Seek the One Thing that Matters

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

View devo: https://bit.ly/4sWqhRm

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27 NIV)

Can I blame the eyes? Or the mind? Anyway, here we are at Friday and we should be reading Friday Faith Feeding, but you got a bonus! Two Old Testament passages because this old man saw the Micah passage and loved it, not noticing that it is for the Sunday of February 1st! So, I got a day off next week! Yay! We all win!

Fear is a good word especially for today and what we witness happening all across our nation. At the risk of sounding political, this is not God's doing what we are seeing happening to sectors of our country. Jesus would have no part in this other than to call us to repentance. His cousin John would be losing his head again because he spoke out for the moral wrongs he saw happening in the palace. He spoke out against it fearing only God and what God thought about the arrangement. Jesus continues his message about the need to repent and to draw closer to God.

If one is afraid of the dark, one avoids dark places. I for one, would hate to be the last one in a funeral home, having to turn off lights and make sure doors are locked. During my year in Denver as I had re-entered seminary at Iliff School of Theology, I yearned to worship in a Spanish-speaking church and I asked a longtime friend who officed in the seminary if there were any such churches in Denver. He said there was a Presbyterian church that sang one hymn in Spanish, and off I went that Sunday. I arrived early enough to meet the pastor who was thrilled to have a seminary student there and once worship started made a big deal of my presence and that I was from Texas. Immediately after worship a young couple came excitedly to meet me and to tell me they were Texans too, from Kerrville, and that they would love for me to join them for lunch. Free meals for seminary students is a require course and of course I said yes. They said to follow them home and so I did and soon I was parked in an abandoned gas station and immediately across the street from an old home serving as a funeral home. Gulp. I asked what we were doing here and the wife said her husband was a funeral director and they lived upstairs. The chapel had the stairs that led upstairs and there was a body in a coffin and some people there. She whispered that the dead body was "The young man who was shot 19 times downtown!" Gulp again! As we got closer to their apartment she again whispered, "My husband did a great job! Once the family leaves we'll take you downstairs so you can see the wounds!" Gulp a third time. We had a nice lunch and the husband said, "There's an apartment down the hall that's empty and you can live in it for free!" (I'm tired of gulping!). Oh really, I asked? "Yes, all you would have to do is be on call nights." Call, meaning? "You'd go to people's homes and bring back the body." Eh. I love my apartment there on campus.

In the season of Epiphany, we celebrate light breaking into darkness—the manifestation of Christ to the world. David's confident declaration in Psalm 27 resonates deeply with this theme. He doesn't merely say God gives light; he proclaims that the Lord is light itself.

When the Magi followed the star to find the infant King, they were seeking this very light—the one who would illuminate all nations. Like those wise travelers, we too can approach God's presence with confidence, not because we are worthy, but because His light has already pierced our darkness.

David understood something profound: when God is your light, fear loses its power. The threats that once loomed large—enemies, troubles, spiritual darkness—shrink in the radiance of His presence. Notice how David moves from asking "whom shall I fear?" to the even bolder "of whom shall I be afraid?" Fear doesn't just diminish; it becomes absurd.

The psalm continues with David's singular desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon His beauty. This Epiphany season, we're reminded that Christ didn't just appear for a moment in history. He remains Emmanuel—God with us—inviting us to abide in His light continually.

PRAYER: Lord, You are my light and my salvation. In this Epiphany season, help me walk confidently in Your radiance, releasing every fear to You. Let my one desire be to dwell in Your presence all my days. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: identify one fear you're carrying and speak Psalm 27:1 over it. Ask God to replace that fear with confidence in His light.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be light as you bless others.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Ideal, The Real, and The Unreal

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/45kFD8g

View devo: https://bit.ly/49RE7vR

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:1-4 NIV)

Dear Friend, as we pray today let us pray for the family of Mrs. Dora Elda Peña, of Mission, Texas, who passed away a few days ago. Dora Elda was a dear, sweet lady and member of our church, El Mesias UMC during our eleven years there. She was a Sunday school teacher for all that time and she was a Communion steward who made our Communion bread every month. It was the most delicious potato bread that I had even tasted, and every month she would bring me two loaves; one for worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the other was either for me or for someone I could choose to be blessed with this special bread. May God's comfort be with Tony, her husband, their daughter Elda Iris, and their son, Tony Jr., and with all who knew and loved her.

Nellie and I enjoy stories that we find online, most of them I believe are generated by AI but could be based on real life people and families, the kind one would hope would stay as a story and not a reality. Most of the stories have the dynamics of reality; self-centeredness, greed, ambition, violence, abuse, a "star" son or daughter, and an unwanted, barely-tolerated child. Those in these stories that exhibit one of more of the above, it should be said, are walking in darkness. The Light of Christ is absent from their heart and lives. And I firmly believe the Bible is filled with those same characters and helps us better understand life while calling us to change and to leave the darkness and come into the light of God.

Each teaching in the Bible will present the Ideal, what which best reflects God's virtues and attributes. It is what we aim for. The Bible will also have stories of the Real, which shows that which can and usually does take place in life. Some would call it the reality of life or that's life. I saw a short video just this morning of a woman who is now in her golden years but she was remembering the joyous day when she graduated from college as a chemical engineer. She said she never wanted to be a chemical engineer, but her father said that was the only degree he would pay for. When she finished her final exams and learned she had Aced them, she called her father and he solemnly said, "Good, I can finally write that article on how I taught a monkey how to read and write and do math." Needless to say it hit her hard and as I read the comments from those who had also seen her video and the very first one said something coldblooded about it not being a big deal and she should be glad she got her education free and that was life. The Unreal reflects those kind of remarks and situations where there is suffering and violence; indifference and apathy.

Where, my friend, are you? Are you living the ideal life? Or, suffering through the unreal wishing you were at least in the Real parrt of life? "Nevertheless." What a powerful word to begin a prophecy of hope. It acknowledges the reality of gloom, distress, and humiliation without being defined by them. It's the hinge between what has been and what will be, the breath before God speaks light into darkness.

Isaiah's prophecy was given to a people who knew darkness intimately. Zebulun and Naphtali had been humbled, trampled by invading armies, living under the shadow of oppression. Their darkness wasn't metaphorical—it was the real weight of foreign yoke on their shoulders, the rod of cruel taskmasters, the daily grind of life without freedom or hope. And yet, Isaiah dares to speak of light.

Seven centuries later, Matthew would quote this very passage when describing Jesus beginning his ministry in Galilee. The prophecy found its fulfillment not in military victory or political liberation, but in a carpenter from Nazareth who walked those same roads, teaching about the kingdom of God. The light that dawned wasn't what anyone expected—it came in weakness, in servanthood, in a cross.

Notice the transformation this light brings. It doesn't just illuminate the darkness so people can see how bad things are. It shatters yokes, breaks bars, destroys the instruments of oppression. It brings joy like a harvest celebration, like warriors dividing plunder after an impossible victory. This is Epiphany light—revealing and liberating, exposing and healing.

The deep darkness Isaiah describes is still with us. It's in the addiction that won't release its grip, the depression that colors everything gray, the injustice that grinds people down, the loneliness that echoes in crowded rooms. But the promise remains: there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. The light has dawned, and it has a name—Jesus.

