A God for All People

Image from biblia.com

Hear and View: https://bit.ly/3Umvn9o

View on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4aMMtnJ

25 Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. 26 Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. "Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!" 27 From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. 28 God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word. 29 All the power-mongers are before him - worshiping! All the poor and powerless, too - worshiping! Along with those who never got it together - worshiping! 30 Our children and their children will get in on this As the word is passed along from parent to child. 31 Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news - that God does what he says. (Psalm 22:25-31 The Message Bible)

Imagine being at a friends house when s/he says, "Well, it's time for supper - you'll have to leave now." Awkward, no? Imagine being in a church when the minister informs those in church, "If you're not a member of this church you cannot take communion." Awkward again. But imagine a God who would say, "Not everyone is welcome to this table unless..." Well, our God has never said anything like that; in fact the second verse of the passage says, "Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising Him." And later, the next verse, "From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God." This is the one true God; the God of all people, Who invites all, and welcomes all. No one is excluded.

The psalmist encourages a life of wholehearted worship—"Live it up, from head to toe. Don’t ever quit!" It's a call to unceasing praise, regardless of circumstances or challenges. For in worship, we acknowledge God's authority and celebrate His goodness.

Furthermore, the psalmist proclaims the universality of God's reign. From the four corners of the earth, people are returning to God, recognizing His sovereignty and bowing before Him in worship. It's a picture of restoration, reconciliation, and redemption.

As believers, you and me, are invited to join in this chorus of praise—to worship God with abandon, knowing that He reigns supreme over all creation. Our worship is not limited by time, place, or circumstance. It's an eternal anthem that resounds throughout generations, reaching even those who have not yet been born.

To those who have been hurt or harmed by the church, please know the harm and hurt came from humans, not God. Move on and away from those with limited thinking and embrace the thinking of a God who loves and welcomes all; and live in Him.

PRAYER: Loving God, in your presence we find fulfillment and joy in Your presence. Help us to live wholeheartedly for You, never ceasing to proclaim Your goodness and grace to the world. May our lives be a testimony to Your unfailing love and may Your name be praised now and forevermore. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: As you worship daily pray for those who feel invisible, ignored, and neglected. Pray harder for those who are feeling unwanted; then embrace and love them as your own.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Share Boldly!

Image pastordawn.com

26 Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." 27 He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. 28 He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." 30 Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" 31 He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. 32 The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. 33 He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth? 34 The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" 35 Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be. 40 Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-20 The Message Bible)

The late Rev. E. Stanley Jones, was a pastor asked to present a talk to young people about the mission field and the great need the Church has for effective missionaries. Rev. Jones was hesitant to accept such an assignment for he felt he did not know that much about that sort of work, but agreed to help out nonetheless. As he presented the message he began to weep for he realized it was he who was being called to be a missionary. And off to India he went to share the Good News. Dr. Jones had an awesome career as missionary, retreat leader, author, and pastor. At the highlight of his ministry he was elected bishop and he turned it down because it was not what he felt called to do or be. His daughter went on to marry a bishop and Dr Jones' legacy still lives on because he was not afraid to say yes to God to go where God would have him go.

This passage reintroduces us to Philip, one of the Twelve who was called by God through an angel to go and share the Good News. The angel told him the place and the time, so at noon that same day, there he was and he meets an official from Ethiopia, who while riding in a chariot was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. The writer also lets us know that this man was the Finance Minister of Queen Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. The Spirit tells him to climb aboard the chariot and so Philip runs alongside the vehicle and hears the words of the prophet being read aloud. Philip asks if the minister understands what he was reading, and the man answers, "How can I without help?" This was the opening that Philip wanted and so climbs on board and hears the passage is about a sheep being led to the slaughter, who while being slaughtered keeps silent, though mocked and put down, who never got a fair trial. This intrigued the minister and he asks, "Who is this that Isaiah is talking about? Himself, or someone else?" And so Philip shared Jesus with him, indicating the need for surrender to Jesus and to be baptized into the faith. The minister sees a stream of water and so asks why he can't be baptized right then and there? And there in that stream, Philip baptizes this minister into the Chrisian faith. And as soon as the two come up out of the water, Philip is taken away by the Holy Spirit. The finance minister no longer saw Philip but he was the happiest he had been in his life, for now he knew Jesus.

Philip was taken by the Holy Spirit to Azotus and traveled north preaching the Good News in all the villages along the route he was sent to, until he reached Caesarea. Philip's willingness to step into the chariot and engage in conversation with a stranger demonstrates his openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit and his commitment to sharing the gospel with all people, regardless of their background or status.

