Blinded by Love

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1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." 11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." (Acts 9:1-20 NRSV)

Welcome dear Friend, to Wednesday; midpoint of the week! You've done much and there is much yet to be done; but you can do it, with God's help! We continue to pray for those who have asked prayers of us; those on our prayer list; our first responders, our leaders in the Church and in the world. We pray for some who recently underwent surgery and need our prayers for comfortable and speedy recoveries: Wendy Allen had knee replacement surgery and is recovering, and Phil Koehler. He had hip replacement surgery yesterday May God grace their recovery with His power and amazing touch! I also just received word that The Rev. Dr. Cristian de la Rosa, a prominent minister within the Hispanic United Methodist Church is in critical condition in a Boston hospital fighting cancer. May the Lord help her in her fight, may He defy all odds and bring healing to her, and comfort to those who know and love Cristan. Thank you all for sharing prayers on her behalf.

"But I was so much older then; I'm younger than that now." Words from the great Bob Dylan in 1964 when he stepped away from writing protest songs, and words that hit me hard when I first heard them in that song covered by many superstars, including Bob, George Harrison, Neal Young and so many others. I laughed and then said, "That's true of me in so many things as well." And it's true about the young man knocked off his high horse in this passage. He was a well-educated, credentialed man; respected widely and known for his commitment and hardheadedness for all things religion. Educated by the master rabbinical teacher of his day, he is introduced to the Christian world in Acts 7, where he was the official coat-holder at the first execution of Christian believers, that of Stephen. Arrested and accused of blasphemy, Stephen was sentenced to death by stoning for his unwavering belief and sharing of Jesus, and also for the zeal the Holy Spirit gave him. The young coat-holder witnessed and heard all that was said, especially by Stephen, but he was swayed more by the words of the accusers and he began a hate campaign to kill any and all Christians he could find. I should note he was very good at his job. Sigh. And he enjoyed it so much that he set sights on Damascus and the believers there. Having received permission to go and arrest all Christians there he sets off with a band of other haters. And then it happened...

BOOM! Off your high horse you go, down to the ground and a bright light blinds you and you hear a voice that begins with saying your name! Wait. What? And the question; darn, who is this who knows my name and dares ask why I'm doing what I'm doing? "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Ouch!

Saul was sure. He was sure he was right. Sure he was righteous. Sure that crushing the movement of Jesus was his holy duty. But resurrection has a way of upending what we’re sure of.

On the road to Damascus, Saul’s vision was arrested by the risen Jesus. He was blinded, not as punishment, but so he could finally see. This blinding encounter broke him open, and through Ananias' obedience and the Holy Spirit’s power, Saul emerged not just with new sight, but a new identity, and a new vision. To declare, "He (Jesus) is the Son of God," from his lips shows the power of the one true God! Just moments earlier his lips spit out anger and hatred towards Jesus and His followers, and now he has joined their ranks as a believer.

Easter isn't just about Jesus rising from the dead. It’s about how resurrection transforms lives—even the most unlikely ones. If Saul—whose hands once held violence—can become Paul, whose life bore the gospel to the world, then there is no one beyond the reach of grace.

Our Easter calling is not to admire the resurrection from afar, but to live in it. Like Saul, we are invited to die to our old selves and rise to new life. This transformation may blind us at first—forcing us to release our grip on certainty—but it opens us to the deeper vision of who Christ is, and who we are becoming in Him.

How I could go on and on about this man Saul, now named Paul by Jesus; but we have enough to begin our own journey of discovery about ourselves and our missions as believers. We may have thought we were "old" meaning at the point we thought was sufficient or comfortable, but now we are made young in our new visions for our faith and our Savior. Get busy.

PRAYER: Risen Lord, You shine brighter than our fears, and Your voice calls us out of our old lives and into the new. Break through our stubbornness, our assumptions, our certainty. Transform us with Your grace. Send us, like Saul, to bear witness to Your mercy. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Live as one raised to new life—speak words of life, extend unexpected grace, and trust that no story, not even your own, is too broken to be rewritten by the risen Christ. Isaiah was right; we have beern made young to do what needs to be done; so do it!

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Worthy is the Lamb

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/434iuGe

View the devo: https://bit.ly/4m9qnlB

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14 NRSV)

Dear Friend, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus be with you. I want to thank you for the prayers you all lifted up for my compadre Jesús Muñoz, who is now resting comfortably in ICU after having a successful open heart surgery which removed a huge clot. God certainly heard our prayers and we rejoice! He will be going into rehab after his time in the ICU. May the Lord continue to bless him and his family and you and yours. Why do we pray? Because God answers prayers!

Who in today's world wants to be a lamb? Lambs have a reputation for being easy prey for predators. It was some years ago, a church member borrowed a Middle Eastern lamb for a children's and adult sermon I was doing on lambs. We lived in a parsonage immediately behind the church and it had a fenced backyard and half a lot immediately next to the backyard and it was also fenced. We owned a Doberman Pincher who lived in the backyard and I thought she would respect the lamb if it was in the empty lot. Wrong. The Doberman smelled lunch on this little lamb and wanted to eat right away! I thought the lamb would run away, but as our dog charged the chainlink fence she would run for safety. Wrong again. The lamb butted the fence and our dog. The dog's sharp teeth found the lamb's gums and blood immediately flowed freely and the lamb collapsed and fell to the ground. I immediately thought of the huge lawsuit the church would probably get for the killing of this lamb, in the event it died. I also thought of my friend and Emmaus brother who was a vet who attended First UMC and so I called the church and asked if he was there. He was and he came right over to examine the lamb and all was well. Thank God! I took the lamb into the church and we had a great time using the lamb, no longer bleeding, in the sermon. Jesus is the Lamb of God; the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world, and who died in our place for our sins. This passage speaks of Jesus and His important role then, now, and in the days when we rejoice in our new life in Heaven.

