BOLD, LOVING, AND SENSIBLE

Loving God, bless the life of this dear reader in whatever challenges and opportunies may come their way today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: 2 Timothy 1: 1 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. 2 I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! 3 Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. 4 I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. 5 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! 6 And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! 7 God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. 8 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, 9 who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. 10 But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. 11 This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. 12 It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground - the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end. 13 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. 14 Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

Will shyness be the death of the Christian faith? Or will it be more sinister reasons? Or will it be apathy? In today's passage Paul is writing to a young disciple, a believer whose faith came, not through the shy faith of the first women in his life, on the contrary, it was their boldness in Jesus that helped him come to faith. Paul mentions a grandmother names Lois and a mother names Eunice, whose example touched the life of this young boy and allowed him to become a believer. Paul doesn't mention a grandfather or father and we don't know the reason for that neglect. I have my suspicions as may you, but for now we celebrate those loving parents and grandparents whose lives are so bold, so loving, and yes, so sensible, that they touch others. And how difficult is it to proclaim as Paul sums up this great faith: "death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus." Lois, Eunice, and Timothy knew it, and because they told others, you and I know it now. Who are you sharing this with?

Paul never had regrets about his faith for he knew that the One in whom he trusted could be trusted. And so should we!

PRAYER: Loving God, help me today be a bold, loving and sensible witness to the great faith that we have, that You defeated death, and that our lives are worth living in a positive way. May we shine brightly to those around us, especially the children, so that our faith in You will never die and we'll see new believers come to You daily. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

THE FIRST STEP IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST

Loving God of all days, be with this dear reader in all they face; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Luke 17: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, "Come here at once and take your place at the table'? 8 Would you not rather say to him, "Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!' "

The apostles' request comes at an odd time in their ministry with Jesus. Two chapters back they heard Jesus speak of the way God seeks the lost and welcomes them back. One chapter back, Jesus deals with getting right with God and with each other, and so after seeing what they had seen, and hearing what they heard, their only request needs to be for Jesus to "increase our faith." They knew that to follow God and do what God wants requires a lot of faith. By asking their hope is to receive it like so many of Jesus' miracles with just a word; but Jesus says, if you had faith the size of the smallest seed, like the mustard seed, you could move this mulberry tree and send it even to the ocean. And then He says that a good slave/servants does what s/he is told, and should expect no recognition or reward in return for doing what needed to be done.

Strong faith comes from doing what one has heard is necessary to do. It is one thing to sit and learn, that is what a disciple is, but to listen, learn, and do, is an apostle. Jesus had taught them enough for them to get busy, but yet their unbelief was tied to their reluctance. So it is with us. We have enough faith, but what do we do with it? It is taking that first step or speaking that first word that is the hardest. And it is precisely the place so many Christians get stuck, in fear of that first step or word or action. The faithful one is the one who risks and takes a leap of faith in taking that first step, saying that first word, and leaving the results to God.

PRAYER: Loving God, help me in my unbelief and reluctance to take that first step or to share that first word. Let my faith be sufficient to see me through what today brings, but let me go beyond and above all, by trusting You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

WHAT AN AWESOME FAITH WE HAVE!

God of today, make the life challenges and opportunities of this dear reader shine and be bright for all to see; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today is from the Psalmist who wrote in Psalms 91: 1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

The Psalmist was a person of great faith. His was a living faith which was daily tested and proven true. He saw God at work in all things and thus he was able to show us how he saw God. God was a shelter, whose shadow we can rely on. In his and our prayers to God we can say as the Psalmist, "I trust You!" Nothing that can come our way as a potential harm can sway us off course, no traps nor snares of our enemies nor any deadly illnesses or disease. God will cover us as a powerful fowl covers its offspring. Ours is a faith of deliverance, of rescue, satisfaction, and salvation.

What will you do about it?

PRAYER: Thank You, loving God, for all You share. Let me take full advantage of all things so that Your light may shine in me for others to see. Help me during dark moments to see Your fullness and not be distracted. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

Blessed God of the Ages, be the God of right now, today, in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Jeremiah 32: 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. 2 At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah, 3 where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him. 6 Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Hanamel son of your uncle Shallum is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours." 8 Then my cousin Hanamel came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the Lord, and said to me, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself." Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. 9 And I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. 10 I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. 11 Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions, and the open copy; 12 and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard. 13 In their presence I charged Baruch, saying, 14 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. 15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.

Our trouble is that we sometimes get too busy with being busy that we forget God is in the details. We tend to think we're too smart, too strong, too self-reliant to allow God's guidance in our lives. Such was the case in most of the Bible stories, yet God sought out to be among those who knew, loved, and trusted Him. And in today's text, Jeremiah received the Word of God in the midst of a terrible war that his country was losing. The stress and anxiety about this war and all that the implications that came with it made thinking about investing in land something foolish. If you knew your country was about to be invaded, would buying land rank high among the priorities of the day? Yet, God tells Jeremiah to buy land. And God outlined exactly the way this purchase was going to happen. He even named names of those who would be involved. And so it happened. It was God's way of saying no matter how life rages on around you, I am still in control, it is I who have the last word in all things. Even that which seems like the least of your worries, in my book, matter more. The purchase of this land gave hope that this land would remain in the hands of those who loved God.

Can you hear God even in the howling of the wind outside? Can you be still enough to hear God telling you what hope God can offer to you even when others say all is hopeless?

PRAYER: Awesome God, help me to slow down and be still enough to hear Your voice. The voices on the television and on the radio speak a word that confuses my faith at times, and it's in the midst of all the madness that I need to hear You. Speak to my heart, enter my heart and let me have hope so that I may share hope. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

WEALTH THAT TRULY COUNTS

Lord, Your awesomeness touches and transforms; make Your touch do that for this reader in whatever she or he faces; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text from 1 Timothy 6: 6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. 7 Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, 8 if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. 9 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. 10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. 11 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. 12 Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. 13 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch: 14 Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. 15 He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. 16 He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes - human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes. 17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage - 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. (The Message)

This is a page that is thousands of years old, yet it reads as fresh today as it did then. People have always desired money and wealth and the thought behind such a desire is that with it comes happiness. Paul knew the opposite to be true and he knew the truth of real wealth. For Paul, as well as for me and you, to seek and reach a righteous life, and read again the things that come with it, "wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy," speak of true wonderful blessings. That first word has always described me. God gave me a sense of wonder that at times makes me stop or pull over and just gaze and marvel at the things of God. The landing of a duck onto water, the playfulness of a dolphin, the straight line of ants carrying food home. I belive this list is in the right order, a sense of wonder will lead to a finding of faith. And behind true faith can be found the meaning of true love. And if you love others the way God wants, you will be courteous. It is after all, not about us, but others and about God.

