Body and Temple

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12 Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. 13 You know the old saying, "First you eat to live, and then you live to eat"? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that's no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! 14 God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. 15 Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not. 16 There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." 17 Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever - the kind of sex that can never "become one." 18 There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. 19 Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. 20 God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20 The Message Bible)

Happy Tuesday, dear Reader! May the blessings of the Lord fill your cup to overflowing in all areas of your life! May we continue to pray for one another, especially those who have asked prayers of us; may God bless them all with healing.

The City of Corinth was a bustling place. It was a metropolitan area of the first order. It could easily compare with the big cities of today in all the good and the evil that these cities offer. If you could dream it, good or bad, you could probably buy it or order it. And the same was true for Corinth. Yesterday I was so tempted to list a couple of college towns for "Nazareth? Can anything good come from Nazareth?," but today, I will say Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and those two are at the top of the list of any number of US cities. Things in Corinth were legal that would make others blush. And here the Apostle Paul is trying to bring Jesus and the Good News to the people caught up in this mess that is Corinth. "God is love" pales, for some, when they believe, "Anything goes," or "What happens in Corinth stays in Corinth." Yes, some people really believe that about Vegas and worse, a lot of people actually live it. Hear me out before you tune me out. God does love you and enough to forgive you, so when Paul writes, in this modern version, "Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritual appropriate." Amen? Or, is he confused? Paul is aware that what he preaches is not popular, but it is powerful and needed as he continues, "If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by (or away) with, I'd be a slave to my whims." Paul was not buying the argument that "You Only Live Once, So Live to the Fullest." Our decisions and actions all come with consequences.

If we choose to overeat, Paul says, we pay the consequences; If we choose to indulge it with sex, there are no excuses for those actions. Paul says, and we should know, that God has honored us with a body, so in return, the least we can do, is honor God with our bodies. God honored Jesus' body with glory by raising it from the dead, and God will do the same for you. But until that Resurrection moment comes, we have to remember that our bodies were created with the same dignity as Jesus' body, and we would not dream of taking the Lord's body to a place of ill repute, Paul says, and "There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact." Paul knew the reason that the Bible says "The two becomes one" is precisely because of the spiritual dimension that is a part of sex, which Paul further shares, "Since we want to be spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever - the kind of sex that can never "become one." And further, Paul knows that there is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. "In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for 'becoming one' with another." The body is the temple of God, as another version says, and as such, God's Holy Spirit resides in us, and any flesh-sins we commit, violate the sacredness of this temple. For we cannot compartmentalize one part of our body for this use, and the other, for another. "God owns the whole works. So let the people see God in and through your body."

As we reflect on this passage, here are some solid take-aways: 1). We must go beyond self-indulgence. Our freedom in Christ Jesus does not mean we can go crazy with our desires. You and I have been called to serious ponder the "beneficial" aspects of our choices. We must honor our bodies as truly being the temples of the Holy Spirit. 2). We must connect to a higher purpose. Our being alive transcends earthly pleasures and desires. We are to be instruments for God's work, vessels of God's love and His presence in the world. 3). We are called to live our lives with intentionality. We must remember that we have been "bought at a price," which imbues our choices with weight and purpose. Each decision we make is an opportunity to honor the sacrifice made for us and live lives worthy of that redemption.

PRAYER: Loving God, help us to see our bodies not as objects of indulgence, but as sacred vessels entrusted to Your care. Grant us the wisdom to discern the "beneficial" paths and the strength to resist temptations that would dishonor your temple within us. Grant us the power to intentionally reflect Your love and grace in every choice we make. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Make conscious choices that honor your body as a temple, your life as a reflection of God's love, and your existence as a testament to the price paid for your redemption.

Receive my love and thankfulness to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

What is Said About You?

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43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51 NIV Bible)

Dear Friend, welcome to Monday! May it be a marvelous Monday where you bless others with marvelous demonstrations of your love, compassion, understanding, and peace. May our time together in prayer, devotion, and openness to God bring us that which will bless us and help us bless others! PRAYER UPDATE: From The Rev. Bradley DeHaven of St. Luke's Methodist Church in Corpus Christi on The Rev. Olga Paull's condition: Just stopped in to see Olga Paull. She is doing ok. Thus far, all the tests have ruled out a stroke (incuding the second one today). They're still going to run more tests, but whatever it is, it wasn't a stroke, nor heart-related at this point. She is alert, speaking, and able to communicate clearly. I'll share more tomorrow when we gather, but prayer is still very much warranted.

In 1988 I made a difficult decision. I was asked to consider accepting a church in another annual conference of The United Methodist Church. This is a very long story, and I won't bore you with it, but suffice it to say I said yes I would consider it. This came after much prayer and discussion with my wife. We knew the change would not be easy, but we knew that God would go with us. At the annual conference session in Corpus Christi where I was introduced as a new member I will never forget the words used by Bishop Ray Owen about me. I was humbled by what he said and it made me pray all the harder for the words to be truly true! Which brings me to the question that I used as the title of this devotional: What is said about you?

As Jesus is in the process of calling His disciples, He was in Bethany about to leave for Galilee when Jesus sees a man named Philip, whom He called to follow Him. Philip was from Bethsaida, like Andrew and Peter, and after having said yes to the Lord, goes to find his brother Nathanael and tells him the good news, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Philip knew he had been called by the Messiah to be a part of His team, and so in excitement goes to his brother to share this wonderful news. What is Nate's first response, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Now, I could, and probably should, insert any number of towns that might make this statement seem a bit more understandable, but boy would feelings be hurt! Let's suffice it to say Podunk, Texas, or Backwater Tide, Arkansas as examples. The perception is that a town such as Nazareth had not been known for having produced outstanding or "good" people. Now, was that a truthful statement or a fair statement? More than likely not; but we get the idea. Even Philip wasn't swayed by that statement for he says to his brother, "Come and see." Boom! So, the reluctant brother walks slowly, how else would a reluctant person walk? And before he can even say a thing, Jesus speaks and here's what He says, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." Boom again! Please note that before he could get in a snide remark about Nazareth, he is told he is a man of no deceit. Tell me that Jesus didn't know him and still loved him! And darn it if that's not the way Jesus has treated me, and some of you? We were so ready to do this, and Jesus told us that! We were so ready to do this, and Jesus said do that! And that's what true discipleship is all about; giving in to God and letting God do with us what He needs. God knew Nate, God knows you and God knows me. And just as God used Nate and Phil, God can use you and me!