As believers, we are called to follow Philip's example—to be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to boldly proclaim the gospel, and to respond with obedience when opportunities arise to share God's love with others. In my other podcast, Your Best Day Ever published yesterday, I shared how God placed in my heart the need to pray Where and What, asking God to daily lead us to where He would have us be, and to do what He would have us do. In my ministerial career I have gone many places and have been blessed to have shared with many the Good News of Jesus. I continue to pray that because God never stops needing us.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the example of Philip, who listened attentively to Your Spirit and boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. Grant us the same courage and obedience to step out in faith and share Your love with those we encounter. May we be sensitive to Your leading and faithful in our witness, that others may come to know You and rejoice in Your salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be open to wherever God would lead you and to share with any whom you feel you need to share God's Good News.

I love you and thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

All You Need Is Love

Image from slideshare.net

Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/3UsWbpz

View devotional: https://bit.ly/4d6Cqv8

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4:7-21 NRSV Bible)

God has a wonderful sense of humor. Why else would one of the funniest church jokes be possible with one of the verses in this passage. I heard this joke many years ago and it was so funny I still use it from time to time. The story goes that a couple deeply in love and wanting to marry decided to pray about which verse in the Bible would be ideal for topping the cake. You know instead of Happy Birthday or whatever, the Bible verse would be there. They met for their usual morning date at a coffee shop (This joke is so old it takes place before Starbucks!) and as they studied the Bible, the groom finds verse 18: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." Aww, perfect says the bride and begins to weep. They were fearful of the future as most couples are; college debts, housing costs, groceries, etc. And since the groom had written the verse down on a napkin when he sees his intended crying, hands her the napkin and she dabs her tears. They then take the tear-soaked napkin to the baker who will prepare the cake. On the day of the wedding, the two gasped as did the parents for on the cake were the words: "You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. " The tears of the bride erased the 1 before John 4:18 and so the baker looked up in his Bible that verse and that was what he wrote on the cake.

Is it hard for you to say you love someone? Were you told on a regular basis that you were loved? More than likely, if you didn't hear that often and if you didn't reciprocate and say to the one telling you, I love you, then as you grew older it was a rare thing to say. My grandfathers were raised in different times and I don't know if they were ever told by their mothers that they were loved, and I believe I never heard from either that they loved me. And since they were strangers to that concept of saying I love you, my Dad knew only to say, for a while, "We love you." I took it gladly, for I knew by every other indication that he did indeed love me. And even when Mom died, he continued to say "We love you." Then it may have hit him that he should change it and he said "I love you" on a regular basis. And friends, we should be free to say that as often as we can, and more importantly, to show it as part of who we are. The story is told of the old farmer and his wife who while sitting on their porch one afternoon the wife asks her husband, "Honey, do you love me? You never tell me that you do!" The old man thought about it and said, "I told you once that I love you and if I ever change my mind I'll tell you then." Ouch.

Friends, it is important to say we love one another and it is more important to show it. The strong foundation of the Christian faith is to know and recieve the love of God through His Son Jesus, Who showed perfect love and whose teachings and practices are all based on love. The disciple writing this passage tells it straight up: "Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." Sad that there are truly those who say they love, but truly do not. God loved us first. We heard it and received it and so we not only should say it but demonstrate it. For on the day of judgment we will have boldness to stand before God and we will be judged according to our love and how we shared it with others. Harsh will be the judgment for those who say "I love God," and live out a life filled with hate for all others. It is God's commandment that we should love all people, with NO exceptions.

As recipients of such lavish love, we are called to love one another. Our capacity to love flows from our connection to God, for His Spirit dwells within us. When we love one another, we reflect the very character of God to the world. Our love becomes tangible evidence of His presence among us.

PRAYER: God of love, thank You for the incomprehensible depth of Your love. Teach us to love one another as You have loved us—sacrificially, unconditionally, and extravagantly. May Your love permeate every aspect of our lives, casting out fear and filling us with boldness and compassion. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect, practice and live love with all people. If you're scared, cast out that fear and ask God to show you how to better love!

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Live In Jesus

Image from youtube.com

Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/4b3A5PN

View the devotional: https://bit.ly/3W86sZl

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV Bible)

Well hello, Friend, welcome back! I hope you had a great weekend. Our weekend got better when we got word that our son-in-law Eric Cortez was released from the hospital after a three night stay. The medicines given him helped his obstruction go down and he's back almost to normal, thanks to God and thanks to all of you who prayed for him. Please pray for one another and pray for those who have asked prayers from us.

Among my favorite fruits, the grape is way up there. I love the white grapes when they are in season. I love the purple and red ones too. And as a boy I enjoyed the movies where the star would be fed grapes from the cluster. And I believe grapes were also a favorite of Jesus' besides figs, for they were used to make this passage more understandable. Jesus declares Himself as "the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower." Those in His audience understood the science and mechanics of this statement: The vinegrower owns the vines, and the vines produce and support the grapes. It was an everyday understanding for most in the crowd. What they may not have expected was the following comment, "He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit." Ouch! Those branches who are not doing what they were created to do find themselves removed. Jesus then says, "Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit," meaning God is at work in those who are working, so that the harvest is great. And we know that to be true that God blesses those who are bringing new believers into the fold.

