Category Archives: English

Will you flee?

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by DP

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” Nehemiah 6:11

Nehemiah was in the midst of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, when he was interrupted five times with messages from Sanballat Geshem Tobias for him to stop. He answered each time in the same way, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (v. 3). They even invented stories and sent them in writing saying that the intention of Nehemiah, was not merely to rebuild the city, but that he planned a revolt and would proclaim himself king (v. 6-7). Nothing further from reality.

The story tells us that Nehemiah did not stop the work he was doing, and that even when he answered, his answer was short and fast as at other times – “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart,” ( v. 8 ) – He did not enter into arguments, no explanations offered. Was direct and did not wander from what he had been called. He acknowledged that he was in a difficult moment, but could discern that if he paid attention to the distractions of his present, its future would be affected. Nehemiah, decided he would not flee. He would not let fear dictate his actions, he would not take refuge in a safe place when a great work was in progress. He would not allow fear to mark his destiny and be remembered that way. (v. 13) He also acknowledged he was doing a great work, and could not attend to other things or allow fear to deflect him.

What is distracting you today? Is it the fear of the unknown that dictates how you respond to distractions? Does your financial situation paralyze you and drive you to refuge to “your safe place?” To make decisions based on fear? Or perhaps it is a disease that you’ve been struggling for a while and you want to give up. You question often, what will happen to your children? Scripture tells us that Nehemiah recognized that the distraction was just that, a distraction, and would not allow fear to define him, or arrest him, or controls him.

Today, recognize your way, acknowledge that you are doing a great work with your children, your job, your family, your neighbors and you will not be heeding the distractions. Remember that when you’re in the midst of a great work, the distractions will not cease. But you will not let fear define who you are. You are doing a great work and you can’t stop. Look at the wall and continue to build. Do not be dismayed.

Fear does not define you. Ignore the distractions. Do as the prophet did, more than a question he made a declaration. Being a man or a woman like you, will you flee? Definitely never!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2008

Color the world

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by DP

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.” Mattew 5:14 The Message

My daughter was asked by her sunday school teacher, what would you say you were put here in this earth to do? She answered, “I think that I was put here in the world to color it. I see the world like black and dull and I am supposed to give it color”. She was referring to her passion to paint. A God given gift that makes her out of nothing, to start creating scenes and pictures and many other themes in paper and to give them color. Sometimes she will leave us notes and say “I love you, or don’t give up”. An encouraging spirit and a color-filled heart.

Jesus was saying the same thing. This world is filled with his artistry. It was created by a color-filled God, to color-fill our lives.

Ever wonder why you are here? This simple question in the eyes of a girl has a simple but profound answer. We all have a canvas to color. Our canvas could be our job, our children, our community, our own life. God has given you your life for a purpose.

The question remains, how will you color it? You might not feel this very moment that you are capable or even that you are worthy to do it, but you are. Not because of your own effort but because of what Jesus himself already did. When we understand the message of the cross, we open our lives to him. He cleans and creates a new canvas where He can start to paint and color a new scenery. When he said at the cross, “it is finished”, He was saying, I have made you new, I have given you forgiveness, life, purpose and color. And it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, not even your circumstances, when you surrender your life to Him, He will color your world, and the picture will be beautiful.

When we surrender our colorless life to Him, we become light, and the light exposes everything. It will expose the wonderful coloring God has given you, previously hidden by sin, and It will more importantly give you purpose. Just as the expression that my daughter said, we are, you and me, in this world to give it color, God’s color. You become a person with a mission: to show others the God-colors in their lives.

Many feel that their lives are black and dull and think that there is no God-color or artistry in them. So go now and take your brushes, pick the canvas and color the world.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2010

God will open your eyes

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by DP

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad to drink. Genesis 21:19

The story unfolds as an uncertain time for a mother and her son. Hagar bore Abraham’s first son Ishmael when Sarah could not, as suggested by Sarah herself to Abraham. Once Isaac was born things changed. Sarah saw Ishmael scoffing Isaac, and she didn’t like at all. Sarah told Abraham to cast them out.

So Hagar went to the desert of Beersheba and wandered, with only bread, a skin of water and her son (v.14). Soon the skin of water was used up and she placed the boy under some shrubs to let him die. From a short distance she stood to watch. She was certain that this was the end, but she could not possibly see when the her son died.

But then, something unexpected happened. The scripture says that God heard the voice of the child and the angel of God spoke to her and asked, “What ails you, Hagar?, Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.” (v17)” The angel of god told to pick up her son because the Lord would make him a great nation. Then an amazing thing changed in her. Her eyes were opened.