In John’s vision, the heavens erupt in worship. Thousands upon thousands—angels, creatures, elders, and all creation—join together with a thunderous voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

At the center of it all stands the Lamb—Jesus, the risen Christ—bearing the marks of sacrifice yet radiating victory. The cross was not a defeat. It was the doorway to ultimate triumph, not through violence, but through self-giving love.

This Easter, we celebrate not only the empty tomb but also the enthronement of the Lamb. He reigns precisely because He gave Himself completely. His worthiness comes not from overpowering force but from sacrificial love.

The challenge before us is clear: If we claim to follow the Lamb, our lives must also reflect His way. Easter is not merely a celebration of what Jesus did for us; it is an invitation to live lives worthy of the Lamb—lives marked by humility, mercy, courage, and costly love.

The Lamb is worthy. Are we willing to follow wherever He leads?

PRAYER: Worthy are You, Lamb of God, who gave Yourself for the life of the world. Teach us to join the song of heaven, not just with our voices but with our lives. Shape us into people who bear witness to Your sacrificial love in all we do. May honor and glory and blessing be Yours, now and forever. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Let your life sing the Lamb’s song today—through acts of service, mercy, and fearless love.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Respond!

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/4lJI7DJ

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1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150 ESV)

Dear Friend, a blessed and tremendous Thursday be yours! May the joy of the Lord be your strength today and all days.

In the olden days in the Mexican American community there was no love lost between Roman Catholics and Protestants. My first full-time appointment had holes in the stained glass as evidence of that animosity between the Catholics and the Methodists. There was a strong "Come Home" message to the infidels who left the "mother church." Add to it bumper stickers and billboards in the Rio Grande Valley in the late 70s, early 80s. And the name given to non-Catholics was Aleluyas. In fact, the first reason my maternal grandfather gave for not allowing my mother to marry my father was because Dad was an Aleluya. The Protestants were rumored to be quite expressive in their worship spaces to sermons, such as Amen and Alleluia! I cannot confirm those rumors, possibly because of my preaching. LOL.

Yet, here we have a psalm written by the King himself urging some sort of response to God and God's worship. And it's not limited to just church! Yes, praise God in His sanctuary and that's a great starting place, but also outdoors in God's mighty heavens. Why? Let's start with praise God for what God does on our behalf. And why not for how awesome God is! And what should we use? Whatcha got? Have a trumpet? Use it! Blast a note or two or many for God is worthy of it. You have a lute and harp? Use them as well. Got a tambourine lying around, dust it off and use it! Feel like dancing? Dance away! (Sorry Baptists!). If you have a guitar, use it to praise God! We're long past the infamous guitar wars of the 1960s in most churches, but I could be wrong... Want to wake some folks up during worship, use a cymbal and I quote "Loud clashing cymbals! And who should be involved? Everything that has breath! Praise the Lord! And he says again, Praise the Lord!

At the center of it all is the reason: God is worthy. He has conquered death. He reigns in majesty. He is the breath in our lungs. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical moment; it is the fuel for perpetual praise, pulsing through every fiber of creation.

To praise God is to remember who He is and to live in the light of that truth. It is to allow every corner of our lives—work, rest, relationships, even our struggles—to be a place where God's greatness is acknowledged and celebrated. Now, I know everyone has his/her worship style and I respect that; but let me urge more freedom and joy to guide your praise in gratitude of all God has done for us.

Psalm 150 doesn’t just invite musicians or clergy. It calls every living, breathing soul. That includes you. Right now.

PRAYER: Lovng, merciful God, You are worthy of all our praise. With every breath we take, remind us of Your greatness, Your love, and the power of Your resurrection. Let our lives become instruments of worship, sounding out the beauty of Your grace. Teach us to praise You not only in song, but in every moment we live. In Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment today—whether in silence or in song—to praise God simply because He is worthy. Let your breath be your offering. Let your life be your hallelujah.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

God Pleasers or People Pleasers?

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/444L9fu

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27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:27-32 NIV)

Happy Wednesday, dear Friend. May the resurrection spirit be yours today as He lifts you and your spirit away from doubt and temptation; may the aches and pains of life no longer be what worries you. Receive the spirit of love and love all people.

D. J. Molina was one of many saints who blessed my ministry. D.J. was in high school when I arrived as his pastor and he was our evening worship service pianist. A young man with a steady, ever-present lovely smile, was the son of one of my Dad's good friends. Mr. Arturo Molina rented a home down our alley in Kingsville during the summers he worked on his Masters degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. He and his wife Becky, were gracious people, active in their UM church in McAllen and in ours during those summers. Somewhere along the years, D.J. learned piano and volunteered to play for what are now distant memories, the Wednesday and Sunday night worship services. D.J. on that first night I was there came up to me and handed me a folded spiral notebook sheet of paper with the hymns that he knew well enough to play. I was so blessed to have him and his talent to help us in our worship. It did tickle me that his entire repertoire was on that list. And I loved him for it.