Jesus also told Nate that He had seen him before Phil came calling, standing under a fig tree; and this prompts Nate to make this incredible declaration; "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." Nate came to faith with this brief encounter with Jesus, as should we always. Jesus countered Nate's statement with the truth, "You came to faith because of what I said about me seeing you under the fig tree, but you will see greater things than that." And Jesus adds, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angles of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man." Boom a third time.

When we said Yes to Jesus, Jesus made the same declaration to us, and true to His word, you and I have seen many unexpected, many unexplainable things, and some of us have even gone to places we never dreamed of going! And I mean that both geographically and relationally. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be asked to be a district superintendent, and more so in a conference that had not been my native one. And in the first months as one, I remember driving from San Antonio to Goliad with the bishop and his wife for a district laity event. The fine people of Goliad has rented the community center and it was packed with people as we drove up. On the way there the bishop and I had been talking about his experiences as a DS and now as a bishop and he had spoken of "then it hit me" moment, the realization that this indeed was real. I had that moment as I was being introduced by the bishop as the new DS of the district. I wept quietly, thankful that my wife was there to see and experience this with me, and I had the thought of my wishing my Mom were still alive so that she could at least hear me tell of it.

Our faith is an adventure with Jesus; it is a daily walk holding Jesus' hand as we go to places and people as only He could direct. May it be said of us that we loved and served Him faithfully.

PRAYER: Loving God, we are so thankful for Your love and presence. We are more thankful for Your being with us; help us be faithful and frutiful in this adventure. Help us win the world for You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Enjoy the adventure so much that others will beg you to take them with you!

Receive my love for you as I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Symphonic Praise

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1 Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!" 2 In awe before the glory, in awe before God's visible power. Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor him! 3 God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness - God, across the flood waters. 4 God's thunder tympanic, God's thunder symphonic. 5 God's thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars. 6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, The high ridges jump like wild kid goats. 7 God's thunder spits fire. 8 God thunders, the wilderness quakes; He makes the desert of Kadesh shake. 9 God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. We fall to our knees - we call out, "Glory!" 10 Above the floodwaters is God's throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world. 11 God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace. (Psalm 29 The Message Bible)

Happy Friday! Dear Friend, may this find you well. Given that Monday was the New Year finds us a day behind with today usually featuring stories gathered together as our Friday Faith Feeding, but we must give the psalmist his due; a study into the 29th Psalm. I pray it bring a special blessing to your life and all that you do for the Lord Jesus!

I was blessed to have spent many of my formative years in a small Texas town, on a street that was just down from Texas A & I University. Our street ended right at what I beleive was Jones Auditorium. And it was in that same auditorium that I was exposed to symphonic music by the A&I Symphony. I heard music that seemed straight from Heaven itself with instuments that I deemed exotic. The tympani drums, the oboe, the cello, bells and woodwind and brass instruments. I'm also thankful that I grew up in a church where every Sunday we had an organ and piano providing the accompaniment for our singing hymns to the Lord. I learned that music can trigger a lot of emotions and reactions, and most of it worked to soothe my young mind and heart.

The psalmist loved music too. He loved writing it and experiencing it. He loved how music had the power to soothe the king's anger when Saul would have fits of rages that sent his mind to demonic regions; only music could draw him back and to that place where he needed to be. I belleve David loved music so much that he heard it everywhere. Many of his psalms attribute music to nature itself and how awesome are thunderstorms when the ground cries for refreshing and strength and the psalmist heard in those noises the praises that God deserves. If God is truly present everywhere, He is present in the renewing of the earth with rain and the music that sometimes accompanies its arrival and distribution. Remember this little boy's fascination with the timpani, so was Saul, and he heard it in the thunder and even above the flood waters; all working to make creation strong and new.

Imagine standing in the midst of a powerful thunderstorm, hearing the thunder roll and seeing the lightning strike. The psalmist draws from this awe-inspiring experience to describe the voice of the Lord. The thunderous sound is likened to the voice of God, reflecting His might and authority.

In our lives, we may face storms of various kinds—trials, uncertainties, or challenges that shake our foundation. Yet, just as the thunderstorm reveals the power and grandeur of God, these storms can remind us of the strength and authority of our Heavenly Father.

Despite the chaos and noise around us, God’s voice speaks above it all, offering comfort, guidance, and assurance. His voice is a voice of strength and peace, cutting through the chaos of life, reminding us of His presence and control over all things.

The psalmist concludes by acknowledging the Lord's enduring blessings and peace to His people. Even in the midst of life's storms, God's voice brings us hope and stability, assuring us of His faithful love that endures forever. This is the same voice that spoke from the heavens above the water when His beloved Son was baptized; "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."

Let this Psalm be a reminder that when the storms of life rage, we can find solace and strength in the voice of our Almighty God. His voice speaks peace, His presence offers comfort, and His power gives us assurance. May we always listen for His voice above the noise and find our refuge in Him. Just as Jesus chose to present Himself for baptism, He chooses to stand beside us during our deepest times of need.

PRAYER: Gracious God, we thank You for Your mighty presence in the midst of life's storms. Help us to hear Your voice above the chaos, guiding us with Your wisdom and strength. Grant us peace and assurance as we trust in Your unwavering love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be open and willing to hear God's voice in all things especially when we need it most.

Receive my love and thankfullness for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

We're Broken and Need Fixing!

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1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. 9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. 20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. 24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. (Genesis 1:1-2:4a NIV Bible)

Happy Thursday, dear Friend! May the blessings of God bring you joy and peace on this day. Strive to become a blessing to all. The latest update on Baby Emma is that she may have Enterovirus-Rhinovirus. I don't know if the family has plans to move her to Corpus Christi or San Antonio, but let us continue to pray for that precious baby. I pray all is well with you. Our pastor, The Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington spent the night in the hospital after suffering a lingering virus-like illness plus fatigue from the entire "Super Bowl" of Christmas-New Year's services led to him getting much needed rest in Memorial Hospital of Gonzales. Please pray that he make a speedy and complete recovery soon! Please remember others that have asked for prayers from us that God quickly restore them all to health and wholeness!

