Here and There, God is Glorified!

The Mountain Top Experience

From Mark 9:2-9:

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

You and I have probably had those mountaintop experiences, where suddenly something about God became crystal clear. You can't quite explain it, but you feel it; sometimes you've seen it; and whatever it is you don't want it to end. Several settings lend themselves to these type of experiences; Mount Wesley in Kerrville was in my youth, the setting where I learned a lot about God. Later, in the mid-80s, it was where I was a pilgrim on my first Walk to Emmaus. The passage from Mark is the ultimate mountaintop experience for Jesus' inner circle. Peter, James and John were privy to several experiences that only they saw or experienced while alone with Jesus.

This comes right after Peter and several of His disciples try to rebuke Jesus for having said He was to suffer much and be killed at the hands of those who wanted His life. Peter was even called "Satan" for his role in this incident. But that's now behind them, and Jesus takes them to the top of this high mountain. As soon as they arrive there, Jesus is transfigured. The easiest way to try to explain this is that Jesus' body is both here, on that mountain, and there in Glory, the realm of God. The disciples could only explain it by trying to explain His clothing becoming "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." And to further the spiritual nature of this unique experience, they were able to see two figures with Jesus, whom they identified as being Elijah and Moses, who are talking with Jesus. The only thing Peter can think to say is that he and the other two could build shelters, or places to spend the night; that's how scared he was. Then, God sends a cloud and God's voice declares, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Then it all ended. This is the second time in Jesus' ministry that God has made this declaration; the first at Jesus' baptism, and now.

I always remember the closing words of the last book of the Old Testament; Malachi 4:4-5, where God says, "Remember the law of my servant Moses...Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes." Hmm. Coincidence that the disciples saw these two men mentioned? No. This is fulfillment of prophecy and promise, that God would send these two men, which He does in this experience. Peter. James. John. Witnesses to this unexplainable image of Jesus both here and There; Elijah and Moses present with them; and God declaring this is My Son!

We don't need mountaintop experiences to strengthen our faith. We just need reminders of what God has done in our lives thus far. The challenges and obstacles that are now gone because of God's action; the blessings too numerous to count; and the joy of life because He who came to bring the fullness of life lives within our hearts.

PRAYER: Loving God, for the joy of today I thank You. Yes, for many it is Monday and we may gripe about having to go to work, but remind us we are blessed to have that which provides for us and our families. Give me the joy of a mountaintop experience because You are with me. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

How Do I Love Thee?

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God deserves our praise and thanks

From Psalm 111: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

The miles between our daughters and us are many; and the miles between where we are right now and the births of our grandchildren are many as well. Yet, last night through the wonders of technology and phone and tablet apps we took a trip down Memory Lane, all caused by a baby walker that has been used, quite reluctantly in most cases, by all four of our grandchildren. The kindling was our youngest grandchild, Eliana, sensing something is up, now wants to do all baby things, and state loudly,which she has many times, that she is the baby. Come April 29th, Lord willing, she will have a baby sister. But the photo of Eliana in the walker,and I wonder if that is the correct name for it, is the device with many wheels, a table of sorts, the chair for the baby, gadgets to entertain the baby and the ability to help the baby learn how to walk, made all of us share the photos of all our grand babies, and even some of our daughters with each other. Each photo made me say, Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord is a statement of praise and thanksgiving. Like David, you and I have much to be thankful for, for the things the Lord God has done have blessed our hearts; and it should lead us to church where joining with others, we can together say, Praise the Lord! And if you take time to study those works, you will be amazed and delighted. Look for the sun rise soon, and see what all is brought to light as that sun rises in the sky; join David as he says, "Full of honor and majesty is His work, and God's righteousness endures forever." And add to the list that David begins by listing God's graciousness, God's mercy, God's provision for all who ask, God's faithfulness in having shared and kept His covenant with all people. God shows His grace and power in all places, knowing no borders. Just like His works, God's teachings, God's Word, is faithful,just, and trustworthy. God has redeemed the believer. God's name is holy and awesome. And, as an awesome way to conclude this praise statement, the psalmist adds, "The fear (worship and respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" meaning just when we think we have seen and listed it all, God shares yet another blessing, and the list goes on and on.

Whatever challenge that may be before us, we stop and say, Praise the Lord! And we continue forward as God continues to bless us. Let us bless God!

PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You! May we live lives that always say, Praise the Lord! Let us have eyes to see and count, and lips and voices to say, Thank You! Praise the Lord!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Listening to God

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Hearing and Obeying what the Lord says

From Deuteronomy 18:15-20: The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me from your community, from your fellow Israelites. He's the one you must listen to. That's exactly what you requested from the LORD your God at Horeb, on the day of the assembly, when you said, "I can't listen to the LORD my God's voice anymore or look at this great fire any longer. I don't want to die!" The LORD said to me: What they've said is right. I'll raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites—one just like you. I'll put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. I myself will hold accountable anyone who doesn't listen to my words, which that prophet will speak in my name. However, any prophet who arrogantly speaks a word in my name that I haven't commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.

Many years ago, your family got their first phone. After being the last family in our block to get one, we gathered around it to see what it would do. I remember my Dad making the first call and I remember our running to it when it would ring. Sometimes we would just pick it up because in those days in our town, many of us shared a line with others, called a party line and we would try to listen to someone else's conversation; woe to the ones caught doing that. I don't remember the first call for me; phones seems to be a grownup thing. My friend Alex, and I, had a special shrill yell, actually our attempt to imitate the whistle we could not quite do, which would have the other running to the house of the other. We never talked on the phone as there was no need. Years later I remember walking in a department store and seeing one of our neighbors with a huge bag with a phone in it! It seemed like something from a war movie, a large shoulder bag with a phone with a cord, and she was calling one of her daughters to get their sizes for a dress. By then I had had many calls for me, and I had made a number of calls as well. The most important one, my call into ministry came not through a phone, but from God's way of speaking to me, and calling me to do what I do. It was a quiet but effective way that let me know that my life's fulfillment would come in being obedient to Him and His call into ministry.

