What More Could I Need?

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Hear the Devotional read here: https://bit.ly/2KJOTca

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23 King James Version)

Happy Thursday, dear Friend. I pray this finds you well and enjoying the guidance and blessings of the Shepherd.

It was at the deathbed of one of my friends and mentors in ministry. He had been a dear friend and coworker in district ministry matters of the church as a layperson; later he went and became a minister. He was our family pastor for six years while Nellie, our girls and I were in Edinburg, where I served as campus minister at then-Pan American University. The daughters and son of this dear pastor joined hands and were going to recite this precious psalm as a prayer. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..." The long pause made it evident that that's about all they knew of this psalm. I was holding my friend's hand and he laughed. I understood the situation and had it been my Dad on that bed I would have struggled remembering my name! I also remember hearing the story of a church holding a celebration banquet and they had invited a noted actor to come and recite this psalm as part of the closing of this celebration. The actor, advanced in years of theatre work, recited the psalm as a powerful poem. The audience enthusiastically applauded the delivery of this noted thespian. When the applause died down, the retired pastor invited to give the closing prayer moved slowly to the microphone and recited this psalm as his prayer. The delivery was much different from the powerful one given by the actor and one person was heard to say, "The actor knows the psalm; this man knows the Shepherd."

May it be said of us that we have known, loved, trusted, and walked with The Shepherd. We also want to affirm that the Shepherd has known us. May our lives reflect that every word written by David was a roadmap of the life we lived; provided and cared for by God; we traveled many a mille with Him, both good and bad, and all celebrations were given in our honor as a testament of His love for us; and as we have journeyed to the end, We have been anointed, appointed, and received as worthy to dwell with Him in His house for all eternity.

PRAYER: Loving Shepherd, You are ours, and we are Yours. May our lives celebrate that we have not wanted for a thing, because You lovingly and plentifully provided for us. You have led us to the right places at the right time. You have held our hands during the tough times, and embraced us when we shuddered with sadness and grief. When our enemies gathered to rejoice in our downfall, You threw a celebration in our honor. May we journey towards the fullness that is Thine for all who trust in You. And when our time comes to draw our last breath, may the breath of eternity be Yours. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show someone that you belong to the Shepherd. Baa if you have to!

Receive my love and blessings,

Pastor Eradio Valverde.

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

Life in Community (Yes, It Will Return!)

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Hear the devotional read here: https://bit.ly/2W6s8Vo

42 They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43 Everyone around was in awe - all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44 And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45 They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. 46 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, 47 as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (Acts 2:42-47 The Message)

Happy Wednesday, Friend. May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with you and yours in ways that bless and benefit your needs and wants to His honor and glory.

"I don't have much; I have two eggs, some peanut butter, and some whole grain bread." That was an invitation to a feast I will never forget. My friend, the Mountain Man, invited me to lunch on the day I had no money and no food. My scholarship check from The Board of Global Ministries had found its way to Hawaii, and the board did not want to fly me out there to retrieve it! I had gone to class with thoughts of a much needed fast, but God intervened with an angel who invited me to a banquet. He scrambled the eggs, spread the extra crunchy peanut butter on thick bread and we feasted like kings! A friend's generosity fed my stomach and my soul. We sat at a common table and enjoyed a common meal. We prayed and we enjoyed conversation about God and God having us in seminary.

The early believers in Jesus were hungry to learn all they could about their new Savior. My friend and I were in seminary to learn how to feed the souls of believers, both the new and the old. And thank God, we have encountered both the very hungry as well as the very full, who think they don't need another "bite" of soul food. I think to the tables of when I went to Mt. Wesley as a youth and we would sit, eat, joke, and sing. "Here we sit like birds in the wilderness waiting to be fed" was a favorite, as was, "We are Table Number One, Number One, Number One, where is table two?" And some would sing, "We are Table Number Two" and well, you get it. The time there filled my soul with hope and joy and thoughts of the future. We knew that God was in control and that Jesus had come to share His love with us. We returned home happy and excited for what may be next. I imagine the daily meals with like minded believers, learning at the feet of the 11 and others, who had been in the presence of Jesus, were filled with excitement and hope, as well as new knowledge of God's love as was taught by Jesus. The prayers were exciting talks with God as new believers wanted to know God's will for their lives; they wanted to lift up petitions for healing and blessings, and the joy came in the knowing that God answered all prayers according to His will.

"Everyone around was in awe - all those wonders and signs done by the apostles!" Yes, in addition to the meal and the prayers and the teachings, these believers saw unexplainable, wonderful things happen to the sick and lame and blind. God's Holy Spirit moving in their midst in wonderful ways! Harmony was the operative word; all shared the same beliefs and hopes; so much so, that they left the communal gatherings and went home and sold everything they owned and pooled their resources so that there was no one in need. They took care of each other, sacrificing what they had, pooled their money and shared with those in need, so that no one would have need.

The daily discipline was worship together, meals at home, with every meal being a celebration filled with exuberant and joyful hearts , because they were praising God. Their joy was so awesome that others took note of that, asked questions about what was going on, and decided to join and see for themselves what this Jesus was all about. And the numbers of members grew because God was adding to their number, those who were being saved.

Dare we compare this to our churches? Yes, it's been some time since we have been together in the same room, but have you heard of "porch angels" who have gone out and bought groceries to leave on the porches of the elderly, the lonely, and the alone. Have you heard of those who call or email or even write handwritten notes to these same people? Or, the ones who pray and meditate and then write sermons to feed our souls? Yes, the church of today is a bit different from the church of Jerusalem, but we are moving towards the church where exciting things can and do happen, so that more people can come to faith in God. What role are you playing?

PRAYER: Loving God, We want and need to be a part of this community. Help us make the changes in us that will bring that about with our fellow believers, for we want to reach more people to be saved, and to bring some to faith and fellowship; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!. Be the person of change in your midst.

Receive my blessings of peace and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Follow Our Shepherd!

