Good Friday

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So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,‘They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.’ And that is what the soldiers did.Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:7-30)

Dear Friend, it's almost with whispered voice that I write this.  Today is the day.  The prelude to the event that changed human history.  This is Good Friday, when Jesus was arrested, tried, sentenced to death, and died a terrible death on a hill called The Skull.  The recommended reading is actually two chapters of John, 18 & 19.  I chose just the Crucifixion part of the passage.  But, please do take time to read the two chapters in the Bible of your choice.

I read the Bible differently now, as the places have taken shape and form, and they are no longer just words on the page.  The class we took in Jerusalem said that our Bible is very descriptive in its lessons, for the writers, like many still today, learn stories by walking or describing the places where the events took place.  If we were to compare the Bible with the Koran, we would find the Koran to be non descriptive.  Our book is not a geography book, but it is filled with geography.  To read about this event is to take me back to the area of the two hotels in Jerusalem where we stayed, just a block or so away from The Church of the Sepulcher, where Jesus experienced what is shared above.  The rocks of Golgotha are still there behind glass.  The spot of His death is clearly marked, and the tomb now is covered by a small chapel inside a huge cathedral of a church.  You can only imagine the crowds that are gathering today to see this tomb.  Nellie and I were unable to go inside because of the crowds and on the morning we left at 4 a.m. to try and beat the crowds, we could  not enter, for the two church groups who run the place use it for early worship services.

The event was really the sacrificing of God's Lamb.  In keeping with tradition, a perfect lamb, without blemish, would suffer death to pay for the sins of those who owned it.  God's Lamb died for my sins, and for yours.  Every single word of prophecy in the Old Testament was fulfilled in His suffering and death.  Jesus was mocked, whipped, scourged, and humiliated.  Even as He was nailed to the cross, the ruthless governor, Pilate, took great pleasure in making HIs cross as "King of the Jews."  Jesus was placed between two who deserved crucifixion; one who mocked him and asked to be released, and the other who asked Jesus to be in His kingdom.  It was at about three p.m. when Jesus died.  Darkness covered the area, the great veil in the Temple was torn in half, earthquakes rocked the city, and even tombs were opened and eyewitnesses say that some of the dead came to live.  But, Friend, this was your freedom moment.  At the point of Jesus' death, Satan's hold on your life came to an end.  Sin should no longer be a part of your life or spirit. Jesus paid it all, and you are free.  

I don't know about you, but I want to live as a person whose chains have fallen off.  The prison doors have been opened, and I've been declared NOT GUILTY!  I want my life to shout out "I'M FREE!" with everything I say, think, or do.  How about you?

PRAYER:  Loving Father, thank You for Jesus.  Thank You for this event that has served to make us free in You.  May my life reflect the freedom and grace that has come to me.  Help me to tell the whole world about Jesus in ways that bring others to You.  I can't do it alone, but I can as I let You guide and strengthen me. And I lift up this prayer in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Your chains have been broken; your prison doors are open, show everyone you meet today the NOT GUILTY sign that replaced the one you wore for years that said GUILTY.

Eradio Valverde

AN INVITATION:  Dear one, find a church today that glorifies God for this event.  First Methodist in Gonzales has services at 6 pm, to which you are always welcome!

A New Commandment; Thursday of Holy Week

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On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’  While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ (Matthew 26:17-29)

Good day, dear Friend!  I trust this finds you well.  It is Thursday of Holy Week and an important day for all believers.  The above passage from Matthew's gospel tells us why.  I ask you pause and pray for me as I will be bringing the message tonight in our Maundy Thursday worship at First Methodist of Gonzales at 6 p.m.  If you're in the area, I invite you to stop in and join those who praise God for Jesus and His having blessed us with what we call The Last Supper.

