Joel M. Saucedo's blog

The desire to be among others who exhibit similar characteristics seems to be an intrinsic human desire which culminates in the exclusion of others. Historically humanity has drawn many lines which testify to this need to identify some as “us” and some as “them.” Some have even used religious ideas, such as Manifest Destiny, to promulgate and justify the oppression and subjugation of those considered others.

Matthew 14:13-21

The disciples were a funny group of people. They walked with Jesus, but they argued amongst themselves who was the greatest of them. They made ignorant request to sit at the right hand of Jesus on the day of his glory. They asked Jesus to send the Canaanite Woman away because they were embarrassed at the pleas of a woman on a public street. They told a blind man to be quiet and stand aside because their Lord was coming through on his way to his crucifixion. The disciples walked with Jesus, but failed the mission of their master on so many occasions.

As this semester comes to an end, I am beginning to realize that I made it through my first year at seminary. God is good!

Luke 18:35-43 Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission when he was stopped by a blind man at the entrance of Jericho. Those that walked with Jesus, those who led the way for Jesus were fixed on their agenda of moving Jesus along. They pushed and shoved everyone out of the way. They shouted, make way make way, our Lord Jesus is coming through. They were too fixed on their mission to hear a cry for help. A man who did not walk with Jesus cried for help, and those that walked with Jesus told him to sit down and be quiet.

I thank God because I have witnessed what the power of the Holy Spirit can do for someone. I have experienced physical and verbal testimonies of people who have had dramatic changes in their lives after accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior. I believe that manifestations of the Holy Spirit can be experience in many different ways. I've witnessed people speaking in tongues and I have observed the laying of hands. I'm not sure that I am ready to make a decision on whether I believe these are true manifestations of the Holy Spirit, but there is one manifestation that I believe.

When the whole world celebrates your success and accomplishments, this is the time to remember the Lord. Your children's birthdays, graduations, quinceañeras, new job, promotion, the health of your family, and having food on your table are usually things we all take for granted and do not give the Lord the thanks he deserves. He does so much for us and we usually only remember him on holidays and difficult, painful, times. We are so quick to blame the bad times on God's punishment and so slow to thank him for the good times, our blessings, and his love for us.