The arrival of the Baby Jesus and later His presentation for baptism made me think that from the "once upon a time" beginning of all things until the "They all lived happily ever after" we have come up with quite a list of broken things that serve only to break us and separate us from God's desired plan of relationship in the garden of paradise with Him. The list is too long for me to list, but just the opening pages introduce us to our more than average ability to come up with some doozy things; disobedience, lack of trust, murder, and that among brothers, and then the list continues with things I best not name, for as the comedian says, "we don't need much leading into temptation because we do a pretty good job of finding it ourselves and stepping right into it!" And as one version of the Bible says, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son. And we cannot argue with God's timing! We may say both, "What took so long?" and "Why aren't more people responding?" The first verse of Genesis reminds us over and over again that "God saw it was good," and we take the reins and choose our own way and not God's way. Thus the need for Jesus to say, "Hey y'all, we're broken and that's why John is here to baptize us; in hopes of making us clean and whole.

The Creation Story as we studied it here, and the presentation of Jesus at the Jordan River serve to again remind us of God's interest and involvement in our story. It is a story of love and redemption, a story of grace and peace, and while others still seek to re-write it according to their plans and purposes, God does not waver, nor does God stop always loving us. If Creation was all about making order out of chaos, Jesus' presence and power serves to do the same in in our lives. We are quite good at taking order and making chaos out of it, are we not? Jesus says, "Let me come into your life and make all things new!"

As we prepare for worship on Sunday, may we again pause to examine our lives. It take a lot of work to judge others, and many of us do take too much time in doing just that; let us examine ourselves honestly and with determination to allow Jesus to make us whole and better. Into His loving hands we can turn over all things that have not served us in a positive manner. May people turn to us when they see just what God can do, and may they ask the same for themselves!

PRAYER: Awesome God, we stand in awe of Your power and creativity, as we contemplate the wonder of Your creation. Fill our hearts with gratitude for the gift of life and for the privilege of participating in Your ongoing story. May our lives reflect the love and care you have shown in bringing the universe into being. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Go forth today with the echo of creation in your heart, carrying a sense of awe and responsibility as you walk through the world, a co-creator in God's magnificent story. Stay open to God's leading for changes needed in your life.

Receive my love for you and thankfulness to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Do You Know the Holy Spirit?

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1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7 NIV Bible)

Happy Wednesday, dear Friend! I know this day brings great joy to those who work Mondays through Fridays! I know because I used to - long time ago! Or, if you go to school, Wednesday was a great day, too. Mid-week! And in my high school, Wednesday was hamburger day! The little snack shop outside our school cafeteria sold hamburgers for 25¢! Yum! And in college, Wednesdays was steak night in the Commons. But Wednesday is the day we look at the Epistle for this coming Sunday, which by the way is The Baptism of the Lord Sunday. All the passages we are examining are dealing with Jesus' baptism. Yesterday we studied the actually passage where Jesus presented Himself for baptism with his cousin John. And today's will show us a deeper aspect of baptism.

For many, baptism is known mostly as a ritual we follow in most churches. In our brand, the Methodist Church, it is one of two sacraments, meaning those rituals in which Jesus Himself participated, are considered incarnational moments, and very sacred, or holy in nature. There is a degree of supernatural mystery to It. The baptism as John the Baptist presented it, was one of forgiveness, a ritual cleansing of sin from ones spirit. The guilt and weight of sin was removed internally, or spiritually, but the actual washing by water of the person. The people from the Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem, as Mark wrote, were immersed in water, symbolizing the cleaning that was taking place in their spirits. Some also consider the entering into the water as a symbol of death, and emerging out of the water as a resurrection, or new birth that has taken place because we have been washed clean and born anew from the Spirit. Paul, on the other hand, knew that baptism in the Holy Spirit was also a part of what takes place in this ritual. Paul asks the disciples gathered in Ephesus, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered no.

Paul's question unveils an essential truth—that being baptized into Christ also means receiving the Holy Spirit. He explains the significance of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and as they were baptized, Paul laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Their lives were transformed by this empowering encounter.

This passage emphasizes the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. It illustrates that the Christian journey involves more than merely acknowledging Christ—it encompasses experiencing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, believers receive wisdom, guidance, empowerment for service, and a deepened relationship with God.

For us today, this passage prompts reflection on our experience with the Holy Spirit. Have we encountered the Spirit's transformative power in our lives? Are we seeking a deeper relationship with the Spirit, allowing His guidance and empowerment to shape our Christian walk?

Just as these disciples in Ephesus encountered the Holy Spirit through baptism, we're invited to open ourselves to the work of the Spirit in our lives. It's an ongoing journey of surrender, seeking a deeper understanding of the Spirit's role and influence, and being open to His transformative work within us.

Let's prayerfully seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, inviting His guidance, empowerment, and presence in every aspect of our lives. May we be open vessels, ready to be led and transformed by the Spirit as we walk in faith and obedience.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to seek a deeper relationship with the Spirit, to be open to His guidance, and to allow His transformative work in our lives. Empower us to walk in step with the Spirit, glorifying You in all we do. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us go forth today, seeking a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to fill every corner of our lives.

Receive my love for you and thankssgiving to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Call of the Wilderness

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4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:4-11 NIV)

Happy New Year, dear Friend! I pray that this be a most awesome year for you and yours! May God bless us to the point of our becoming blessings to others! As we pray today, please pray for The Rev. Alicia Campos, wife of The Rev. Francisco Campos, who is entering hospice care due to her failing liver. The Campos are long time friends and colleagues of ours, and we value them a lot. May God bless them with comfort, peace, and hope. We pray for a miracle for Alicia. Also, may we pray for the healing of a baby in the Valley named Emma. She has had nonstop fevers and she is unable to move her body. Pray that doctors find out what is wrong with her to bring her healing. If she does not imporve soon, she will be airflighted to Corpus Christ's Driscoll's Childrens Hospital. Thank you for your prayers! May this be our best year ever in terms of our spiritual growth, our service and compassion to others; so that Christ will be proud of us!

Friday, March 9, 2018, Nellie and I, along with a group of young pastors and their spouses, stood on the banks of the Jordan River. On the far bank, a Palestinian soldier, armed with a machine gun stood watch over the entrance into his country. On the bank on which we stood, an Israeli soldier, also armed with a similar machine gun, stood watch on his entrance into Israel. These two guards were very young men, "kids" said my mind to me only. What they were guarding was a sacred place; once referred to, as we read, "the wilderness," where the call of the wilderness drew God's messenger, John the Baptizer to proclaim his message, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven has drawn near!" A contemporary prophet for his time, dressed as one, shouting out an invitation to all who would hear the need they had to turn their sins over to God. He was successful for Mark writes, "The whole Judaean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him." And John's message continued, "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of Whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Then, we read where Jesus presents Himself for baptism by his cousin; and as He emerges up from the water, Heaven opened and from the skies comes the Holy Spirit as a dove. And a voice from Heaven said, "You are my Son, Whom I love; with You I am well pleased." I must add that on that morning we stood with open mouths at this site, there flies by a white dove.

On that day that Mark writes about, a voice cried out; John the Baptist comes from years in the wilderness, dressed as a prophet in camel's hair and a diet of locust, shouting a message calling people to right their relationship with God. His image and message went directly against the religious leaders of his day. John's message was for all people, not limited to the "righteous" as defined by the leaders; he called for a complete and total change of heart and direction, which would prepare the way for the One who was to come.

Add to this, we find Jesus, the Son of God Himself, standing alongside the sinners who presented themselves for this baptism, and we see that this was an act of humility; Jesus, the sinless man, standing side to side with humanity, which signifies His identity to the brokenness of humans, and their (our) need for redemption. His baptism serves as a symbol of His oneness with us; His commitment to sharing in our journey of transformation.

Following Jesus' baptism, the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him like a dove. This is a momentous occasion, a tangible manifestation of God's presence and power. It serves as a confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, the chosen one, and prepares him for the challenges and trials that lie ahead.

Friends, here's what we need to know: We are called to examine our lives and turn away from anything and everything that stands in the way of our relationship with God. The baptism of Jesus serves to remind us to be aware of the true greatness that lies in humility and service, not in pride or self-importance. And lastly, the presence of the Holy Spirit is with us and reminds us we are not alone in our journey; The Holy Spirit is with us, to guide us and empower us as we seek to follow and serve Jesus, Our Lord.

PRAYER: Loving God, open our hearts to the message of the wilderness as we ask that you grant us the courage to repent and turn away from anything that hinders our relationship with You. Fill us with the humility of Christ and empower us with the Holy Spirit to follow You in all things; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be inspired by the call of the wilderness to do that which we need.

Receive my love and thankfulness to God for You!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A Song of Steadfast Love

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1 Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are. 2 I'll never quit telling the story of your love - how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives' foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world. 3 You once said, "I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying, 4 'Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I'll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.'" 19 A long time ago you spoke in a vision, you spoke to your faithful beloved: "I've crowned a hero, I chose the best I could find; 20 I found David, my servant, poured holy oil on his head, 21 And I'll keep my hand steadily on him, yes, I'll stick with him through thick and thin. 22 No enemy will get the best of him, no scoundrel will do him in. 23 I'll weed out all who oppose him, I'll clean out all who hate him. 24 I'm with him for good and I'll love him forever; I've set him on high - he's riding high! 25 I've put Ocean in his one hand, River in the other; 26 he'll call out, 'Oh, my Father - my God, my Rock of Salvation!' (Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 The Message Bible)

A blessed and tremendous Thursday be yours dear Friend, is my prayer. I pray you are ready or almost ready for the Christmas weekend. If you're traveling, please stay alert, awake and alive! Be patient and compassionate; set the example for other drivers. If your family is coming, pray that the time spent together be a time of holy time with the table being sacred as you welcome the Lord to feast with you. Pray for one another. Pray for those who need our prayers; pray for the world to find peace and the joy of the Lord,

https://bit.ly/3RA7cmt It was many years ago, even in the days before our phones could record anything and everything in several formats, including high quality videos with premium sound, my firstborn daughter, Nellie Maria invited me to join her and a friend to sing the above song (link above) as performed by Delirious?. Nellie had lived in London and worshipped in the church where Delirious? was the worship band and she thought the three of us could make a joyful noise. Her friend was the guitarist and somehow, I got the courage to stand with these two youngsters and we sang that song. In real life, without a good voice, I really could sing, as the psalmist said, of God's love, for God's faithful is eternal. God's love echoes through generations and remains unwavering even in the face of darkness. As we examine this psalm we will find that its message is still relevant for our lives even today.

May I, and you, if you so wish, have the confidence of the psalmist when he makes this resounding declaration: "I'll sing about your steadfast love, LORD, forever. With my mouth I'll make your faithfulness known, through all generations." This is a powerful statement of faith, a commitment to sing of God's love not just in the present but as a legacy that will resonate for centuries to come.

The psalmist then reminds us of God's covenant with David, a promise of an eternal dynasty and unwavering protection. "I made a covenant with my chosen one, I swore to David my servant: I will establish your line forever, and your throne as long as the heavens endure." This covenant reminds us that God's love isn't fleeting or fickle; it's a binding promise, a rock of stability in our ever-changing world.

The passage then shifts from the image of a powerful king to a gentle shepherd: "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people. I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him." This shift reminds us that God's love manifests in diverse ways. He is both a mighty warrior protecting us and a loving shepherd guiding us through life's pastures.

Even in the face of challenges, the psalmist proclaims, "The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him. I will strike down his foes before him, and defeat those who hate him." This speaks of God's unwavering presence in our lives. He may not shield us from all hardship, but He promises to be with us, fight for us, and ultimately bring victory.

PRAYER: Awesome God, thank you for your steadfast love that echoes through generations. We praise you for your covenant of faithfulness and your promise of protection. Fill our hearts with the joy of your presence and strengthen us to be faithful witnesses of your love in this world. May we sing your praises, not just for a season, but for generations to come, so that all may know the unwavering love of the One who is our Shepherd, our Warrior, and our King. For it's in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Go forth today with the melody of God's love ringing in your heart, sharing its beauty and strength with all you encounter.