The disciples were handed a long list of don'ts with the main one being DO NOT PREACH OR TEACH IN THE NAME OF JESUS. That takes the fun out of it, don't you think? But it's funny that these restrictors of religious freedom admit that the disciples had been quite good at "filling Jerusalem with your teaching," and they feared being made guilty of Jesus' death. Their response? "We must obey God rather than human beings!" Sadly, there are some churches even today that have lists of topics that the preacher cannot preach on. I remember in other parts of the country that some churches were even writing to their bishops asking them not to send them preachers who preached on the "J-word." (Jesus).Yep, just like the Sanhedrin of then. The J-man is He whom God sent to "bring Israel (and all the world) to repentance and forgive their sins." And the disciples were witnesses of those very things, as was the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those who obey Him.

This is Easter truth. Jesus, crucified, is now exalted. He offers repentance and forgiveness. And His Spirit empowers believers to testify—to speak, live, and act as people changed by resurrection hope.

Easter is not just about the empty tomb. It’s about the unstoppable message that Jesus is Lord, and we are His witnesses. In a world that still tries to silence His name, we are called to say boldly, with our lives: “We must obey God.”

PRAYER: Risen Jesus, You are Prince and Savior, raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God. Thank You for giving us forgiveness, new life, and boldness through the Holy Spirit. Help us to live as faithful witnesses of Your resurrection—unafraid, unashamed, and unwavering. May our obedience to You bring life and light to a world in need. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Live the resurrection by your obedience. Speak with courage. Serve with joy. And fill your world with the name of Jesus.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Peace Be With You!

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/3EvCFn8

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

Happy Easter, dear Friend! I pray the joy of Christ's Resurrection has given you new hope and new joy especially as we face the realities and challenges of life. May we be victorious in all things!

Death has robbed all of us of special people, even some we did not know personally. I could share a partial list of dear ones whom I knew to be too young to be in God's presence because I was robbed of special friendships and relationships. I know you have your own list. And there are times when we hope that we might see them again only to remember, no, they're gone. Sundays were the days I would talk to my Dad; but no more. Church was where I could see my Mom and grandma and so many others singing and worshiping God; but no more. I think maybe if I drive by the old church and go inside I will see them again; but realize it's wishful thinking; just the continuing impact of that separation that is death. I think the Disciples were in that phase of their grief process when this event took place. Not truly knowing what to do, other than wait, the Twelve were in the Upper Room, with doors locked out of the fear they had of their religious leaders, for they knew they could be next! And into that locked room, without using the door to enter, appears Jesus with this simple, but needed message; "Peace be with you." And immediately shows them, because He knew them, His hands and His side, and this brings them joy, and boy did they need it. And again, "Peace be with you," adding, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." The writer then adds that Thomas, one of their compadres in ministry did not bother to show up for work that day. When he finally showed up, of course news of their having seen the Risen Lord was the first topic they shared with him. He replied with skepticism and declares he would not believe anything Jesus unless he could physically see and touch the wounds of the Lord.

One week later, with Thomas present for work, Jesus visits again. Again, not using the doors and appearing among them, Jesus stood among them and announced again, "Peace be with you." Then Jesus addresses Thomas and his doubts, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe." Ouch! I've been there; having said something someone else said to someone who told the person what I said, then got caught when they said, here is why... I bet Thomas felt the same way, but this was Jesus! Thomas declares his faith in Jesus by affirming, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus blesses his response and the writer declares his purpose of wanting the world to come to faith in Jesus.

This Easter, Jesus still enters into the locked rooms of our hearts, still speaks peace to our storms, still calls us out into a world that needs the hope only He can give. The tomb is empty. The fear can end. The work begins anew. And the command to continue as missionaries, witnesses, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. continues. We have work to do!

PRAYER: Loving Jesus, thank You for walking through locked doors and entering our fears with Your peace. Thank You for your patience with our doubts, and for calling us to believe even when we cannot see. Breathe Your Spirit into us today, that we may live as Easter people—bold in faith, generous in grace, and alive in Your purpose. Help us to carry Your peace into a world still hiding in fear. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Let your life be a witness to the resurrection. Live peace. Share grace. And don’t be afraid to open the door—Jesus is already inside.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

And So It Begins

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/4jCRzqC

View devo: https://bit.ly/3EAoFZd

1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" 5 They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" 12 So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17 The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." 18 Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. 19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.20 Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." 22 When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23 Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. 28 Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30 They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." 31 Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." 32 (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) 33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" 35 Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. 39 But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 40 They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit.1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. 3 They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" 6 When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." 8 Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. 9 He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." 12 From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." 13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" 15 They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." 16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; 17 and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews,' but, "This man said, I am King of the Jews.' " 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." 25 And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) 36 These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." 37 And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced." 38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 18-19:42 NIV)

Dear Friend, this day has your name written all over it. All that transpired was because of you. And me. And it was all because of love. Let that sink it. Jesus' death was not an end. It was the start of just what the world needed then, and still needs now; perhaps more than ever.

The cross was not the end—it was the beginning. Why else would the Church give the name Good Friday to iuch a tragic day?