Slow down today and let wonder take you to those places where your faith will deepen. Let your faith take you down the path of love. And as you love, be concerned and open towards others. And you will see God.

PRAYER: Loving God of wonder, take me down those paths today so that I may see You present and powerful in my life and inthe life of thers. Make it truly be all about You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

WOULD A VISIT FROM THE DEAD HELP YOU?

Loving God as we celebrate a new day of life, may the heart of this dear reader be blessed by Your presence and protection; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text comes from Luke 19:19 "There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. 20 A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. 21 All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. 22 "Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It's not like that here. Here he's consoled and you're tormented. 26 Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.' 27 "The rich man said, 'Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father 28 where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won't end up here in this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.' 30 "'I know, Father Abraham,' he said, 'but they're not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.' 31 "Abraham replied, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.'"(The Message version)

Who would you like to return from the dead? Your mother or father? A beloved spouse? Your grandmother or grandfather? If this were possible, could you handle it mentally and emotionally? What would you talk about? Would their return help you believe more in the afterlife? Some sadly, say they will only believe in life after death is they're visited by a loved one who does return from the dead. They're going to die disappointed and as those alienated far from our loving God, for the only One who has returned from the dead is Jesus. Jesus came to live a life that blessed and showed us a better way to live. His painful death was also an example and a lesson of the great passion He has for us. And His glorious resurrection is also a blessing. In this story that Jesus shared, He is trying to convince those who listen, about God's great love. In the previous chapter, the Chapter of the Lost, the Lord shared three stories about the lost and how much you and I matter to God and the great rejoicing that happens upon our return to relationship with God. In this story it is about those who get caught up in the desires of this world. In this story an unnamed rich man lived the dream life of so many. He had money for all his wants and wishes and could do anything and everything he wanted. Yet the one thing he didn't care to do was to care for others, especially the poor, one of whom had been deposited at his door. The poor man had a name, Lazarus (meaning "God is my help"), and he was hungry and sick. The only comfort this man received was a visit by dogs who licked his sores. The visit finally by death brought what life on earth could not, comfort from his suffering and entry to the place where he really mattered. Jesus says this death was a triumphant one where angels came to carry him to the "lap of Abraham," a reference to Heaven. There he sat as a beloved child of God in a place where he would worry no more about anything. The rich man, on the other hand, died and was sent to a place of torment where he was so hot and thirsty, he asked if Lazarus, whose earthly tortured body had probably disgusted him, could dip his finger in water and to place that finger on his tongue. The contact that the rich man couldn't even fathom now seems the only thing that he believes can bring him comfort.

His request? Now in death the rich man is concerned about others, namely his five brothers and he asks that God send Lazarus to talk to them about God and help them avoid the same place where the rich man now finds himself. Jesus tells the truth, if they haven't believed God yet with all God has already provided, what good will a visit from a dead person do them?

We have so much to help our unbelief and once we get into relationship with God, the evidence multiplies, why then do so many doubt and not believe? Why then, do so many want to live lives like the rich man blind and uncaring to the needs of the poor? Why not make a conscious decision now to live a better, loving and caring life?

PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I sometimes think that more of what the world offers would bring me pleasure and comfort, but I am already blessed in a rich way. Help me to care more for those around me especially the poor. Give me Your heart to love so that my hands might be Yours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord

Eradio Valverde

IT WASN'T MAY FAULT! OR WAS IT? HELP ME ANYWAY!

Amazing God of grace, pour out a double portion of grace on this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

I thought the Message version of Psalm 79 would be fitting for today. These are verses 1-9: 1 God! Barbarians have broken into your home, violated your holy temple, left Jerusalem a pile of rubble! 2 They've served up the corpses of your servants as carrion food for birds of prey, Threw the bones of your holy people out to the wild animals to gnaw on. 3 They dumped out their blood like buckets of water. All around Jerusalem, their bodies were left to rot, unburied. 4 We're nothing but a joke to our neighbors, graffiti scrawled on the city walls. 5 How long do we have to put up with this, God? Do you have it in for us for good? Will your smoldering rage never cool down? 6 If you're going to be angry, be angry with the pagans who care nothing about you, or your rival kingdoms who ignore you. 7 They're the ones who ruined Jacob, who wrecked and looted the place where he lived. 8 Don't blame us for the sins of our parents. Hurry up and help us; we're at the end of our rope. 9 You're famous for helping; God, give us a break. Your reputation is on the line. Pull us out of this mess, forgive us our sins - do what you're famous for doing!

We sometimes reach a point of despair where we feel it is everyone else's fault for our mess, not our own. And sometimes it might just be that someone has done us wrong. The psalm for today shares a despair for the ruin of the country of Israel; those who invaded completely destroyed everything and almost everyone. The writer is lamenting this fact and crying out to God to act on their behalf. The writer even blames "our parents" and their "sins," not once saying, perhaps we have strayed and our unfaithfulness has caused this - help us to do what's right.

We can always cry out to God for help. This is especially true when we reach our breaking point. Yet, I believe we need to throw in asking God to help us right our wrongs and forgive our sins so that we might live in a more faithful and fruitful way.

PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that some of the ruin that I sometimes feel around me could easily be blamed on me, so forgive me. Help me in my situation. Be glorified in my life so that I might be a blessing to others. Help me to live a faithful and fruitful life. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

PS A word of gratitude for all who are praying for my Dad, Eradio, Sr. Nellie and I were able to go and visit with him at his home yesterday afternoon. He was in good spirits, though his face was a bit banged up from his fall. He said his doctor gave him a couple of new medicines to help with his low hemoglobin count. The source of that has not been determined, but we remain hopeful in the Lord. Blessings to you all!

TEARS IN HEAVEN? PROBABLY CAUSED BY US

Loving God of all people, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader in his/her journey today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text is from Jeremiah 8:18-9:1: 18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19 Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?") 20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 1 O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!