Jesus then continues in explaining that which was happening in them and around them. "You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you." The process includes this cleansing, for it makes the believer more of the realm of God than that of the world. And it is also part of the initiation into the realm of Christ, for as He says, "Abide in me as I abide in you," Jesus is saying life lived in Him is the best and to have Him live in us is to be blessed by God in an incredible way.

Notice how Jesus emphasizes the necessity of remaining in Him. He speaks not of occasional visits or momentary connections, but of a continuous, abiding relationship. Just as a branch severed from the vine withers and dies, so too do we, spiritually, when we disconnect from Christ.

Moreover, Jesus speaks of the Father’s pruning. While pruning may seem painful or unnecessary, it is essential for fruitfulness. The Father lovingly removes what hinders our growth, refining and shaping us for greater productivity in His kingdom.

Our fruitfulness is not solely for our benefit but for God's glory. Through our lives, marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), we bear witness to the transforming power of Christ within us.

PRAYER: Gracious Father, thank You for grafting us into the vine, Jesus Christ. Help us to abide in Him daily, drawing strength and sustenance from His life-giving presence. Grant us the grace to embrace Your pruning, trusting in Your wisdom and love. May our lives bear abundant fruit, bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Make a commitment to deepen your relationship with Jesus through prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship with other believers, while pruning that from your life that is hindering you from truly living in Jesus!

I love you and thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Power of the Name

Image from youtube.com

Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/443TRsr

View the devotional: https://bit.ly/49DEVSP

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5-12 NIV Bible)

Happy Wednesday, Friend! I trust all is well with you on this day. May God's favor shine upon you and make you glad! As we pray this morning, please pray for Mr. Bill Meadows, who is undergoing surgery in Gonzales. Bill is a dear man, the pianist at our church, and a gifted singer and friend to all. May Bill's surgery bring him healing and joy. Prayers for his lovely wife, Cheryl and family, and for all who are praying for him. Pray for one another; pray for the Lord to watch over the world. Also, prayers for Mr. Paul Trejo, a 35 yo church musician, who suffered a heart attack recently. He survived, so please hold him in prayer that the Lord watch over him.

The ancient world knew the power of a name, for there are names that can open doors; names that can close doors, even prison doors. And they also knew about power. But what they didn't know was the power of the name of Jesus and what He could do! The Jewish leaders angered that awesome things were being done in Jesus' name and that even unexplained miracles like a lame being able to walk, and leap, and praise God! (The Jews had not had any similar incident). "By what power or name did you do this?"

The religious leaders were perplexed and demanded an explanation for this miraculous act. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the source of their power: the name of Jesus Christ.

Despite facing intimidation and threats, Peter didn't hesitate to attribute the healing to Jesus. He recognized that salvation comes through no other name but Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us of the authority and power that is vested in the name of Jesus.

Today, we live in a world where many voices compete for our attention and allegiance. We encounter various challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable. In times of trouble, we might seek solutions in our own strength or in the wisdom of others. However, the message of Acts 4:5-12 calls us to remember the supremacy of Jesus' name.

Like Peter and John, we are called to boldly declare the name of Jesus in every situation. Whether we are facing sickness, financial struggles, relationship difficulties, or spiritual battles, we can find strength and victory in the name of Jesus. His name is not just a word; it carries the authority to transform lives, heal the sick, and break chains of bondage.

As believers, let us cultivate a deep reverence for the name of Jesus. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that when we invoke His name, we tap into the power of the Almighty. May we never underestimate the significance of proclaiming Jesus as our Lord and Savior, for it is through Him alone that we find true salvation and redemption.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose name is above every other name. Help us, Lord, to always recognize the authority and power vested in His name. Strengthen us to boldly proclaim Jesus in every circumstance of our lives. May Your Holy Spirit empower us to walk in faith and obedience, trusting in the saving grace of Jesus. In His mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Are there areas where you have been relying on your own strength rather than trusting in His power? Commit to praying fervently, invoking the name of Jesus in every situation you face.

I love you and thank God for you,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Embraced by God's Love

Image from biblia.com

Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/3Q30wx6

View the devotional: https://bit.ly/3W1teCq

16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. (1 John 3:16-24 NRSV Bible)

Happy Tuesday, Friend! May the love of the Lord become more real to you than ever before so that your heart will be filled and flows out to many.