As we read through John 18 and 19, we witness Jesus betrayed, arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, crucified, and laid in a tomb. It's the darkest moment in history. But in this moment of agony and surrender, the seeds of the Church are sown. The final breath of Jesus was not a surrender to death, but a launch into life—for you and me, and for the mission of God through His people. Be quiet long enough to hear the word of John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This is life, dear one; this is light, dear one, trying to shine you out of the darkness in which you may find yourself right now. Listen. Love. Learn. Lead.

Jesus’ last words, “It is finished,” (John 19:30) might sound like a conclusion, but they echo more like a transition. The sacrifice is complete. The price is paid. But now, the work begins—the work of living out what He died for. From the foot of the cross, the disciples would scatter, but soon they would gather again, filled with the Spirit, and begin what we now know as the Church.

Good Friday is not just about remembering death—it’s about recommitting to life. The life Jesus made possible. The Church is not built on triumph alone, but on the suffering, love, and obedience of our Savior. His courage in the face of injustice, His grace under pressure, and His unfailing love even to the end—this is our foundation.

We don’t just mourn His death; we rise up from it with purpose. Because He gave everything, we give our lives to continue His ministry. Healing. Reconciling. Serving. Preaching. Loving.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today we remember Your suffering, Your sacrifice, and the love that led You to the cross. As we sit in the weight of Your death, stir our hearts with the truth that this was not the end—it was the beginning. Help us live in the power of Your passion. Let us not waste the grace You poured out so freely. Give us the courage to carry the cross into our everyday lives. May Your death give birth to deeper faith and active love within us. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Let today be more than remembrance. Let it be a recommissioning. Step into the calling Christ’s sacrifice made possible. The Church’s mission is not waiting—it’s already begun.

I love you and I thank God for you,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

When Loyalty Breaks

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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 26:14-16 NIV)

It's Spy Wednesday, dear Friend; the day called that because of what one of the Twelve did to Jesus, and all for money as some will say. Tomorrow night Jesus will reveal this and all will ask, "Is it I?" Is it you?

Many a Methodist pastor has his/her story. In the Methodist tradition the pastor-parish relations committee or some may know it as the pulpit committee, and it is a key committee for they are supposed to nurture and care for the pastor and their family. It is in no shape or form a complaint committee! The job of that group of people is to care for the pastoral family in a positive way. In the UMC, the pastor is the chairperson of the nominations committee that nominates members of all committees in the local church, including and especially the PPRC. It is has been the desire of most pastors to place those whom have presented themselves as being concerned for the ministry of the church and for the pastoral family. And almost every pastor has a story of that one member (if s/he was lucky; more than one if they weren't) who once on the committee changes perspective and becomes not an advocate for the pastor but a "thorn in the flesh" of that pastor. Did Jesus not know that Judas would be that member of the Twelve? He knew. And it may have been the reason Judas Iscariot was selected to be a part of the disciples. It is something we can argue until we get to Heaven when all will be revealed; so for now we will just go with the story as shared with us.

The surface motivation may have been money, for Judas asked for money to betray Jesus. Others, when talking about who kept the common purse of the group not only reveal it to be Judas, but also that he was a thief, so the evidence doesn't bode well for this disciple.

Spy Wednesday is a day shrouded in quiet sorrow. It marks the moment betrayal began to unfold—when one of Jesus' own, a man who walked beside Him, witnessed His miracles, and shared meals at His table, chose to trade loyalty for silver. Thirty pieces of silver. It's interesting to note that the 30 pieces of silver were in those days the price for a slave. Poetically,, it speaks volumes of who the slave already was. He could have bought a nice part of land, which ironically happened after Judas' death. In today's dollars the amount Judas received was not even $20,000.

Judas’ question still echoes through time: “What are you willing to give me?” His betrayal wasn’t born in a moment, but in a slow fading of trust, of faith, and of love.

It’s easy to judge Judas from a distance. But Spy Wednesday invites us to examine our own hearts: where have we compromised our commitment to Christ? Have we ever let pride, resentment, fear—or even comfort—lead us to turn away from Him, in big or small ways?

Jesus knew betrayal was coming, and yet He didn’t retreat. He kept loving. He kept teaching. He kept walking toward the cross.

The good news is that even when we fall short, Jesus’ grace is still offered. His love runs deeper than our failures. Spy Wednesday reminds us that God sees all—the betrayal, the brokenness—and still chooses the way of redemption.

PRAYER: Loving God of mercy, as we remember how You were betrayed by one who was close to You. It’s sobering to consider how easily we, too, can betray You in our thoughts, our choices, our silences. Forgive us for the times we’ve turned away from You—for silver, for comfort, for approval. Restore in us a loyal heart. Help us to follow You, even when it costs us something. Let our lives reflect Your love and faithfulness, even in the face of darkness. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to reflect on any ways you've drifted from Christ. Confess honestly, and receive His forgiveness. Then reach out to someone who needs a word of encouragement or hope—and show the loyalty and love that Jesus never stopped giving.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Pop Quiz?

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/3EmLZd6

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34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40 NIV)

Dear Friend, do you ever miss pop quiz days at school? I sure don't. I remember the drill all too well. The teacher would come in with what could be described as a killer grin, with a touch of smug in it, and would yell, "Alright students, clear your desks, get out a clean sheet of paper," and of course, one student who had obviously been in a coma or deep sleep, asks, "Is this a pop quiz?" Yes, the teacher cackled, "This is a pop quiz!" Okay, I'm being mean to teachers; some don't cackle.