Unlike most kids of my day, I went to a lot of funerals. There was no child care nor nursery for kids to wait while parents grieved and mourned the loss of a family member or friend. It was and is a haunting scene of crying and wailing. For a young boy it was straight out of a scary movie the likes of which I avoided (and still do!). I didn't understand the why behind it, but after a while and several funerals later, I and my brothers and sisters looked for anything humorous that would take our minds away from the hurt. Sadly, there is no humor in the hurt that we inflict upon God by our disobedience and our turning away from where we know God would have us be. In this passage the prophet is speaking of the lament of God for those who have turned away and followed earthly pleasures, passions and delights and strayed from God's path. It is like those at funerals who have lost all joy and hope and for a period seem only to grieve. Why would we knowingly cause that for God?

We were blessed with free will. We can do whatever we want. But it pleases God to no end when we choose God's way rather than our way. Many times it is not the easy choice nor the choice of the world or even of our dear friends, but we do it not for them or even for us, we do it for God.

What will you choose today? Will you please someone close in hopes of bringing them and you joy? or will you seek to please the Lord God?

PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have grieved Your heart. Help me to be the person I was meant to be. Let me bring joy to You this day and all days. Lord, there are those grieving much today for different losses in their lives, I ask you please visit them with Your comfort and peace. Bless me and my loved ones this day; I ask it all in the Name of Christ Jesus my Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

EVENTUALLY THE NEWS IS GOING TO GET OUT

Amazing God of all days, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text from 1 Timothy 2: 1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. 3 This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. 4 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: 5 that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us - Jesus, 6 who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. 7 This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. (The Message version)

The message is simple but powerful; prayer works if we work at prayer. Forget trying to come up with an excuse for not knowing how or not having time - PRAY! Men and women of faith know how the power found in prayer and so they pray. In this modern version of The Bible instead of saying "supplications, intercessions, thanksgiving, etc.", it says "Pray everyw ay you know how." Just open your mind and/or mouth and talk to God! Pray for everyone you know. And the great thing is that we know when folks are praying for us. Pray for those in charge of governments, yes, all over the world including those we consider our enemies, and ask for God's will to be done.

I love the part that says, "Eventually the news is going to get out (about Jesus)," and won't that be a great day? What are you doing in the meantime to get that to happen?

PRAYER: Awesome God, I thank You for prayer. Like a parent that just loves to hear from their children, so do You just want to hear from us. I pray that prayer would bless all who need Your blessing and bring about the solutions to those things we are encountering. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

THE BANK CALLED TO SAY IT LOVED YOU?

Precious Lord, bless the needs of this dear reader today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today from Luke 16: 1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, "What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' 3 Then the manager said to himself, "What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?' 6 He answered, "A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' 7 Then he asked another, "And how much do you owe?' He replied, "A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, "Take your bill and make it eighty.' 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. 10 "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Jesus talked a lot about money and its influence on people. Jesus knew that money has a spiritual effect on people, usually a negative one. In this parable He tells of a person so rich he had a business manager who handled his day-to-day affairs (he must not have been married!). But the rich person hears that he has been defrauded by this manager and so he calls him in for an audit of what he has done. He in effect, fires the man and wants this audit completed before he leaves. The man, being shrewd in the ways of the world, settles matters in ways most would not agree, especially the rich man, but guess what, the rich man complements the man for knowing how to take care of himself. The manager cut the debt owed to his boss in huge ways in hopes of being taken care of once he found himself on the street.

The point of Jesus' story to us is to be smart but for the right things not the things of this world, using every situation to help educate us in the things that matter. We are called to be good stewards of what God has shared with us in ways that glorify God. God will know where our hearts lie. The Message version closes with verse thirteen reading: "No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank."

PRAYER: Loving God, help me today in the things that are Yours and the things that I selfishly think are mine. I know all are Yours. Help me to be creative and resourceful with what I have to better Your Kingdom. Help me to be a person that loves You above all else. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

FOOLS FOR THE LORD?

Awesome God of all journeys, journey with this dear reader this morning in all that they may face; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for this morning, it is Psalm 14: 1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Gosh, even found among those who say there is a God we find fools. It is not limited to the unbelieving. Consider things folks have done through the ages in the name of God. We find in history, murders, invasions, the whole list of what Paul warned were things of the flesh found among the things that should happen only among unbelievers. And I'm not far behind, at times. I'm not always the believer I should be and I have my faults. I pray about those every day and ask to be made new every day. Yet, I seek God. I say "amen" and then start listening. And sometimes I don't like what I hear God saying. I seek to not go astray from God and to become the strong believer whose life can show others how to better live.

Wesley would ask the first members of the Methodist Society, "Are you willing to flee the coming wrath of God?" That was the entrance question. Guess what the correct answer was: YES! And so it should be with me and you. I seek to live a life that brings God's kingdom here and now and then I know the heavenly kingdom will be mine.

PRAYER: Loving God forgive me the times I have sought my own way and not worried about you or others. Help me to believe and be made new today, I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day!

Eradio Valverde

JOYFUL REBELLION OR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE?

Blessed God, bless the life and needs of this dear reader, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text comes from Jeremiah 4: 11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. 22 "For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good." 23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.

What good comes from disobeying God? This passage is answering that question or better said, God is answering the question. Like a loving parent whose children think they know a better or only way, heartbreak comes to parents when they see the results of decisions and actions that had warned children to make the "right choice." How sad for a mom or dad to say about their children, "they sure do know how to do evil, but when it comes to doing what is right, they have no clue."

May it not be said of us or our children that we have not taught and followed God's way in our lives. May our decisions and actions and words reflect a commitment to God and the things of God. May it be so of our churches as well.

PRAYER: Loving God, I confess that I have been there more times than I care to share. Forgive me for those times and help me to live a life that shows joyful obedience. May that obedience bless someone else who is thinking about following their own way instead of Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

GRACE AND MERCY OVERFLOWING-AND IT SHOWS!

