Yes He Is!

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1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23 RSV)

The Rev. Dr. E. V. Hill was raised right here in Seguin, Texas. He went to college at a Methodist school and from there went to be the senior pastor of a large metropolitan church in Los Angeles, California. Okay, the church was Baptist. I should mention that E. V. was raised by a childless couple who knew the real situation of his biological family and some days EV didn't even eat. The family that took him in wasn't any richer, but they fed him well. They were also a family of faith and believed that the young man had potential and so his mother said he was going to college. And she said she had written to the president of that college and he was going there. She didn't know how or where the money would come from, but he had his marching orders from Mom. The day came and EV in his best suit stood in line behind many students who were dressed way better than him. They also had money as he noticed the closer they got to the table where they registered and paid their tuition in full. He gulped as he realized no one in his family had gone to college, and so he knew nothing about what was going to happen. All he knew was that he had no money. And college is not free. The tension rose the closer he got to the table. Two girls in front of him, then one. As she was counting off the money for her semester, EV thought he was going to faint. Then he felt a large hand on his shoulder. A boom voice asked, "Are you E. V. Hill?" EV replied he was. "Son, come with me! You're already registered and your schooling is paid for!" The mother had written to the president of this college and it was him who came to tell EV the good news. God provides. And that's the lifelong lesson EV learned that day which motivated his call into ministry and the long tenure of faithful service as pastor at his successful church that had a multifaceted service of missions to the poor and oppressed.

I sincerely believe those who know Jesus who know Him as shepherd, know this psalm as a foundational structure for a fruitful life and ministry. These six verses, 112 words; each one as powerful as the next. This week we studied New Testament passages that either were based on this psalm or they gave evidence of the reality that King David saw on that field as he wrote these words. His knowledge and love for God motivated the psalm that when most of us read it or hear it, feel like God is wrapping his arms around us and telling us that He is with us. It's the strong hand that fell on EV's shoulder. As God made a way for EV, God made a way for me, for Nellie, for our daughters, and God isn't finished yet. And God has surely hade a way for you, and for yours, and God isn't through yet. God not only provides, God provides the best and the most needed for those who ask and trust in Him.

Re-read the psalm and claim those words for your life. Hear the comfort, take the weapons of God, and live your best life in the face of those who would stand against you.

PRAYER: Thank You, God. We love you and we need you. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be a faithful lamb of God.

Receive my blessings of love and peace,

Mother's Day is Coming Up! You can support this ministry by making a purchase through this link: https://amzn.to/3LbRs5Y.

The Perfect Church?

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42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

Happy Wednesday, dear Reader! May this be a special, joy-filled day for you. Remember you walk not alone, but with the Lord alongside you. Please be in prayer for Rev. John Fletcher that his results be those which brings our brother closer to healing! Pray for one another and pray for our world and its needs.

Here is the official definition of a local church by The United Methodist Church on the internet: The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. It is a community of true believers under the Lordship of Christ. And just for fun, I asked my pastor friends on FaceBook to share their own defintions of what a local church is, but using wrong answers only. I am sure we will have some outrageous ones. Here are some early responses:

Someone wrote: To make believers feel comfortable in their faith... Another: To entertain the members while making them absolutely comfortable. And yet another: To serve MEEEE!

These are but the first of what I hope will be many and tonight as I record the audio podcast I can share more. Click on the link above to hear that podcast.

This passage is from the response of those 3.000 believers "cut to the heart" by Peter's sermon, who were baptized and became part of this church, a Christian expression or movement within Judaism. The description shows a model of what a good church should be all about. First, they took the teachings and preaching serious. They were devoted to this. They were devoted to fellowship; a time of building up and sharing with other believers to help support one another. They were serious about eating together. Yes, this had to be the birth of the potluck and covered dish expressions of pre-Covid Christan churches. And they were open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and He was doing "many wonders and signs performed by the apostles." They were unified in faith and their belief allowed them to hold all things in common. The Spirit's movement was so strong that the believers sold their property and possessions so they could give money to anyone in need. And this local church was a daily event for them, not a one day a weekend thing. In their homes they invited each other to come and feast and their eating was done with "glad and sincere hearts." During their meals they praised God and gained favor of all people. And all these deeds allowed the church to grow, as verse 47 says, "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Do churches like that still exist? Dare I ask a hard question asking if God is truly invited in to govern and lead in all churches? What has changed in the local church that its power seems limited? Could tradition and status quo be stronger influences in the church that limit the Spirit's movement? The answer really is to pray on your own local church. Ask God to come in to the life of the church to lead and guide her to where she needs to be. Renounce and reject all forces or influences that seem to reign now such as tradition, customs, the rut that it may be in; and ask God to replace those with awesomeness and the openness to His presence and power. Pray for your pastor(s) and leaders and even ask what you could do to help in the leadership roles and responsibilities, and put on your seatbelt and let Jesus truly take the wheel!

PRAYER: Awesome God of signs and wonders, make new in us and in our churches that which will lead us towards You and Your desired goals for the church. We want to serve You with awe and we want to grow closer to each other as we seek to defeat the enemy of our souls. It is in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be childlike in your awe about all things God.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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The Perfect Man is Jesus!

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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 Bible)

At lunch today, my bride and I were talking about her college days. She shared the thoughtful kindness of her roommate and her roommate's boyfriend. She also shared some of the agonies she endured while living where she lived. I wanted to both cry and praise God. We know there are good people and some not-so-good people. Some people are just not nice; others are evil. And you and I know both kinds. We could together write a book about what the negative people have done in our lives to us. Some of us could have long chapters; others short ones. Some of us may have gotten what we deserved; others we wonder why? What were they thinking? And we could even add a chapter on things said and done in a church. Well, we just went through the reminder of Easter that evil people sometimes go to extreme lengths to kill those who oppose or threaten them. And the news remind us daily some people kill for no good reason. We've reached a point of shooting before asking something as simple, as "Can I help you?"

As Peter writes this letter, he is reminded of his three years with Jesus. He and his disciples went through a lot and even now some years later, they were still suffering, so he writes this hope, "What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason." Peter understands that, as I mentioned above, we get what we deserve, but if we get punished or tortured for "good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God." And an even more revelatory remark, "This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind ol life." Did you realize at your confirmation into the Body of Christ that you might actually have to carry a "cross" of some sort which meant suffering and or shame? Here the apostle says, "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."

Here's the example of Jesus by Saint Peter; "He never did one thing wrong." Jesus never sinned is the Christian belief. Jesus knew the difference between right and wrong, more, He was righteousness incarnate. We are not, but with what knowledge we have of right and wrong, we should know enough to choose right more often than not. Jesus, Peter writes, "Not once said anything amiss. They called Him every name in the book and He said nothing back." The Apostle James later wrote about controlling the tongue; Jesus was the Master at that. "He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right." Sometimes it is best to keep our mouth closed and say nothing while suffering for we may regret all things we say at the low point of our suffering. He trusted God in all things, knowing that God would bless the outcome. "(Jesus) used His servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way." Jesus gave His body for us so that we could be free of the guilt and load of sin. "His wounds became your healing." The holes in His hands and the wound in His side are there to become the healing we needed though Christ's death. "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." Jesus set for us the example. Jesus is our Shepherd and our lives are better now and forever, if we follow His example. We carry now His name, Christians, "Little Christs", and we are no longer lost but found, and kept forever by The Good Shepherd.

PRAYER: Loving Shepherd, You know us by name and by need, and You care for us. Lead us on towards life eternal as we walk through abundant life. Help our faith to stay strong; grant us strength to help us follow Your example; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Listen daily to the Master's voice.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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The Good Shepherd

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1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:1-10 NIV)

A wonderful Monday be yours, dear Friend. May we continue to pray for one another and especially for those who have asked prayers of us. The Rev. John Fletcher underwent a biopsy and will not know the results until Wednesday. He continues to have episodes of high fever which is baffling doctors. Pray for his healing. Pray for comfort for his family. Pray for the needs of the world. Pray for your needs.

I was blessed in my childhood by being a member of two churches, one as a child, the other as a youth, both named El Buen Pastor, aka The Good Shepherd. I loved the name and more so when I came to know the power and beauty of this passage. With this passage Jesus is connecting with so many. Sheepherding was a common and respected trade of the day. Everyone knew someone who owned or worked with sheep. But Jesus is going really deep, for He is saying things we need to hear. Since David wrote that awesome 23rd Psalm the idea of a good shepherd as God was in the mindset, if not the DNA of the believers in God. David said, in a way, "God is out there as our shepherd," and here now, is God's Son saying, "It's me! I am the Good Shepherd, and proceeds to explain the how and why.

"Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." Jesus is addressing the Pharisees with a blunt accusation of their ministry, or lack thereof. The people of God, the sheep, were in need of a shepherd, but they had none. Their tactics and practices were leading the people further away from God. God was too "out there" to fully provide what the psalmist said God does provide. Yet, we are here with Jesus Who says He is he who "enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep." Jesus says, "The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, " meaning the authority is Jesus'. "The sheep listen to His voice." The sheep, or believers, which are us, know Him for Who He is and we listen to Him because we know His voice." And like the psalmist wrote, He leads the sheep in the direction they should go. But unlike the Pharisees, Jesus cares for the sheep enough to know their name, and they follow because they know His voice, and they trust Him. And then Jesus remarks how sheep will not follow the voice of a stranger, saying that in fact, they will run away from those fake shepherds because they do not recognize the voice.

Jesus again says that He is the gate for the sheep; those who came before Him were nothing more than thieves and robbers, but they sheep did not listen to their voice. Then one of my favorite verses in the Bible ends this passage: The thief comes only to steak and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The Easter message is that Jesus came so that we may have life, and beyond just existing, having an abundant life, a full life. And what Jesus came to destroy was the mission of the thief who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy." It's a great measure of temptations that come our way; "Will this steal something from me, like life, ethical behavior, righteousness? Will this kill me if I do it? Will this destroy my life or my relationships? If any of the responses meet that test, then run away and do not fall into that temptation or chase after distraction.

PRAYER: Loving God, lead us on to life and that in abundance, loving Savior. Help us know to make responsible choices so that nothing nor no one can steal, kill, or destroy from or to me. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be vigiliant about listening to Jesus and not to the thief.

Receive my blessings of love and joy,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

I Will Pray to God As Long As I Live

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1 I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. 2 He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. 12 What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? 13 I'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; 14 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people. 15 When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. 16 Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! 17 I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. 18 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, 19 In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah! (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 The Message Bible)

"Free us for joyful obedience." This we pray every time we celebrate Holy Communion. We may say it so often we tend to gloss over what this prayer and confession is saying. I was reminded of this prayer as I read verse 16.

Merciful God,

we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have failed to be an obedient church.

We have not done your will,

we have broken your law,

we have rebelled against your love,

we have not loved our neighbors,

and we have not heard the cry of the needy.

Forgive us, we pray.

Free us for joyful obedience,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer in our tradition comes right after we receive the invitation to join the Lord at His table. It is a prayer of confession that comes with our pardon, or forgiveness, so we can sit or kneel at The Lord's Table and enjoy the sacrament. We know God to be merciful, as this psalm tells us, and so acknowledging God's mercy, we are free to confess our sins. This litany or ritual, shares some of what we have done against God. 1) We have not loved God with our whole heart as we know we should. 2) We have failed to be obedient as a church. 3) We have not done the will of God. 4) We have broken God's law. 5) We have been rebellious against God's love. 6) We have not loved our neighbors; and here I wish we would insert that we have failed to recognize all as our neighbors. 7) We've closed our ears to not hear the cry of the needy. And we ask for forgiveness. Then this verse from this paslm; "Free us for joyful obdience." And this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What binds us from being joyful and obedient? I once jokingly thought we should have a coffee table book of pictures from every church that show that some people that gather to worship are not joyful. The writer once said that some Christians have been baptized in lemon juice. It would take a hidden camera and at random take photos of congregations. The joke was that when the pastor asked if there were any prayer requests on a Sunday morning, a little boy raised his hand and said, "I say we pray for more smiling faces!"

We gather as humans. That in itself is enough to state the reasons we may not be joyful. Humans experience emotions and stresses and so, our faces may give away what we are feeling. As humans we work, play, and interact with other humans. As humans we live with other humans, and the last time we checked, Jesus continues to be the only perfect human in history. The great ones of the faith all had their secrets and no-so-secrets that revealed what they suffered while alive. Tuesday we lost one of the great ones in the faith, The Rev. Charles Stanley, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, died at age 90 in his home. For many years while in active ministry he was one I watched on Sunday mornings as I prepared and dressed for church. He was a great communicator and had a clever word he would use freely, "Listen." Though one of the most watched preachers on television, he was not perfect nor are we. But we serve, and we walk alongside a perfect God. That can be, for some worshipers, enough to overcome un-joyful-ness and get us into the right spirit. The other thing is that we say this at a time we have been invited by the Lord Jesus Himself to join Him at His table. Isn't that a joyful thing?

And what are we supposed to be obedient to? Refer back to the list above. There's seven things that make for an abundant life. Loving God with our whole heart. Being a part of an obedient church. Doing God's will. Keeping God's law. Quit being rebellious with God. Love your neighbors, meaning all people regardless of their address. Hear the cries of the needy and those who need our help. If we do those things, our worship, our daily lives, our family lives, will all be vastly improved. We will be solidly on the path of an abundant life. And when we "arrive at the gates of death, God (will) welcome us", because we loved Him.

Let us begin by assuming the attitude of a servant, a faithful one at that, and begin living a life of love and service! Imagine your church after a week of faithful obedience!

PRAYER: Loving God, we have heard and we will obey your word. Free us from all that binds us from truly being joyful and obedient to You. And may that start right now! In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Re-read all above and live it!

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Altar Calls

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PRAYER UPDATE: Dear ones, I underwent the dental procedure Tuesday afternoon, and I was amazed at how painless it was, and I thank God for being with me. I didn't even feel the needles of the two numbing injections nor the long extraction procedure that took way longer than expected. A little pain visited me at about 6:30 but thankful for pain meds! So, thank you, thank you for your faith and willingness to pray for me! God bless you and I send you my love! Pastor Eradio

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14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:14a, 36-41 NIV)

I was invited once to preach at a significantly large and influential church in the heart of Methodism. I preached my sermon then had an altar call. As I was saying the words I wanted to hit myself saying to myself, "Man, great names of the faith have preached in this church; many known for their altar calls, and who do I think I am to do this?" But, God is faithful and the altar filled with people, who later said it had been some time since the church had had an altar call. An altar call can alter many a life. Years later I attended a pastors retreat required by my conference, and the speaker was the senior pastor of a large Dallas church. He was also a professor at Perkins School of Theology-SMU; had been a city councilman and a state legislator. He said he knew he needed to implement an altar call method but admitted he did not have the training or resources. He said he went to the Cokesbury Store (remember those?) in Dallas and searched in vain for books on altar calls. None. Surprise? He said he then wore an overcoat and a hat and sunglasses and went to the Baptist bookstore and to his surpise, found rows of books on altar calls, some of which he bougnt to help his ministry.

In this passage, verse 37, the sermon had an effect on the people who heard it. They were, as the scripture says, "Cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" The Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of every listener on that day. They had seen Him fall as flames on many of them, and they spoke in other tongues; just as the Disciples had spoken of the great works of God in languages of the people visiting Jerusalem for that day. Some thought because of the unfamiliar languages these disciples were drunk at 9 in the morning; but Peter's sermon brought home to their hearts the realities of God working great things on our behalf. They wanted to know how to respond. Most of our churches have what we call Invitation to Discipleship; which is a way to respond to the sermon and whatever God may have spoken to their hearts. As a DS at one of our annual Pastors and Family picnics I spoke angrily about how we were missing the mark when it came to our true purpose as a church. I said we have given the use of the word to the Baptists and we failed God and people when we didn't offer the chance to enter into a relationship with Jesus, which we can also call salvation; but it is to enter into a life-affirming, life-giving, life-saving relationship in which we surrender our lives and sins to Jesus and in return Jesus offers to us a new life, a life beyond just existing that we call life in abundance; this is salvation. On Tuesday after that picnic I got an angry call from one of my pastors. She said she had never heard such a sermon and was very angry at my tone and my words. I calmly said it wasn't the first time nor the last time that I would hear something like that, but she said that she got home and had a talk with her husband about how angry she was with me. And she said she sat down and re-wrote her sermon for Sunday. And she said, "I preached it, and when it was over, the people didn't want to leave. They wanted to know what they should he doing about what she had preached. So, we had a meeting to talk about that. The people said we needed to start something like a service geared to children and youth;" and they did start a new service that attracted a lot of youth from the community and other churches. That evening service outgrew their morning service (much to the chagrin and anger of the morning folks), and during that meeting it was also decided that they should start a community Bible study. The janitor of the church came into that meeting and began to participate saying he knew the owners of a hotel known for the residents who were poverty-stricken and spent a lot of time on the beach. All because God spoke to this pastor and congregation using the angry words of a DS.

Peter, after his altar call says, those who heard needed to, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call." He urged them to be saved "from this corrupt generation." And "Those who accepted his message and were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Not bad for Peter's first sermon, 3,000 saved!

You and I have pulpits, meaning areas of influence on the lives of others, and we can use those pulpits to share Jesus and His message of love and hope; and we can even sway their responses to a better life by how we llive our life as an "altar call."

PRAYER: Loving God of second chances; speak to our hearts in ways that lead us closer to You and to others. May our lives truly be an altar call showing how we responded and how others can respond to You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Is your altar call ready?

Recieve my blessings of hope and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

It Cost God A Lot to Get You Out!

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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)

When I was in college, I loved getting mail. Kids, these were the "old days" meaning dcomputersw did nto exist yet for people to use. I suspect there were computers that filled up rooms that could do simple math problems, but the main way to connect with loved ones miles away was to take a piece of paper, a pen, an envelope, a stamp and you began sharing. A letter in my mailbox at the student center was a loving reminder of who I was and where I was from. I could tell by the handwriting if it was from my Mom or my Grandmother. The letter sometimes contained five or ten dollars for me to "buy gum." More importantly it was an event of memory. These were women who loved me and who prayed for me. There was not a single exam or test that I took that was not prayed over. My even being in college as the first member of my family was a huge blessing. I was answered prayer.

Peter as he writes this passage is recalling he is answered prayer and he reminds his readers that they are answered prayers, too. There is a response to that grace shown us by God, Peter writes, "conduct yourslves with fear throughout the time of your exile," meaning your time away from God, and he reminds them they were a precious purchase of God bought not with earthly things, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; Who was more valuable than an unblemished lamb. It is also becasue of Christ Jesus that we have confidence in God which has also given us a new faith and hope in Him. Our souls have been made pure by our obedience, and we should love one another sincerely and from the heart. This is all a part of the spiritual birth, an imperishable birth brought about with God's work made possible by the living and ever present word of God.

Peter wrote us an Easter letter. It's an inviation to the fullness of life that Jesus made possible for us. Why can't we accept it and move on to do the greater work God asked of us?

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the great gift of life through Jesus, and more importantly the blessings of salvation. May we show others the blessings that come from having the right relationship with You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Remind others that it cosst God a lot to get us where we are today; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Beautiful Walk to Emmaus

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13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (Luke 24:13-35 NIV)

A happy and blessed Monday dear Friend! I thank you all for your prayers for yesterday when I preached at my home church. I think I did alright in spite of my inviting the second service to the Strawberry Supper. I meant to say Spaghetti! But I'm old and my glasses are new. ha ha. I ask we continue to pray for one another; praying especially for those who have asked prayers from us. I'm pleased to report that Mrs. Elisa Gaytan who was suffering from Covid. Sunday she was able to worship in her church and we thank God for that. Pray for the world. Pray for those who seek peace.

As I led a spiritual retreat, I was amazed at the beauty around me. Lush tropical foliage, which one who had never visited a rain forest, enjoyed from the first to the last moment. Large iguanas walked the campgrounds and even as I preached or prayed, I was blown away by the huge parrots that flew close enough to us that we could have reached up and touched them. Also new to me was the constant cry of the coquí, a small tree frog from the island of Puerto Rico at which this retreat was being held. I was the spiritual director of the first Caminata a Emaus de Puerto Rico. The year was 1991 during the month of September. I took a group of ten men from my church, El Mesias UMC of Mission. The were the ten I recruited to consider going on the spiritual retreat called The Walk to Emmaus. They were very hesitant at first, but once they went, they were blessed and when I asked if they wanted to go to Puerto Rico, they graciously accepted. One of the ten was my Dad, Eradio Valverde, Sr. We all left the island after the retreat pledging we would return one day.

The retreat is based on the passage we just read. Many of us who have attended the retreat had to confess, that like the two disciples, we had our eyes closed in some way and could not see the Lord walking beside us. This is an Easter story and the retreat is very much an Easter event. And like the two disciples walking on that road, I was "foolish and slow" and did not want to attend. I had dear friends pay for my retreat registration and twice I canceled. When I finally said yes the retreat began immediately! I was told our group of six from the Valley were to fly in a small plane because one of the leaders of the retreat needed flying hours for his pilot's license. I looked at the group and knew this "small" plane might be hard pressed to carry the six of us. One buddy decided wisely that he would not be a part of the Flight to Emmaus (Which I pointed out to the sponsors of my retreat, was biblically incorrect. The subtitles of each subject show that this was a Walk to Emmaus and the only Flight was the one to Egypt. Check the subtitles! (Matthew 2;13-15). As soon as the wheels lifted off the runway, my spiritual impact started. The retreat showed me people from all around the world were praying for us! People who did not know me were praying for me by name! And every time we broke the bread of communion, Christ was made more real as we felt His presence even more.

Before I knew it it had been ten years since that Caminata en Puerto Rico and I received a very gracious invitation from the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico back for the tenth anniversary of the retreat. The scheduled date was September 11, 2001. Well, I did not have the money to attend and Nellie had a surgery scheduled for that weekend, and as the 9/11 Attack took place, we watched all events on the television in the hospital's waiting room. We also watched in disbelief as the Port Isabel Causeway collapsed that very day of her surgery. I was glad to be at her side and not stranded in the chaos that was post 9/11 here and abroad.

Our eyes need to be opened to the reality and peace of Jesus; that is an Easter event for every day of the year. Every meal we have, when we have it with others should be a re-presentation of Jesus being made real in our bread. The Lord is risen and is with us. Don't let other things blind us to that reality!

PRAYER: Father of Life, we celebrate the life You have shared with us. As we walk, walk with us and help us see You in all things. Help us help others see You in us and around us as well; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Help other's eyes be opened to Jesus in our midst.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace, Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Wicked Wednesday?

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1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew 26:1-16 NIV)

Okay, today is Thursday, and I really covered this on Monday, so we'll pretend it is Wedneday because on this day the events happened that impacted what led us to Friday. The first event of the day is the revelation by Jesus that He is to die after He is handed over to be crucified. This passage does not share the reaction or comments by the Disciples, who more than likely knew this day was coming soon. Yet, those remarks more than likely stung. No one likes to hear notice that a loved one is going to die. This is the emotion of this week, what is also known as the passion of the Lord. We cannot forget the passion of the Twelve, yes, even including Judas Iscariot. Down the street at First Church, the religious council is meeting. The agenda for the meeting was brief. One item: Arrest Jesus with intent to have Him executed. And do it in secret.

And later the day at another location, Jesus is at the home of Simon the Leper. Some wonder if he was a former Pharisee or a relative of Mary, Martha and Lazarus; one thing we know that he was now healed of his illness. While Jesus is there a woman comes in with an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume which she pours on the head of Jesus. The disciples were angered at this and they even asked, "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Jesus only says that the woman had "done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to preare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." And here we are in this current year remembering this deed done for Jesus back in Jesus' time.

The last event was perhaps the most sad. One of Jesus' handpicked disciples, goes to the church and enters the meeting room and asked what they would pay him for turning Jesus over to them. The council counts out thirty pieces of silver and hands it to him. Judas knew what to do. He would find the most opportune time to hand Jesus over, and we know the rest of the story.

PRAYER: Loving God, our hearts break at this story; how relgious men instead of teaching love, mercy, compassion and life, are plotting death. And a trusted friend, co-worker and fellow laborer among the hand selected team to spread God's good news is helping be a part of that plot. But we forget that we too, at times, and in different ways, convince ourselves that we are good even though through our actions are also betraying Jesus. Forgive us we pray, and help us be truly a part of that which brings life to people; in Christ JEsus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Betray your evil self by giving it to Jesus, Who will forgive you and bless you; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Tonight your church may be offering a worship service that will bless you; seek one out and be blessed. As we pray let us pray for the family of The Rev. Larry Lacy, who died March 31, 2023 in Austin. Larry was a dear colleague of mine when I was brand new in ministry. I was hired by the board and appointed to be the campus ministry at the United Methodist Campus Ministry at then-Pan American University in Edinburg. Larry was the senior pastor at First UMC in Edinburg and was a loving and supportive friend to Nellie and me, and served faithfully on our board of trustees for the campus ministry. Larry offered his pulput to me on numerous occasion to preach at his church. May God comfort his bride, Stephanie and their family.

Lamb on the Lam

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1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover. 12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. (Exodus 12:1-14)

Meals are special. Some meals are sacred, even outside the church. All meals where God is invited are blessed occasions for fellowship, feasting, and focusing on His actions and blessings for those gathered. I have shared about two of manu sacred meals that God has provided for me. In my heart these have become feasts because God was involved and God blessed me in wonderful ways. The first one was when I was about 13 and a recent arrival to Houston and our usual Friday routine had been interrupted by a thing unbeknowst to me called "overtime." My Dad had to work late that day and our usual trip to Kroger's to buy groceries was delayed. And like Old Mother Hubbard, our cupboards were bare. We lived in a fourplex apartment building and only two families lived in it at the time. Our downstairs neighbor knew that something was wrong and came in to offer us a can of Spaghetti-O's. To feed four kids and herself, the can was emptied into the pan and about three cans of water made our feast. Years later, my scholarship check had been mistakenly mailed to Hawaii and the person there cashed it, signing his own name; meanwhile I had no money and no food in my cupboard in my dorm. I went to class and as I'm walking home a classmate asked if I would join him for lunch. "I don't have much; two eggs, two slices of whole wheat bread, and some chunky peanut butter." Another feast and I was blessed yet again.

This passage is all about the original Passover. This is the Eyewtiness News edition. God declares that the time would be the first month of the year, for the entire community of Israel that on the tenth day of that month they are to celebrate the great action of God who got them out of slavery and on the road to becoming the nation God intended for them. They were to use the perfect specimen of a sacrificial animal, preferably a lamb, and sacrifice it and using its blood were to mark the sides and tops of the doorframes of the home where the lamb was to be eaten. And God describes the meal and what was to happen during and after the meal. The meat was to be well done, no blood or raw meat allowed. It was to be consumed at that seating; any leftovers must, in the morning, be burned. The meal was to be eaten in haste, with everyone wearing their sandals on, cloaks tucked in, and traveling staff in hand. As they eat, God sent the angel to kill the firstborn of those whose houses did not have the blood. This event was not be forgotten; it was to be celebrated every year as a festival to the Lord.

Every meal should be received with gratitude to God Who provides us with that which blesses us and especially those which bless our loved ones, are occasions for celebration. It was this meal that set forth the birth of the new nation of Israel in thei Promised Land and set in motion that which brought about the entire history of God and God's people that led Him to send Jesus. It was this event that Jesus celebrated with His disciples and made what we call The Last Supper, now called Holy Communion. We learn that God is present at each table; His presence is more important than the food, as we learned through fasting during Lent, and giving God thanks for all that is on the table, and more importantly what is in our hearts. The next meal we have, let us truly invite God to give Him thanks and our love.

PRAYER: Awesome God, for all You have done, we thank You. For all meals we have eaten, we also thank You. We pray that we might do something to help those who have nothing to eat, and praise You for all will be done. You truly do give us our daily bread; may we be a part of Your will on the earth as it is in heaven. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Bless someone with food today; of any kind - may it remind people of God and God's love for them.

Receive my blessings of joy and love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Jesus Our High Priest

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16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” 18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:16-25 NIV)

I have a fascination and fear of bridges. Some are beautiful works of art; some are so high, they're from "the other place" and not Heaven. If you've ever driven through Louisiana on Interstate Highway 10 you know which bridges are not my favorite. Closer to home, if you've ever taken the Toll Road from Seguin to Buda; the Buda fly-over, I know not technically a bridge, scares my sins right out of me! But bridges serve a purpose. It allows our getting from Point A to Point B and over the body of water or valley that would prevent that. So, bridges are good. Their height sometimes not!

There is a connection between the word bridge and priest, for the role of the preist was to be the bridge-builder to connect humanity and Heaven. In this passage we hear that Jesus is "the great priest over the house of God," and through Him we have all things. God's desire as the first verses state is to renew the covenant with us but this time with the law being in our hearts, and in our minds; we will be forgiven people and we will live out a life that embodies the love behind the love to begin with. God put an end to sacrifices with the sacrifice of the Sacrificial Lamb. The death of Christ has the gospel account about the curtain in the temple being rent in two; Christ's death opened the curtain for all time, and the invitation is extended to us to draw near the throne of God with sincere hearts and with the full assurance that faith brings, since our hearts have been washed by the blood of Jesus. Our call is to hold unswervingly to the hope we possess, for He who promised this is faithfuil. We are called to encourage one another toward love and good deeds, but to encourage everyone to hold fast to the hope that we will see life as "the Day" approaches.

Friends, through the events of this Holy Week, the bridge is there for us to use to cross from death to life; from the fear of the present, to the hope and victory of the Day. Through faith we can walk safely and victoriously across the bridge that Christ has provided, and through His death and resurrection, we have full access to the blessings of God in this life and the life beyond.

PRAYER: Awesome God, we thank You for all You have done for us through Jesus. We want full access to You and Heaven and we surrender ourselves to You; grant us the victory; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Encourage others to have hope and to live a life of hope.

Receive my blessings of joy and peace,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

New Commandment Thursday

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1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:1-17, 31b-35 NIV)

Friend, it's Holy Week! I pray this is the most awesome of all weeks for you this year and that you will come to know and love God more than you thought possible. Pray that the world might know of God's love and peace this week. We shall cover the highlights of Scripture for this special week so that we might know more of God's love in action. We begin with what Jesus did on Maundy Thursday. Maundy is the Latin word for Commandment and so the devotional is called "New Commandment Thursday."

The day was set aside to remember the actions of God during the Passover, the passion over of those homes marked with the sacrificial lamb's blood, the angel fo death passed over the home, visting the unmarked homes and taking the lives of the first born in each home. This day was a day of remembrance and the meal was a reminder of the same meal God told the Israelites to eat each year to remember what God had done on their behalf. This year it would be vastly different from the traditional celebration. Jesus would claim it as His own.

Jesus, after having celebrated the meal and having spoken of the body and blood being His, rose from the table, and removed His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. When He got to Simon Peter, who asked Jesus, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" It was more an exclamation of unbelief at the preposterous thing that the Master would wash the feet of the disciples. Jesus has to explain, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter, still in disbelief refuses by saying, "No, You shall never wash my feet." Jesus explains that if he refuses this, he is refusing to be a part of this whole event and with He Himself. Peter can only say, "Then, Lord, not tjust my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus then says that those who have had a bath had only the need to have their feet washed, buit not all who were present were clean, indicating the presence of Judas Iscariot, who had already set in motion his plan to betray Jesus.

When Jesus washed all the feet of HIs disciples, He asked, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I ahve done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than His master, nor is a messenger great than the one who sent Him." And Jesus says, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Jesus said that the way to gloirfy Him and God, and to be faithful to God, is to do the very things that God says we should do. Jesus also states that HIs time with the disciples was limited and that where He was going they could not go, but He does give them the new commandment: Love one another. Bam! And He adds, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

What a concept that those who know that Jesus loves them should love others. For some it comes naturally; for others it is foreign. And sadly for others it is unknown and impossible. Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples." I wonder what the other thing shows whose disciples we are? If nothing else this week, dear reader, may this week show all of us active in sharing love to others even those who are not used to seeing love shown them. Let the love that Christ placed in your heart break out and bless others.

PRAYER: God of the Resurrection, make new the hearts that are currently hardened like marble and make them become hearts of love for all people. Let Holy Week burst forth with love from us to all people. May people see Jesus in us all week long, and beyond; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Love one another!

Receive my blessings of love, love, and more love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.