A Do-Over!

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17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. 24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:17-25 NRSV)

When we were young, or especially in some areas of Texas, some games or activities required two magical words, especially if it would benefit us, we would say, "Do-Over!" That meant that everything we had tried (and usually failed) would be allowed to be done anew because we had said those two words. A do-over was to allow a new attempt. The game was usually tops or marbles. Kids, you might need to awaken great-grandpa and see if he remembers such games. Tops was a more dangerous game for a wooden pear-shaped toy with a pointed metal tip that spun when thrown and unwound by a string. The object of the game was that whomever threw first had to make the top spin within a marked area of the ground. The second thrower would attempt to make the first top stop spinning to make the spinning first top leave the designated area, thus making the second thrower the winner. The more able top thrower could sharpen his metal tip and aim the top in such a way that it would split the spinning top in half, thus winning the game and causing the owner of that broken top to have to buy another one. Many could be the reasons one of the players to cry out, "Do-over!" In most games the reasons a house rule such as a do-over could be used may have been one of four: 1) Interference. Someone could have placed his foot or a stray marble or a gust of wind, interfered with the shot while in motion. 2). Accidental movement: If a player's sleeve or hand accidentally nudged a marble or motion of the top before shooting. 3). Misfire or slip: Sometimes a thumb slipped off the shooter (the larger marble used to try to move marbles out of the area) and it moved only a few inches instead of a real shot. 4)Uneven ground or Obstruction: On dirt or playground surfaces, if the marble hit a rock, root or other obstruction that wasn't part of the playing field, a do-over could be employed.

The prophet Isaiah, as he cried and prayed to the Lord about His people Israel, heard God say that God was about to do a do-over. And one where the entire game would start over with new marbles and new tops. Make that newer and better and stronger marbles and tops! And this would be a cause for great rejoicing. The current land of lament and weeping would become a land of joy and delight. Weeping would cease as would the cry of distress. God paints a picture of this new creation with vivid, earthy details. "No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime." Death will lose its tyrannical power, especially its cruelest manifestation—the death of children and the premature cutting short of life. People will live full lives, experiencing the years they were meant to have without disease, violence, or tragedy stealing them away prematurely. "They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat." This addresses the injustice of exploitation—working hard only to have others steal the fruit of your labor. In God's new creation, the connection between effort and reward is restored. You build, you live there. You plant, you eat. No oppression, no theft, no exploitation. The dignity of work is honored and the laborer enjoys what their hands have made.

The promise extends to relationships and community: "They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—and their descendants as well." Work will be meaningful, not futile. Children will be born into blessing, not disaster. Families will flourish without the constant dread that disaster lurks around every corner. "Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear." God's responsiveness reaches its fullness—prayer doesn't go unanswered, cries for help don't echo in emptiness. God hears and answers before we even finish asking, so intimate and immediate is His connection with His people. This is the restoration of the communion humanity lost in Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. Prayer becomes conversation, and distance between Creator and creation disappears.

The climax of this vision is cosmic peace: "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord." The predator-prey relationship that has defined nature since the fall will be transformed. Violence, whether animal or human, will cease. Even ancient enemies—wolf and lamb—will feed side by side in harmony. The serpent, representing evil itself, will be reduced to eating dust, stripped of its power to poison and destroy. God's holy mountain—representing His full reign over all creation—will be characterized not by violence and destruction but by peace and flourishing. This is the world God always intended, the creation interrupted by sin but now restored beyond its original glory. This vision should shape how we live now—not waiting passively for God to fix everything someday, but working actively for justice, peace, and flourishing wherever we have influence, knowing that every act of mercy, every pursuit of justice, every moment of peace we create is a small preview of the world God is making. We live as people of hope, anchored not in optimism about human progress but in certainty about God's promises.

I just read today about a 63 year old woman who had two years to llve, the bank had foreclosed on her family farm, and that could not kill her dream of seeing the Pacific Ocean. She lived in Minot Maine, and she was 4,000 miles away from the Pacific Ocean. She needed a Do-Over with a capital D and O. So, she bought in 1954 an old worn out horse for $75 and despite advanced heart and liver disease, she defied her doctor's recommendation that she check into the county's chairty home and wait for the end; she mounted her horse and took off firmly believing in the kindess of Americans to help her along the long journey before her. To make the story more interesting the horse she bought was named Tarzan. And she brought along her scruffy terrier, Depeche Toi. So, without a map and a plan, off she rode. Slowly but surely with a mindset of unshakeable determination, and a profound faith in Americans who might help her out.

The rest was a remarkable journey in American history. For a year and a half, Annie Wilkins, rode straight into a nation that was being transformed by modernity. The Interstate Highway System was rapidly making its way criscrossing the nation as car ownership had nearly tripled and television was rewiring American culture; and all of this as she rode at 3 miles per hour. America stopped for her as she pushed through blizzards in Pennsylvania; forded swollen rivers and clung to the shoulders of narrow highways as cars sped past her at terrifying speeds. And everywhere she went, people opened their hearts. Farmers opened their barns for her for shelter; families invited her to dinner tables; gas stations owners gave her food; and strangers became friends to her within hours. Word of her journey was shared by newspapers and she was a minor celebrity. The renowed artist Andrew Wyeth sketched Tarzan and she was a guest on Art Linkletter's TV show, and Groucho Marx chatted with her. Job offers came her way - a position with a Kentucky gas station, a permanent home at a New Jersey riding stable and even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher; but on she rode westward. In 1955, she made it to the Pacific Ocean in California. Her Do-Over helped her outlive her prognosis and proved that even in a rapidly modernizing America, kindness still moved at the speed of a human connection. Annie lived another 25 years, dying in 1980 at the age of 89. The questions of her life include what would happen if we still stopped for strangers in need? What kindnesses are we missing because we move too fast to notice who needs help? Annie Willkins bet her life that Americans would be kind to a stranger who had nothing to offer but her company and her story; and thousands of people proved her right. She taught us that generosity isn't naive -- it's revolutionary. And sometimes the most radical act is simply believing that people are good, then giving them the chance to prove it.

PRAYER: Father of the Do-Over, make in us new hearts, minds and spirits that can see the good that is still within us and within others. Grant us wisdom to trust You and to do for You what Jesus taught us to share food, water, clothing, company and hope. We can be a do-over people with Your help; in Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. OUR CALL TO ACTION: Help someone with a do-over today; showing them that God's grace is sufficient to help someone try again.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Show someone the joy of do-overs that count.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Never Tire of Doing Good

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6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-16 NIV)

The Church, like any other business or organization has financial needs and some churches approach their fundraising in different ways, too. Some churches have visible items on their church grounds that give themselves away, much like volunteer fire departments in these parts that have huge barbecue pits and host a big once-a-year event of selling plates with BBQ chicken, and all the trimmings. Some churches have a big BBQ fundraiser with borrowed BBQ pits. And if that event requires an overnight shift not every member will spend the night starting, tending and keeping the fire going. Not everyone wants to get their hands on the raw chicken and place it on the grill for it to cook. Remember the "Little Red Hen," and her story to plant, grow and harvest wheat with which to make bread? She asked for volunteers at key points and no one volunteered to help until the bread was ready and all were ready to eat? Yep, from a church! Nah, just kidding. It was written in 1873 by Mary Mapes Dodge and serves a purpose to get motivated to help out in whatever task a group or organization needs to get going. The point is work, fairness, and reward.