Loving God, bless and protect the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today from 1 Timothy 1: 12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I have shared many times how God through Christ Jesus has changed the lives of so many. My favorite took place in my first appointment, a student charge, where a young married man, who had just returned from having worked for the circus for many years, was a wild man and his face showed it. Yes, he had been one of those who truly ran away to join the circus! After sharing Christ with him, he accepted and on Sunday, in church, I did not recognize him. The Lord Jesus took a hold of his life and it showed. In all the churches since then I have seen the change that comes over people who surrunder their selfish and self-centered will to the will of the Lord God. Paul was no exception, he knew that his strength and fidelity to the service of Christ Jesus came from that surrender. Paul names his sins: Blasphemer, a persecutor and a man of violence (v. 13), and even while in ignorant unbelief, he received mercy and grace resulting in an overflowing of faith and love. Jesus, Paul declares, as should we, came into the world to save sinners, and Paul and I are "the foremost," but thanks be to God for God's unfailing love!

PRAYER: Loving God, let me surrender to You this morning . I ask that Your work in me may be made strong that I might show fidelity and obedience to You. Grant me mercy and grace overflowing. Remove me from the top ten list of sinners and place me on the list of those who love You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' name, through Whom I have been saved, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

REJOICING WITH AND OVER THE LOST BEING FOUND!

Loving God of all people, we thank You for this special day in which we honor those who have or still, labor with their hands. Allow them rest this day and we pray for a prosperous blessing for their labors and ours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

A very restful and Happy Labor Day to you all. Prayers for all who travel today to return to their homes after spending time enjoying this day off.

Here is our text for today: Luke 15: 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible for it is called the Chapter of the Lost. Three stories by Jesus explain how God feels about the lost. In this passage, two of the stories are shared. Before we get to the stories, notice why Jesus tells them. Jesus is being attacked for spending time with "sinners." Big gasp! Not only does Jesus talk to them, he sits down and eats with them. Now eating was (and is for us) a big deal. To "sup" with someone meant you fully accepted them. You sat at a common table and enjoyed a meal together. In the context of the stories shared, Jesus is identifying "the lost" as these people called "sinners" by the righteous (Pharisees and scribes). Please also note that if the sinners are lost, the Pharisees and scribes are found. We don't hear too many sermons about this part, we love the part of shepherds finding sheep or a poor woman finding a coin. That's important too, to illustrate God's great love, but don't overlook the love God has for those who are already part of God's love.

In the first story, Jesus uses a reference with which everyone in the audience could identify with. Most people in that audience had someone in their family or neighborhood who worked as a shepherd. Everywhere you looked you saw shepherds and sheep. You understood the importance of this livelihood and you also had a comprehension of how shepherds cared for their flock. A shepherd who owned his/her sheep, loved the sheep and would give their lives for them. Every sheep was important. We could almost make the case for today's dog owners. How many times have you not seen a photocopied flyer on a utility pole with the dog's face and name and the word "reward" on it? Sadly, you seldom see one for a cat. Some might be tempted to say, "Your reward is that you can keep Tabby!" But Jesus continues with this story in saying that that one lamb was so important to this shepherd, that he secures the 99 and goes in search for the one lost sheep. He risked all that was involved in finding it, but searches until he finds it and then rejoices in finding it. He places it on his shoulders, then goes and tells his friends that he has found the lost lamb! That same party that the shepherd has with his friends happens in Heaven when one lost sinner is found!

Next story, everyone has or knows a woman. And most of us know women who are dependent on what money they receive to meet their financial obligations. That was common in Jesus' day as well. We don't know the marital status of this woman, nor is it important, but Jesus has connected with those listening and says, Suppose this woman has enough money to make it through ten days, but loses the money for one day? This woman would search high and low until she finds that money. Jesus infers that this lady has called her friends to let them know that she has lost this money. And when she finds it, she tells those same friends and possibly others, "I found the money! Be happy with me!" Jesus again says, the same kind of joy is found among angels in Heaven when one sinner returns to God. Notice this lost person has repented and entered or re-entered into relationship with God.

This is a personal passage for it calls us to re-examine where we are with God both in our relationship with God, making sure we repent of our sins and get right with God, and also in our attitude and relationship with those different from us, but whom we realize, are also already in relationship with God.

PRAYER: Lord God, we sometimes worry just about ourselves and those we already know and love. For that love You have for me and them, I thank You. I ask forgiveness for sometimes judging others as being "outside" of Your love because they are different or don't agree with me. Bless them as well. We thank You for this day and ask Your blessings on all who travel this day to be home or at work again. I ask these things in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

PS Prayer Request for the Bambrick family of San Marcos. Tom Bambrick, devoted husband and faithful servant of the Lord, went to his rest on Friday. I ask for prayers for Nita, his wife, and all the dear family members.

A BIG THANK YOU for all who journeyed in prayer with Nellie and I as we made our way from here to North Carolina and then home. We returned safe and sound, weary, but resting today for the joys and demands that lay ahead. May the Lord bless you and keep you!

SELF-CARE

Loving God, pour our Your comfort and rest on the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

I just read this yesterday and thought it worth sharing:

Psalm 23…Antithesis, written by Marcia K. Hornok:

The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest

It makes me lie down only when exhausted.

It leads me to deep depression.

It hounds my soul.

It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake.

Even though I run frantically from task to task,

I will never get it done,

For my “ideal” is with me.

Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.

They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.

They annoint my head with migraines.

My in-basket overflows.

Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.

Compare it to the one written by David, inspired by the One who rested on the seventh day: (King James Version): 1 The LORD is my shepherd ; I shall not want . 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths ofrighteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow ofdeath, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thoupreparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever .

Hmm. Which one best reflects you? If it's not the second, let it be so.

PRAYER: Loving God, make right in my life that which needs to be, especially the pressures I allow or place on myself. Let me enjoy the "green pastures" and "still waters" Let my soul be restored. And guide me gently in the "path of righteousness" so that even in the presence of those who don't care much for me, they will see, that You are indeed my Shepherd. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

OUR SHORT TERM MEMORY TOWARDS GOD

Loving God, let this dear reader know that You're right here, right now in all things. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here's our text for today: Jeremiah 2:4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 6 They did not say, "Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?" 7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. 8 The priests did not say, "Where is the Lord?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. 9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says the Lord, and I accuse your children's children. 10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.