Receive my love and thankfulness to God. I love you and thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Relaxing at Home, Build a Home

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1 Before long, the king made himself at home and God gave him peace from all his enemies. 2 Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, "Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent." 3 Nathan told the king, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it. God is with you." 4 But that night, the word of God came to Nathan saying, 5 "Go and tell my servant David: This is God's word on the matter: You're going to build a 'house' for me to live in? 6 Why, I haven't lived in a 'house' from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt till now. All that time I've moved about with nothing but a tent. 7 And in all my travels with Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, 'Why haven't you built me a house of cedar?' 8 "So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. 9 I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you. Now I'm making you famous, to be ranked with the great names on earth. 10 And I'm going to set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there so they'll have their own home and not be knocked around any more. Nor will evil men afflict you as they always have, 11 even during the days I set judges over my people Israel. Finally, I'm going to give you peace from all your enemies. 16 Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured. I'm keeping my eye on them! And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid." (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 The Message Bible)

A most wonderful of Wednesdays to you, dear Reader. May the peace of Christ reign in your heart, and may the grace of God rein in your faith. Please pray for one another, remember those who have asked prayers from us. Pray for the world and its needs. Pray that those who do not yet know Jesus would come to know Him.

We come to a passage where King David has found a time for rest after God gave him peace from his enemies. It is during this downtime that David reflects on his blessings, such as this new wooden home that he has and thinks that he should build a new home for God. He was concerned that the Ark of the Lord was in a tent. And David's desire is to make it be a cedar home, just like his palace.

God responds through the prophet Nathan and it is a surprising response, :"Is it for me you're building this elaborate house? I've never lived in a fancy house, not even for a day, since I brought Israel out of Egypt!" We can't but help imagining the prophet's eyes twinkling with the divine wisdom God imparted to him to correct the king's misunderstanding.

Instead of focusing on a literal house, God reminds David of his true dwelling place: the hearts of his people. He declares, "I've been with you wherever you've gone, helping you with everything you've done. And now, here's what I promise you, David, my anointed servant: I'm going to establish your dynasty forever. Your offspring will sit on the throne, generation after generation. I'll be their father, and they'll be my sons and daughters." (Think of a family tree, its branches stretching far into the future, symbolizing the enduring legacy of David's dynasty.)

Here's out takeaway for today: The priority of God: God cares more about our hearts than the elaborate houses we build for Him. God desires a genuine connection; a relationship fueled by love and obedience, not grand gestures.

God's Divine Presence: God is always with us, regardless of our circumstances. God walked with David through the wilderness and into the palace, and He walks with us through our triumphs and struggles alike.

Enduring Legacy: Lasting legacies are not built on brick and mortar, but onm the impact we have on the lives of others. David's legacy wasn't the temple he never built, but the dynasty he established and the people he faithfully served.

Eternal Covenant: The promises of God are eternal. Like the covenant He made with David, His promises of love, guidance, and provision hold true for us as well.

If we should find ourselves too relaxed with grand schemes for God, remember it's the loving and caring for one another that matter most to God. We shouldn't stop dreaming big for God, but in the meantime, we have lots of meaningful work to do right now with the ones with whom we interact day after day.

PRAYER: Loving God, forgive us for our tendency to get caught up in outward appearances and forget the importance of a genuine relationship with You. Help us to remember that You dwell within our hearts, not in the houses we build. Fill our hearts with Your love, Your presence, and Your truth. Guide us to leave a legacy of love and service, not of worldly accomplishments. Thank you for Your promises that never fail, for Your love that never fades, and for Your constant presence in our lives. It is in Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Carry the lessons of this passage into our daily living, focusing on cultivating a heart dedicated to God, and leaving a legacy of love and service in His name.

Receive my love for you and my thankfulness to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

No More Mystery

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25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 NIV Bible)

A great Tuesday to you, dear << Test First Name >>! I pray the joy of the Lord is your strength today and all days. I pray the pressures of the holiday season do not hinder your commitment to the true purpose of these special days; Jesus is the reason for the season. And while the bumpersticker say, "Keep Christ in Christmas" I say we need to keep Christ in our hearts, our words, thoughts, and actions.

This passage for todays is closing out Paul's letter to the believers in Rome. It is a prayer and a blessing to those who follow Christ in the capital city of the known world, where many gods and other religions are competing with our faith. Paul's words can also serve as an affirmation of faith in the one true God. Let's look at the key affirmations that Paul has shared in these few verses.

Paul urges his followers to stand firm in their faith. His phrase "able to establish you" serves to say, as we face internal and external forces that could destablize our faith , God is able to keep us "established," or firm in our faith. Doubts, challenges, and the pull of the world may pull us in different directions. Yet, Paul knows and affirms that God is our solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. God will hold us steady even in the face of adversity to our faith.

Paul also lifts up the Gospel as our anchor. The gospel is all about the good news about God's love through Jesus Christ. It is, as Paul asserts, "the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ," a source of our faith's strength. The gospel is the anchor that holds us secure in the midst of turbulent oppositions. If we anchor ourselves to the truths of the gospel - Jesus' death for our sins, His resurrection, and His lordship - we find stablility and purpose.

In this passage, verse 25 to be exact, we read of a "mystery hidden for long ages past" that has now been revealed. This refers to the plan of salvation, the hidden truth about God's love for humanity made manifest through Jesus. As we understand this mystery, we can embrace the gift of Jesus Christ, the key to truly experiencing true and lasting establishment.

We are also called to universal obedience which Paul knows to be the ultimate purpose of the why God established work as stated in verse 26: "so that all nations might come to the obedience that comes from faith." We know that God desires all people, regardless of race or background, to experience the transformative power of faith and obedience. We, as followers of Christ, are called to participate in this mission, sharing the gospel message and inviting others to find their own establishment in God.

That's our Advent task; to share an invitation to others to come to know the Lord Jesus for the why He came. Let's get busy!

PRAYER: Loving God, Thank you for your unwavering ability to establish us in your truth. We confess our weaknesses and anxieties, but we place our trust in your unfailing love and power. Fill our hearts with the message of the gospel, and grant us the strength to anchor our lives to your promises. Help us to share the light of your love with others, leading them to the obedience that comes from faith. May your glory be forever proclaimed through every nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Go forth today, strengthened by the knowledge that God is able to establish you. Let the gospel be your anchor, and share its stabilizing power with those around you.

Receive my love and thankfulness to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

He is Coming

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26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38 NIV Bible)

There are only seven shopping days until Christmas, Friend! Not that that really matters to all people, right? It's not the main event for the believer, amen? I just watched A Charlie Brown Christmas for the umpteenth time and noticed something that perhaps I had forgotten or maybe never noticed like I did today. If you're familiar with the show, it is from 1965, and it first aired on CBS and in it, Charlie Brown is depressed about the whole holiday until he hears Linus read from the Gospel of Luke, the birth story of Jesus. His entire attitude changed upon hearing the words of the gospel about the why behind Christmas. It really touched me and more so because several of us are reading through the entire gospel of Luke, a chapter a day, until Christmas Eve, which will be the 24th (of course) of December and the 24th chapter of Luke.