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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/2W3ED3N

19 What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. 20 There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. 21 This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. 22 He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. 23 They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 24 He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. 25 You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19-25 The Message)

What was the worst job you've ever had? I mean, all jobs are good, but some are not as good as others; and quite honestly, some are just plain nasty. I was blessed to have Houston as my summer home, for I could attend college in a tiny East Texas town like Jacksonville and return home to get whatever job I could to have some spending money. The best summer job was one summer when I got to work at the same place as my Dad. I worked with a marvelous man who taught me a couple of Czech words. He was patient and caring and had a sense of humor that allowed me to make him laugh a lot. I think he was amazed that a young man of Mexican descent could do an English accent that I had learned from a live record (kids, ask your grandparents) from England. The worst job was, besides some SPRC, church council, and finance committee meetings, was the summer I worked with a Houston company that made fiberglass fan covers for huge industrial fans. My boss warned me that I would not be able to sleep the rest of the summer because the fiberglass bits would get into my skin and I would itch beyond tolerance. And he was right. Even now as I write about it I can feel the last of the bits inside of me starting to move just for the heck of it! I considered the jobs as blessings; some blessed me in wonderful ways. The fiberglass experience was enough to affirm my being in college as the best decision I had ever made. I pray for those who still work in such jobs; may God continue to bless them, and forgive people like me who sought other employment the next summer.

Peter is writing to those who found their lives worse than a job with fiberglass. He was writing to those who faced losing their lives for being believers in Jesus Christ. Those who were not killed suffered way beyond human decency. Peter says that our call, as believers, is to be good servants, for "that is what counts with God." In fact, Peter continues, "This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came His way so you would know that if could be done." Hear that again, you and I have been invited to be a part of the same life as Jesus Christ. Not a life of privilege and position, but of service and sacrifice; of putting others and their needs first, of caring enough to respect others and care for them, setting examples of love and compassion instead of being just like everyone else. I remember learning, as an MYFer, the MYF benediction that closed with a simple but powerful phrase, "Christ above all." So, can we live a life that really means that? The answer is, of course! We did not sign up for easy, we signed up for love and service. A life that models Jesus and the way Jesus lived and served.

Hear this as well; "You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going." My hand is raised as affirming that that is true. "Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. (Follow your shepherd!).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we rejoice that in You we have found our way. We have found our true name, and we have meaning and purpose for ourselves, and as such, for others. We do not like being lost sheep; we have our new name in You and being kept by You for good, as You are our Shepherd of our souls. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Find a way to show others you have found your way in Jesus!

Receive my blessings of joy and love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Jesus, Our Shepherd!

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Hear this message by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3cNK4e3

1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. 9 I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:1-10 RSV)

Happy Monday! Yes, that's a tough thing to say, and for some, a tough thing to hear; but we rejoice in the Lord and His presence with us! I pray for you, dear Friend, you have been blessed and enjoyed time worshiping God yesterday.

As we grow older, we tend to lose friends and loved ones. In my senior year of high school, I lost my best friend in a drowning accident. He was a member of my church in Kingsville and moved to Houston with his family some years before us, and once we moved there, we started our friendship again. I will never forget the afternoon my dad got the call from his family that he had drowned. We drove over to his house and all the way there I kept asking if he truly had died. That was almost exactly fifty years ago. What I mourn to this day is that I cannot remember his voice. I remember our conversations but the voice I hear is me talking to me. The same is not yet true for my mother or father; I have a memory of their voices, but I fear that with age I may not quite remember how they sounded. What comforts me is that I know the voice of my shepherd. It was His voice that called me into ministry and it has been His voice that has consoled and strengthened me throughout my life. Jesus says that the voice of the shepherd is important as He describes in the passage in verse 3; "The sheep hear his voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."

We've come to one of my most favorite passages from the Bible. This passage is closely tied to the 23rd Psalm and the common thread connection of the importance of shepherding and sheep. The images of the psalm are the same of this passage. Jesus, like most of the persons in his audience at that time, could relate to the powerful references of the relationship between a good shepherd and his sheep. In this passage Jesus addresses that relationship. The Shepherd has full access to His sheep. As I mentioned above, the sheep know His voice and are comforted by that voice, and are lovingly guided by that voice. As the writer noted, some people did not fully understand this illustration so Jesus had to say, "I am the door of the sheep (as well as earlier having said "I am the Good Shepherd"); if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." Then, my favorite verse of this passage,"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The promises of this one verse could, and have, filled many a sermon. The first is the reality of who and what our enemy is capable of doing against us. There is no sugarcoating; steal, kill, and destroy; all negative, destructive things. If you remember the lists that the Apostle Paul uses in describing the things of the flesh versus the things of the Spirit, you see a list of negative, destructive things; the things that Jesus brings are those of life, namely, life in abundance, way before mere existence.

Our God is a God of life, not death. Our God is a God who sent His Son, Jesus, our Lord, so that we might have life, but not just life, life in abundance. I take that to mean a life filled with joy, hope, compassion, all the things of the Spirit, which allow us to run away from the things of the enemy. Our comfort is knowing that Jesus knows us by name, and we know His voice. Be open to His leading and comfort.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus and His love and mercy for us. As we pray, guide our ears to listen more closely and deeply to You. We need Your peace and Your strength. We pray You continue to guide us; this we pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share with someone, that Jesus is our shepherd!

Receive my blessings of comfort and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

God Loves You!

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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3asWFlq

1 I love the LORD , because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the LORD . 14 I shall pay my vows to the LORD , Oh may it be in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. 16 O LORD , surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds. 17 To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD . 18 I shall pay my vows to the LORD , Oh may it be in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 New American Standard Bible)

A glorious and blessed Thursday be yours today, dear Friend! I thank you for your prayers and devotion to the Lord. I've not heard any updates on those for whom we have been praying, but we trust the Lord! I pray this finds you well and praying for this what we are going through find a remedy with God's help soon.