How often have we had a short-term memory problem when it came to the Lord? Has it at times been easy to forget the great things God has done in our lives? Do we find ourselves acting like we're alone or that we're just so overwhelmed that we will not find the door? Well, it's not a new problem. Our story is re-told and re-told in the pages of the Bible and today's text is a story of God's wondering why that is. Isn't it true that when you do something or give something to someone you want to hear about it? And haven't we at times been tempted or have asked, "What did you think of that present I gave you?" We want to hear how special and thoughtful it was and how much better life is for the person who received it. And then we wonder why God is the same way about all that God does for us.

Friend, take stock of all that God has done for you. Remember God's great love in giving Jesus to you and me so that we might not only have life, but life in abundance. And now, be glad and thankful. And live your life in a way that helps others know about that great love. There's a world waiting!

PRAYER: Loving God forgive me those times I have forgotten about Your great love and mercy for me. I have at times taken for granted Your love. Help me today be thankful and glad in such a contagious way that others will come to know You as well. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FORVER

Blessed Lord of life, pour out Your grace on the daily walk of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: Hebrews 13: 1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

This is a short, but very powerful passage of Scripture. The instructions found in it could be the basis of many a sermon. Let us take it as a whole for this morning's devotional. The central theme of Jesus' teaching, in fact, His new Commandment is stressed in the first verse: Love one another. Love even those you don't know, especially the ones who don't look like you, talk, walk, dress, eat like you; you might even be talking to an angel without you even knowing it. Remember those who are in jail; another of Jesus' closing teachings in Matthew (25:36). Our aim in life should be spiritual, not material. By the same token seek pleasure in the spirit not in the flesh - stay away from illicit sex. If Christ lives in us, take Him to where He leads, not to where we think we can leave Him outside or at home while we have our fun. Be bold in your Christian walk and life. Pray for your pastoral leaders and spiritual teachers; follow the example of those who have blessed you. Verse 8 is my favorite verse in this entire passage, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The sameness of Christ refers to His power, peace, protection, grace, and love. We have the same Jesus Christ present that did Peter, Andrew, James, John, Mary, Mary Magdelene, et al. Let our lives reflect the sacrifice of Jesus in our praise and let our voices tell of God's goodness and glory. The passage closes with where John Wesley surely got his three simple rules: Do no harm. Do all the good you can. Stay in love with God.

PRAYER: Loving God, speak to my heart again and again with Your goodness, and allow my life and lips to speak of Your goodness to all. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

AND FELLOWSHIP HALLS FOR ALL?

God of the journey, walk with this dear reader in all they face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: Luke 14: 1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, "Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 12 He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

The United States is a food-oriented society. The business world is usually a food-oriented environment. Take for instance, your wanting to meet with someone, you might say, "Let's have lunch." Or if you and your spouse want to meet or get to know someone better you say, "Come over for supper." And once you do that, the obligation is usually, "Gosh, now I owe him/her lunch" or "Now we have to have them over." And so it goes. What about churches? "We're having a covered dish!" And in our fellowship (shouldn't they have been named Food Halls?) halls, the miles of different kinds of food will line not only the desires of our palates but also the walls of our mouths as we savor and devour all that has been set before us.

But Jesus was not talking about food, he was talking about people and our attitudes towards others and ourselves. The position or place we occupy is not as important as the occasion that brings us together. While seating assignments in most cultures does represent honor and prestige (or the lack thereof), Jesus said to take a humble attitude towards that; sit where you're invited. And as a challenge to why we eat with others in the first place, Jesus challenges us to open our tables and hearts not just to those to whom we may owe a meal, He said, "Invite the poor, the cripples, the lame, and the blind." What God has shared with us we should share with those whom may never repay us, but God will. Our blessing will be great at the right time.

How are we doing God's business? Are we truly fellowshipping with all or has it become simply an exclusive supper or lunch club to which only the "right" people are invited? Is our dining an expression of our devotion, concerned not with food, but with sharing that which God has shared with us?

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for all that I have. As I enjoy what You have shared, let me share with others, especially with those who cannot share with me. Give to me the right spirit and attitude towards You, others, and myself. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

GOD IS OUR HIDING PLACE

Blessed Lord, may the needs of this dear reader bring honor and glory to Your Name, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today from Psalm 71: 1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.

Did you have a favorite hiding place? Did you have one as a child? I've shared that my hiding place in Kingsville was under our house. Our home was one on blocks and there was a crawl space where a small child could hide. It was cool and shaded down there and the cares and worries of the world faded away while there. I felt safe and secure. Listen to David as he shares what he feels in his relationship with God. As I believed that the cares and worries of the world seemed to fade away because I was hiding under the house, they did not. But in our trusting relationship with the Lord the cares and worries may not completely fade away but our attitude and spirit about them help us face what we face and that is what David is saying.

In God we have that confidence of living life without fear or shame, the wicked, the unjust and the cruel will have no power or control over us. God is our hope and our trust, from before our birth until after our death.

PRAYER: Gracious God, hide me in You. I know the day may bring things I do not look forward to, but in You I can find the newness of faith and hope to see me through. Grant me that joy that comes from having hope and trust in You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

PUTTING GOD ON HOLD?

God of all power and might, pour out Your blessing on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today from Jeremiah 1: 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, "I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

As society and technology advances not all of it is pretty. Case in point, automated calling. "Thank you for calling SO&SO, your call is important to us, please select from one of the following options. Please listen closely as our menu has changed. Please say or press your 35 digit account number. I'm sorry, but I didn't get that. Please say or press your 35 digit account number..." and on and on it goes. Have you every put God on hold? If you're like me, you probably have. This passage from Jeremiah is powerful, for it is the call from God to this young boy to be a prophet, or spokesperson for the Lord God. God introduces Who is calling by saying, "I made you, so I know you. And because I know you I am calling and consecrated you for this important work that I have..." The boy tries to get out of it or to put God on hold like "God, I'm not ready yet, old enough, good enough, trained enough, bold enough, strong enough (fill in the blank)..." but God's response is that we can't hide behind excuses when God has called us. We have nothing to fear because God is with us to guide us.

God calls you and me daily to do or say or even think things that will be for God's glory. We may try to dismiss it as something we thought of or that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but God will not go away if we've been truly called. Pray as you get that call and remember that it does YOU no good to put God on hold. Who knows (besides God) you might just be speaking to "nations" and "kingdoms."