The Apostle Paul encountered the same thing in, guess where, the church and I suspect all churches that he helped start or encourage on his mission—believers who have stopped working and become idle, apparently because they believe Christ's return is so imminent that working is pointless. Some have misinterpreted Paul's earlier teaching about Christ's coming and concluded they should quit their jobs and wait around for the Second Coming. But their "spiritual waiting" has devolved into lazy mooching off other believers and meddling in others' business. Paul's response is direct and uncompromising: "Keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us." This isn't about judging struggling believers or those unable to work due to genuine hardship—it's about confronting able-bodied people who choose idleness and then become busybodies, creating disruption in the community while living off others' generosity.

Paul holds himself up as an example: "We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to anyone." Paul had every right as an apostle to receive financial support from the churches he served—he taught this principle clearly in other letters. Yet in Thessalonica, he deliberately chose to work with his hands making tents, supporting himself so he could model the work ethic he was teaching. He worked night and day, not because he loved money or lacked faith, but to set an example. "We did this... in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate." Paul understood that the most powerful teaching happens through example. Words about the dignity of work ring hollow when spoken by someone who won't work themselves. Paul's credibility came from his willingness to practice what he preached, laboring alongside those he was teaching.

The principle Paul establishes is simple and stark: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." This isn't about those who can't work—the disabled, the elderly, children, or those facing genuine unemployment through no fault of their own. It's about those who are unwilling to work, who could contribute but choose not to. The problem isn't just economic—it's spiritual and relational. "We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies." Idle hands don't just cost the community resources; they create relational havoc. People who aren't productively occupied find destructive ways to fill their time—gossip, meddling, stirring up controversy, criticizing others' work while doing none themselves. Paul commands these idle believers: "settle down and earn the food they eat." Get to work. Stop being disruptive. Contribute to the community instead of draining it. Support yourself instead of depending on others' charity when you're perfectly capable of working.

Paul's final word is to the rest of the church: "And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." This is crucial. When some people take advantage of generosity, when others abuse the community's kindness, the temptation is to become cynical and stop helping anyone. Paul says don't. Don't let the lazy few destroy your generous spirit. Don't let the busybodies make you suspicious of everyone who needs help. Keep doing good. Keep working hard. Keep being generous. Maintain your integrity even when others lack it. This passage speaks to our contemporary debates about work, welfare, and Christian responsibility. It affirms that work has dignity—it's not a curse but part of how we participate in God's creative purposes and contribute to community flourishing. It challenges both the prosperity gospel that equates godliness with wealth and the false spirituality that disdains ordinary work as unspiritual. It calls us to earn our own way when we're able, to help others generously when they genuinely need it, and to confront those who abuse the community's kindness. Most importantly, it reminds us that authentic faith expresses itself through productive contribution—not idle waiting for heaven but active engagement in the work God has given us to do until Christ returns.

PRAYER: Lord, give us the dignity of honest work, the generosity to help those genuinely in need, the wisdom to discern when help becomes enabling, and the perseverance to never tire of doing good—in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Examine your own life this week—are you contributing productively to your community through work, service, or care for others, or have you drifted into idleness that makes you a burden rather than a blessing to those around you?

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me; and the more you give of yourself the more you will matter to others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

When Structures Collapse

Photo by Rev. Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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5 One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said, 6 "All this you're admiring so much - the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it's about to take place?" 8 He said, "Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One,' or, 'The end is near.' Don't fall for any of that. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end." 10 He went on, "Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. 11 Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You'll think at times that the very sky is falling. 12 "But before any of this happens, they'll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. 13 You'll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. 14 Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. 15 I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters. 16 "You'll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. 17 There's no telling who will hate you because of me. 18 Even so, every detail of your body and soul - even the hairs of your head! - is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. 19 Staying with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved. (Luke 21:5-19 The Message Bible)

Welcome to Monday, dear Friend. Blessings wiithout end be upon you, and then share them! Give of yourself and love that blesses.

My favorite pastor as a child was The Rev. Refugio Castro, an American Indian/Hispanic from Oklahoma. He and his family were down-to-earth and I related well to him as pastor. His sermons were great and he made being in church fun. He and his family would go on vacations, take pictures and at church suppers he would show us slides of their vacation fun! A new concept for this boy. I had not yet realized that pastors were appointed by a bishop and could be moved at any time. And, as the bishop would have it, the day came when during a worship service the announcement was made that Rev. Castro was moving. I had never cried during worship before, but I did that morning. The news hit hard as they were totally unexpected. Life was changing right in front of me and I had no control over it. My world would be different sooner rather than later. The only saving grace of this move was that he was moving from our El Buen Pastor UMC, to the El Buen Pastor UMC of Houston and I did not know that we would also be moving to Houston one day not long after.

The moving of a pastor is difficult enough, but imagine being told that your church, as you knew it, a building filled with tradition and memories, would one day be no longer there. I once tried telling one church that because of our growth we should relocate to a bigger site and man the people reacted like I wanted each one to cut off one of their fingers during worship. One angry member said, "Every brick in this church is sacred; and not matter what this building becomes I would still come here every Sunday." I replied, "Well, if it gets torn down, you can take a load of bricks and build an altar in your home for you to worship and pray to."

In the same way, Jesus sorta ruins their tourist vibe by declaring "the time was coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble." They want to know when this would come and ask for clues tp know when such a thing would happen. They want to know the timeline, to predict the catastrophe, to control the uncontrollable. But Jesus doesn't give them a schedule—He gives them something better: a perspective that enables them to endure when everything falls apart. The photo above was taken by me when Nellie and I were in Jerusalem some years ago. The stones are what is on the ground where the temple once stood.

Jesus warns against two temptations when facing upheaval. First, don't be deceived by false messiahs and panic-inducing voices: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them." When the world shakes, deceivers multiply, offering false hope and fear-based predictions. They claim special knowledge about the end times, creating urgency and anxiety. Jesus says don't follow them. Second, don't be frightened by disasters: "When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Nation will rise against nation, there will be earthquakes, famines, and fearful events. These aren't signs that the world is spinning out of control—they're birth pangs indicating something new is coming. Jesus isn't minimizing suffering; He's reframing it. These upheavals aren't evidence that God has lost control but that history is moving toward its appointed climax.

Jesus then addresses personal persecution: "They will seize you and persecute you... You will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." Following Jesus doesn't exempt us from suffering—sometimes it guarantees it. Family members will betray each other, friends will turn into enemies, and some believers will be put to death. This isn't a distant possibility but a present reality for millions of Christians worldwide. Yet in the midst of this sobering warning, Jesus makes a stunning promise: "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." When we're called to testify under pressure, we won't be alone. The Holy Spirit will provide exactly what we need exactly when we need it. Our job isn't to script our defense in advance; it's to trust that God will speak through us in the moment.

Jesus concludes with two seemingly contradictory promises that hold the key to enduring faith: "All men will hate you because of me" and "Not a hair of your head will perish." How can both be true? Some will be put to death, yet not a hair will perish? Jesus is distinguishing between physical harm and ultimate harm. Our bodies may suffer, but our souls are secure. Temporary persecution cannot touch our eternal life. The final command ties it all together: "Stand firm, and you will win life." The Greek word for "stand firm" means to endure, to remain under pressure without giving up. Winning life isn't about escaping suffering but about remaining faithful through it. This passage challenges our cultural Christianity that promises comfort, success, and smooth sailing. Jesus promises exactly the opposite—upheaval, persecution, betrayal, and suffering. But He also promises His presence, His words, His protection of what matters most, and ultimately, life that cannot be taken away. When the world shakes and everything we thought was solid crumbles, we stand firm not by predicting the future or controlling our circumstances but by trusting the One who holds the future and walks with us through every storm, even the moving of your favorite pastor to another church.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, when the world shakes and persecution comes, help us stand firm without fear, trusting that You will give us the words we need, protect what truly matters, and bring us safely to eternal life—in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: In the midst of current upheavals—whether personal, cultural, or global—practice standing firm by choosing daily to trust God's promises rather than being consumed by fear or drawn to panic-inducing voices predicting the end.

I love you and thank God for you! You matter to God and also to me. Use your unique gifts to bless the work of Jesus in your world.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Hope From The Ashes

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23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! 25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—(Job 19:23-27a)

A blessed and glory-filled Wednesday be yours today and all days, dear Friend. This passage made me think of the old song, "Heaven came down, and glory filled my soul. When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole) My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day Heaven came down and glory filled my soul." May it be so in you and me and all who read or listen to this devotional today.

This passage is very relevant considering the number of fellow Americans who have lost their SNAP benefits or who have not been paid during this government shutdown. In our state of Texas alone, 3.5 million people have lost their food stamps. On Halloween Nellie and I handed out large size candy bars as well as Velveeta and Kraft mac and cheese cups just in case some of the kids coming by did not have food. One little girl said she did not want candy but did want the mac and cheese. I said she could have both and she replied, "Really?" Not many of us, thank God, know what it feels like to lose everything. Some have lost loved ones and that's very close in pain, suffering, terror, etc. in losing everything.

We should all know at least the background story of the man named Job. He went from being the most blessed man in the world to one who lost all. And this is where we find him at one of his lowest points. He has lost his children, his wealth, his health, and his reputation. His friends accuse him of hidden sin. His wife suggests he curse God and die. His body is covered with painful sores. He sits in ashes, scraping his skin with broken pottery. Yet from this pit of despair, Job makes one of Scripture's most stunning declarations of faith: "I know that my redeemer lives." Not "I hope" or "I believe" or "I've heard"—but "I know." This isn't theoretical theology or secondhand religion. This is bedrock certainty forged in the fire of suffering. Job's confidence doesn't rest on his circumstances, which are catastrophic, or his understanding, which is incomplete. It rests on the character of his Redeemer who lives even when everything else seems dead.

Job's declaration looks beyond his present suffering to ultimate vindication: "In the end he will stand on the earth." Job knows his story isn't finished. There's an "end" coming when his Redeemer will stand in judgment and justice, when truth will be revealed and wrongs will be made right. This hope isn't escapism or denial—Job fully acknowledges his present reality. But he refuses to let present suffering define ultimate reality. He insists that there's more to the story than what he's currently experiencing. "After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God"—Job anticipates seeing God even after death, even after his body has decomposed. This is a stunning glimpse of resurrection hope centuries before Christ. Job believes that death isn't the end of his relationship with God, that his Redeemer's vindication will extend beyond the grave.

The most striking part of Job's declaration is its intensely personal nature: "I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another." Job isn't content with secondhand reports or others' testimonies. He yearns for direct, personal encounter with God. Not a vision or a dream, but face-to-face seeing with his own resurrected eyes. This isn't about doctrinal correctness or theological precision—it's about intimate relationship. "How my heart yearns within me!" Job's suffering hasn't killed his desire for God; it has intensified it. His losses haven't made him indifferent to eternity; they've sharpened his longing for the day when he'll see his Redeemer face to face. This yearning keeps him anchored when everything else has been swept away.

Job's faith speaks powerfully to us when we face suffering that makes no sense, losses that feel unbearable, or circumstances that seem to contradict everything we believe about God's goodness. In those moments, we're invited to join Job in declaring what we know rather than what we feel, what's ultimately true rather than what's immediately visible. Our Redeemer lives. There is an end coming when He will stand and make all things right. Death isn't the final word. We will see Him with our own eyes. And this hope—not the absence of suffering but the presence of a living Redeemer who promises vindication beyond the grave—is what enables us to endure when life falls apart. Job teaches us that the deepest faith isn't found in prosperity but in the ability to declare "I know my Redeemer lives" when everything else has died.

PRAYER: Oh God, Our Redeemer who lives, when suffering makes no sense and losses feel unbearable, anchor us in the certainty that You live, that our story isn't finished, and that we will one day see You face to face with our own eyes—in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: When you face suffering or loss this week, practice declaring aloud "I know my Redeemer lives" as an act of faith, anchoring yourself not in circumstances but in the living presence of the One who promises ultimate vindication.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God, and you matter to me, and to many others. Use your smile, wit, joy and peace to share with others, especially those who need it most.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

**Hear the song mentioned above, "Heaven Came Down" by clicking on this link: https://bit.ly/438QelK

And a Christmas idea for the hard-to-please person on your list! https://amzn.to/498mmK5

Stand Firm In Whom You Believe!

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View the devo: https://bit.ly/496q2Mp

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 NIV)/

Welcome, Tuesday! Bring to this dear reader, the fullness of love and peace. And may it be contagious so it pours out onto others.

The Apostle Paul's message had to change as the days, months, and years crept by. His zeal and joy at the imminent coming of the Lord did not appear as he had preached. And so, Paul began to change his message as more and more new and seasoned believers began to ask, "Where is Jesus? You said He'd be here soon! How soon is soon?" And even today, people post on social media dates they believe is the return date for Jesus with one as recent as September 23, 2025. (Oh, that was the corrected date, as an earlier posted date did not come to pass either). All of this comes under the name of Rapture, a term not found in the Bible but used by some segments of Christianity as the name given to a series of events that will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus. But as Jesus Himself said, "No one knows the day nor the hour," and He included Himself in that statement. We do all believe in the Second Coming of Jesus, but when it will be, and in what form, we do not know. All I have stressed, as Jesus taught us, to be ready at any hour. Thus, Paul's statement to the believers in Thessalonica not to become easily unsettled or alarmed, that some talked about Jesus' return already having happened.

His message is clear: don't be easily shaken or alarmed by rumors, prophecies, or even letters supposedly from us. The day of the Lord hasn't come yet, and specific events must happen first. Paul reminds them that he already taught them these things when he was with them: "Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?" False teaching thrives when people forget what they've been taught. The antidote to spiritual confusion isn't necessarily new revelation but remembering and holding fast to truth we've already received. When we're shaken by alarming messages or spiritual panic, we need to return to the solid foundation of what we know to be true.

Paul then shifts from warning to encouragement: "But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth." After addressing their confusion, Paul grounds them in their identity—they are beloved, chosen, and saved. This isn't just theological truth to be believed; it's personal reality to be embraced. God chose them for salvation, the Spirit is sanctifying them, and they believed the truth. Their salvation isn't fragile or uncertain—it rests on God's sovereign choice, the Spirit's ongoing work, and their response of faith. When we're spiritually disoriented, remembering our secure identity in Christ stabilizes us. We don't have to panic about missing God's timing or being left behind because our salvation depends on God's faithful choice, not our perfect understanding of prophetic timelines.

Paul's instruction is both simple and profound: "Stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you." In times of confusion and false teaching, the call isn't to seek new revelation or chase after sensational claims. It's to stand firm—remain stable, don't be moved, keep your footing. And to hold fast—grip tightly, don't let go, maintain your grasp on truth. The "teachings" Paul refers to aren't complicated mysteries available only to spiritual elites; they're the foundational truths he already taught them through his preaching and letters. Spiritual stability comes not from constantly seeking the next new thing but from deeply knowing and firmly holding what God has already revealed. In our age of spiritual novelty and constant streams of new teachings, this is a countercultural call to be rooted rather than restless, anchored rather than drifting.

Paul concludes with a beautiful prayer that becomes a model for us: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." Notice what Paul prays for—not just knowledge or understanding, but encouragement and strength. The Thessalonians need more than correct information; they need fortified hearts and empowered lives. And the source of this encouragement and strength is both God's past action (He loved us, gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace) and His ongoing presence (may He encourage and strengthen you now). We stand firm not through willpower alone but through the encouragement and strength that come from the God who has already loved us, saved us, and given us unshakeable hope. His comfort is eternal, His hope is good, and His grace sustains us in every word we speak and deed we do.

PRAYER: Loving God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, encourage our hearts and strengthen us to stand firm in truth, holding fast to what You've taught us and living confidently in the salvation You've secured for us—in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Write down three foundational truths you've been taught about God and salvation, and when you feel shaken or confused, return to these truths instead of chasing after new or sensational teachings.

I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God, and you matter to me. Your specialness in Christ makes you worth sharing your witness and testimony about the goodness of God.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The God of the Living

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/47iMMaA

View the devo: https://bit.ly/3JfaVFX

27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” 34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Luke 20: 27-38 NIV)

There's a song that mentions this group of religious Jews who do not believe in resurrection and the line in the song says, "That's why they're always sad, you see?" Okay, it was funnier back in the day. But, they, during Jesus' time, were dead serious about there not being any life after death. You and I know Christians who also believe in that way. I did my college internship with a Jewish woman who did not believe in resurrection saying, "The only way you live on is in the hearts and minds of those who love you." But here in this passage, the serious and devious opponents of Jesus, seek to trap Him with a complex quiz based on Mosaic law. If a man's brother dies and leaves a wife with no children, the man must marry the widow and ruase up offspring for his brother. And the quiz asks, what happens if there are seven brothers and no children? And the big question, Whose wife will she be, since she was married to seven brothers? But their trap reveals more about their limited imagination than about the reality of resurrection. They're trying to fit eternal realities into earthly categories, assuming that resurrected life is simply this life extended forever with all its same structures and complications. Jesus responds by exposing the poverty of their imagination: "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels." The Sadducees assume resurrection life is just this life with better health, but Jesus reveals it's an entirely different kind of existence. Marriage serves crucial purposes in this age—companionship, procreation, family continuation—but in the resurrection, these purposes are either fulfilled or transcended. People don't marry in resurrection life not because relationship becomes less important but because we enter into a kind of existence where earthly institutions designed for mortal life are no longer necessary. We'll be "like the angels"—not that we become angels, but that we share their deathless existence and direct relationship with God.

Jesus then addresses the deeper issue—not the mechanics of resurrection life but the reality of resurrection itself. He points to a passage the Sadducees claim to accept: when God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, He identified Himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Jesus' logic is stunning: "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." If God is still, in Moses' present tense, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries after they died, then they must still be alive in some real sense. God doesn't form covenant relationships with people only to let death end them. He doesn't identify Himself by His relationship to corpses. The present-tense declaration "I am the God of Abraham" testifies that Abraham still exists in relationship with God. Death doesn't sever what God has joined.

This passage confronts our tendency to domesticate eternal realities by forcing them into familiar categories. We often think about heaven as "this life, but better"—same relationships, same pleasures, same structures, just perfected. But Jesus invites us to expand our imagination. Resurrection life isn't this life extended; it's a qualitatively different existence where death has no power, where our relationship with God defines everything, and where earthly categories give way to realities we can barely conceive. The comfort isn't that everything will be exactly as we know it now, only improved. The comfort is that God is the God of the living, that His covenant love is stronger than death, and that those who belong to Him are alive to Him even when they seem dead to us. Death is real, but it's not ultimate. Relationship with the living God transcends the grave. Our task isn't to figure out all the details of resurrection existence but to trust the character of the God who promises it—the God for whom all are alive.

PRAYER: Loving God of the living, expand our imagination beyond what we can see and help us trust that Your covenant love is stronger than death and that resurrection life with You will be better than anything we can currently conceive. Strength our relationship with You, with those whom we love and need, and with those whom we need to meet and love; in Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on one relationship or aspect of this life you're tempted to absolutize, and ask God to help you hold it with open hands, trusting that resurrection life will fulfill and transcend earthly loves in ways you can't yet imagine.

I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God and you matter to me; show others they matter to you. Remember your uniqueness is an asset to God's kingdom - make the most of it!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

God, Where Are You?

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1 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: 2 God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to the rescue? 3 Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. 4 Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head. God Says, "Look!" 1 What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint. 2 And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. 3 This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming - it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. 4 "Look at that man, bloated by self-importance - full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive. (Habbakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 The Message Bible)

It was on what was the front porch of La Trinidad UMC here in Seguin, Texas, when I was still in high school that I sat with other high school MYFers as we sat in a class taught by The Rev. Rudolfo Barrera, then a young pastor of The Rio Grande Conference. Rudolfo was to teach us an introduction to this book of the prophet Habakkuk. Rev. Barrera said he always thought of Coca-Cola when he thought of this prophet's name because he thought Habakkuk sounded too close to "Have a Coke." It would seem that the Coca-Cola company's massive advertising budget had paid off. At one time Coke prided itself in saying that you could not walk more than 5 miles in any direction without coming to a Coke product. The company prided itself on the amount of money they spend every year to keep the top spot in the soft drink world.

Habakkuk is the last of the minor prophets; known more for his conversations with God than any interaction with the people; though their history during this tenure speaks of an unfaithful lot, seeking new and innovative ways to drift away from Yahweh. The prophet hurts in his heart and finds it more pressing to speak to God about possible solutions, for his frustration is evident in his comments, "God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen?" The prophet feels like we do at times, that God takes too long to respond to our needs and prayers. Our need is on par with what the prophet is saying that the people of God face: "Help! Murder! Police!" Are not these things of the most urgent level? Habakkuk was already facing evil in the face, and not just once a day, but several times a day, day after day. The people were already involved in anarchy and violence; fights breaking out; law and order were just words once upon a time; and Justice had packed up and left town years ago. The wicked had the run of the place and their desire was to get God out of their business and enjoy what they were free to do.

But as we know all too well, God has the last word in all things. And His last word to the prophet is that God was still in charge; strongly rooted in the rock solid foundation of truth and righteousness. Evil has no desire for visions of the good available for those who seek it; though it may seem slow in coming, it is on its way, and will arrive right on time. The self-important people full of themselves are empty in their souls; theirs will be lost for their desire is not of God and fullness of life. God will make them come fully alive.

Faith isn't pretending everything is fine. It's choosing to believe that God is working even when we can't see it. It's climbing our own watchtowers, positioning our hearts to hear, and trusting that the vision will come to pass in its appointed time. Where do you find yourself in this story? Are you seeking self-fulfillment and avoiding God? Now is the time to right your direction and head home towards God.

