What Does God Require?

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8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 New International Version)

I was a proud Rotarian for many years, leaving the club when my travel schedule as a superintendent did not allow me time to stay with one club. I joined by accident; a dear church member in our church of Mission. had invited me to speak at the Mission Rotary Club which met at a really nice country club. As we were leaving after my talk I mentioned to the member that I would love to, one day, be a member of the club. He thought I wanted to become a Rotarian and so by the next week I was being trained into what waas required of me. I joined Rotary when the rules and requirements were pretty strict. Membership was limited to two person of the same profession; but Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary had said there would be no limits to the number of members that were from the Press or Clergy. He believed in good press and with many reporters in the club, he believed they would do a good job of promoting the club for free. And., being a believer, he knew that there was no such thing as too many clergypersons in a club. The requirements also were that one must attend a Rotary meeting each week. We were given a list of neighboring clubs around the Rio Grande Valley, so that we could choose from meetings Monday through Friday. If one missed too many meetings, we were shown the door, or so they threatened. I loved our club. It was a singing club and I loved the songs we sang. We had an older gentleman who owned a tractor store who led the singing. My daughters when I would take them with me were embarrassed at choice of songs that were clearly from the turn of the century. (They especially did not enjoy The Happy Wanderer with all its faldarees. LOL!)

The prophet Micah wants Israel to know the requirements of God were not all that difficult (for most). Israel was surrounded by those cults and religions that expected child sacrifices, temple prostitution, and a list of other unusual demands that God did not tolerate, and which God did not want Israel to follow. In what is the most famous verse from the book of the prophet Micah, he shares them for Israel and us to see, learn, and practice. I love and admire the Catholic Church, for it was the faith my mother and her side of the family followed, and for many, still follow; but I could never learn the "requirements" that Catholics were trained to do while in worship. In funerals, weddings, and even ordinations that I have attended, I never knew when to stand, sit, or kneel. And I did not know the proper responses to what the priest or deacon would say. Still, I felt at home, awkward, but at home. I admire those who know and do the things that helps them be a part of that type of worship; but the prophet says, here is what God requires. We should act justly. That means we should show justice to all people. That means we treat everyone the same, fairly and equally. No partial treatment to some, and not all, especially when it comes to the things of God. The prophet also says we should love mercy. Jesus would later explain that if we want to be shown mercy, we must show mercy to others. We should learn to forgive others, and as Jesus said, over and over again, with no limits.

And the last requirement is to walk humbly with God. There are only two people the Bible lists as not having died, and one was Enoch, who walked with God. The belief is that Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) walked with God so closely that the day came that God simply said, "Come with me, Enoch" and took him to Heaveh. What a close and humble walk that must have been that God invited Enoch to keep walking. A humble walk is to let God lead and direct. We walk with Him whom we love and Who loves us; and trust that every step we are protected by God. There is no room for "me, me, me," in this walk; it is more like, "You, You, You, loving God." The self-centered, self-possessed will not walk with God much less humbly. God's requirement is that we begin such a walk so that we can be blessed and be a blessing to God.

PRAYER: Loving God, take us by the hand and lead us. May our ways reflect that we do walk to follow You closely and obediently . Let us truly be people of love, and people of mercy; and as You guide us let us walk closely and faithfully; in Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Work on your requirements!

Receive my blessings of love and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Fool for God

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18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NIV)

A blessed and terrific Tuesday for you, dear Friend. May this time with God and this devotional bless your life and your walk with God. Please be in prayer for Mrs. Allison Davis. She will be having surgery this morning to remove two parathyroid glands. They are enlarged and malfunctioning. Please pray for everything to go as planned in the procedure and for her complete recovery. Prayers for Nellie and me, as we have colds again. Therefore, there will be no video or audio devotional readings today.

The cross is an instrument of painful torture and death. The Romans used it to instill fear in criminals by holding crucifixions along their roads. It was recorded that the roads into Rome were lined with criminals slowly dying their excruciating death. The cross was the instrument used to kill Jesus and the Christian Church took the cross and adopted it as a symbol of pride. The very first verse is so very true. Even today there are those who mock the cross and label it as a loser's symbols. My sociology professor once feigned his confusion about the cross and asked the class, "If Jesus had died on the electric chair, would Christians be wearing little electric chairs around their necks?" The class laughed.

The second part of the verse is what is truth for us; "But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." That's what the cross represents to us: Power. God's power. It is the power to save. The cross saved us from death and saved us to a new life; the life in abundance; the fullness of life. Through Jesus' suffering we were led to a higher and better path. Of course, the path of wisdom as offered by the world will offer answers and easy ones at that, but we cannot be led astray by that. I heard it even in my seminary calls on the New Testament, where the trend at the time was the demythologizing of the stories of Jesus; seen as myths, folk tales, parables or metaphors for things that could be, but hadn't been. And even the professor when we were studying the Resurrection, he called it a "faith event," that the objective eye of a camera could not capture. It was mass hysteria that allowed those who claimed to have seen Jesus to "see" someone who was not there. Sigh. I realized that I had to have a strong faith to be a preacher of the "foolishness" that the world would reject claiming to be wise, but the ones who found salvation would join the fool's team in having the fullness of life.