PRAYER: Loving God, with You there is no hold; let the same be true for me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

THANK YOU LORD, FOR SAVING MY SOUL

Loving God of the journey, walk carefully with this dear reader in all that she or he may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text from Hebrews 12: 18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death." 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.") 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." 27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

If you have ever sat in a 3-D movie you will be awed by the number of people, especially children, who reach out to touch the things that seem like they are right in front of you. 3-D technology has come a long way from the days of the paper glasses that almost did the trick in convincing you that you are watching something in three dimensions. This is what this passage reminds me of; the people of Israel at the base of the holy mountain heard, but could not explain nor understand nor touch, that voice of God. The other attributes of God during their Exodus journey could not also be touched, but they were witnesses to the moving of God.

As God moves and prepares to move among us, the writer is saying, be ready. The awesomeness of God has not diminished and unexplainable, wonderful things are going to happen, be ready! The most miraculous of the movements of God is that moment when you were touched and your renounced Satan and his grip on your life (sin), and you came to life in Jesus. You can't explain it and you probably can't touch it with your fingers, but it was felt in your heart and mind. God is still moving and thank God, every day a new person comes to life in Jesus Christ. And as they do, they're entering the Kingdom of God, that awesome place where God dwells and rules. God is present everywhere we invite God to be! Have you invited God yet?

PRAYER: Awesome God, thank you for touching my soul and making me whole. Thank You for the song that long ago was taught, "Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul; thank You, Lord, for making me whole; thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free." Amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

STAYING AWAY BECAUSE YOU'RE SICK?

Blessed Lord, take the hand of this precious reader in all that they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." 15 But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. 18

Worship is about God and if we choose to participate in it and put our attention, our heart, soul, mind, and yes our might, God will be glorified and we will be blessed. Such was the case of this woman who for 18 years had not been able to stand up straight. It was an embarrassing situation for her and one many of us might have used as an excuse to stay home on worship day. She did not. And what a great choice, for on that particular worship day, her place of worship was visited by Jesus. (Clue for us: Jesus shows up every Sunday!) Jesus calls her to His side and heals her. The touch of Jesus made her straighten up and she was able to praise Him and worship God! Even the detractor who tried to ruin this experience for the woman, her friends, and co-worshipers, was not able.

What healing do you need for your life? Is it spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental? Do you use that as an excuse to stay away from worship? If you do, you might just be missing out on a presence or touch by Jesus that might just bring you healing.

PRAYER: Loving God, I try to hide from You and I have some really good excuses. No more, Lord. Let me seek You and worship You anywhere and always, but let me be among the first to enter Your house with praises. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

ARE YOU LOOKING WHILE OTHERS DINE?

Loving God, shine with mercy and power on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

The texts for this week have puzzled me along with many in terms of what would we as the church say to ourselves about where we are and where we need to be? We may find that we are like that story I have shared many times of the young man in days past, who worked long and hard to save money to buy passage to come to America. His dream was to sail to freedom and a new opportunity, so every free moment he had he did what he could to make money to save for his trip. He had a goal and once he reached the goal ran to the ticket office and bought his passage on a fine ship bound for America. It dawned on him that he had not saved any money for food, so he asked for help and he scraped together enough money for a piece of hard cheese and hard bread. "Well," he said, "At least I can divide it so that when the people sit down to eat, I will have a meager breakfast, lunch, and dinner." And for two days he watched the other passengers respond to the dinner bell, while he went to the place where he had hidden his meals. He would sometimes look in the windows and was amazed at what fine food was being offered to these lucky passengers." Finally, one of the men he had befriended saw him and later asked him, "Friend, why do you not come in?" The man shyly replied, "I did not pay for the food." The man laughed and said, "Son, the price of your ticket paid for all the meals onboard as well! You've been missing out! Please join us!" Is this you or your church?

The Gospel passage says God is good to us and we don't respond like we should or take advantage of that goodness. The Epistle says that ours is a faith that can be used to overcome the challenges and opportunites that life brings us, and the Prophet Isaiah talked of what better people God's people could be if they did what God asks. It may be that the Christian church in some settings is that hungy young person looking in to what others are enjoying because we have not realized we have full and complete access into what God offers.

On what will you dine today?

PRAYER: Lord, I confess that many times I have found myself looking in while others dine and it was only because I was not where I knew I should be. Help me today find that place of connection and purpose so that I might not onlydine richly, I might invite someone to dine with me on the good things of God. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

ARE WE SWEET AND APPEALING?

Blessed God, pour out Your power and love on the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for this morning: Isaiah 5: 1 Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. 3 And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? 5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!

There is nothing sweeter than a good grape. But there have been a number of times that I have seen what appear to be juicy, plump grapes in the grocery store, which I'll buy and take home, wash, and then taste only to discover they look better than they taste. Most times they'll just sit there only to be thrown out. In this prophetic passage the same question is being raised but from the grower's point of view; what good is all the work that goes into a vineyard only to discover that the grapes yielded have a sour taste. The ground was fertile, all stones were removed, and the best vines were planted; a person was even positioned to watch over it and a wine vat, that which would hold the results of that vineyard was even made of the stones found on that precious land, and what does it yield? Nothing.

This passage was a word from God to the people of Israel and it's a clear message to us today as well. If you think of all that God does on our behalf, the work and blessings that God shares with us, the preparation and protection that is ours and yet off we wander away from God looking not to be a precious harvest or crop, but whatever it is that we want. Pastors sense this and it grieves them. Parents experience this and they are hurt and wonder what could have been different had something else been tried, when in truth it was the child who chose wrong over right.

What is God seeing in your life? What fruit are you producing? It is sweet and appealing to God? Does it invite others to come and experience all God has done for you? Don't stray from what God provides, walk towards God and be what God would have you be.

PRAYER: Gracious God, be merciful to me, for many have been the times that I have walked away from where I could have done or been good; forgive me and let this day be a new opportunity for faithful service and witness. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

FAITH THAT OVERCOMES AND CONQUERS

Loving God of grace and mercy; show Your favor on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Here is our text for today: 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

The author of Hebrews knew that we would need to read something like this! Look especially at what faith in God has allowed believers prior to our time to do: verses 33-34, "conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fires, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." A checklist like that serves as true encouragement for what we face. Apply that list to what you're facing today and how does your problem stack up to the ones "the ancients" faced? The list of names and their character or profession also asks, who can God NOT change and use for the good of God's Kingdom? Can God not use you? Can you still try and hide behind excuses of who you think you are, how unworthy you might feel, how inadequate you think your training or abilities may be? NO!