Remember discovering the mysteries of love on the playground in elementary school? I don't either. I was too shy. But it was sure interesting listening to our daughters as they discussed with each other and sometimes in veiled ways with us, about the other kids. Our grandchildren have started their own discoveries and we enjoy hearing them. One conversation was about a friend who was "going round" with a girl. Our child did not know what that meant. "I don't know if that means walking and if it does, just where and how far they walk, I don't know." But I do remember falling in love and all that that meant. I was about 8 years old and I heard a sermon on how much God loved me. I already had been blessed by the love of my mother and father, and enjoyed knowing of their love, but when the preacher described this love of God as something far better, I wanted to know more. I remember him saying that we had to invite Jesus into our hearts, and so I extended the invitation to Jesus right then and there. I didn't have to raise my hand, nor did I have to walk down the aisle; it was a very private moment but I knew it had taken place. I was now a King's kid, a trusting believer in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I want to know more about the moment David became a believer and a recipient of God's love. I know that it changed his life forever and it brought him the throne and crown of Israel later, but that pales in comparison to what he had already received; the assurance and promise of a God who loved him and would never let him down. What we do know is that the love of God and his love for God became a favorite theme of his writings. Every chance he had, he would describe what that meant and how beneficial it would be for his readers to come to the same realization sooner rather than later, of that love. David lists love from God being about communication where God is open to listening and hearing our voices and our supplications. David knows that God has inclined his ear towards him and would always hear him. And in terms of returning to God, David knew that we cannot out give God. What we can do is glorify the things God has done for us in worship and outside of worship, lifting high the gift of salvation and promoting prayer as a blessed gift from God. David also commits himself to faithful obedience to God, paying his vows to God and in the presence of all who would witness it.

David also knows that those who die in the Lord are welcomed into God's presence with love and open arms. And David again commits his life to God as a faithful servant. And he will be a leader and participant in God's worship.

Dear friend, my prayer is that you truly know how much God loves you and that you will continue to commit your love for Him. And this will go beyond words into a faithful, demonstrative commitment of faithfulness and service to Him. And this will be something that happens both inside and outside worship areas.

PRAYER: Faithful God, lift high our heart and spirit as we again realize how much You love us. May we be empowered to love You freely and openly in ways that bless those who do not yet know the love of God for themselves. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be open to showing God's love in new ways today to all!

Receive my blessings of love and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Engaging Sermon

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Hear this devotional by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2VNugkD

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." 40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:14s, 36-41 RSV)

A blessed Wednesday to you and yours, dear Eradio. As I posted my ConCafe onto Twitter and Facebook, I added news of the death of Mrs. Esther Blanco, who was the wife of one of my pastors from my home church in Houston. His name was The Rev. Samuel Blanco, Sr., and he died some years ago. I ask your prayers for the Blanco family and also for Mrs. Elisa Gaytan, wife of one of my ministerial mentors, The Rev. Francisco Gaytan. She fell last night and broke her femur and was to undergo surgery on Tuesday morning. This is a difficult time as family members are not allowed to even sit in the waiting room, so this makes the day even more difficult for family. Also, Please pray for Edith Lucas’ sister Betty Carley. Please pray for Garrett and Layne Miller. Garrett will be having surgery today in New Braunfels. Please pray for peace and healing for him as well as peace for Layne. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

The greatest preacher of the former Río Grande Conference was, according to many, The Rev. José Espino, longtime senior pastor of La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio. LTUMC was the mother church of many Spanish language churches in Texas and from Texas to California. A friend of mine has tapes of this prince of the pulpit and has promised tapes of some of them, but none have yet appeared. But, I did ask him, what made him the greatest? He replied, "Because every Sunday he would preach for exactly fifteen minutes!" Why was I not surprised? And I thought back to a dear colleague, now in Glory, who when he would invite me to preach in his absence would report, "All my people loved you! But when I asked them what you had preached about, all they could say, 'he was good'". Fair enough. For today's passage we have a small portion of the first Christian sermon preached by the prince of the disciples, Peter. We also know that this sermon was so effective that at the end, without an altar call, three thousand souls presented themselves for baptism as a sign they had heard and received the good news. I believe some evangelists may have preached to more souls and perhaps baptized more, but imagine this sermon in its context and setting. This happened on the steps leading into the temple on one of the holiest days in the Jewish faith, the receiving of the law by Moses for the people of Israel. The crowds hearing this sermon were in town to celebrate a Jewish tradition and they hear, in their own language, the goodness of God. Most of the crowd suspects these men are drunk and up rises Peter to let them know what was what. He did not let them off the hook in regards to the crucifixion of Jesus; but he also was led to share the Good News about Jesus. The sermon did not include a joke; it was a very serious sermon. In fact, the sermon told the truth about the guilt of Jesus' murder. It also calls for people to repent and to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. And, Peter calls the people of that generation, "Crooked," and that they should be "saved from them." Ouch. But it worked. A worship service that ends with three thousand people baptized is not a shabby thing.

Friends, here is the reality; you and I are called to be living, walking, talking sermons of our faith to others. How we act, interact, and even react to others tells them a lot about who we are, and Whose we are. Our lives should reflect our faith and how we love God and as result, like yesterday, love others. We are fueled by what was shared with us on our worship days, but also fueled by what we pray, what we read, what we hear as we worship God on a daily basis. And there's no pressure on you preaching for only fifteen or twenty or thirty minutes; it's all about how you share your love and present yourself as truly caring.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, bless our preachers, especially in these different times; bless what we feed our souls so that we can help bless others. We pray for those whom we mentioned above, and we pray that we be the best possible sermon someone hears from us this day. It is in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Preach it today, sister/brother!

Receive my blessings of love and peace.

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Love One Another

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Hear the devotional read here: https://bit.ly/3bsg7zV

17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (1 Peter 1:17-23 RSV)

May this be a tremendous Tuesday for you and yours, dear Friend! Our prayers for the family of Mrs. Esther Blanco, widow of a The Rev. Samuel Blanco. The Blanco's served in my home church in Houston for some years. Please pray for her sons and daughters that God's comfort be with them during this time.

I'm old enough to remember that as I left home for whatever reason, my Mom made sure to give me a dime. A dime, kids, is a ten-cent piece that in those days worked in a pay phone. A pay phone is a a cellular phone chained to a big box that allowed you to put in your dime and you could make a local call. To call out of the city or area you needed to make a long-distance call. The understanding was that with that dime you could call home in case you needed help. I remember when the price went up to a quarter. Boys and girls, a quarter is a twenty-five cent piece that used to buy a lot of things and grandparents had a way of making you believe that the quarters came out of your ears!

Today's passage begins with Peter urging all who call on God for help, to realize that by calling on Him we are to conduct ourselves as respectful and loving towards Him, because God will judge us. Peter also reminds us that our history as believers has been blessed by the times God has rescued us from different needs and necessities, and that our relationship was cemented with what Jesus did for us on the cross and through the Easter story. In other words, God gave us something greater than a dime or a quarter that we can carry with us; God has given us faith! And God has given us prayer. This, Peter says, should give us confidence to live a life that is blessed with hope and love. And that love that comes from God, should be shared as we love one another.

