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Hear the devotional read here: https://bit.ly/2Bl5eCV
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20 RSV)
A Marvelous Monday to you, dear Friend! Can you believe that it is June already? Indeed, time has flown even if most of us have stayed faithfully at home. Yet my prayer is that the blessings of the Lord be with you and yours during this day and this week. I ask prayers for the family of Ann Mary Williams, who passed away on Saturday. She is the sister-in-law of Lee and Dana Williams. May God's comfort and peace be with them. I also ask prayers for Mrs. Kay Hayes, wife of The Rev. Terrence Hayes, former DS of the Victoria/Crossroads District, and current pastor of E. T. Dixon UMC in San Antonio, Texas. Pray for one another, pray for yourselves.
This coming Sunday is a powerful day in the Christian Church for it is when we recognize the Triune God, the Three-in-One God in Whom we believe. Let us look at the entire passage first.
The Lord directed the eleven disciples to return to Galilee to a mountain with which they were very familiar. Once they arrived and saw Jesus there, they fell to their knees and worshiped Him. Yet, the writer notes that "some doubted." It's another way of saying, "This is too good to be true!" or "Wow, how can this really be?" Yet, even in spite of the doubt, it's at this moment that Jesus gives them, from His authority, their authority to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." The disciples now had the authority, permission, and command, to make disciples of all nations. They were to baptize them in the name of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and to teach them to observe all that Jesus had commanded; and He closes with the promise that they (and we) will never be alone because He is with us always, even to the end of the age.
The above is the Great Commission and it is key to what we celebrate as Trinity Sunday, for we want the family to grow and to be fruitful and effective in reaching every single person in the world. The sincere efforts of those whose hearts are guided and directed by God to grow God's work are richly blessed. There is much work to do. There are so many seeds of love that need to be planted in all hearts, especially those who continue to disrespect others, hate and rage against others; we know the better way, and we know Who is the Way, and that is Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless us as we seek to know You better as our God. May all we study this week about You bless our faith and our work. Help our unbelief, strengthen our efforts to reach more; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be one who blesses Jesus by blessing others!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace; hope and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
