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.