The Never-Ending Song of God

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1 A song to our strong God! a shout to the God of Jacob! 10 I'm God, your God, the very God who rescued you from doom in Egypt, Then fed you all you could eat, filled your hungry stomachs. 11 "But my people didn't listen, Israel paid no attention; 12 So I let go of the reins and told them, 'Run! Do it your own way!' 13 "Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now? Israel, will you follow my map? 14 I'll make short work of your enemies, give your foes the back of my hand. 15 I'll send the God-haters cringing like dogs, never to be heard from again. 16 You'll feast on my fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey." (Psalm 81:1, 10-16 The Message)

Happy Thursday to you and yours, dear Friend! I thank you again for last evening's prayers and for your prompt and thoughtful emails in response to the Prayer Requests. In case you didn't receive that email or didn't get a chance to read them, I asked prayers for our grandson Liam on the loss of his first pet, a fish named Julio. And Nellie and I were saddened to learn of the death of a dear friend, Mrs. Carolyn Huntsman from Lovelady, TX. And prayers for my cousin, Mrs. Esther Zapata who undergoes surgery this morning in Austin. Prayers for her healing and recovery. Prayers for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Does your heart remember a love "song" from your Mom or Dad? Not so much the singing of a melody with matching words, but a refrain of love such as, "No matter how far you go if you ever need to come home, you're always welcome." Or, as simple as "you can always come home." I heard that from my father when I left for college and from my mother as well. I remember struggling spiritually in my first year of seminary and after eleven weeks I dropped out and returned home. My sister had dropped out of college three weeks earlier, so I imagine the hearts and minds of my parents were confused and saddened that number one son and number one daughter were dropouts. We were both welcomed home with love and with no judgment. I went to work right away and moved out again for almost a year when I was called back by God into His ministry. My sister enrolled at U of H and there completed all three degrees she holds, including her doctorate. It was so reassuring to hear that song before we needed it.

God's song is very much the same and He sang it first. God is a God of rescue who has too many times saved us from ourselves or from forces greater than ourselves. God sang this song to the people of Israel who forgot the song quite quickly. We talked about this last night. Instead of choosing life, they chose destructive things. Despite the knowledge of knowing that God fulfills our every need, especially our most basic ones, some wander off merrily and ignorantly. God has given us a map, and we have chosen to read the maps over the shoulders of those whom we consider wiser and more blessed. We must stop and ask ourselves, "What's the real temptation here?" Had Israel done so; had they listened to the prophets, they would not have suffered as they did. But the allure and the pull of what seemed attractive yanked them off the chosen path of God. And in so doing, God changed their names from God-lovers to God-haters, whom he compared them to dogs, who became lost forever. The reward for those who did or will return will enjoy "My fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey."

Dear friend, have you sung that love "song" to the ones whom you love? Do they know your door, especially the door to your heart, is always open? Have you shared with them that the same holds true with God? Our goal is for us and for our loved ones not to stray.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your never-ending song of love. May our hearts sing that song freely with others; and for those of our loved ones who are not yet in the fold, bless and bring them back soon. We pray Your will be done with those for whom we are praying. May Thy will be done! In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Start singing loudly the love song of God!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your Choice; Choose Wisely!

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4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 6 They did not say, "Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?" 7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. 8 The priests did not say, "Where is the Lord?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. 9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says the Lord, and I accuse your children's children. 10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:4-13 NRSV)

May this be a wonderful Wednesday for you and yours, dear Friend! As we spend time in prayer today, please remember Mr. Sammie Gibson as he continues to need our prayers for healing. He is in a rehab facility in Luling, and plans are to move him to Kyle to continue his therapy and healing. Please pray for Sammie and wife, Ginger and their family. This has taken way longer than they expected and we pray that wholeness come soon to our brother. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

The story of our childhood, certainly mine, is very similar to the story of Israel and Judah in their relationship with God. God, like a good Father, provided the best for His children. The children given their free will and choices to make, decided to break God's heart rather than do what God expected. Instead of thankfulness, they suffered forgetfulness about all the good things that God did for them. The persons with the biggest broken hearts are parents whose children do the opposite of what was expected of them. Instead of choosing life, they chose things that lead away from life. Instead of a relationship they chose rebellion. Instead of faithfulness they chose disobedience. Instead of worshiping God with a grateful heart, they ran after false gods and idols. And the prophet describes it in this way; not only did they forsake God, they walked away from the "fountain of living water," and dug out cisterns for themselves, "cracked cisterns that can hold no water."