God continues to speak even today. Not many hear Him because of so many distractions that have come our way. And the text for today comes in the time of the formation of Israel as God's chosen people. The voice of God was heard from God's mouthpiece, which is literally what the word prophet means. During this time in their formation history it was Moses who heard from and spoke for God. And here in this passage, God is speaking prophetically about the prophet who was to come later from among the Israelites. It would be an answered prayer, for God would raise up the one who would speak for Him, and the people had to listen. This new prophet would be one who would speak words of accountability towards God, and words that had to be heard, received, and obeyed. And this spokesperson for God would be one who loved God in a genuine way, not arrogant in either speech or life, and speak only for the one true God.

We should not let the distractions of today quiet the voice of God. For most of us that voice brings encouragement and hope, but it also brings words of reproach and instruction; all good, and necessary for our wellbeing. Those who make time to talk to, and listen to, God, hear exactly what the Lord may be saying to us.

PRAYER: Loving God, I pray that these times we make to read your word and speak to You through our prayers would be just one of the many times during the day in which I can truly hear Your voice for my life. Help me to hear, listen, and obey all that You share. And after I say Amen, it will be Your turn to talk. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Power, Rock, and Soul

The Wherewithal to Live

From Psalm 62:5-12: For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah) Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

There are moments, like this one, when all one can do is wait in silence. And there is only One, in Whom we can wait, and that is God. For it is in God from where we get all our hope. I write this in a dorm room in a nice setting, miles from where I want to be; with my granddaughter, my daughter, son-in-law, and wife as they awaken and prepare for Eliana's surgical procedure. I wonder what David was confronting as he wrote this psalm. But it speaks to me. "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." Beautiful, but powerful words. David knew all these aspects of God, for he himself was delivered from many challenges. He stood upon that rock, and knew the salvation from many foes, especially sin. For one who knew battle, he knew the strength and protection of a fortress. And in all those things he was not shaken.

In God is our deliverance, for God continues to be our rock and refuge; in God we truly do trust. God is open to hearing us pour out our hearts before Him, and God acts on our behalf.

All power belongs to God.

PRAYER: For those here and anywhere who are facing difficulty, be with us. I especially pray for Eliana, that she be safe and that that which is being done on her, and for her, be a victory. For calm and peace, we rely on You; share that with Nellie and Jorge. Share it with Nellie and me and all who need it right now. All power belongs to You, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

God Changes His Mind

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It helps that Jonah changed his mind first!

From Jonah 3:15, 10: The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Good morning, dear friends. Yesterday found me in a place with no wifi, and this morning's wifi is very limited and slow! God bless you all with a great day!

This is a beloved story of many, perhaps because of the intrigue of the whale (or big fish) that for many, is the star of this story. But the real star of course, is God and God's love for the people of this great city Nineveh. God saw this great city had fallen into sin and called Jonah to go and preach to them. Jonah decided it was not in his best interest to move to this great city and tried hiding from God. He ended up in the belly of this great fish and from the depths of the ocean and despair, cried out to God, God heard his voice and delivered him. Jonah then does preach and it is a simple yet difficult message to preach: Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" The people heard that and "believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth." The people not only heard the word of God, they believed it, and acted on it. The sackcloth was a sign of their faith in God to take away their sin. The response was so pleasing to God, God changed His mind about what He planned to do, and "He did not do it."

Of the human characters in the story, we can either be Jonah, called by God to do something, and we can be that person ready to preach. We could also be the person called by God to do something and we're still looking for a place to hide. And if this is the case, imagine four and five year olds in a small house trying to find a place to hide where God will not find you. Or, we could be the ones who have heard the message calling us to change our ways and become believers and doers of God's word. Whichever one you are, in the way the story says God changed His mind, we can change our mind and become obedient to God.

PRAYER: Lord, whichever role I am trying to play today, preacher, hider, receiver, let me do it to accomplish Your will and plan for my life. This I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Funny How Time Slips Away

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The Urgency of Paul at Work

From 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31: I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Two nights ago I received a retouched (improved) photo taken of my grandfather, Carlos Valverde, Jr., and me at age of a few months. The photo is almost sixty-two years old, but it seems like only yesterday I was a child, enjoying my grandpa's company, hearing his long, loud prayers before bed, and then crying at his funeral. I am so thankful to God for that man, and for all who have been in my life but now are gone. The title of this devotional borrows from Willie Nelson's old hit, redone several times, and it's about broken love. The devotional deals with the urgency of Paul and his quest to get as many people to believe in Jesus as he possibly could. And that passage from his first letter to the church in Corinth shares that urgency; "the appointed time has grown short;" and the image for today shows what most of our alarm clocks do, LATE! Paul is saying that we have work to do and cannot be encumbered with more pressures. To do the work effectively, he writes, those who are married should carry on their appointed tasks with more focus on the task than on the aspects of relationships that could hinder that work. The same he said to those in mourning, carry on your tasks for God's work, as though you were not mourning; and for those who are extremely happy, do your work as though you were not distracted by the joy in your life. The short of it could be summed up as Christ is coming soon, and we have yet to reach all that we should. And many of us will read that, look at our watch or clock and remember that we have somewhere to go.

No one knows the time or hour, but we cannot live as though we would never die when it comes to sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ to as many as we can. This past Sunday in talking with a tiny congregation about their future, they recalled, like most dying churches, a bygone era, "when the church was full and there were kids and youth all over the place!" I asked if there were any churches like that in that town. Yes, they replied, the Jehovah Witnesses have a group of 75. Hmm. I shared with them what JWs usually on their free days. They knock on doors. They feel a sense of urgency and they have a doctrine and theology that is not necessarily sound when it comes to our Christ-centeredness. In fact, their whole outlook can be found in John 1:1, where their Bible says, "and the Word was a god." Look up what our Bible says. Who should be the most urgent?