How did you come to know love? When did you know that you were truly and fully loved by someone, like your mother, father, sibling? If you are married, how did you know you were loved by your future spouse? Nellie and I came to fall in love with each other over the phone. You've heard my sob story of being shot down every time I asked her out, because she was on an important committee of the church grading me on my ministerial internship, but nonetheless we spoke every day for over an hour and on weekends we sometimes spoke through the night. We came to know each other and in that way we fell in love. By the time we finally had a real, in-person date, we knew and on Christmas Eve when I left Mission for Houston as we kissed goodbye she cried. No one had ever cried for me before! That sealed the deal for me.

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another." The writer has set a high bar based on what he knows about Jesus' willingness to die for us and if we love others in the same way, we, too, should be willing to lay down our lives for each other. He then goes from peaching to meddlin'! He says rightly so, that if we say we love each other and we have God's love in us, but we see a brother or sister in need and we refuse to help; that's not love, says John. Ouch and double ouch. But hs is right.

The writer continues by speaking his mind: Our love should be, "in truth and action," not just talking about or giving examples in speech. This will prove that we are truly people of God's love. Love is not passive; it compels us to action. It moves us to extend a helping hand, offer words of encouragement, and share our resources with those in need.

Furthermore, John reassures us that when our hearts are aligned with God's commandments, we can approach Him with boldness in prayer. Our obedience to His commandments, particularly the commandment to love one another, demonstrates our love for God and confirms His presence within us through His Spirit.

As followers of Christ, our lives should be marked by a genuine, active love that reflects the love of our Savior. It is through our love for one another that the world will see the transformative power of the gospel at work in our lives.

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for the awesome demonstration of love by Your Son, Jesus. Help us to love one another not only in words, but in deeds and truth. Grant us the courage to sacrificially serve all in need. Let us obey Your commandments wholeheartedly and may Your Spirit continually guide and empower us to live lives that glorify You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! HERE'S YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Take necessary steps to meet the needs of those around you.

I love you and thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

El Buen Pastor/The Good Shepherd

Image from parsippanyumc.org

Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/4aUPnGM

View the devotional: https://bit.ly/4ax91J6

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:11-18 NIV Bible)

Dear Friend, a happiest of Mondays to you! May the peace of the Lord Jesus be with you and yours. As we pray today, let us keep the family of Mr. Jesau Ozuna Arévalo in your prayers. On Saturday we held a memorial service for him in the very welcoming and loving church, Smiley Methodist Church in Smiley, TX. The Rev. Tommy Myrick, pastor of SMC graciously allowed the family to hold the service there. It was a very emotional time for his family. Let us pray God's comfort be with all who loved him and who miss him. A very special thanks to Mr. Johnnie Fogle who is a good friend to the brother of Jesau and who did most of the legwork to get all things ready.

There is perhaps no other name for a church that touches my heart as much as El Buen Pastor. I was born into an EBP church in Kingsville and spent the first 13 years of my life there; then in our move to Houston we joined an El Buen Pastor church there. It didn't hurt that our previous pastor in Kingsville was now our pastor in Houston. This passage explains why the church fathers and mothers of those churches and many others chose such a special and powerful name for the congregation.

Of all the I-Am declarations made by Jesus in the gospel of John, this ranks up there as the most relatable to the time when Jesus lived. Everyone either had a shepherd in the family, had been a shepherd or knew someone who was. They knew the work of the shepherd and more importantly the love that real shepherds had for their flocks. In His declaration Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd," and defines what that means. The love of a shepherd for his/her flock is a special one; one where the shepherd knows his strength and his sheep's weaknesses. He or she is willing, because of that love, to die for his sheep. The hired hand, on the other hand, will not lay down his life because he does not own nor love the sheep. In fact, says Jesus, they run away. Jesus was hitting the religious leaders of His day; He loved the people and would die for the people; the Jews did not love the people and had, on many ocassions, ran to protect themselves.

"I am the good shepherd," Jesus says again; "I know my sheep (note His love) and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for my sheep." Jesus speaks of "other sheep" not of the same fold, indicating His love for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. His desire is for all to be brought into His fold, united under His loving care.

But Jesus's love is not just words; it is action. He proved His love by laying down His life for us on the cross, taking upon Himself the punishment for our sins. And not only did He die for us, but He also rose again, conquering death and giving us the assurance of eternal life.

PRAYER: Awesome God, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Thank You for His sacrificial love, demonstrated by His death and resurrection. Help us to fully grasp the depth of His love for us and to respond with gratitude and obedience. Guide us each day as we seek to follow Him faithfully. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Spend a moment or two reflecting on Jesus' love for you personally. Then pray your thanks to Him for this sacrificial love and ask Him to deepen your understanding of it. Then emphasize Jesus' love in your relationships with others.

I love you and thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.