That dime said, "Son, we love you and if ever you find yourself in need, feel free to call." the dime also said, "Trust us enough to call as you have need, and we will respond the best way we can." God has said the same thing but in a more powerful, and more beautiful way. And God also has said, "Take the love I have shared with you, and freely share it with others; they need to see and feel the love that I have shared with you." And we know that the kind of love God has given us, is the purest form of love, agape; unconditional love that rises above brotherly/sisterly love, and above the attraction love between romantic partners. God's love shows no judgment, no partiality, no extreme favorites. It is an all encompassing love that blesses, heals, and restores. It is the kind of love that this crisis needs us to show to those closest to us, and to all others.

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for all You have shown and done for us. We love and trust You and we pray that we might freely receive and freely share Your love with others. May others know we belong to You because we love one another. It is in Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Love one another today!

Receive my blessings of peace and compassion,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

the audio link, not a tea set... LOL

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Dear Friend, some of you have reported that the link for narration took you to Amazon for a lovey tea set. It's secretly what I wanted! NOT! Nellie and I have a granddaugther turning five and we ordered that tea set for her. I don't know how that link showed up.

Here is the correct link: https://bit.ly/3eDvlUT

Blessing! A cup of tea sounds great right about now! :)

A Funeral Walk

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Listen to the devotional here: https://amzn.to/2RRPxsf

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-35 RSV)

A blessed and tranquil Monday be yours, dear Friendo is my prayer for you and yours. My prayer is also for the family of Mrs. Willene Tate, a dear, sweet lady from our church in Gonzales, who entered the Church Triumphant this past Thursday. I had the pleasure of being one of her pastors who took her Holy Communion on a monthly basis. This past week I sent her a note telling her of my love and appreciation for her and then I received word that she had died. Please pray for others who are in great need. The news this weekend showed the thousands of people in San Antonio who were lining up for free food giveaway at the Alamodome. I repented of my complaints of delays in curbside appointments knowing so many (22 million thus far who are unemployed) are in need of what we take for granted. Please join me in those prayers. Also, The Rev. Mario Salfate, Bishop of the Methodist Pentecostal Church of Chile, died of COVD-19, after having held their annual conference. Pray for his family and for several who attended the conference who contracted the illness there. I continue to urge all of us to be careful and mindful of the recommendations still in effect; keep your distance, do not touch others, wear a mask and gloves, and thoroughly wash your hands. We trust God, but we do not put God to the test. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

A sadness that has touched me and so many, is the reality that those who have died recently, have mostly died alone, and if funerals are held, only ten people are allowed to attend. Most are being privately buried and memorial services will be held when this crisis is over. Which brings us to these two Christian believers walking home from the events in Jerusalem. They lived in a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. This was a funeral walk, the kind one has experienced from graveside back to their vehicle. Thank God that in most cases that is not a seven mile walk. What I sort of remember from my mother's and father's funerals is just a foggy blue of sadness, disbelief and sorrow. I don't remember who may have talked to me or offered words of comfort. One can imagine that these two were in similar mental states with a longer walk from graveside to home. They were having a discussion and talking about the events that had unfolded in Jerusalem. It's easy to believe that these two also had foggy minds, sad hearts, and an unclear idea of all they had seen, heard, and experienced. Sadness, grief, and disbelief were probably present. And in the presence of these, here comes the Lord. Jesus asks them what they were talking about, and they explained. They expressed the hope they had had in Jesus as the One who could redeem Israel. And they also shared how the women had shared news about a missing body and the presence of angels. It is then that Jesus shares the truth; all that had happened had been necessary, and in an incredible move, the Lord Jesus shared a revelation from the scriptures about Himself, from Moses, through the prophets, the truths about His glory and power. These two were so impressed with the incredible Bible study they had received, they asked Jesus to stay with them. They invited Jesus to eat, and it was when He took the bread and broke it that they realized just Who it was who was eating with them. And at that very moment, He vanished. They realized the powerful blessing they had been a part of, and rejoiced to the point of rushing back to Jerusalem. The seven mile funeral walk became a seven mile victory run. They reached the disciples and shared the news: "The Lord has risen indeed!" And also how they had walked with Him and realized Who He was then He broke the bread.

Christ is present every time we break bread and take the cup. I know it's been some Sundays since we have actually participated in a church-setting where we received Communion, but even if you took a piece of sliced bread and orange juice, the memory of what Christ did for you is enough to bless you in the same way you are blessed in worship. Some have eaten cookies and milk while their online preacher blessed and celebrated the sacrament, and Christ has been made real. Christ is also present with us during this crisis. He is present and powerful to share His calm and peace as we face the uncertainty of what may be ahead, and just how long it will take for this to be all over. It was that reality that blessed the hymn writer to pen "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand; all other ground is sinking sand." Friend, stand on the certainty and strength of Christ Jesus. Avoid the other things that present themselves as solid but turn out to be "sinking sand."

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You know our hearts, and which ones are full and healthy, and which are weak and hurting. We pray for comfort for those whose families were mentioned above; the Tate Family, the family of The Rev. Mario Salfate, Bishop of the Methodist Pentecostal Church of Chile, and all who mourn anywhere for loved ones who have died. We pray for the anxious, the lonely, the ones who dearly miss human contact and interaction. Bless those who need to feel the resurrection power of Christ in their hearts; and it is in Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Shine the love of Jesus in any way you can today!

Receive my blessing of peace and love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Confirmed by My Sleeping Heart

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1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. 3 And these God-chosen lives all around - what splendid friends they make! 4 Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names. 5 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice! 6 You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! 7 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 8 Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go. 9 I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. 10 You canceled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination! 11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way. (Psalm 16 The Message Version)

Happy Thursday, dear Friend! The joke has become this day is the same as any other day, so the names of the week no longer matter. I still keep track as more than likely you do too! Each day is important, and each day is a great gift from God; loaded with surprises, opportunities, news; both good and bad, but each made more awesome because of the presence of God Himself with us! Today I tweeted, "Be thoughtful and add a mix of humility and gratitude, and you're set for today!" I confess that was more a note to self than anything else. But each day we greet and treat it as God directs.