The rancher that chooses to drink from the same source as his/her cattle has made a huge mistake. S/he could have easily chosen the rich, thirst-quenching waters from home. The pet owner who chooses to imitate their pet by drinking from the toilet bowl also has chosen the worst thing. The same is true for us when we knowingly choose to follow anything or anyone other than God. God even said that no nation during that time chose to change their gods even though they were not real, but His own children chose to follow the false gods. And like the image above, not only is the vessel cracked so is our soul. The Good News is that God does and will welcome us back.

The week began with Jesus speaking on the great banquet where everyone is invited and welcomed; and here the Parent of us all wants us at that table, but so many choose to walk away or accept invitations that do not compare to God's. Our call is to respond to God but to invite others along with us.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless us on our journey with the wisdom to rightly choose that which bless You and Your children. Guide our steps loving Father. We pray healing mercies on those who need Your healing. Bless our brother Sammie and his family and all who are on our prayer lists. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Invite someone to the Table of the Lord!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Entertaining Angels?

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1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15:1 NRSV)

May this be a wonderful and terrific Tuesday for you and yours, dear Reader is my prayer! If you brought your bulletin home from church, please look up the prayer list and pray for those names on there. Pray for one another, pray for yourselves.

As sometimes happens in recommended Lectionary passages, one sometimes finds at least two or three different sermons that a preacher would want to preach on; and this is one of those passages. But calm down, I'll limit it to two. (Fingers crossed!).

Verse one is a sermon in and of itself. Love one another. It's even a commandment from the Lord Jesus. But the understanding of the writer is that love was already present and each one was loving the other in equal ways. Thus, he writes that it is important that "mutual love continue."

Verse two: You can sense the excitement of the writer saying, "Friends, we all know there are angels and some people have entertained them just by being hospitable to one another! If the writer is Paul as I suspect, he was an excitable man! He saw Jesus and for three days was exposed to some very deep revelations; I think he may have seen an angel or two in his visions, but he was excited to see one in person. And the cost of admission for this face-to-face encounter with one? Just be nice and help someone out.

Verse three: Identify with anyone in need. Pray for them. Visit them if you can. And help them if you can.

Verse four: Hold your marriage vows sacred. God takes it very seriously and judgment awaits those who break them and the ideals of purity outside of marriage.

Verse five: Live life for the joy of love - that which we receive from God and for those whom you love. Material goods and possessions serve only to distract us from the true purpose of life.

Verse six: You have God on your side to help and bless you. Join those who can say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

Verse seven: Be inspired and encouraged by the mentors in your life. Live a life that makes them look good in having shared something with you.

Verse eight: Jesus never changes. His love, faithfulness, etc. will never forsake us.

Verse fifteen: Allow Jesus to inspire your worship of God, even to the point of sharing a word of hope and encouragement with others.

Verse sixteen: Live a life that blesses others, never stopping the doing of good for others. Every act of good is like a sacrifice offered to God.

It occurs to me if we hold to these teachings, we ourselves may be the angels that people see! An angel of mercy you may be to someone in need. Your spouse may see an angel of love renewed by new love in you placed there by the hand of God. Your children and grandchildren may see the Jesus who never changes by your words and example. Your church blessed by a new and renewed faith in you. Yes, we are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and we have entertained angels among us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, make us worthy to be your servants among us. May our actions reflect angelic intentions and blessings. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be an angel in a world that needs them!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Please share this with someone in need. Forward it to the person you know who might need to hear this word. Please pray for me and for my family. Pray for the ones in your prayer list and for those who seem to go against you. Your prayers that these messages reach others go far! Support of this ministry is also appreciated. paypal.me/eradiovalverde is one way to help. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Humility Goes a Long Way!

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1 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. 7 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, 8 "When someone invites you to dinner, don't take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. 9 Then he'll come and call out in front of everybody, 'You're in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.' Red-faced, you'll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left. 10 "When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! 11 What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." 12 Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. 13 Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. 14 You'll be - and experience - a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned - oh, how it will be returned! - at the resurrection of God's people." (Luke 14:1, 7-14 The Message)

Sunday Dinner is a big deal for most Christians, as it probably is for you too, dear Friend. Here in Texas we use dinner for both lunch and supper usually. Many are the customs we have had or have; and it's a nice custom to share your meal with loved ones and friends. For many, Sunday dinner is the big meal of the week. A better way to say it is that the meal after worship on Sunday is a big deal. So, Jesus gets invited to have the big meal of the week after worship on the Sabbath with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees. In other words, this is one of the influential members of the local church. Everyone from the synagogue will be watching the process of Jesus, an outspoken itinerant rabbi, going to eat with an established and locally respected pillar of the local church. Jesus knows this and uses it to teach HIs disciples an important lesson on humility and self-worth.