For Jesus and His twelve it was already an important day.  I suspect that for the previous two years they had, like good Jews, observed the Passover.  It was a high holy day for their faith, and one that was meant to be observed at home.  The theme was remembrance and gratitude, for it was the night of the freedom that came to Israel when the angel of death passed over the houses of those who had marked them with the blood of a lamb.  Those whose homes did not have the blood suffered the loss of the first born child. Among the houses affected that night was the palace of Pharaoh, whose first son died.  That was enough for him to grant the Jews freedom and the Exodus began.  This meal was to remember the meal of that night.  Unleavened bread was key, for they had no time to wait for bread to rise; the meat from the lamb sacrificed for the passover of the angel was eaten as were bitter herbs to remember the pain and anguish of the 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

The meal begins on a scary note, for Jesus say to them that one of them would betray Him.  "Surely, not I, Lord?" was asked by most of them all.  Jesus gives the clue, and if you remember yesterday's Spy Wednesday's lesson, we know who the betrayer was; Judas Iscariot.  But, key to the meal with Jesus was the start of what we do at least once a month; remember the Last Supper.  Jesus takes bread, blesses and breaks it and says, "Take, eat, this is my body."  Jesus then took the cup and again gave thanks and shared it with them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."  Then, the haunting, but promising word, "I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."  A promise of the big wedding feast that awaits us in Heaven.

Add to that, from another gospel, that Jesus gave to His twelve a new commandment. This is found in John 13:34-35 and from the Latin for commandment we have Maundy Thursday:  "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.’"  From the love demonstrated by God through Jesus, we are to share that love with one another; make it obvious!

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for today and its significance for my life.  I pray that I may receive from You a double portion of love that I can share with others today.  Thank You for Jesus and His willingness to give His body and blood for me.  In His Name I pray, amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Make plans to be in worship this evening if you can, but start right now praising God; let others see the love you have from them has come from God!

Eradio Valverde

Spy Wednesday

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Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’  Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:6-16)

Dear Friend, it is Wednesday of Holy Week!  And today's passage gives us two key events in the day of Jesus during this week.  May this passage serve to strengthen us and nurture us to move onward and upward!

The first event is the anointing at Bethany.  Bethany is within walking distance to Jerusalem and the Temple.  Jesus is at the home of Simon the leper, no doubt one who was healed by Jesus for he is among the living and not among the graves of the dead as was required by law.  A woman, some suspect she is Mary Magdalene, comes and pours ointment on Jesus' head; taken by some to be symbolic of the preparation for His death.  But that was missed by those, and some suspect Judas Iscariot as being one of the loud ones who exclaimed, "Why this waste?  For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor."  Many doubt Judas was concerned about the poor.  Jesus replies that the woman has done a good service for Him, and confirms it is preparation for His burial.  The poor, Jesus said, will always be with us, but whenever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, she will be held in remembrance.  This was when the second, and sad event, occurs.  Judas slips out of the house and goes to the nest of the enemies and haggles with them over a price for Jesus if he turned Him in to them.  They settle on 30 pieces of silver, and Judas begins to seek the right opportunity to turn Jesus over to them.  This is why today is called "Spy Wednesday."

Why?  And could it have been me or you?  We don't know for sure now, but some has theorized that Judas was a Zealot and had joined the band of disciples to seek that which would begin a true and final revolt against the Romans and rid the land of them.  He saw in Jesus the power and potential to lead such a revolt and he may have thought that all he needed to do was to call Jesus' hand, and that would happen when they arrested Him.  It may have also been a get rich quick scheme; fast money for a simple action.  Whatever the motive it worked to begin the process of Jesus' trial, suffering, and death.  And that sets the stage for resurrection.

PRAYER:  Awesome God, the stage is set for glory; let us be in on that.  We pray forgiveness for those times we have betrayed Jesus with our words or actions, when we have shown others doubt about our faith and maybe even caused others to sin.  Grant us this day as a new opportunity for good.  And may we begin to bring honor and glory to You even now.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Spy for opportunities to share Jesus with those who need Him.  You might not have to look very far!