Life comes at us hard and we can face it with a stronger, tougher power, the power of faith. Faith that conquers and overcomes is at our disposal, and what are we doing about it?

PRAYER: Awesome God, show me just how I might best serve You in what You need done in my life and in the lives of those around me. I ask this, asking You help me overcome my feelings of less than worthiness so that I might be a blessing to You and others. In Christ Jesus' powerful and precious name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

GOD IS GOOD! BUT NOT ALL ARE READY TO RECEIVE

Loving Word be with the needs and challenges of this dear reader in all they may face today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today comes from Luke 12: 49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, "It is going to rain'; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, "There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Have you ever been anxious about a big day coming up? What feelings do you have about a task you have to complete, but the time isn't quite right? Such is the anxiousness that Jesus was feeling in the midst of the discourses He was having with his disciples as they encountered opposition from all sides, and yet the crowds were responding to their message. Jesus knew that all Heaven was going to break loose when the Holy Spirit would come upon these His beloved disciples. And yet, while it was a task of reconciliation with God, Jesus knew human nature, and not all would be in favor of such a reconcilation. Jesus knows that in a household, not all think alike. We nicely say, "We're not on the same page," when we sometimes mean, "You should have heard the shouting going on as we 'discussed' this topic/issue/problem." How often do we see churches where in one row of seats or pews there is a multigenerational family sitting happily as worship begins? And this is in reference to those families where this could physically take place. In others, families have moved away or live in a different part of the state or nation, but what about those where folks have not left, yet they have not shared a commitment to church?

To follow Christ requires the fire and passion of the Holy Spirit and not all choose it. Jesus knew that not would have the same thirst for His presence in their lives, but those who did and who did find Him, would find within their close circle of family and friends those who did not understand or would oppose such things. Yesterday a dear sister shared how she serves on a committee where one of the members takes great pride in saying he does not believe in God. His behavior is a dead give-away, she said. This man has gone through five marriages and has an uneasiness that comes out in bitterness and attack. And yet he wonders why others seek and find God. A little later I had a visit with a dear brother who said he used to make fun of those who attend his church. And he said, "Here I am now, the one who opens the doors, makes the coffee and makes sure everything is ready for worship each Sunday. God is good!"

We have, thanks to the presence of Christ in our lives, a lot to offer, but we do so knowing that not all will be receptive and not all will be friendly about it. Ours is still that which keeps us on the right path we know.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless those who do not yet believe. May I be an example of patience and love as I encounter those who have uneasy spirits because Your Spirit has not yet come to reside in them. Mine is just to plant a seed of love and hope through my actions, words, and thoughts. May You do the rest; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

DAY EIGHT IN A JOURNEY OF GRACE

Loving God of this and all days, make the needs and challenges of this dear reader Yours in ways that bless and protect; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." This comes in the context of our being at work in Christ Jesus in making disciples and trying to transform the world. I suppose the case could be made that Christ would be with those who ask, even the lazy, unemployed Christians; but what an awesome promise for those who care and love for the lost, the last, and the least. Here Newton's words in his third stanza of that awesome hymn:

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

John Wesley would have said, "This is the journey of Sanctifying Grace." At the precise moment we give ourselves to God and receive the work of Justifying Grace, sanctifying grace takes over. It is the journey of life for the believer. It is, I should add, also a difficult journey with no promises of "Pass Go and Collect $200," for those who remember the game of Monopoly. John Newton knew this, as did Wesley, and so the song says, "Many dangers, toil and snares," but "'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far." It's reassuring to know that in spite of all that life would throw our way, God sees to it we are seen safe through it all. Our definition of safe might not match what God's is, but if defined in and with God, it is the best definition, for in all that we go through, even the facing of death, God is with us and never leaves us. Thus the ending of this stanza, "And Grace will lead me home." All our wanderings and opportunities and services rendered to the Lord may take us to places we never dreamed, but in spite of how strange or far from our starting point of "home," we know where our real home is.

Leonard Sweet recounts the legend of a man who was shipwrecked on an island where late at night when he should have been sleeping he heard a commotion of dolphins coming on shore, and as he watched unseen by these dolphins, they shed their dolphin skin and became humans. As daybreak approached the dolphins slipped back into their skins and out to sea they swam. The man continued his nightly watch of these dolphins and saw a beautiful woman among them and so, one night, he took and hid her dolphin skin. All the others left, and this woman was left alone. The man came to her, married her and once rescued they started a life together. All went well for years until one day as the woman was cooking in the kitchen of her home, a drop of dolphin oil fell from the place in the attic where he had hidden her dolphin skin. This drop with its aroma reminded the woman who she truly was and she quickly found the skin, put it back on and left. Rev. Sweet then asks how often do we see these drops of dolphin oil that remind us of who we truly are and of our true home?

As we live and walk our journey of grace, remember Whose we are and where we're from.

PRAYER: Loving God until that day when we are through with this journey, we have lots to do. As we strive to do Your work we will indeed encounter the "dangers, toils,and snares" of which we sing often. But let the clear, loud, beautiful voice of Jesus sing louder of His promise to me, that He will be with me, even to the end of the age. In His precious and powerful name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

Sacrificial Saturdays!

Malachi 4: 8 Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, "How are we robbing you?" In your tithes and offerings! 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

Saturdays were days of sacrifice when I turned 9. Sacrifice in that up to that point, these were days of Bugs Bunny, RoadRunner, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam. My anthem was Bug's show's theme and for years I thought he and the cast were singing, "On with the show, Mrs. Pip!" (Hey, I was learning English!-Didn't know "this... is it!"). At the age of 9 I got hired to work, like my dad did at almost the same age, in the same little grocery store in Kingsville, TX, Chapa's Grocery on Richard Street, in those days the Chicano downtown. I had to sacrifice watching cartoons to start making my own money. Years later "Gilbert Grape" worked in the same store, tho' on the screen and had the same feelings I hate toward HEB, my "Foodland." I worked from 8 until 6, boxing groceries (plastic bags had not yet been invented, thank God! and paper sacks were too expensive, boxes came with deliveries of the food items for the store), cutting meat, pouring saw dust on the floor towards closing, then sweeping it up. That was my favorite in that I knew it was close to closing time and I loved the smell of saw dust. It was incredible what the saw dust did to those wooden floors. I'll never forget that first night my Mom picked me up and she handed me a church offering envelope. She said, "15-cents belongs to God. This is called the tithe." (El diezmo). No problem, in fact, I was happy to give! Years later I had to preach and teach peope, whose Moms didn't teach them to tithe, that this is sacrificial giving.