The "dance" most people dance, Jesus said, is to make their way to the best seats. I think about wedding receptions where this does happen. As a pastor I personally have been at the "seat of honor" and relegated to the top tier away from the rest of the guests who were on the first floor in a hotel with a two tier setup. At the wedding of the daughter of a district superintendent of the Assembly of God church who was active in our campus ministry program, the pastors and their wives were part of the reception procession, where we, and there were about ten pastors and wives, marched in behind the couple and their parents and up to the top table of a four table-tier setup. We were served first and truly felt honored; the other wedding not so much. Of course, most weddings here in the USA, seating is assigned. In Jesus' day, Jesus said just be yourself and don't think you deserve the seat of honor; you may seat yourself there and then be embarrassed to be told, "You're in the wrong seat; yours is on the second floor!" And how true what Jesus said, "If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Great wisdom there. Be thankful you were invited just to be a part of this great festive occasion.

And to the hosts of the meal, Jesus said, "Next time you put on one of these fancy dinners, don't be like Americans who invite their friends to a meal, and then their friends who feel they owe their friends a meal in return, will do it again, just to pay it back. Why not invite people from the wrong side of the track, the ones usually not invited by anyone to such meals; whatever you think you are owed for this action, will be repaid in a manner you will never expect, in Heaven."

Jesus has given us the example of humility. Though He was God and lived in the finest and best residences in the universe, He came down to give Himself for you and me. He who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, came to serve. The face of Christianity should be the face of Christ in us living in the same way that Jesus lived and loved among us. Christ put others first, Himself last. Jesus knew His worth and value in His Father's eyes, yet He chose to be servant. When you and I surrendered to God, we surrendered all to Him. We should be guided by humility and love. There is no room in the Kingdom for conceit and arrogance. The face of Christianity is the face of others in our hearts.

PRAYER: Eternal God, Father and Creator of us all. We ask that we might surrender ourselves to You so that we might serve others in love and faithfulness. May others see Jesus in us as we see Jesus in them. I also ask for healing for dear readers of this devotional, who need your healing touch. You know, dear Lord, who they are, and we ask for Your will to be done in a mighty way! This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Bless the Lord today in giving of yourself.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Prayers and support for this devotional ministry appreciated! http://paypal.me/eradiovalverde. You don't have to have a paypal account, just follow instructions on the link. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Lifelong Protection and Help

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1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. (Psalms 71: 1-6 NRSV)

May this Thursday be a tremendous one for you and yours, dear Christian Friend! I ask that as you pray during today, you'll keep Mr. Bill Acker of Alice, TX, in your prayers. Bill's had two brain surgeries and now is suffering some spasm in his aortas that feed into the brain. Prayers for his healing. Also, please keep our son-in-law, Eric Cortez, as he undergoes exams for back pain. Eric will undergo an MRI to see what is going on in his back. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Name a household item that has lasted for longer than thirty years. Nellie and I once bought, I believe for $29.95, a microwave from Marshall Fields, a Chicago department store, briefly located at North Star Mall in San Antonio. That microwave lasted us 30 years. It was there for us every morning, noon time, and evening, as needed. Then one morning as we tried to punch the buttons, no response. It was dead. Our girls never knew another microwave! I believe we turned down a chance for extended warranty for that microwave. We didn't need it.

The sub-heading in the online Bible that I used to copy today's passage, read as today's title for this devotional. God offers to those who believe and call on Him, lifelong protection and help. The psalmist came to know this as a boy during his days in the pasture, and then later as king in his palace. God never let him down. God was a constant help, a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, a savior, and a deliverer from the enemy. All areas and aspects of his life were covered and protected by God. From birth until the day he died, David knew God to be the God of constant help. And so should we. And as a result and as a response, we should heap on God our continual praise.

PRAYER: Loving God, may we be worthy of Your protection and help. Fill us with grace and compassion. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Today, sell someone on the lifelong protection that only God can provide !

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your loving prayers, emails, and financial support keep this ministry going. You can share your love through paypal.me/eradiovalverde. May the Lord bless you and keep you!

No Matter Your Age, God Has a Plan for You!

