Category Archives: Obedience

Substance is what matters

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For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” This came as a surprise for me. Apparently the apostle Paul was not a very good speaker and he was regarded as unimpressive, yet he wrote more than half of the new testament. What he lacked in presenter skills, presence and verbal abilities, he had more than enough in actions and in his writing ability. He clearly knew what his limits were and even acknowledged it, but that did not deter him in his purpose of life. We should be inspired by this bit of information.

There is a constant comparison race all around us. We all judge and are judged by our outward appearances. A nagging reminder that we should live up to someone else’s expectation and that nothing can be left to chance or someone else will take the lead. The reality is that we all have different levels of abilities and skills, and there will always be someone with better, faster, smarter ones than ours. On the flip side, some will lack in the areas in which we excel. It is not our duty to impress others but to fulfill our purpose. Just as Paul was belittled by those around him, we should expect that in any given point in our lives it will happen to us as well, but that should not deter us from being the man or woman God created us to be. It doesn’t matter what others think of you if you are walking your walk. There will always be people that believe it is their purpose in life to run yours. Don’t let them.

I know many incredible individuals that might lack verbal abilities, but no one can even come close to their focus and purpose. They stumble in a platform but excel in the field, and I admire them. Just as Paul did, words are not necessary when actions are needed. Do your thing. If your gift is writing, write. If it is comforting, comfort, if inspiring, inspire. If you are gifted with public speaking, speak, if it is administration, administer. If instruction, teach, whatever it is your gifted with, don’t argue with those that want to steer you away from your destiny or even take as nothing of significance that which you are doing. But it is imperative that you do. Don’t stay in the sidelines meditating on it or even rationalizing it; you have to do, take action, walk towards your dream. Actions always speak louder.

Paul answered this way; “Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.” Words became substance, and substance is what matters.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2013
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. 2005. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

There’s something about nothing

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It was a physically draining pain. Her body was aching and her spirit was tired. Twelve years had past already and there was no sign of anything getting any better. To top it off, there was no more money left, it was all gone. There was no doctor that could help her, and since she was now broke, the desperation grew bigger and bigger while her hopes dwindled down even further. Her physical condition meant that she was ceremonially unclean in her culture. To better say it, she was an outcast because of her illness and it made no difference to the religious leaders, whether she’d had financial resources or not.

Who knows what she was thinking. In her last attempt to get healed she would do whatever was necessary, even public ridicule. At this point there was no other option. There was nothing more left. And as her frail body and even more broken spirit made her way to the road, she gasped when she saw the multitude. “How will I get to Him?” she said to herself. But in that same moment of an apparent disillusion, an even greater hope emerged in her spirit. A determined woman with an unexplainable faith made her way through the crowd. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

And as she was shoved back by those in front of her, determination grew in her soul. As the path continued to narrow in front of her eyes, faith created a highway for her to cruise. She was not deterred by what she saw or felt, the promise of a healed body and for the same means, a healed soul was bigger than the obstacles in front. Her condition was nothingness but she was walking towards the One who fills everything.

The women in the story not only got healed instantly, but Jesus himself felt it. It was that evident that he stopped and asked, “Who had touched him?”, virtue had come out of him. When your faith is in the right place and you’re down to your last effort or your last cent, there is something about nothing that moves the hand of God. You might be facing a similar circumstance. A broken body, a financial disaster, a disrupted relationship or even shattered dreams. What you see in front of you is just closed doors and many obstacles that even those that are around you are telling you, stop and take another route. They have lost hope in the name of reality. But just as this woman faced the unavoidable obstacles in from of her, you can do the same. When reality tells you, “those doors are closed, there is a wall in front”, faith screams, “I will open doors or make them if I need to.”

Regain a new hope, walk towards that which seems impenetrable. The One that has the virtue to change everything is waiting. You might hear those same words this woman received, “…your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

Remember, there is something about nothing, that moves the hand of God.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2013

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Let your feelings catch up later

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Have you ever had one of those days? The ones that start with a “no” and even when it has not ended yet, you think that it will end the same way? They are very interesting days to say the least. I had one not so long ago, and those that know me well, know that the word “No,” does not resonate well with me.

Every time I am confronted with this I react in a many ways, the most persistent one is me being more resolved, sometimes a synonym in my language, to be more stubborn. What drives this in me? Why do I react this way? Often times I get confused when any opposing situation comes my way. How should I react? What should I say? Should I try harder or let it go? Should I take a different route or state my case more vigorously? What do you do when your daughter or son gets home and says, “I didn’t make the team,” or “I failed the test I studied so hard for”. Or your spouse comes and tells you, “the banker said, that our application was denied”. Day’s, weeks, months or even years of No’s, can definitely become very unsettling and discouraging.

Recently I read a phrase that said: “Trust God completely and let your feelings catch up later”. This is so true. We tend to react on the basis of what we feel and comprehend with our natural senses. That’s the way God created us so we could perceive the world around us. But Paul tells us in the letter to the corinthians a new paradigm; walk by faith and not by sight; believing not by seeing is the key. It’s hard sometimes, because we have conditioned ourselves to regard as true only those things we can prove, see or touch. We often sustain these arguments by statements, like “I have to be a good steward,” “it is a good example to be an example”, and many more. And yes, these statements are true and I don’t mean or imply to minimize the importance of them, all the contrary, but what I am saying is that we should have the kind of faith that amazes God. Wholehearted faith in God’s word for us.

Every promise, every word, every direction his word gives us is true, dependable and strong, regardless of where we are or what we are facing. I know, I have no idea what you are going through, and it’s true, no one can process the events in your life the same way you do. But what I can say is that I have experienced the days, the weeks the months and even the years of “No’s” in my life. And it is in those moments that the only sustainable, dependable place for me and my family has been God’s word and promises.

Call me childish or even ignorant if you will, but we have decided to have the kind of faith that would amaze even God. Believing in those things we cannot see and trusting that everything that has been created, even our own senses, will catch up later. I encourage you to do the same. It’s ok to acknowledge that you are not there yet. But get up and admit it to Him and ask in prayer for greater faith, that’s the first step to greatness.

His promises are true, His word is real so we have decide to walk by faith and let our feelings catch up later. You can do the same.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

While we wait

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Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 NLT

A friend of mine who had recently relocated to another country, was seeking for a job in order to also relocate his family. Being alone for some time and going from job interview to job interview with no results to show, had started to make his uneasiness grow. Not that he had been idle, in fact he was getting up early every day and doing his part. He had made a plan and put it to action, counted his resources, and made provision. For him, this was a move like no other one he had done before. Him moving was not prompted by his desire, but he was certain that it was directed by The Master. He had a promise, and God always fulfills his promises.

So why he had not seen any results? No offers, no glimmer of hope. While he was being faithful and waited, his available resources were being depleted. He had calculated the time it would take exhaust them, and that time was close. And then his wife told him that she was also “all in”, and went on to quit her job and told him so. God had given them a promise and she believed it.

One of those “waiting days”, we had the chance to chat early in the morning and this issue came up. We exchanged some comments and then he said, “I’m waiting, waiting”. I could sense some frustration about the process in his comments, so I reminded him about this scripture, “…as we wait patiently…”.

Paul exhorted the Romans as to how to live and care for those that were among them. Had been telling them how to conduct themselves and why and apparently there were some among them that had been having some trouble and their patience was running slim when it came to considering their brothers and encouraging them. Then this verse comes in the middle of all his instructions and summarizes his teaching and seals the truth about God’s character. God cannot die, lie, be fooled or stop loving us.

Everything that is written in the scriptures is there to give us hope and encouragement, while we wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled in our life and on the lives of those around us. Paul with this verse is stating that the promises of God are not to be doubted or questioned, but to be expected. We live on promises not explanations. Just as the romans had troubles, tribulations and issues, we have our share of situations, but no situation will ever be as tangible as promise made by God.

Back to my friend. Just a couple of days later he received not one, but several job offers at the same time, and his problem now was to decide which one to accept. At the time of this writing, his family is traveling to meet him, their promise came to pass and their new journey begins.

Do not despair, do not be anxious, his promises are true and while we wait we should delve into his word to be filled with hope, encouragement and instruction. They were written long time ago to prepare you for your next assignment, and the process will help you grow into the man and women that God intended you to be. And all of this will happen, while we wait.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2011
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Get your feet wet

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It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Joshua 3:15-16

This story tells about the amazing miracle God performed for the people of Israel. Joshua had received instructions to cross the river and conquer Jericho. This undertaking was no small one. This generation was not the same one that had gone out of Egypt and seen the Red Sea divide. This moment in time, even to Joshua, was new territory. Clear instructions were given. The people of Israel should move when the Ark of the Covenant was moved. The story goes on to tell that the moment the feet of the priests got wet, the Jordan river piled up a great distance away from them allowing them to pass to the other side over dry land.

There is much to learn about this story, and about the context, but one thing stands out. As soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, the river flow stopped. What seemed impossible, was made possible, what would have never crossed the mind of the people of Israel, happened before their eyes; as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water.

You may be confronted today with an impossible task in front of you, uncharted territory. You might not see any dry, safe place to go through and your heart may be dismayed to what your eyes are seeing. Sometimes we just sit around and give up to the first sign of opposition or trouble that arises. It might seem and be difficult what you are confronting today. Or you might not even know what will be waiting for you on the other side. But in order to know, you have to move.

Your miracle won’t happen without your involvement. You have to move, you have to get your feet wet. And when God sees this bold move, this faith move, the waters, the problem, the opposition, will back up, not right close to you, but far away. So today, stop complaining, stop fearing and move boldly on the promise of God for you. You need to get your feet wet in order to see the water stop. You will see the problem, the situation, back up before your eyes and the path in front of you will be dry, safe and promising.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

The instruction is clear; move on and get your feet wet.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2011

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved

It’s time to move

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by DP

Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. – Numbers 9:22

This is a description of what the life of the people of Israel was while they were in the desert; forty years in the wilderness. They had to be constantly available, and they knew the time would come when they had to move. Can you imagine to set up camp in the morning or evening and then twelve hours later having to pack everything again and continue, not to mention that they were about three million people in motion. Just the thought of it is overwhelming.

In our senses one might think, why did God do that? Why did he made them camp only to make them move the next morning? The history reveals that the people of Israel were prone to waver and doubt, and yet God was leading them from place to place. History tells us that they camped in over forty places during the years that they were in the desert. And it is precisely here where occasionally we get confused more and sometimes we’re not sure what to do in our own lives.

But something is always clear. The seasons in our life are constantly changing and as a result many areas of your life will also change. It could be your workplace, where you live, the people with whom you interact, the country where you reside and even the initiatives you serve in. But one thing should never change, our clear and unequivocally dependence on the direction of God.

As the people of Israel, moved when the cloud moved, this should be a lesson and a practice for us. We should not run away at the slightest problem, we should not change when it is convenient for us. We must have perseverance, determination and responsibility. But we must also have sensitivity to the seasons in our lives and our hearts attentive to the directions of God.

Because just as the people of Israel experienced many times, it is possible that this time, it’s time to move.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2011

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Leave the brook

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By DP

“Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” – 1 Kings 17:9

Elijah hitherto unknown, with no recommendations, no historical background, without physical qualities or dynamics, confronts King Ahab and tells him that it would not rain until he said so. Immediately he went by the brook Kerith as ordered by God Himself. There he was sustained for some time drinking from the brook and sending ravens with bread and meat for him to eat every day. A scene of supernatural provision. But because of the absence of rain, the river began to dry up. Elijah at the time, was in a safe place, with provision and tranquility. Moreover, God himself had ordered him to go to the brook. So how could one explain that the brook was drying? How could he be in a place without provision? How to get out from there if the king was seeking to kill him?

Kerith means to cut off or close. It is not a permanent place. The flight of Elijah to hide in the brook does not mean that he feared Ahab or doubted that God could protect him. God sends Elijah to a specific location. So He does with us. We may not know why, but God could be demanding total obedience from us, and it may not seem to make sense at the present time. Elijah’s blessing was on the other side of his obedience. Sometimes God provides in the most unexpected and surprising ways. For Elijah the ravens were considered unclean and symbols of death, but these would bring him the daily provision. What symbolizes death, God uses it to give us life. God gives us life when death surrounds us.

It is easy to obey and hope in God when things are reasonable, but when we are asked to do something against our traditions, we question it. Why not send him to another place where there was no drought? Why did he have to suffer the same hardships that those who did not love God? Why didn’t God sent him to the king again to challenge the god Baal?

When the brook was completely dry, God ordered him to appear before a widow in Zarephath of Sidon to ask for support. Again, Elijah was forced to be patient. He knew that the widows were the first to die of starvation during a prolonged drought. But without questioning God, he obeyed unconditionally.

Why stay in the brook if where you are going, God will send rain? Moreover, you will be the instrument God will use to cause it to rain on your own situation. Why stay complaining and lamenting that the brook dried up when God has ordered you to move because He made provision for you already? Remember that your supply in not brook, God is your provision.

Elijah moved from place to place by divine order. God is calling you to action in all areas. If he sends you from place to place is because He is word, he is action. The things that God provides are not an end in themselves and not enough to rely entirely on them, but they are a means to achieve the goal of increasing our dependence on God every day. When we leave the brook will experience:

  • His Promise – You will find that God always does what He promises.
  • His Provision – He will supplement your needs. I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.
  • His Providence – He cares and prepares in advance. When you reach the place God sends you, you’ll see that He has already sent people to serve you. And has coordinated all the details. God is not subject to time or space.
  • His Power – You will see His supernatural expression in your life.
  • His Protection – He will take care of you, addressing each place without letting anything hurt you.
  • His Privilege – The favor of God is never fair. The Favor of God upon your life will be palpable, and the others will scratch their head, trying to understand why you and not them.

I ask the question again Why stay in the brook if where you are going, God will send rain? Why do you care about your future, if He has already promised that if the brook is dry, you will hear the rain falling? God is raining on you and your family and your situation. Leaving the brook means different things for each one of us. For some, a relationship that has no future, for others work, for others a country. But if obeying the voice of God for your life means walking in faith, you’re on track.

Any solution requires a leap of faith and faith is the gateway between the promise and absolute confidence. All acts of faith produce miracles. Just as God used a “unknown”, He can and wants to use to anyone who, like Elijah, has proposed to serve Him unconditionally. Us both, you and me, God is pleased to use us for His glory. So I ask you, Will you leave the brook? God tells us today: Leave the brook.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2011

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved

Who can ever be against us?

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by DP

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

Paul was writing to the Romans, and in this chapter he punctuates how to live in the spirit. He made contrasts of his own life, stating that the afflictions of the present time are not comparable to glory to come, which will manifest in due time. A contrast filled chapter. A sobering recount of the true situations of this life and our human condition. But in spite of that, and in spite of recognizing our flaws and afflictions, Paul makes a statement: Who can ever be against us?

This to me is an expression with an attitude. If God is for us who or what can stand against us? There is nothing that could stop us moving forward. There is no circumstance that will slow us down. Neither sickness nor lack, neither tribulation nor anguish, neither the present time nor the times to come, neither the high nor the profound nor any other created thing will separate us from God. Nothing will stop us from fulfilling our destiny.

Are you being stalled? Are you in a crossroad? Is your purpose being questioned and attacked? Is your dream being ridiculed by your resources? Be certain today, that nothing will ever stop you if our God is for you. He turned water into wine, he stood up to the scribes and pharisees, resurrected Lazarus from the dead, he conquered sickness and opened the eyes of the blind. He conquered death, sin and fear, so who could ever in it’s right mind even think to stop us? Shout it out loud, WHO?

In the book of Psalms 8:5, there is a declaration that says that we were created a little lower than Elohim. In essence a little lower than himself. Elohim means “the uncalculated power of God”. So why have we chosen to live a lesser life? If he has created us to his image, why would we be afraid to dream Big, to dare to do what He has birthed in our hearts to do? To go to places no one else has gone before, to do what has not been done before. If he said it, if he birthed it in your heart, who can ever be against? Even when you feel that your life is over, that the possibilities for you are slim to nil, don’t count yourself out, if God is for you, who can stand against you?

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2010

You can hear and purchase this wonderful statement on the song titled “Our God” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman on http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/and-if-our-god-is-for-us-deluxe/id399909224