this day, but who realize now that had I not said what I said to Mom, they would not be blessed with life! "I will be there," which I took to mean, 'Yes, I'll marry you and spend the rest of my life with you!"
In the quiet moments of our daily lives, there are transformations happening—often unnoticed, yet powerfully shaping us. Witness my sharing above! Thank You, Jesus! But here in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Paul speaks of a transformation that occurs through Christ, a glory that is unveiled through the Spirit, one that changes us from the inside out. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face shone with the glory of God, a radiance so overwhelming that the people couldn’t bear to look at him. He had been in the presence of God, and it left an indelible mark upon him. Paul, however, contrasts this fading glory with the permanent, lasting glory of the gospel in Christ. The veil that once kept the glory hidden is now removed, and we are invited into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It begs the question, what happens to you when you have been in the presence of God on say a Sunday morning worship service, or a retreat setting?
Paul declares that the Spirit of God brings freedom—a freedom not just from the weight of the law, but from the limitations of our human understanding and struggles. It is the freedom to be transformed, to have our hearts unveiled, to see Christ more clearly. As we behold the Lord with unveiled faces, we are changed, gradually becoming more like Him. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process—slow, often imperceptible, yet undeniable. With each day, we are conformed more to the image of Christ, a process that only occurs as we seek His presence and remain open to the work of the Spirit.
The apostle emphasizes that this transformation is not something we do on our own. It is the work of the Spirit, moving in us, shaping us. It is by the grace of God that we are able to reflect the glory of Christ in the world. And this transformation doesn’t just happen for us; it is meant to be shared. The world around us needs to see this transformation in action. As Paul reminds us, we carry this treasure in jars of clay—fragile, imperfect, yet capable of reflecting God’s glory. The brokenness in our lives and in the world does not disqualify us from carrying this light; rather, it makes the light of Christ shine all the brighter.
As we walk through life, the message of the gospel shines through our imperfections. The world may see our weaknesses, but through the work of the Spirit, they are drawn to the strength of the gospel, the hope of resurrection, the promise of restoration. The truth we carry is not merely about our own salvation but about the hope for all creation, a hope that does not disappoint, a hope that does not fade.
In this journey of transformation, we are also called to be faithful stewards of the gospel. Paul reminds us that this message is entrusted to us. It is not something to be hidden or kept for ourselves. As we reflect the glory of Christ, we do so with honesty, integrity, and transparency. We do not manipulate the truth to suit our own needs or desires, but we speak plainly and with courage, trusting that God will use our words and lives to point others to His transforming love.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the gift of transformation through Your Spirit. Help us to behold Your glory with unveiled faces, that we might reflect Your light and truth in a world that desperately needs it. Empower us to live faithfully, to speak truthfully, and to be instruments of Your grace and love. May we be ever more conformed to the image of Christ, that the world might see Your glory and be drawn to You. We pray for Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your guidance as we walk this journey of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: As we continue to grow in Christ, let us remain open to His transformative power, allowing the Spirit to shape our hearts and minds. Let us seek His presence daily, trusting that through our own transformation, others will come to know the hope and glory of Christ. May our lives be a testimony to the lasting, ever-present glory of the gospel, a beacon of light for all to see.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