PRAYER: O God of light and liberation, we come before you as people who know both darkness and the promise of dawn. Some of us are walking in shadows today—burdened by yokes we cannot shake, oppressed by circumstances we cannot control, living in the land of deep darkness. We cling to your "nevertheless," trusting that gloom does not have the final word. Thank you for sending your Son as the great light, for breaking the power of sin and death, for shattering every yoke that binds us. Increase our joy as those who have seen your salvation. Help us to live as people of the light, reflecting your radiance into the dark places of our world. Where we encounter others walking in darkness, make us bearers of hope, agents of liberation, witnesses to the light that has dawned in Christ Jesus. In his luminous name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, bring a "dakrness" you are facing into the light of Christ through prayer, conversation with a trusted friend or pastor, or by taking one concrete step toward freedom or healing. Then, look for someone else who is "walking in darkness" and find a practical way to be a bearer of light to them.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the light of Jesus in all your life!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Is Christ Divided?

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

View the devo: https://bit.ly/3LIUh2y

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:10-18 NRSV)

I got my sense of humor from my Dad. Dad was always telling jokes or pulling pranks. His favorite was after getting a haircut was to go up to the secretary at his plant and ask if she liked his haircut. She would always say yes, and he would say, "Five dollars at Petco!" His favorite time of year when working was the summer when he would get interns to work with him. These interns were Aggies and Longhorns home from college; Daddy was usually an upper management type, and junior would work with blue collar folks like my Dad, who was a spray painter of the oil exploration trucks his company made. He would usually ask the intern to go and get things for him from the dispatcher, who was used to my Dad's humor. "Go and get me three sky hooks and sixty gallons of steam!" Yes, sir! Off they'd go only to get laughed at and come back a bit peeved that they fell for his humor. "There are no sky hooks, nor do we hand out gallons of steam."

We Mexicans have a great joke that helps set the stage for today's passage. A driver along a lonely road sees a hitchhiker and debates in her mind whether to pick up or ignore. Judging the coming weather and the loneliness of the road decides the Christian thing to do is to pick up the guy. The rider explains where he's headed and she says that's the place where she's going. She's busy driving and so the hitchhiker wonders what they should talk about, and then begins a litany of question that could come up. "Should I ask her if she's a Cowboys fan or not? If she says she is, out he will go! So, no, I can't ask that question. Should I ask if she likes soccer or not? If she says she does not, then out he goes! and feels bad because he can't think of a thing to start a conversation or not, and as he sighs, he says, ¡Pues sí". And the driver yells, "¡Pues nó! Get out of my car!" (Pues is well and si is yes; and no is no. Okay you had to have been there.)

The number one cause of division in a church; any church, is people. Jesus said, "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also." The key is that many times the two or three forget to invite or speak the name of Jesus and so the pues sí and pues nó moments come. The church in Corinth was no exception. Many churches even today will automatically divide into this group and that group. I've shared how when I went to a Leadership conference at a mega church in the United Methodist denomination and the first thought I had as I walked into this incredible sanctuary, "It must be nice to have such a nice sized church and I bet all the people here love him!" It seemed to reason that a church of that size was because of overwhelming harmony and joy. And the first thing he said as he began the conference was to say, "Many of you think that being pastor of this church is a breeze because you think everyone who comes loves me. Well, let me tell you that these front seats are filled with my detractors every time we gather, and they take notes to have something to criticize me and my sermons. And my prayer as I walk from my seat to the pulpit is to pray, 'Lord, give me a heart to love them.'" Gulp. And what does Paul say? "For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sister." What? Chloe has "people." Who report to him? So, the only letters being written on those days; letters complaining to the district superintendent!? And what were they arguing about? Who baptized who? And even Paul gets pulled in to this debate! And he says, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius," and he remembers another family and wonders if he baptized anyone beyond that. And he seeks to quell the argument by saying his calling was not to baptize but to preach the gospel, and even that, "not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Paul cuts through their tribalism with a piercing question: "Has Christ been divided?" The answer, of course, is no. Christ cannot be carved up into competing franchises. Yet we keep trying, don't we? We divide over worship styles and theological emphases, over personalities and programs. We forget that our unity isn't found in agreeing on every detail, but in centering ourselves on the one who was crucified for us all.

Notice what Paul says he was sent to do: proclaim the gospel, "not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power." There's a subtle warning here about our tendency to make Christianity about something other than Christ himself. We're tempted to make it about eloquent preaching, sophisticated arguments, charismatic leaders, or tribal identity. But the moment we do, we empty the cross of its power.

The Epiphany reveals Christ as light to all nations—not light to our particular group, our denomination, our theological tribe. When we rally around human leaders instead of the crucified Lord, when we emphasize our differences more than our shared center, we dim the light that's meant to draw the whole world to God.

The foolishness of the cross is this: the God of the universe chose weakness over power, humility over prestige, sacrificial love over self-promotion. And he calls us to embody that same foolishness in how we relate to one another.

PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, forgive us for the ways we have divided what you intended to unite. We confess that we have too often elevated human leaders, preferred styles, and comfortable tribes above the scandal of the cross. We have emptied your gospel of its power by dressing it up in eloquent wisdom and partisan loyalties. Remake us into one body, united not by uniformity but by our shared devotion to Christ crucified and risen. Teach us to see past our differences to the deeper unity we share in you. May our love for one another be so compelling that the world sees in us a reflection of your reconciling grace. Strip away our pride, soften our hardened positions, and draw us back to the foolish, powerful, world-changing message of the cross. In the name of Jesus, our one Lord and Savior. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, intentionally reach across a dividing line within the body of Christ. If you tend toward one style of worship or theological emphasis, seek out a conversation with someone whose approach differs from yours. Listen with genuine curiosity rather than defensiveness. Ask yourself: Am I more passionate about defending my position or about revealing Christ?

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Bless the world with you in a positive way!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Come, Follow Me

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4qyMZ0s

View the devo: https://bit.ly/4b6q7AE

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:4:12-23 NIV)

The cartoons of yore got it right. Whenever they wanted to show the power of attraction of an aroma, the inviting odor would take a snake-like shape and waft its way through the air in visible form usually from the cooking pot to the very nostrils of the intended recipient. In the cartoons the aroma was hard to resist, sometimes lifting up the man, usually heavy-set and male, and carry him to the kitchen where the food was being prepared. The Apostle Paul used that in his message such as 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Paul knew that we, if we are connected and obedient to Jesus, we are to those who need Him, that enticing aroma of life and freedom that can lead them there. And as a part of that aroma, the words from John the Baptist and Jesus Himself, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven has come near," attracted them to life as found in Jesus.

I was eight years old when a pastor of mine gave the invitation, like many pastors still do Sunday after Sunday, to come to the Lord if you hadn't already. Our pastor does and I always pray that if they don't come forward they will, in the silence and privacy of their hearts, invite Jesus into His heart. One of the first times I visited and our pastor made the invitation and three children came up! I also said out loud, "Hallelujah," but then realized the three were the acolytes. Sigh. I've shared the story of Rev. Dr. Zan Holmes, a preaching professor at SMU and also senior pastor of a large church in Dallas, shared how he wanted to grow his church and knew that having an effective altar call would be one of the keys and so he went to the Cokesbury store in downtown Dallas to see if United Methodists had books in their bookstore about altar calls. Nope. Zero. None. Hmm, he thought, maybe the Baptists do in their bookstore. So, he wore dark glasses, a hat, and an overcoat in hopes of not being spotted in a Baptist bookstore by other Methodists. He discovered there were shelves and shelves on altar calls, and bought an armload of them, and that became the remedy he sought. And his church grew!