Have you ever been in a situation were you have used up all of your “available” resources? Have you thought it is the end? Is your current situation telling you, there is no hope, no way out? Have you felt that your creativity and your sense of direction is gone. Do you feel that you have wandering around and around just waiting for that moment to come. Yes, you might be surrounded by real conflict, you might be lacking creativity, you may be in a financial burden and on top of that you wander around eating up your resources pushing you more and more into a state of mind where you cannot see God’s hand in your life. If you give in, you let our situation define who you are and what your destiny and those that depend on you will be. You only see what is in front of you and that dictates your moves.

God is telling you today, I will open your eyes, so you can see that there is a well of water around you that will satisfy your thirst. It has always been there. I am present, I am here; just cry out to me from where you are, and your vision will return, your creativity will rise and I will make you a great nation, says the Lord to you today. Everyone will be amazed of what will become of you. Right there where you are, in the midst of your situation, even when others have cast you out and have left you to die in the wilderness, God will open your eyes.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006

Another heart

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by DP

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 1 Samuel 10:9

Saul had just been anointed by Samuel, and given specific instructions of what would happen next. Just consider this; The donkeys of Saul’s father were missing, and God took care of that. He was given specific details of who would say what, when and where. He then was directed to another place, to look for three specific men, carrying young goats, and another three men carrying bread that he would to receive. Then he should go to a hill and meet a group of prophets with musical instruments that will at that time be prophesying. At that specific moment the Spirit of the Lord will overtake him and he also would prophesy. And then he would become another man.

You see, Saul went looking for his father’s donkeys, but God came to anoint him as king of Israel. He was to be the first king of Israel, so Samuel gave him these instructions that were truly extraordinary signs. In order to faithfully follow all of these instructions, Saul definitely needed another heart, and God knew that.

It is so wonderful how our lives are changed when we hear His voice, when we listen to his instruction through His word. If we listen carefully He will be showing us extraordinary signs every day, and instructing us the what, the where and the when. Do you need another heart? Take time to seek and to follow His instructions and inquire in God’s word. He may show you extraordinary signs. But if you listen carefully to his word, you will see that the most extraordinary sign of all is that he will give you another heart.

So I tell him, “Lord, give me today another heart”.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006

He is in the stern

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by DP

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

When Jesus told his disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side”, was because He intended to get there. As their journey took place, a storm began and the disciples aware that their boat was filling up with water, got scared. They tried on their own all what they could to keep the boat afloat. They employed all of their skills to maintain everything under control. Why was Jesus sleeping in the stern? It is curious that it is from the stern where the boat is controlled, where the direction of the vessel takes place and it was there where Jesus was sleeping. It was only when they asked Jesus for help, that the situation turned around.

How often we get immerse into all of the ordinariness of life, and when situations arise we first use our knowledge, skills, know how, all before we call Him for help. We rely on ourselves just as the disciples did. We want to have control. At some point our boat fills up with water, and it isn’t until our “safe” place starts to sink, we relinquish control over to the Lord. While we assume control, He has no option but to rest. When He assumes control, we find rest.

How often we forget, that Jesus is in the stern waiting for you to call upon Him and let Him take control. We put our attention on what is going on around us, and try to fix things with our own strength. We seldom find rest. What we create is discouragement, doubt, fear, and most often than not, chaos.

It is time for us to look at the stern and give control over to Him; He is awaiting. Let Him take care of your needs, and situations. It doesn’t mean that you will not get wet, or that the boat will not fill itself with water. It doesn’t mean that you will avoid the storms, or that it might sometimes seem like you will perish. But in spite of all of that, He has promised that He will be with us, everyday.

So remember, He is in the stern.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006

From a mistake to a miracle

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by DP

The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Joshua 10:8

Joshua had been instructed to eliminate all of the enemies of Israel. He had done so in Jericho, and the city of Ai, but he made a promise to spare the life of the Gibeonites. Most likely they would be the next in line for defeat as these other cities. That is why when the people of Gibeon heard of this, they resorted to a ruse. They would disguise themselves as inhabitants from a distant city, with worn out clothing and moldy bread. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. Joshua did not seek God’s will on this matter and compromised himself and the nation. When the neighboring cities heard of this alliance, and army was assembled to attack Gibeon. But because of their oath, now Israel had to protect them.

