Believing the truth about each person we encounter, requires humility, and an act of faith. All of us were created by God and set apart for His purpose. We were created in His image, equipped with the overwhelming, undeniable power of the Holy Spirit. We are all overcomers who walk humbly by faith. We pray for our enemies, and we easily forgive because we were each forgiven much. Hurting people do not know how they offend God by lashing out in pain. When we soak in His presence, the mind of Christ impresses us with right words to speak. We resist the ways of the world, and we love the lost and live immersed in truth.

Today, as I left Black Coffee, before I got to my car, a gentle nudge directed me to go to the food court.  As I turned a short man sporting a red hat faced me. Javier Paez was amazed that I greeted him with a smile, saying, “Oh, hombre con grande Fe, Dios te Bendiga.” Javier replied in perfect English! Why do you speak to me with such confidence? Because you are a brother in Christ wearing a hat broadcasting faith!  Javier explained how he came to own this hat. “A broken man was wearing this shabby hat, and I asked him how much you want for your hat? The old man said 50 pesos! So I gave him what he asked, and now, each time we encounter each other, I give him 50 pesos.” I asked Javier why he bought the hat?  “This hat is worth a fortune to me because God rescued me from poverty and from alcoholism. A person can conquer the world with FAITH in God! Our Father gives us health, compassion, love and more than we need. I’ve been wearing this hat for 6 months, and you were the first person to greet me, a stranger with a bright smile. I am curious as to why?”

Javier twinkled with a grin and asked. “What is your daily routine? ” I replied. “Hmmm, well when I wake up, I wonder in awe about where the Holy Spirit may lead me. Today, I was blessed to pray with a grateful orphan who was eager to lay hands on the sick at a local nursing home, then I came to the plaza.”  Javier agreed to join me for coffee.  He shared a bit of his life. Javier was born and raised in Ajijic. At the age of 31, while working in Guadalajara as a bartender in a swank place, a generous couple from South Carolina hired him as their butler aboard a private jet. Javier traveled the globe with this couple and their 3 kids. Javier said that they were God’s messengers to spread His wealth through acts of consistent humility. I assured Javier. “we are all blessed by God to be His containers of light and joy to draw as many as possible to Jesus, the Giver of all that is good.” To my surprise…

Javier generously gifted me with 2 containers of fresh fruit that he purchased from a passing young vendor. He thanked me for taking time to hear his story. I believe God arranged this timely encounter. We entertain those He leads us to within a glowing bubble of His glory. All who were around us at the plaza sensed something rare was occurring. Early on July 1st morning, I was compelled to blog about humility. Then later, I met a stranger who was blessed by the humility of a couple from S. Carolina. No accidents, just divinely led appointments. Three amazing 👏 God encounters today! Lupita, JoJo, and Javier. JoJo generously gifted Lupita a doll and she was quickly named Kima, and adopted into her new home.

To remain humble under the Holy Spirit’s influence, we are challenged to think of ourselves soberly. We do our best not to rely on our collected credentials. Instead, we choose to keep a low profile and wait on He who abides within to give us direction. Walking, waking and sleeping, our thoughts are not His. As we listen to the conversations in the world, we understand that we are set apart, not to judge or condemn, but to respond. Remembering that God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and that our Father sends rain on the humble and the proud.

Walking in the Spirit of God means that we honor the One who is ever quietly abiding within us. In the kitchen, garden, car, or at work, we are aware that wherever we are He is. Our attention to His Presence and His voice, means that we choose not to ignore Him, but to humbly submit to His gentle nudge to “go” there, or “say” that. It means that we obey while trusting that God will be glorified by our obedience. We fall at the feet of Jesus with adoring wonder that He chose us to represent Him on earth. Our sense of dependency on Him gives Him great pleasure. A broken spirit means that we have chosen to break our self-sufficient ways and rely on God. Our contrite heart recognizes its sinfulness, and it chooses to submit to God’s authority, superior ways, and be teachable. Be aware when you entertain strangers, perhaps they are ministering spirits, angels acting as messengers from God. “In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire.” You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:9 So tell others that faith is a gift from God.  “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8

Our Lord Jesus poured Himself out for us, and our Father poured the Holy Spirit into us. Thinking of this truth daily, we are humbled by this fact. We need patience to endure His planned divine assignments. The practice of our inward humbling results in His servants moving through each circumstance with the visible grace of God.

We choose not to envy anyone as we praise God for His lavish mercy on all of mankind. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:26 Our testimony of Who we serve is often silent, not boastful. As the Lord bids us to serve, we must rely on His Ways, not our own. The Holy Spirit is tender, gentle, and His voice is quiet. As our ways reflect His, whatever the watchers see that is in the least way admirable, is God’s glory shining through. A fabulous teaching on humility by the Preacher of preachers, CH Spurgeon

Lupita was gifted a doll by JoJo today. She was quickly named Kima. God’s Holy Presence filled every inch of the atmosphere this day.  The glory of God indeed engulfed us all in His lavish favor. ❤️ Testimonies