Time is precious and yes, it slips away, but make the most with the time you have. Make time to pray. Make time to listen after you pray. And do what you hear after your prayers. Talk to that person, write that letter, send that email, make that call. Do what God has placed in your heart to do that will bless the work that He has entrusted to us. And yes, enjoy your time with loved ones, but do not lose focus on the task at hand.

PRAYER: Loving God, the time you have shared with us is so precious. Make us know that we have yet to do all that was asked of us. May we be better stewards of Your time and may we share the Good News as we should. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The Main Thing

Our Adventure with Jesus Christ

From Mark 1:14-20: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Mark shares a crucial part of Jesus' ministry in this passage. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, is under arrest and Jesus knows that His job continues on. He takes the simple, but powerful sermon of John and uses it, for it is indeed good news. The message has four powerful point; 1) It is the fullness of time. 2) The Kingdom of God has arrived. 3) Repentance is vital. 4) Belief is key. The people hearing that knew about the fullness of time as the time when God would act; Jesus is saying the time is now. People had an understanding about kingdoms, if not about God's kingdom, but if God's kingdom was near, this would be the time to enter into it. Repent may have been a new message to them, but it was a needed one for we recognize and know when we have sinned. Repentance offers God's way out from that sin. This was the good news Jesus was bringing, the "main thing" as it were. Belief is the only response for hearing good news. With that message, Jesus begins to call those who would join Him as disciples. At the Sea of Galilee He sees Simon (Peter) and Andrew, two brothers who were casting news into the sea. Jesus invites them to join Him on this incredible adventure: "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." Their response was immediate. The three journey a ways and they see James and John, another pair of brothers, also fishermen, who are meaning their nets. They too are invited and they leave with Jesus, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired hands.

The lives of these four men would never be the same. We who have said yes to Jesus have had our lives changed and they would never be the same. In many of our cases we have said yes and left home and family to see where this adventure takes us. For some it leads right back home, for others to places never dreamed of, and people who have blessed us on this adventure. For others our life's perspective changed and the same people around us have been transformed as we journey with Christ. The call of Jesus begins our adventure and the instant we say yes, new and incredible things happen, and honestly, never a dull moment. To venture with Jesus knowing our sins are forgiven and forgotten is a destination in itself, but not so with Jesus; for there are those who have yet to hear about the good news of a savior, and so we journey on in this adventure.

Ours is an adventure that should keep the main thing the main thing. Sin claims too many lives, and too many die in their sins. Ours is a message of freedom, hope, and joy; for the God of love has spoken to us and we need to share with others that which has set us free.

PRAYER: Loving God, speak again the word forgiven to my ears and heart. And let me join in sharing that word with others. Let me keep the main thing the main thing in my life. I pray this in the name of He who set me free, Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Happy Martin Luther King day!

Eradio Valverde

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made!

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Yep. You're Awesome!

From Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18: O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end —I am still with you.

There are certain times of the day that you look into the mirror. Admit it. It may be early in the morning. It may be right after lunch. But whenever it is you tend to make an evaluation of yourself. You judge yourself as either be wonderful, or something less than wonderful. This devotional will be made to glorify God not to make you conceited or arrogant. But, as you read or reread this psalm, you got the impression David had reached a point where he knew he mattered to God. It was not because he was chosen by God to be king of his people, though that wouldn't hurt you, would it? And it was not because he had killed the giant, but that would look good on your resume, wouldn't it? And it was not because he had killed several bears and lions while still a boy, but that would boost your ego, too, right? It was because David knew God. God cares and loves all of creation, people included. David knew that God knew everything about us. I had to laugh at one of the things I read online to the effect: Does Facebook know more about your than your mother? And sadly, that is a yes for those who are devoted to posting and reading Facebook. But guess what? God knows you better than Facebook and better than either one of your parents.

The knowledge that God knows and cares for us should help us reach the understanding that David reached. David said, "For it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Ahh! I've shared with you before about a wonderful doctor that Nellie and I had for a very brief time in our lives. He was a fairly new convert and would weep as he would view a sonogram of the human heart; "How can anybody say there is no God when you look at the marvelous working of this body??" For he had once said there was no God and then God's Word spoke to his heart and he began to see things with a different perspective. So should you. We should join David's song, "Wonderful are your works."

PRAYER: Thank You, awesome God, for the joy and peace of David and his/Your words for us this day. May I truly look beyond my human eyes and see myself for who You made me to be; a masterpiece of Your works. May my life affirm and help others affirm, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Here I Am, Lord!

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God Still Calls People of All Ages

From 1 Samuel 1:1-20: Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Then the Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever." Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." He said, "Here I am." Eli said, "What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you." So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him." As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

Samuel was a gift from God, to God. The son of a devoted woman, he had been presented to God to minister alongside the prophet Eli. Eli had grown old, and had lost control of his own sons; but this boy, like his mother, was devoted to the work, but he did not yet know God. The story shared here happens during the night. Samuel was lying down in the temple near the ark of God. He hears a voice calling him by name; in fact, the name is said twice. The little boy runs to Eli, thinking it had been Eli calling to him. The old man said he was not calling him. It happens again, same result, Go back and lay down. It is on the third time that the prophet realizes that it is God calling the little boy and tells him the response he should give God, "Speak, for your servant is listening." The response from God was not a good response for Eli. God had grown tired of hearing the things lifted up against Eli's sons. The little boy lay there until morning, then Eli came and asked, and Samuel told him what God had said.