Even when Joshua had not consulted God for this decision, which clearly had a binding effect, God performed a miracle that day; the sun stood still for an entire day. Joshua was in this situation because of a bad decision he had made, a mistake. Nevertheless, God acted on his behalf and heard his prayer.

You might be questioning every single decision you have made and every single action done in the past that caused you to be in the situation you are in today. It might feel that there is no use to ask God for direction because it was you who blew it, and you pound and accuse yourself. You even have these solo conversations in your car, asking why could I be so naive? Why didn’t I see this? Why did I trust? Question after question that is only making a bad situation make you feel worst and you translate this failure to make it your identity. Failure does not define you. Failure is an event, never a person.

Stop demeaning yourself. Stop questioning why you did or did not do or say something. Shake off those accusing voices from your life and press on. The past cannot be change, but the future is waiting to be transformed by you. You can go around and around the same issue for the rest of your life, or do something about it. You can continue complaining or lift yourself up and change your life.

Thats what Joshua did. He marched all the way to the battle. He was in it because of a mistake he had made, but he marched on to win the battle, and in doing so a great miracle unfolded. The sun stood still. So could be with you. If you rise up and march on, God can turn things around in your life even if your predicament has been caused by you. God can change everything around if you believe. You will see your life unfold from a mistake to a miracle.

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© Copyright DP, 2011

The strength of a woman

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“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16 NIV

There is something incredibly special about the strength of a woman. It is birthed in the most intricate place of her being, it is evident in every step she takes. It can be seen in the most trying times. The strength of woman makes her incapable of backing down; they stand up for what they believe. It is the strength that makes her a determined individual in all that she does, in purpose, in life, in sacrifice and in love. A gift God himself has deposited in every woman alive.

Esther, a young jew in a foreign land, had a burning desire to save her people. She was in a privileged position, a favored position, she was going to marry the king. But when presented with the choice of maintaing her status quo or saving those she loved, love was triumphant. But this was not an easy decision. It was a moment in which her own life was at stake. If anyone appeared before the king uninvited and he did not extend his scepter towards the visitor, he or she was killed. So Esther knew very well was she was facing. She understood that she had a choice and could easily stay put and not move. She had been enjoying for months the oil treatments and perfumes destined to the one who would become the wife of the king. She had been given the opportunity to stand in a high place and could walk along and maintain her peace.

But something bigger than herself stirred her spirit. So much that she was willing to give everything away for it, even go against of what was established. She was willing to die. “And if I perish, I perish!”. So where does this quality comes from? It comes from the indescribable essence of the One that created her. Love. The strength of a woman is birthed in love. It is not an emotion, but a motion, a fuel that will make her do anything her heart pushes her to do, no matter the consequences, or even death. Women don’t care if they look weird, if they look or appear foolish to everybody else if they have to defend what they love. The honor of their house, her husband or her children, wherever her love is, her life will follow. Esther was triumphant, she accomplished what her heart had moved her to do. Love always wins.

Look very closely, it is natural for a woman to be this way. So it is not strange that God would express his character through, the strength of a woman.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

You have come for such a time like this

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For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such time as this? Esther 4:14

Esther was an orphan, a captive in king Ahasueurs kingdom, raised by Mordecai as a daughter. When Vasti, the queen, didn’t want to come before the king, he decreed that another woman should take her place as queen. All virgins in the province were gathered, Esther was among them, a jew and she found favor in the eyes of all. Her preparation took a whole year, before she was selected by the king to be the new queen.

Haman which had lot’s of influence with the king, plotted and crafted a plan to destroy all of the jews since he hated Mordecai. His plan was made known to Esther by Mordecai and he reminded her that it might be that a time like this, she was risen to power.

Ever wonder why you are were you are now? Do you constantly long to be in a different place? Or do you wish you’d rather have someone else’s circumstances? We need to acknowledge that God has appointed us to the be were we are, to perform with excellence in this place. Be assured that this is your mission. God does not give you blessings just for the sake of it, He always has a plan, a greater plan. The place that you are in, is a place in which God will do great things, through you. You might not understand it right now, but at the appointed time, you will step up to the plate and be a blessing. We usually want to do things in our own time, but it might be that you are in the time of preparation right now. Learn, get prepared, the time is near.

Esther, came from being an orphan, a captive, to become the queen. She understood were and why she had what she had, and recognized that God himself had appointed and made her rise above all. She found favor, and favor violates every human perception. So, don’t look at where you are now, look at where God wants to take you.

Who knows, you may have come for such a time like this.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2006