Mustard-Sized Faith?

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5 The apostles came up and said to the Master, "Give us more faith." 6 But the Master said, "You don't need more faith. There is no 'more' or 'less' in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it would do it. 7 "Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, 'Sit down and eat'? 8 Wouldn't you be more likely to say, 'Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I've finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper'? 9 Does the servant get special thanks for doing what's expected of him? 10 It's the same with you. When you've done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, 'The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.'" (Luke 17:5-10 The Message Version)

Happy Monday, dear Friend! I pray this finds you well. I hope you had time to worship the Lord, have time to spend in prayer; learn more about God's Holy word, and had for your personal and spiritual renewal. I pray that plus this time in devotion bless and prepare you for this new week. As always, I encourage you to pray for one another, and to pray for yourselves.

We find the Disciples asking Jesus to increase their faith. We know they had faith. They had said yes to Jesus at His invitation for them to join Him. They had also experienced the teachings, the healings, the feeding, and the resurrections; something was making them think they did not have enough faith. Jesus in the previous chapter spoke about what happens after death, and on this day, they had heard Jesus speak about forgiveness and the number of times they had to forgive those who sin against them. "Increase our faith or give us more faith" is a legitimate request. Notice what Jesus says, "You don't need more faith. There is no 'more' or 'less' in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it would do it.'"

We get caught up in that sometime don't we? We begin to compare the faith of someone to ours. We think that someone else can do more than we in terms of service or faith, and we begin to wonder if we have "enough" faith. Jesus is saying that if we have faith, we have faith. I know that sounds funny, just as funny as what John Wesley heard when he asked a mentor what he should do because he could no longer preach due to the feeling that he felt he lacked faith. The old gentleman said, "Preach faith until you have faith, and then you will preach faith because you have faith." This was an exchange between John Wesley and Peter Bohler.

Jesus I know smiled between this exchange. Both men were truly giants in faith, yet had those moments when they doubted the presence (and power) of faith. Jesus truly knew that once we have faith it should power our lives to face all things. Faith makes possible the "to-do" list God has shared with all of us. Faith is that which helps us take the first step forward.

PRAYER: Loving God, don't let the fear that we lack faith keep us from taking that first step towards doing what You expect of us. It was what blessed us into saying, "Come into my heart, Lord Jesus" when we first accepted Him as Lord and Savior. This we pray in faith because we have faith in His strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Be blessed; Be a blessing!

Receive my blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

If you haven't made plans for summer 2020, the Passion Play in Oberammergau Germany would be ideal on June 29-August 7, 2020. Click here for more information on taht trip: http://bit.ly/2m4oXiU

An Evening Prayer and a Shout of Victory!

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1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 NRSV)

May this devotional find you well and enjoying the best of what God offers to you dear Friend, and yours. May this time in quiet calm your nerves, sooth your spirit, and refresh your soul.

I should have used both versions of this psalm, for both are very powerful. But The Message version says for us, "who sit down in the High God's presence," and it says, "Say this: 'God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" 3 That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. 4 His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. 5 Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.' The first part is what I call a great evening prayer. Many times we're so tired, or worried, we don't know what to pray, and David says, "God, I can hide in You and I'm safe." And that is a wonderful prayer. The song, "Jesus King of Angels" by Fernando Ortega speaks of the power of Jesus to come into our dreams and keep us from harm. There are some nights I hear the song in my mind and I make it my prayer. And it does bless my sleep.

And prayer blesses my wide open days as well! The psalmist really outlined his faith in God's power to truly and completely watch over us. Verses five and onward are about what we can and sometimes do encounter at night, at noonday, or whenever. God speaks through David when He says that those of us who love Him enjoy His blessings of protection and deliverance. Again The Message version: 15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 16 I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" Nothing can beat knowing that God is a God who answers, who comes to our side to rescue and protect, and who rejoices and celebrates with us when we have victories.

What more could we want?

PRAYER: Loving God, our refuge and our fortress; You are our God and in You we trust. Grant us rest when we need it; strength when we lack it, and victory when it is Your will. We pray for those recovering from surgeries, we pray for the lonely, and we pray for the troubled. Make real Your presence. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Teach someone a simple prayer today!

My blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

True Contentment

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6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. (1 Timothy 6: 6-19 NRSV)

A very blessed and tremendous Tuesday be yours dear Friend. Today is a day of goodbyes for the Ploeger family as they will have the funeral of Lacey, their daughter. I ask prayers for Leslie and Deanie, and for Paisley, Lacey's daughter. I know this will be a difficult day and as we pray, pray also for Pastor Matt Pennington so that God may grant him the words that comfort the family. Prayers for the ones who will gather to be with them. Prayers also for Thelma Martinez, a woman from Detroit, MI, who needs prayers as she battles pancreatic cancer. Her husband has also been fighting cancer, and we pray both find healing and comfort in the Lord. Prayers for our brother, The Rev. Virgilio Vasquez- Garza, who on his way home from Spain encountered some bladder problems, was briefly hospitalized in Ontario, Canada, but is home now in San Antonio. We pray for his healing, and for Acacia's strength to be at his side. Prayers for Janet Robertson of Karnes City who is also battling cancer. May God's comfort and healing be with her is our prayer. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

The Apostle Paul wrote to his young protégé this letter of instruction regarding life and the Christian walk. Paul had learned in this lifetime and his work for Christ, that attitude goes a long way in helping follow Jesus. To have an attitude of contentment will bless one in more closely walking with our Lord. If we believe we don't have enough, and develop an attitude of lack, that spills over and affects our spiritual walk. Our attitude should tell us that we serve a God of abundance, who meets all our needs. If you ever heard, "We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing with us when we die," that comes from this letter. To desire and strive for more leads us away from where God wants us to be. It is also here that we hear the true saying of "The love of money is the root of all evil," and not the oft-said, "Money is the root of all evil." Money in and of itself, is not evil; it is the love of money that ruins many a life. As Paul knew, many have left the Christian walk in pursuit of money. The things we should pursue are righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This is a message for those who realize their true life is in the supernatural, not the natural world. Believers who have given their lives to Jesus, and who pray on a daily basis, have entered the supernatural realm, and know that the eternal realm of immortality is ours through Jesus. Ours is a call, as Paul writes, "to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share." This further supports what Jesus shared in yesterday's gospel lesson. To do as Paul and Jesus addressed, we are storing up an eternal treasure, a solid foundation for tomorrow, and to live a life that is, as Paul says, "really is life."

PRAYER: Awesome God, bring to life this passage in me. I strive to know what truly matters and to make it a part of this supernatural life that I need to live. Lift me above the realm of today and the pressures of daily life. Make me a generous person, who gives to bless others. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person rooted in the supernatural; people will want to live like you!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your support of prayers and forwarding this email bless the work of the Lord. Your gifts at paypal.me/eradiovalverde also bless us.

What Will You Wake Up To When You Die?

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19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' 25 But Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He said, "Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' 29 Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' 30 He said, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' " (Luke 16: 19-31 NRSV)

A very happy Monday to you and yours, dear Friend! I pray this finds you well. Nellie and I were blessed yesterday by the welcome and hospitality shown us by the Medina UMC in Medina, Texas. Our thanks to them for being so nice to us and a prayer for continued blessings on that congregation. And I pray all of you blessed one of God's congregations this weekend in worship and praise.

The late Rev. E. V. Hill once preached on a trip he and his wife took to a certain prosperous community where he had been invited to preach. As they drove into the community their prosperity was evident immediately. There were manicured lawns, beautiful homes, splendid cars on every street. E.V. turned to his wife and said, "Something is wrong in this place! Do you sense it too?" Mrs. Hill said, "Yes! I know what it is! There is no graffiti in this place at all!" So once he took the pulpit Rev. Hill shared that with the congregation and also added, "And with your permission I would like to take a spray can and begin a graffiti campaign of my own. I am only going to spray one word on each wall, car, and property you have. And that word is Temporary!"

One day, we will wake up to our death. And all we enjoyed or endured during this life will be gone. Jesus shares this parable to teach that lesson. He begins with the coveted position of a wealthy man. Dressed in the finest clothing, this man known only as "rich man," enjoyed his status and his wealth. He also enjoyed the finest dining experiences of the day. He also enjoyed the luxury of fine housing with gated protection. He lived in his fine world, separated from the harsher realities of the poor. Just outside his gate lay a sick and hungry man. His sickness was that his body was covered in sores. The sores attracted dogs which licked these sores. The man's name was Lazarus and he would have given anything to eat from the crumbs from the rich man's table. But he never did. He dies, and we believe from hunger. At his death, angels from heaven come and carry him to be at Abraham's side. The rich man also dies, and Jesus simply says, "was buried." Jesus also says that the rich man wakes up in Hades (a nice way of saying 'the other place.') and is tormented as we believe will be the expected of an eternity separated from God. The fires of Hades made the rich man thirsty and we realize that he can see Lazarus, who is alive and living well by Abraham's side. The rich man calls out to Abraham and says, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames." The man who may have been sick of the sight of a sore-covered, poor, hungry man, and who went out of his way from having contact with Lazarus, now wants the tip of his finger in his mouth to help cool his suffering. Abraham answers the rich man with the truth; "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross from there to us." He begs then, "Please send Lazarus to my father's house - for I have five brothers - that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment." Abraham has to reply, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them." The rich man persists, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent." Father Abraham says, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

The Bible says, "the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6;23). To die in sin is to die separated from God. The evident sin of the rich man is selfishness; a self-centeredness that kept the rich man from sharing with the lesser blessed some of what could have kept the poor man from dying. We meet Lazarus during the last days of his life. We can only assume what his life may have been about; but that he died and was carried by angels to Abraham's side shows there already was a relationship with God, and as a result of that relationship, he was rewarded with an eternal life that would not end. The rich man's only true relationship was with his money and his possessions and once his life died so did that relationship. He was buried and from that burial spot he enters Hades where his torment begins. And the torment is so severe, his thoughts turn to his five brothers that they may have a relationship with God too. And regardless of the pleas lifted by him, Abraham replies with the truth; the scriptures stress the need for our relationship with God to be that which saves us from an eternity separated from God. And that is our reality as well. We have heard the Good News. We have heard about Jesus' desire to have us as His. There is no other real option.

The opening story from Rev. Hill applies here. Some people are so in love with their things they lose sight of what really matters; they begin to place things over people, and themselves over others; all of which are not Christian. Jesus' message was always of the first being last, and the last being first, and doing unto others as we would like for them to do unto us. The rich man clearly showed he came first, and others did not matter.

PRAYER: Loving God, as we pray, we ask forgiveness of those times we have been like the rich man, and have ignored the poor or less fortunate. Help us to share freely with others. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Do what you can to share with others about the chasm that exists between those who die in the Lord, and those who do not!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

The new pimplesandwrinkles.org podcast on hymns features a brilliant musician and choral director, Dr. Sterling Allen of Good Shepherd UMC of Cypress, Texas. Please click on the media section to hear it.

Comfort Us, O God

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1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. 5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire? 6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation. 8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake. (Psalm 79:1-9 NRSV)

We read today that prophets are not the only ones who pray or cry out to God when things have gone exactly as God had said would happen. It's like the spouse who just signed divorce papers after insisting on a marriage a father/mother had said would not work. Stubbornness won, then lost. Or, the alcoholic who sees everything he earned for the week go to pay his bar tab. He fears having to face the wife for not having anything left for rent, food, or other payments that are due. And the illustrations could continue on, but we get the point. The psalmist is lamenting that what God had said and still praying in hopes that God would indeed comfort those in need.

As we have visited this in weeks past, all that God says will happen, happens. And it is usually our fault, not God's/. It is our willful disposition towards disobedience that gets us right where we know we should not be. The psalmist is sounding like the prophet, for he knows the heart and will of God and has tried his best to keep the people focused on the things of God; but the people have chosen to follow the wrong things. And here yet again, the prophet prays on behalf of the people asking God to come and comfort us. The psalmists and the prophets are the believers, who intercede on behalf of the fallen and the lost. It is you and me, and all who believe in God's mercy, who can't give up caring and praying for others. The prayer is already written here by David and can be prayed by us: "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Your name's sake," Amen.

Friend, your heart and mind know someone who needs to have that prayer lifted up for them in their name. It is worth offering that prayer on behalf of that family member or family friend who needs someone caring and loving enough to lift up a prayer in faith for their deliverance.

PRAYER: Loving God, as this dear reader and I pray, we name the person to You in our minds. We pray that You help this person, for the glory of Your name; deliver them, and us, and forgive us our sins, for Your name's sake, in Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Pray again and again for people who come to mind as having that need.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

Why the Prophet Weeps

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18 My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19 Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?") 20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 1 O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people! (Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 NRSV)

Wrong decisions bring consequences. To wander away from God leads to big losses, personal and spiritual. The people of God many times in their history chose wrongly; choosing other gods or selfish ways, they found themselves out of God's favor and as a result suffered great losses; sometimes even food and water. And it fell to the prophet to preach the truth to win the people back, and to pray to God for His mercy for these actions. One of the most compassionate and emotional prophets was Jeremiah, and from this passage we see why they called him the "weeping prophet."

Dear Friend, you and I have made wrong choices in our lives, and some of us saw the consequences of those actions. We would have liked to have blamed God for them, but it was our own choosing that got us into trouble. Someone once wrote that perfect song, "Nobody's Fault but Mine." Still, the hurt and pain was still there. As the prophet wrote, his joy and grief were with him and he was heartsick for the situation. The people prayed aloud asking where God could possibly be? The true response would have been where have i been; what had I done, that got me into this situation? The prophet could only pray for God to be merciful again, to His people. And he soon realized that all he could do was to cry with and for his people.

This passage comes towards the end of the passages for the week that began with a call for us to win all people to God. And that victory can only happen when people surrender themselves completely and wholeheartedly, away from passion and pleasure to the way of life of God. Our role is like that of the prophets, to speak the word of God, a loving, return-to-me invitation, and it has to be done soon. We have a responsibility to prayer, and to witness with a life that shows that we can live differently and away from the powerful forces of temptation and sin. Only then will we see the change God desires in this world.

PRAYER: Awesome God, I desire to be in the number of those who belong to You. I want to speak the prophetic word of Yours to win those who have wandered off. The cries of those who are lost, or have lost loved ones grows with each day. Hear our prayers and restore us back into the fullness of Your love. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a prophet of hope today.

Receive my blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

Bear Witness For Jesus!

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1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. 3 This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. 4 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: 5 that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us - Jesus, 6 who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. 7 This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. (1 timothy 2:1-7 The Message Bible)

Dear Friend, do you pray for people that you know? Of course, right! Do you pray for people you DON'T know? Well, of course you should! I pray that this bring blessings to your life and the lives of those you love, and even the ones who don't love you back. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

It just struck me that Paul the Apostle is featured almost every week in the Lectionary. The Epistle section of each week's readings features at least his writings every time. Talk about the impact one man had because he believed and said yes to God. It's incredible. As Nellie and I go over the photos we took in Greece, we pause to review the evidence we find in each of how Paul turned everything upside down. We visited the rich, exciting city of Corinth and Ephesus (which was known as the Las Vegas of its day), and Paul boldly prayed, and spoke on behalf of Jesus. Now Greece counts Paul as the 12th Disciple, who replaced Judas Iscariot. The Western Church does not agree, but this is the impact this one evangelist had on the entire nation and the entire Eastern Church. He is seen as the founder of that church.

We must listen to his advice. Read verse one again. "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know." I've shared how one church member in a former church angrily quit my devotional because I was asking prayers for people she didn't know. I replied that God knows them and who knows, when you get to Heaven, they may be among the crowd waiting to thank you for your prayers. Paul says we should pray for everyone, as the original versions says. We should pray for presidents, kings, prime ministers and governments; our prayers asking for those conditions that allow us to work for Jesus in getting to know Him and to come to Him; for God wants all people to come to Him. Jesus' example was to set free from sin all who were imprisoned. The "news" is going to get out, and people will know about God. And this all will start with prayer. Paul's work was based on the foundation of prayer as should be ours. We pray from and for, a simple faith, in hopes that all will come to know the love of God.

PRAYER: Loving God, bring blessings to my life as I pray. May my prayers be for all people, especially those in need. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that He may guide me to faithfulness in my prayer life. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of prayer in ways that bless you and yours.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

The Potter's House!

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1 God told Jeremiah, 2 "Up on your feet! Go to the potter's house. When you get there, I'll tell you what I have to say." 3 So I went to the potter's house, and sure enough, the potter was there, working away at his wheel. 4 Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and use the same clay to make another pot. 5 Then God's Message came to me: 6 "Can't I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" God's Decree! "Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel. 7 At any moment I may decide to pull up a people or a country by the roots and get rid of them. 8 But if they repent of their wicked lives, I will think twice and start over with them. 9 At another time I might decide to plant a people or country, 10 but if they don't cooperate and won't listen to me, I will think again and give up on the plans I had for them. 11 "So, tell the people of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem my Message: 'Danger! I'm shaping doom against you, laying plans against you. Turn back from your doomed way of life. Straighten out your lives.' (Jeremiah 18:1-11 The Message Bible)

It is Wednesday! I pray it is a Wonderful Wednesday for you so far! I know it still may be early, but set your mindset to be Positive and God-Led, and God will bless you and use you! That's my prayer! Again, I ask your prayers for the brave travelers from Gonzales headed to Frankfurt then Athens. I haven't told my travelers, so please don't tell them this. The Apostle Paul was a great evangelist for Jesus. If you remember your childhood Bibles, in the back pages there were maps. I think a remark form a comedian made Bible makers change their minds about including them in the back. He said, "If you're ever traveling in the Holy Land and you get lost, don't bother using the maps in the back of your Bible! They won't help!" But, if you remember those maps, The Journeys on Paul featured dotted red lines that showed where Paul traveled. Well, the Greek Highway Department decided to roll those up and now they're no longer there. We're going to have to take the word of our local guides!

We visit the prophet Jeremiah once again. The man known as the Weeping Prophet because of what he had to endure, gets called by God (it may have been a text) "Get yourself to the potter's house and wait there." And bear in mind, the potter's house was not a Starbuck's. It was a place of business where the potter had things to do, but given Jeremiah's status and role, the potter probably thought, "Here comes Jerry again; wonder what he and God are up to? But I can't stop to just chit chat; I've got things to do!" And what he did was what God wanted Jerry to see all that was involved in the process of making pots. (He was a good student and very observant). Jerry saw hard work! He noted that when a pot didn't turn out as he wanted, he would take that same clay and start over, and make a good pot. It was then that God texted (or called, Jerry would answer!) and asked, "Can't I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" And then God stressed, "In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel. At any moment I may decide to pull up a people or a country by the roots and get rid of them. Yet, if they will repent (turn away) of their wicked lives, He would think twice and get rid of them." God also said, "I may decide to plant a people or country, but if they don't cooperate and won't listen to me, I will think again and give up on the plans I had for them." The warning was then given to Jerry to share with the people of Israel: "Beware, God may shape doom against you, laying plans of destruction against you. Turn away from your doomed way of life. Straighten out your lives." Ouch.

It was another of God's many "Don't make me come down there/Don't make me stop the car and you will regret that!" message to the people of Israel; you know the ones who act like me and you. One day we are good (and we know it) and another day we're not (and we try to hide it because we know it!). God's love is constant as is our ignorance and willful ways of being bad. God's love will win out over us, but the sooner we realize the errors of our ways, the sooner we enjoy the blessings of being right with God. My invitation to you? Now is the perfect moment to make a decision with and for the Lord.

PRAYER: Awesome God, speak to me as I await Your word. Like Your prophet Jeremiah, I await Your word and help and I will respond. I want to be obedient to You and faithful. May that bless us in being fruitful. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a potter with your words in helping others be shaped by God.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio

paypal.me/eradiovalverde

Reconciliation Through Forgiveness

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1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. 8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.(Philemon. Yep the whole book! NRSV)

A tremendous Tuesday be yours dear Friend! My prayers for a great and blessed day. As you pray, I would ask prayers for the brave souls from FUMC Gonzales who are joining Nellie and me on a tour of Greece tomorrow! We fly out from Austin to Frankfurt, then from there to Athens. We are nervous and excited! The exciting part for me are the sites where we will experience the places where Paul the Apostle made his defense of his faith in Christ Jesus and did his preaching. Pray for traveling mercies there and back. We shall return on the 14th. We are excited! (Next trip is next summer to Germany! Please let me know if you're interested in attending the every ten year Passion Play in Oberammegau, Germany! June 22-30, 2020)

Did you know you must read a whole book in the Bible? If you took the time to read or listen to the 21 verses of Philemon, you have read one complete book in the Holy Bible. Please pat yourself on the back and tell yourself what a good boy or girl you are! You may still not believe me, and that's quite natural since it has no chapters, just twenty-one verses. And yet, it is a very important epistle (letter) from Paul, already a prisoner and soon to be executed for his faith, and as he himself says, "an old man (v 9) (and something my letters and emails say more and more these days! Hey, you young people; don't laugh! It'll be here before you know it!).

The matter is a quite serious one. Philemon is a Christian, called by Paul "a brother, dear friend, and co-worker" in Jesus' ministry. And yet, he is a slave owner. Yes, gasp if you want to; it was a terrible practice at whatever point of history one finds it. And the issue that Paul wants to resolve is a runaway slave. The man was named Onesimus, and he was owned by Philemon. And it got to the point where one day Onesimus ran away and may have sought Paul because he knew of his heart and conviction for all things Jesus. Onesimus made his way to Paul's prison and served him there as a prayer partner and helper for the aging prisoner. Paul writes this letter informing Philemon that his slave is coming home, in hopes that he is no longer a slave but a "son" of the Apostle, and this letter pleads with Philemon to welcome him back not as a slave but now as a brother in Christ Jesus, and with the promise from Paul that he will pay him anything that he may still owe him. It's funny how Paul jabs gently, "I say nothing about your owing me even your own self." A jab between loving brothers is how I see it. And the closing that says, Philemon will "refresh" Paul's heart in Christ by doing the right thing with this runaway slave. Paul wants Philemon to forgive Onesimus so that reconciliation can take place.

We are not perfect people even though we bear the name of Christ as Christians; we are forgiven yet struggling daily with our sins, and yearning to be made more perfect today than yesterday with Christ's help. Our actions towards others can either refresh and renew others, or we can kill and destroy others. Our aim should be like Paul's, to bring reconciliation where it is needed and working to make more disciples. Christ goes with us and makes this possible!

PRAYER: Awesome God, bring to my heart the joy and boldness to work among all of Your people, especially those hurting and in need of healing. Make us workers of Christ, in Whose name we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Make someone smile with your love today!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

paypal.com/eradiovalverde

Jesus First!

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25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. (Luke 14:25-33 NRSV)

A marvelous Monday to you and yours, dear Friend! Praying that your weekend was a great one! As we spend time in God's word and as we pray, please pray for those on your prayer list, those of your church's prayer list, and for these: Hannah Keck underwent a procedure and we pray her recovery continues well. She is the grandbaby of Bill and Willa Keck. Prayers for Mr. Sammie Gibson and his health needs. Prayers for Rev. Michael Dobbs who has some health challenges. Prayers for Rev. Bill Henderson and some foot problems; may he recover fully as he has some tennis games scheduled for this week! Prayers for the people of Midland-Odessa and the horrific act of murdering innocent people. At last count 5 were dead and some 21 wounded. Prayers for the members of First UMC in Marble Falls, whose children's ministry director was killed in a traffic accident this past week. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Have you ever driven by what was to be a new home, but the overgrown grass and weeds gives it away as something not planned well. Even sadder, have you driven by an abandoned church?

Jesus spoke of an uncompleted home or tower as a reference to a person who does not consider the cost of discipleship and all that is involved in following Jesus. Those who do not, may soon find themselves walking away from Him. I will never forget that night at Lon Morris College, Dean Virgil Matthews, the pre-ministerial coordinator and Dean of Students, gathered the 30 or so men and women who felt a calling into ministry. In his always loving voice, he said, "Friends, take a look around you. There are about 30 or so of you. Only two, maybe three of you will become ministers." Gulp. It was like a cold glass of water thrown in my face. "This is getting real!" I said to myself. I vowed, with God's help, to be one of those two or three. Dean Matthews was a prophet. He spoke God's word to us and it came true. Jesus had said, "Many are called, few are chosen."

Jesus wants us to put Him first. Anyone or anything else takes away from the importance Jesus should have in our lives, and we end up the weaker for it. To believe and serve Jesus is a serious matter. It is full-time work and a full-time joy. Yes, it has its ups and downs, but is it so rewarding and fulfilling.

PRAYER: Loving Lord Jesus, guide my walk with You today and all days. I ask your blessings on the dear ones mentioned above, asking Your will be done. Bring healing and comfort to all. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be one to tell others of the joy of Jesus!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio

paypal.com/eradiovalverde

The Never-Ending Song of God

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1 A song to our strong God! a shout to the God of Jacob! 10 I'm God, your God, the very God who rescued you from doom in Egypt, Then fed you all you could eat, filled your hungry stomachs. 11 "But my people didn't listen, Israel paid no attention; 12 So I let go of the reins and told them, 'Run! Do it your own way!' 13 "Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now? Israel, will you follow my map? 14 I'll make short work of your enemies, give your foes the back of my hand. 15 I'll send the God-haters cringing like dogs, never to be heard from again. 16 You'll feast on my fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey." (Psalm 81:1, 10-16 The Message)

Happy Thursday to you and yours, dear Friend! I thank you again for last evening's prayers and for your prompt and thoughtful emails in response to the Prayer Requests. In case you didn't receive that email or didn't get a chance to read them, I asked prayers for our grandson Liam on the loss of his first pet, a fish named Julio. And Nellie and I were saddened to learn of the death of a dear friend, Mrs. Carolyn Huntsman from Lovelady, TX. And prayers for my cousin, Mrs. Esther Zapata who undergoes surgery this morning in Austin. Prayers for her healing and recovery. Prayers for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Does your heart remember a love "song" from your Mom or Dad? Not so much the singing of a melody with matching words, but a refrain of love such as, "No matter how far you go if you ever need to come home, you're always welcome." Or, as simple as "you can always come home." I heard that from my father when I left for college and from my mother as well. I remember struggling spiritually in my first year of seminary and after eleven weeks I dropped out and returned home. My sister had dropped out of college three weeks earlier, so I imagine the hearts and minds of my parents were confused and saddened that number one son and number one daughter were dropouts. We were both welcomed home with love and with no judgment. I went to work right away and moved out again for almost a year when I was called back by God into His ministry. My sister enrolled at U of H and there completed all three degrees she holds, including her doctorate. It was so reassuring to hear that song before we needed it.

God's song is very much the same and He sang it first. God is a God of rescue who has too many times saved us from ourselves or from forces greater than ourselves. God sang this song to the people of Israel who forgot the song quite quickly. We talked about this last night. Instead of choosing life, they chose destructive things. Despite the knowledge of knowing that God fulfills our every need, especially our most basic ones, some wander off merrily and ignorantly. God has given us a map, and we have chosen to read the maps over the shoulders of those whom we consider wiser and more blessed. We must stop and ask ourselves, "What's the real temptation here?" Had Israel done so; had they listened to the prophets, they would not have suffered as they did. But the allure and the pull of what seemed attractive yanked them off the chosen path of God. And in so doing, God changed their names from God-lovers to God-haters, whom he compared them to dogs, who became lost forever. The reward for those who did or will return will enjoy "My fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey."

Dear friend, have you sung that love "song" to the ones whom you love? Do they know your door, especially the door to your heart, is always open? Have you shared with them that the same holds true with God? Our goal is for us and for our loved ones not to stray.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your never-ending song of love. May our hearts sing that song freely with others; and for those of our loved ones who are not yet in the fold, bless and bring them back soon. We pray Your will be done with those for whom we are praying. May Thy will be done! In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Start singing loudly the love song of God!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your Choice; Choose Wisely!

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4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 6 They did not say, "Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?" 7 I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. 8 The priests did not say, "Where is the Lord?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit. 9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says the Lord, and I accuse your children's children. 10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:4-13 NRSV)

May this be a wonderful Wednesday for you and yours, dear Friend! As we spend time in prayer today, please remember Mr. Sammie Gibson as he continues to need our prayers for healing. He is in a rehab facility in Luling, and plans are to move him to Kyle to continue his therapy and healing. Please pray for Sammie and wife, Ginger and their family. This has taken way longer than they expected and we pray that wholeness come soon to our brother. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

The story of our childhood, certainly mine, is very similar to the story of Israel and Judah in their relationship with God. God, like a good Father, provided the best for His children. The children given their free will and choices to make, decided to break God's heart rather than do what God expected. Instead of thankfulness, they suffered forgetfulness about all the good things that God did for them. The persons with the biggest broken hearts are parents whose children do the opposite of what was expected of them. Instead of choosing life, they chose things that lead away from life. Instead of a relationship they chose rebellion. Instead of faithfulness they chose disobedience. Instead of worshiping God with a grateful heart, they ran after false gods and idols. And the prophet describes it in this way; not only did they forsake God, they walked away from the "fountain of living water," and dug out cisterns for themselves, "cracked cisterns that can hold no water."

The rancher that chooses to drink from the same source as his/her cattle has made a huge mistake. S/he could have easily chosen the rich, thirst-quenching waters from home. The pet owner who chooses to imitate their pet by drinking from the toilet bowl also has chosen the worst thing. The same is true for us when we knowingly choose to follow anything or anyone other than God. God even said that no nation during that time chose to change their gods even though they were not real, but His own children chose to follow the false gods. And like the image above, not only is the vessel cracked so is our soul. The Good News is that God does and will welcome us back.

The week began with Jesus speaking on the great banquet where everyone is invited and welcomed; and here the Parent of us all wants us at that table, but so many choose to walk away or accept invitations that do not compare to God's. Our call is to respond to God but to invite others along with us.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless us on our journey with the wisdom to rightly choose that which bless You and Your children. Guide our steps loving Father. We pray healing mercies on those who need Your healing. Bless our brother Sammie and his family and all who are on our prayer lists. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Invite someone to the Table of the Lord!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Entertaining Angels?

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1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15:1 NRSV)

May this be a wonderful and terrific Tuesday for you and yours, dear Reader is my prayer! If you brought your bulletin home from church, please look up the prayer list and pray for those names on there. Pray for one another, pray for yourselves.

As sometimes happens in recommended Lectionary passages, one sometimes finds at least two or three different sermons that a preacher would want to preach on; and this is one of those passages. But calm down, I'll limit it to two. (Fingers crossed!).

Verse one is a sermon in and of itself. Love one another. It's even a commandment from the Lord Jesus. But the understanding of the writer is that love was already present and each one was loving the other in equal ways. Thus, he writes that it is important that "mutual love continue."

Verse two: You can sense the excitement of the writer saying, "Friends, we all know there are angels and some people have entertained them just by being hospitable to one another! If the writer is Paul as I suspect, he was an excitable man! He saw Jesus and for three days was exposed to some very deep revelations; I think he may have seen an angel or two in his visions, but he was excited to see one in person. And the cost of admission for this face-to-face encounter with one? Just be nice and help someone out.

Verse three: Identify with anyone in need. Pray for them. Visit them if you can. And help them if you can.

Verse four: Hold your marriage vows sacred. God takes it very seriously and judgment awaits those who break them and the ideals of purity outside of marriage.

Verse five: Live life for the joy of love - that which we receive from God and for those whom you love. Material goods and possessions serve only to distract us from the true purpose of life.

Verse six: You have God on your side to help and bless you. Join those who can say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

Verse seven: Be inspired and encouraged by the mentors in your life. Live a life that makes them look good in having shared something with you.

Verse eight: Jesus never changes. His love, faithfulness, etc. will never forsake us.

Verse fifteen: Allow Jesus to inspire your worship of God, even to the point of sharing a word of hope and encouragement with others.

Verse sixteen: Live a life that blesses others, never stopping the doing of good for others. Every act of good is like a sacrifice offered to God.

It occurs to me if we hold to these teachings, we ourselves may be the angels that people see! An angel of mercy you may be to someone in need. Your spouse may see an angel of love renewed by new love in you placed there by the hand of God. Your children and grandchildren may see the Jesus who never changes by your words and example. Your church blessed by a new and renewed faith in you. Yes, we are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and we have entertained angels among us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, make us worthy to be your servants among us. May our actions reflect angelic intentions and blessings. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be an angel in a world that needs them!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Please share this with someone in need. Forward it to the person you know who might need to hear this word. Please pray for me and for my family. Pray for the ones in your prayer list and for those who seem to go against you. Your prayers that these messages reach others go far! Support of this ministry is also appreciated. paypal.me/eradiovalverde is one way to help. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Humility Goes a Long Way!

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1 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. 7 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, 8 "When someone invites you to dinner, don't take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. 9 Then he'll come and call out in front of everybody, 'You're in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.' Red-faced, you'll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left. 10 "When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! 11 What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." 12 Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. 13 Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. 14 You'll be - and experience - a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned - oh, how it will be returned! - at the resurrection of God's people." (Luke 14:1, 7-14 The Message)

Sunday Dinner is a big deal for most Christians, as it probably is for you too, dear Friend. Here in Texas we use dinner for both lunch and supper usually. Many are the customs we have had or have; and it's a nice custom to share your meal with loved ones and friends. For many, Sunday dinner is the big meal of the week. A better way to say it is that the meal after worship on Sunday is a big deal. So, Jesus gets invited to have the big meal of the week after worship on the Sabbath with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees. In other words, this is one of the influential members of the local church. Everyone from the synagogue will be watching the process of Jesus, an outspoken itinerant rabbi, going to eat with an established and locally respected pillar of the local church. Jesus knows this and uses it to teach HIs disciples an important lesson on humility and self-worth.

The "dance" most people dance, Jesus said, is to make their way to the best seats. I think about wedding receptions where this does happen. As a pastor I personally have been at the "seat of honor" and relegated to the top tier away from the rest of the guests who were on the first floor in a hotel with a two tier setup. At the wedding of the daughter of a district superintendent of the Assembly of God church who was active in our campus ministry program, the pastors and their wives were part of the reception procession, where we, and there were about ten pastors and wives, marched in behind the couple and their parents and up to the top table of a four table-tier setup. We were served first and truly felt honored; the other wedding not so much. Of course, most weddings here in the USA, seating is assigned. In Jesus' day, Jesus said just be yourself and don't think you deserve the seat of honor; you may seat yourself there and then be embarrassed to be told, "You're in the wrong seat; yours is on the second floor!" And how true what Jesus said, "If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Great wisdom there. Be thankful you were invited just to be a part of this great festive occasion.

And to the hosts of the meal, Jesus said, "Next time you put on one of these fancy dinners, don't be like Americans who invite their friends to a meal, and then their friends who feel they owe their friends a meal in return, will do it again, just to pay it back. Why not invite people from the wrong side of the track, the ones usually not invited by anyone to such meals; whatever you think you are owed for this action, will be repaid in a manner you will never expect, in Heaven."

Jesus has given us the example of humility. Though He was God and lived in the finest and best residences in the universe, He came down to give Himself for you and me. He who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, came to serve. The face of Christianity should be the face of Christ in us living in the same way that Jesus lived and loved among us. Christ put others first, Himself last. Jesus knew His worth and value in His Father's eyes, yet He chose to be servant. When you and I surrendered to God, we surrendered all to Him. We should be guided by humility and love. There is no room in the Kingdom for conceit and arrogance. The face of Christianity is the face of others in our hearts.

PRAYER: Eternal God, Father and Creator of us all. We ask that we might surrender ourselves to You so that we might serve others in love and faithfulness. May others see Jesus in us as we see Jesus in them. I also ask for healing for dear readers of this devotional, who need your healing touch. You know, dear Lord, who they are, and we ask for Your will to be done in a mighty way! This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Bless the Lord today in giving of yourself.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Prayers and support for this devotional ministry appreciated! http://paypal.me/eradiovalverde. You don't have to have a paypal account, just follow instructions on the link. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Lifelong Protection and Help

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1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. (Psalms 71: 1-6 NRSV)

May this Thursday be a tremendous one for you and yours, dear Christian Friend! I ask that as you pray during today, you'll keep Mr. Bill Acker of Alice, TX, in your prayers. Bill's had two brain surgeries and now is suffering some spasm in his aortas that feed into the brain. Prayers for his healing. Also, please keep our son-in-law, Eric Cortez, as he undergoes exams for back pain. Eric will undergo an MRI to see what is going on in his back. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Name a household item that has lasted for longer than thirty years. Nellie and I once bought, I believe for $29.95, a microwave from Marshall Fields, a Chicago department store, briefly located at North Star Mall in San Antonio. That microwave lasted us 30 years. It was there for us every morning, noon time, and evening, as needed. Then one morning as we tried to punch the buttons, no response. It was dead. Our girls never knew another microwave! I believe we turned down a chance for extended warranty for that microwave. We didn't need it.

The sub-heading in the online Bible that I used to copy today's passage, read as today's title for this devotional. God offers to those who believe and call on Him, lifelong protection and help. The psalmist came to know this as a boy during his days in the pasture, and then later as king in his palace. God never let him down. God was a constant help, a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, a savior, and a deliverer from the enemy. All areas and aspects of his life were covered and protected by God. From birth until the day he died, David knew God to be the God of constant help. And so should we. And as a result and as a response, we should heap on God our continual praise.

PRAYER: Loving God, may we be worthy of Your protection and help. Fill us with grace and compassion. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Today, sell someone on the lifelong protection that only God can provide !

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your loving prayers, emails, and financial support keep this ministry going. You can share your love through paypal.me/eradiovalverde. May the Lord bless you and keep you!

No Matter Your Age, God Has a Plan for You!

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4 This is what God said: 5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations - that's what I had in mind for you." 6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!" 7 God told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a boy.' I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it. 8 Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." God's Decree. 9 God reached out, touched my mouth, and said, "Look! I've just put my words in your mouth - hand-delivered! 10 See what I've done? I've given you a job to do among nations and governments - a red-letter day! Your job is to pull up and tear down, take apart and demolish, And then start over, building and planting." Stand Up and Say Your Piece (Jeremiah 1:4-10 The Message)

Isn't it quite incredible how much God knows about you and me? That God knew us before we were even formed! Such was part of the call of the Prophet Jeremiah and his commission. As happens with many a clergyperson even now, one is ready with excuses why he or she should not enter into ministry. Had God spoken to me in the way He spoke to Jeremiah I might have been more frightful or more convinced of what I needed to do. Jeremiah said, "I am too young! I am but a boy!" God countered his excuses as He did mine. Much of what God told Jeremiah God has told me and countless others who have responded with a yes; "I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it. Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." How true that has been. I was always open to God's call of changes in my appointments; not all of them seemed ideal at the time, but after I had served there, I understood the reason. Many a time I stood to preach and wondered if what I had written or studied was what needed to be said, and it was. "God reached out, touched my mouth, and said, "Look! I've just put my words in your mouth --hand-delivered!" And God proceeded to outline the job that Jeremiah was to do on God's behalf; He was to speak before nations and governments, pulling up and tearing down, taking apart and demolishing; all to start over in building and planting. And that was what Jeremiah did. A small building block piece of a greater purpose. That's what your ministry might look like now; but the day will come when all will be revealed as to why we did or said what we did. For now we just do and say as we are led by God's Holy Spirit. I've shared how a Sunday school teacher in Boston went out of his way to win over a guest who had come to his class. The young man was a shoe salesman, and when giving a report of this victory, for that church had a mission to win souls and then report back to each other; the man said, "I'm afraid my one soul victory was but a shoe salesman." Well, that salesman was Dwight L. Moody, who during his lifetime was seen as the greatest evangelist, Christian author, pastor and preacher. Among his lasting achievements were the starts of institutions of higher education and Christian learning. Not too shabby a deal for a former shoe salesman. No telling what God is going to do through you; the person or persons who may come to eternal life through a word or a kind action from you. And it may be someone who's already in church but who has not yet made the connection; your faithfulness may yet be fruitfulness. Remember, it does not have to be an arena-sized endeavor; it could be a one-on-one encounter with a single person. Martin Marty at the start of a New Year once wrote when asked what he foresaw as the greatest religious event of the coming year, and he said, "The greatest event of this New Year may be the little girl in a poor neighborhood, long overlooked, who comes to faith in Jesus Christ."

PRAYER: God of the ages, thank You for trusting even me and this dear reader with the awesomeness of Your kingdom. We offer ourselves to however You may need. Guide us and bless us. Increase Your kingdom through us. This in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Reach out in love to someone today or in the days ahead to share Jesus with them.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Your support keeps this old writer going! paypal.me/eradiovalverde. Blessings!

Unshakeable Kingdom!

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18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.(Hebrews 12:18-29 NRSV)

May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with you on this Tuesday is my prayer for you and yours, dear Reader. As we pray today, let us pray to give thanks for a successful surgery on our brother, Phil Koehler. Prayers for his recovery. Thanks be to God for answered prayers. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.

Our faith is tied to our worship. The Gospel lesson for this week, which we looked at yesterday, was all about what can and does happen in worship. Today's passage is about tying worship during the time of Moses to today. Worship during Moses' leadership was, to be honest, on the terrifying side. The presence of God in their midst scared even Moses. The sacredness of all things touched by God was so, that no one could touch the mountain, not even a dog, for there were consequences to defying the commandments of God regarding worship. Now, we are worshipers in grace-filled environments. We worship even in the presence of witnesses in heaven, but more so the presence of God, all under the New Covenant shared with us by Jesus, whose blood shouts life, while the blood of Abel shouted murder and death. Our worship should invite us to be a part of a holy faith that blesses God and blesses us. We are part of God's Kingdom which is unshakeable, so that nothing in our worship should detract us from the fullness of God. This calls for us to worship God with reverence and awe; God still remains a "consuming fire."

Here's how I see this. I have mentioned in my sermons that some of the most interesting discussions between my mother and father took place after church. Some of you also may have had some non-holy discussions right after church. Your words and thoughts, and even actions may have made our enemy smile, while making God's heart break. The words of life and guidance for a better life sidelined by the mundane and insignificant. Or, a word in the sermon may have triggered a reaction, not in any way reverent or awesome; our fullness for life deviated away by something we let take the wheel of our thoughts. Worried about the roast left in the oven? Worried that our son/daughter made too much noise in church? God laughs at those things as long as we let Him speak to us in every aspect of worship. Leave the distractions to the devil, and the blessings to God.

PRAYER: Awesome God, speak to us every time we pray, read Your Holy Word, sing a sacred song, or hear a message from one of Your anointed. Bless our thoughts with faithfulness so that our lives can lead to fruitfulness. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Make it a point to invite someone to come to worship with you this Sunday.

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

If these messages have blessed you, share a blessing with this ministry at paypal.me/eradiovalverde. Thank you!

Silly Rabbi! Healing When It Happens!

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10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. (Luke 13:10-17 NRSV)

Happy and Wonderful Monday to you and yours, dear Friend! I pray this weekend was a blessing and a blast for you as it was for Nellie, my family and me. Saturday saw our family grow by one, as we welcomed Jesse Muñoz as our third son-in-law. He and Caitlin and her son, Liam, will continue to live in Houston and we pray God's blessings on them as they start this new life together. Please pray for one another, and pray for yourselves.

What attitude did you take to worship yesterday? Were you expecting things to be the same with worship? Familiar hymns or praise songs, same faces, at least one corny joke to share at work today? Or, did a healing take place in you or someone you know? Have healings become something that only happens in the hospital or doctor's offices? Or at home after some rest, medications, and treatment? Imagine having to live life like this woman in the story. For eighteen years she was unable to stand up straight. That is still common in both men and women, and early exams and treatment can prevent that from being a permanent condition. In Jesus' day, it was a life sentence. She must have heard plenty of snickers or comments, especially from children seeing her for the first time. Yet, we give her this one thing; it didn't stop her from going to church! And it was on a day that Jesus was teaching in her synagogue. Remember, for the Jews, the synagogue was an important place because it was there that God and earth met, and for the Jew anything could happen in that sacred setting. And on this worship day, the day for the Jews when no work could be done, Jesus worked a miracle in her life. He brought healing to her. This released her from her physical bondage, and she began to praise God in gratitude for this which she never thought would be removed from her. The joy of the woman was not shared by the leader of the synagogue, for he knew to keep things correct and right, and to have work done in the worship space on a worship day was not allowed. He took over the sermon and made it a critical one, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." Had he forgotten that she had come on the sabbath day for 18 years and nothing happened? Order was kept and this leader was happy, but now that God had chosen to heal her, he's not happy?

Jesus claimed the sermon back and addressed him and the crowd with a truth and a reality. There is always work being done in your homes on the sabbath day, and here a daughter of Abraham has been set free from the bondage of Satan; one that she suffered for 18 years; can't we accept and celebrate this, even on the sabbath day?

Jesus knew that God can act on any day that He chooses. It could be a Sunday or a Saturday, but if it's a Wednesday and healing happens, praise God! Don't be a calendar clown! Don't be a This Way or No Way wimp! Worship is all about God and what God chooses to do. Our way is to be open and receptive to whatever it is that God may choose to do for us or for one of us. It may not be something you see right away, but a fellow worshiper may say, "I don't hate certain people like I used to! God opened my eyes and my heart!" A certain sea captain was in worship in London as John Wesley preached against slavery and he was converted. On his way home he wrote a certain hymn that you and I love. A little hymn called Amazing Grace. An inward change that came because God chose to heal him from his sins. No longer did he see Africans as property; he saw them as God's children. No longer would he sell or transport people as property. He renounced it. Praise be to God!

Friend, what about you? What needs do you have that only God can change? I pray you would be open to healing even now that only God can bring. Let God set you free, and then give God the praise!

PRAYER: Loving God, open my heart, mind, and spirit to what You can do when I worship. I know it can be any day, and Father, if it is today, let it be. Set me free to serve You even more. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Set yourself free today to be made whole by God - and tell that story to someone today!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde

Bless this ministry at paypal.me/eradiovalverde as you are so led.

A Prayer to God re: The Vineyard

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Hear Here: http://bit.ly/2Z6NEJ0 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; 11 it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River. 12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. 14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted. 16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. (Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 NRSV)

Thursdays are tremendous when we live them in the Lord! "Come Holy Spirit, renew and refresh us as we walk in Thy Word." May that prayer bring blessings to you, dear Friend!

The passage from yesterday was from the prophet Isaiah and the word from God was about how His vineyard turned against Him. Today's passage is a prayer from the psalmist asking God to restore Israel's relationship with Him. The prayer begins by calling God the "Shepherd of Israel," the leader of "Joseph like a flock." God is acknowledged as one who rules from on high, and who has the power to save, and that becomes the opening theme of the prayer; "Stir up your might, and come to save us!" Then a reminder of how God delivered Israel out of Egypt like "a vine," and planted that vine in the Promised Land, and all nations opposed to them, and all that followed was according to God's plan. Now the petition is for God to look down on His people with regard. God is reminded of what the prophet had said; the walls were broken down, and access to the vineyard was given to all; now the plea is for God to once again restore His people and the people would never turn away from God. "Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let Your face shine, that we may be saved."

This is the telephone call from the wayward child. It is the rehearsed speech of the Prodigal Son; "Father I am no longer worthy to be called your son; take me back as a hired hand..." It is your baby girl knocking on your door after the last argument you had. The God of love is all about those calls, knocks, and prayers. God is all about us finally saying, "God I have been wrong and out of line; please forgive me and take me back." Any parent who loves and who has missed the company and presence of a wayward child will gladly pick up the phone, open the door, open their arms to embrace and bring back into the fold the child who is now home and is safe once again - The very same way God welcomes you and me.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your never failing love. Lord, I repent of my evil ways, and ask You to take me back. Help me in my earthly relationships to take back in those who have wandered away from me. This I pray in faith, in the Name of He who died for me and saved me, Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Wander no longer; walk with God!

Blessings of love,

Pastor Eradio Valverde paypal.me/eradiovalverde.