Friday double portion

Last Friday evening, I was reading the story of God sending manna for the Israelites and how they gathered only enough manna for each day, except the day before the Sabbath.  Then I realized that the day before the Sabbath is Friday.

The Sabbath represents eternal rest with God, and I believe that we currently live in the "last days", the age before eternal rest.  This, you could refer to us as living in a figurative "Friday".

So, I believe that we live in an age of double portion.  I believe that God wants us to overflow with abundant love in this age:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:38 NIV

That night, I had a dream that I prayed for two people at the same time to be anointed with the Holy Spirit, and they both slumped to the floor under His presence.

Father, I praise you for your abundant heart.  Your heart overflows with love for us.  And we have opportunity to emulate you.  Jesus, thank you for living an example for us to follow.  I want to grow more to look like you today.  Holy Spirit, please bless me with a double portion so that I can give it away.  I love you.

Fasting and joy

I finished my first five meal fast on Thursday.  Mostly tea, water, and a little coffee.  I felt the Lord prompt me to do it over a month ago, but I had not done it because it is not convenient to fast.  I realized that it is sort of like weight lifting or running: you just have to schedule it and do it consistently if you want it to benefit you.

During the fast, I was telling the Holy Spirit that I want more of Him more than I want food.

Thursday night, I attended the memorial service for Peter's dad, Harweda Bruce Jordan.  I had a conversation with him a few years ago about being baptized in the Spirit.  He was a man who did silly things just to have fun, and I realized that I take myself way too seriously. 

Saturday afternoon, I took the kids to get ice cream cones and then shopping at Lowe's,  and I wore a silly looking Christmas elf cap.  Beau asked me not to wear it, but I told him that I was just being silly.  It was liberating to not worry about people thinking I look silly.

Saturday night,  Brandi and I went to the College of Engineering Holiday Party, and I had agreed to start the dancing if they played a country song so that we could two-step.  Later, they were playing some Latin dance music, and someone invited me to learn, so instead of taking myself too seriously, I got out there and tried to dance.  It was definitely challenging my tendency to self-judge, but I mostly had fun.

After our church gathering yesterday,  we went shopping at Sam's, and we had Sharita's two kids with us, so a total of six kids.  The looks we got were pretty funny,  but I was in a good mood and tried to keep with the theme of not concerning myself with the judgements of others.

I believe that I will grow in joy as I continue to see myself through my Father's eyes.

At home group last night, Sharita asked if I had considered a one word focus for 2019, and she suggested, "joy". I think I am going to run with that one.

Father, thank you for seeing the best in me.  Thank you for covering me in the righteousness of Jesus.  Holy Spirit,  help me loosen up. I love you.

Pastor installation

A couple of weeks ago, we installed Peter Jordan as our lead pastor of Paseo.  We (1) anointed him with four Scripture passages from Paul's letters to Timothy, (2) anointed him with oil, and (3) anointed him with love and prayers.  

In a Paseo Sunday gathering a few months ago, while we were worshipping, I went to pray for Peter before he preached, and it was an unusual prayer.  I typically pray for the person preaching to be confident in what God has put on their heart to share, that they will be full of joy as they share, etc.  But that morning, the prayer that came out of me was that God would honor Peter for being a Spirit-led man, faithful husband, spiritual leader of his children, disciple maker through his work, etc.  I went back to my seat, sort of curious about that prayer, and Brandi leaned over and told me that as she was singing, she heard the Lord tell her that Peter would be a good pastor for Paseo, and then she began to list off the things that I had just prayed over Peter.

Over the next few weeks, Brandi and I shared what we had experienced with the leadership team, and there was unity and confirmation.  Then before we even announced to the congregation that we were considering Peter, God kept sending us confirmation by multiple people recommending Peter.  

It has been great to see how God has led us through this process and provided for our church family.

Father, thank you for leading and providing.  Lord Jesus, thank you for your example for us to follow.  Holy Spirit, take us deeper.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.  

Letting go of shame and embracing honor

Last week, I started listening to guided meditation through the app, Soultime.  Based on the 61 question check-in, one of the top recommendations was a three part series on busyness.  The first meditation was about how we might use busyness as a way of seeking significance/meaning, which I know that I have struggled with at times.  The second meditation was about how we might use busyness as a way of avoiding soul wounds/pain, but I didn't sense that this point was as applicable for me.  The third meditation was about how we might use busyness as a way of trying to earn approval from people or as a way of covering shame.  At first, I didn't think this one applied that much to me, either, but I felt the Holy Spirit inviting me to open my heart and allow Him to search.  I asked, "Is there anything that I am ashamed of?", and immediately, I remembered a situation from late elementary school for which I was very ashamed of myself. 

I remembered something that Brandi had shared with me from the book Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Bill Johnson and Kris Vallaton about forgiveness and restoration to honor.  I realized that since Jesus has forgiven me for all of my sins, and our Heavenly Father has made me a son, I can let go of my shame, because God is not ashamed of me.  I can look upon myself with honor because that is the way my Father looks at me.

I have decided that anytime a thought comes to mind for which I am ashamed or disappointed of myself, I will break agreement with that feeling towards myself because it is not in agreement with God.  These feelings are based on a lie that God has not forgiven me or does not approve of me.  But if I have repented and asked for forgiveness according to the mercy of Christ, then I should receive His grace of restoration to honor, as well.

Furthermore, as I was sharing this in homegroup last night, Rachel encouraged us to not only let go of the shame and break agreement with the lies, but also to ask our Father for a new truth instead.  In this way, we will double our growth.

Father, thank you for being a good father.  I can trust you to give me good gifts.  It pleases you to give good gifts to your children.  Jesus, thank you for making the way for me to be forgiven and restored.  Holy Spirit, thank you for my growing friendship with you and for guiding me to be aware of my heart.  You are trustworthy with my heart.  I look forward to letting go of more shame and walking in more of your power.  I love you.