God calls us into ministry, and sometimes God calls some of us out of ministry. In this case, Samuel is called into ministry, and Eli is called out of it. Never an easy thing for those who hear that or wrestle with it, but it does happen. Sadly, I believe, too many people are closed to hearing either call. Some go their whole lives running and hiding from God. Some in ministry continue in it even though God may be calling them out. The latter are those who have lost contact with God and no longer listen for what God may be asking of them.

Where do you find yourself? Being called in, or called out? This is something to pray about, for we want to do God's will, not ours. As you pray, listen and when you finish praying, listen yet again.

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to listen to You. If You are calling me in, help me prepare. If You are calling me out, help me also to prepare. But I want Your will, not mine to be done. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Glorify God!

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Even with Your Body

From 1 Corinthians 6:12-20: "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, "The two shall be one flesh." But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

I was able to sit in a Sunday school class this past week, and the teacher asked me what was the difference between a disciple and an apostle? She then said that a preacher once said there was no difference and to leave it at that. I said the way I had learned it was that a disciple is one who learns from and is dedicated to a teacher or master; and an apostle is a disciple who takes that learning and puts it into practice. I mentioned that is why Paul is called the Apostle Paul, for his work in carrying the message of Jesus into so much of the world. And she then said, we wouldn't have much of a New Testament if it wasn't for Paul. And that's true. Paul as he taught and shared what had been taught and shared to him, raised up congregations almost everywhere he went. And after a while, he would move on, and start the work somewhere else. And the former congregation might then have a problem or a question and they would write to him and ask him for his understanding and teaching. One such question comes from the church in Corinth. Apparently, some of the members loved to say what is mentioned in the first verse above, "All things are lawful for me," and were using that as a rationalization, or justification, of bad behavior and in this case, sexual misconduct. "What I do with my body does not affect my spiritual life!" I have heard that before. Some have believed, "God cares more about my soul than anything I'm doing to my body!" Wrong. Paul knows as should we, that there is no division between our bodies and spirits. Paul goes as far as saying that the "body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?" Those who have been baptized in the name of the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, have invited the presence and power of God in three persons into every realm of our lives. Further study of scripture will also reveal to us that we belong to God, because God bought us with a price; the death of His own Son on the cross, and "therefore glorify God in your body."

The tempter is still as slick as when he was with Adam and Eve in the garden. Smooth, attractive invitations to sin easily come our way. And most of us will sometimes think yeah, that's right, I deserve this, or who am I hurting? One can imagine the reputation of that Christian church in Corinth whose members were patrons of brothels. Paul wants them, and us, to glorify God in every aspect of our lives.

Brothers and sisters, remember the closing part of Our Lord's prayer, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." There's a reason that is in that precious and powerful prayer, and more of a reason we should pray that often.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for buying me with that costly price. Let me not take that for granted. Instead, let me live in a way that invites others to glorify You in all areas of their lives. I pray that prayer that Jesus taught us, Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Putting the Band Together

IMage from AngusDay.org

Were the Apostles a Dream Team?

From John 1: 43-51: The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Jesus' call of disciples amazes me every time a biblical story, like today's shows it happen. Jesus approaches these men and some of the times simply says, "Follow me." And they usually do. Today He found Philip and asked Him to follow Him, and he did. And Philip, excited by this invitation, does what we should be doing, goes and tells someone else, in this case Nathanael, and says, "You won't believe that we have found Him whom Moses and the prophets talked about! Some see, this Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth!" At first Nate asks, "That hick town? No one big or important has come from a hick town like that!" In one cartoon strip, agnusday.org, two lambs are talking about hick towns, and after one of them mentions hick towns, the other lamb says, "Elvis was from a hick town." And the first responds, "I don't think you can equate Elvis with Jesus," to which the second responds, "That's true, Jesus has never been sighted at a 7-11." But hick towns aside, Philip insists that Nate go and see. The first to speak at that meeting is Jesus when He calls Nate "an Israelite without deceit." Amazed, Nate asks, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus responds with the answer, and Nate is blown away. Listen again to what Nate's response is, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Wow. Teacher. Son of the Living God. King of Israel. A three-fold declaration of faith based on Jesus having seen him under a fig tree.

Jesus then asks, "does your faith in me come because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You ain't seen nothing yet!" Yesterday, I was privileged and honored to preach, for the first time, in my childhood church, El Buen Pastor UMC in Kingsville, Texas. I was baptized there at 30 days of age, confirmed there, and made Jesus my Lord and Savior in that church at about age 8. And I basically shared how from that time on, the things I have seen, and the places I have gone, have been the result of my faith in Jesus Christ. The things promised to Nate are awesome, that he would see "heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." While I have not yet seen these things, the answers to my prayers, and the blessings that have come my way, are along the same lines of angels attending to me and loved ones and church members, and all because of the Son of God is with me, and with you who have made Him your Lord and Savior.

Jesus continues to build his team; and He wants you on it. What's keeping you out? Is it you yourself that's the obstacle? Surrender then, every aspect of your life, including your sins, to the Son of God, and see what happens. You will be amazed!

PRAYER: Lord, You never cease to amaze us as we pray and listen. Bless this dear reader with stronger faith and may we see in the answers to our prayers those answers that will amaze and bless us, and in turn, others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update: We prayed for Roger Custer, and yesterday after lunch, I spoke there, and church members were happy that he had been in church. Also thank you for your prayers and understanding about my health scare. I'm on the mend. And I'm thankful that I could put this devotional together for you. Blessings to you!

Wise Men & Wise Women Still Seek Him!

Happy New Year! Welcome Back!