This psalm is a psalm of praise to God for all that God offers. David requests what many of us are praying daily, "Keep me safe, O God," adding, and my loved ones and friends as well. David knew that he could hide in the Lord and so he makes that a part of what he prayed. His request affirms that he has faith in God and without God, "nothing makes sense." He also marveled at the number of "God-chosen lives all around - what splendid friends they make!" meaning he counted like-minded people as being dear to him. And to those who did not know God yet, a reproach that they should not go for a god; his only choice should be theirs as well - the living God, the God of Israel, and David knew that God had chosen him as well. God has provided for him well ("You set me up with a house and yard) and even has his future well-outlined as being God's heir.

David writes a clever, but powerful line as he wrote, "The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart." Imagine that; being awake, God guided him and while he slept, he slept well because he took to heart what God shared during the day. No tossing and turning nor loss of sleep because his trust was in a living, caring God, whose heart's desire was to comfort and guide his people. The rest of the psalm should be written on pillows and other things one finds in stores in towns like Fredericksburg: "Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go." Or, "I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed." And as far as the heir thing, he wrote, God cancelled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination! And what's true for David is true for you and for me, "Ever since God took our hand, we're on the right way." Amen.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, if ever we needed a word such as this, it is right now. We make this our prayer, that with You we cannot go wrong nor ever lack for anything. Guide us and bless us. May Your protection be with us and our loved ones. This we pray in faith, and in the name of Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Radiate your love for God with an act of kindness for someone today.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Need a sleeping help? Watch this video before bedtime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whWXSGQ1hvU

We are Witnesses!

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14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27 For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.' 29 "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:14a, 22-32 RSV)

Happy Wednesday, Friend. May a generous blessing of peace and joy be yours today is my prayer. I pray we are exercising our faith as well as our bodies to keep in shape both physically and spiritually.

The above passage is an excerpt of the first Christian sermon ever preached. It was preached on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem by Peter. Peter was trained by the best preacher and story-teller that ever lived, and his words were guided by the Holy Spirit. In fact, the event that motivated the sermon was the arrival of the Holy Spirit as "tongues of fire." This sermon in fact, resulted in 3,000 men (not counting women and children) being converted to the Christian faith. How I wish my first sermon had been like Peter's. When I first told my pastor, The Rev. Arturo Mariscal, of how I was feeling God calling me, he said, "Great! You can preach this Sunday!" Huh? Ministers have long laughed about that, since most of us have gone through that and the joke became, "How many future brain surgeons have confided in another brain surgeon about their desire to be like them, and how many of them have said, 'Hey, that's great! You can do this brain surgery that's coming up tomorrow!'" Or, dentists, or any other profession. That Sunday, another young man had shared his desire to be a preacher, so wisely, Rev. Mariscal scheduled both of us to preach; for each of us took exactly 2.5 minutes in our delivery of the Good News. So, doing the math, that's 5 minutes of 20 or 25 minutes of sermon time. Our pastor then stood and had to say something to the effect, "What these young men tried to say..." Former parishioners, when I would share that story would ask, "Why can't you go back to preaching like that?"

Peter is sharing his anger at what had to happen to Jesus, but also celebrating that what did happened, brought more good than we could ever imagine coming our way and in our favor. First, he says, God raised Him up, thereby defeating the power of death. Peter even quotes King David from the psalms with a new understanding of what those ancient words really said. What were for years seen as worship words are now seen as prophetic words of victory over death. Peter states, David is now dead and we know where his tomb is, but he saw the coming of one of his descendants as a conquest of death's long held grasp on life. Jesus saves us from that, and as a result we are richly, and wonderfully blessed. And, for that we are blessed, and witnesses of what Christ has done for us.

You and I are witnesses of God's grace and love. You and I are witnesses of so many answered prayers, and unexpected miracles. As the old hymn says, "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations." We cannot keep quiet about what God has done. We have experiences and stories that can help people who may be going through what we went through some time back. Our willingness to testify on God's behalf will bless so many people.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings and all that You have done on our behalf. We are honored to be Your witnesses. Grant us courage and the opportunities to share with those who may need to hear our stories. We pray Your continued blessings on all who hurt, who are impatient, who are stressed, who are hungry, hurting, and lonely. In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Bless someone with a phone call with a story that might bless them of how God blessed you.

Receive my blessings of God's favor and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

New Life/New Hope!

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. 9 As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9 RSV)

I pray the message of new life and a new hope bless you, my dear Eradio, for indeed these are difficult times, more so for some than others, but still a general stress seems to be in the air and is manifesting itself in different ways. The key is not to fall into deep sadness or depression. I know some of you have experienced some times of weeping (my hand is raised too!); others that your temper fuse has gotten shorter, or any number of behaviors that you didn't usually experience when things were their old way. To us all, I say, God is with us and God can help us. Please continue to pray for a vaccine or cure to help us rid the world of this deadly virus! In Jesus' name!

This passage we have attributed to Peter the apostle; lead disciple and close follower of Jesus. Peter was probably the most "fully" human of them all, because like some of us, spoke before he fully thought it all out, and acted more on impulse than on anything else; but his years with Jesus blessed him with hope and a faith that helped him write out these precious and powerful words. Peter credits a new life and a new hope to Jesus. The resurrected life, Peter knows, helped make possible a new attitude towards life and all of life's challenges. He calls this part of "an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." Peter also says this is reason for rejoicing; though he knows not all are at that point, but even the suffering that comes in various trials, still overcomes those so that we can praise God with all honor and glory. Through all of this, we hold on to our salvation; God plucked us out of the coming eternal fire and gave us life!

PRAYER: Loving God, bless us with this new life and new hope. May we all rejoice and be glad that You are with us, holding us tenderly and gently; and while the storms of life may rage on outside of us, we long for the coming of peace and healing. Bless us according to our needs and guide us gently on towards You. This we pray in the name of He who is risen, Christ Jesus our Lord, amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Find ways to bless others to lift their spirits!

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

That You Might Believe!

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19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:19-31 RSV)

"No way!" Have you ever heard that after you said something that you experienced or saw and no one believes you? When I was in seminary I was in a record store in Dallas when I saw a crowd gathered around a gentleman with long black hair. I thought he was Frank Zappa, but it turned out he was the store manager and the crowd was for Robert Plant, the singer for the rock group Led Zeppelin who was in town for a concert that night. Naturally I asked for and received his autograph. No way! was what I heard from those with whom i shared news. I think I also heard that from my grandmother when I shared news that I was getting married. If it wasn't "No Way!" it was certainly "Finally!