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4 This is what God said: 5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations - that's what I had in mind for you." 6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!" 7 God told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a boy.' I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it. 8 Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." God's Decree. 9 God reached out, touched my mouth, and said, "Look! I've just put my words in your mouth - hand-delivered! 10 See what I've done? I've given you a job to do among nations and governments - a red-letter day! Your job is to pull up and tear down, take apart and demolish, And then start over, building and planting." Stand Up and Say Your Piece (Jeremiah 1:4-10 The Message)

Isn't it quite incredible how much God knows about you and me? That God knew us before we were even formed! Such was part of the call of the Prophet Jeremiah and his commission. As happens with many a clergyperson even now, one is ready with excuses why he or she should not enter into ministry. Had God spoken to me in the way He spoke to Jeremiah I might have been more frightful or more convinced of what I needed to do. Jeremiah said, "I am too young! I am but a boy!" God countered his excuses as He did mine. Much of what God told Jeremiah God has told me and countless others who have responded with a yes; "I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it. Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." How true that has been. I was always open to God's call of changes in my appointments; not all of them seemed ideal at the time, but after I had served there, I understood the reason. Many a time I stood to preach and wondered if what I had written or studied was what needed to be said, and it was. "God reached out, touched my mouth, and said, "Look! I've just put my words in your mouth --hand-delivered!" And God proceeded to outline the job that Jeremiah was to do on God's behalf; He was to speak before nations and governments, pulling up and tearing down, taking apart and demolishing; all to start over in building and planting. And that was what Jeremiah did. A small building block piece of a greater purpose. That's what your ministry might look like now; but the day will come when all will be revealed as to why we did or said what we did. For now we just do and say as we are led by God's Holy Spirit. I've shared how a Sunday school teacher in Boston went out of his way to win over a guest who had come to his class. The young man was a shoe salesman, and when giving a report of this victory, for that church had a mission to win souls and then report back to each other; the man said, "I'm afraid my one soul victory was but a shoe salesman." Well, that salesman was Dwight L. Moody, who during his lifetime was seen as the greatest evangelist, Christian author, pastor and preacher. Among his lasting achievements were the starts of institutions of higher education and Christian learning. Not too shabby a deal for a former shoe salesman. No telling what God is going to do through you; the person or persons who may come to eternal life through a word or a kind action from you. And it may be someone who's already in church but who has not yet made the connection; your faithfulness may yet be fruitfulness. Remember, it does not have to be an arena-sized endeavor; it could be a one-on-one encounter with a single person. Martin Marty at the start of a New Year once wrote when asked what he foresaw as the greatest religious event of the coming year, and he said, "The greatest event of this New Year may be the little girl in a poor neighborhood, long overlooked, who comes to faith in Jesus Christ."

PRAYER: God of the ages, thank You for trusting even me and this dear reader with the awesomeness of Your kingdom. We offer ourselves to however You may need. Guide us and bless us. Increase Your kingdom through us. This in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Reach out in love to someone today or in the days ahead to share Jesus with them.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your support keeps this old writer going! paypal.me/eradiovalverde. Blessings!

Unshakeable Kingdom!

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18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.(Hebrews 12:18-29 NRSV)

May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with you on this Tuesday is my prayer for you and yours, dear Reader. As we pray today, let us pray to give thanks for a successful surgery on our brother, Phil Koehler. Prayers for his recovery. Thanks be to God for answered prayers. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Our faith is tied to our worship. The Gospel lesson for this week, which we looked at yesterday, was all about what can and does happen in worship. Today's passage is about tying worship during the time of Moses to today. Worship during Moses' leadership was, to be honest, on the terrifying side. The presence of God in their midst scared even Moses. The sacredness of all things touched by God was so, that no one could touch the mountain, not even a dog, for there were consequences to defying the commandments of God regarding worship. Now, we are worshipers in grace-filled environments. We worship even in the presence of witnesses in heaven, but more so the presence of God, all under the New Covenant shared with us by Jesus, whose blood shouts life, while the blood of Abel shouted murder and death. Our worship should invite us to be a part of a holy faith that blesses God and blesses us. We are part of God's Kingdom which is unshakeable, so that nothing in our worship should detract us from the fullness of God. This calls for us to worship God with reverence and awe; God still remains a "consuming fire."

Here's how I see this. I have mentioned in my sermons that some of the most interesting discussions between my mother and father took place after church. Some of you also may have had some non-holy discussions right after church. Your words and thoughts, and even actions may have made our enemy smile, while making God's heart break. The words of life and guidance for a better life sidelined by the mundane and insignificant. Or, a word in the sermon may have triggered a reaction, not in any way reverent or awesome; our fullness for life deviated away by something we let take the wheel of our thoughts. Worried about the roast left in the oven? Worried that our son/daughter made too much noise in church? God laughs at those things as long as we let Him speak to us in every aspect of worship. Leave the distractions to the devil, and the blessings to God.

PRAYER: Awesome God, speak to us every time we pray, read Your Holy Word, sing a sacred song, or hear a message from one of Your anointed. Bless our thoughts with faithfulness so that our lives can lead to fruitfulness. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Make it a point to invite someone to come to worship with you this Sunday.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

If these messages have blessed you, share a blessing with this ministry at paypal.me/eradiovalverde. Thank you!