From Matthew 2:1-12: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' " Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

As you read this, enjoy the last day of Christmas for this year. Many think that the Christmas season ends on the 26th or at least when the radio stations stop playing Christmas music. I am thankful that my neighbors have kept their lights on even tonight, and last evening, Nellie and I drove around downtown Kerrville, where they have their seasonal lights still up. All reminders of the specialness of this season. And why not? The birth of Jesus was in and of itself an awesome event. Think about it; God, loving the world enough, gave His only Son to come and save us. And God chose a remote corner of the world, and a humble one at that, to allow His son to be born among a certain people speaks of God's love and concern for those whom God had chosen. The event we just read above speaks of God's love for ALL people. The magi came "from the East," and does not identify what country in particular, but the common agreement is that these visitors from the East were not Jews. They are identified as being "wise" and as ones who studied the heavens and saw the star of Jesus, and they came to worship. The story takes a great turn in that they come to the palace of a tyrant to ask where the new king could be found. Historians tell of Herod's rule and personal hangups and how he supposedly murdered his owns sons so they would not take his throne. Not a wise choice to call on this madman first. But, the point of this story is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the action of God to reach the yearnings of humanity for meaning, purpose, and relationship with something greater; all found in God and God's Son, Jesus Christ.

The magi found the Christ child, fell to their knees and worshipped Him. They brought what they could to expression their love and gratitude for this great action on God's part for our sake. It begs the question for us: When was the last time an encounter with Jesus brought us to our knees in worship and praise? What have we given from what God has shared with us to honor God? We have in Christ Jesus the answer to all questions regarding our worth and place in God's plan; the least we can do is say, Lord, I am yours. Then you will join the ranks of the truly wise men and women who have sought, and who have found the One sent by God.

PRAYER: Loving God, may I fall to my knees in praise, prayer, and worship every single day, for I know every single day I should respond to Your call to be Yours. May I offer myself and all that I have, to You and Your work. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed year in the Lord! Thank you for your prayers for me while I was on our Christmas break. May this day be a blessed one for you and yours!

Eradio Valverde

The Why of Christmas

God's Blessings Never End!

From Titus 2:11-14: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Christmas is more than just a day, as it is for some. For many children it it THE day for in it come all the gifts. From our 21st century standpoint it is hard to believe that this day did not have the significance for the world that it now does. For the believer it has always marked the day set aside as the day of our Savior's birth, and this is reinforced by the little epistle of Titus. Titus calls this day the day God's grace appeared in bodily form, to bring us deliverance from our sinful selves; embarking us on a teaching journey to live lives that are pleasing in God's sight. His list of this pleasing life includes our ability to control ourselves, to be upright, and to be godly. We prayerfully wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of the Savior who will come again for us. For it was He who came to redeem us from our iniquities, and Himself was purified so that we might be a people "zealous" for doing good in the world.

So, besides what is under the tree awaiting us, may we be part of the gift God has given the world. Live a life described above and be a blessing to those who do not yet know blessings.

PRAYER: Loving God of grace, fill me with what I need to be a blessing to others. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! My devotionals will resume after the New Year. I encourage you to surprise your pastor(s) by being in worship on Christmas Eve, and on Sunday the 28th! Blessings for a joyful and safe time with loved ones during these days!

Jesus Was Born for All People

Image from http://joniewp.wordpress.com

The Uncommon Birth for Common Folk

From Luke 2:1-20: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Yesterday we got to witness again, the birth of Jesus as told by children in a church's Christmas pageant. This one was incorporated into the worship service, and we were there to hear our oldest granddaughter, Saraí Evangelina Cortez, sing God's praises in the children's choir, called appropriately enough, The Hallelujah Choir. The excitement on the kids' faces and in their voices made this ancient story new. It happens every year. A news report on professional Christmas carolers shared how the carolers love to share the Christmas message again and again as hope and comfort. The key word shared by one was to help them "perhaps go back to their childhood and connect again with a special memory." That memory is that of a loving God connecting with all of humanity in the birth of His Son, Jesus.

The gospel of Luke includes the official reason for people to gather in different places, and emphasized how important it was for Joseph and Mary to come to Bethlehem, the City of David, for this child's birth. All the background is there, but so is the why:. Luke then shows how this news reached not the palace, but the pasture, where the most common of people were found, doing the most common of jobs in those days, shepherding sheep. "Do not be afraid," is the first part of the announcement. Given all we have heard of violence and aggression, the world, you and I, need to hear this; do not be afraid. The second is, "I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Best news yet! We have a savior and messiah born in Jesus. The shepherds in yesterday's church play had the most special part, in my opinion for a child, they ran throughout the church! The choir sang, "Run, Shepherds, Run!" and they didn't have to tell these kids twice; they ran!

So should we, in our own age, to tell others about this great news of great joy, to everyone we can! It's too good to keep to ourselves, and the world still needs to hear it. One of my daughters has a co-worker, not raised in church who asked about church and shared, "I kinda like the idea of being watched over by something greater than me." How many more are intrigued, and in need, of hearing these great news?

PRAYER; Loving God, Christmas is awesome, for in it, You acted on my behalf. Help me to truly receive, understand, and enjoy that; help me to run towards those who have not yet heard so that they, too, can hear the great news of Your love. This I pray in Christ Jesus' beautiful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

I Will Sing of Your Love Forever

How Do You Express Love?

From Psalms 89: 1-4; 19-26: I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: "I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.' " Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him; my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted. I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers. He shall cry to me, "You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'

My wife has a collection of letters, poems, silly writings, cartoons, etc. that a certain young pastor wrote to her while trying to woo her. I pray those will be destroyed upon my death. They were expressions of my love to her. In this psalm we see the psalmist expressing his love towards God, and his inclination, given his musical talents, was to sing of his love toward the Lord forever. He would use his vocal abilities to share all about God's faithfulness to all generations. Though his voice is now silent, his words are still with us; and many are those of us who still count the psalms as blessings of inspiration and encouragement.