Friend, I trust your Easter was blessed and time with family was good. We watched our pastor on YouTube early morning, then I barbecued a meal which was followed by an ages old tradition of cracking cascarones in the back yard. It certainly was different from Easters past; and our hope is that next year we can once again have Easters like before; but as was shared throughout this weekend, our churches may be empty but so is the tomb! Indeed! Christ is risen; He is risen indeed.

Thomas wasn't on the He is Risen train. I thought about how Saturday must have been for the disciples. I thought about how fear and silence are not good companions. If the disciples were anything that weekend, they were scared; and the silence of the Sabbath made it worse for them. The majority of the disciples had no other place to hide but in the Upper Room. It was an upstairs room and it had a lock. Locked safely away from the ground floor, the 11 and the women who traveled with them, could feel a bit safer, though having seen what they saw, they knew there would be few places of safety. The anger convinced the Jews that they could get away with anything since they counted the death of Jesus as a success. And it was on the evening of that first Easter that while locked in the Upper Room, Jesus entered the room and shared a word of peace. He also shared with them the obvious proof of His suffering, and again shared a word of peace. Then Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." And guess who was not there? The man known for his doubts, Thomas. Where he was is anybody's guess, but the sad thing was he was not there to see the risen Jesus and to receive the Holy Spirit shared by Jesus. It's not until he gets back that he hears the news and reacts with doubt. No Way! could be hard on the street below.

It was eight days later that the group is gathered back in the room and this time Thomas is there. Interesting is that after he said, "No Way!" he shared what he needed to see and touch before he would believe. Jesus' first words on this return visit were the same as the week before, "Peace be with you." Then He addresses Thomas; "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Gulp. Thomas declares, "My Lord and my God!" His declaration was a foundational one, for from that moment on, his faith was one of action and belief. As I love to share, Thomas' ministry took place mainly in the land of India, where believers in Jesus took the name Thomas as their surname because of the new faith and life they received from the apostle. Danny Thomas is perhaps the most well-known of these believers. Danny was an actor who when he needed blessings in his life, prayed to St. Jude and his prayers were answered; and as a result, Danny started the world famous children's hospital named for his patron saint. The thousands of children helped at no charge for years now are a direct result of Thomas' faith. Not bad for a doubter, right?

It is not bad to doubt; in fact many believers visit doubt and leave stronger and better than their arrival there. Doubt can help us believe even more as we pray and reflect on whatever doubt we may have in our minds at certain times. Remember the prophet who requested to die because of the struggles he had? He left that place of doubt and despair a stronger, better man. And so can we if we happen to have doubts about this crisis or any situation we may be facing. Doubts are free to visit us, but serve us better when we dispatch it away with answered prayers and signs that we receive. One never knows the impact we may have on future recipients of our faith.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as we pray, we pray for those who are feeling down and maybe even doubtful because of this crisis or sadness from being away from family members. May the visits of doubt not take root in our spirits; instead, may we emerge as victors over that which torments us now. This we pray in faith in the name of Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Radiate a strong faith in some way today.

Receive my blessings of love and comfort,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

It's Friday...

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14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." 16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. 17 So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20 Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; 24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." 25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst." 29 A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth--that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." 37 And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced." 38 After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight. 40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:14-42 Revised Standard Version)

Friend, I don't know about you, but I have held the hammer, the actual hammer that drove the nails into Jesus' heart. My hands are covered in my Savior's blood because I am guilty of having betrayed Him and His love. I also have a sore throat from having screamed on Sunday, Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! But what made it more sore were the words I yelled today, Friday, with anger, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" And I'm also guilty of blindly following the crowd, praising and welcoming Him one day, and shortly thereafter, yelling for His death. And now I weep because I realize He never hated me for the stupid things I have done - He loved me all the more. He even prayed for me asking that God forgive me for not knowing any better. How could He have done that??

I now know that this Friday is truly good because of He who died on this day, for you and for me. The world that does not know, nor love, Jesus mocks this day being called Good. We know better. This was the day long foretold in the scriptures, on this day, fulfilled. God's love set in motion from the first days of The Garden of Eden until this day, fulfilled. A loving Father, through His Son, calling us home, fulfilled. Yet, still many to reach before it is too late.

You know the story and John has done a good job of recording and sharing it. John lists the persons present and their role. John lists the places, like "the place of the skull," Gol-gotha. John notes that there were two others crucified with Him; I know I should have been one of them. John also shares how the title on Jesus' cross is also shared, that in languages common to the area, it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," only to have the Jews say, "Not my king!" John also saw how Jesus was stripped of His clothing, and how the soldiers gambled with them; just to fulfill the scriptures. Jesus' Mom, His aunt, and two Mary's where there. Jesus gave the care and responsibility of His mother to John.

I was also one of the first to run away when i saw that Jesus was dead. I had to find a place to wash my hands...

The Food of Our Souls

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The Devotional read here: https://bit.ly/2RnR9dc

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it." 9 They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations for it?" 10 "Listen," he said to them, "when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, "The teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" ' 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there." 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. 24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. (Luke 22:7-24 NRSV)

This is Maundy Thursday, dear Friend. It would prove to be a night like none before it, save for the actual Passover Night. It was for that reason that the disciples thought they were gathering with us. It was like that special November Thursday in The US of A, where we gather to eat, give thanks, eat, visit with family, eat, visit with friends, eat, watch football, and eat. For the Jews, it was a night of worship and giving thanks, and a meal that reminded them of that first Passover. The ritual would begin with the youngest person present asking, "Why is this night different from any other night?" and the worship would begin. Jesus would make this night different from any other night by what He did and said. Needless to say, it caught the disciples by surprise.

It was several years ago that a group of campus ministers and I were having dinner in Nashville while attending a national meeting. Everyone of the people at our table confessed that they had not eaten in a restaurant until they were in high school, and the joke was that our children probably would not have a home-cooked meal until they were in high school. I was the odd one there because I had had one meal with my Dad in a restaurant while accompanying him as he made his rounds as a milk and ice cream delivery man. I wish I could remember the entire conversation but I just remember that it was so meaningful to be one on one with my father enjoying a meal in a nice restaurant. I ordered what my Dad ordered, a smothered steak, which I thought was simply a hamburger patty with some nice gravy on it. It was a very special connectional meal. My heart touched my dad's heart. It was a meal more for my soul than for my body.