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUEST:  Dear one, I ask you join us in praying for Jerry Fogle who is battling cancer.  A report last evening showed more tumors, including some in his lungs.  Pray for Jerry and his family and for all the Fogle family.  We trust the Lord and we seek to glorify God even in this.  Pray for one another, and at this writing the thunder and rain are proving that flash floods could be in our area.  Pray for those who have no shelter and for those who have to drive to work and to school.  Thank you for your service as servants of the Lord in your prayer ministry!

Don't Be Surprised By What Comes Next!

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As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray (Matthew 24:1-5)

Good day, dear friend, today is Tuesday of Holy Week.  I pray it is a blessed day for you and those around you.  This was a powerful day in Jesus' week.  He shared some strong parables on what was coming next which we can find in chapter 22 and 23 of Matthew.  The first was the parable of the wedding feast given by a king to which no one responded.  Jesus shared the truth about paying taxes with His famous, "Whose image is on this coin?  Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God, the things that are God's. Then, interestingly enough a question on resurrection (Jesus believes in it!  So should we!); then the sharing of the great commandment:  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

Then Jesus shocked the disciples with their view of the Temple.  They were very impressed with what they saw, but Jesus foretold a reality that would soon come, "Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."  The disciples wanted to know when, Jesus just tells them to be ready.

It was not that long ago, we walked by what's left of the temple, and truth be told, the stones laying beside it fulfilled Jesus' prophecy.  Huge, massive, impressive stones, but not one upon the other; destroyed by the enemies of Israel and which have suffered the ravages of time.  In reality, this changed nothing.  Buildings will come and buildings will go; what happens in those buildings dedicated to God is more important than brick and mortar, or wood and beams.  The worship of God will continue; first in hearts and homes, and then the hearts and homes of those we reach for the Lord.  Nothing, except our own selves, can stop the progress of the work of God.  The Church has moved ever forward, though not in a direct or straight line, but it still continues to reach those whom it can, changing and transforming lives for the glory of God.  Megachurches today may become the home churches of tomorrow; and vice versa.  Seek to build up the kingdom of God, and God will take care of the rest.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, as we make our way through Holy Week, continue to speak to and through us.  Help us be open to what is next; more importantly, make us be that which brings about the growth and future of what is next.  Bless and protect us; let us seek You daily.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  You can marvel at buildings, but let God marvel at what we can do within and without those buildings in our lives, our homes, our work, and our places of worship!

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER UPDATE AND REQUEST:  Dear friends, many of you were praying for our sister Mrs. Dorothy V. McGinty, and I learned Sunday that she entered into Glory the last week we were in Israel.  She died peacefully and graciously.  One of the last requests from our church was to have a copy of the book "Heaven" which she started studying.  Now she's blessed in walking those streets and seeing first hand that which days earlier she only read about.  Please keep her husband, Kenneth R. McGinty in your prayers during these difficult days.  May the Lord comfort him and grant him strength and peace.  Pray for one another as well!  Make plans to be in worship as often as you can during this week; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and certainly Easter Sunday!

Temple Tantrum?

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Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’ (Matthew 21:12-13)

Dear Friend, I trust you had a restful weekend and found time to worship the Lord!  If you went to church you might have celebrated Palm Sunday, Jesus' triumphant entry into the Holy City, and we want to take a day by day look at what Jesus did and experienced during that last week on earth we call Holy Week.

Use all your senses to imagine this scene.  The Temple, rebuilt since King Solomon's day, splendid as a sight and symbol to the city of Jerusalem, majestic entrance up many steps built in a way to make you think and prepare for your contact with the Holy God of Israel.  It is said the steps are not rhythmic like most steps that you can take in a rhythm or pattern, this purposefully make you want to take them slow with time to pray and reflect on Who and what is in this sacred place.  Dedicated as God's House, the times and economy of the day made it become something for which it was not built nor dedicated.  Sacrifices took place in it and every household or individual had to bring an unblemished lamb for slaughter before God as one which would take your place and die for your sins.  It was the Pharisees who could determine the appropriateness of each animal, and the suspicion is that most animals were not deemed appropriate.  That meant you had to buy one of their animals.  And more than likely, the currency you brought just in case, was not the one they accepted, so you would be directed to the money-changers, who would, for a nice fee, take your currency and exchange it for the one the Pharisees took.  Your original lamb would be sent to a pen nearby and we suspect within days, it would be on sale as one acceptable to the Pharisees.  Racket, you say?  Yes, you may.

