Friday, November 16, 2012

An Attitude of Gratitude

It's almost here. And we're not ready. I'm talking about the trappings and trimmings. Not ready. But in my heart I am. I was sitting here reflecting on God's goodness to me and I am thankful and blessed. God has done way more for me than I ever can do for God, but that is grace. And grace is good. Better than biscuits, to quote a dear friend and colleague in ministry. Are you ready? To take stock and really be thankful for what you have rather than lament about what you don't? Too many are still whimpering about this or crying about that. Enough. Stop. Listen. Learn. Love. Give.

My prayer for you is that God would continue to bless and use you. We are after all, everything the Bible says, salt, light, city on the hill, blessed, peacemakers, those who love one another just as we love ourselves. And make sure you include everybody, especially those nobody else wants nor sees!

Adjust your attitude and you'll be amazed at the altitude you'll achieve.

Monday, November 5, 2012

THE FUTRE STARTS NOW!

1 Peter 1:3 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, 4 including a future in heaven - and the future starts now! (The Message)

Do you ever measure the future in terms of coming movies? Guilty confession, the trailers for upcoming movies are shown, the trailer makes the coming movie in your opinion, a MUST SEE, then it says something like Christmas 2025.... Okay, not everyone is weird like me. Yesterday, it was announced that the Walt Disney Company bought LucasFilms. For many, not a big deal, even, so what, who is Lucas and why should we care? But for those who know, it was also announced that a new Star Wars Episode would be out in 2015. For those who do know, this caused great excitement. For some who do know, it caused some fear; will Mickey Mouse make an appearance in this epic movie? I think that should not be a fear of ours. The future is in good hands.

For Peter, the future is in the hands of God. he says, "What a God we have!" Think about it; from the beauty of creation, the blessings of love, joy, hope, peace, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the promise of a future that never ends - all in the hands of God. This is a God of life. This is our God. Our life is from God and stays in God. A God Who showed through Jesus Christ, that death is a part of life and death was conquered through Him, we have a "brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven." (v. 3-4). Think about that; we have the option to chose in Jesus Christ a brand-new life. And if we do, we find that we have everything to live for. Nothing you may be facing now, a decision or a fear, a worry or an illness, a debt or a payment, nothing, is worhty dying for; quite the opposite in Christ we have everything to live for. We all go through periods of life where we think that we couldn't get any lower or sicker or poorer, but if we hold on and hold on to God, when that is past, we think, thank God for God and for that option of trusting God. We did have everything to live for. Even in times of loneliness, God is with us and gives us hope for living. That verse, verse 4, about a future in heaven ends with "the future starts now!"

Your future, if you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, starts now. And in Jesus Christ, nothing can hold you back or separate you from that glorious future which starts right now, right here. Claim it!

PRAYER: Loving God, I pray in the Name of Jesus for this dear reader and whatever it is that has my brother or sister feeling down. Lord, lift their spirits, their thoughts, their phsycial bodies of pain or discomfort, coughing or sneezing, up to a higher level where there is calm and peace. I further ask that if they have not yet entered into a loving, trusting relationship with You that they do it now, so that that glorious future, which starts right now, right here, might be theirs. I pray this with faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! And tell somebody, "The future starts now!"

Eradio Valverde

Friday, November 2, 2012

Excellence vs. Faithfulness

Never accept nor substitute excellence for faithfulness. Nothing wrong with striving for being great, but do it while being faithful.