Category Archives: Purpose

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

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”

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

A small task but a big story

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by DP

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9

What were you called to do? Does it has to be a big thing? Sometimes we ignore we are called to do a small things. Like the boy that was called to carry five small barley loaves and two small fish into a crowd of 5,000. How did his day start? What prompted him to carry the bread and the fish? Was this the result of a normal day of fishing. did he traded that day a couple of fish to have some bread. We don’t know, all we can do is speculate. But that day, unequivocally started as a normal day, and surely many saw this child during the day and since in those days, women and children were not regarded as equals to men, he could have been shouted at and even pushed around. Who knows, probably he started the day with many more fish and many more loaves of bread and could have been depraved of some. Or he was even angry because he had to so this chore instead of playing with his friends. The fact is that he was in charge of this cargo.

And at his short age, he would perform the purpose he was called to do in this world. His act of carrying those fish and loaves of bread, not only fed a multitude of 5,000 men, which indeed was bigger if we count the children and women, but was the catalyst for the good news of this man named Jesus that would change the history of mankind, to spread to neighboring cities. His cargo had been multiplied and feed a crowd he never thought possible. His life would never be the same.

Stories like Esther, an orphan who became a queen. Or Saul, who went looking for donkeys and came back a King. David went to feed his brothers and killed a giant. Rahab a harlot who saved two spies and became part of Jesus genealogy. The maid that told Naman to look for the prophet that could heal his leprosy, or the stable master who took care of the donkey making sure nobody rode on it and didn’t know why. The same donkey Jesus used to make his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem. Or the four men that carried a friend through a roof so that he could be healed. Like four men transforming junk into bracelets that will bring hope and create jobs in Haiti. These represent small tasks that but are part of a big story.

Similar to them is our life. We long to do what we consider are big assignments. We want to lead, to teach, preach, coach, conquer and overcome. We don’t like to clean, carry, counsel, paint or even listen. We think that these are not assignments that will fulfill our purpose. And maybe they won’t. But what if that small task is the precise one God will use to transform, not only your life, but that of millions? What if making someone laugh with your comedy will heal their wounds and change their destiny or helping someone retire with dignity will impact more than you know? What if creating comfortable spaces you call home will be the correct surroundings needed to heal families and mend cities? What if by teaching the underprivileged, your are changing a nation, mentoring the next Martin Luther King, Billy Graham or Mother Theresa?

The list could go on and on. But the point is, no matter if you carry only two small fishes and five small barley loaves of bread; never despise the small beginnings, it might seem like a small task, but it will be part of a big story.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Lift your dream out of the pit

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by DP

When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said… And Judah said to his brothers, What do we gain if we slay our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. Genesis 37:21, 26-27

This was the beginning of Joseph’s plight that would span several years. His brothers were jealous of him because Jacob their father, regarded him as his favorite son. They were particularly upset since he had told them about the dreams he had in which they would show him reverence and submission. They even made fun of him calling him the dreamer and master of dreams and never said a kind word to him. This day, they had plotted to kill him but two of the brothers, Reuben and Judah, interceded for Joseph’s life.

Joseph was known by what he represented, the dreams inside of him. And it was because of those dreams that he was rejected and isolated by his own family. It is very interesting that Reuben means “vision of the son” and Judah means “the Lord be praised”. It is precisely that what saved Joseph’s life; vision and praise. Similarly, it’s in the moments when you find yourself most rejected, isolated and forgotten that the only thing that will bring your dream back to life is the vision that you have and the praise that you give. When everything says around you that your dream is dead or worthless and that there is no future for it, don’t despair. Hang on to the vision God himself has planted in your heart and praise Him in the middle of your situation. Vision will show you the way and praising the Lord will walk you through it.

You might say, “but I am tired and there is nothing in me that has vision or hope.” But there is hope and there is a vision for your life. “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” Psalm 139:17 Surround yourself with who believe in you and what you stand for. People that can help you understand the circumstances and offer wise counsel. But even if you don’t have someone like this and don’t understand why, start praising the Lord and you will see that mighty and amazing things will happen.

I am not saying it will be easy. Big dreamers encounter big opponents and obstacles. But if you walk firmly to your destiny, praising God along the way, you will do things above and beyond of what you even thought possible. It’s time to stand. It’s time to walk in your calling. Don’t kill your dreams in the name of reality. Dream a bigger dream. A dream that you can’t do by yourself. You serve a BIG God.

Joseph went through many difficulties after this, but the time came that he was facing the Pharaoh, interpreted his dreams, and became the second in command. So today lift your dream from the pit; your destiny is waiting.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”