People are still walking in darkness. The need to repent is still there in a lot of hearts. People still hunger for forgiveness; and God is still the answer and source of the fullness of life; why do we need gimmicks or tricks to get people to come to Jesus? The truth is that like Andrew, it starts with our being willing to tell someone we know and love, about Jesus. Andrew met Jesus and believed in Him right away and Andrew knew he needed to tell his brother, Simon Peter, about Jesus. Peter believed Andrew and became not only a disciple, but the lead disciple and the one known as the first Pope of the Catholic Church. People telling people is what will bring light to darkness. The "Come, follow me," first spoken by Jesus can be spoken by us as we tell them about life and its fullness as we have found it in Jesus. Jesus told fishermen, "And I will send you out to fish for people." Hunters? You can "hunt" people for the Kingdom; and fill in the blank; whatever you relate to may relate to others as they seek to share the good news with the world.

The Epiphany reminds us that Christ is still being revealed, still walking the shorelines of our ordinary lives, still calling. The question is whether we'll recognize him when he comes—and whether we're willing to leave our nets behind. The goal remains the same: Let's win the world for Jesus Christ!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Light of the World, you came to those dwelling in darkness and called them by name. Open our eyes to recognize you in the ordinary moments of our lives. Give us the courage of those first disciples to leave behind whatever keeps us from following you fully. We confess that our nets—our securities, our plans, our comfortable routines—often feel safer than the unknown path of discipleship. Yet you promise to make us fishers of people, to give us purpose beyond anything we could manufacture for ourselves. Help us to hear your voice above the noise of our busy lives, and grant us grace to respond with the same immediate, wholehearted yes. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, ask yourself: What are my nets? What securities, comforts, or plans might Jesus be inviting you to set aside in order to follow him more fully? Choose one concrete step of obedience—it might be beginning a conversation you've been avoiding, offering forgiveness you've been withholding, or serving in a way that stretches you beyond your comfort zone. Don't wait for perfect clarity or ideal circumstances. Follow the example of Peter, Andrew, James, and John: respond immediately to the call you've already heard.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! We have lots of work to do!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Waiting Patiently for the Lord

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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4qmLQc7

View devo: https://bit.ly/45VWwGv

1 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. 2 He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. 3 He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. 4 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships; 5 The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you. 6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you - that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious - that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen. 7 So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me, 8 And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me." That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being. 9 I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, God - you know that. 10 I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth For myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story. 11 Now God, don't hold out on me, don't hold back your passion. Your love and truth are all that keeps me together. (Psalm 40:1-11 The Message Bible)

As we start this Thursday morning, dear Friend, please be in prayer for Cicely (Ann) Jackson of Smiley, Texas, who is getting knee replacement surgery in the city of New Bruanfels at 7 am; may God bless her with a successful surgery, a speedy and painless recovery and a great therapy allowing her full mobility and strength. God is with you, Ann!

Paul David Hewson is in a band. And he's been for most of his life. He's also Irish. And he also loves Jesus and identifies as a Christian. He has traveled the world with this band. This band has allowed him conversations with world leaders and famous personalities. Paul has lived a life of gratitude towards his God and his Savior. His famous band has only two characters in its name, a letter and a number and was named for the famous flying spy plane of the 60s. Some of you already know who I'm talking about, some don't. The number is 2, and the letter is U. Put in the right order; U2, and Paul's more recognized name is Bono. And this intro is because U2 always closes their concerts with a song called 40. It is based on this psalm and was so named because of the psalm and because it was at the end of the recording day; their bass guitarist had gone home and then their drummer decided to leave as well, and so knowing they needed only one more song needed for their album War, and so Bono opened a Bible and found this psalm and The Edge played a simple bass line to the words Bono had written based on the psalm. It took 10 minutes to write. 10 minutes to record. 10 minutes to edit, and 10 minutes to review it; thus another reason for its name, 40. The song lends itself to a spiritual, almost communal liturgical moment as the bass begins the song, Bono starts it, and one by one, the members of U2 leave the stage and the audience keeps singing as it participating in a closing prayer. Here are the lyrics as found online:(Hear it here: https://youtu.be/rt0TTa9R09k?si=O4HrI9VR3ykgYfTw)

I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry He lift me up out of the pit Out of the miry clay I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song How long to sing this song? How long must we sing this song? How long, how long, how long How long to sing this song? You set my feet upon a rock You made my footsteps firm Many will see, many will see and hear I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song You sing it! How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long, how long, how long How long to sing this song?

As used in the Church this coming Sunday as part of a celebration of Epiphany, the song celebrates God revealing Himself, looking upon us, listening to our cries—and Psalm 40 captures this perfectly. "I waited and waited and waited for God." The repetition emphasizes the length, the difficulty, the patience required. Waiting feels endless when you're stuck in the ditch, when you're sinking in deep mud, when every day looks the same and deliverance seems impossible. But then: "At last he looked; finally he listened." God's attention turns toward the one waiting. He sees. He hears. This is epiphany—God manifesting His presence to those who wait for Him. "He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud." God doesn't just observe from a distance; He reaches down, grabs hold, and pulls us out of places we can't escape on our own. "He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip." Not just rescued but established, not just pulled out but placed securely. The rock is Christ—the foundation that never shifts, the solid ground beneath our feet. "He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God." God doesn't just rescue us and leave us silent; He gives us a new song, fresh praise, a testimony to share. And when others see this transformation, "More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God." One person's deliverance becomes a witness that draws others to abandon themselves to God, to trust Him with their own ditches and deep mud. This is truly Light shining on us when we truly and deeply need it.

So dear friend, whatever may have you down, or worried, or anxious; turn it over to Jesus! Jesus will know you, how much pain you've been in, how long you have been waiting; and will lift you up out of the "mud" you've been in, into the beauty and fullness of this life that is knowing and trusting Him!

PRAYER: Loving God who lifts us from ditches and stands us on solid rock, thank You for looking upon us, listening to our cries, and teaching us new songs of praise; thank You for sending Jesus who delighted in doing Your will and preached Your righteousness to the whole world; help us testify to what You've done, drawing others into the mystery of abandoning themselves to You, knowing that Your love and truth are all that keep us together, in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Share your testimony with someone—tell them about a specific "ditch" or "deep mud" God lifted you from, and how He gave you a new song, inviting them to abandon themselves to the God who looks, listens, and rescues.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Bless the Lord with your life and words!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Christ for the Nations

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1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God. 5 And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength— 6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” 7 This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:1-7 NIV)

When I was called into ministry I had a narrow world view. I had been born and raised in a Spanish-speaking church which was a member of the Spanish language conference of The United Methodist Church. I had no idea where God would lead me but it had to be a Spanish language church. My first language was Spanish and my second one was English. As I grew up in public schools my español escaped me. I never thought I'd be a master at preaching in Spanish but I knew I could get my points across, while trusting God to help me. As I prepared to graduate from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, I prepared for my oral final. SU made a big deal about taking an oral exam with all the professors of your major, and the graduate to be could invite a professor of his/her choice. My major was Sociology and there were only two professors at the time who would sit in and I invited a religion professor new to the faculty. The final went smoothly; not any difficult sociology questions asked of me; my invited professor did ask me the hardest one related to my field of study but then one of the sociology professors asked me the hardest question: "Eradio, would you consider coming to First United Methodist Church of Georgetown sometime in the future?" I answered it in knee-jerk response time, no. "NO? Why not?" This was the difficult part of the oral exam. I knew there would be no negative effect on my grade, but what about my life I asked myself silently. I would come to realize that my "distant nations" was limited only to the people of the Rio Grande Conference, where I was born and raised. Did God form me in my mother's womb to preach only in Spanish to Spanish people? Had my mouth been sharpened to share only with those who spoke Spanish?