Silly Rabbi! Healing When It Happens!

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10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. (Luke 13:10-17 NRSV)

Happy and Wonderful Monday to you and yours, dear Friend! I pray this weekend was a blessing and a blast for you as it was for Nellie, my family and me. Saturday saw our family grow by one, as we welcomed Jesse Muñoz as our third son-in-law. He and Caitlin and her son, Liam, will continue to live in Houston and we pray God's blessings on them as they start this new life together. Please pray for one another, and pray for yourselves.

What attitude did you take to worship yesterday? Were you expecting things to be the same with worship? Familiar hymns or praise songs, same faces, at least one corny joke to share at work today? Or, did a healing take place in you or someone you know? Have healings become something that only happens in the hospital or doctor's offices? Or at home after some rest, medications, and treatment? Imagine having to live life like this woman in the story. For eighteen years she was unable to stand up straight. That is still common in both men and women, and early exams and treatment can prevent that from being a permanent condition. In Jesus' day, it was a life sentence. She must have heard plenty of snickers or comments, especially from children seeing her for the first time. Yet, we give her this one thing; it didn't stop her from going to church! And it was on a day that Jesus was teaching in her synagogue. Remember, for the Jews, the synagogue was an important place because it was there that God and earth met, and for the Jew anything could happen in that sacred setting. And on this worship day, the day for the Jews when no work could be done, Jesus worked a miracle in her life. He brought healing to her. This released her from her physical bondage, and she began to praise God in gratitude for this which she never thought would be removed from her. The joy of the woman was not shared by the leader of the synagogue, for he knew to keep things correct and right, and to have work done in the worship space on a worship day was not allowed. He took over the sermon and made it a critical one, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." Had he forgotten that she had come on the sabbath day for 18 years and nothing happened? Order was kept and this leader was happy, but now that God had chosen to heal her, he's not happy?

Jesus claimed the sermon back and addressed him and the crowd with a truth and a reality. There is always work being done in your homes on the sabbath day, and here a daughter of Abraham has been set free from the bondage of Satan; one that she suffered for 18 years; can't we accept and celebrate this, even on the sabbath day?

Jesus knew that God can act on any day that He chooses. It could be a Sunday or a Saturday, but if it's a Wednesday and healing happens, praise God! Don't be a calendar clown! Don't be a This Way or No Way wimp! Worship is all about God and what God chooses to do. Our way is to be open and receptive to whatever it is that God may choose to do for us or for one of us. It may not be something you see right away, but a fellow worshiper may say, "I don't hate certain people like I used to! God opened my eyes and my heart!" A certain sea captain was in worship in London as John Wesley preached against slavery and he was converted. On his way home he wrote a certain hymn that you and I love. A little hymn called Amazing Grace. An inward change that came because God chose to heal him from his sins. No longer did he see Africans as property; he saw them as God's children. No longer would he sell or transport people as property. He renounced it. Praise be to God!

Friend, what about you? What needs do you have that only God can change? I pray you would be open to healing even now that only God can bring. Let God set you free, and then give God the praise!

PRAYER: Loving God, open my heart, mind, and spirit to what You can do when I worship. I know it can be any day, and Father, if it is today, let it be. Set me free to serve You even more. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Set yourself free today to be made whole by God - and tell that story to someone today!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Bless this ministry at paypal.me/eradiovalverde as you are so led.

A Prayer to God re: The Vineyard

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Hear Here: http://bit.ly/2Z6NEJ0 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; 11 it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River. 12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. 14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted. 16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. (Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 NRSV)

Thursdays are tremendous when we live them in the Lord! "Come Holy Spirit, renew and refresh us as we walk in Thy Word." May that prayer bring blessings to you, dear Friend!

The passage from yesterday was from the prophet Isaiah and the word from God was about how His vineyard turned against Him. Today's passage is a prayer from the psalmist asking God to restore Israel's relationship with Him. The prayer begins by calling God the "Shepherd of Israel," the leader of "Joseph like a flock." God is acknowledged as one who rules from on high, and who has the power to save, and that becomes the opening theme of the prayer; "Stir up your might, and come to save us!" Then a reminder of how God delivered Israel out of Egypt like "a vine," and planted that vine in the Promised Land, and all nations opposed to them, and all that followed was according to God's plan. Now the petition is for God to look down on His people with regard. God is reminded of what the prophet had said; the walls were broken down, and access to the vineyard was given to all; now the plea is for God to once again restore His people and the people would never turn away from God. "Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let Your face shine, that we may be saved."