PRAYER: God, give us the courage to wait with expectation rather than walk away in frustration, trusting that Your vision for our lives will unfold in Your perfect timing. In Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Today, identify one area where you're waiting for God's answer. Write it down, place it somewhere visible, and commit to "watch and wait" with active faith rather than anxious striving.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. There is no one like you in tihis entire world. Make an impact on others!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Wee, Wicked Man Was He...Just Like Me?

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1 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. 2 There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. 3 He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way - he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. 5 When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." 6 Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. 7 Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?" 8 Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor - and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages." 9 Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! 10 For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost." (Luke 19:1-10 The Message Bible)

Good Monday to you, Friend! Make the most of this day that you can for the honor and glory of God! As we pray, please lift up in prayer these persons who have requested prayer: Ms. Sylvia Gaytan, facing medical issues in Dallas, Texas; Mr. Joe Britt Hindman having knee replacement surgery on Wednesday in Gonzales; and Ms. Cicely Jackson of Smiley, also may have knee surgery soon. May God bring them comfort and peace and healing.

It may have been the first song you and I learned in Sunday school days, way back in the day. Someone, wanting to make Zacchaeus famous, wrote the song that emphasized that Zee was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. If Zee had been around he might have said, "I'm good. I really don't need a song about me!" And under his breath may have said, "Especially emphasizing how 'wee' I may have been." I looked it up and the average stature of a man during Jesus' time was 5'5", so he might have been a bit shorter than that; short enough that he could not see the parade from where he stood, so he needed to climb a tree. What do we know about Zee? Well, the Bible says that he was an important tax man and quite rich. The popular understanding about tax collectors was that most were dishonest and took advantage of their position to take advantage of their countrymen. They would know the amount due Rome and they could tack on a bit more for themselves. My brother was a tax collector, well, a tax enforcement officer and the tales he told of dishonest modern day tax collectors and even wannabe tax collectors. He worked in the Southern Florida area and one woman, went so far as to go to a local church that served mainly Haitians and identified herself as an IRS agent needing to open a field office. She had the glass door of the office she rented from the church painted with IRS logo and she began to prey on fellow Haitians. "According to my records, you owe the US government $2,000 but if you bring me $800 we can call it even." And so, unsuspecting church members quietly complied and this went on until my brother went in to arrest her. And there's no telling how much money this lady made from people who trusted her. And the same could be said about Zee and his "business."

Yet something compelled this rich, important man to do something undignified: climb a tree like a child just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. His curiosity overcame his pride. His spiritual hunger overcame his concern for reputation. Whatever it took to see Jesus, Zacchaeus was willing to do it.

This invites us to examine our own hearts: How hungry are we to encounter Jesus? Are we willing to look foolish, to do what's undignified, to go beyond our comfort zones just to see Him? Sometimes the first step toward transformation is being willing to climb a tree when everyone's watching.

Imagine Zacchaeus perched in that sycamore tree, probably thinking he'd found the perfect hiding spot—close enough to see Jesus but safely above the hostile crowd. Then Jesus does something shocking: He stops, looks up, calls Zacchaeus by name, and invites Himself to dinner.

"I must stay at your house today." Not "I might" or "perhaps we could" but "I must." Jesus makes Zacchaeus' home His priority destination, communicating something profound: You're not just someone I'm willing to associate with—you're someone I'm choosing to honor with My presence.

This is the scandal of grace: Jesus doesn't wait for Zacchaeus to clean up his act, make restitution, or prove he's changed. He offers relationship first, knowing that genuine transformation happens in the context of acceptance, not as a prerequisite for it. Jesus meets you where you are, not where you should be.

The crowd's reaction reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. They thought He came to affirm the righteous; He came to rescue the lost. They expected Him to reward those who had it together; He prioritized those who were falling apart.

Their muttering represents the voice of religious disapproval that still exists today—the judgment that asks, "Why would God use that person? Why would Jesus choose them?" This voice forgets that none of us deserved to be chosen, that we're all recipients of scandalous grace, that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

If you've ever felt like the crowd's muttering was directed at you—if you've been told you're too messed up, too far gone, too sinful to be useful to God—this story is your invitation to ignore the critics and respond to Jesus' call. His opinion is the only one that matters.

"Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'" This isn't Zacchaeus trying to earn Jesus' approval—it's his response to having already received it.

Notice the specificity and the immediacy: "here and now." Not "I'll think about it" or "eventually I'll make some changes." Genuine encounter with Jesus produces immediate, concrete, costly transformation. Zacchaeus doesn't just feel bad about his past; he makes it right. He doesn't just promise to do better; he commits to radical generosity.

The transformation is both vertical (relationship with God) and horizontal (relationship with others). Real change always affects both dimensions. You can't truly be right with God while remaining wrong with people. Authentic spiritual transformation always produces ethical transformation.

"Today salvation has come to this house." Jesus doesn't say "will come someday" or "might come eventually." He says "today"—right now, in this moment, salvation has arrived. Zacchaeus doesn't have to wait for a better version of himself. He doesn't have to complete a program or prove his worthiness. Today—messy, imperfect, just-starting-to-change today—salvation comes.

This is the urgency and immediacy of the gospel. You don't have to wait for tomorrow to be made right with God. You don't have to clean up your life before coming to Jesus. Today—right now, in this moment, exactly as you are—salvation is available. The question isn't whether you're good enough but whether you're willing to come down from whatever tree you're hiding in and welcome Jesus gladly.

Jesus' words to Zacchaeus are His words to us: "Come down immediately." Come down from whatever perch you've climbed to observe Jesus from a safe distance. Come down from the tree of self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, or self-protection. Come down from hiding and step into relationship.

The invitation includes urgency—"immediately." Not when you feel ready, not when you're more worthy, not when your life is more together. Now. Today. This moment. Jesus doesn't wait for perfect conditions to enter your life; He enters while you're still up a tree, while the crowd is still muttering, while you're still trying to figure out how to make things right.

And the invitation promises presence—"I must stay at your house." Jesus doesn't just pass by and wave. He doesn't just acknowledge you from a distance. He comes to stay, to be present, to transform your space by His presence. When Jesus enters your life, He doesn't come as a brief visitor but as an abiding guest who makes your house His home.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking us when we were lost, calling us by name when we were hiding, and offering relationship before we cleaned up our mess. Help us come down from whatever trees we've climbed to observe You from a safe distance and welcome You gladly into every area of our lives. Give us Zacchaeus' immediate responsiveness, his joyful reception, and his radical generosity. Transform us not through guilt and shame but through the scandalous grace of being chosen by You. May our lives demonstrate that salvation has come today, making us living testimonies of what happens when the lost are found and the found become generous. In Your strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, identify one "tree" you've been hiding in—one area where you've been observing Jesus from a distance rather than welcoming Him fully—and respond to His invitation to "come down immediately" by taking one concrete step toward opening that area of your life to His transforming presence.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God, you matter to me, and you matter to more people than you can imainge. Go out and make a difference!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

God does not just mend; He multiplies

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Hear devo: https://bit.ly/4o5HQMa