It's Tuesday of Holy Week and the Pharisee asking the question might as well have cackled as he approached Jesus with his question, "Teacher (Ooh, he added "teacher," to his quiz), which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" It's a good question, and one that most kids in Sabbath School should answer, but this one was for "all the marbles," meaning there was a purpose behind asking it, as in trick or trap, Jesus. But it was an easy question for Jesus and a great opportunity for Him to teach a bit to those listening. Jesus answers, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Boom. Leave it to Jesus to take it to where it has to be. Love is essential when it comes to our relationship with God and when it comes to ALL relationships.

Instead of listing laws or offering theological loopholes, Jesus distilled the entire heart of God’s will into two relationships—love God, and love your neighbor. Simple, but not easy. This commandment asks for all of us: heart, soul, and mind. It asks us not just to follow rules, but to live in love, which is both the motivation and the measure of a faithful life.

In a world full of division, distraction, and fear, Jesus’ words are a compass. Love is not just one virtue among many; it is the foundation for everything God desires in us. And when we truly love God, it overflows into how we treat others—with compassion, grace, justice, and mercy.

Holy Tuesday invites us to pause and ask: Is love at the center of my life? Is it what shapes my choices, my words, my priorities?

PRAYER: Loving God, You have shown us what matters most: to love You with all that we are, and to love others as You have loved us. Forgive us when we complicate or reduce our faith to anything less. Help us to live with hearts wide open—to worship You fully and serve others freely. Teach us to love, even when it’s hard, even when we feel stretched. Let our lives reflect the very heart of Your law: love that changes everything. In Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: dentify one way today to intentionally show love—whether to God in worship or to someone in your life through kindness, encouragement, or service. Let it be a reminder that love is not just a feeling but a way of living.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Love That Cleanses

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12 Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 He said to them, "It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers." (Matthew 21:12-13 NRSV)

It was a Monday like all others to most people. Jerusalem was a bustling city and there were things to do and people to see; and those who worked had obligations for which they worked. And there was a certain group that looked forward to each day for they knew the money they could make was more than most. These were, not the working class, but the cheating, scheming class; folks who sought and found shortcuts to riches, namely those who could take advantage of those in need by providing what they needed. At a cost. Jerusalem was a destination for many, especially the religious, who came to its annual feast and holy days, and sought that which they knew was available to them to fulfill the law and receive pardon and forgiveness; their brokenness could be made whole by doing that which the law prescribed as being the conduit for mercy and restoration. Not all the people who entered the city gates were Hebrews nor Romans; they were from every known corner of the known world with different currencies and cultures. They were those who discovered their coins were no good in buying sacrificial animals, but for a small, yes, I said small up-charge they could exchange their money for Jerusalem money and buy the animal that would die for their sins.

Nellie and I took an airline trip not too long ago on a well-known airline. I won't name the name of the airline though many will figure it out right away; but please know I am not drawing a line between this airline and the money-changers, other than the importance that money plays for both. This airline will allow one to buy a ticket online and as you do, you're given an option to be a part of the first people onboard. That option is to pay more money. If you pay that amount of money you get to be a part of that group that boards first; but they also say that for a bit more money you could move up in the group you already paid to be in. And every time you check the flight, that offer appears again! Even when you're at the airport and in line, your phone reminds you that for a few dollars more, you can move up. I wondered if dentists or doctors might ever do that? How could the church offer that? I guess in the church's case you'd pay more to sit towards the back?

Jesus knew the heart of these money-changers; He knew their families; their sons and daughters, and He loved them, but He knew their love was misplaced; on money more than members of their families and He knew these guys who though somehow facilitating worship, were big hindrances and distractions. The smell of animals fought with the smell of incense - the profane with the holy, with the holy losing ground with every passing day. Jesus had a plan and He would act on it.

Verse 12 shares how Jesus put His plan into action; simply entering the temple and driving out those who were selling and buying. Another gospel account has Jesus making a whip with which to do this; tables went flying as did the doves they once held. The next verse, 13, explains the why: "My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you are making it a den of robbers." This was not violence for destruction’s sake—it was love in action. Love that defends the holiness of God's presence. Love that insists the weary and the poor have access to grace. Love that says, “This space is meant for something more.”

This scene challenges us to reflect not just on our church spaces, but on the temples of our own hearts. What tables need overturning in our lives? What distractions or compromises have crept in, pushing out prayer, peace, and communion with God?

Holy Monday reminds us that Jesus desires not only to walk with us but to transform us. He comes to cleanse—not to condemn. He comes to restore what is sacred.

PRAYER: Loving God of Endless Love, Come into the temple of my heart today. Search me and know me. Where I have allowed clutter, compromise, or comfort to replace worship, turn over every table. Make me a house of prayer. Let my life reflect the holiness and compassion You call me to. Cleanse me not with shame but with Your refining love, so that I may be a vessel of grace in the world You love. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take 10 quiet minutes today to reflect in stillness. Ask God to show you what needs cleansing or restoring in your heart. Write down what He reveals—and pray for the courage to surrender it.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradiio Valverde, Jr.

Deep Sacrificial Love

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12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13 NRSV)

Happy Thursday, dear Friend! May the joy of the Lord be your strength now and always! Whatever you may be facing it can be overcome by God's power. Live with that confidence and assurrance.