The second part of this psalm goes into sharing what happened in his own life. God spoke a word of faithfulness to David and his household. The promises shared here speak of what God would do and did do, for David while king of Israel.

What has God done in your life that inspires your creativity and sharing? What is stopping you from singing, dancing, shouting, writing about the faithfulness of God in your life? Whom has you blessed with your message about God lately?

PRAYER: Come, Holy One, into my heart in ways that inspire me to shout and proclaim of Your love and faithfulness to me and my house. Let me speak a word of inspiration and encouragement to others today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

From Pasture to Palace. Never Forget God!

Journey a Thankful Path with the One Who Guides You Always

From 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16: Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you." But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Those children who grow up in Sunday school or in the church usually know the answer to Where is God? Most will say, "God is everywhere!" And indeed God is everywhere. In the Old Testament history, God never wanted a house, to limit the answer to that question, as in, Where is God? "God is over there in that house/building." God never wanted a throne either, the closest God allowed was the ark of the covenant, built like a throne, but with the knowledge that God doesn't sit much. That changed in this setting, where David is settled in his palace and the thought came to him that God was still in a tent. David's intention was to build God a proper house, a temple where God could be worshipped and whose presence through worship could be felt and experienced. God's word came back through the prophet Nathan, who asked David the question God asked, "Are you the one to build me a house to live in?" Nathan was reminded by God that He had not had a house in the entire time the people of Israel had known Him. In fact, God turned around the desire of David to bless God into God's desire to bless David. God did so by reminding David where he was when God first called him, and the journey David had taken, thanks to God, from the pasture to the palace. And God declares that the house that would be established is David's house, meaning his descendants would be taken care of by God.

What's your journey been with the Lord God? Have you started out in a pasture, and all that image brings to mind? Alone, in a field with animals and their waste products, though perhaps not literally, but you may have been there spiritually, when God first called you out? Have you battled more than your share of giants? Have you engaged in many battles, and been victorious because of God? And do you find yourself now "settled in a house" like King David? Seek to bless the Lord and many times you will be the one blessed. Seek to build a house of God, and God will establish your house. You can't outgive God!

PRAYER: Awesome God, thank You for the journey You have traveled with me. As I am reminded of the places and people we have seen and met, no one has come close to blessing me like You. Guide me farther, and more faithfully, to where You would have me be. This I pray in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update: Rev. Harold Onwiler's surgery went well, and he is resting in Austin and should be home when the doctors say he is ready. Pray that he listen to the doctors.

To God Be the Glory!

May we be as wise as those who sought Him that night...

God is Worthy of our Praise

From Romans 16:25-27: Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

"Do you have any prayer requests?" I asked a woman on Saturday. "Yes," she replied immediately, "Pray for the world." Indeed. The world needs this prayer of Paul; I need this prayer of Paul. We need to recognize that we are weak in so many areas and it is showing in the world today. We've become weak in sharing the gospel and in proclaiming Jesus Christ. We're making the mystery stay secret to those who need to hear it. Glory is something we're seeking, rather than giving it to God.

God has made His wisdom available to us, and what have we done with it? Paul's prayer comes at the end of his gospel to the people of Rome. His list on instructions share the names of so many who were active and working for the good of the gospel in the capitol of the greatest nation in the world at that time. These were the wise, who had taken advantage of the Truth once shared with them, and they knew it was to God's advantage and theirs, to share it with all who would listen. The gospel brings hope, joy, and peace, and as we pray for the world and ourselves in it, we know we need of these things as well.

This epistle lesson comes after the announcement to Mary that she would bear this wonderful son for the good of the world. May our lives be part of the prayer that helps save the world from itself, and saves it to God.

PRAYER: Loving God, to You be all honor and glory. May Your strength be ours, as we seek to proclaim Your love through Jesus Christ to all the world. This we pray in His holy and strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: Please keep Rev. Harold Onwiler in your prayers this morning as he undergoes a heart procedure in Austin, Texas. Also, keep his sweet wife, Roma, in your prayers. May God bring healing to Harold and peace to Roma.

Am I Dreaming?

Eliana, my granddaughter with her contagious laugh!

The Fullness of Life is Like a Dream

From Psalm 126: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

You've had those moments, and I have had those moments, when we think, "This just seems too good to be true!" It was when Nellie and I first started dating that we would tell each other, "Pinch me, because I think I'm dreaming!" And yes, several times, we would. Not hard, thank God! It was as if to say, "This just seems too good to be true." And for the sinner who awakens to find his/her sin removed, it seems just too good to be true. For the captive in life-threatening vices, who discovers that she/he has been released, again, too good to be true. For the patient who gets the notice of remission or healing, again, yes, too good to be true. The psalmist knew those moments, and he writes almost wishing the people of God would know that feeling when their "fortunes" were restored. Laughter should follow, as should jumping and leaping as we praise God for God's restoration of our lives to that level marked "Full."

Advent continues that journey of expectation and hope, that those who do not yet know the goodness of God might come to know and come to have their hearts and lives re-set to Full. May the tears cried in sorrow turn to great shouts of laughter; and may that laughter be contagious to those around us. This is just too good to be kept to ourselves.

PRAYER: Awesome God, what joy has come to us who have been forgiven, healed, restored, reconciled to You, and the list continues; let our tears turn to joy and laughter, and the kind of laughter that makes others notice and turn to You. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Hope and Joy in the Midst of Life

Image from Agnusday.org

Listen, Learn, Live the Way of the Lord

From Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11: The LORD God's spirit is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and a day of vindication for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for Zion's mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the LORD to glorify himself. They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore formerly deserted places; they will renew ruined cities, places deserted in generations past. I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and dishonesty. I will faithfully give them their wage, and make with them an enduring covenant. Their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them will recognize that they are a people blessed by the LORD. I surely rejoice in the LORD; my heart is joyful because of my God, because he has clothed me with clothes of victory, wrapped me in a robe of righteousness like a bridegroom in a priestly crown, and like a bride adorned in jewelry. As the earth puts out its growth, and as a garden grows its seeds, so the LORD God will grow righteousness and praise before all the nations.