Isaiah did not have the same sociological implications that I did; his audience was prepared for him; he was to preach to all the people of the world, both those of islands and those of distant nations. His was to find and retrieve the lost sons and daughters of Israel, to restore the tribes of Jacob. God then identifies His servant: "He said to me, 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.'" This is complex—the servant is called "Israel," yet the servant's mission includes restoring Israel. The servant embodies what Israel was meant to be: God's representative to the nations, displaying God's splendor. Jesus is true Israel, faithful where Israel failed, accomplishing what Israel couldn't. Through Him, God's glory is displayed to the world. But the servant experiences discouragement: "But I said, 'I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.'" This is brutally honest—feeling like effort was wasted, strength exhausted for no result. Jesus experienced this: rejected by His own people, misunderstood by His disciples, abandoned at His arrest, crucified as a criminal. From a human perspective, His ministry looked like failure. Yet the servant maintains faith: "What is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." He trusts that God sees, God evaluates, God rewards—not according to human measurements but divine purposes. Epiphany teaches us that apparent failure in God's service isn't the final word; vindication comes from God, not from immediate visible results.

Then comes God's response to the servant's discouragement: "And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord and my God has been my strength." God affirms the servant's calling and reminds him of divine resources: "I am honored in the sight of the Lord"—God values him even when others reject him. "My God has been my strength"—not his own power but God's provision has sustained him. Then comes the stunning expansion of mission: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Restoring Israel alone is "too small"—not unimportant, but insufficient for God's ultimate purpose. The servant's mission expands to encompass all nations. "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles"—not just to Israel but to the nations. This is Epiphany's central theme: the light revealed in Christ is for everyone, everywhere. "That my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth"—God's saving purpose knows no boundaries. Every nation, every tribe, every tongue—all are included in God's redemptive plan through His servant.

The passage concludes with God's declaration: "This is what the Lord says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: 'Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.'" The servant experiences profound rejection—"despised and abhorred by the nation," reduced to serving rulers rather than being honored. This describes Jesus perfectly: rejected by His own people, despised by religious leaders, crucified under Roman authority. Yet God promises reversal: "Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down." Those who rejected Him will recognize Him. Those who scorned Him will bow before Him. Why? "Because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." The servant's vindication isn't self-promotion but God's faithfulness. God chose him, God will honor him, God will ensure that kings and princes acknowledge him. At Jesus' birth, Magi (representing Gentile kings) came to worship. At His return, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Epiphany celebrates that the light has dawned, the servant has been revealed, and though rejected by many, He will ultimately be recognized by all. The mission that seemed too small—restoring Israel—has become gloriously large: bringing God's salvation to the ends of the earth. As we grow in our faith, we should also grow in understanding the scope of our ministry; we are to reach all nations with all languages; we need to show love and acceptance to all people.

PRAYER: Lord, our Redeemer and Holy One, thank You for sending Your servant as a light not just for one nation but for all nations, that Your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; when we feel our service is in vain or our efforts wasted, remind us that You are faithful, that vindication comes from You, and that Your purposes are larger and more glorious than we can imagine; help us shine Your light to all people, in Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This Epiphany season, pray specifically for one nation or people group that hasn't yet heard the gospel, remembering that God's salvation is meant to reach the ends of the earth, and consider supporting a missionary or organization working to bring Christ's light to the nations.

I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God, and you matter to me. You're a person of much positivity that needs to be shared with the world. Start now.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Called. Prepared. Deployed. Faithful?

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1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NRSV)

As we were driving home from a birthday party, I asked our daughter which church that I had served had been her favorite, maybe not a fair question, but opened a good discussion between her, her mom, and me. Each church has been different; some super good, some not so good. And no, I didn't expect a perfect church to be out there; especially when 9 out of 10 ministers if asked, would argue with some who have said, "Ministry would be good if it weren't for the people!" And one minister left the ministry to become an undertaker and has reported that no one he works on has talked bad about him or started angry discussions with him! I started this devotional because Paul never said he had a favorite church but did have more than his share of woes in each. The one in Corinth caused him to write two letters! He lovingly begins this first letter with a reminder that they are called to be saints, meaning holy people in an unholy world; God people among godless people. And this was especially true as they called on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus was Lord of them and Paul. Paul gives thanks for them because they were people of grace as shared with them by God; and this grace had made them richer because as they spoke and grew in learning, they gained spiritual gifts which they were using until the second arrival of Jesus Christ. Jesus, meanwhile, was busy at work in them to make them all blameless on that day He returns. By God's faithfulness they were called into fellowship with Jesus and with each other.

Paul was the original vlogger without video (by the way a vlogger is term for a video blogger. And a blogger, well, google it! LOL). Paul started or helped churches and rated them. Okay, I'm stretching it a bit. But here is the reality of what is being shared in this passage: Paul reminds them and us, that to be a Christian means we have responded to a call. God called us out of sin into a fellowship and a ministry in which we are deployed to reach others and influence them with the holiness that God has shared with us. None of us were self-appointed to be a Christian. Some may have tried, but they are no longer among us. This calling involves us to be saints; not "holier than thou" snobs, but humble, imperfect people hot in pursuit of perfection in this life because we are following Christ Jesus. Our life is not perfect, we have trials and challenges, but we're not alone. We have Jesus walking with us, holding us and guiding us; but we are aware and we are committed to the work that lies ahead. There sits in a church near here, that when I was the district superintendent, took seriously what I said about fellowship halls versus mission halls. Fellowship is important and useful for churches, but it sometimes causes us to lose focus on our mission as believers; so they went and named their new facility their Mission Hall. They hold true to that and as a result that church is growing. Yes, they have a tremendous pastor who has that vision and excitement about what we are called to and is reaping the harvest of same.

Paul also encourages their being enriched by God's grace. He gives thanks to God for His grace through Jesus which has enriched them in every way; in their speech, how they interact with each other; their knowledge, how their dedication to God's word through worship, study and prayer they are growing in knowing God and as a result they share God. This has provided a union with Jesus, Who provides enrichment by that grace,, and gives them strength. A connected church is a growing church and a working church; reaching as many as they can for the glory of God.

Paul knows that this church is equipped while waiting. They lack no spiritual gift while they wait for Christ's revealing second coming, their goal is to reach and win the world while allowing God's Holy Spirit to equip them to be blameless. This is righteousness in action; trying to be Christ-like in all our interactions; thought, word, and deed - all pointing up to Him. All programs, classes, outreach efforts are geared to sharing Jesus and reaching the world.

Finally, Paul shares how God's faithfulness is a strong foundation for the church. God is always faithful and not dependent on our consistency; it's a gift (grace) as a result of God's love for us and not what we have done to deserve it. God has called us into fellowship with Him and His; a relationship is what we are to enjoy not rules or beliefs with Jesus truly as our Lord and through that relationship God will complete what He started. This is truly Epiphany, Christ revealed through our lives. The light that dawned at His birth, that shone at His baptism, that was manifested through His miracles—that light continues to shine, revealing Jesus and drawing people into relationship with Him. And because God is faithful, He will complete what He's started, enriching us with every gift, strengthening us to the end, and presenting us blameless when Christ is finally and fully revealed.

Have shared all this; is your church faithfulo? Are you found to be faithful?

PRAYER: Faithful God, thank You for calling us into fellowship with Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, for enriching us with every spiritual gift, and for Your promise to strengthen us to the end so we may be blameless when Christ is revealed in glory; help us live as those who have encountered Your grace, waiting expectantly for Jesus' return while using the gifts You've given us to build up His body, in His name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Identify one spiritual gift God has given you (whether teaching, encouragement, service, generosity, hospitality, etc.) and intentionally use it this week to build up Christ's body, remembering that you've been enriched in Him for the blessing of others.

I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God and you matter to me. Continue to be the Light of Jesus in someone's darkness.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Behold: Christ for the World!

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29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ). John 1: 29-42 NIV

Happy and Blessed Monday to you, Friend! May the Light of Epiphany continue to shine in all the recesses of your soul. May Jesus bring you to life, a fullness of life that can be found nowhere else other than in the arms of Jesus.

I find it so fascinating that many birds love the HEB parking lot. I often search my grandkids visited back seat to see if a crumb or two of something missed by the mouths of my dear boys is there for the birds to enjoy. I often say that I will buy a bag of birdseed and place it in the back seat of my truck and have it there so that I can feel hungry birds. When we lived in Corpus Christi, Nellie and I would take slices of bread and visit the T-heads and the seagulls put on quite the show as they squawk and scream what sounds, "Me, me, me!" In the same way I still long to be able to share Jesus with others as this passage is saying those first disciples did. We find John the Baptist seeing Jesus come to him and John makes that awesome declaration, "Behold (Look), the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This coming after so many presented themselves to him for a ritual cleansing of sin; something or Someone touched their souls and they recognized that they did indeed need to be cleansed of their sin. They realized that sin can lead to death; and to be alive, fully alive, they needed to have their sin taken away. And John has called Jesus the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!" Like hungry birds, they had found the seeds of faith that began to feed their spiritual hunger.

This is an epiphany—a sudden revelation, a divine disclosure. John doesn't say "a lamb" but "the Lamb"—the specific, prophesied, long-awaited sacrifice. "Of God"—provided by God, belonging to God, sent by God. "Who takes away the sin of the world"—not just covers it temporarily like the Old Testament sacrifices, but removes it permanently. Not just for Israel but for the world. Every person, every nation, every sin—past, present, and future—dealt with definitively through this Lamb. John continues explaining: "This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." John's entire ministry was preparatory, pointing beyond himself to the one coming after him who actually existed before him—a reference to Jesus' pre-existence as the eternal Word. John baptized not as an end in itself but as a means to reveal the Messiah to Israel. Everything John did served this single purpose: to make Jesus known.

John then describes his own epiphany moment: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One." John didn't initially know Jesus was the Messiah—they were relatives, but John needed divine revelation to recognize Jesus' true identity. God told him what sign to look for: the Spirit descending and remaining. When John saw this at Jesus' baptism, everything became clear. This is the one who will baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit—giving not just external cleansing but internal transformation. John's testimony is emphatic: "I have seen and I testify." He's an eyewitness declaring under oath what he observed. "This is God's Chosen One"—the Messiah, the Son of God, the fulfillment of all promises. Epiphany reminds us that Jesus' identity isn't based on human speculation or religious tradition but on divine revelation confirmed by eyewitness testimony. God revealed His Son through the Spirit's anointing and through faithful witnesses like John who pointed others to Jesus.

The next day, John is with two of his disciples when Jesus passes by. "When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!' When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus." Notice what happens: John points to Jesus, and his disciples leave him to follow Jesus. This is the mark of true ministry—not gathering followers for yourself but directing people to Jesus. John doesn't resent losing disciples; this is precisely why he came. The disciples follow Jesus, and Jesus turns and asks, "What do you want?" Their response is telling: "Rabbi, where are you staying?" They're not asking for a miracle, a sign, or even teaching—they want to know where He's staying because they want to spend time with Him. Jesus responds with an invitation that echoes through the centuries: "Come, and you will see." Not "Let me tell you about it" but "Come and see for yourself." "So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him." This is Epiphany in action—divine revelation leading to personal encounter. They came, they saw, they stayed. They moved from curiosity to commitment, from secondhand testimony to firsthand experience, from hearing about Jesus to being with Jesus.

One of these two disciples is Andrew, and what he does next is beautiful: "The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus." Andrew's first impulse after encountering Jesus is to share the news with his brother. "We have found the Messiah"—though more accurately, the Messiah found them. Andrew doesn't just tell Simon; he brings him to Jesus. This is the pattern of Epiphany: God reveals Jesus, we encounter Jesus, we tell others, we bring others to Jesus. When Simon meets Jesus, "Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter)." Jesus immediately sees Simon's true identity and future potential. He gives him a new name—Peter, the rock—prophesying who he will become through relationship with Jesus. This is what happens when we come to Jesus: He sees us truly, knows us completely, and speaks over us who we're becoming, not just who we've been. Epiphany celebrates that Jesus is continually being revealed—not just historically to John and Andrew and Peter, but presently to all who will come and see, to all who respond to the invitation, to all who spend time with Him and discover that He is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, thank You for being revealed through faithful witnesses who point us to You; thank You for the invitation to "come and see," to move from hearing about You to being with You; help us, like Andrew, to bring others to You so they can encounter You personally and hear You speak over their lives with hope and transformation, in Your strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This Epiphany season, identify one person in your life who needs to encounter Jesus, and like Andrew with Peter, don't just tell them about Jesus—invite them to "come and see" by bringing them to church, a Bible study, or simply sharing your own experience of spending time with Him.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Be a bird-feeder if you have already been fed!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Voice of The Lord

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1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!" 10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! (Psalm 29 NRSV)

Happy Thursday, Friend! May this time together bring an anointing on your life in a way that sets you on fire to go and do what you know what God has asked of you!

Jesus. Okay, it was really to be the Director of United Methodist Campus Ministry at then-Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. I was in my second year of full-time ministry and it was one adventure after another. I did more counseling with students in that one year than I had expected to do in ten years in pastoral local church ministry. I led spiritual retreats and I taught university-level Bible courses for credit. The university collected tuition from them and I built up a Rolodex of students who could be under our ministry umbrella. My counterpart in the Baptist division was a neat young Baptist pastor who led an effective ministry for the Baptist churches of the area. He and I became friends and he stayed behind when I left for a burro-crat job in San Antonio in 1986. We failed to stay in touch and about a year or two away from Edinburg I heard that my friend had taken his own life. I could not believe it. He was a solid believer, heart full of love for Jesus and for his students and it didn't make sense. So, for about five years I carried that sadness in my heart that my friend had died in a horrible way. One day after a meeting in Dallas headed back to San Antonio, I was in the flying cattle car that is Southwest Airlines. I sat and soon began to hear a voice that I thought I recognized. This voice was sharing his faith with his flying companion and I tried to remember where I knew the voice from. I couldn't easily turn around to stare but I was convinced I had heard that voice before! When we landed I stood at the proper time as is customary in SW airlines and I looked and there was the young Baptist minister that I had for years thought had un-alived himself. I said his name and his grin grew wide. We hugged and we walked out of the aircraft together and I shared the story I had heard. He was shocked and said that he had left his campus ministry to become a denominational executive and the young man who followed him in Edinburg had been the one who took his own life. We were both sad at his memory but I could not hide my joy from seeing my friend living and among us.

During the years 1980-1986 I had the honor of being the Captain of the Good Ship Come to There are several voices that have been silenced in my life because of death. My paternal grandfather and grandmother, my Mom and my Dad. I try to replay conversations in my head and heart that I had with them before their death in order not to forget them, but it becomes harder with each passing day. I strongly believe I will once again hear those voices in Glory, I pray that my children and grandchildren will take advantage of all of these devotionals that I have shared through the years so that my voice be ever present in their lives. Today's devotional is all about God's voice. As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord we will again see that place and event where heaven and earth connected; where divine power and human humility as the psalmist uses this psalm to celebrate the voice of the Lord that speaks with authority over creation. The psalmist beings with a call to worship by saying that we should recognize and proclaim what we know to be true about God (that's what ascribe means in this passage). And not just us, but even heavenly beings—angels, divine messengers, the celestial court—are summoned to worship. God deserves glory not just from humans but from all created beings. "Glory" (kabod) means weight, significance, honor—acknowledging who God truly is. "Strength" (oz) refers to His might and power. We're called to ascribe—to attribute, to recognize, to declare—that glory and strength belong to the Lord alone. At Jesus' baptism, the Father's voice from heaven did exactly this: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." The Father ascribed glory to the Son, declaring His identity and worth before heaven and earth. The Baptism of the Lord is a moment when worship breaks through—the Father glorifying the Son, the Spirit descending, and creation bearing witness to God's power and presence.

Then comes the sevenfold repetition: "The voice of the Lord." Seven times this phrase appears, signifying completeness and perfection. "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters." Water is central to both the psalm and Jesus' baptism. At creation, God's voice spoke over the waters and brought forth life and order. At the flood, God's voice commanded the waters and brought judgment and salvation. At the Red Sea, God's voice parted the waters and delivered His people. Now at the Jordan, God's voice speaks over the waters again—not in judgment but in affirmation, not in wrath but in love. "The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty." This voice created the universe, sustains all things, and speaks reality into existence. Yet this same powerful voice declares at Jesus' baptism, "This is my beloved Son." The God of glory thunders, but He thunders not to destroy but to identify, to affirm, to commission. The voice that shakes creation speaks tenderly over the Son emerging from baptismal waters.

The psalm continues cataloging the voice's effects: "The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox." Cedars of Lebanon were the mightiest trees in the ancient world—symbols of strength, permanence, and human pride. God's voice breaks them like twigs. Mountains skip like calves—the most solid, immovable objects dance at His command. "The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, 'Glory!'" Fire, earthquake, hurricane—all respond to God's voice. The strongest trees are stripped bare. Creation itself cannot resist when God speaks. And the proper response? "In his temple all say, 'Glory!'" When we witness God's power, when we hear His voice, when we see His might—the only appropriate response is worship. At Jesus' baptism, creation responded: the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, the Father spoke. This wasn't a quiet, private moment but a cosmic declaration that all creation witnessed.

Then comes a shift—from power over creation to sovereignty over chaos: "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever." The "flood" (mabbul) specifically refers to the Genesis flood, the waters of chaos and judgment. God sits enthroned over even the most destructive forces. He's not threatened by chaos, not overwhelmed by disorder, not defeated by destruction. He reigns as king forever—eternal, unshakeable, sovereign. This is crucial for understanding Jesus' baptism. John's baptism was about repentance, about cleansing from sin, about preparing for judgment. Yet Jesus—sinless, pure, righteous—enters these waters. Why? Because He's identifying with sinners, standing in solidarity with those who need cleansing, positioning Himself to take on the chaos and judgment that we deserve. God enthroned over the flood is God in Christ entering the flood, submitting to the waters of judgment on our behalf, and emerging victorious to demonstrate that He has conquered sin, death, and chaos itself.

The psalm concludes with blessing: "May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!" After demonstrating His power over creation and His sovereignty over chaos, God turns His attention to His people. He gives strength—the same oz mentioned in verse 1 that belongs to God alone is now given to His people. We don't generate our own strength; we receive it from the Lord whose voice is powerful. He blesses with peace—shalom, comprehensive wellbeing, wholeness, right relationships, everything as it should be. This is what the Baptism of the Lord inaugurates: Jesus beginning His ministry empowered by the Spirit to bring God's strength to the weak and God's peace to the broken. The voice that thunders over the waters, that breaks cedars and shakes mountains, that sits enthroned over the flood—this same voice speaks blessing over God's people. At Jesus' baptism, we see this perfectly: the powerful voice of God declaring love over the Son, the Spirit descending to empower for mission, the Father enthroned over all yet intimately involved in redemption. And we who are baptized into Christ receive what the psalm promises: strength from the Lord and peace from the God who sits enthroned forever.

PRAYER: Lord whose voice thunders over the waters and sits enthroned over the flood, thank You for speaking at Jesus' baptism to affirm Your beloved Son and for speaking through Your Word to affirm us as Your beloved children; give us strength for our journey and bless us with Your peace, empowering us by the same Spirit who descended on Jesus to live as those who worship in holy splendor and proclaim Your glory, in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Find a quiet moment near water—whether a river, lake, ocean, or even a sink—and read Psalm 29 aloud, remembering that the same powerful voice that spoke at Jesus' baptism speaks over your life today, offering strength for your weakness and peace for your chaos.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Listen to God's voice and do what God may ask of you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Spirit Guides Us to Servanthood

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1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 5 This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” (Isaiah 42:1-9 NIV)

I have to confess that I thought first about Isaiah's wife and how difficult her role must have been in being married to a man of God whose ministry was almost centered on tomorrow and what tomorrow might bring; thankful that I had married a woman who knew who I was and what I was about. I have had dear friends called late into ministry only to lose their spouse because they initially married spouses who were something else and not ministers. My wife even told me when I told her that our housing situation might not always be easy or comfortable and she said she would gladly live under a tree just to be with me. Gosh, that works! I've had friends whose first wife left them because they were preacher's kids and had always lived in church-provided housing and finally said so out loud, or hid behind that excuse to pair up with a new love. But here we are with the woman whose husband would dream dreams and have visions and she just marveled about coming things and the arrival of the One. The One. She might have thought, "I grew up with my father and mother talking about the coming of God's Messiah, but they died with that hope; now my husband is describing in some detail about who this coming One might be. I want to believe this served only to reaffirm her love for him and the specialness and sacredness of his task. Isaiah's passage contains an introduction to the Messiah that becomes real when Jesus emerged from the waters of the Jordan: "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put m Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations." summed up by Matthew in the same way. God introduces His servant with three relational terms: "my servant"—one who carries out the Father's will; "whom I uphold"—sustained and supported by divine strength; "my chosen one"—selected, appointed, set apart for a specific mission. Then comes the declaration: "in whom I delight." The Hebrew word suggests deep pleasure, satisfaction, favor. This echoes the Father's words at Jesus' baptism: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). The Father's delight isn't earned through achievement but flows from relationship. Then the promise: "I will put my Spirit on him." At Jesus' baptism, this prophecy was fulfilled—the Spirit descended like a dove and remained on Him. The servant's mission is global: "he will bring justice to the nations." Not just to Israel, not just to the religious, but to the nations—every ethnicity, every people group. Justice (mishpat) means right relationships, proper order, God's rule established. The Baptism of the Lord inaugurated Jesus' mission to bring God's justice to the whole world.

Isaiah then describes how this servant operates: "He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." This servant doesn't operate through force, volume, or violence. He doesn't shout in the streets seeking attention or clamoring for power. His methods are gentle, His approach compassionate. "A bruised reed"—a bent, damaged stalk that seems useless, ready to be discarded. The servant doesn't break it. "A smoldering wick"—a lamp flame barely flickering, about to go out, producing more smoke than light. The servant doesn't snuff it out. Instead, He tends the bruised and nurtures the flickering. This is revolutionary—the Messiah's power is demonstrated through gentleness, His strength through compassion for the weak. "In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope." The servant is faithful—reliable, consistent, unwavering. He won't falter or be discouraged despite opposition, rejection, or difficulty. His mission is certain: He will establish justice on earth. And the result? Even distant islands—the farthest reaches of the world—will put their hope in His teaching. When Jesus was baptized and began His ministry, He embodied this servant perfectly: gentle with the broken, patient with the weak, faithful to His mission, bringing God's justice through love rather than force.

God then speaks directly to the servant: "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles." Notice the intimate care: "I will take hold of your hand... I will keep you." God doesn't just send the servant on a mission and leave Him alone; He personally guides, protects, and sustains. The servant's purpose is twofold: "a covenant for the people"—embodying God's promises to Israel, being the living covenant between God and humanity; "a light for the Gentiles"—illuminating the darkness of the nations, bringing revelation to those who don't know God. At His baptism, Jesus began fulfilling both roles. Then comes the servant's mission: "to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." This is both literal and metaphorical. Jesus physically opened blind eyes, but He also opened spiritually blind eyes to see God. He literally freed people from demonic oppression, but He also liberated those imprisoned by sin, guilt, shame, and fear. He released people from the dungeon of spiritual darkness into the light of God's presence. This is what the Spirit-anointed servant does—He brings liberation, healing, sight, and freedom.

God concludes with a declaration of His sovereignty and faithfulness: "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." God's name—Yahweh, the Lord—signifies His self-existence, His covenant faithfulness, His absolute sovereignty. He won't share His glory with false gods or idols. He alone deserves worship. Then the promise: "See, the former things have taken place"—prophecies fulfilled, promises kept, God's word proven true. "And new things I declare"—God isn't finished; He's announcing what's coming next. "Before they spring into being I announce them to you"—God reveals His plans before they happen so that when they occur, His people will recognize His hand at work. Isaiah spoke these words seven centuries before Jesus' baptism, but when the Spirit descended on Jesus at the Jordan, God's people should have recognized: This is the servant Isaiah prophesied about. This is the one anointed to bring justice to the nations. This is the covenant and the light. This is God's new thing springing into being. The Baptism of the Lord is God's announcement: The time is fulfilled, the servant has come, the mission has begun, and everything Isaiah prophesied is now unfolding before your eyes.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for sending Your servant anointed by the Spirit to bring justice to the nations, to open blind eyes, to free captives, and to be a light for all peoples; help us recognize You as the gentle shepherd who won't break the bruised reed or snuff out the smoldering wick; empower us by Your Spirit to participate in Your mission of bringing light to darkness and freedom to the captive, in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on someone you know who is like a "bruised reed" or "smoldering wick"—someone damaged, discouraged, or barely holding on—and reach out to them this week with the gentle compassion of the servant who doesn't break or snuff out but tenderly restores.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Love in a compassionate way those who others can't ses and don't want.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Good News for Everyone!

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34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43 NIV)

How is the New Year thus far, Friend? What are you making of the year? Or what is the New Year making of you? You and I are believers of the Most HIgh God and because of that, we trust God and we follow His lead. May God lead us towards the place where we can fully serve Him and His people, both inside and outside the Church? Are you ready?

My second year of college saw me having a roommate from Pakistan. He was from among a large group of Middle Eastern students who made it to the USA to study engineering. Jaffer was his first name and he and I got along well. I remember one night I was playing one of my Beatles LPs. (Kids, talk to grandma or grandpa about what LPs are; if they don't remember, say they're records! Google it!). But his immediate reaction to The Beatles was amazement and a declaration I have never forgotten: "They sing with such authority!" Indeed. I had kinda known that but his statement put it into perspective. I immediately thought back to comments about Jesus, Who taught with great authority. Matthew 7:29 and Mark 1:22: Both read: "“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” The same can be said about Peter, as we find in that Jesus anointed Peter as the one who held the keys of the Church and gave him power in Heaven and earth to carry out the mission of the gospel. His message as shared in this passage is an awesome one that helps further explain Jesus' baptism and Jesus' mission.

God shows no favoritism: The message shared with an outsider, Cornelius, a Roman centurion, helped Peter himself realize the error of staying away from Gentiles. The gospel was as much for them as for Jews. Peter, a devout Jew who wouldn't normally enter a Gentile home, is now standing in Cornelius's house, making a stunning declaration: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." This is a watershed moment—Peter's worldview is being transformed. He thought God's favor was limited to Israel, that Gentiles were unclean outsiders. But God has shown him that the gospel is for all nations, all ethnicities, all people. God doesn't play favorites based on ethnicity, social status, or religious pedigree. He accepts anyone from any nation who fears Him and seeks righteousness. This is the heart of the Baptism of the Lord—Jesus' baptism and anointing inaugurated a ministry that would break down every barrier, cross every boundary, and offer salvation to all people. The light that dawned in Bethlehem was always meant to illuminate the whole world.

Jesus' baptism was His anointing for carrying out the mission of God. Peter starts with Jesus' baptism—not His birth, not His genealogy, but the moment when He was publicly anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. This is where Jesus' public ministry began, the launching point for everything that followed. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power"—the baptism was Jesus' anointing, His commissioning, His empowerment for the mission ahead. And what did this Spirit-anointed Jesus do? He "went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." Jesus' ministry was characterized by goodness and healing, liberation and restoration. He didn't come to condemn but to deliver, not to destroy but to rescue.

Peter then shares that there were eyewitnesses to the baptism and to the ministry that followed. The apostles are eyewitnesses—they saw Jesus' ministry, witnessed His death, and encountered Him alive after the resurrection. "He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." The resurrection appearances weren't public spectacles but intimate encounters with chosen witnesses who could testify to what they'd experienced. Jesus didn't just appear as a ghost or vision—He ate and drank with them, demonstrating that His resurrection body was real, physical, and capable of normal human activities. "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead." Jesus isn't just a teacher or prophet—He's the appointed Judge of all humanity. Everyone—living and dead, past and future—will stand before Him.

Finally, the promise of the Gospel: "All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." This is the promise that changes everything. "All the prophets"—the entire Old Testament, every promise made, every prophecy spoken—points to Jesus. And what does belief in Him accomplish? "Forgiveness of sins through his name." Not through religious performance, not through ethnic identity, not through moral achievement, but through Jesus' name—through who He is and what He's done. Forgiveness is available to "everyone who believes"—no exceptions, no exclusions, no qualifications beyond faith. The same Spirit who descended on Jesus at His baptism is the Spirit who convicts us of sin, draws us to faith, and transforms us into Christ's image. The Baptism of the Lord reminds us that Jesus was anointed to bring good news to all nations, and we who believe in Him are baptized into His mission. In Christian baptism, we're united to Christ's death and resurrection, we receive the same Spirit that anointed Jesus, and we're commissioned to continue His mission of going around doing good, healing the brokenhearted, and proclaiming forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes. Peter's message to Cornelius is a message for us: God shows no favoritism, the gospel is for all people, and everyone who believes receives forgiveness through Jesus' name.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for being baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit to inaugurate a ministry that breaks down every barrier and offers salvation to all people; thank You that God shows no favoritism, that the gospel is for every nation, and that everyone who believes in You receives forgiveness of sins; help us, empowered by the same Spirit, to go around doing good and proclaiming this good news to all people, in Your name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This Baptism of the Lord Sunday, ask God to show you one person from a different background than yours—whether ethnically, socially, economically, or culturally—with whom you can share the good news that God accepts people from every nation who turn to Him in faith.

I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the special person God called you to be and bring love to all people.

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Journey of Jesus

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13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17 NIV)

I find it difficult to list a date of when I started my "public ministry." I taught Sunday school, even volunteered to be our church's youth director for free, but I can't pinpoint a date. I was hired by a large Houston church after completing my first year of seminary and I was being paid, so I could say I was a professional. And on June 13, 1976 I was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church as was the custom in those days of two ordinations, first as Deacon, then as Elder. That event took place on the campus of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where our annual conference was held that year. I drove home and sat on the sofa to rest and my youngest sister sat across from me and stared at me. "Why are you staring at me?" I asked. "Well, you're a minister now and I wanted to see how different you are." I laughed and said, "I am still the same person I was before I was ordained. Do you want me to hit you?" She laughed and said no thanks.

The Baptism of the Lord, which most churches will celebrate this coming Sunday, marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, and Matthew's account reveals a moment of profound theological significance. "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John." This is stunning in itself—Jesus travels from Galilee to the wilderness, from His home to the river, to submit to John's baptism of repentance. Why would the sinless Son of God seek a baptism designed for sinners? Baptism was not a ritual for Jews; it was reserved for Gentiles (nonJews) who wanted to become Jews, but John knew repentance was needed by everyohe and so offered it to all who would listen and present themselves for baptism. "But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?'" John recognizes the incongruity. He's been baptizing repentant sinners, calling them to confess their sins and prepare for the kingdom. But this is different. John knows who Jesus is—the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the one infinitely greater. John needs what Jesus offers; Jesus doesn't need what John offers. Yet Jesus insists: "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus doesn't explain in detail, but the meaning is clear: His baptism isn't about His need for repentance but about His identification with sinners. From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus positions Himself in solidarity with those He came to save. He stands in the river with tax collectors and prostitutes, submitting to the same baptism they receive, identifying fully with humanity in our need for cleansing even though He Himself needs no cleansing. This is the pattern of the incarnation—God becoming one of us, not just observing our condition but entering into it, not standing apart in holy separation but standing alongside us in redemptive identification.

When Jesus is baptized, heaven itself responds: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." Notice the sequence—Jesus comes up from the water, and immediately heaven is "opened" or "torn open" (the Greek suggests violent rending, as if the barrier between heaven and earth is being ripped apart). The Spirit descends in visible form "like a dove"—gentle, peaceful, settling upon Jesus and remaining there. This is the anointing of the Messiah, the empowering for ministry, the visible demonstration that Jesus possesses the fullness of the Spirit. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would have the Spirit of the Lord resting upon Him (Isaiah 11:2, 61:1), and here that prophecy is fulfilled. The dove-like descent suggests peace, purity, and the new creation (recalling Noah's dove bringing news that the flood waters had receded and new life was emerging). At this moment by the Jordan, God is inaugurating new creation through His anointed Son empowered by the Spirit. The Baptism of the Lord reveals the Trinity in action—the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending, the Father speaking. This is one of Scripture's clearest glimpses of the three persons of the Godhead working in perfect unity for our redemption.

Then comes the Father's declaration: "And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" The voice from heaven is unprecedented—God Himself speaking audibly, publicly affirming His Son. "This is my Son"—declaring Jesus' unique identity and relationship to the Father. Not "a son" among many, but "my Son," the beloved, the only begotten. "Whom I love"—the Greek word agapētos means "beloved," the object of special affection, the one treasured above all others. This is relational language expressing the eternal love between Father and Son. "With him I am well pleased"—complete satisfaction, total delight, perfect approval. Notice the timing: this declaration comes before Jesus has preached a sermon, performed a miracle, or accomplished any public ministry. The Father's pleasure isn't based on Jesus' achievements but on who He is—the beloved Son. This is crucial for us. God's approval of Jesus at His baptism isn't contingent on what Jesus will do but on the relationship they share. Similarly, our identity as God's beloved children isn't earned through performance but received through Christ. In baptism, we're united to Christ, and the Father's declaration over Jesus becomes true for us: we are beloved, we are His children, He is pleased with us—not because of what we've accomplished but because of what Christ has accomplished for us.

The Baptism of the Lord teaches several vital truths. First, Jesus fully identifies with sinners even though He has no sin of His own. He doesn't minister from a safe distance but enters completely into our human experience, including our need for cleansing and renewal. Second, Jesus begins His ministry empowered by the Spirit. He doesn't rely on His own divine nature alone but submits to the Father's will and operates in the Spirit's power—the same Spirit available to us. Third, Jesus is the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased, and through baptism into Christ, we share that identity. We are beloved children, recipients of the Father's approval, objects of His delight—not because we've earned it but because we're in Christ. Fourth, the Trinity works together for our salvation. The Father sends, the Son obeys, the Spirit empowers. Our redemption isn't the work of one person of the Godhead but the unified action of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we remember that Jesus' baptism inaugurated His saving mission, and our baptism unites us to Him in that mission, making us beloved children empowered by the same Spirit to live as Jesus lived—in obedience to the Father, in solidarity with sinners, and in the power of the Spirit.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for sending Your beloved Son to identify fully with sinners, to be baptized in solidarity with us, and to inaugurate His ministry empowered by Your Spirit; help us remember that through baptism into Christ, we too are Your beloved children in whom You are well pleased, not because of our achievements but because of our union with Jesus; empower us by the same Spirit to live as Jesus lived, in Your holy name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This Baptism of the Lord Sunday, reflect on your own baptism (or consider being baptized if you haven't been), remembering that through union with Christ, the Father's words over Jesus—"This is my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased"—are spoken over you, and let that identity shape how you live this week.

I love you and I thank God for you. You. matter to God and you matter to me. Make being a better servant your number one resolution for 2026!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.