At 36 years of age, she received what she called a "call within a call," from God for her to leave the comfort of her convent and to minister to "the poorest of the poor." Since the age of 18, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu had been in ministry as a nun and member of the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. She moved to India and there had the calling to minister to the poor In Calcutta in 1950 she formed the Missionaries of Charity, an order devoted to serving the destitute and dying, with 12 members and grew to include thousands of sister from across the world. Their mission was to care for those "unwanted, unloved, and uncared for." With this ministry the world came to know this sister as Mother Theresa, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in 1979 that included caring for the sick, bathing wounds, and embracing those considered untouchable by society. Her motivation can be summed up with a quote, “I am like the donkey on which Jesus rode. It was not the donkey that made the triumphal entry, but Jesus. I only go where He leads.” God’s love radiated from that small woman of faith to show love to the unloved and to care for those who were uncared for, and to hug tightly those who had not known hugs for many years.

As we come to the close of Lent and enter Holy Week, this passage calls us to reflect deeply on the humility and obedience of Christ. The One who had every right to remain in the glory of heaven chose instead to enter our world, to serve, to suffer, and to die—for us.

Jesus didn’t cling to power. He didn’t demand status. Instead, He "made Himself nothing"—a phrase that captures the heart of Lent. Jesus laid down His rights, took on human flesh, and walked the road of obedience all the way to the cross.

This is the way of Christ: humility, self-emptying, and total surrender to the will of the Father. And Paul’s charge is clear: “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” We’re not just to admire Jesus’ humility—we’re to imitate it.

In a culture that prizes self-promotion and independence, the call to humble obedience may feel radical. Yet this is the way of transformation. This is the path to true life.

And here is the promise: Christ’s obedience led to exaltation. The cross gave way to the crown. The name of Jesus is now lifted above every name—and we, too, are lifted up when we follow Him in love and humility.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself for our sake. You chose the path of service, suffering, and surrender so that we might know grace. Forgive us for the ways we cling to pride or resist obedience. Give us Your mindset. Teach us to walk in humility, to serve others, and to follow wherever You lead. Let this Holy Week be a time when we draw closer to You in heart, mind, and action. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to practice humble obedience. Whether through an act of service, a word of encouragement, or surrendering your will in prayer, choose the way of Christ. Let His humility shape how you love others and live this week.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Humble Obedience

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5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)

I can't apologize for loving and admiring Mr. Fred Rogers so much; for he lived a life that was fueled by his love for Jesus, his love for children, his love for the right way to live, and dedicating his entire life to helping make the world a better place. There were not two Fred Rogers; just one. There wasn't' one who presented himself on tv as a fake do-gooder, then we read about horrible events in his life that made one shudder knowing that such a beast could roam free among us. No, the Fred Rogers who was Mister Rogers, a gentle man who shared his day with children and then taught things that others hate, like sharing a pool with a black man, or talking about death when so many feared it. To be fair, Mr. Rogers was an ordained minister who lived a calling to and with the world while sharing God's love.

As we come to the close of Lent and enter Holy Week, this passage calls us to reflect deeply on the humility and obedience of Christ. The One who had every right to remain in the glory of heaven chose instead to enter our world, to serve, to suffer, and to die—for us.

Jesus didn’t cling to power. He didn’t demand status. Instead, He "made Himself nothing"—a phrase that captures the heart of Lent. Jesus laid down His rights, took on human flesh, and walked the road of obedience all the way to the cross.

This is the way of Christ: humility, self-emptying, and total surrender to the will of the Father. And Paul’s charge is clear: “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” We’re not just to admire Jesus’ humility—we’re to imitate it.

In a culture that prizes self-promotion and independence, the call to humble obedience may feel radical. Yet this is the way of transformation. This is the path to true life.

And here is the promise: Christ’s obedience led to exaltation. The cross gave way to the crown. The name of Jesus is now lifted above every name—and we, too, are lifted up when we follow Him in love and humility.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself for our sake. You chose the path of service, suffering, and surrender so that we might know grace. Forgive us for the ways we cling to pride or resist obedience. Give me Your mindset. Teach us to walk in humility, to serve others, and to follow wherever You lead. Let this Holy Week be a time when we draw closer to You in heart, mind, and action. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to practice humble obedience. Whether through an act of service, a word of encouragement, or surrendering your will in prayer, choose the way of Christ. Let His humility shape how you love others and live this week.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Waiting is Over!

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1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 NRSV)

Welcome to Tuesday, dear Friend! I pray this Tuesday is a terrific one, one filled with joy, peace, strength and everything needed to be a tremendous blessing to God! May our prayers be with Mr. Johnnie Fogle who underwent knee surgery yesterday; may it have gone well and that he recover soon! Prayers for all who have asked prayers of us! Pray for your needs as well.

We talked a bit about parades yesterday and some shared they did not like parades. That's okay. I shared how I liked victory parades and in one case, it took in my counting (life) from 1965 until 2017 for the Houston Astros to have a World Series win for them to have a parade in downtown Houston. I was a long-suffering fan of all the Astros teams through the ages. I remember being in high school and listening faithfully to Hudson and Harrigan, the comedy team on KILT-AM radio and every morning after a Houston Astros game they would, without fail, say, "Well Houston went and made Astros of themselves last night," with the emphasis you know where! But the day finally arrived after many, long and painful nights, when the series ended with the Astors in the W column. One of those nights I went to bed knowing they had lost that game and about 2 in the morning, Nellie stayed up with our daughter, and came and awoke me and said, "They won!" I could not believe it! Oh, the joy that was mine; and more so when that final catch was made and the announcer excitedly said, "The Houston Astros have finally done it; they are World Champions!" Yes, I went outside and yelled at the top of my voice, whatever it was that I yelled, much to the embarrassment of my family and annoyance of my neighbors, including the across-the-street neighbor who was born and raised in NYC. Sorry, not sorry, Hector! It's our turn!