What did you learn about giving to God? More importantly, what are you teaching others about it? I learned that my job had come from God as did the money I received for doing it. I learned to work hard, but to give thankfully. I also have tried to teach that to those who have been in my flocks.

PRAYER: All things come from you, O God, and because of that I should joyfully and thankfully, return to You what is Yours. Help me to live that. In Jesus Christ's precious and powerful name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

DAY SEVEN IN A JOURNEY OF GRACE

Amazing God of grace, pour out a double portion on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

As we continue our journey of grace, the second stanza of that awesome hymn comes to mind:

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.


John Newton knew that in Proverbs 1:7 that "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, which means the proper respect and attitude towards God begins to lead us in the right direction where God would have us be in our relationship. And in the second line, Newton says it is God's grace that relieves us of our earthly fears, those things that trouble and haunt us that could easily keep us from being the people God would want. And as grace visited, Newton realizes it is "precious," without an earthly price, priceless, in fact, from the moment we first believed until now.

That having been said, where is this country at this moment? Living in fear! We fear terrorists, we fear the economy, we fear those who are different from us, we fear what tomorrow may hold, and we have to ask, is this what the Lord would want for us? If we "fear" God then we should have no fears, for that "fear" in God should speak to our heart about Who is truly in control. And guess what, it is not us. Let us be reminded of what Paul says in the Epistle of 2 Timothy 1:7 (huh? Proverbs and 2 Timothy 1:7 have to do with "fear?"), "We have not been given a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-control. Do you have that? Do you want that?

PRAYER: God of Heaven and Earth, grant to me that spirit of power, love, and self-control. Help me to remain fearful of You and empty of the fears that are so easily available that would destroy me. Bless me and let me be a blessing to others, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

DAY SIX IN A JOURNEY OF GRACE

Amazing God, bless this dear reader in all that they need and face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

In our journey of grace, we learned of all that God shares and does for us. The words of the hymn by John Newton give a great inspiration messgae of all he experienced, and how he went from slave trader/captain to servant of the Lord. Here's stanza one:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

The sinner knows when his/her sin has been removed. Until that point of having it removed and receiving new birth in Christ, life is miserable. All that life can throw at us hits us hard and we think we have no recourse or that we are alone. Sin has a way of doing that to us. It drags us down with it into a place where all that Jesus said would happen, as found in John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and that in abundance." Sin, if allowed can steal from life the fullness and vitality of life. Sin also kills. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death." Not much of a paycheck. Destroy means just that, everything is wiped away and we're close to having nothing. On the other hand, Jesus' promise sounds great: He came that you and me could have life and not just existence, but the fullness of life; the joy and vitality, peace and joy, of being alive in Him. Not a hard choice is it? We can choose to go from being a "wretch" to being alive. We can claim as did Newton that we have gone from being lost to being found, from being blind to being able to see. How sweet the sound indeed.

Make your choice today, to be the person the Lord offers you to be.

PRAYER: Loving God, cleanse me of my sin. Restore me to fullness of life. May my relationship with You bring life to me and through me, to others. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

DAY FIVE IN A JOURNEY OF GRACE

God of grace, pour out Your blessing on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text is from John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. AND 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Grace is God's gracious love and mercy towards us when we deserve it the least. Yet, grace would not be grace if we did not respond to it. We spoke of God seeking us in what Wesley called prevenient grace and that is the courtship period in our relationship with God. God seeks us out and as we are sought out, God is leading us to a point where we must decide if we are in relationship with God. Do we trust enough to say yes to God? Can we put aside our doubts, reservations, fears, questions aside and say, "Yes, God, I do believe and I do trust You. I do know that I matter to You and that I put myself and all of my loved ones in Your loving hands." It is at that moment that we enter into that relationship known as justifying grace, the point of our having been born anew or "from above" (v. 3) or other versions say, "born again." It is at that moment that all that has held us back is entrusted to God and we journey forth in a new relationship with Him.

Do you trust God enough to turn over your whole life and being to God? Can You trust that all that we have heard and read is true for you and so from before you were born and even beyond when you die, can you believe that you are God's?

PRAYER: Thank You, loving God, for all You offer me. As You offered Nicodemus, I know You offer me this invitation to be born "from above." I pray that I might be born in spirit to spiritual things and that I might trust You and walk with You. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

DAY THREE IN A JOURNEY OF GRACE

God of grace and God of glory, may those two precious gifts shine in the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Our text for today is from Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

I have recounted the story of our visit to Wesley's Chapel in November of 2005 when we were given a quick tour of the chapel and of John Wesley's home. The gracious man giving us the tour said that the baptismal font at Wesley's Chapel was given by John Newton, who had worshiped at one Sunday service where he was converted and this conversion was so powerful he had returned home to his plantation in the Caribbean and tried to free his slaves, but not before sending a step from that plantation home as a symbol of the power of God to convert. Well, the story line was good and correct, but the man in question was not Newton but a man named Nathaniel Gilbert. Newton, however, still knew the power of God's grace to help us rise above our sin nature into a new creation, thus the famous and favorite hymn, "Amazing Grace." Among the precious lines are contained the words, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." While the word wretch is not a commonly used word, it describes our condition when we are away from God. From the misery of sin that can and does make us unbearable, God can set us free, and what a sound that is.

Grace is God's gift of a second or third or fourth or millionth chance in this life. John Wesley would call this God's prevenient grace, the love that seeks us and even though we don't deserve it, God give us love and freedom in forgiveness with nothing expected in return. Those who know love, know that we love God in return and we should love others as a result of that change. "All of this," Paul would write, "is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:18). We can leave the state of sin and enter the state of grace, through God's amazing love we call grace.

PRAYER: Loving God, help me rise above that which holds me down in misery and affliction. I know it is the result of sin. I have sought answers and comforts away from You and I no longer want to be here; grant me new lifre through Your grace; through Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.

Eradio Valverde