A recent article on why the American Church is dying had these figures: "About 4,500 Protestant churches closed in 2019, the last year data is available, with about 3,000 new churches opening, according to Lifeway Research. It was the first time the number of churches in the US hadn’t grown since the evangelical firm started studying the topic. With the pandemic speeding up a broader trend of Americans turning away from Christianity, researchers say the closures will only have accelerated." Pastors and church leaders are having to face some tough decisions about the future of some churches. Also, "But while Covid-19 may have accelerated the decline, there is a broader, long-running trend of people moving away from religion. In 2017 Lifeway surveyed young adults aged between 18 and 22 who had attended church regularly, for at least a year during high school. The firm found that seven out of 10 had stopped attending church regularly." I graduated from high school with many who thought they had also graduated from church, and that trend still continues, graduation brings a certain freedom that young people take to mean freedom from God.

Dear ones, we still believe (or should) that "The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." We, as the Church, are called to welcome all people with a love like has never been seen before, to all people. The days of you go to this church, and you to that church, are over. God's kingdom has as its welcome mat, "All are welcome," reflecting what is in God's heart and what should be in our heart; divine, agape, love. Our marching orders do not come from Washington, New York, Los Angeles, or Florida; they come from God and God only. The gospel message of Jesus is serious, though seen as foolishness by those who are perishing; but we must take up the mantle and serve Him to save our brothers and sisters.

PRAYER; Loving God, to You be all honor and glory; here on the earth and there in Heaven. Make us truly be the fools that we need to be to share with those who are dying; help us truly be the Church that attracts those who have wandered off, and those who no longer care. Le us be a blessings to all people, in Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Share the foolishness of Jesus with the wise.

Receive my blessing of hope and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The article I quoted is from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/22/us-churches-closing-religion-covid-christianity

THE Sermon of Jesus

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View devotional: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7191696673599491371?lang=en

Hear the devotional: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/THE-Sermon-of-Jesus-e1ts9bn

1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:1-12 The Message Bible)

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. 2 He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NIV Bible)

There are preachers and there are preachers. There are preachers who are teachers, and teachers who are preachers. There are preachers who could take a phone book (Kids, ask your grandparents what these were) who could read from AAA motor club all the way to Zyaskis and we would be sad that name came to quickly. And there are preachers who tire us just by their opening remarks. And we have a list of our favorite preachers, and there are those when we find they are set to preach we find reasons to take that out-of-town trip. And then there was Jesus. My self-perceived weakness was preaching and so I tailored my internship around it. I chose to study with a preacher who was known as the prince of the pulpit. But as the time neared for me to begin my study with him, he was promoted to district superintendent, and the outgoing DS became his replacement. From these awesome men I learned a lot. I learned the key to great peaching is to love the people to whom you are preaching. And from Jesus we learn that very thing. The great preacher not only loves the people, but also identifies with them and shares with them his or her own journey among life's struggles and challenges. The preacher seeks to find that which can connect the audience with God through a meaningful sermon.

Jesus begins His sermon with some powerful connecting words that resonated with the audience. These were His people, people He had grown up with or with people just like those of his community. Jesus knew their struggles, pains, challenges; they were truly the sheep of Israel, who for so many years had wandered without a shepherd, misguided and misled by those who should have been truly showing them the way. It was for these people that Jesus came and so this is His first public declaration of what God offered. God's way, though not always easy, was a blessed way. People would still have days when they should have stayed in bed, but in reality could not. There would still be people dying and babies being born; scarceness of resources would still be a reality to most, and the Roman presence would not soon go away; yet in all this, God offers a way to find hope and inner peace. This sermon was also a call from Jesus on what they should be doing and how they should be living. The graphic for today says, "The Be-Attitudes," meaning the right attitudes we should take towards God.

Be open to God when your own strength falters and fails. Be open to making room in your life when life seems overwhelming. Be open to letting God hold you in His embrace when you are mourning, sad, or lost. Be open to who you are and how you believe God has made you. Be open to working up an appetite for God; He is in Himself the best meal you can have. Be a caring person to all people. Be known as a person of love. Be a person of prayer and listening to God. Be a person who understands and cooperates with others in a Godly way. Be open to persecution when you're following God closely; this is leading you straight into God's kingdom. Be open to being put down, or thrown out, or lied about; God is with you. Be cheerful when you're close to the truth and others are uncomfortable about it. Be aware of being in good company with the unseen hosts of Heaven, for like the prophets, you are doing it for God.

Friend, our reward in Heaven is greater than the worse this world can throw at us. To follow God through Christ is not a popular thing; sometimes it is a painful thing, but God loves you and is with you.

PRAYER: Awesome if Your Kingdom, O God. And we are humbled and blessed to be counted in it. Give us strength to be patient and caring even when the opposites are offered or thown to us. Lead us onward and upward; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a disciple for Jesus always.