I share that to try to begin to compare the waiting on the part of Israel from the first prophecy, to the psalmist's text today to Isaiah and others, who told of the coming chosen One of God. Today's passage Psalm 118 is a song of celebration, victory, and thanksgiving—a perfect reflection for Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” and waving palm branches. The people saw in Him the fulfillment of their hopes, the One who came in the name of the Lord.

This psalm begins and ends with the same line: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!” At the heart of Palm Sunday is this enduring truth: God’s love remains through every season—through the joyous procession of Palm Sunday and into the suffering of Good Friday.

When the psalmist speaks of opening the gates of righteousness and binding the festal procession with branches, we can’t help but think of the crowd that welcomed Jesus. But unlike an earthly ruler, Jesus comes in humility, riding on a donkey, heading toward a cross rather than a throne. Still, the cry remains: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Palm Sunday reminds us to praise Jesus not only for what we hope He will do, but for who He is—God’s steadfast love made flesh. As we wave our palms and sing our hosannas, we are invited to walk with Christ through this holy week, trusting in the light He brings, even as shadows fall.

PRAYER: Faithful God, we give You thanks, for You are good, and Your love endures forever. As we remember the joyous procession of Palm Sunday, help us to receive Jesus not just with our lips, but with our lives. Open the gates of our hearts that the King of glory may enter in. Strengthen us to follow Him through this Holy Week, from celebration to the cross, and finally to the joy of resurrection. In Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Find a quiet moment today to read Psalm 118 aloud and reflect on the steadfast love of God. Ask yourself: How can I welcome Jesus more fully into my life this Holy Week? Consider creating space each day for prayer, Scripture, or a simple act of love in His name. Let your hosanna become a lived expression of devotion.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Jesus' Triumphant Entry among Fickle People

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28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:28-40 NIV Bible)

I love parades. My first parade I was a child and I got to march in the parade holding my uncle's chihuahua through downtown Kingsville. It was Kingsville's first and only Pet Parade. Yay! Years later as the father of a marching flute player in Mission Junior High's band, and as a band sponsor, I got march in that parade through downtown McAllen. I just reminded myself that years earlier I marched with my daughters dressed as angels in their annual Christmas Las Posadas Parade. We sang and made the different stops only to be told at every one, "There is no room!" I could probably still sing those songs. But today we are presented with the parade of parades; the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the fulfillment of prophecy. The crowd that gathered was all in. For the moment. Some were caught up in the moment and ran where others ran and shouted what others shouted. Some knew and were really all in. Some were not, but wanted to listen. And still others believed that this man who was on the donkey would be the military messiah who would singlehandedly drive out the oppressing armies of the Romans and allow Israel to once again be a great nation. It would be the next day, when Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers, that many would change their minds, or being to change their minds, about what was really coming; thus the "fickle" of these people. Many on Friday would not be shouting instead of Hosannahs or Hallelujahs, "Crucify Him!"

Palm Sunday, as we call this coming Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time when we remember Jesus’ final journey to the cross. For many pastors, this is the Super Bowl season in church life. From the starts as we read In Luke 19, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt—fulfilling prophecy and showing us the kind of King He is: not one of military might or political power, but a King of peace, humility, and divine authority. This reality would anger and discourage those people who were shouting "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" They did not yet know the enormous event and impact that Sunday's parade would have on the world; but were content to see the government do what it needed to do to such an "criminal."

As Jesus rides into the city, the crowd erupts in praise, laying their cloaks on the road and shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” They recognize something extraordinary, even if they don’t fully understand it. But not everyone is pleased. The Pharisees urge Jesus to quiet the people, and He responds with striking words: “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Palm Sunday invites us to consider how we welcome Jesus. Do we praise Him only when He meets our expectations, or do we honor Him as Lord even when His ways challenge us? The crowds celebrated, but within days, many would turn away when Jesus didn’t take the throne they imagined.

This humble entry is a reminder that God's kingdom often comes in unexpected ways. It begins with peace, with surrender, with hearts that are willing to recognize Jesus not just as Savior, but as King.

As we enter Holy Week, let us not only wave palm branches of praise but lay down our lives in worship, following Him wherever He leads—even to the cross.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the King who comes in peace, full of mercy and truth. On this Palm Sunday, we praise You and welcome You into our hearts and lives. Teach us to follow You not only in celebration, but also in humility and obedience. As we walk through this Holy Week, help us to stay close to You, to trust You, and to recognize the beauty of Your kingdom. Hosanna in the highest! Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment today to reflect on how you welcome Jesus into your life. Is He your King in every part of your heart? Write down one area where you need to surrender more fully to His rule, and ask Him to reign there with His peace. Let this Holy Week be a journey of deeper devotion and renewed hope.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Harvest Joy!

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1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 127 NRSV)

Dear Friend, what makes you happy? I mean, really happy? Leave a comment or email me with your response as I'm curious. I ask because joy is important, for it causes as the psalmist says laughter and shouts, and even bragging rights of sorts (among nations) when others realize that God has done great things for us. Earlier today of this recording (Wednesday) I saw a YouTube video of Miami, Florida. (Inside Wealthy Miami - Why Are So Many People Moving Here) The mere thought of Miami makes one think of opulence, and having visited the city many times I know that's true. This video was by a gentleman we follow who does deep dives into communities and areas and asks really interesting questions and tries to interview a wide spectrum of people who reside in those cities or areas. As he toured Miami, he was hosted by an interior designer for the uber wealthy, who drove a very nice luxury car, the "uniform" of success, a watch to match and knew the prices of the oceanside mansions, especially the ones of islands where big name stars make their homes. His part in the video ended in an old long-standing fruit stand that is known for serving nice fruits. It was there the designer said his best years were those he spent in Southeast Asia in Cambodia and Laos, where those who had nothing in terms of material possessions were the happiest, not even having words like "yours" and "mine." The man explained they were happiest when they could help others and share what they had with those who had nothing.

Lent is a season of sowing—of planting seeds of faith, repentance, and trust in God, even in times of sorrow. Psalm 126 speaks to the journey from exile to restoration, from weeping to joy. It reminds us that the path of faith is often marked by both struggle and hope.

The psalmist recalls a time when God restored His people, filling them with laughter and joy. Yet, there is also an acknowledgment that the present may still hold tears. Sowing in tears means choosing to trust God even when life feels uncertain, painful, or barren. But the promise of God is this: Joy will come. Just as seeds planted in the earth eventually grow into a harvest, our faithfulness in difficult seasons will lead to renewal and restoration.

During Lent, we walk the road to the cross, knowing that sorrow is not the end of the story. Jesus’ suffering led to resurrection. Our own seasons of struggle are not wasted—God is at work, preparing a harvest of joy in due time.

Whatever burdens you carry, know this: God is faithful. He will turn tears into joy, sorrow into laughter, and fasting into a feast. Keep sowing, keep trusting—the harvest will come.

PRAYER: Faithful God, In times of sorrow, help us trust in Your promise of joy. Give us the strength to sow in faith, even when the path is difficult. As we journey through Lent, prepare our hearts to receive the joy of resurrection. Remind us that You are always at work, bringing restoration and renewal. In Jesus’ strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Consider what you are sowing in this season of Lent. Are there prayers, sacrifices, or acts of faith that feel small or unnoticed? Trust that God sees them. Take a moment today to reflect on a time when God has turned sorrow into joy in your life, and thank Him for His faithfulness.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Our Desire is Christ

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4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:4b-14 NIV)

Today is Tuesday, the 1st of April, 2025; it's also that funny day called April Fools Day; so don't fall for any pranks today. There are no April Fools' content in this email. I'll leave that fof your family and friends to have fun with you.

When a first responder retires from his/her career, they place what is called their last call. The officer/firefighter will radio in to their headquarters and shares whatever is allowed or required and the dispatcher will acknowledge that call. The officer then replies with the appropriate code that says s/he is now off-duty. On social media this morning I saw one of a police chief in the patrol car with his youngest granddaughter in the passenger's side of the cruiser. It was an emotional call for the chief and his emotions were having an impact on his granddaughter. His wife was the dispatcher and that made it doubly emotional. But the chief said that being a police officer is a calling and he said he was glad her responded to that call. Today's devotional is about one who responded to a call above all calls; the Apostle Paul shares his lineage as a Jew, a Pharisee, and then as a disciple of Jesus. We can't help but note all the very Hebrew and Jewish things he achieved, including the sad chapter of persecuting the Church of Jesus; but all that paled to what he truly desired after he encountered Jesus; his heart wanted to "gain Christ, and to be found in Him," with a strong and true faith in Christ Jesus. Though he had seen and met Jesus face-to-face, he still desired to know Christ; for that encounter only ignited a hunger to know Christ more fully. His conversion was simply hearing the fire of the starter's pistol to run a race for Christ all his life. Have you heard, "On your marks? Get Set! Go!"?

Lent is a season of stripping away, a time to reflect on what truly matters. In this passage, Paul speaks of letting go of everything he once valued—his status, accomplishments, and self-righteousness—because nothing compares to knowing Christ.

Paul’s words challenge us to examine what we hold onto. Are there things we cling to that keep us from fully pursuing Christ? Our achievements, possessions, or even religious practices can sometimes become sources of pride or security rather than expressions of faith. But Paul reminds us that all these things are nothing compared to the joy of knowing Jesus.

Lent calls us to let go—not just of material things but of anything that keeps us from drawing closer to God. It is a time to press on toward the goal, to fix our eyes on Jesus, and to run the race with endurance. We are not perfect, but by God’s grace, we are being made new.

As we continue this Lenten journey, may we, like Paul, release what is temporary in order to grasp what is eternal. Let us press on, not looking back, but moving forward into the life Christ has called us to.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help us to let go of anything that keeps us from fully knowing You. Show us where we place our confidence in things other than Your grace. During this Lenten season, renew our heart and give us the strength to press on toward You. May our lives reflect the surpassing worth of knowing You above all else. In Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to reflect on what you may need to release—whether it’s pride, past mistakes, or distractions that keep you from pursuing Christ fully. Make a commitment to press on toward Him, whether through prayer, fasting, or a renewed focus on His Word.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.