The Lord Jesus stood up in worship one day and read this passage from the prophet Isaiah, and then He shocked those listening by saying that this scripture was fulfilled on that day. He was saying that the scripture was being fulfilled in Him, but those who knew Him were distracted by the fact He was the son of a carpenter. The truth is every time you and I read this and accept it and live it, the passage again is fulfilled. You and I have the awesome responsibility of sharing God's liberating truth: God's Spirit can be upon us, and we can be the bearers of the good news to the poor, to help the brokenhearted heal, to declare freedom to those held in captivities of all kinds; even freedom for those imprisoned in prisons with no locks. That is Good News.

I heard from a struggling small church last night that once a month they do a food pantry. People in that small town line up as early as 2 a.m. to make sure they receive a box of food. As this church has been doing this, the people they are helping have come to ask them for a Bible study. The sad thing is that those who help in the food distribution say they don't know how. Part of my message to them is that they do know how, for God is with them and will give them the words. Imagine how many of those lined up for physical food stand in need of the Good News? How many of those have hearts broken? How many are trapped deep in the clutches of a powerful, demonic vice? How many in the prisons of hatred, revenge, and anger? The need is there. The need is right around you as well. Open your mouth, for God has filled it with the words you can share to bring Good News to all.

PRAYER: Lord, Advent is a time of preparation for Your coming. It is also a time to remember You came a first time and left us with things to do until You return. Help us get busy. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update: Alison Singleton's surgery went well, and we thank God. Thank you all for your prayers!

An Advent Checklist

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Begin with Never-ending Joy!

From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

As now who travels constantly, that first ten miles are the most difficult. I have a mental checklist of things that I should have packed, and then to help stress myself more, I ask if I left the stove on. Nellie, who travels with me, will help in this as well. Years ago, I printed out a literal checklist that I had on my dresser of absolute essential items that needed to accompany me on whatever trip I was taking. This journey of Advent, the writer of Thessalonians say, has its own checklist of those things that absolutely must travel with us for our own good.

The first is a joy that won't quit. I have joked with some of my pastors and said that I want to publish a coffee table book called "Faces in the Choir." With no particular church in mind, there have been some moments in worship that I, as a worshipper, have noticed that perhaps the preacher has not. Most in the choir kept a cherub's face, holy and blessed, thankful to be sitting where they're sitting. Some, and these are the ones I want in the picture, let's just say have other things on their mind, with joy being the farthest thing from their mind and heart. This holds true for those in the congregation as well; sometimes me too. Joy in the morning blesses us, and for this Advent to make it a part of a daily checklist, will bless us these days as we await the birth of Jesus and as we await the Lord's return. The second item is to "pray without ceasing." We need to stay connected with God. I preached bilingually at the district conference of El Valle District and God gave me the illustration for a church that does not pray, as being an aquarium filled with fish and no water. A person that does not pray is like a fish out of water, flopping around, fighting for breath that can only be found in the water. And a fish, like an aquarium, without water soon stinks. Pray without stopping! The third is that attitude of gratitude that runs through most of the Bible. We are recipients of God's grace and blessings. We should give thanks to God for everything; the good and the not-so-good. I asked one pastor struggling in his church if he ever said from the pulpit if he was thankful to be the pastor there. The answer was obvious. I replied, "From now on, starting with this Sunday, first thing you say from the pulpit is 'I am so thankful to be your pastor and to be in this church!' Now, you may not mean it, but you keep saying that and thinking that and before too long, you won't be lying about that anymore."

God's will is for our attitude to reflect all that was mentioned above; a joyful, prayerful, thankful life. This helps us in our worship life as we listen to sermons and read books of inspiration. We should seek to find and hold on to the good that is out there, and do our best, with God's help to stay away from every kind of evil around us. God will make us holy in every aspect of our lives, and our souls will be, as the writer says, "sound and blameless" when Christ comes again. God is faithful and will provide all these things. Our job is to ask and receive these things.

PRAYER: Awesome God, what a joy it is to be in prayer with You. Increase our joy, make us people of prayer, and grant to all of us an attitude of gratitude; for we know the better our attitude, the higher the altitude we can soar in life. Keep us sound and blameless, for we ask these things in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request: My Office Manager's daughter, Alison, undergoes a delicate surgery this morning in San Antonio. Please keep Alison, her husband, children Jenna and Asher, mom Sheila and dad, Don, in your prayers.

I'll Tell You Who I'm Not

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Intro to John the Baptist, Witness to Light

From John 1:6-8; 19-28: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord,' " as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

John's Gospel starts on the spiritual level for which it is known; no birth of Jesus story, straight to the facts as he sees them. He does know that the prophet Isaiah did speak a word of one who would come to prepare the way for the Messiah. He also knows that as he reflected back on John's ministry and words, that John the Baptist was a "witness to the light, so that all might believe through him." John, the writer, says that John the Baptist "was not the light," but came to testify to it. John records the interview between the priest and Levites, and John the Baptist, about who he truly was. Question one: Are you the Messiah? John: "I am not the Messiah." Question two: What then? Are you Elijah? "I am not." Question three: Are you the prophet? Question four, and notice their anger getting a bit riled up: Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John: "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said. Those sent by the Pharisees then asked, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John: "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."

At some point in his life, John came to realize who he was. It took him to the place where he realized what he was not, but was humbled to know the One who was coming behind him. Tradition tells us that John the Baptist and Jesus were related; some say as cousins. In their relationship there may have come that vision or voice that told John all that he was to share on behalf of the Messiah. Also, in that relationship came the realization that this Messiah was an awesome person, and John knew that in the face of this Christ, he was not worthy to even untie his sandals. It was not about position or power for John the B; it was about faithfulness and service. His job was to lift up the Christ, not himself. His job was to give witness about the Christ, not himself. His job was to proclaim an unpopular message that riled up the religious authorities, putting himself at personal risk and danger. And yet, he still was faithful.