Deliverance

Foe months, I have been wanting to see the Holy Spirit use me to heal someone.  After the gathering yesterday, Peter called me over to join him in praying with a man who he had already been talking to for a bit. Almost immediately, I noticed strong alcohol on his breath, and could tell by his speech that he was intoxicated.  The man was feeling guilt, shame, and fear from his past.  We shared the good news of Jesus and His forgiveness, and led the man to put his faith in Christ and receive God's forgiveness.  Peter said, "OK, now Shane is going to pray for you, and God is going to deliver you."  I put my left hand on his right shoulder and my right hand on his forehead, and I began to thank the Father for this man and ask the Holy Spirit to come.  Within a minute, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, even in my legs, and I felt him flowing, so I asked for more, and more.  The man was overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit, and he slumped down on the floor.  Peter and I let him down gently on the floor, and we continued praying for him.  I commanded evil spirits to leave him, and I commanded his brain chemistry to return to normal.  I kept praying for the annointing of the Holy Spirit from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

Within a few minutes, he started waking up, and he was a little confused about why he was on the floor, but we reassured him and helped him to his feet.  It was obvious that he was sober-minded and able to talk and reason more clearly than before.  (And later, Peter told me that he sensed demonic presence had left while we were praying for him.)  We gave him a Bible, and I encouraged him to start reading the Gospel of Mark because in the first chapter Jesus casts out demons and heals people.  We talked to him about learning to listen to the Holy Spirit and to ignore the enemy.  Peter got a word for him to not touch alcohol, and we encouraged him to stay in freedom and not open the door for demons to return.

As we were walking out, he said that he had bad knees and that his knees were hurting.  I prayed for him several times, commanding the pain to leave and flexibility to be restored.  He was amazed after walking down the stairs from the front porch and down the sidewalk a bit that his knees were so much more flexible than they had been in years.  He said that he used to walk like a penguin because his knees were so stiff.

He told us that he had promised to meet a friend at the library so that they could check their email for job offers, so we took him to the library.  On the way, he told us about a repetitive dream that he has been having the past several months about him being a drummer in a church praise band and giving God the glory for his ability.  I encouraged him to take a step of faith towards that by practicing with one of our church praise teams.

I hope that he continues walking in freedom and that God uses him to bring freedom to others.

Father, thank you for the opportunity to be used by you.  Jesus, thank you for your victory.  Holy Spirit, thank you for flowing through me and delivering this man.  I look forward to the next opportunity.  I love you.

Snake in the fire

Acts 28:1‭-‬6 NIV

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

The Lord showed me that there is an analogy here.  As followers of Jesus, we are light in the dark, we kindle the fire of God's love to warm those who are could.  And as we do, driven out of hiding by the heat of God's love, the enemy comes against us to steal, kill, and destroy.  But through Christ, the fatal bite of sin, as well as the other attacks of the enemy, are ineffective against us.  We should shake off the snake into the fire that we are building.  This is a foreshadowing of the eternal destiny of the Serpant.  A signature of the sons and daughters of God is that we walk in supernatural protection, abiding with the Father.

1 Corinthians 15:54‭-‬58 NIV

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Father, you are merciful and gracious to us. Jesus, you already won the victory.  I want to walk in your supernatural protection and provision.  Holy Spirit, show me how to shake off the snake into the fire.  I love you.

Supernatural and reason

Acts 4:10‭, ‬14 NIV

"then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed." ... But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

Reasoning is a gift from God, as long as it is submitted to the Lordship of Christ.  But if we are not open to supernatural interruption by the Holy Spirit, then our reasoning can limit us to the natural and block us from experiencing the goodness of God.  By definition, supernatural experiences are not explainable by natural reasoning.

Father, open us to supernatural interruption by the Holy Spirit today.  Holy Spirit, we welcome your thoughts, and we welcome your miraculous powered.  We welcome your desire to dispense yourself through us.  We are your vessels.  Use us supernaturally!  We love you.

Ruidoso retreat last weekend

We attended a retreat in Ruidoso last Friday and Saturday with Adrian and Kayla's and Josh and Olivia.  It was very encouraging.  We had a great time in praise and worship every session. Josh taught on Friday evening about intimacy with God by way of Moses and the bush fire, and how that private experience prepared Moses to publicly go to the mountain fire.  Olivia shared about how they have continued to take steps of faith and obedience and have seen the Lord continue to increase their ministry.  

Brandi spoke in toungues for the first time. That was amazing. And another significant moment was during one of the worship sets, she asked the Lord, "What do you look like?" And He replied, "I look like the smile on your child's face.  I look like the beauty of the mountains.  I look like your husband's face when you walked down the isle on your wedding day.  I look like your parent's face beaming at you with pride."

A couple of impressions that I walked away with: I want to continue taking steps forward in faith and obedience, and I want to take a two day fast to ask God for more hunger for Him.

Father, thank you for continuing to grow us closer. Jesus, we want more. Holy Spirit, we want more.  I love you, and I trust you.  

Brandi's first personal spiritual retreat

Brandi spent last weekend (a week ago, Friday afternoon through Sunday morning) at a casita outside of Las Cruces, just her and the Lord.  Nearly 48 hours with the simple goals of resting and connecting with God.  Probably the longest duration by herself in her life.

Brandon and Sharita have been encouraging us for several months to take a personal retreat, and we finally made it happen for Brandi.  I am so glad that we did.

I think the time was very valuable for her to rest, reflect, and hear from the Father.  From my perspective one of the key advances was a closer relationship with God as Father and daughter and realizing that she does hear his voice.  He showed her several lessons when she was hiking the Dripping Springs trail on Saturday.  The Lord told her that spiritual breakthrough was like reaching the springs and that once you reach a new level of breakthrough, it is downhill from there.  As she neared the springs, she smelled a beautiful fragrance, but other hikers and even the park rangers didn't seem to notice the fragrance.  I think Brandi was walking with the Lord, and she could smell the fragrance of the perfume that Mary poured on Him. I am excited about how Brandi is growing in intimacy with the Lord!

Father, thank you for providing this opportunity for Brandi to connect with you.  Thank you for the blessing that Brandi is to me and our children.  Thank you for continuing to reveal yourself to Brandi and for growing her closer to you. I love you, and I ask for more.

Beau and Jude were baptized yesterday!

The building where our church meets does not have a permanent baptistry, so we announced several weeks ago that we were going to have a baptism Sunday yesterday.  I have been talking to one of my good friends about him being baptized, and about two weeks ago, he decided to commit to baptism, which was very encouraging to me. As we were discussing this in our home last Sunday, Beau and Jude asked, "When can we be baptized?" We discussed it a little that evening, and then Brandi discussed it with them extensively after school on Monday and discerned that they had the necessary faith and understanding to be baptized.  

So, at the end of our gathering, we baptized Beau, Jude, and our good friend.  Peter led our prayer as a church for each before their baptism, and the family prayed over them after their baptism.  Brandi, my dad, and I prayed over Beau and Jude, and Joe prayed over our friend; I asked Jesus to baptize them in the Holy Spirit.

We went to Rudy's BBQ for lunch to celebrate.

Father, thank you for the opportunity to celebrate adoption of sons into you family! Jesus, thank you for your example for us to follow.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your baptism.  I love you.

Hiking Capitán

Brandon invited me to join him for a hiking/camping trip before he deploys in a few weeks.

This past Thursday, we packed in food, water, and basic shelter and then hiked in the rain a few hours before setting up camp. We started at an elevation of about 6000 feet, and Brandon was probably carrying three times as much weight as I was.   That morning, I read about Jesus's transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, and I asked him to reveal Himself to us on this hike.

Friday morning, there was a trail for the first hour or two, but we were hiking through brush and tall grass (or over rockslides) most of the rest of the way.  At around 8500 feet, I started getting dizzy and light headed.  I had to stop every couple hundred yards to catch my breath, but Brandon was very patient with me.  He noticed that I was taking large strides, and he encouraged me to take smaller steps, which helped a lot.  The sky was mostly clear until we got to the summit (10083 ft), and then clouds rolled in.

And then I realized that I had been so focused on making it to the summit that I had forgotten about making it back down the mountain to the truck. 

After about 30 minutes of descent, the skies cleared up again.  Thank God, He gave me strength and protection to make it back down.  It was about a 10 mile round trip.

As I was reflecting on the experience, I saw God in a few ways.  I think Brandon was an example of Jesus or the Holy Spirit (not sure which, or maybe both): eager for me to go on to new heights, more confident in my ability than I was, and patient with me the whole time.  Furthermore, I don't think it was a coincidence that the clouds came in when we summited.  I think God answered my prayer by surrounding us with clouds the way Moses experienced God on the mountain and the way that Peter, James, and John experienced God on the mountain.

Father, thank you for giving me what I asked for.  Thank you for revealing yourself to me.  And thank you for a good friend who pushes me beyond what I think my limits are.  I love you.

Mountain top glory

This past Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, Beau and I went camping on his second manhood trip.  It was a great trip and we had some great conversations and some good hiking.

This afternoon and tomorrow, I plan to hike with Brandon before he deploys in a few weeks.

As I was reading Matthew's account of Jesus's transfiguration, I was impressed with what the three disciples were experiencing and what he Father said of Jesus.  I want Him to be able to say that of me.

Matthew 17:1‭-‬3‭, ‬5 NIV

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  ... a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

As I was considering this, I noticed that the song on the radio was Show me Your Glory by Jesus Culture:

[Verse 1]
I see the cloud, I step in
I want to see Your glory as Moses did
Flashes of light and rolls of thunder
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid

[Chorus]
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God...
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory

[Verse 2]
I'm marked by Your beauty, lost in Your eyes
I want to walk in Your presence like Jesus did
Your glory surrounds me and I'm overwhelmed
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid

[Chorus]
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God...
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, yeah!

[Bridge]
I long to look on the face of the One that I love
Long to stay in Your presence, it's where I belong

Father, thank you for speaking to me through your Word and through a song.  God I want to connect with you on this mountain trip today.  I want to experience you on the mountain top, like Moses, like Jesus and the disciples.  Please reveal yourself.  Please purify my heart so that I can see you.

Keep pressing for more

Matthew 4:23‭-‬24 NIV

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.

I want to follow Jesus's example of teaching the good news of the kingdom and healing people.  I will keep pressing in for more.

Father, thank you for loving every person in the world.  Thank you for your heart for everyone to hear the good news and experience holistic healing through Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for your example living a Spirit-led life on mission with the Father.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power.  Please use me.  I ask in the name of Jesus.  I love you.

Healing prayer

2 Chronicles 30:18‭-‬19 NIV

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the Lord , who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord , the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."

James 5:14‭-‬16 NIV

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Hezekiah knew that God is loving and merciful.  He knew the character of God. He asked God to pardon his people, and God healed them.

Jesus told the paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven." And then He told the man to get up, take up his mat, and walk.

I believe that God wants us to experience holistic, integrated healing.  He wants us to experience the transforming power of His love.  He wants to regenerate our spirits, and He wants to heal us of soul wounds.  He wants to heal our bodies so that we live in good health, even as our souls prosper. 

3 John 2

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your good heart toward us.  Thank you for your love that includes healing.  Jesus, thank you for paying the price for my healing.  Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering me to follow in Christ's footsteps.  Please use me to heal people and tangibly show them your love.  I love you.

Prayers for godly spouses for my children

As I read through the accounts of the kings of Judah in 2 Chronicles, I realize how much influence a spouse exercises on a person.  I am so grateful that God gave me a wife who encourages me to seek the Lord and grow in my walk with Him.  I want God to bless each of my children with a godly spouse.

Father, thank you for giving us good gifts.  I trust my children to you, and I believe that you have good plans for them, including a godly spouse for each of them.  For each of my sons, please bless them with a Spirit-led wife who will respect them, encourage them, and challenge them to go deeper with you.  For my daughter, bless her with a Spirit-led husband who will love her, protect her, and care for her as Christ loves the church.  May my children and their spouses walk as kings and queens, and may they seek first your kingdom and your righteousness.  Jesus, if you tarry, may my grandchildren be raised to seek you and walk in your power and authority from an early age.  Holy Spirit, anoint my family with your presence, and may we always seek to abide in your anointing.  I look forward to seeing your blessings poured out on my children.  I love you.

Spiritual influence of parents

2 Chronicles 12:13‭-‬14 NIV

King Rehoboam established himself firmly in Jerusalem and continued as king. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother's name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite. He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.

Unfortunately, it seems that Rehoboam didn't get a strong example of seeking the Lord from his father, King Solomon or his mother, Naamah the Ammonite.  By implication from verse 14, I think it is easier to seek the Lord if your parents are positive spiritual role models.

I am so thankful that my parents sought the Lord when I was growing up, and they taught me to seek the Lord.  It is not enough to know about the Lord, we have to show our children what it looks like to have a close personal relationship with God.  We must teach them to hear His voice and walk in faith and obedience.  I am so thankful that Brandi is my partner in leading our children by example.

Father, help me be a good spiritual Father to my children.  I want them to walk with you in even greater ways than me.  Holy Spirit, please show me how to show my children how to know you and walk with you. I love you.

Hosting God's presence

The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.

1 Chronicles 13:14 NIV

What a privilege it was for Obed-Edom to host the ark of God's presence!  And yet, we have an even greater privilege than he, because we have the Holy Spirit within us.

When I read this verse yesterday, I asked God to make my home like that of Obed-Edom.  It is still on my mind this morning.  I want our home to be saturated with the presence of God.  I realize that He is already here, but I want His presence to be manifested in our home.  

Father, thank you for being here.  Jesus, thank you for being here. Thank you for revealing your presence in my home. Holy Spirit move among us in our home.  We welcome you to do whatever you want to do in our home. We love you.

Spiritual hunger

I was talking with Andrew and Jake last week about wanting to hunger for God.  How do I increase my hunger for God?  Jake suggested that in the physical, you can stretch your appetite by forcing yourself to eat when you aren't hungry (like food eating competitors).  So, I think there is value in choosing to read Scripture and spiritual books, even when you don't "feel" like it.

I was thinking about it again several days ago, and the Holy Spirit told me, "A fire doesn't have a problem being hungry."  I realized that I want the Holy Spirit to kindle a fire in me so that He can keep adding fuel to the fire, and the fire will keep growing.

Father, thank you for making me with a capacity to host your fire.  Jesus, thank you for the prophetic vaions of you in the Scriptures in which you are described as being like fire.  Holy Spirit, kindle your fire in me.  Consume me with your growing fire.  I love you.

Types of Christ in Esther and Mordecai

Esther figuratively willingly went "to her death" by going before the king uninvited, but the king extended his scepter and "resurrected" her life.  Esther sacrificed her life to save her people from destruction.

Mordecai was a humble servant of the king, and he did not pursue promotion.  But because of his faithfulness and obedience, the king promoted him to the highest position in the kingdom.  According to Isaiah 53, Jesus was a humble servant, but the Father has promoted Him to the highest position. One day, soon, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the King of all Kings.

Father, I want to be like Christ.  Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me Christ.  Jesus, please reveal yourself through my life.  I love you.

As good as done

Esther 6:12‭-‬14 NIV

Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!" While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

When the Lord has set something in motion, it is as good as done.  From our limited human perception, it may not appear to be resolved, but from His perspective, it is as good as done.  God has ordained that evil is defeated, and the Church will be saved.  It is done.

There is a tension between the now and the not-yet.  May we persevere in faith, knowing that He who called us is faithful to complete the work that He has begun.

Romans 16:20 NIV

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:23‭-‬24 NIV

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:14 NIV

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

1 Corinthians 15:54‭-‬58 NIV

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Father, thank you for your promises of victory over sin and death.  Jesus, thank you for accomplishing our salvation.  Holy Spirit, I want to run with you today in confidence of your authority and power.  I love you.

Already paid in full

Yesterday, I stopped in to say hello to one of my colleagues.  I discovered that he was involved in a community service program and complimented his efforts.  As I was walking away, he said, "We all have to pay for our sins somehow." I was already out the door and walking down the hall, but I had a gut reaction that his statement was not true.  I wish I had responded immediately.

A few minutes later, I was walking back by his office, and I decided I was going to respond.  So, I stepped into his doorway and said with a smile, "The good news of Jesus is that He paid for all of our sins, so we don't have to pay for anything."  He replied, "I didn't get a receipt." And as I was walking away again, I responded, "Just ask Him for it, and He will give it to you."

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.  Holy Spirit, please help my colleague understand how much you love him.  I ask in the name of Jesus.

Inheritance

" 'I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.

Ezekiel 44:28 NIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 NIV

Father, you are my only inheritance! I don't want anything else but you.  You are enough.  You are my treasure, and where my treasure is, my heart is there also.  You have my heart.  I want what you want.  Thank you for loving me.  Please help me shine brightly today.  I love you.

Watchman: Old Covenant versus New Covenant

Ezekiel 33

It seems to me that Ezekiel was explicitly instructed to announce the sins of the people.  God told him that he was a watchman on the wall, and that if he warned people of the looming consequences of their sin, then their blood was on their own heads, and Ezekiel would not be held accountable for their rebellion.

I know that some churches today have this perspective that their role is to condemn people of their sin.  But to be honest, as I consider the whole of the New Testament writings, it seems to me that the principal focus of our proclamations to the world is not sin and hell.  Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, and He told us to be His witnesses.  We are witnesses of his grace and mercy.  I think we should be proclaiming the goodness of God and testimonies of how we are sons and daughters walking in the blessing and favor of our Heavenly Father through Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is perfectly capable of convicting the world of sin as we highlight the goodness of God through Christ.  I wonder what it would be like if all churches around the world were passionate about proclaiming the goodness of God instead of proclaiming the sin of the world.

Father, thank you for showing your goodness to me.  I want to be faithful to share your goodness with friends, family, coworkers, and strangers.  Holy Spirit, thank you for giving me power to demonstrate the goodness and lordship of Jesus.  I love you.

Summer vacation 2018

We went to South Texas to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday.  She has forgotten who most of us are, and she only remembers the last few minutes, so every time I saw here I greeted her as if for the first time, and I said, "Hello, Grandmother!", so that she would have a clue about how I was related to her.  One time she came out to the swimming pool and was watching the kids swim.  I sat next to her and asked her what her favorite Scripture passage was.  She said that it would be hard for her to pick, and then she asked me.  I told her that I think Romans 8 is one of my favorites.  I talked about verse 1, verses 5-6, and verses 28-39.  It was so encouraging to see her face light up.  I asked her when she started following Jesus, and she said she thinks she was six or seven years old.  I told her about when I remember believing the Gospel and feeling freedom from my sin. Afterwards, I thanked God for the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with her.  Before we left, Grandmother was out in the yard watering plants, and I got to hug her and tell her that I love her.  And I spoke one of the Apostle Paul's blessings over her, "May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." That was a special moment for me.

We also went out to the cabin in the Hill Country, and we spent a day with Brandi's grandparents.  It was great to have spiritual conversations about healing with Grandma and fruit of the spirit with Paw Paw.  I was thankful that Paw Paw took time to go out in the heat of the afternoon with me to dig up a chili petine/pequine plant for us to bring back to El Paso.

Father, thank you for family, and thank you for the heritage that we have in Jesus Christ.  Thank you for the opportunity to have time together as a family.  Lord, thank you for protecting us and preserving us.  I love you.

In honor of Greg Hunt

This past Sunday, after 12 years of leadership, Greg resigned as pastor of Paseo, and we had the privilege of gathering around him and his family and praying over him.

As I have reflected on how God has used Greg's leadership to influence me, I am thankful for these principles that Greg has prioritized:

- Everyday sacredness. Every moment of every day, big or small, is holy because we spend it in the presence of God.

- Missio Dei.  We are joining God in His mission.  God is at work, and we are collaborating with Him in the renewal of all things.

- Make a difference by showing people practical love in your community around you.  It is not enough to say that you love God; demonstrate it by how you actively treat people with love and grace.

- The integration of missiology, christology, and ecclesiology are essential for a growing church.

- Homegroups are foundational for living out a discipling, nurturing, and apastolic culture.

I will miss Greg and his drive to "charge the next hill!", but I'm thankful that our friendship can continue.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the past eight years of walking through church leadership with Greg and the ways that you have grown me by working with him. I know that you will bless the next chapter in Greg's life, as well as Paseo's.  I love you.

Hosting the Holy Spirit and listening

As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Ezekiel 2:2 NIV

Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: ...

Ezekiel 3:24 NIV

As followers of Jesus, we are blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Before Jesus, only a select few were blessed with hosting the Holy Spirit, but in Christ, we are all hosts.

One of the key benefits of hosting the Holy Spirit is hearing Him speak, personally.  The God of the universe wants to speak directly and personally into our lives, and He wants us to share our loving relationship with Him with the people around us.

Father, thank you for your presence, and thank you for speaking.  I want to be a good host, and I want to listen and obey.  

Thankful for God's blessings through promotion

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Director of UTEP's Center for Inland Desalination Systems (as of July 1).  

I am realizing that it is the Lord who gives promotion.  Over the past several years, I remember many times at home in front of the sink with a pile of dishes and asking God to sort out my task list at work because I knew it honored Him for me to spend time taking care of my family.

On Saturday and Sunday, I spent time in prayer dedicating myself to the Lord in this position of leadership.  I am reminded of how it is my job to be humble and obedient and leave favor and promotion up to the Lord.

Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4 NIV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7 NIV

As I've been discussing this with Brandi, I have had some fears of inadequacy.  Sunday I told Brandi how at each stage of promotion, I have had fears of failing out.  I was afraid of failing out of college, then grad school, then not getting tenure.  At lunch on Sunday, I asked Brandi to speak truth over me, and she said that while this opportunity of leadership is new to me, God has seen it from before time, and He has good plans for me.  It is a lie that I am not good enough and that I am going to fail at this position because Christ is in me, and He is good enough, and He has already overcome sin and death.  

I will not allow fear of failure to undermine my joy and impact in this position. I know that it is God's will to do good things through me (Eph 2:10), and I walk in His grace and favor because I am a son of God.  I will humbly walk in confidence of the Lord's goodness.

Father, you are good, and you are loving.  Jesus, I live for your life to be manifested through me.  Holy Spirit, I want to walk in your supernatural anointing in this position.  Thank you for granting me favor.  I humbly acknowledge your grace, and I will continue to do so. Father, use me to touch people all over the world with your love.  Dispense your living water through me.  I love you.

In honor of Tom Davis

Tom Davis passed away on April 25, 2018, and I had the privilege of speaking at his memorial service in El Paso two weeks ago.

I met Tom and Pollyana at an American Membrane Technology Association conference in Austin in 2009, and I was so excited to hear someone else speaking about electrodialysis!  Later, Tom invited me to apply for a faculty position at UTEP.  

Tom was sincerely enthusiastic about his work, and he believed in what he worked on.  He loved inventing and figuring things out. 

Tom loved sweets, especially cake, and when we would celebrate someone's birthday, he would have an extra piece of cake on behalf of one of our gluten-free colleagues.  Sometimes he and I would even have a third piece.

Tom was polite and showed genuine hospitality. He had a sincere smile and his whole chest shook when he laughed (like Santa Claus).   Tom loved to sing, and he was a good singer.  

The joy of the Lord was evident in Tom.   I want to be a joyful person like Tom.

I am a dwelling place, and I want to be a good one

Psalms 132:1‭-‬5 TPT

Lord, please don't forget all the hardships David had to pass through. And how he promised you, Jacob's mighty God, saying, "I will not cross the threshold of my own home to sleep in my own bed. I will not sleep or slumber, nor even take time to close my eyes in rest, until I find a place for you to dwell, O mighty God of Jacob. I devote myself to finding a resting place for you!"

I am a temple of God, and the Holy Spirit lives within me.  Like King David, I want to be passionate about God's dwelling place.  I don't want to be slack about me being a good temple.  I want to be a place where He enjoys resting.  I want to be a good host.

Heavenly Father, you are always welcome in my spirit, soul, and body.  Jesus, thank you for being an example of a good host.  Holy Spirit, make yourself at home, and please remodel or rearrange anything you want in me.  I love you, and I want to be a good host.  

Justice and mercy through Jesus (God)

I was impressed this morning by the connections between Matthew 10 and Micah 7. Jesus said:

Matthew 10
34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
"'a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36     a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

The verse from Micah that Jesus quotes is bookended by statements of God coming to visit, which Jesus fulfills incarnationally.

Micah 7
4 The best of them is like a brier,
    the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.
The day God visits you has come,
    the day your watchmen sound the alarm.
    Now is the time of your confusion.
5 Do not trust a neighbor;
    put no confidence in a friend.
Even with the woman who lies in your embrace
    guard the words of your lips.
6 For a son dishonors his father,
    a daughter rises up against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
    a man's enemies are the members of his own household.
7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.

And why did He come?  Because He loves us.

Micah 7
18 Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy shown through sending Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for bearing our sins on the cross.  I love you.

Iterative implementation

Like multiple terms of a Taylor series are needed for accurate approximation, I am slowly but progressively implementing some spiritual revelations.

Last year at Brandi's parents' church meeting, some elders prayed for me for healing my back.  As they were praying, they shared a word of knowledge that I needed some deep emotional healing.  I have been trying to figure out what that is.  

I have been reading this book about birth order, and the chapter on firstborns has really resonated with me, particularly about the high self-expectation personality trait.  I have realized that I tend to say yes to many things because I feel obligated, and I am beginning to have the courage to say no to requests of me.

Recently my mom encouraged me to proactively release any bitterness or disappointment, which often come from unmet expectations.  

I have been praying a general prayer of release and declaring freedom of (1) any expectations that I have for other people, (2) any expectations of other people on me, and (3) any of my expectations of myself.  On Wednesday, I had to give a practice presentation to an inter-institutional research team, and I was very stressed about it.  I spoke to my mom that morning on the way to work, and I realized as I was talking with her that I needed to begin to apply this release of expectations to specific deliverables.  So when I got to my office, I declared freedom of expectations about that presentation, and my attitude began to shift from apprehension and anxiousness to genuine enjoyment.  

I can tell that I still need more terms in the series, but I feel like I am making progress.

Father, your approval is all I need, and you already approve of me because I am your son, and you see on me the perfect righteousness of Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for living a life of singular focus on love lived out through the will of the Father.  Holy Spirit, break off any expectations of me that are not from the Father, and remove any bitterness or disappointment from my heart.  I want to be free from disappointment, bitterness, and fear.  Those are not of you.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Streams in the desert

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.  I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.

Isaiah 41:17‭-‬18 NIV

Father, I may be misapplying this passage, but I want to help you do this.  I want to help people have clean water to drink in deserts around the world.  And I want them to know that you love them infinitely.  Please show me how to join you in your work.  I love you.

leadership continuity

I finished reading 1 & 2 Kings.  Depressing story.  But I wonder how the story might have been different if (1) King Saul had not spent the end of his reign trying to kill David, and (2) if King David had not waited until his deathbed to announce Solomon as successor.  How much political turmoil would have been avoided throughout the following centuries in Israel's history? 

It seems to me that there is a benefit to having a period of overlap/transition in leadership in which the successor is truly in charge, but the predecessor can still serve as wise counsel to the successor.  What if King Saul and King David had implemented such a precedent?

How can I take inventory of the leadership positions in which I serve and wisely cultivate successors to step into leadership before I move on?

Father, thank you for your plans to prosper us.  Jesus, thank you for making us friends of God and co-reigners with you.  Holy Spirit, thank you for giving me wisdom and guiding me in my decisions.  Show me how to be a better leader.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

gentleness

Yesterday morning, I felt like wanted to tell my sons that I want them to be strong yet gentle, and passionate yet strategic.  I tried to explain this to Beau and Jude on the way to school yesterday.

Last night, we went to the celebration for Jume's life.  During worship, I felt a conviction that I want to "preach" the truth without words to my children through being gentle with them, and that "preaching without words" will be "louder" and more clear than any Sunday morning preaching that I have ever done.  In fact, I believe that by honoring Christ through gentleness with my children will increase the power of my regular preaching.

Father, thank you for your gentleness toward me.  Jesus, thank you for your example of strength and gentleness.  Holy Spirit, thank you for leading me to follow Jesus's example.  I love you, and I will honor you with my whole life.

Strength, joy, and compassion

Lord, just singing about you makes me strong! So I'll keep shouting for joy to Jacob's God, my champion.
Psalms 81:1 TPT

Last week I called my dad to ask him to pray for me because I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed out with work.  He prayed for me, and then he encouraged me to sing praise songs throughout the day.  I want to be intentional this week.

Yesterday in our church gathering, I felt the Lord convict me of being too busy and the consequences of students feeling like I am too busy for them.  I want that every time I open my office door, the person who knocked will see the compassion of their Heavenly Father shining in my face.

Father, thank you for your strength and love.  Jesus, thank you for the strength that you demonstrated as an overflow of your solitude with the Father. Holy Spirit, thank you for your joy and overflow through me this week.  I love you.

Psalm of light

You own the day and the night. Sunlight and starlight call you Creator.

Psalms 74:16 TPT

Light itself glorifies God.  The entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation bows in honor of God. The photonic wave-particle dual-nature of light testifies to the creativity of God.  The constant warmth of sunlight sings of the faithful love of God.  The red-shift of starlight shouts praise at the universe-expanding power of God.  

Father, you are amazing! You are so creative and beautiful.  You are faithful, merciful, gracious, and kind.  May I radiate your character because you have made me your son.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Importance of a father's blessing

I've been reading the book of Judge's, and Jephthah was an absolute knucklehead.  First of all, there is no indication in the Torah that God wants people to make quid-pro-quo agreements with God, which shows that Jephthah's father didn't teach him how to love God.  Second, Jephthah was fighting people's who practiced child sacrifice, so he should have know that when his daughter came running out to meet him that sacrificing his daughter was worse than breaking his promise to God. This story is so depressing, especially now that I have a daughter.

In contrast, I read Psalm 72 this morning, and King David blesses the king, and many of the blessings are partially fulfilled during Solomon's reign.  Some are prophetic of Jesus's reign, and we will see those fulfilled one day.

Father, thank you for blessing me with an earthly father who taught me to love you.  May I bless my children and teach them to love you and walk in your favor. We long for the full revelation of the reign of Christ. I love you.

second derivative

Deut. 32:46 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.

It is critically important for us to teach our children to love the Lord and obey Him.  But I think it is also very important for grandparents to teach their grandchildren to love the Lord and obey Him.

Deut. 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

The first derivative characterizes the slope (rate of increase), and the second derivative represents curvature (rate of change of the rate of increase).  I think grandparents have the opportunity to accelerate the spiritual growth of their grandchildren, and I am so thankful that both sets of grandparents of my children are followers of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, may I be faithful to lead my children to you.  And please give more opportunities for my parents and in-laws to pour spiritual truth into my children.  I want my children to far surpass me in spiritual growth and demonstration of your love and power.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus

too many wives

Deut 17:16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

King Solomon should have known better.  And so should I.  

I think there is a general principle here of over-commitment and distraction.  I feel like I constantly struggle with over-committing my time and effort, especially with work. I think this is analogous to getting married to so many things that it pulls you in so many directions that you lose focus.  Just like stockpiling money, as if it directly transfers to the eternal Kingdom.

I want to be monogamous with my commitment to Christ and the Kingdom work that He has given me.  At a high level, I think it is clear: my wife and kids, leadership in my church, leadership at work... but it becomes unclear with respect to "good opportunities" to serve, especially at work.

Father, thank you for your heart for me to be clearly focused on loving you and loving people.  Thank you for your heart for me to be effective in the good works which you have prepared for me to do.  Lord, I want my investments to be eternally significant.  Holy Spirit, please convict me of commitments that are not eternally profitable, and show me how to decommit in a godly way.  I love you, and I want to be totally devoted to you.

Harvest, work, and joy

Last night, Beau said something negative about school or homework, and I told him that God designed humans for work.  He put Adam and Eve in the garden and gave them responsibility.

In the context of Moses reviewing the three Jewish annual festivals, at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, he said:

For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.

Deuteronomy 16:15 NIV

I am reminded of a couple of other passages about complete joy:

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:11 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 NIV

I love the connections among harvest, collaborative work, and joy.  Jesus said that the harvest is ready.  May we abide in Him and overflow with joy as we work with Him, bringing in the harvest.  What a celebration it will be when we all finish the harvest!

Father, thank you for infusing joy into our work.  May the sin-consequences of drudgery be destroyed by the grace and joy of your presence.  Jesus, thank you for commissioning our work, and Holy Spirit thank you for your power and love shown through us.  I love you.

Father's love is infinitely dense

There are a lot of things in this world that weigh us down.  This morning, I feel worn out from too much work.  I feel like I am treading water.  I feel like I might sink.

But Father reminded me that buoyancy is a function of the difference in density between the suspended object and the fluid. And He showed me that no matter how weighed down I am with things of this world, the they all have a finite density, but His love is infinitely dense, so buoyancy is guaranteed.

I don't need to struggle in treading if I have buoyancy; I only need to rest and wait for someone to come and rescue me.

It is likely that I feel this way because I have overcommitted myself and have taken on more responsibility than God has directed me.  Sometimes I act like the older brother who burned himself out on too much work.  Of you are joyfully working with the Father, then you can key off of His attitude.

Father, your love has already rescued me from the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Your love has already won the war.  Your love sustains me daily, and when I feel like I can't tread enough to keep my head above water, you remind me that I only need to be still aandnd know that you are God.  You are in control, and you know how much work you want me to handle.  Help me gracefully decommit the responsibilities that you have not guided me to take on. I want to walk in the joy and satisfaction of the work in which you invite me to collaborate. Thank you for your infinite love and grace.  I love you.

We are prophets

But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Yahweh's people were prophets and that the Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!"

Numbers 11:29

Indeed, we are, and He has.  As the Apostle Peter explained at Pentecost:

"... this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Acts 2:16‭-‬18 NIV

It is our privilege to live in this age when God is dispensing Himself through us.

Father, thank you for giving us your Spirit and making us prophets.  I want to translate you today. Jesus, thank you for your example.  Holy Spirit, I want to keep in step with you today.  I love you.

Priestly Blessing

"[Yahweh] bless you and keep you; 

[Yahweh] make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

[Yahweh] turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24‭-‬26 NIV

We stand in full receipt of this blessing because Christ Jesus is our Great High Priest, and He has blessed us with the presence and favor of God.  Indeed, we are now priests, shining His grace and giving His peace.

Father, thank you for your great compassion towards us.  Jesus, thank you for making us right with God so that we can fully enjoy life with your blessing.  Holy Spirit, anoint me today to clearly bear your light and give your peace.  I love you.

Tending the oil lamp and enjoying the bread

Lev 24:1-9

24:4 The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the Lord must be tended continually.

The New Covenant revelation is that I am both a tabernacle and a priest.  As a tabernacle and priest of God, I want to tend to the Holy Spirit (oil lamp) who is dwelling within me.  I want to continually be sensitive to His flicker and immediately responsive to His prompting.

24:8-9 This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the Lord ."

I want to enjoy Christ every day.  He taught us that the bread represents His body, which was broken for us.  By His death, we have life.  He sustains us with His life.

Father, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit and Jesus so that I can have a relationship with you.  I love you.

Healing

Ps 30:2-Ps 30:3 TPT O Lord, my healing God, I cried out for a miracle and you healed me! You brought me back from the brink of death, from the depths below. Now here I am, alive and well, fully restored!

I don't know why He heals some, but not others.  A year and a half ago, I was on the brink of death, within 24-48 hours of being a dead man.  But the Lord healed me.  And I am very thankful for the opportunity to live more life.

But sometimes I feel guilty.  Why did I recover, but Jill didn't?  Why did I get more time, but her time was cut short?  Why isn't Jill here with us rejoicing over Psalm 30?

Father, thank you for your kindness and grace shown to me by healing me and restoring my life.  I want to live a life devoted to you.  Please use me to show your love and power. I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Second-in-Command

Of course, Joseph is a type of Christ, who was sold into slavery (became human), was falsely accused, and sent to the dungeon (death), on our behalf, so that when He was restored to right hand of the throne (resurrection), He provides our salvation.  And He bears no grudge against His Brothers, but invites us into His royal presence and delights to give us good things in abundance.

And I think also there is an aspect in which Pharaoh is a type of Christ, and Joseph is a type for us.  We were in the dungeon, but Christ raised us up and seated us with Him, and He establishes us as His right hand, second-in-command, to work on His behalf to rescue others from evil and death.  We need to operate in appropriating the resources of Heaven to accomplish the good things that God has prepared in advance for us to do.

Father, thank you for your never-ending grace, abundantly demonstrated through the life of Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for raising us up from the position of a condemned slave to second-in-command.  May I live today in awareness of that spiritual reality, and Holy Spirit, show me how to leverage the King's resources to rescue more sons and daughters.  I love you.

God's love is a vector (magnitude and direction)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16‭-‬19 NIV

I was thinking about the infinite (and seemingly four-dimensional) magnitude of God's love, when it hit me that, God's love also has direction (from Him, to us)!  God's love is a vector!

Father, may I continue to be overwhelmed with the infinite persistence of your love, and how you call out to me over and over to simply receive it.  I open my heart to you.  May anything in me that is not compatible with your love be melted away.  I want to completely align with you.  I love you.

Relentlessly press forward to know the Father (In honor of Jill Hunt)

Jill went to be with Jesus last Thursday evening, Jan 4.

When we found out that Jill was diagnosed with stage-four triple-negative breast cancer, I wrestled with whether or not I was going to pray for her to be healed.  After losing a friend in high school, my grandmother in college, my aunt in grad school, and my uncle in early career, all to cancer, I had given up praying for people to be healed.

But I realized that Jesus lived a lifestyle of healing, and He sent out his disciples to heal.  There is not a single recorded instance where Jesus told someone that it was not God's will to heal them and left them sick.  Since Jesus is the exact representation of God, we can infer that it is ALWAYS God's will to heal.  

I also realized that there were a few instances in which I wanted to pray for healing for my aunt when our family was all together during the holidays, but I did not speak up and ask.  To this day, I regret that I did not speak up and ask that we pray for her.  So, when I decided to pray for healing for Jill, I also decided that I would have no regrets.  Thus, with very few exceptions, any time I saw Jill in person, I asked if I could pray for her, and she always gladly allowed me to.  I prayed, I fasted, I anointed her with oil - I did everything that I knew to do to seek healing for Jill. 

Sometime around this past Thanksgiving, I felt the conviction to gather some people together to pray for her.  So, one Saturday before Christmas, I finally reached out to find several people who were available who I knew have seen people miraculously healed (Austin, Rachel, Joy, and Seye).  It was a beautiful time of praying, singing, claiming promises, and commanding the cancer to leave.  I am so thankful for that time.

I hypothesize that the reason that we do not heal with 100% efficacy the way that Jesus did is because we are not 100% connected with the Father the way Jesus was.  Thus, while I am hurt that Jill was not healed, I will continue to seek to know the Father more, and I will not give up praying for people to be healed.  If you have faith like an electron, you can tell that mountain to get lost.  Perhaps "faith" is the extent to which we know the Father.

Father, I love you, and I know that you are good.  I trust that you are good.  You proved that you are good when you sent your own son to redeem all of humanity to be your adopted children.  I love you, and I want to know you more, so that you may more accurately express your character through me.  Jesus, thank you for your example.  Holy Spirit, lead me.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7 NIV

I want to live in constant awareness of the presence of God and in constant conversation with Him.  When He tells me something, I will respond accordingly.

Father, thank you for your presence.  Jesus, thank you for revealing Father to me.  Holy Spirit, thank you for revealing Jesus to me.  Thank you for speaking with me.  What a privilege to know you and be your son! Help me love you and allow you to pour your love through me today. I ask according to all of your promises being approved in the person of Jesus.

Read Scripture and LISTEN

I heard about this cool app called Read Scripture (http://www.readscripture.org/) to read the whole Bible (in mostly chronological order) in a year, and it has supplemental animated videos to help you keep in mind the big picture and the story of Jesus throughout the entire Bible.  So, Brandi and I are going to read the whole Bible again this year.

I am really enjoying the animations and the messianic emphasis, even from the first day.

As I think about this new year, I have heard of people choosing a single word to focus on for the whole year, instead of a list of resolutions.  On the drive back to El Paso yesterday, Brandi and I started listening to Translating God by Shawn Boltz, and he reiterates the importance of focusing on our relationship with God and being a conduit of his love to flow through us.  I think that I made some key steps towards learning to hear God's voice last year, so this year, I want to move beyond just hearing to listening.  So, I am choosing the word LISTEN for this year.  (I think this also means listening to my family, friends, and coworkers.)

We stopped at Wendy's in Carlsbad on the way home last night, and an older gentleman saw me with my family and said, "I am glad to see that you are enjoying being a father."  I believe that he spoke encouragement from the Lord.

Father, thank you for continuing to grow me and growing a closer relationship between us.  I love you, and I look forward to loving you and other people this year.  Jesus, thank you for your example of loving the Father and walking with Him.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and encouragement.  I love you.