And They'll Know We Are Christians By Our _____?

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When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13:31-35)

God blessed me with a wonderful day yesterday.  It was a long day, but one I spent with my sweet wife, going the width of our district.  We got up early to be in worship at First UMC in Port Lavaca, where our web master and his wife asked that I baptize their daughter.  His mother is our associate pastor at FUMC there, and it was a great morning, followed by a good lunch.  Then we zoomed over to George West, Texas, where I shared my faith story with a large group of confirmands.  And as I was reading the gospel text for this coming Sunday that thinking about the day and especially the giggly confirmands sitting on the front row that I thought of that old song which I quoted in the titles of this devotional.  The refrain says, "And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love."  Did I mention I got attacked as soon as I walked in the sanctuary at the first church?  Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our lack of love in some cases...  It was not a personal attack but an attack against a pastor is still an attack.  Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love...

The object of our lives is to glorify God in everything we say, think, and do.  And nothing glorifies God more than our love towards God, towards ourselves in positive, healthy ways, and our love for others.  It's the new commandment, and it's one that will never get old, especially as new people come to that understanding of its importance and centrality to our faith.  Jesus was suggesting or hinting this; He was commanding this.  "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Yes, everyone.  No exceptions.  Not even jerks.

PRAYER:  Lord, Easter is about Your love for us, and our love for you and others.  We sometimes fear the "others" because of what we have seen or experienced from some, but nonetheless, our commandment is to love one another.  Forgive us when we find it hard or try to ignore doing that; we are called to people The People of Love.  May it be so in my heart and life right now!  In Your Name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS  That attack did not ruin my day nor deny me my blessings!  Amen!

Ah, the Good Life!

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The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.     He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;     he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths    for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,    I fear no evil; for you are with me;    your rod and your staff—    they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me    all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord    my whole life long. - 23rd Psalm

I entered the good life at around nine years of age.  It was at that age that Jesus became my shepherd.  It was at that age I got my first paying job; and I became a tither.  And around that age that I was confirmed into the Methodist Church on this very day (it was a Sunday back then!).  I can think of no better life that I could want.  I am the richest man when it comes to blessings from the Lord; His love and care for me.  I have never wanted for anything; many have been the green pastures in which I have laid down in.  Cool has been the water I have drank.  And many have been the times the Lord has restored my soul.  He's been my G.P.S.; my Good Providing Shepherd, and has led me on the right path and what an adventure that has been.  I wish I could say that I've stayed on that path; I sometimes resemble that verse that says, "And we, like sheep, have gone astray..." but He's led me back and more importantly welcomed me back.  Yes, I've been scared and many have been the tears I have shed; but I've never feared, especially evil, for the power and might of the Lord have protected me, and yes, I've been comforted.

I've attended the finest banquets possible, sometimes even with people that didn't care for me, and some may have been my enemies; but that was okay because as far as the Lord was concerned I was the guest of honor; and so were they - for Jesus died for sinners.  To receive bread and wine in Jesus' name and presence, and power; I'm full!  And while the journey has been a great one and no one know how much more we have, we hold on to the hand of He who leads us, and you know what?  The best is yet to come!  I have reservations at the Shepherd's house.

PRAYER:  Lord, bless those who have read it; may those who know You celebrate You, and may those who seek You come to know You as Lord and Shepherd.  I pray in Thy name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

P.S.  The year was 1963 - 53 years ago.  I still have the Bible given to me on that day, and I still have the certificate of my church membership!  To God be the glory!