This is the telephone call from the wayward child. It is the rehearsed speech of the Prodigal Son; "Father I am no longer worthy to be called your son; take me back as a hired hand..." It is your baby girl knocking on your door after the last argument you had. The God of love is all about those calls, knocks, and prayers. God is all about us finally saying, "God I have been wrong and out of line; please forgive me and take me back." Any parent who loves and who has missed the company and presence of a wayward child will gladly pick up the phone, open the door, open their arms to embrace and bring back into the fold the child who is now home and is safe once again - The very same way God welcomes you and me.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your never failing love. Lord, I repent of my evil ways, and ask You to take me back. Help me in my earthly relationships to take back in those who have wandered away from me. This I pray in faith, in the Name of He who died for me and saved me, Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Wander no longer; walk with God!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde paypal.me/eradiovalverde.

One Plants; Sometimes Harvest Not What We Expected

Hear Here: http://bit.ly/2Z3BGj6 1 I'll sing a ballad to the one I love, a love ballad about his vineyard: The one I love had a vineyard, a fine, well-placed vineyard. 2 He hoed the soil and pulled the weeds, and planted the very best vines. He built a lookout, built a winepress, a vineyard to be proud of. He looked for a vintage yield of grapes, but for all his pains he got junk grapes. 3 "Now listen to what I'm telling you, you who live in Jerusalem and Judah. What do you think is going on between me and my vineyard? 4 Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard that I didn't do? When I expected good grapes, why did I get bitter grapes? 5 "Well now, let me tell you what I'll do to my vineyard: I'll tear down its fence and let it go to ruin. I'll knock down the gate and let it be trampled. 6 I'll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for - thistles and thorns will take over. I'll give orders to the clouds: 'Don't rain on that vineyard, ever!'" 7 Do you get it? The vineyard of God-of-the-Angel-Armies is the country of Israel. All the men and women of Judah are the garden he was so proud of. He looked for a crop of justice and saw them murdering each other. He looked for a harvest of righteousness and heard only the moans of victims. You Who Call Evil Good and Good Evil (Isaiah 5:1-7 The Message)

My apologies for mistyping my last name! Some of you let me know you tried to make a contribution to support ConCafe and got an error message. Here is the correct link: paypal.me/eradiovalverde. Sorry about that! I thank all of you for your prayers for my friend, Mr. Daniel Soliz. I ask for more prayers as the exams found reason for him to see his oncologist. He is very concerned for his family. He has three small children and is worried about them. Danny is also a student at Perkins School of Theology and his dream was to enter into the ministry. Please pray for healing. Pray for one another. Pray for each other.

A joyous and blessed Wednesday for you, dear Friend. My prayers for a Wednesday that when it is all said and done, we will say was wonderful!

This passage is about the reality of life. Early in the first pages of the Bible we see the reality come into the first family. Adam and Eve were blessed with two children, Cain and Abel. I believe they were raised the same way yet the outcome was not what they expected. No caring parent wants their children to suffer and most parents do not want their children to cause suffering. Many are the parents who say, "I want my child(ren) to be happy." Yes, but are you also raising them to be good? One can only imagine the heartache of those first parents to hear that one of their sons killed his only brother. And I wish the murders ended there. And that the rest of the biblical families had wonderful, loving, obedient

The vineyard of parents is their offspring; as it was for God. Try as He did, God still discovered that his children were disobedient and unfaithful to Him. God expected faithfulness and righteousness; God would have provided more. Yet it seems our natural inclination is away from God and towards our own pleasures and desires. We covet what others have, and seek to be just like them; when we have already been blessed with love and goodness from God. Friends, the same may be true with our children from time to time; ours is to be loving and faithful towards them. And our obligation continues to be loving, faithful, and righteous towards God and towards our neighbor.

PRAYER: Loving Father, we ask forgiveness for our times of being the "bitter grapes" in Your vineyard. We ask that we might be made righteous and faithful towards You and Yours. We pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a sweet grape today!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Walk By Faith & Watch What You Can Do!

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29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 11:29-12:2 NRSV)

Faithful support of readers like you make this ministry possible, dear Friend. Please consider sharing support by clicking on paypal.me/eradiovavlerde. Your prayer support is also appreciated!