Again, imagine the smells of said animals in a holy place.  Imagine the noise of people arguing about the appropriate of prices, currencies, etc.  Was Jesus right in claiming this was no longer a house of prayer? It was indeed a den of robbers.

Jesus was a righteous man, and a devoted Son of God.  He spoke up when He needed to, and walked away in other cases when that was appropriate.  And how more appropriate to start a holy week than by starting at the top; the Temple was the center of Israel's religious life, but it had fallen short and was no longer a place to pray and connect with God.  Those in charge were well connected with greed and profit and no longer cared about the spiritual thing.  All the things Jesus said about money and possessions stemmed from His knowledge of these thieves in the holy place.

A Temple Tantrum?  No, a Temple Purification is more like it.  And it brings it to us.  Have we cleansed our spirits, bodies, minds, and lives of the unclean during these 40 days?  Have we drawn closer to God?   Can we say and sing, "It is well with my soul" in response to Wesley's traditional question, "How is it with your soul?"  Dear Reader, I pray it is well with your soul and with all things centered and focused on Christ.

PRAYER:  Awesome God, bless and protect us from ourselves, our greed, our evil desires, and our dedicated wanting to wander from You.  Bless the start of this Holy Week in ways that bring honor and glory to Your name.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  What would Jesus do?  Ask Him!  And then do it!

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUEST:  Dear friends, please be in prayer for the Keck Family on the death of a loved one, JoAnn, who died Saturday night.  She had been ill for some time and succumbed to illness.  May the Lord bring comfort to her is our prayer. 

Jesus said, "I am the True Vine..."

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‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunesto make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.' (John 15:1-8) Dear Friend, good day to you and yours! I trust this finds you well and you are preparing for a great weekend leading up to a glorious Lord's Day when we will remember and celebrate Palm Sunday! Having just returned from our time in the Holy Land, the Bible has come alive for those of us on the trip. Many of you will remember that on Fridays I had been sharing a bit on Jesus' "I Am" sayings, and today we conclude those with this powerful declaration from our Lord: "I am the true vine."

Above you will see a photograph I took on one of our many walks. This walk was relatively easy compared to the others, for the bus took our group to the very top of a beautiful mountain and we descended slowly down it to see all there was to see. Our professor stopped to point out the grape vines on that mountain that were a part of an ancient settlement on this mountain.

Grapes were key to the Jewish people. We read about them in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Vineyards and the work associated with them were key in Jesus' teachings. But, this passage stresses the truth about our relationship with Him and God: Jesus is the vine, and God is the vine-grower, the owner, el jefe o el patrón. We as the branches are called to bear fruit and this comes only by our abiding in Jesus. To abide means to live in Him, as He lives in us. No other way will allow us to be fruitful. "Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 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." Our faithfulness and fruitfulness depends on how we seek to live in Christ. Do we start, live, and end our day in constant prayer? That to me says we are abiding. Do we seek to make decisions guided by our thoughts centered on Christ? That to me says again, abiding. Do we seek to bring others to that same knowledge of love and forgiveness that Christ offers to all of us? That say abiding and it also says life.

We're about to end our Lenten Journey. We have walked many a mile and many a day with the Lord leading to His triumphant entry into Jerusalem this Sunday. Much is still to happen in Jesus' life in the coming week, and we know what Friday next holds. But, thank God, we know what Resurrection (Easter) Sunday also holds! Ours is a faith of victory and triumph, and nothing nor no one can defeat us as we seek to abide in the Lord. I pray that as we live this day with all its blessings and challenges we would be victorious in the Lord.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless and protect this dear reader as they live out this day. Abide in us as we seek to abide in You. Help us be faithful and fruitful. May the challenges and obstacles that we encounter be only temporary. This we pray in Christ Jesus' holy name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Abide in the Lord as He will abide in you!

Eradio Valverde

A Psalm of Victory!

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O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’ Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light.Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures for ever. (Psalm 118:12, 19-29)

Good day, dear Reader!  I'm praying this is a wonderful day for you and yours!  May this devotional and time you spend in prayer today, bring rich and wonderful blessings to you and your loved ones and circle of friends.

During out study program in Israel, our professor took us to many city gates.  In fact, our time in Jerusalem was in the Old City, which still has remnants of the city wall and our hotels were located near the Jaffa Gate.  We visited an ancient city where Jacob lived and the government has taken great pain in preserving the entire structure to protect the city from the elements.  For some reason, the sun shines brighter in Israel than here and we had to wear hats or caps and sunglasses to protect ourselves from it.  But the city gates are not as large as one would think; they were small to allow about four people across to enter and leave the city.  The gates were the weakest point of defense against enemies; but for those invited and returning home, the city gate was a sight for sore eyes and the gates would open wide in celebration.  This psalm is one considered prophetic about Jesus' entering the city gates of Jerusalem for His ministry and purpose during His last week on the earth.

The psalmist, like he almost does, begins with a word of thanks and praise to the Lord God.  Then the word about the city gates opening as gates of righteousness, so that this one from God could enter in and give thanks to the Lord.  The gates become gates of righteousness for the righteous to enter in.  He who was bringing salvation could come in and share that gift with the righteous.  The image of Christ as the rejected one who becomes the Chief Cornerstone is mentioned here.  And the part of the psalm most of us know by memory, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it," but it is followed with a plea, "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!"  We know what happens next.  Jesus finds the Temple not as a place of worship, but as a market place, and a corrupt one at that; an entire economy of greed operating in a sacred area.  Salvation was needed and Jesus came to bring it.

Jesus' entry into our lives, hearts, minds, and spirits is still a reason for celebration and great joy.  It is God working for our good and for our salvation; more reason to invite Him in and celebrate with Him.  All we have to do is think about the areas of our lives that are not where they should be, the sins, the doubts,, the fears, worries - any and all things impeding our forward movement - Jesus can remove them and restore us to the right relationship with God which is salvation.  And all we have to do is to ask and believe.

PRAYER:  Loving God, open wide the gates of my heart and life, and enter in.  Become the salvation that I need.  Overturn the tables of greed and self-centeredness and drive away with whips the fear and doubt in my life; restore me to righteousness and let me be a light to others.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.  Invite the Lord in and drive the devil out!

Eradio Valverde

Humiliation & Vindication

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The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;  he who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Dear Friend, may this be a great day for you and all you have to do in it!  This passage is part of Jesus' passion, for the passion followed the triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  It was written by the prophet Isaiah and it described all that Jesus would face and His attitude that would see Him through all that He suffered.

The word that jumped out at me was the word flint.  Just last week our group was in the Wilderness outside of Jerusalem.  For years I have tried to imagine what the wilderness looked like and I finally saw.  It is not in any sense of the word a forest.  It is high mountains, mostly barren of much vegetation.  The little there is helps the shepherds who take their flocks there during this season, for in a couple of weeks what is green now turns brown.  But as we stopped to take in the view of the wilderness, our professor took up the different sorts of rocks and stones, and he picked up a piece of flint and said a few words about it.  It is among the hardest of rocks, used for instruments both good and bad because of the way it stands up to most things.  And the prophet uses it to describe how the face of our Savior endured the hits and spitting that came upon Him.

Jesus was and continues to be, a teacher; our teacher if we but ask and listen.  His word still sustains the weary.  Each morning He was on the earth, He relied on God to speak to Him and to guide Him.  More importantly Jesus' heart was tuned in to the sorrows and needs of those around Him.  He had an open ear and a caring heart.  And He still does.  Once taken into custody, He faced the Father for strength and peace. As He was mocked and struck, He stayed calm, and as the prophet had predicted, He never felt disgrace nor shame.  He knew God was near and God would see Him through.  All who came at Him as adversaries soon found they had lost everything by siding against Jesus.  Even today, we are called to stand with and proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior; and as King of Kings.

Whatever it may be that has come against you, you stand not alone, but with He who has endured so much to love and save you.  Jesus still has a loving and listening ear, and a strong and caring heart.  Turn it all over to Him and He will care for you.

PRAYER:  Loving God, as I see the end of this Lenten Journey, strengthen me and guide me.  Let me be a blessing to You and to those who look to me.  As I pray I turn over to Your loving hands that which has hurt or paused me a bit; I want to move every onward and upward with Thy help; this I pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  You belong to the Lord! Show that to someone today!

Eradio Valverde

No Special Privileges

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Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,  he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Dear friend, I trust this finds you well and enjoying the blessings of spending time with Jesus during our Lenten Journey.  The days are drawing to a close of this Lenten Season and soon we will be remembering some powerful moments in the life of Our Lord Jesus.  Today's lesson calls us to have the same mind or attitude of Christ as we walk alongside Him.  The key words to me are faithfulness and obedience.  To Jesus, faithfulness meant identifying completely with the mission field in which He found Himself.  He heard the cries, He knew the aches and pains causing them, and He cared enough to identify with all who were hurting and lost.  He also knew that obedience was that which was calling Him towards the cross.  That He would be the sacrificial lamb of the Lord, and while a hard thing even for Jesus, sacrifice is required many times for those who would follow Jesus.  

Jesus' obedience and faithful life led Him to have the name above all names; and at the hearing of that name, we should bend our knees in prayer and worship and the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, bringing honor and glory to God the Father.  Never did he seek, as The Message version of this passage says, "special privileges" for Himself, and neither should we.

Many have sacrificed something during this season.  Many have taken up disciplines that are not normally a part of your life; these will be blessings to you soon if they haven't yet been.  Onward and upward we march in faithful obedience to Christ Jesus, seeking to be the blessing that may change someone else's life forever.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, pour out your blessings on this dear reader, and those around them who matter.  Bless us to be a blessing and help us to bring light and love to those in darkness and isolation.  Make Yourself real in us so that many will come to know You soon.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!   Count it a special privilege to sacrifice yourself for the good of Christ.

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUEST:  Nellie and I were able to attend the interment of Mrs. Melba Lewis yesterday, but that only served to make us a bit weaker and sicker.  We have been on bed rest since then.  Please pray for our healing.  Please pray for the family of William J. "Billy" Leo as his funeral is today.  Remember to pray for one another, and lift each other up in prayer.

Palm Sunday!

Image from pinterest.com When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:1-11)

Just this past week, we sat near where Bethphage and Bethany used to be.  They're suburbs of Jerusalem, and Jesus' actions fulfilled prophecy about the coming Messiah for Israel.  As one comes to know the geography of the land, many questions have been answered, and some arise.  Please keep in mind that Jesus walked everywhere He went.  His ministry covered many regions of Israel and His entry into the capital city confirmed His rightful place as the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, sent to be King and Deliverer of Israel.  The timing was perfect for it was God's time, and the purpose was clear; act now on behalf of God for the good of all.

Spiritually and politically, the people were ready.  Some wanted the Roman presence out of their country.  Others wanted to hear the truth about God and what God desired for His people.  And some just wanted someone to address the problem of sin and doubt in their hearts.  Jesus came at the right time with the right message.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the people as we read above, speak their cloaks on the street and waved palms and leafy branches from their fields and all shouted, "Hosanna!  Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the kingdom of our ancestor David!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!"  These were the shouts of expectant people.  Keep those in mind as by the time Friday rolls around, they would again shout, but not praises to God.

Jesus came to enter into our lives, our hearts, minds, and spirits.  He came to rule and guide those who invite Him.  He came to bring peace and comfort to the troubled souls of those who had not yet heard of any comfort or peace from God; and His work and purpose are as strong today as they were back then.  Receive Jesus as He means to be received and become His people!

PRAYER:  Loving Jesus, enter into my heart and life today as Lord and King.  Make this coming week before Your triumphant entry into Jerusalem be a time of rededication and recommitment to You and Your plan.  Use me as You would.  Bless me into being a blessing to You.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Share Jesus with those who have not yet met Him!

Eradio Valverde

BONUS: JOHN 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

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I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Dear Friend, do you remember learning how to drive?  Was it fun?  Or, was the scariest thing you've ever experienced?  Most guys would say it was the fun-nest thing they ever experienced, as would some gals.  Some thought, "This is crazy!  I'm too young/little/scared to be driving this monstrous thing!"  I learned how to "drive" at about ten.  It was a family outing to visit my grandfather on the ranch where he worked.  It was south of Kingsville, mid-way between Riviera and Falfurrias.  I had to be the gate boy; I got off and opened the gate, waited til the car drove past, then secured the gate.  I thought all sorts of terrifying things.  "I'm no longer in the safety of the car, a rattlesnake could sneak up on me, as could a raging bull, or a javelina, or, or, or..."  I got back in the car and my dad said for me to come around to the other side and take the wheel.  It was the fun-nest thing ever!  The car was old and it featured a manual transmission affectionately called in those days, "three on the tree, " which meant the shift on the steering column had first, second, and third gears on it, as well as reverse.  My dad basically said, "Keep it between the ditches."

As we have learned to drive, besides getting from Point A to Point B, we have to be careful and try not only to stay between the ditches but also to avoid danger with pedestrians or other drivers; getting to our destination involved prayer, caution, and alertness.  We've come a long way from simply knowing where we are going to relying on satellites to guide our GPSs to help us on the way.  We can no longer, though some still do, say, "Turn over where the rusted out red truck is rusting away, near Aunt Gertrude's house!"  

In today's look at Jesus' "I am" statements we find one that speaks of knowing where to do, and how to go.  After speaking about His death and about Heaven being under construction, Jesus has this encounter with Thomas, who says he doesn't know where Jesus is going.  "How can we know the way?" was Thomas' question.  The I Am statement was Jesus' answer:  "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Through Jesus we know a better way to live and the road that takes us from sin to life to life in abundance, then to life eternal.  If we pay attention to Jesus and His word, we know how to act.  We know how to treat others.  We learn compassion and caring.  We put others before ourselves and we seek to love like never before.  We truly can be led from a self-serving, selfish existence, to one who models the presence and power of God in our midst.

Jesus' statement also included the fact that He is truth.  Jesus is the one man who never lied.  He was always honest in His dealings with people.  He was purity in motion, guided by God's love and peace; and that is ours as well, just for the asking.  Jesus has shared the truth about this life and all its challenges; and He spoke about the life beyond and how those who die in Him will receive eternal life and those who die apart from God will suffer eternally.  Jesus never denies anyone entrance into the kingdom who repents of their sin and seeks to live in peace with God and one another.  Those set on their evil ways, will get the recompense they deserve.  And we cannot blame God for condemning us to hell; we chose it.

Jesus also is life.  There is such an awesomeness to a life lived in Jesus.  Nellie and I are trying to finish our homework given to us by Jerusalem University to prepare us for our time in the Holy Land.  We have been giddy with the sites we have marked on maps and the readings that have told us about the geopolitical situations throughout that region's history.  And, we look forward to stepping on the ground on which Jesus walked; touching the waters where He spoke and was baptized; seeing where He suffered and died. A life lived in Jesus is a life of excitement and awe.  It is the fulfillment of truth in Jesus' statement about having a childlike faith in God; seeing all things with awe and amazement.  Jesus takes us by the hand and leads us out of a mundane existence into the fullness of glory all around us.

Dear one, let Jesus' love for you bless and change you today.  Only He and you know your greatest need or fear or weakness; and He can change it all for you.  Are you seeking peace?  You've found it in Jesus!  Are you seeking answers?  You can find them in Christ Jesus.  Walk with the One who is 'the way, and the truth, and the life.' 

PRAYER:  Loving Father, may all the above serve as our prayer today.  You know the heart of this dear reader, and I pray for their needs, weaknesses, fears, doubts, illnesses, worries, all be found in You.  And it is in Christ Jesus that we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

SPRING BREAK:  Since we will be out of the country, our devotionals will be on spring break for two weeks or so.  I invite you to spend time reading another devotional as well as await the return of ConCafe.  May the Lord bless you all during these days is my prayer!

Give God Glory!

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The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech,and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens,and its circuit to the end of them;and nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect,reviving the soul;the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right,rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure,enduring for ever;the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,even much fine gold;sweeter also than honey,and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors?Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me.Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19)

What a wonderful day we had yesterday, dear Friend!  I say that because in this area, after cold, dreary foggy mornings, the sun came out and we enjoyed a beautiful day.  We had three Bible study classes and that was the universal comment by students.  And today's psalm certainly was brought about by a beautiful day in the writer's life and as he penned the words of this psalm, he gives glory to God, as should we.

The best sermon you might see or hear might come from the hand of Nature as it praises God.  There is speech and voice in creation, as well as sights to behold that tell us of God's majesty and might.  The images used by the psalmist reflect those, and in The Message version the modern version shares those as well.  Here is a sample:  "2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun - a superdome! The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape. That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith."

Later in that same version, he compares God's word to red, fresh, juicy strawberries.  It reminded me of one spring break that the family vacationed in California.  We packed the car and drove for a long time; our destination was Los Angeles, but we got as far as Palm Desert.  It's one of many beautiful desert cities, chief among them is Palm Springs; but we managed to get a nice room at a nice price given the lateness of the hour and a cancellation the hotel got at the last minute.  The next day we saw that we were near a very fancy market days type of event.  We walked over there and we saw several stands with the reddest, juiciest strawberries we had ever seen!  And they were huge!  To bite into one was pure heaven and we can imagine that that's how David felt as he studied God's word.  Wouldn't it be nice to feel the same way as we read what God has shared with us?

The passage closes with what many a preacher and layperson has used either vocally or silently as they prepared to present something from the Lord:  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer."  How best can we give God glory than by what we say and what we think?

PRAYER:  Loving Father, now I know many who have just read this are wondering if they have strawberries in their fridge.  I am one as well.  But, more importantly, give me the faith of David and the zeal he had so that every word from You is like a huge, red, juicy strawberry, filling, refreshing and nourishing.  Help me also to speak words that bless and heal, uplift and glorify You; the results of a heart focused on You.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Give God glory today!  Even with strawberry stained lips! ;)

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUESTS:  We ask for continued prayers for Charlotte Wilson, who continues to struggle with recovery in her legs after multiple surgeries.  She's at home and needs our prayers.  Prayers for Joseph Latham and his recovery.  Also prayers for baby James who had some health concerns as well.  He was the baby that had emergency neck surgery some time back.  May the Lord heal him is our prayer.  Prayers for Mr. Dane Sullivan; one of the screws from a back surgery has come loose and is causing severe pain for him.  He faces another surgery along with a blood clot they have found in one of his legs.  Prayers for our brother's healing.PRAISE REPORT:  Cliff Bryant, who had a bleeding adrenal gland is doing much better and does not need surgery.  Doctors found no tumor or mass.  The family, John and Edith Lucas (his in-laws) are thankful for your prayers.  And again a reminder for prayers for Nellie and I as we leave for Houston tomorrow, followed by a flight on Saturday to Israel where we will study and tour the Holy Land for the first time in our lives.  We're excited, the family is nervous.  God is good!