Receive my blessings of love and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Lord is My Light & Salvation

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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/The-Lord-is-My-Light-and-Salvation-e1tmn02

View here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7190216164671360298?lang=en

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27 New International Version of The Bible)

What scares you? The sound of your angry spouse? Your angry dad? Your angry boss? Growing up I faced double jeopardy with every infraction that I may or may not have committed. I would face an immediate spanking from my Mom; whose primary work inside the home was to make sure I didn't kill my siblings. There was never any real danger of that, but sometimes I did not treat my sister in the nicest way. My sister was a great actor and could cry instantly, with tears and whimpers - always enough for Mom to mete out my punishment. It took me a while to learn that all was not well immediately. She and I would go back to playing and she seemed like the best friend she should have been. But as soon as she heard the sound of the tires on the driveway of my Dad's car, she heard the director yell, "Action!" And again, the tears and cries would start. And some of you will relate to the beginning of school "talk" your parent may have had with the teachers about, "If my child misbehaves, you spank them, and then let me know, and I will spank them again!" Gulp. Double gulp.

Fear is part of our survival instincts. It prepares us for "fight or flight." And fear is common among most people who find themselves in trouble; re-read the story of David - starts with the predators that threatened his flocks, then the giant, then the wrath of the King Saul, so he knew all about darkness and crisis, and strongholds; and follows the theme of this week that the Lord is light. Here he reaffirms this in the first verse, "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?" We can be afraid, but not to the point of defeat or surrender, for our help is the Lord. He knew the saving power of God and yearned to be in God's presence to worship Him. Look at verse 4: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple." In God, the psalmist knows he has powerful protection and comfort, as should we.

And the psalmist knows that our path is better when we commit to the Lord as he shares; Seek His face! And we should ask for God to guide us in His instructional path. Once it is all over, we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And here's key instruction of waiting for God, be strong and wait for the Lord. May it be so.

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for being our light and salvation. Guide us to faithfulness and fruitfulness, and may be bless others in that journey; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Share the Lord's promises with those seeking that.

Receive my blessings of love and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

"Have Seen a Great Light..."

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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Have-Seen-a-Great-Light-e1tktoe

View here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7189834308280978731?lang=en

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:1-4 NIV)

A blessed and wonderful Wednesday to you, dear Friend. May we, in a spirit of worship and prayer, receive from God that which blesses the work of the Kingdom.

A recent study shows that 11% of grown Americans are still afraid of the dark. I grew up in the time when having a loved one die might have meant their body would be laid in state in your living room. Even with the living room lights on, uh, no. And then turn off the lights and that would be a hard NO. And add the stories our moms and grandmothers told, that would add to the fear. When my maternal grandfather, Papa Grande, as we called him, he laid in state in his tiny home next door to my uncle's home. There's just no comparing a six year old's perspective of an adult-sized coffin inside a tiny living room with your grandfather lying dead inside. And then at MYF, a friend tells of having to spend the night on the living room floor where the coffin of their loved one sat, but that night as the host family turned off the lights, a few moments later, they came back on again. My friend was told by his dad to get up and turn them off. Very reluctantly he did, and once off he had to feel his way around the coffin back to the floor, and then they turned back on again.

The more fearful darkness is despair. The thought that there is no more light available by which to guide one's way through life. Living life with little to no hope is not a good way to live. Yet, there are many who fear because of so many views on life, society, the government, politics, the economy, and life in general. To this God spoke through Isaiah declaring the end of despair and gloom. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Wow. When God shines a light, darkness is defeated. Despair is replaced by hope. Sadness has to give way to joy. The night is over and a great morning has arrived. God has defeated all that darkness represented by the victory of light.

This, dear friend, is our faith and hope. This is a fore-telling from the Old Testament of what the fullness of life would bring. And guess what, it's here! And it is ours for the asking. So, ask, receive, then tell somebody else about it.

PRAYER: Loving God, this is the fulfillment of Your promises and we want in! Grant to us the faith to ask and receive, and to seek and find. Grant to us the courage to go and tell, and to make new disciples and conquer the world for Jesus; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: (See above)

Receive my love and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Church Divided

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Listen to devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/A-Divided-Church-e1tjcl7

View devotional here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7189489330870553899?lang=en

10 I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common. 11 I bring this up because some from Chloe's family brought a most disturbing report to my attention - that you're fighting among yourselves! 12 I'll tell you exactly what I was told: You're all picking sides, going around saying, "I'm on Paul's side," or "I'm for Apollos," or "Peter is my man," or "I'm in the Messiah group." 13 I ask you, "Has the Messiah been chopped up in little pieces so we can each have a relic all our own? Was Paul crucified for you? Was a single one of you baptized in Paul's name?" 14 I was not involved with any of your baptisms - except for Crispus and Gaius - and on getting this report, I'm sure glad I wasn't. 15 At least no one can go around saying he was baptized in my name. 16 (Come to think of it, I also baptized Stephanas's family, but as far as I can recall, that's it.) 17 God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn't send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center - Christ on the Cross - be trivialized into mere words. 18 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. (1 Corinthians 1:10-18 The Message Bible)

Jesus sais, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be among them." (Matthew 18:20); a promise of peace and power to believers, and it is true. I've witnessed in my life and in the life of the churches that I served. Through the years I have come to changing Jesus' pure words to an alternative view that is, sadly, in some cases, true. "Where two or three people are gathered, there could be trouble." And tehre usually is. We are humans and as humans who make up the church, fail short in the department of getting along. Don't get me wrong, I have met some of the most incredible, loving people that I ever hoped to meet. These were wonderful, caring, second-mile people; God bless them. And God bless those that need blessing for their being the subject that drove Paul to write this passage in the first place. The common knowledge was that out of 100% of the people in your congregation, about 20% will love and follow the pastor. If the pastor wants the fellowship hall to become a McDonalds, they'll love the idea. Another group, maybe 10% of the congregation will never like what the pastor says or does. She could preach one Sunday on how beautiful God made the grass green, and as this group walks out of church they will snidely say, "The grass is blue!" And about 70% of the others don't really care one way or another and will follow the crowd usually. Lifeway Research in 2017 published a study they did called The Five Types of People in Your Church: The Generational: I'll be here forever. The Confrontational: I'll be back once you're gone. The Recreational: I'll be here when I want. The Relational: I'll be here as long as they are. The Devotional: I'll be here as long as He's honored.