It's awesome how words we hear or read over and over again, one day, for whatever reason hit and we are not the same. We finally hear what we had been longing to hear and God reveals to us that which we needed to hear. For our little ones, our children and grandchildren, when they hear the gospel and it becomes theirs, the old, old story becomes new again. Today's reading is just one example of that. Our story is a story of a visit. It happened in the quiet town of Nazareth to a young woman whose life was probably one of quiet routine and into that quiet life came news of a LOUD event about to unfold. The woman, Mary, heard the news of the story which has echoed through millennia, a story of unexpected grace unfolding in the least-expected places.

What Mary heard is called the annunciation. The news were this; she, a virgin, will bear the Son of God. Fear overcomes her as does shock, yet, the angel's reassuring words pierce through: "Do not be afriad, Mary, you have found favor with God."

These words hold immense power, for they remind us that God's grace often finds us in unexpected places, amidst our fears and doubts. God doesn't wait for us to have our lives in perfect order before He chooses us for something incredible. He looks at our hearts, sees our potential, and whispers, "Do not be afraid."

From that moment on, Mary's life would never be the same. What the angel shared with her brought societal scrutiny and whispers. Her youth director might have had a talk with her about her conduct, and in some churches she might have been shown the door. Yet, Mary's response is breathtaking: "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." In that moment, she surrenders completely to God's plan. She embraces the coming enormity of the task, and even the uncertainty it would bring.

What can we learn from Mary at this point? She has shown us that our complete surrender is necessary. When God calls us, He doesn't always provide a road map. God asks for our trust, and our willingness to step into the unknown, even when it seems scary and goes against our plans for our lives. But, just like Mary, we can choose to respond with "Yes, Lord," letting go of our anxieties and stepping into the adventure of faith. And what a journey that has been for me, and maybe for you, too!

The annunciation also reminds us of God's extraordinary power. Nothing is impossible for God. He can take a seemingly ordinary circumstance – a young woman in a small town – and weave it into the fabric of history, turning the impossible into "blessed is the mother of the Lord."

As we reflect on this passage, let us carry these lessons in our hearts: We can and should embrace God's unexpected grace: God finds us when we least expect it, whispering hope and possibility even in the midst of our ordinary lives. We also should surrender to His plan: Let go of control and say "Yes" to His call, even when it seems daunting. And, we should believe in the impossible: Nothing is beyond God's reach. He can turn our lives into extraordinary testimonies of His power.

PRAYER: Lord, open our hearts to the whispers of Your grace. Help us to recognize Your calling, even when it takes us to unexpected places. Grant us the courage to surrender to Your plan, the faith to believe in the impossible, and the strength to say "Yes" to whatever You ask of us. May our lives, like Mary's, become vessels of Your extraordinary love and a testament to the power of Your unexpected grace. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Go forth today; carry the spirit of Mary's surrender and embrace the possibility of God's unexpecting grace unfolding in your own life!

Receive my love for you, and my gratitude to God for your life!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Coming Harvest of Justice

Photography by Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 NIV Bible)

A blessed and wonderful Wednesday to you, Friend. May the joy of the season bring you peace and hope. May this time together allow us to pray for one another, for those who have asked prayers from us, and for the needs of the world.

The photo above was taken by yours truly in March, 2018 at the synagogue known as Jesus' synagogue where He on a Sabbath he took the scroll from the attendant, and read the above passages from verse 1 to 8. He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, sat at the Seat of Moses and declared the fulfillment of that had just taken place. Of course, that did not sit well with those in attendance, but in reality it had. The Messiah had read the passage talking about Him and His purpose. Boom!

We must take note of what Jesus read from Isaiah; number one that the Holy Spirit of God was upon Him. For many, that was enough to get the religious leaders upset; but the Spirit of the Lord upon the Anointed was for several reasons, all of which we must take note about. The Messias was to come and proclaim good news to the poor. The long overlooked, often ignored people of limited means, who today would be on street corners holding signs, God would share with them good news. And what were those good news? God loves them, and will even die for them. The prophet also said that the Messiah would bind up the brokenhearted. Those who were mourning, those were were grieving, those whose hearts truly ached with pain, would feel the bandages of God's love around that heart with the warmth and strength of God's presence and power. The Messiah would also proclaim freedom for the captives. Those who lived behind prison doors of their own-making; bad decisions, wrong actions, harmful words; all slammed shut with the force of never opening again; yet here is God's chosen one to say, "You're free to go! You're free to live your life once again!" Those living in darkness, blinded by the clouds of sin and mistakes, now see the Light of God breaking that darkness and see that on the other side of those once closed doors. The Anointed would also shout that this was the year of God's favor, and the day of God taking action against all who wronged us, and with Him would come comfort and peace for all who were mourning and grieving; on their heads would come the crowns of beauty not ashes; the anointing of oil of joy instead of more ashes of grief, and their sackcloths would be replaced by robes of worship and praise; off with the garments of despair. They would no longer would be seen as weeds of weakness, but now seen as mighty oaks of righteousness; God had planted them as a display for the world to see the splendor of God.

The places ruined by the wear and tear of years and by the ruthless actions of abuse and neglect, will be rebuilt by those who love God. The coming events are all part of a harvest of righteousness, a reward for faith and faithfulness towards the Lord. God loves those who love and live justice. God dislikes those who oppress others through robbery and wrongdoing; the reward from God will be for those who do right; and not only to them, but to their descendants as well. They will be known by many because of their faithfulness, and they will be known as the people of God. You and me can be the harvest of justice!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of restoration and renewal. Help us to embrace the calling to proclaim Your good news, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to be instruments of Your healing and comfort in this world. Grant us the strength and wisdom to bring hope to the hurting and to be agents of transformation in our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Live a life of justice now; bless the unblessed!

Receive my love and gratitude for God for having given me, you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

If He Said It, He WILL Do It!

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16 Be cheerful no matter what; 17 pray all the time; 18 thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 19 Don't suppress the Spirit, 20 and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. 21 On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. 22 Throw out anything tainted with evil. 23 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. 24 The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 The Message Bible)

A wonderful Tuesday to you, dear Friend. I pray this brings an unexpected blessing to your life and walk with Jesus. I also pray this might bring words of encouragement and hope to whatever need or challenge you may be having in your life right now. I ask prayers for my pastor, The Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington who is under the weather with a stomach bug. May God make him well and strong; pray for all who also have had to struggle with that pesky bug!

Yesterday we talked about God's incredible plan that He has for us and a lot of times we don't understand His plans or purposes, and today I was the recipient of that. A dear friend and colleague in ministry emailed me letting me know that he had somehow come across an old podcast that I started back in 2020 and due to several reasons I could not continue it. He said he really liked it and wanted to find it again so he he could share it with his wife. I confessed I had lost track of it and that I might not be able to track it down, but I gave it a try and did find it. I have to confess the podcast was more for me than anyone else and I called it "Your Best Day Ever," and I had forgotten most of what I said. It was a spontaneous recording on my phone only and no editing; recorded it directly to then-Anchor.fm, now it is Spotify for Podcasters. I thought the change and demise of Anchor.fm, meant I had lost it forever, but I did find it and the few episodes that I recorded were still there. Oh, and in listening to one, I spoke of Covid and that was one of the major reasons I could not continue this endeavor. I will leave a link for you to hear one or more of the episodes in hopes that something I did say might bless you as it blessed me. And the podcast was influenced as was Paul as he wrote this encouraging passage to the believers in Thessalonia. Paul knew, as do I, and all of you, that Christians don't always have perfect or even good days. We, as humans, do have trying times and we encounter situations that don't bless us in ways that we'd like. Such was the life of the believer in Paul's time. If Paul had a podcast this would be a hit! Hear it as such!

Paul begins with a truth: No matter what, stay connected to God! A friend shared with me today that his life has become a nonstop prayer to God for his wife, for his family, for the work he does and the realization that without God, he is weak. I was blessed to hear that because you and me can identify with that, too; When we connect with God we get the extra strength we need to face life. Paul says, "Be cheerful no matter what." Yes, there are people who are just like that, hard as it might seem to us at times. I thank God for some incredible people I met during my ministry that lived that sort of life, including some in the last stages of life who lived in nursing homes. I confess that as an intern minister I feared going into nursing homes for not having been in any before having to; and believing that they were just awful places that I thought certainly had that effect on those forced to live in them. I was wrong. In spite of the atmosphere, God's grace was seen on their smiles and felt in their loving, kind words to me with just the words I needed at the right time!

Paul says we should pray all the time. Yes! And amen! And in our prayers we should be thanking God regardless of what might be happening to us or to loved ones. We belong to Jesus Christ and our lives should reflect that. Paul urges us to be led and fed by the Spirit, and to open to those who share words they've heard from "the Master (Think Sunday sermons and Sunday school lessons!). Yet, Paul, given the challenges of his time, and yes they do still compare to today, there were those who did not necessarily share God's word, so he says, "Don't be gullible, and check out everything, and keep only what's good." Yes, amen. Paul also says to rid our lives of all evil or things "tainted with evil." And our hope is that God will Himself, Who made everything holy and whole, will be able to make us holy and whole, and He will hold us together and make us whole in spirit, soul, and body, and He will keep us fit for the coming of the Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. And what makes us think we can bank on these words? Paul says because the One who called us is completely dependable. And the title of today's devotional comes from the last sentence of the last verse: If He said it, He'll do it! Amen!

PRAYER: LOVING GOD, we thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Help us embrace a spirit of joy, continuous prayer, and gratitude in our lives. May we not quench the work of Your Spirit but be open to His guidance. Strengthen us to live in accordance with Your will, knowing that You are faithful to fulfill Your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Pray without ceasing!

Receive my love and thankfulness to you,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:6-8, 19-28 NIV Bible)

A blessed Monday for you, esteemed Reader. May the blessings of this week bring you peace and strength. May this time spent with God bring you healing, calm, and peace; that is my prayer for you.

When God has a plan, it is a marvelous plan. It is all according to His will, not ours. God's plan also follows God's timing, not ours. The trouble with modern society understanding the things of God is that many of us have been conditioned by many things, including our attention spans, our ability to reason out things, or to wait patiently for God's things. The Bible, especially the New Testament speaks of things from above, and things from here or "of the flesh," or "carnal" things. And Hollywood's themes and plots from popular stories make us believe that anything based on our expectations are not only possible, but demandable. We want, no, we demand a wonderful, orderly plot from Point A to Point Z in a logical, easy-to-understand manner. And the ending should be a happy one, with little to no pain involved, and all things going as per our wishes.

So, come with me as we explore God's plan in the life of a certain man named John. John was not a family name, and though he came from a priestly, almost royal family, his garb was far from Jerusalem chic; it was more Wilderness Outfitters, who specialized in making statements. And his meals, far from being catered, were not for the squeamish. "Grasshoppers anyone? No, they're not covered in chocolate, but we do have a honey glaze that will go just yummy with them. Local honey? No, this is straight from no-man's land!" His education was not from any formal institute of recognition. No Ivy League school here, maybe poison ivy school. And manners and etiquette? How about a heaping helping of boldness and frankness? Yet, he was sent from God. Need I say more?

John came as light into a world of darkness. He came fully loaded with God's truth that would defeat darkness, and his purpose was to all would come to faith. Now, John was an honest man, who never claimed anything of specialness about himself but certainly all about God. He came as the messenger for the One Israel had awaited for many years. His message began with him saying, quite freely, "I am not the Messiah, but I do know who He is!" He was asked, "Are you the Prophet?" Hmm, no. "Who are you then? We must have an answer for those who sent us. What can you say about yourself?" And John simply quoted Isaiah with a passage from him, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" Now the religious people were a bit adamant in asking about what he had been up to, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered honestly, "I baptize with water, but among you stand one you do know know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." And all of this took place at Bethany near the Jordan River, where John was baptizing people. This annoyed them because the ritual of baptism was reserved for the Gentiles, the nonJews, who desired to become Jews. This passage does not share what the other gospel said about the lines of people who presented themselves for baptism, nor does it mention the anger this caused among the same religious leaders who were quizzing John. But it does share how what John was doing was meeting a need. People felt the hurt of sin, and carried the guilt of sin, and eagerly gave that sin over to God for the relief and the blessing that comes with giving up sin and its burden to God. This was light breaking the darkness.

This is the season to turn the darkness over to God. Enough! cries our soul. And it should be enough that we turn it over to God and we let God do with it whatever He needs to, so that we can be free! What are the burdens you carry? What's still bringing darkness to your life? Many worry that what is under the Christmas tree is not enough; and we forget the greatest gifts are those who are still around the tree with us! We worry that that special someone will not appreciate the gift we presented to them, when in reality the gracious receiver knows the hands that shared the gift matter more, for those hands are attached to the heart that shares abundant love to them unlike the love others. Many worry that the monthly check may not cover the expenses of the gifts; troubling that we want the price tag to be high thinking that makes the impression better. I thank God I married a woman who one year received a candy cane as her gift and that was one of the most treasured and memorable gifts of her life. I looked more forward to the bags of candy, nuts, and fruit that my church in Kingsville gave to all who came to the Christmas service and program. Lord, lift our eyes and minds away from worry to worship! God is in charge and God is the Chief Gift Giver and His gift of Jesus matters more than anything that any department store or car dealership or mail order house can provide!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of John the Baptist, who humbly pointed others to Christ. Help us to embrace our roles in Your Kingdom with humility and dedication. May our lives reflect the light of Christ, and may we faithfully bear witness to His truth and love. Guide our steps as we seek to glorify You in all we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be light to others.

Receive my love and thankfulness to God for you! Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Good New's a Coming!

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1 God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob! 2 You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people, you put their sins far out of sight. 8 I can't wait to hear what he'll say. God's about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they'll never again live like fools. 9 See how close his salvation is to those who fear him? Our country is home base for Glory! 10 Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss! 11 Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies! 12 Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty; our land responds with Bounty and Blessing. 13 Right Living strides out before him, and clears a path for his passage. (Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 The Message Bible)

Happy and blessed Thursday, dear Friend! I pray this blesses you as we spend time in prayer and devotion to God. Pray for the world to slow down enough to realize the beauty and power of Christmas; and may it begin with me! And you!

I saw an incredible social media post. A mother and father boarded a plane with their son. The son had just completed a medical visit to this city and the captain and flight crew were in on an awesome surprise for the boy. The captain took to the microphone to welcome everyone on board, and to recognize the presence of this family. He then gave a signal to those sitting behind the family. As he explained the suffering of this boy through many treatments he invited the boy to stand and greet the passengers of that flight. The designated passengers seated behind him held up signs that said You. Are. Now. Cancer. Free! The parents and the teen burst into happy tears. Good news had come to this young man!

The psalmist is holding a sign, too. His sign says, You. Are. Now. Sin. Free! God had shared with him this prophetic message. The frowns could now be erased from sin-guilt evidence of the soul. The smile of God was now upon His people of Israel. The bad times were over. The cloud of guilt lifted from among the people. And their sin? It was gone! The spiritual prognosis? They're well! The days of living like fools is over. Salvation was now coming near, as Israel was going to be the "home base for Glory!" And this, as summarized in modern, poetic terms, "Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss! Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies!" And the end products include, "Goodness and Beauty;" and "Bounty and Blessing."

What an awesome word from such an awesome psalm. In our journey of faith, let us hold onto the promise of God's salvation. Let us seek His presence and embrace His love, living in righteousness and truth. May we, like the psalmist, look forward with hope, knowing that God's faithfulness will ultimately bring about restoration and renewal in our lives. This is Good News for Advent! Embrace it and live it!

PRAYER: Gracious God, we thank You for Your love and mercy that continually surround us. Help us to embrace Your truth and righteousness, to live justly, and to love wholeheartedly. May we find comfort and hope in Your promise of restoration and salvation. Guide us in our journey of faith, and may Your presence be our constant assurance. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Live a life of assurance in God's plan for you!

Receive my love and thankfulness to God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Comfort and Consolation

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1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:1-11 NIV Bible)

Welcome to Wednesday, dear Friend! May this middle of the week devotional bless you as you prepare for the rest of the work week, and for your Sabbath rest and worship.

Do you like comfort food? Did you know that the term comfort food is from as recent as the 1960s when a newspaper article that made the connection between food and emotional well-being. However, its essence stretches further into history, tracing back to ancient times when certain foods were associated with healing and soothing properties. Throughout centuries, traditional dishes prepared by family members, often with simple, familiar ingredients, became synonymous with comfort. The definition of comfort food is personal and culturally diverse. Common comfort foods include dishes like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate, ice cream, and various baked goods. These foods often carry sentimental value, reminiscent of childhood memories or moments spent with loved ones. The warmth and familiarity of these dishes evoke a sense of security and emotional well-being. Rooted in nostalgia and emotion, it brings solace during moments of distress, homesickness, or weariness. Understanding the concept of comfort food involves delving into its historical origins, its psychological effects, and the array of dishes that evoke feelings of comfort.

We've learned from babies that their uneasiness with whatever triggered their cries are soothed by food. And, if we're not careful that carries over to being children, adolescents, and adults who seek comfort in food or other remedies, leading to harmful effects on our bodies. Life, on its own, bring stress enough, but imagine the stresses of historical events that led to your people being captured and placed under the dominion of foreigners, as was the case with the people of God? Imagine the stress of years-long sin because of your departure from God's grace, and God's presence? The need is great for comfort, and so here comes the prophet Isaiah with this powerful Advent passage. It is one of great comfort and consolation. And the prophet is only speaking from God's mouth. The message is clear: The time of your suffering is over; time served is all the time you need to serve, and another voice is to come, with a message of another who is to come, Who will make all things right; Who will make straight the path from humans to God, Who brings the Good News. And on top of all that, He will be the shepherd who lovingly and tenderly cares for His flock, now and forever. The Lord's compassion knows no end. His guidance is also eternal; He leads compassion and care. He also doesn't just lead, He carries and comforts those who are in need. And His coming will not be one of overwhelming power, but of gentle guidance and loving care.

PRAYER: Gracious Father, we find comfort in Your unchanging promises and enduring Word. As we navigate life’s transient nature, help us lean on Your unfailing love. Prepare our hearts to welcome Your presence and to receive Your comforting embrace. May we find solace in Your gentle guidance and strength in Your tender care. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Make ready your heart for Jesus.

Receive my love for you, and my thankfulness to Him for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.