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23 Children of Zion, celebrate! Be glad in your God. He's giving you a teacher to train you how to live right - Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as he used to do. 24 And plenty of food for your body - silos full of grain, casks of wine and barrels of olive oil. 25 "I'll make up for the years of the locust, the great locust devastation - Locusts savage, locusts deadly, fierce locusts, locusts of doom, That great locust invasion I sent your way. 26 You'll eat your fill of good food. You'll be full of praises to your God, The God who has set you back on your heels in wonder. Never again will my people be despised. 27 You'll know without question that I'm in the thick of life with Israel, That I'm your God, yes, your God, the one and only real God. Never again will my people be despised. The Sun Turning Black and the Moon Blood-Red 28 "And that's just the beginning: After that - "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters. Your old men will dream, your young men will see visions. 29 I'll even pour out my Spirit on the servants, men and women both. 30 I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below: Blood and fire and billowing smoke, 31 the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Judgment Day of God, the Day tremendous and awesome. 32 Whoever calls, 'Help, God!' gets help. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be a great rescue - just as God said. Included in the survivors are those that God calls. (Joel 2:23-32 The Message)

Today is a special day as it marks what would have been my parents' 75th Wedding Anniversary. How I miss them! What makes it a special day is that I remember when I was a child I stared at the calendar and said, "Hmm, hey, wait a minute!" I went to my Dad and said, "Hey, you guys got married on the 22nd of October and then on the 25th, three days later, I was born!" My Dad laughed and said, "Yes, Mijito, but we were born two years before you were born!" Huh? Oh, okay! Then several years later, our oldest also stared at the calendar and asked the very thing. "Daddy, I was born February 1st and you guy got married on the 25th??" And I laughed and thought of my Dad, and say, "Yes, but we were married two years before you were born!" So, Happy Heavenly Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Last night right before I fell asleep Nellie said, "If you really think you can drive now, maybe you can try tomorrow when Carli gets home so she can go with you." That's all I needed to not sleep with excitement of my being able to drive after about three months of not driving. Would my house arrest finally be over? So, this morning after our breakfast I dressed and announced that I would go and try driving. "Do you want me to come with you?" sounding like she hoped not; "Yes! I'd love for you to come." So, long story short, I'm driving again and I'm excited! I praise the Lord that my initial excursions were successful. Thank You, Lord Jesus! So, watch out!

We come again to the familiar story of a prophet speaking to a defeated, destroyed people. This time it was to hear good news from God. The bad days were over and now the horizon was filled with the promise of renewal and restoration. This may be your story as it has been mine at different times. Because we trust the Lord, the Lord comes through; usually in some awesome ways, make that, unexpected ways. To the people of Zion God says, "Celebrate! Be glad in your God. He's giving you a teacher to train you how to live right - Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as He used to do." This is not mere encouragement—it is an invitation to expect restoration and participate in revival.

Joel reminds us that God is not limited by what was lost. The years consumed by destruction, regret, or rebellion are not beyond His reach. God does not just mend; He multiplies. The same God who allowed the land to be stripped is the God who promises overflowing harvests. The same God who calls us to repentance is the God ready to pour out His Spirit on all flesh.

God does not promise restoration so we can return to life as usual. He promises an outpouring of His Spirit so we can rise up in holy purpose. Sons and daughters will prophesy. Ordinary people will be filled with extraordinary power. Revival won’t be confined to pulpits or institutions—it will break out in living rooms, workplaces, farms, cities, and small towns.

But revival begins where repentance and expectation meet. When we humble ourselves, God releases His Spirit freely. When we turn back to Him, He turns devastation into destiny.

Joel proclaims a radical truth: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This includes the broken, the wandering, the spiritually dry, the young, the old, and the ones who thought their best days were behind them. It includes you.

God is gathering a people who will not sit on the sidelines of His promise but will step into the flow of His Spirit with boldness, believing that revival is not only coming—but is here.

Joel proclaims a radical truth: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This includes the broken, the wandering, the spiritually dry, the young, the old, and the ones who thought their best days were behind them. It includes you.

God is gathering a people who will not sit on the sidelines of His promise but will step into the flow of His Spirit with boldness, believing that revival is not only coming—but is here.

PRAYER: Lord God, we thank You for Your promise of restoration and Your outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We confess our need for You—we turn from complacency and call upon Your name. Send the rain of Your presence on our homes, churches, and communities. Revive our hearts and awaken our spirits to Your mission. Fill us with boldness to speak Your truth, love deeply, and live courageously in the power of Your Spirit. Let the promise of Joel be fulfilled in our time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Ask God today to show you one specific step of obedience to prepare for His outpouring—and do it immediately.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Make life better by how you share you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Finish The Race With Faith

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4oqBCpN

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6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 The Message Bible)

Happy Tuesday, Friend. I pray this second day of your work week is blessed and of a blessing to all.

A dear friend and colleague of mine retired from a significant time as the chaplain on death row in the prison system. His was the job of praying and accompanying death row inmates to their scheduled execution. He was there from the days of the electric chair until the lethal injection. My friend spoke little to nothing of those days, guarding the intimately privacy of one's last hours; a job most people might have turned down. In the same way, some years ago, my insurance agent had an older gentleman who did his lawn. We would always talk and I invited him to our church. He started to attend faithfully for about a month when I got word that he was in the hospital. I went to see him and he told me that the doctors did not give him long to live but he was alright because he had heard the gospel message through some of the sermons I shared. He said he felt peace and was happy to know he had a home waiting for him beyond this life. It was a touching moment. Today, we heard the words from the Apostle Paul as he unloads his heart to his spiritual son, Timothy.

There's no denial, no desperation, no panic. He's facing execution with the calm assurance of someone who's lived well and finished strong.

The phrase "my life an offering" captures how Paul views his impending martyrdom—not as tragedy but as worship, not as waste but as sacrifice that honors God. His death will be the final punctuation mark on a life poured out for the gospel. It's the last sentence in a story written well.

Most of us won't face martyrdom, but we all face the question: How will I finish? Will I coast to the end, fade into irrelevance, or cross the finish line with energy and purpose still intact? Paul shows us what it looks like to end well.

"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way." Paul isn't bragging—he's testifying. He's not saying he was perfect but that he was faithful, not that he never fell but that he kept getting up and running.

Notice what Paul emphasizes: He fought the good fight (not every fight, just the ones worth fighting), finished the race (didn't quit halfway through), and kept the faith (maintained his grip on truth even when pressured to let go). This is what finishing strong looks like—staying engaged in what matters until the very end.

The contemporary Christian landscape is littered with people who started strong but didn't finish—leaders who fell morally, believers who drifted spiritually, workers who burned out emotionally. Paul reminds us that how you finish matters as much as how you start.

Paul looks forward to receiving "the crown of righteousness"—not because he earned it through perfect performance but because God rewards faithful endurance.

The phrase "everyone eager for his coming" describes people who live with heaven in view, who make decisions based on Christ's return, who invest in what lasts rather than what's temporary. Paul includes himself in this group—he's not claiming special status but inviting everyone into the same promise.

This isn't about being rewarded for being better than others. It's about God honoring those who honored Him, celebrating those who stayed faithful when it would have been easier to quit. God doesn't forget your labor of love, your persistent service, your quiet obedience that no one else noticed.

Paul reflects on how God has rescued him repeatedly throughout his ministry—from angry mobs, from shipwrecks, from assassination plots, from countless dangers.

But notice what Paul means by "rescue." He's not expecting God to keep him from execution—he's already said he's about to die. The rescue he's confident in is being brought "safely to his heavenly kingdom." Even death itself becomes part of God's rescue plan, not an interruption of it.

This reframes how we think about God's deliverance. Sometimes He rescues us from the lion's mouth. Sometimes He rescues us through the lion's mouth. But either way, we end up where He intends—safe in His presence, secure in His kingdom.

Paul's final words invite us to evaluate our own race. Are you still running or have you pulled off to the side? Are you fighting the good fights or wasting energy on battles that don't matter? Are you keeping the faith or letting it slip away in the face of cultural pressure?

Finishing well doesn't happen accidentally. It requires intentional endurance, persistent faithfulness, and the daily choice to keep believing and keep serving even when it's hard. It means surrounding yourself with people who will help you finish, not distract you from the race.

Most importantly, it means recognizing that when everyone else abandons you, the Master stands by you. His presence makes the difference between finishing strong and just finishing, between crossing the line with praise and limping across with regret.

PRAYER: Lord, help us run the race worth running with the same faithfulness Paul demonstrated, trusting that even when others abandon us You will stand by us, and that the crown You promise is worth every sacrifice we make along the way.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Honestly assess where you are in your race—are you running strong toward the finish or have you lost momentum?—and identify one specific area where you need to re-engage with the same faithfulness Paul modeled, trusting that God's presence is sufficient even when human support fails.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to me and you matter to God. Make life matter by how you live a positive witness of faith.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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Two Men. Two Prayers. Two Outcomes.

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9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 NIV)

You and I may have searched high and low for the perfect church. And the real answer is that it might be easier searching for the perfect person. There is no such person and there is no such church. The church, like the family, is made up of imperfect persons, and as such will keep you from finding anyone or anything perfect. And that is why we have Jesus, the only perfect one, Who came to show us a better way. And we come to this story about two men, one, Jesus says this teaching was directed "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else." Ouch. So, Jesus shared the parable. Two men went to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Jesus knew both in real life. And maybe most in the crowd receiving this teaching did as well. Jesus says, "The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'" We can smell the prayer from here. Eew!

"I thank you that I am not like other people" means "I thank you for me." He's grateful not for God's mercy but for his own superiority. His prayer is essentially: "God, observe how awesome I am. Notice all the things I don't do that others do. See all the religious activities I perform that others don't."

The Pharisee's problem isn't that he fasts or tithes—these are good practices. His problem is that he's using his obedience as currency, as proof that he deserves God's approval. He's comparing himself to others and finding them lacking, which makes him feel secure in his standing with God. We have to remember that Jesus is not addressing the irreligious or the obvious sinners. He's speaking to people who have their spiritual lives together—or think they do. People who measure themselves against others and always come out ahead in their own estimation.

This makes the parable uncomfortable for those of us who consider ourselves serious about faith. We're not the tax collectors of our society—we're the temple-goers, the Bible-readers, the prayer-makers. We show up, we serve, we follow the rules. And that's exactly why this parable is for us.

The danger Jesus identifies isn't blatant rebellion against God but subtle reliance on our own goodness. It's the quiet confidence that our spiritual résumé makes us acceptable, that our religious performance earns us standing with God.

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'" Everything about this man's posture screams unworthiness. He stands at a distance, as if not daring to come too close to holy ground. He won't even lift his eyes. He strikes his chest in grief over his sin.

His prayer contains no accomplishments, no comparisons, no justifications. Just nine words that acknowledge reality: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." He doesn't minimize his sin or explain it away. He doesn't promise to do better tomorrow. He simply throws himself on God's mercy because he has nowhere else to turn.

The Greek phrase here is even more stark: "Be merciful to me, the sinner"—as if he sees himself as the worst of sinners, not just one among many. This isn't false humility; it's accurate self-assessment in the light of God's holiness.

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God." Jesus' conclusion would have shocked His original audience. The religious leader who did everything right went home unjustified. The despised tax collector who could claim no merit went home justified—declared righteous, made right with God.

This is the scandal of grace: God justifies not those who justify themselves but those who recognize their need for justification. He accepts not those who offer Him their accomplishments but those who ask for His mercy. He welcomes not those who compare favorably to others but those who have no comparison to offer except their desperate need.

The Pharisee went to the temple with his righteousness and left with only his righteousness—impressive to people, worthless to God. The tax collector came with nothing but need and left with everything—God's mercy, acceptance, and righteousness credited to his account.

This parable is fundamentally an invitation to come to God with empty hands. Not empty of sin—we're all full of that—but empty of merit, empty of claims, empty of demands based on our performance. It's an invitation to stop bringing God our résumés and start bringing Him our desperation.

The tax collector shows us what gospel faith looks like: acknowledging you're a sinner, admitting you have no claim on God's favor, asking for mercy you don't deserve, and trusting that God will give it anyway. This isn't "easy believism"—it's actually harder to come empty-handed than to come with a list of your accomplishments.

Our pride wants to contribute something, to earn at least part of our acceptance, to prove we deserve God's love. The gospel says come with nothing, receive everything, and give God all the glory. This parable challenges us to examine our hearts honestly. Which prayer sounds more like yours? Do you approach God with a list of your spiritual accomplishments or with a cry for mercy? Do you compare yourself favorably to others or see yourself accurately in light of God's holiness?

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for the times we've approached You with lists of our accomplishments rather than cries for mercy. Help us see ourselves accurately—not in comparison to others but in light of Your holiness. Give us the humility of the tax collector, who knew he had nothing to offer but desperate need. Thank You that You justify not those who think they deserve it but those who know they don't. May we come to You always with empty hands and leave with the fullness of Your grace. In Jesus' strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Pay attention to moments when you're tempted to compare yourself favorably to others or to use your spiritual practices as evidence that you deserve God's favor, and in those moments, consciously pray the tax collector's prayer: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to me, and you matter to God! Make your life matter by giving some of it away today!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

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Sweeter Than Honey

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97 Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:87-104 NIV)

A Tremendous Thursday be with you today, Dear Friend. Make God's dreams for you come true by being obedient and bold! A great big, beautiful tomorrow starts today!

Hebrew children as they learn their sacred texts, are given tastes of honey and other sweets to teach them that every word of God's word is sweet. This was based on this passage as well as one found in Ezekiel 3:3, and Proverbs 24:13. This tradition was often accompanied by additional sweets, honey cakes and eggs with verses inscribed on them, and sometimes coins and candies brought by "angels," all reinforcing the joyful and sweet nature of Torah learning. The purpose is to give children a powerful, sensory association—the sweetness of the Torah—to encourage a life-long love of Jewish learning. This reminded me of a story I read about early Russian missionaries who told of their experiences with a chubby boy who because of his love of sweets, would memorize more Bible verses than his classmates to win the candies the missionaries offered for each winner of the contest. What was more interesting was that child was Nikita Khrushchev, who led the Soviet Union as First Secretary of the Communist Party from 1953 to 1964 and was known for his role in the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and de-Stalinization efforts. Did the Bible verses not go beyond his tummy?

I used to carry a Bible with me to school starting in junior high. I can't believe that when God called me in eleventh grade that I was surprised God would call me? With as many books as I had in my locker and needed to take to each class. I would read parts of it when time allowed and I truly found, and still do, that God's word is sweet and life-giving. Like the psalmist I believe that God's word is not a rulebook to endure but a treasure to savor.

Meditating on Scripture reshapes the mind. The psalmist says it makes him wiser than his enemies, more insightful than his teachers, and more understanding than the elders. Wisdom is not just age or education—it’s revelation. God’s truth, when planted deeply in the heart, gives discernment that the world’s cleverness cannot match.

There’s a purity in this kind of devotion. The psalmist turns away from “every wrong path” not out of fear, but out of love. God’s Word is described as “sweeter than honey.” When the sweetness of His truth fills our souls, sin loses its flavor.

The challenge for us is simple but profound: Do we delight in God’s Word, or do we merely read it? When Scripture becomes our daily meditation, it stops being ink on a page and becomes the voice that steadies our hearts and guides our steps.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to love Your Word as the psalmist did. Let it not be a duty but a delight, not just words we read but life that renews us. Give us wisdom that comes from knowing You, and keep our heart from every wrong path. Make Your Word sweeter than anything else we desire. In Jesus’ strong name, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Set aside time each day this week to meditate on one short passage—and let its sweetness guide your thoughts, words, and choices.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Make life matter to others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

A New Covenant is Coming

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27 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals. 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD. 29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge. 31 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the LORD. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:27-34 NIV)

Happy Wednesday, dear Friend. May God's grace and peace flood your heart, mind, and spirit with His goodness and grace. May your love for God bubble out of your heart and into the streets; start now to make this world a better place. Truly we can win the world for Jesus!

My former seminary roommate has kept in touch with me after all these many years, and this morning he called to share the joy in his heart about two of his church members who were able to attend a Walk to Emmaus retreat for Women held not far from the church he presently serves. The two were blessed and bubbly with joy of seeing and feeling the Lord at work in their lives through this three day retreat. The retreat started in the early 1980s by the United Methodist Church's Board of Discipleship is based on an older retreat started by the Catholic Church called El Cursillo, meaning a short course, and the course is all about Jesus. There are fifteen talks on different aspects of God's love, ten are by lay people, and five by clergy. The retreat has diminished some what through the years and only two retreats are held in this area; one for men, and one for women. It is a life-changing event that when it ends, the retreat attendees are told, "The world m which you live may have changed, and you are on a spiritual high, but the world you left behind is still the same; pray for God to help you prepare to face it again." (Or something along those lines).

The people of Israel during Jeremiah's time as their prophet stayed firmly in the unchanged world, while Jeremiah tried offering them God's world. They were too blinded by what the unchanged world offered, and so chose to stay right where they are. And what makes this story so sad is that it's our story as well. God has given us so many opportunities to make changes, but we are blinded and chose foolishly to stay right where we are. The sad thing was that when Jeremiah is sharing what he's sharing the final days of Israel were drawing near.

Israel’s history had been marked by cycles of faithfulness and failure. They had broken covenant after covenant. But in this new promise, God shifts the center of obedience from stone tablets to living hearts. The transformation He envisions isn’t external compliance—it’s inward renewal. The old covenant told people what to do; the new covenant changes who they are.

In Christ, we see this promise fulfilled. The blood of Jesus seals the new covenant, and the Holy Spirit becomes the ink that writes God’s truth within us. No longer do we simply strive to follow God—we are invited to know Him personally. This knowing is intimate, not institutional; it’s love-driven, not law-driven.

Jeremiah’s message still challenges us: have we allowed God to write His truth on our hearts, or are we merely trying to follow Him with our heads? Transformation begins when the Word of God is not just read but absorbed—when His love reshapes how we think, feel, and live. But, we have to choose what God offers, not what the world does. God's offer is one of life and love, eternal and everlasting; the world has no such thing to offer.

PRAYER: Gracious loving Lord, thank You for the promise of a new covenant written not on stone, but on my heart. Forgive me when I try to live by my own strength instead of Your Spirit. Write Your truth deep within me—reshape my desires, renew my mind, and let my life reflect the grace of knowing You. Thank You for Jesus, whose love has made this covenant possible, in Whose strong name we pray, Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. OUR CALL TO ACTION: Spend time this week meditating on one verse that reminds you of God’s covenant love—and let it take root in your heart, not just your memory.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to me and you matter to God. Make others feel like they matter to God and should surrender themselves to Him.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Stay the Course

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14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 NRSV)

Nellie and I are enjoying Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day/Whatever you want to call it, with our two youngest grandsons. What has us tickled is that Eli, our 4 year old is doing his Kindergarten homework which is writing his name and some of the numbers he is studying. He is excited and as he sounds out words phonetically, he makes facial and hand movements as if he were a martial arts black belt in Phonics. Quite the show and quite the scholar! He already demonstrates a love for learning and we praise God for that. I wonder how many of us get excited when we get a chance to read God's Word? Do we make faces of joy and movements with our hands to "sound out" what God is trying to share with us? Or are the facial expressions of dread and disgust? "This again? Why do we have to read or hear the word of God again?" Eli loves for us to order him McDonalds' Happy Meals and he loves the surprise toys that come with them. The other day he got a plastic figurine that had a white karate outfit and a sash aournd its head. "This is Jesus!" Eli exclaimed. "If the next one is Jesus I'll give it to grandpa, because he loves Jesus!"

These letters to Timothy were sent with much love and as much urgency for Paul felt his time on earth was soon coming to an end, and Paul wanted to make sure Timmy was still onboard and on track with what the old apostle had shared with him. The teachings were shared with the hope that Timmy had the instructions of salvation close at hand.

Paul's instruction is clear: "Continue in what you have learned." This isn't rigidity—it's staying anchored in truth when everything around you is shifting. Paul makes a stunning claim about Scripture: it is "God-breathed" and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. The Bible carries the very breath of God, serving a specific purpose—to equip God's people for every good work and instruct us for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. We don't simply study Scripture for information; we submit to it for transformation.

From this foundation, Paul issues a solemn charge: "Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching." He invokes God's presence, Christ's judgment, and the reality of Christ's coming kingdom. Timothy's calling isn't to be popular but to be faithful in proclaiming God's message regardless of how it's received. "Be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable" challenges us to speak truth even when the message is unwelcome, the culture is hostile, or faithfulness costs something. We persist not because we enjoy confrontation but because we're accountable to God, not to public opinion. Yet our methods matter—we must speak truth with patience, clarity, and genuine compassion.

Paul explains why this charge is urgent: "The time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths." We live in this age now—people curate spiritual input based on comfort, surrounding themselves with voices that affirm what they already want to believe. "Itching ears" captures our tendency to seek teaching that justifies our lifestyles and never challenges our comfort. The result is wandering toward myths—not dramatic heresy but subtle drifts from truth into stories that sound spiritual but lack power to transform. These myths promise blessing without sacrifice, grace without holiness, heaven without surrender. This drift happens gradually as people accumulate teachers who tell them what they want to hear until they've wandered so far from truth they no longer recognize it.

Paul concludes: "Always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully." This is the antidote to wandering—staying sober-minded, enduring hardship, doing the work, fulfilling the calling. "Endure suffering" isn't incidental to faithful ministry—it's central to it. Following Jesus and proclaiming His truth will cost us something. The call is to remain faithful when faithfulness becomes costly, to keep speaking truth when silence would be safer, to continue loving people even when that love is rejected. This passage calls us to counter-cultural faithfulness rooted in God-breathed Scripture, expressed through persistent proclamation, sustained through patient endurance, and motivated by accountability to Christ. In a world of wandering, we're invited to stay anchored—not rigidly stuck but firmly rooted in truth that transforms.

PRAYER: Lord, anchor us in Your God-breathed Word, give us courage to proclaim truth whether it's welcome or not, and sustain us through the suffering that faithfulness sometimes requires—keep us from wandering toward comfortable myths and root us in truth that transforms. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Open your Bible this week and ask God to show you one specific way you need to let Scripture correct or train you rather than simply affirm what you already believe, then take one concrete step of obedience in response to what He shows you.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God, and you matter to me! Make a life-saving difference in someone today!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.