This only recently made sense to me and connected me to the meal that was held this night with Jesus and His disciples. The meal was the same seder meal of bitter herbs, roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and wine. The disciples clearly remembered the conversation because it veered away from the tradition. Yes, John Mark, the youngest of the disciples probably asked the question; it was answered but then Jesus made it His meal. Jesus took the cup and explained that He had long desired to celebrate the Passover with them before His coming suffering; and that He would not eat it until it was fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Jesus takes the bread and breaks it and gives it to them and says, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus takes the cup and says, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." The elements that played a partial part of the Passover become the main elements of what we now call Holy Communion or The Lord's Supper. It's a connectional meal. It's a sacred moment, thus the fact that it is one of the two sacraments we have; Christ connecting with us as we surrender to Him our sin, and He forgives us of our sins. This supper serves as a memorial of what Jesus did; of what He does while we celebrate and receive it; and speaks of what is yet to come; the great banquet with Jesus in Glory.

It was interesting to read that John Wesley called this meal, the food of our souls. And he believed that it was the duty of every Christian believer to take part in this feast. Wesley also begins one of his sermons by calling out those who avoid taking Communion for fear they would be violating the meaning behind it as warned in 1 Corinthians 11:29; but Wesley says, the biggest fear for those should be a fear of not taking part in it. Wesley also said that the words shared by Jesus were his "dying words" and as such we should lovingly comply with the invitation given by Jesus to all to come and take part. The benefits include the strengthening and refreshing of our souls. This was the night Jesus said sin death would be passed over by God's grace in order to give us life in abundance.

The supper ends with a disagreement as the disciples realize that Judas has left to betray Jesus and their question about who would be the greatest is not answered to their satisfaction. But the truth is that the power of that night is still ours. And while this year we won't have an opportunity to celebrate it in person, the specialness of that night is still ours. And the love behind that night is still with us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, for Your love we are thankful and blessed. May the events of thsi night at the table bless us with the food our souls need. Grant us Your love and grace; and forgive us our sins. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Pray for ways to show love to those in need; pray for the anxious and the frightened.

Receive my blessings of love and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

What is Your Price?

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Here is the Audio of This Devotional: https://bit.ly/2VfsjNL

1 Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5 They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present. (Luke 22:1-6 NRSV)

It's Wednesday of Holy Week. It is believed that today was the day Judas Iscariot made the plans to betray Jesus. Friend, Judas was the treasurer of the group. What little money they had, it came to him and he paid all expenses of the group. Some televangelists through the years have all commented on the "wealth" that Jesus must have had thus needing a treasurer. Smarter people realize that Judas carried the coin purse.

It's interesting how Luke, noted physician and disciple of the Lord Jesus, knows the power of God's enemy, Satan, and in verse 3 shares the truth of the entire situation: "Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray Him (Jesus) to them." Sigh. The truth is that there was evil already at work in this setting. The men who were supposed to be the religious people of the day, were hard at work trying to find a way to put Jesus to death. Please forgive my sighs, but the very men entrusted by God to bring life to those in their flock found themselves troubled by this itinerant rabbi who was upstaging them with His words and works. It is so sad that the only remedy for them was to put Jesus to death.

Several theories have been shared about why Judas did what he did. The first is that Judas did it for the money. Other versions of this story say that the price for Jesus was thirty pieces of silver. In terms of that day's money, this was about five weeks salary and could make for a comfortable investment. The second is that Judas was trying to build a bridge between the Jewish authorities and Jesus. This was proposed in a 2019 book, Judas: Betrayer or Friend of Jesus? by William Klassen. Dr. Klassen believes that Jesus had full knowledge of what Judas was doing and was not opposed to it. The third is that Judas was a Zionist, a fanatical group advocating for the overthrow of Rome. He was one of the ones on Palm Sunday excited about this entry into Jerusalem because he truly believed that Jesus was going to be the political king of Israel who would lead a military revolt. After all, Judas had seen the power of Jesus to do amazing things. Judas was simply calling Jesus' hand by forcing Him to face the religious leaders and begin the revolt within the temple. Another theory is that Judas was just bad from the very beginning; and was chosen by Jesus to do precisely what needed to be done so that the crucifixion would happen. Perhaps you have your own theory about this man and would like to share it with us? In all fairness to Judas, later verses say that he repented of what he did and decided to end his life because of the remorse he felt about having betrayed the man who had had faith in him to call him to be one of the disciples. One thing is certain; among the twelve there was not one perfect person among the group. Some have even said "There's a little Judas in all of us," meaning there have been times we have been in the presence of Christ and yet go and do what we wanted to do all along. One thing I used to do on Maundy Thursday in the churches was to set up table with enough chairs to serve 12 people at a time. At each place setting there would be a card facedown with one of the disciples on the other. We had to make sure that the cards with Judas' image were marked so that little children would not draw those. The others had the images of the 12 with a brief description of what they were best known for. Sadly, the impact on some church members on drawing the Judas card was more than I had thought; some to this day will remind me that they drew the Judas card.

Please keep in mind that the high holy day of Passover was drawing near; a time to remember and celebrate the wonderful things that God had done for the nation of Israel in freeing them from slavery and sending the angel of death to pass over the houses marked with the sacrificial blood, thus the name Passover. And while this was going, Satan was very active, as he continues to be even in this day and age. I've joked that while in some churches he is not welcome or allowed in, he waits patiently outside and even reminds worshipers of something they heard or say or didn't sing so that the car ride home become more "interesting." It becomes easier in that setting to forget the powerful words of life shared in the worship experience. And the price we pay is anger or resentment or a commitment to not return back the next Sunday, or until the pastor is gone.

Friends, the price paid to Judas was thirty pieces of silver. The price Jesus paid for you and me was the ultimate sacrifice; His body and blood. What has Satan offered you to betray Jesus?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we pray You forgive us for the times we have betrayed You and most of those times for free or for frivolous things. During this time that we end our Lenten Journey, help us end our wandering ways that have led us away from You and Your service. Grant to us a new opportunity to serve. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! May your prayers today be which blesses someone away from evil and into the love of God!

Receive my blessings of comfort and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

The Hour is Now Here...

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Hear Here: https://bit.ly/3aRWnW5

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (John 12:20-28)

A blessed and safe Tuesday to you, dear Friend! Do you remember playing or your kids playing the Oregon Trail? We ventured early into the world of computing by buying an Apple IIe through a program called An Apple for the Teacher, which my wife, Nellie, was eligible. It was the greatest thing! Up to this point, an electric typewriter blessed my thoughts and I finally had one through marriage. In my work, getting sent to my first full-time church, they had an electric typewriter as well; the following year as campus minister, I had an IBM Selectric! It even came with an additional font ball that allowed me to insert italics into my letters and bulletins! That was tall cotton! But, my girls played the Oregon Trail, an adventure game that led families from the East to Oregon. Along the way the family would encounter the challenges and realities of the day but ultimately, they would make it to Oregon! Well, today HEB finally delivered an order of groceries we placed three weeks ago! I felt like the Valverde Family had made it to Oregon, having battled the Coronavirus plague! "We're pioneers!" I exclaimed to a confused family. Sigh, the joys and lows of this self-isolation. (John 12:20-36 NRSV)

I have a deeper appreciation for the Greek people having been blessed to tour their country and the footsteps of the Apostle Paul some months ago. I always knew them to be deeply committed to learning and exploring, and that trip among their beautiful country reinforced that. And today's passage reinforces it even more; Greeks hungry for knowledge and for answers, know that in God they had found life and the meaning of life behind it through the teachings of Judaism; but they had heard about Jesus and wanted to meet Him. This triggers an interesting thing among Philip, and Andrew, and Jesus. Jesus surprises them with a truth that would come true this Friday. "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Jesus saw His coming death as a means to glorify God. It would be a painful, difficult death, but Jesus saw what would come from it. Jesus saw glory and honor coming to His Father through His death. And He also saw how His death would also bring others to know about God because of it. Jesus loved God more than He loved His own life. And He says that very thing to those listening; "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." Please be clear that Jesus is not advocating suicide. What He is saying is that those who love their life and are afraid to die and would go to any lengths to save their life may end up losing their life forever. Their love for God must surpass the love they have for their own life, and if giving up their life to save someone else's presents itself, we must not hold back. It was not easy for Jesus to face His death. Jesus shares with those around Him how troubled His soul was. And He made the prayer He lifted up one of asking God to glorify His name at which point a voice from Heaven says, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Some thought it was thunder; others that an angel had spoken. Jesus knew it was Dad speaking to Him. And onward Jesus proceeded. For your sake, and for mine. Jesus counted it a glorious victory to take our place on the cross and to give His life so that we might have life.

This Tuesday of Holy Week, may you count it as your pleasure and privilege to share Jesus in your own way with those around you. This may mean the ones who are sharing the quarantine with you, or you can pick up the phone and send a loving message of concern to those whom you know are alone and in need. This is not a time to be quiet about our faith; quite the contrary, many need what we have, and may we have enough to share with others.

PRAYER: Loving God, as we pray, we pray for those who are alone right now. We pray for the elderly who find themselves in a nursing home or rehab facility without family or friends who can come and visit like they once did. Father, lift their spirits and bless those who work among them. Bless the doctors, nurses, technicians, and all who staff the hospitals. Bless with healing those who are ill, especially those who suffer this serious illness. Comfort those who have lost loved ones as a result of this virus. And Lord, we pray especially for those who are laboring to find a cure and a vaccine. Grant them knowledge and peace so that they may find that soon. Bless the life and household of this dear reader. All this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Be a blessing to those around you!

Receive my blessings of health, joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

PS. I continue to urge you to keep your distance from others, keep washing your hands in a thorough manner, do not touch your face, and follow all the other precautions that have been shared with us out of concern for us. Stay safe so that you can stay longer among us!

The Mind of Christ

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Hear Here: https://bit.ly/2JJDHMd

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NRSV)

May this be a wonderfully blessed Holy Week for you, dear Eradio! I don't know about you, but it felt sad not to be in a church setting with children processing in with palm leaves and the singing of special hymns to the Lord. And this coming Sunday will also be a little sad, too. Please know that worship still happens when one puts oneself in a spiritual setting and worships God in spirit and truth. That can happen in any setting. Our prayer is that soon we can worship again in a corporate setting with fellow believers. Easter Sunday will still be Resurrection Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead!

It was on this Monday, after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, that Jesus returned to the Temple and overturned the table of the moneychangers. These were shrewd men who charged outrageous interest on their assistance to visitors in Jerusalem. They "helped" the tourists get the proper currency (it varied from nation to nation) with which to buy a sacrificial animal. Jesus was right in running them out because their presence had truly shifted the focus from worship to profit. Christ had a mind and a heart for God. And so should we.

Paul knew the mind of Christ and so he writes the words from today's passage. We should allow the "same mind be in (us) that was in Christ Jesus." Paul wants us to think and act like Jesus. Remember the W.W.J.D. from years back? The initials stood for What Would Jesus Do? It was placed on bracelets, stickers, patches, and other places as a reminder that we could have the mind of Jesus and make decisions much the same way that Jesus did. Paul continues, "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." To have the mind of Christ will lead us into unexpected places, more likely to the Land of Things Not Usually Done. The idea of power goes to the servant. To the one who wants to be first, power is found in last place. To the one who demands me first; Christ takes us to the last one seated as the one who is honored. To the ones begging to be lifted up with fame and honor, Christ leads to serving the least of these among us. And so God, honored Jesus with His name, "the name that is above every name," and with it comes true power; "So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." And what is expected? That "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." The mind of Christ understands that and much more.

It will be in possessing the mind of Christ that we will have all the wisdom, patience, and peace we need to endure this crisis and come out the other side victorious. It will also be the mind of Christ that will bless our worship during this week as we reflect on all Jesus did for us. To truly enjoy and be blessed by Holy Week we must be holy.

PRAYER: Loving God, we pray that we might truly possess the mind of Christ Jesus. May our decisions, our actions, and our words truly reflect that we are guided and blessed by You. Grant us peace, patience, and compassion so that we might share those with others. We pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Pray for one another.

Receive my blessings of love and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde