Category Archives: English

Who are You?

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by DP

And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” Ruth 3: 9

Ruth and Naomi, both widowed, alone, with no stability, security or sense of purpose, went to Judah looking for bread. Naomi was so depressed that she even made herself called Mara, which meant bitterness. Ruth, who went with her, was also troubled by all of the situations she had been through. Yes, they had every human reason to feel bitter, discouraged, alone, unfulfilled, empty and unworthy. But then came Boaz. As the story unfolds, Boaz provided and restored them completely. He made Ruth, previously a foreigner, his wife.

Who are you?, he asked. She did not say, I am a widow; I am a beggar, eating scraps from your fields. She did not allow her circumstances give identity to her. She did not allow her situation take control of her mindset and take root in her heart. She did not allow outside influences determine who she was, she plainly answered, “I am your maidservant”.

You need to know who you are. Your circumstances do not dictate your identity. Your moods, your emotions, your finances, don’t determine who you are. As Naomi, you may be going through extremely difficult times, that may even change the way you regard yourself. Regrets and discouragement can overtake you, but when you realize that you are a servant of the most High God, not a foreigner, He will restore you, He will bless you, He will keep you and bring you under His wing. He will make you stand tall and shine upon your face, and will give you favor and grace and strength.

The realization that you and I are His, determine our identity, and no matter what pans out around us, He will be our El Shaddai, the God that is more than enough. When we seek Him, when we worship Him in the middle of our trials, He will lift us and he will guide us, and he will bless us until it overflows. The circumstances only affirm that we are His. Who are you? Jesus answered that question when he came and gave himself for our sins and restored everything.

So the question remains, Who are you? Jesus already answered, You are His. Stand up and receive what is yours!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006

Be bold

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by DP

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 TNIV

This is a story that takes place around two months after Jesus had been crucified. The apostles were being persecuted by the religious leaders for talking about Jesus. They pronounced these words after they had been threatened. They told the religious leaders of the time, that they were talking in the name of Jesus, which by the way they had crucified. This was a pretty bold move on their part. To say that they would continue to speak out in the name of Jesus and to tell them off as they did, and after doing that to ask God for more boldness.

The apostles were speaking of what they had experimented firsthand and that made all of the difference. No one can argue with experience; experience knows no successful contender. The internal fire that they had, inspired them to change the world with the transformational message of Jesus and made them pray for even more boldness, more potential risk. To be counted with those that had suffered for the cross was a privilege and it was worth it, they were transformed men. They had been forgiven by the one they spoke of. They were bold, and so can you.

I know pretty bold people. These are people that do amazing things every day and prove that the human spirit is still persistent, even when they are not recognized for it. People like the family that having the resources to buy a car, chose to feed more than 30 children for the rest of their lives. Or like the group of men that in spite of lacking resources to launch an outreach, had an idea to create a self sustaining micro-enterprise that would bring much needed resources for the people of Haiti and went without knowing what would happen. Or like the FBI agent and former Marine, that sold his home and his belongings and relocated with his family in a foreign country in order to train leaders all around the world with the promise that God would be with him along the way.

The dictionary tells us that to be bold means to be brave, daring, courageous, audacious, confident, brash, and self assured. Being bold, doesn’t mean not being scared or uncertain. Robert Frost once said, “Freedom lies in being bold,” and I agree with him. Jesus was bold, brave, daring, courageous, audacious and much more. He was not ashamed of you and me, He gave it all, and suffered all in order for us to be free.

Maybe today you have been struggling with the thought of doing something that is burning in your heart and soul. Something so audacious that people around you will question and even criticize you, but in the most inner being of your soul you know that it will change for good the life of many others and in the process it will change your life too.

Don’t hesitate, because if freedom lies in being bold, then set your sails towards the winds and be free and be bold!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

He will defend this city

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by DP

For I will defend this city, to save it, … Isaiah 37:35

King Hezekiah had received bad news that Sennacherib, king of Assyria would destroy the city of Jerusalem. In fact, this king had sent messengers to make everybody nervous. They were spreading news of all that had happened to other cities that had confronted them. All destroyed. They even said. “Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered?”. In other words, do you really think you have a chance?

They were in such despair that the pregnant women were at the point to give birth, but the scripture says they had no strength to bring the children forth. They did not had the desire to birth their child into what they thought was certain death. They were feeling hopeless, everything around them screamed, were are finished.

In middle of all this king Hezekiah, received a word from the Lord that he would defend the city, and that was all he needed to hear. The scripture says that the angel of the Lord went out into the camp of the Assyrians and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand: and when they woke up all they say was dead bodies. Sennacherib fled. King Hezekiah did not move a muscle, the Lord had defended the city.

We often let our sight blind our vision, and the two are very different. Sight will always limit you, what you are able to see is what determines who, what and where you are or could possibly be. Vision is a whole different story, vision is limitless. And when your vision is supported with a word from God, you don’t have to fear anything.

Are you facing today what seems to be certain failure? Is your heart in despair? Is your economic situation in jeopardy? Is your sight blinding your vision? Let me remind you that before the child is born, the pain is greater. So be strong, set forth your child, you are at the point to give birth. He has promised that by the same way the enemies came, they will return.

His word is clear, He will defend the city, and He will defend you!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2009

Their voices proclaim

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by DP

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. Psalms 19:1-4

While traveling back home, the plane was rising over the clouds and I was watching the scenery out the window. It was an amazing view. The pictures I took, do no justice to what I saw. I immediately remembered this psalm and started to recite it, and at the same time I was listening to a song called
“Hosanna” by Israel Houghton. It was a special moment for me and It also brought to my heart many more things.

While thinking of all this, I realized that we are permeated by the glory of God every single day. We are so engulfed in the ordinariness of life that we miss it. But us not realizing this, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen. God’s glory is expressed by the elements that have no voice. This portion of the scripture, gives life to the skies and the elements, making them the unsuspected preacher of the uncontainable glory of the living God. It is so uncontainable that they have to voice it out. It surrounds us, you and me, like trying to grab our attention to understand His love for us and that he has made every effort to meet us right there where we are.

Those efforts are palpable. He gave his only Son so we could be forgiven and reconciled to him by his sacrifice at the cross. We often forget that He is there every day. It is understandable, we go through trials and tribulations that seem unfair and we question, why should this happen to me? But he is present and it is apparent when we lift our eyes and see what has been declared by the heavens; a constant reminder, and an unwavering message. They are speaking to let us know, that He is able, that He loves us and that He is waiting for our answer to the invitation to a better life.

Not a life free from burdens, but a life full of hope. Not a life free of trials, but a life full of direction. A life that will also declare every day and every night the greatness that has been thrust upon it. And when you do, God will smile from heaven, and your life will be counted with those that with their voices proclaim.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

Do you know your Father?

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by DP

“My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:31-32

Recently, some friends and I took some time to have lunch together. We gathered to talk about life and about how great things the Lord has done in our lives. It was a refreshing time.

When we were about to leave, this passage of the scripture came up. Our friend told us, “If you read carefully, you can understand that the Father had two lost sons, neither of them knew the Father”. I had never heard this portion of scripture displayed that way. One son clearly had sinned and wasted all that he was entitled to, this was known to me. But the other that stood home never enjoyed the blessings of his Father. He simple did not knew his Father. He was at the home physically, but where was his heart?

This made me think profoundly. Do I really know you Lord? Have I spent enough time to seek you, to know you, to spend time refreshing my soul with your presence? Do I enjoy your blessings and pursue my full potential in your hands? Do I seek for you to do great things in me? We are so engulfed in many things daily, and it is easy to be entertained with the busyness of life, work and even in church.

Take time to seek Him in the morning, to know Him through His word, and to feast in His presence. Do you really know your Father?

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006

…depart to the other side

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And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Matthew 8:18

How amazing it is to know that if He said to depart to the other side, He knows we will get there. Jesus gave the command. It was not a suggestion, much less a question, a command. If you read carefully the scripture, He was also the first on the boat, and then His disciples followed him.

We see all of the turmoil around us and we consciously rationalize, I’m not going that way. But deep down inside His voice is saying, “depart to the other side”. We know it, but we are afraid, we feel uncertain and uncomfortable. Haven’t you noticed that He is the first one on the boat? Jesus knew that a storm was on the horizon, and maybe his disciples saw the sky and realized, it’s going to get ugly. Nevertheless, Jesus was the first on-board. His power over everything was later manifested in the middle of the storm.

What is it today that is depriving your sleep? What has surrounded you that keeps you unease? Are you concerned about the future, the what ifs’ of life. Those situations and mental outcomes that we create and dread so much. He is already in the boat. He knows your condition, He knows what you are lacking, wanting, needing. He knows. In middle of the situation we often don’t see Him. We just see the waves. We just see ourselves, alone. Our hearts fill with fear of the unknown.

His command is to -depart to the other side-. And if He said it, we believe it and that settles it. He intends and will perform his word. His thoughts for you are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. He is already in the boat. He is waiting for you to get in and start sailing. Yes, a storm might be in the horizon, a difficult situation is probably around the corner, or maybe you are already in one, but the good news is that He is in the boat, and more importantly, He said to depart to the other side.

Don’t fear, He will arise in middle of the storm and rebuke the wind and the sea. Remember, He said, “depart to the other side”

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2008

Polish your shoes

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by DP

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

This morning after mi kids left for school and I was left home to tend to the morning chores that I have to do (or sometimes impose myself to do), I went to my closet to dress up for work. I selected a suit, a shirt, tie, belt and of course my shoes. Then it hit me. These are very nice, comfortable shoes but they didn’t look particularly clean. So even when I don’t like to do it I headed to clean and polish them. This is a process I don’t like, because you get your hands dirty and sticky and after you finish you have to wash your hands very thoroughly so the wax is removed.

Obviously, I am not a professional at doing this, but I do make sure that everything is clean and polished. This is my process: I start by using a coarse brush to wipe clean the entire shoe. Then I select the polishing wax and apply it either by hand or by a smaller brush that is able to penetrate the most intricate places of the shoe, around the sole and between the laces. I let it to dry a little and start brushing out the excess with the same brush I started with. It makes me feel good when I start to see the luster coming out. But there is still more to do. This luster is still a little dull. For that I have another brush, that has more softer and gentle bristles that when applied to the shoe more luster is revealed. This is a brush I like to use, because it reveals the nicer shoe that I was looking for. I also use a cloth, that will polish even further what the brush had already treated and left behind.

While I was doing this, I started to think how God polishes our character every day, if we let Him. You see, a decision needs to be made. That is, the realization that you need cleaning and polishing. And after that, heading to a place or towards the circumstance that will start that process. Once there, if one is to dirty and dull, a coarse brush will do the first job of cleaning and preparing the surface, then you will receive that what is missing, that which will polish you life. Once that is applied the excesses are removed and the luster starts to be revealed. After that only finishing touches and maintenance would be the only thing needed.

Decide today to head out to the polishing pit. Decide today to maintain your life in absolute luster. And even when situations appear to be very coarse and hurtful in your life and you might not understand them, it may be that God will use them to clean and polish you. It may be the only way that the luster of your life will be revealed to the world and make the best impression ever. Maybe God is using this circumstance, this uncomfortable moment to turn around your life and make it shine like never before. It all starts with one decision that only you can make. So go ahead, polish your shoes.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2010

No place for playing it safe

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by DP

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. Matthew 25:16-18

Jesus was referring to his disciples the parable of the talents. A businessman had left his money for his servants to take care of it. They were given what in today’s currency would be the equivalent of $150,000.00 per talent. Quite an amount of money! Two of them took risks. Big risks! They traded and multiplied what was given to them, but the last one that had only one talent, hid it and played it safe. The parable goes on to say that when the master came and requested a report, the first two could account of their dealings and outcome and they where praised and rewarded, but the last one just returned what he had been given, without even interest and he was reprimanded and punished; even what he had been given, was taken away from him.

You and I have been given much and we will have to give an account for it. What will you say when it is requested from you? What will your report be? The parable has many profound teachings, but one that stands out is that God wants us to take risks, to be bold, audacious and firm. He made our life to be an adventure and for it to reflect his character. God seeks fruit in our lives, He expects a return of all he has created. He is the definition of fruitfulness. He created everything out of nothing and has made us to his image and resemblance.

This is not the time to play it safe, this is not the time for that. He has given you talents and gifts that are to be used and multiplied. Don’t be afraid to undertake new challenges and to use those gifts and talents that God has entrusted you to the fullest. Yes, you could even feel uneasy because everything is not “just right”, but it might be your desire for control everything, and in doing so, you could miss one of the greatest moments in your life. Ask God for his direction and your paths will be directed. Dream big, pray hard, be bold and audacious.

You don’t want to live a should’a, could’a, would’a life and die. Better to try and fail, that not to try at all. This might be your greatest moment, so there is no place for playing it safe.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011