Paul addresses this by saying, and this in this more modern version, "You must get along with each other. You must be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." I once heard a professor say that there were less fights and more acceptance at Joe's Corner Bar than there was at the local church. I'm guessing because the stakes are higher for the enemy of the church and he, who does not sleep and who prowls around looking for those whom he can devour, loves to see a church divided. Paul is hurt, if not shocked in verse 11 where he says, "You're fighting among yourselves!" Paul is angered at this reality and more so when he understands the fighting in the Corinth church is because the members were taking sides by saying some were on Paul's side, others on Apollos' side, and some in Peter's side, and still others in the Messiah group. Paul has to ask, "Has Jesus been chopped up into little pieces so we can each have relics of our own?" Paul reminds them that God sent him to preach the Good News of all He had done and to collect a following for Himself. And all this without fancy preaching or fancy words, just preaching Chirst on the Cross, and this, while knowing that many would see that as sheer foolishness, and that because this group is perishing and on the road that leads to eternal death; while those who know the way of salvation it makes perfect sense.

Paul knows that in the greater picture and the great challenge of life itself, it makes better sense to work together, united for the common good of helping people find God and have God fix them, and then going out beyond the four walls into the community and seeking more for God to bless and save.

PRAYER: Awesome God, we know where we find ourselves right now, and that's in serious need of You touching us and blessing us. We fight too much and about things that normally shouldn't upset us; but there are matters that truly matter and do divide, help us to know the difference and to work to bring about unity. In Christ Jesus' strong name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Seek to be a blessing fo unity to all.

Receive my blessings of love and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Jesus Knew

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Hear the devotional: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Jesus-Knew-e1thn0q

Hear here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7189088024012066091?lang=en

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:12-23 New International Version of The Bible)

A most blessed and marvelous Mondays to you, dear Friend That is my prayer for you and yours. I pray that unexpected opportunities would present themselves to you to allow you to shine brightly for Jesus! My neighbor, Mr. Hector Cruz, is home, but still in serious pain. This Tuesday he goes to have the last of the drainage tubes removed, and we should pray that God bring comfort to him soon. Also, Mrs. Carmen Rodriguez, of Edinburg, TX., is still in pain from her bout with shingles. This has been a longer than usual period of pain and we pray that God would heal her soon! Please continue to pray for one another. May God be glorified in our lives.

The other night my bride asked me how long I would be doing ConCafes. That question, asked right as I was dozing off to sleep, was not one I expected. I could only say, "I don't know." It has kept me wondering. I guess I will know when it will become time to quit. I pray that this is what God would have me do in obedience to His leading. I say that because the passage for today has some already wondering why Jesus withdrew to Galilee."? This is a lectionary passage and where I find them always has pastors/preachers commenting their first thoughts under each passage. I usually choose not to even read them or if I do to get a better idea of what I need to be saying and praying about this passage. Today I noticed that many asked why would Jesus withdraw? I believe Jesus knew that this news of John the Baptist's arrest, was the sign to begin His ministry. He went to Capernaum, in fulfillment of prophecy, and to begin His preaching ministry, and He uses John's very sermon: "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven has come near." Jesus then called His first disciples into ministry. He calls Simon and his brother, Andrew, as they were fishing. His call came as an invitation, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Their response was immediate as they left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus then comes across James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, also preparing to fish, and He calls them; they too, leave everything to become disciples. Then Jesus begins his ministry of teaching, preaching and healing. Jesus healed every disease and sickness among the people.

Jesus knew that the time had come to start His ministry. You, too, more than likely, if you're connected to God, have known when to start, when to do, when to complete, and maybe, even leave or finish, or stop whatever you felt called to do. I have shared some of the most difficult questions that have been asked of me, or just asked, to which I did not immediately have an answer. The first related to ministry was when my theology professor asked, "We know that we are saved from sin, when we are saved; but where are we saved to?" The answer, to the new life, the abundant life, to the fullness of life. And when I sat at the Cabinet table and the bishop asked, "Does God ever call us out of ministry?" Whoa! I believe some of us around that table wondered if our time was near? ConCafe has been my way to stay connected, and active in ministry; while I may not be pastor of a church that comes with a building, I still see ConCafe as my church with my leadership role to continue to share, comfort, challenge, inspire, instruct all who would read or listen to, ConCafe.

My pastor just shared a key story about a mutual friend, Harold, who is still in active ministry. Matt asked him some years ago, how he managed to stay active and alive when ministry. Harold replied, "'Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you,' And then I roll myself out of bed and onto my knees and dedicate myself again to God and ask if God would use me." I really identify with that motivation and I write in my daily planner as my first task each day, Glorify God. Second, I write, Pray and Listen, and lastly I have been writing, Seek to Serve. While that may not answer all the questions that I have or may face, but it keeps me going and doing. May we all discover what we need to keep going and doing.

PRAYER: Loving Father, glorify Yourself in us in ways that help us answer all questions and motivates us to keep going and doing; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Keep going and doing in ways that invite others to join you!

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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View devotional Here: https://bit.ly/3IItfoe

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods! 5 Thou hast multiplied, O LORD my God, thy wondrous deeds and thy thoughts toward us; none can compare with thee! Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire; but thou hast given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering thou hast not required. 7 Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart." 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O LORD. 10 I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation. 11 Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me! (Psalm 40:1-11 Revised Standard Version Bible)

Two relatively modern songs come to mind as I read this beautiful psalm. The psalm was believed written about 1023 BC, so anything after that year is "modern." The first song is "The Waiting" by Tom Petty from 1981. The other is U2's "40". I shared a short devotional on this passage and song during FUMC - Gonzales' Lenten Soup and Study. U2 tells an interesting story about their having chosen this psalm as a song. They needed one last song for their album, they asked for a Bible, turned it to the Book of Psalms and read the fortieth psalm. They say they named the song 40 because it took 10 minutes to write the song, ten minutes to record it, ten to mxit it and ten minutes to hear it; but they claim it has nothing to do with it being called 40 (Add a wink here!).

The psalm addresses some major issues that trouble humans. Patience, and the lack thereof in most people, as Mr. Petty sang, but it also does affirm that if we must wait, waiting on the Lord is not a bad thing. For we are heard immediately and God will answer in His time. Think back to a waiting room when you did not know what's next; or a labor and delivery room, or a court room, or at the altar awaiting the "walk down" by your special one; actually, your list could be longer, but you understand the psalmist's saying that he waited PATIENTLY, which to me says he had faith, hope, and trust in God. God would answer and more likely than not, the answer would be favorable. And as we hear where he has been, we can relate. Your definition of a "desolate pit" or "miry bog," may vary, but we can whittle it down to it being a not-so-good spot. But, he knows a better spot, on a "rock," where his footing was secure and strong. And this led him to a better place, a place where he felt he could sing, and sing he did. A new song of praise and thanksgiving, and one that will draw others to the awareness that in God we have hope and strength. "Blessed is the man and woman who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astry after false gods!"

It brings us back to our attitude. The psalmist says that he delights in doing God's will, for the Word of God was within his heart; it was a part of his being and helped define him. There's a millions miles from the pages of the unopened and unread Bible to the word of God that because of study and devotion, has become a part of that person's being. Think back to sitting in a classroom where you had to be there versus the classes that truly delighted you; what were the results of your attitude? The same holds true for our approaching and receiving God's word. The person who knows that God has blessed them truly delights in sharing about the goodness of God; there is no restraint of lips, nor hiding of the goodness that God has done for them.

This psalm could be divided into three parts, or points, that might help us better understand it: Patience to Pray, Patience to Obey, Patience to Say. If we discipline ourselves to become people of patient prayer, we become those who enjoy a daily connection with God. If we have taht connection with God we develop a patience to do as we hear God as we pray. I highly stress that when we pray, we should learn to listen within our spirits; if prayer is a conversation, then there is a give and take, for prayer should not be dictation. We enjoy God's company as we pray and its in the enjoyment that we learn to listen to God. And it is through our listening that we learn to share that which we have received from God. The art of testifying is dying out, sadly. Some churches used to have moments of sharing testimonies of what God has done. That's the Say part of the three. "If you see something, say something" is associated with what warnings we have seen at airports, but we as believers should embrace "If you receive something, say something so that others may know of the goodness of God." This is how the world will come to know of God's steadfast lve and faithfulness even in stressful or difficult times.

PRAYER: Awesome God, as we pray, we are also listening to what You may say to us. We are a blessed people and we have, or should have, much to say about the good You have shared with us. Make us truly people who have patience to pray, patience to obey, and the boldness and patience, to say. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be patient and bold in praying, obeying, and saying.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

To hear U2's 40 click here: https://youtu.be/7Ln7R_wnfQM

To hear Tom Patty’s The Waiting: https://youtu.be/uMyCa35_mOg

God is Our Strength

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Listen here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/God-is-Our-Strength-e1tb3j7

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1 Listen, far-flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born. The moment I entered the world he named me. 2 He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate. He kept his hand on me to protect me. He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, "You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine." 4 But I said, "I've worked for nothing. I've nothing to show for a life of hard work. Nevertheless, I'll let God have the last word. I'll let him pronounce his verdict." 5 "And now," God says, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, To bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel - What an honor for me in God's eyes! That God should be my strength! 6 He says, "But that's not a big enough job for my servant - just to recover the tribes of Jacob, merely to round up the strays of Israel. I'm setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!" 7 God, Redeemer of Israel, The Holy of Israel, says to the despised one, kicked around by the nations, slave labor to the ruling class: "Kings will see, get to their feet - the princes, too - and then fall on their faces in homage Because of God, who has faithfully kept his word, The Holy of Israel, who has chosen you." (Isaiah 49:1-7 The Message Bible)

The town of Reform, Alabama, was so named by the townspeople after a traveling evangelist urged the people to change their ways and "Reform!" So, the town today has ten churches for a population of 1,400! This from a man I follow on YouTube, who likes to visit out-of-the-way small towns. He was impressed, as was I. The town rose to the task, took this preacher seriously and named the town after his exhortation. This passage speaks the same to the people of Israel: You must be up to the task to which you were called, to be the people of God! God's plan is for Israel to be faithful so that that serves as an inspiration to others about faithfulness.

The prophet shares his life's story and calling. Isaiah says he was put to work from the moment he was born. It was the same moment he was named by God, and given the gift of speech that "would cut and penetrate." God protected him and he felt like an arrow made straight and kept in a quiver. Though he sees himself as the embodiment of Israel, who as a country should have been keeping what God asks, he realizes that the nation has not kept their part of the deal and so he submits to whatever God would deem as a just judgment. God would have the last word. And God's last word is for reunion; God wants Israel to work towards bringing those outside, inside. Those who have strayed away, are sought, and will be welcomed when they return.

The main role of Israel is to be a light to the world as a nation that radiates justice and love, compassion and peace - all are welcome. This makes me wonder, would your nation be considered a light? Would ours? And getting closer to home, would your church be considered a llight to the world? Would our church be one? The main obstacle is for our nations and our churches, to put God first in the rightful role that God deserves. Jesus spoke of not hiding the lamp under a bushel or hiding its light where no one could see it. And the place to truly begin, is in us. We need to put God first in our lives and hearts in such a powerful way that that would radiate out into our homes, our workplaces, our churches, and into the places of darkness. Let it begin with me.

PRAYER: Awesome God of Light and Love, shine brightly in me in ways that radiate to others. May we seek to place You first in our hearts. Let us truly be examples; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let the shine in you begin with your smile.

Receive my blessings of joy and love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

***PRAYER UPDATES AND REQUESTS: Please pray for Dr. Commie Hisey's stepfather who is having some medical issues. He will be undergoing a biopsy by a pulmonologist today. Pray all is well with him, and calm and peace for all of his loved ones. My neighbor, Hector Cruz, underwent the procedure to drain the cyst and that was successful, but he remains in severe pain. May God bring healing and relief soon.

God is Faithful

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3 May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours. 4 Every time I think of you - and I think of you often! - I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. 5 There's no end to what has happened in you - it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge. 6 The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives. 7 Just think - you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. 8 And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. 9 God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. The Cross: The Irony of God's Wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:3-9 The Message Bible)

Happy Tuesday, dear Reader. I have shared with you through this email that I am a big fan of the television series The Chosen. It's produced, filmed, and distributed here in Texas. It is about the life and ministry of Jesus. The easiest way to view this is via their app called Angel. This is available through your smartphone's stores or through your smart television. The show is in its third season and this week's episode centered on Jairus' daughter and the woman who had bled for many years. There is, of course, many liberties taken to share back stories to those mentioned in The Bible. I won't spoil any of the episode's content, but I strongly urge you to watch this awesome show. I also share that my neighbor, Mr. Hector Cruz, was scheduled to have a surgery on Monday to remove a tumor they discovered in his stomach, but was postponed due to the need to drain a cyst. Please keep Hector and Terri in your prayers.

I mentioned the show because it does makes us realize that those who came in contact with Jesus had their lives changed. The Twelve were ordinary, hard-working men, whose lives were never the same after meeting Jesus. I met Jesus in a formal way when I was about eight years old. My preacher on that day stressed that we needed Jesus in our heart and the only way He would come in was if we invited Him in. I did, and He did. That began a lifelong spiritual adventure that Paul mentions in verse 9 of this passage. And in that adventure, God has never let me down. How I wish I could say that I never let God down, but I can't. Every day of this journey I have had "free and open access to God, given by Jesus." Not only that, but every step and every challenge and obstacle that has come my way, God has been alongside me to keep me steady and on track." Again, there have been days that I've looked beyond that track and thought wistfully that maybe a better life would be possible, only to realize that I was on the right path, with the right One, One who hadn't given up on me and I could not give up on Him.

Like the Twelve, I am an ordinary man, called from among many to serve Him. I fought the call and thought that perhaps God had called the wrong person. I was shy, self-conscious, and at times timid, not what I would call ideal ministerial material. I ran from God, tried to hide from God, but God never left my side. When I finally stopped to surrender I said that if God truly wanted and needed me, He would have to change me. And as the title for today's devotional said, God is faithful. God provided the companion I needed for this journey and God also provided the children who love me and pray for me and have blessed me in wonderful ways.

God is faithful, dear friend. No matter your age or stage; God is with you and is providing for you and your needs. Whatever path you believe you are called to be on, keep moving forward and upward, trusting God and allowing God to lead you. You have free and open access to God, so use it. Prayer is still your first option and you should excercise that. As Paul wrote, I also believe, "There is no end to what has happened in you - it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge....you don't needa thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale." You are surrounded not only by a great cloud of witnesses, you also have at your disposal mentors, pastors, brothers, sisters, teachers, counselors, and guides, who drop everything to come to your side to help and bless you.

PRAYER: Loving God, guide us onward towards You and that which You to which you have called us. We want to be faithful and fruitful. Let us be a blessing to You and Your kingdom; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Show others how God has been faithful in your life.

Receive my blessings of peace and hope,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Jesus is the One!

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Hear the devotional: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Jesus-is-the-One-e1t897s

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29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ). (John 1:29-42 New International Version Bible)

Good day, dear Friend, may God's rich blessings be yours today and all days. I thank you for your faithfulness in praying for all who ask prayers of us! I got an update on Hector Cruz from his wife who said the infection is not only on his stitches but in his stomach as well, so a few days in the hospital will be necessary. Let us pray that God give Hector healing and strength, and that Terri would find peace and calm as she is at his bedside. May God bless you and your needs. Pray for one another. Pray for the needs of the world.

Some years ago, in Leon Springs, Texas, at one of the first Rudy's BBQ restaurants, we were in the line awaiting to place our order, and I saw a woman, who to this day, I believed to be Sandra Bullock. She was alone and awaited her order. She smiled at us and in typical Dad-fashion, whispered to the family, "That's Sandra Bullock!" The chorus from my daughters was, "No it's not," followed by, "It can't be!" And resolved to go and ask. "No, DAD!" And to this day, I am sure, in my heart, that I saw, in person, one of our greatest actresses and one of my favorite. She does, or did, own a home in Austin and filmed Miss Congeniality in San Antonio, and she is a big fan of Texas BBQ.

We don't have that problem with Jesus. Jesus is the One and only. John knew Him, of course, because they were related, but also knew Him to be the One, the long-awaited one, because of the Holy Spirit at Jesus' baptism. John knew his own purpose, but he also knew THE purpose of Jesus. "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God, Whose life He was willing to give for our behalf. And it was John's proclamation that gave two of his own disciples the strength to leave John's ministry to join Jesus, for they knew in their heart, again thanks to the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the Messiah. And, as happens in the Bible, one of the two who joined Jesus, and who asked his brother to come and meet Jesus, had his name changed. Simon becamse Cephas, meaning Rock but pronounced Peter.

Jesus is still the One on Whom we can rely and in Whom we place our faith. Jesus is not only the reason for the Season, but the reason for the existence of the Church. The Church is the rock on which we build our faith and in which we can use to reach those who have not yet met Him. That is the job of the Church, and you and me are the Church. Christ is counting on us to do His will. That last sentence reminded me of one of the most powerful retreats I have ever attended, or been a part of. It was a 72 hour retreat filled with unxpected surprises and blessings and at its close, men who had become dear brothers, presented me with a nice cross with the words, "Christ is counting on you," spoken to me and written on the cross. Our response on receiving that cross was to say, "And I am counting on Christ."

PRAYER: Loving Lord, I, and the person reading this prayer, are counting on You as we know You are counting on us. There's a world-wide need to trust You and to come to You, and with Your guidance and peace, we will be faithful and fruitful. Guide us and bless us; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Count on Christ in a way that helps others count on Him, too!

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The True Servant of the Lord

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View the devotional: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7184666761973812523?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en

1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 5 This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” (Isaiah 42:1-9 NIV)

As a district superintendent I had the pleasure, and challenge, of presenting servants of the Lord to their new congregations. I truly believed it was God leading the bishop and my fellow superintendents and me, in making the best decision as to which pastor would go to an open church. It was a process rooted in prayer ande trust in God. We as the Cabinet tried to best match the church's needs and wants with a servant whom we believed would best serve God in that setting. We even sometimes got it right! Most churches requested a pastor of about 35.4 years of age, with 2.3 children, a piano-playing, choir-directing, Sunday school teaching, covered dish coordinating wife. My question eventually was to ask those asking churches, how many of those type of pastors they had sent to seminary, and, sadly, the answer was usually none. I understood their concerns and worries, and prayed the "match made in Heaven" would work out.

Today's passage is about THE servant of God, sent by God, to perform the task of bringing people back to God. This passage outlines what God shared with the prophet Isaiah many years before about the One, whom God wpuld fill with the Holy Spirit, Who would bring justice to the nations, and Who would do God's plan in God's way. God's dream was that this Messiah would call all people back to the covenant. The Messiah would be one to do what the Old Testament prophets had been prophesying since those days of opening the eyes of the blind, to free those held captrive from their prisons, and those in darkness would be released from that darkness into the light of the Lord. The glory is about God and no one else; the old things were now being made, as would other new things that God would call into existence.

How does that description fit in your, or your church's expectation of God's servants with whom you are co-laboring? Remember it is your pastor's job to guide you to join him or her into the world of bring the people back to God. It is all about having, as The Book of Discipline says, to provide the arena where life transformations can take place. The Baptists would have said, "Where folks can get saved!" It can become easy for a church and a pastor to lose sight of that and focus on other pressing matters, but they should not lose sight of that to which they were called; to proclaim the love and grace of the Lord and to enter into a relationship with God. We used to say the church worries about M&M's, money and members; which are important matters, but winning souls for God is the key event the Church on which it should focus. We are about a new thing that not everyone may understand nor accept; but onward and upward we march to do the will of He who sent us. May the improvements that we may set for ourselves at the start of the New Year include at the very top, the need to know Jesus more than ever before, and to trust and love Him like no other.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may we truly be all about working with You and those Whom You send to make this world a better place, beginning in our hearts; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blesed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let the world know about Jesus!

Receive my blessings of peace and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Door is Open!

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34 Peter fairly exploded with his good news: "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! 35 It makes no difference who you are or where you're from - if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. 36 The Message he sent to the children of Israel - that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again - well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone. 37 "You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. 38 Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him. 39 "And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. 40 But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. 41 Not everyone saw him - he wasn't put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand - us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. 42 He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. 43 But we're not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets." (Acts 10:34-43 The Message Bible)

I started a tradition of taking my daughters with me to a church meeting that required my flying there. I did this about a month or so before they turned two, becuase in those days, they flew for free. They were exposed to what Daddy did when he left home for a church meeting. They were also exposed to airline travel. On one flight, my baby said she was hungry. And sitting near the first class section, we saw the flight attendant with trays of food to those in that section and we also saw the rapid way the curtain was closed. "Why do those people get food and we don't?" There isn't a harder thing to explain than the word wait. Here's another one; that door is closed to us.

In the home of a successful centurion, the Apostle Peter gets a chance to open a door. And he was able to do this only because his eyes and mind were now opened. You see, not too long before his sermon in the home of Cornelius, he would not have dreamed of setting foot inside the home of a Gentile. Jews were forbidden by law from interacting with non-Jews (aka Gentiles), and it was worse if they sat down to a meal with "unclean" people such as the Romans. Earlier in this chapter we read about the change that came over Peter with a vision he had, and so now he is able to say, "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: GOd plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from - if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open." The Good News of God's love through Jesus Christ was then and there available to all people, as he says, "He's doing it everywhere, among everyone." And he sums up the way John the Baptist opened the process, and Jesus fulfilled it by preaching, teaching, and performing signs and wonders; wholeness and new life was available to all who wanted it. Even after Jesus' death and resurrection, the work continues. And even today, with us as witnesses of what God has, can, is doing, and will do, for all who would but ask.

The door is open, and we have been invited!

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for opening the door, and we pray we who have already entered might be witnesses to invite others to come in; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: The door is open and people need to know! So, tell them!

Receive my blessings of peace and love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Great Revelation!

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13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17 New International Version of The Bible)

Happy New Year, dear Friend! I pray this New Year is the year for many things for you, especially that which you have been praying! May you be blessed, and may you be a blessing to others. I ask for prayers for my neighbor, Mr. Hector Cruz, who underwent serious surgery in San Antonio at the VA Hospital. Hector suffered from Diverticulosis and had several pouches removed and his recovery has been rough thus far. Pray for his comfort and healing. Pray for one another; pray for your family, your church family, your pastor(s), yourselves and for the needs of the world.

This coming Sunday the Church will celebrate Epiphany Sunday. It is also known as Theophany, and it is a celebration of God manifesting as the baby Jesus and revealing Himself to the world. The holiday also marks the day the Magi, or the three kings, visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Jesus' baptism is also celebrated during Epiphany. The holiday is also sometimes known as Three Kings Day. In our part of the world, the still largely huge crowds at shopping centers of Hispanic shoppers marks those who give gifts on Three Kings Day or Dia de Los Reyes Magos. You might know that children leave their shoes outside their doors and the three kings leave gifts inside them, or in the case of spoling parents, on top of the shoes. This passage is about Jesus' baptism.

The passage begins with Jesus approaching the Jordan River where the crowds grathered to present themselves to be baptized, or washed clearn of their sins, by John the Baptist. His message calling people to repent hit them right where they needed, their heart, and so they did what John was recommending. They would enter the river, be dunked by John, the rise up out of the water, as a symbolic show of what had happened - they entered the water as sinful people, were "buried" in the cleansing waters, then raised to new life out of the water. The act was for sinful people, and here is Jesus presenting Himself to be baptized, thus John's attempt to stop Him. His response to Jesus, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" Jesus knew the plan and replies, "Let it be so for now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." That convinced John to proceed. Jesus wanted to fully identify with all of humanity, though without sin, but He wanted us to know that He is always with us. He understands our temptations, but does not Himself get tempted.

Jesus enters the water and as He emerges out of the water, the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending ike a dove and it landed on Him. Then a voice from Heaven was heard saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." This was a public declaration from God to humanity as to Who Jesus was, and to Whom Jesus belonged. It marks to us an important day in which Jesus shows us the love God and He have for us. In Him we can leave our sins, our trials and temptations, and in Him we get freedom and new life. This, dear friends, is a great revelation.

I thought about the Sundays where I had to preach on New Year's Day and the plans and wishes we tried to make; calling some resolutions, and some years it was called revolutions, but as I prepared for this day and lesson, I heard the word revelation as being more to the point where we need to be. Our minds received, or should receive, the revelation about who we are, how we need God, and how much better we will be when we give ourselves to God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, for this New Year, we thank You. We need You with us each and every day. We need to be blessed and protected by You. We need to receive the revelation in ways that we receive the news of life and we can bless others. We want to be a part of the revelation; and we pray in Christ Jesus strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a part of the revelation that blesses others in revolutionary ways!

Receive my blessngs of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.