You are probably where you are because of your faith. I know I am. If you're not where you want to be, it may be that we need to ask the Lord for stronger faith to do more of what blesses Him and His. It was faith that made me believe that I could attend college and seminary even when the realities of the world said no. Faith is that conviction that says yes to what can be as you seek to be faithful to God. Look at the awesome passage from today: Faith said take that first step into the dry land of the Red Sea. It was faith that said yes, those walls can fall, and so Jericho fell. And a prostitute that believed she would not die with the others of Jericho; that was faith. The list is quite impressive: kingdoms conquered; justice received; promises fulfilled; hungry lions with closed mouths; raging fires quenched; people who should have died, but escaped the sword; grew strong instead of weaker; warriors instead of deserters; trained armies made to flee by volunteers of faith; widows and mothers reunited with their dead who were now resurrected. Others because of their faith, chose torture over release; some chose flogging and mockery, and even chains and imprisonment, over escape here to receive a better resurrection there with God. Some were stoned to death, others sawed in half, killed by the sword, some dressed in skins of sheep and goats and sent into the arenas of lions to meet their death; others were poor, suffered humiliation and torment; some wandered the world in desolate places like deserts, mountains, caves and holes in the ground; all received something way better that the world then nor now can truly understand.

These, the blessed of faith, and led by God, now serve as "witnesses" who laid aside the weight of doubt and fear, and walked freely and willingly towards the place where God wanted them, as should we. We, like they, look to Jesus, who is our pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross and received His glory; we are set to join Him. In and by faith, of course.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, bless this reader as he or she seeks Your face and the place to which You are calling them. Guide us to walk freely and faithfully towards fruitfulness. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Throw away the weight of fear and doubt today; help others as well.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Taking Jesus Seriously

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49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, "It is going to rain'; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, "There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12: 49-56 NRSV)

A happy and glorious Monday to you dear Friend and yours! I thank you all for your kind understanding of my vacation time with Nellie and all of our family. Everyone was there except our second oldest daughter, as she had work commitments, but we had all the little ones and we had a great time. We are relaxed and renewed! We thank you for your prayers and well wishes for us. We could feel all the prayers.

I've shared in previous devotionals about how in my applying for certain jobs in Houston during my high school years required my taking a lie detector test. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life, but it did demonstrate to me that this employer took seriously our commitment to the company and what was expected of us. These took place in dark, smoky rooms right out of central casting for a private detective tv show. The man smoked the entire time and the machine looked ancient. I expected a bright lamp pointed at my eyes and a rubber hose nearby to coerce more answers out of me. A lot of seriousness for a job that paid, in those days, $1.25 an hour. Thank God I got all those jobs.

Jesus does not require us to take a lie detector test, because He knows everything. He also is loving and forgiving of all our transgressions. But we should not lose sight of the seriousness with which Jesus is taking those who do not surrender to Him and/or who work for His enemy. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is very serious about our eternal life and the eternal life of the world. The words of this passage shows us just how serious He is and what He has set in motion for us and for those who have yet to make their surrender to Him. The fire of the Holy Spirit came down as He promised at Pentecost. That marked the birthday of the Church and the world has not been the same since. The disciples in Jerusalem were baptized with fire and they began the work that took the Gospel worldwide. The gospel does not necessarily bring peace to every household that embraces it. The truth is that some households do divide; those who love and serve Jesus, and those who want nothing to do with Him. There was a young man who met the Lord while active in our campus ministry group. From that time on his joy was to learn all about the Lord that he could by attending our Bible studies and all the events we offered. The sad part bwasv that he had to lie to his mother to get permission to come to our evening Bible studies and activities. She preferred he go to dances and parties rather than religious activities.

We should ask what the signs of today say about Jesus and how we are responding or ignoring them? If we see them as calls to action, then we need to take action. If we're tired of hearing about hatred, become more of a person of love. If we're tired of hearing that churches are dying and closing, go to church and invite people to join you. If you're tired of hearing of self-serving acts in society, help others.

PRAYER: Loving Father, we see the signs and we hear Your voice. Grant us courage to take action and become the people You have called us to be. This we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Respond with faith and love to God's direction in your life.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

The Walk of Faith

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1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 NRSV)

A blessed and tremendous Tuesday be yours, dear Reader! I pray this day find you blessed and ready to share blessings with others.

Did you have a person you looked up to in terms of their faith? Did you ever say, "I hope one day I can be like him or her?" In my years of ministry I have come across many whose faith towered over mine and I prayed that I might be just as faithful in my own way. We'll get back to that in a minute. First, let's look at one of my favorite passages on faith. The writer of Hebrews, whom many think was NOT Paul, but I suspect he might be, when thinking about faith said, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Read that again and let the words and meaning sink in. To enter the Hall of Faith, one must live and believe those words. The Walk of Faith is the important first step which allows us to have that quiet assurance of the things we have learned and read and accepted as part of what Christianity defines us as believers. The Walk of Faith is also knowing and having the conviction of things not seen, as being key to our faith. Paul knew from having seen that Jesus was real. He met Jesus personally and spent three days learning from Him various mysteries and revelations that prepared him for his ministry. Paul was even shown by Jesus the things he would suffer and even the manner in which he would die. How I wish Jesus had shown me the sermons that had me dying as I was struggling to preach and the words were just not coming! How I wish Jesus had shown me hearing things from people in church settings where I wished I had not heard what I heard. Would I have still said yes to Him? I think so, but it would have been more difficult for me. I'm very glad that Jesus held back the surprises of life that have so richly and wonderfully blessed me. Had I seen my bride early in my ministry I would have found a way to rush to the altar! Had I seen the babies that would bless our home, the same is true. It's quite enough, dear friend, to walk quietly with assurance and conviction, hoping and knowing that we walk not alone, but with the hand of God supporting us and helping us.

It was that faith that shaped the faith heroes of your life. Abraham would probably say, "I was just a man minding my own business when God came with His invitation, and I said yes. I had to!" Sarah, his wife, would have said the same. Their dreams were God's dreams for them, and were finally realized in God's time. This passage is all about the miracles that happened to Abraham and Sarah; things that would not have come to them had they lacked assurance and conviction.

Whether you believe it or not, there may be some who look up to you. Or, there will be soon. Live a life of calm assurance and deep conviction and people will notice. They know the presence, peace, and power of the Holy Spirit when they see it in you!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I invite You to dwell in me in such a way that I can inspire others to live a life that pleases and glorifies You. Bless my steps and help me mold lives for Your Kingdom; this I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Walk in faith so as to bless someone.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Bless ConCafe with your support at paypal.me/eradiovalverde! Here also is my latest podcast called "Rough Patch? Here's Hope!" I pray it blesses you! Here's the link: https://www.pimplesandwrinkles.org/media

"Christ Will Come Again."

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32 Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. 33 "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. 34 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 35 "Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! 36 Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks. 37 Lucky the servants whom the master finds on watch! He'll put on an apron, sit them at the table, and serve them a meal, sharing his wedding feast with them. 38 It doesn't matter what time of the night he arrives; they're awake - and so blessed! 39 "You know that if the house owner had known what night the burglar was coming, he wouldn't have stayed out late and left the place unlocked. 40 So don't you be slovenly and careless. Just when you don't expect him, the Son of Man will show up." (Luke 12: 32-40 The Messsage)

We said it yesterday in worship. Do we mean it today, Friend? It's what we can call Gospel Truth, and we have incorporated it into the Communion Ritual that celebrates the power and majesty of the sacrament we celebrated yesterday. "On the night He was betrayed," we begin, remembering it goes back a long time, to that Thursday night of Holy Week. It also celebrates what we know is happening now; "And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith, Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again." And it looks forward to when Christ will once again celebrate it at the Great Table in the Kingdom we call Heaven.

Our NOW is to offer ourselves as holy and living sacrifices, imitators of Christ in giving and sharing as He did; sharing the word that Christ died for us; Christ rose again, and Christ will come again. We should so order our lives so that everything we say, think, and do reflects that we are truly living that message. The now is also to know that we are a part of all the Father has set aside for us; we are not missing anything. We should, "Be generous. Give to the poor." And, invest in heavenly things, where true wealth never ends and never fades. Work diligently, aware that Christ is coming, ensuring all around us are ready.

Christ will come again means stay busy!

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for all You have shared through Jesus. We accept our share of the work still needed to be done and we pray that we might be faithful and fruitful. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Live a busy and blessed life in Christ Jesus!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.me/eradiovalverde. A way to help support this ministry.

God is so Good!

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1 Oh, thank God - he's so good! His love never runs out. 2 All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, 3 Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas. 4 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, 5 Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. 6 Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; 7 He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. 8 So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. 9 He poured great draughts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat. 43 If you are really wise, you'll think this over - it's time you appreciated God's deep love. (Psalm 107:1-9, 43 The Message)

This is the hymn of praise for those who came home to the Lord God as mentioned in yesterday's reading. Have you found a home in the Lord, Friend? I pray so!

Using The Message we get a fresher perspective on the language, and gratitude is the language being used. We thank God because God is good, and God's love never runs out. And those of us who have been set free by God need to shout out those news. From the myriad of things that troubled us, we are now free; and we have joined those who also were lost and estranged from God. The best "right now" reunions are local church settings; the ultimate one will be the one in Heaven. All who will gather there will sing the same song of thanksgiving and praise of how God lifted us up from that which had us down and how we were lost, thirsty, hungry, and needy, and God took care of that for us all!

PRAYER: Loving God of the Lost and the Found; be at work in us. Restore us, renew us, and redeploy us to reach more on Your behalf. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be part of the celebration that starts now by telling others about how great God is now!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde