A Grateful Heart

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1 Once you enter the land that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance and take it over and settle down, 2 you are to take some of all the firstfruits of what you grow in the land that God, your God, is giving you, put them in a basket and go to the place God, your God, sets apart for you to worship him. 3 At that time, go to the priest who is there and say, "I announce to God, your God, today that I have entered the land that God promised our ancestors that he'd give to us." 4 The priest will take the basket from you and place it on the Altar of God, your God. 5 And there in the Presence of God, your God, you will recite, A wandering Aramean was my father, he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, he and just a handful of his brothers at first, but soon they became a great nation, mighty and many. 6 The Egyptians abused and battered us, in a cruel and savage slavery. 7 We cried out to God, the God-of-Our-Fathers: He listened to our voice, he saw our destitution, our trouble, our cruel plight. 8 And God took us out of Egypt with his strong hand and long arm, terrible and great, with signs and miracle-wonders. 9 And he brought us to this place, gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So here I am. I've brought the firstfruits of what I've grown on this ground you gave me, O God. 11 And rejoice! Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family; you and the Levite and the foreigner who lives with you. (Deauteronomy 26:1-11 The Message Bible)

It's day two of Lent, dear Friend Did you give up chocolate? Soft drinks? Or as I said at the beginning of this devotional, did you just give up? Please don't! God isn't through with you, or with us or with whatever we are facing; we hope and trust in God.

Many a parent has told their child or children, remember where you came from, meaning that the traditions, values, experiences, and all things along the way are worth remembering. Many have told me, "You have so many stories!" Which I think it's their very nice way of saying, "You talk too much!" Okay, some may think that but seldom say it to me. They might tell Nellie and she's too sweet to relay to me that which is not helpful to this old man. All of us have had experiences and memories that if remembered help others. I'm one of many who say, "How I wish I had made more time to sit with my grandfathers and my grandmother and really paid attention to their stories. And now that they're gone I wish I still had my Dad and Mom to talk to; so many questions that I need answers that only they can answer. And how I wish my grandkids had that wisdom now to ask more about our life stories and faith stories. In fact, we are thankful that the Bible is our family stories of faith which teach us a lot. Those who say that to us in love, mean for us to always be thankful for what we had in terms of love, compassion, faith lessons, etc.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 offers a beautiful picture of worship that is deeply connected to the rhythms of life and the recognition of God's goodness. As the Israelites are about to enter a land of promise and abundance, they are called to remember their humble beginnings and God's faithfulness in their journey. The offering of the firstfruits is not just about the physical act of giving, but about a heart that remembers and acknowledges God's hand in every blessing.

In the passage, the act of bringing the first of their harvest before God is a declaration of gratitude. It is a way of saying, “This is all from you, God. We would not be here without your faithfulness.” The people are reminded to not only look back on their history with thanksgiving but to also look forward with trust in God's continued provision.

Lent invites us into a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Just as the Israelites were called to remember their past and offer the firstfruits of their harvest, we are called to offer the firstfruits of our lives—our time, our resources, our gratitude—to God during this season. The heart of Lenten practice is not just about abstaining from certain habits or indulgences but about offering our whole selves—our hearts, our minds, our actions—to God, who has given us everything.

In times of uncertainty, it is easy to focus on what we lack or what we want. Yet, this passage encourages us to look back and recount God's faithfulness, even in the midst of hardship. When we remember how God has provided in the past, we can trust that God will continue to provide in the future.

PRAYER: Lord, we thank You for Your steadfast faithfulness. You have brought us through many seasons and have been with us every step of the way. As we walk through this Lenten journey, help us to remember Your goodness and to offer our hearts as living sacrifices, filled with gratitude for all that You have done. May we not only reflect on Your past provision but also trust in Your future care. Guide us to give our firstfruits—not just from our resources, but from our time, our love, and our devotion. May we be generous in all things, reflecting Your generosity to the world around us. In Jesus’ strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, take time each day to recount one way God has been faithful to you—whether in your past or your present. Let this be a moment to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust. Consider how you might offer the firstfruits of your time, talents, or resources during this season of Lent, in response to God’s generosity toward you.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Confess, Believe and Be Blessed

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8"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8b-13 NRSV)

Our Lenten Journey begins, dear Friend. Forty days of preparation, repentance, new birth, new life, and the joy of the eternal gift, which is life with the Lord.

This passage comes from the hand of the Apostle Paul from the pages of his letter to the believers in Rome in what is also known as The Gospel According to Paul, for he tackles serious theological issues and needs for each believers. Paul had Jesus' heart, and his desire was for all people to come to know Jesus and away from sin. And that included his own people, the Jews as is evident in chapter 9. In this brief passage Paul says that if we know the word of God and if we keep it near to us and on our lips and in our hearts, we, too, should have the desire to win the world for Jesus. Paul stresses that we should confess with our lips and confess with our heart that Jesus is Lord, we're in! And we should be so blessed by that, and excited about that, that we tell others about it. It became my life's calling; to tell others about Jesus and to try and win the world for Jesus. In no way am I a perfect man; far from it, but I am a forgiven on a daily basis sort of believer, but the joy of the Lord is my strength. The Chapter of the Lost in Luke 15 inspired me during my ministry. The Lost Sheep. The Lost Coin. The Lost Son. All great stories of how God loves and welcomes the lost.

As we start our Lenten Journey, we should take seriously our need for repentance. Repentance means to sincerely turn around and away from whatever sin we commit. Confession is the verbal act of contrition, and while not a sacrament like the Catholics, it is still a serious act. A while back I shared about Martin Luther, the German monk who frustrated his fellow monks by spending hours of reflection while in the confessional (the little booth where a priest sits on one side and the confessor on the other. The booth has a separation between the two to provide some anonymity. My darling bride raised a Catholic tells of the frustration of her priest when she would take some time in trying to remember her sins (i.e. "I fought with my brother; called my sister a silly name...") and the shock was when her priest told her by name that she had no sins and to say one Our Father, and two Hail Mary's.

Sin is "missing the mark," as in archery and not hitting the dot in the target. Sin meant something you said, thought, or did, against God or against someone else. Sin is so serious that the Bible says "the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23); and shows how for every sin there was a ritual and pattern to follow in offering an animal to take our place to die for that sin committed. And when Jesus came, He became the sacrificial Lamb, Who took our place on the cross.

This passage invites us into a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The steps are straightforward: confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Through this confession and belief, we are saved. There is no need for complicated rituals or barriers between people—whether Jew or Greek, rich or poor, there is only one Lord who welcomes all.

Lent is an opportunity to reflect on this gift of salvation and to recognize how closely the word of faith is to us. The gospel is not something we have to search for in distant lands or high places. It is near, close enough to be a part of us, to dwell within our hearts, and to be proclaimed through our words.

This season of Lent challenges us to look at our faith and see whether we have truly confessed Christ as Lord in our hearts and with our lips. Do we believe the resurrection power of Jesus is at work in us? And if so, are we living out that faith with courage, sharing the good news that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"?

The simplicity of this message is beautiful and life-changing. It is available to everyone, regardless of background, status, or past mistakes. Salvation is not about earning our way to God, but responding in faith to the invitation He offers to all.

PRAYER: Loving God, as we journey through this season of Lent, we come before You in humble gratitude. We thank You for the gift of salvation, which is always near to us. Help us to truly confess with our lips that You are Lord, and believe with all our hearts in Your resurrection power. May this season be one of deep reflection, transformation, and renewal. We ask for Your guidance as we grow in faith, sharing Your love with others and drawing closer to You each day. This we pray in the strong name of Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment to reflect on the simplicity of the gospel message. Have you confessed Jesus as Lord? Do your actions reflect that belief? Consider sharing this message of salvation with someone close to you, and take a step of faith in living out the truth that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Truth Over Temptation

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1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13 NIV)

Happy Fat Tuesday, dear Friend! If you don't know what that is, I don't either. I think it's a permission-free day to overload on the things you're about to give up for Lent. New Orleans may have invented it, but I'm not sure. I looked it up and NOLA calls it Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, which is a day for overdoing it on the rich, fatty foods that you will be giving up during Lent. Like I shared in yesterday's devotional, I was introduced to "giving up" as an elementary student in Kingsville. It was a close friend who hung around with me, and he showed a bit later than usual with a huge black smudge on his forehead. I immediately thought it was mud, because mud at that age was very near and dear to my heart and face and all parts that should be clean. It made for some horrifying Sundays for Mom. But my friend said very of factly, "It's not mud, it's ash." "Ash? Where did you get ash?" "From my priest.." "When?!" "This morning at mass." "Wait. What? Mass this morning? On a Wednesday?" "Yes, it's Ash Wednesday and we had to write down what we were giving up for Lent and I gave up candy." I dared not voice my complete meltdown of such an absurd thing! But I had to ask what exactly did giving up candy mean? He said like no candy. Zero. Zilch. Nada. For. Forty. Days. I could count that high but wondered why I would have to when it came to no candy? He said it was something about being spiritual. I only heard something about being heathen or pagan and a torture I had never heard of. The example for fasting is biblical. The first mention comes in the book of Judges 20:26 and it was a spiritual discipline of giving up food in order to focus more on the spiritual. Later, in Houston, we talked about fasting in my youth group and I decided I would go for 24 hours without food; which is like being a member of a famous tabacco family and annoucing to grandpa that I no longer would smoke for it was bad for my health. But after I had resolved to give up food and replace it with prayer, I came home and finding the boys' dorm (I shared a room with my two younger brothers), I knelt by my bed and began to pray. As I prayed, the aroma of my favorite, of course, food wafted into the room. In my closed eyes mind, I could see the aroma ghost of my mother's tacos taking shape in the kitchen and floating ever so seductively towards and then under my door. It may have done a delicious, seductive dance, but my eyes were closed and I could not see it, but I did feel it tap on my shoulders. Darn it, tacos! And then I hear my Mom's familiar yell for all to come and eat. What do I do now, thought I? I'm praying, I can't answer! Mom sent my brother to check. Keep in mind I was keeping yesterday's passage in my heart and didn't wnat to make any scene of glory for myself as I prayed. I stopped praying long enough to tell my brother that I was not eating. That is as believable as some of the things on the news today. My brother goes back and announces that ridiculous statement to all in the kitchen and then Dad himself comes into the room. "Why aren't you eating?" This was serious news to the Valverde familia in Houston. I had to break my fast long enough to say that I was fasting; which only invited more investigation as to my mental, emotional, and spiritual state. Did I mention, or do I have to, that fasting was not common practice in the Familia Valverde at that time or ever.

In this passage we witness Jesus facing the wilderness; a place known for its geography and role in spiritual formation, think the Exodus, and how it took forty years for God to form a people as they trekked across it. But as Jesus was led into it, He was not so much worried about the physical reality of the place as He was the spiritual realities of His preparation for the start of His ministry. He would come face to face with the devil, who would throw difficult temptations His way. And these were well timed; for they arrived when Jesus was at His weakest. Jesus did not eat anything for forty days, and He is very hungry. The first temptation was focused on that hunger; turn these stones into bread. Jesus responds not of His own strength but on His reliance on God's word. Jesus replies that "Man shall not live on bread alone."The next two temptations finds the devil presenting an invitation to abandon the Father’s plan and take an easier, quicker route to power, fame, and comfort. The devil first tempts Jesus to satisfy His physical hunger by turning stones into bread. He then tempts Him with authority and worldly glory, offering all the kingdoms of the world. Finally, the devil encourages Jesus to test God’s protection by throwing Himself off the temple. In each instance, Jesus responds with Scripture, using the truth of God's Word to resist temptation.

Lent is a time when we reflect on our own struggles with temptation. Jesus' time in the wilderness teaches us that, like Him, we can overcome temptation not through our own willpower, but through the strength that comes from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Temptations may arise in many forms, but God’s Word equips us to stand firm. Just as Jesus relied on God’s truth in His weakest moments, we too can turn to Scripture for strength and guidance when faced with trials.

In our own wilderness experiences—when we are hungry for fulfillment, tempted by worldly success, or driven to test God’s promises—we can remember Jesus' example. He teaches us that God’s Word is not just a set of rules, but the life-giving truth we need to endure and remain faithful.

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, as an example of how to live faithfully, even in the face of temptation. As we journey through this season of Lent, help us to rely on Your Word as Jesus did. When we face the wilderness of temptation, may we stand firm in the truth of who You are and what You have promised. Teach us to live by Your Word and not by our own desires. Strengthen us through Your Spirit to resist the lies of the enemy and remain steadfast in our walk with You. In Jesus' strong name, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: As you reflect on the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, think about your own struggles and how you can counter them with Scripture. Choose one verse this week that speaks to a specific temptation or challenge you are facing, and memorize it. When temptation arises, remind yourself of the truth of God’s Word and allow it to guide you through the wilderness.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Living a Secret Faith?

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1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 NRSV)

A blessed and wonderful Monday to you, dear Friend. May the joy of the Lord be your strength today. Bless those around you with prayer and joy. Smile more, laugh more, and invite others to laugh with you. In all things, we are never alone; God is with us, and God is good.

Praying in public is not for everyone. I've known ministers who refused to pray on the spot; one asked his Rotary Club to give him a 30-day notice before he would pray at the club's meal. The old adage was that a Methodist minister should be ready for three things; to pray, to preach, and to eat. That list varies from region to region, but this is perhaps the most common. I learned to be prepared to pray when asked, and while it has always made me quite nervous I sought to be a listener first as I visited with people and if asked, I could pray and ask God for the blessings as the needs were shared. Some lay people are quite the experts at public prayers and some share some nuggets worth repeating. One called to pray for the Sunday offering, happened to be the treasurer of the church and when he prayed, he said es español these exact words: "Chihuahua, Señor; por estas migajas te damos gracias." Translated: Chihuahua, Lord, for these crumbs we give you thanks." Okay, sounds funnier en español. My biggest fear came when I visited my home church in Houston and our new pastor was there. He had heard, more often than he wanted to, more than likely from my parents, that I was in seminary preparing to be a pastor. So, on seeing me in worship, without warning, he called on me to do the pastoral prayer. Gulp! I had heard my new pastor pray before and he was a PhD level person of prayer; And I barely considered myself a GED* as in Get 'Er Done, prayer person. But God provided and all was well.

I love that Jesus loved prayer and in teaching His disciples about, we can sense that love and joy that Jesus had in connecting with God. And this is key because we are starting our Lenten journey this Wednesday with it being Ash Wednesday, the starting point of our 40 days, like Jesus, as we seek to get right with God in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. Prayer is the starting point for our journey and we will discuss this here.

As we journey through Lent, Jesus calls us to examine the intentions behind our actions. In this passage, Jesus warns against the temptation to practice acts of piety—such as giving, praying, and fasting—simply to gain the approval or admiration of others. This defeats the entire purpose of Lent. This passage challenges us to look inward and reflect on the authenticity of our faith. Are we performing religious acts for the glory of God, or are we seeking to draw attention to ourselves?

Lent is a season of renewal, a time for personal reflection and spiritual growth. It is an opportunity to make our relationship with God the focus of our lives, rather than seeking external validation. Jesus encourages us to act with humility and sincerity, keeping our devotion between us and God, knowing that our Father who sees in secret will reward us.

Jesus also reminds us of the impermanence of earthly treasures and encourages us to store up treasures in heaven. Earthly wealth and recognition fade away, but the treasures we build through acts of love, service, and devotion are eternal. The focus of our hearts should not be on what we can gain in this life, but on the rich rewards of a life lived faithfully in God’s presence.

As we observe this season of Lent, let us strive to live with authenticity in our faith, turning away from the desire for earthly accolades, and seeking only to please our Heavenly Father. In this, we may discover a deeper peace and joy than anything the world can offer.

PRAYER: Loving God, we come before You today, grateful for Your love and grace. In this season of Lent, help us to examine our hearts. May we turn away from the desire for recognition and seek to serve You in humility and truth. Teach us to give, pray, and fast not for the approval of others, but as acts of devotion to You alone. Help us to store up treasures in heaven, where true joy and peace are found. May our hearts be set on You and Your kingdom, not the fleeting rewards of this world. In Jesus' strong name, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Starting today, take time to evaluate your motives. Ask yourself, “Am I doing this for God's glory or my own?” Commit to at least one act of kindness or service this week that no one will know about but God. Remember that the truest rewards are those unseen, given in secret, and held by the Father.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.