Our job as believers is to say, "Let me tell you who I'm all about - Jesus!" Following the model of John the Baptist, we lift up Christ and His love and purpose, while downplaying who we are; we are servants of the Most High, and there is no better place in which to find ourselves. We have lots of work still to do...

Get busy!

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to humble myself in Your presence so that I may lift high the Name and person of Jesus. Help me to be a witness to all the good You have done in my life, so that others may come to life in You. This is my prayer, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Make Time to Listen to God

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Hear the Words of Forgiveness, Walk the Path of the Lord

From Psalm 82:1-2, 8-13: Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

As we grow older there are many voices that are now silent forever on this earth. Some have been silenced by death, though in our minds and thoughts we hear and replay that by which we remembered them; some are silenced by disease that take away lucidity, such as Alzheimers or dementia. We long in our spirits to hear them once again.

The voice of God will never be silenced. We may try to drown that voice out with the busyness of our lives or the stress of our pace in this life, but God still speaks. Sadness and sorrow sometimes drowns out the very voice we need to hear speaking of comfort and peace, yet God continues to speak to us. Such was the case for the prophets of old, and even those who speak for God today; stop talking or shouting, and listen. The psalmist, prophetic in many ways, heard the voice of God speak to His people. The message was a needed one, of forgiveness and pardon. God spoke a message of peace to those who were faithful, who had turned in their hearts towards Him. God spoke a message of relationship, desiring to restore into fullness our awareness and fulfillment of our need for God. And where two or three gather with that need and call out to God, and then listen, God will speak.

The Psalmist said, imagine a place where God's steadfast love and faithfulness meet; imagine a place where righteousness and peace can kiss each other; it is in that very place where faithfulness will spring up from the ground (our hearts), and righteousness will look down from the sky (God's heart). That place is a time and setting where we make time to listen to God. God will speak a message of goodness and blessing; and the path towards God will be opened for us.

PRAYER: Loving God, speak that message now in my heart. Let my listening for You provide the setting where Your steadfast love and faithfulness can meet in my heart and mind; and may this meeting lead to the kiss of righteousness and peace; how I need that. I pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Comfort for God's People

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Even us sinners qualify!

From Isaiah 40:1-11: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

There were three deaths that affected our family directly and indirectly. One was my first cousin, Bobbie Garibaldi; the second was the mother of my sister-in-law; and the third was the grandmother of a family friend. Three instances where comfort was, and is, needed. A significant church here in our district found out that their beloved pastor was moving to another church who also found out their beloved pastor was moving. Another church is saying goodbye to a retiring pastor, and just last night met their incoming interim pastor. "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God." Still others are finding out their job status may be changing. Some are discovering they no longer have the job they have had for some time. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem..."

Advent is a time of hearing the cries for comfort and being the voice of the One who provides it. God is not through with us yet. This seemingly never-ending pain or discomfort is not the end. The prophet said of one whose voice would be like one in the wilderness, but one with hope in it: "Every valley (low point in life) shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill (obstacles and challenges in our path) will be made low. Even those places where the ground seems uneven, shall become level, "and the rough places a plain." Yes, God's comfort is for all people, with even us sinners included!

Our voice should be, even in the midst of our own personal challenges, that which says, "God's not finished with us yet! There is still hope coming!" Today, more than previous days, the Church (that's you and me) is called to stand in places where we can be heard with that message that is one of "good tidings" and one that says, God "will feed His flock like a shepherd; God will gather thee lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep."

Find your spot. Raise your voice!

PRAYER: Loving God, let it be that today my voice will be the one heard by those in need that God, You are at work in our lives and needs. May it be a message of peace, joy, and hope that I can proclaim, for Your sake and the sake of Your people. I pray in the Name of He who brought peace, joy, and hope to my life, Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Advent is Upon Us

From Mark 1:1-8: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' " John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

In spite of my sinfulness, in several of my churches, some children knew me as Jesus. This was funny, but scary at the same time. I remember being in the grocery store and hearing children using their "whispers voice" to tell their parents, "There's Jesus!" I would smile and wave. It was also funny for Nellie, who taught a Sunday school class of little ones, and as they concluded the lesson, she asked them to clean the room. One little boy looked out the window and said, "Jesus is coming! Hurry up! Get Ready!" She wondered what he meant and then I walked in to greet the kids and she knew that he was referring to me.

Mark is saying basically the same thing in this passage from his gospel. He quotes the prophet Isaiah and refers to the Advent of a "messenger" who would prepare the way of the coming Messiah, and compares his role as a "voice crying in the wilderness." The job of those who heard this cry were to hear it and get ready. In Mark's gospel he shares how this took place in the person and purpose of John the Baptist. His simple, but hard-hitting message was to repent. It was a needed message because many were those who lined up to confess their sins and to be baptized in water seeking forgiveness of those sins. And his message continued, There is one coming who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie, who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

The trappings of the season are already all around us, and as one preacher said yesterday, "Give them a season for the reason!" And it is true. Many have never truly heard what Christmas is all about. Advent is the time of year we can remind them. The important message for believers is not the greeting we use during this time that matters, it is the Person of Jesus Who matters. Keep Christ in Christmas say the bumper stickers. We should say, Keep Christ in Your Heart and Your Life; Live a life that says Jesus is Lord!

PRAYER: Come, once again, Lord Jesus, into my heart, my mind, my soul, my home, my work, my play. Let me live in a way that truly does give a season for the reason. This I pray in Thy holy name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde