Tag Archives: English

The spirit of the avenger

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When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. – John 11:33

Avenger: someone who takes vengeance. This is a term we usually hear in action packed movies. It usually brings to mind the rouge and unrestrained man that continues his hatred filled agenda and his passionate pursuit of revenge. We portray scenes of blood thirsty vigilantes taking the justice in their own hands. But in this passage we see a different picture.

Jesus had delayed his arrival to Bethany, knowing that Lazarus was sick. In those moments of delay, I can imagine his heart pounding faster and faster. He loved this family, they were his friends and were very dear to his heart, and to wait patiently was a hard task to undertake. And as he obeyed God’s direction, the expectations began to grow inside. His was cool, calm and collected. But inside, something was happening, a spiritual tsunami was developing within him. The most inner fibers of his nature flourished to the skin of his being. There was hurt, sadness, and weeping all around. Then, it became real, clear and present, his enemy was before him. Death had challenged Life.

It is very difficult to understand the emotions and feelings Jesus had at that time. He was being faced with a very personal situation. He became troubled, and anger started to well up within him. A sense of justice and unconformity of the human condition, became a fuel that ignited his passion for redemption. I can imagine that every scene around him blurred as he walked unfazed toward the tomb. His mental stage was clear; death had to be stopped, suffering had to end and joy had to return. Nothing and no one, would stop him now, it was very personal, it was very real.

So He wept. He felt the same emotions you and I feel when someone is lost. When this life gets to us and we question every single belief we have and have ever considered. He went through the motions that you and I have traveled many times. But he remained and he conquered.

And then came those timeless words, “Lazarus, come out!”. Life had emerged in center stage and death recoiled at the sound of his vocal wave. Justice, life, and transformation had prevailed.

The same sense of purpose might be lingering inside of you. And it might come in the most unexpected way. It will appear in the midst of a very troubling time in your life. But it is probably that in that time in which you are most pressed and confused, that will thrust you into you calling and your destiny. Not to perform your own justice, but that of the One who knows all and loves all. A sense of destiny and purpose that will mark a new beginning for many, in the very middle of apparent chaos and confusion.

So your current situation can make you or break you, it is your decision. If you put your trust in God, believe his promises and abide in Him, it will be clear to you and to all, that your spirit has been stirred and everything around you will be transformed. Even those impossible and dead situations that you confront, because you have been infused with the spirit of the avenger.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© 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

Keep walking, step by step

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“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’” Exodus 6:6-8

What were they thinking and feeling? One can imagine that as they walked out through the streets of Egypt, mixed emotions raced in their heads, hearts and souls. This marked the ending of slavery, peril and hard punishing work. Their eyes could not believe they were leaving the land of Egypt, with treasures never dreamed of, and moving to a land never seen. Was this real? Could this be possible? Where they doing the right thing? This was so new to them. They had only experienced slavery and the hardship, since they had all had been born into it. Making bricks out of straw and clay was the task they had to endure up to this day, every day, so anything aside of that, was new.

But in spite of their emotions, fears and doubts, they kept walking. The dream was greater than the fear. With very step they took the towering pyramids looked smaller, and the hope in their hearts for freedom larger and larger. God’s promise was being unfolded in front of their eyes; He was redeeming them with a powerful arm and great acts of judgement. And so they kept walking into the land God had promised. A land they had not seen, but God had promised. And they knew the promise was true.

You might be feeling quite the same as the children of Israel felt. Your soul brims with expectation, a new land will come in sight soon. Something yearned for many years and obscured by the commonality of life. Shunned by the trivialities of everyday, but today, is the day. The day you will walk out of that prison made by your own thoughts. It is the day your will become free and will walk right in front of those that had oppressed you for many years. Your path might be unknown, but it will be free of straws and clay. It will be filled with provision, direction and new experiences. A place that will free you from bondage, a place that will stretch your mind and your gifts. A place where goodness and mercy will follow you. A place that will change you and in turn, you will change the world.

Many emotions might be racing inside of you. And you might hesitate to take the next step; they are many unknown variables and many uncertain outcomes. But, what is the alternative? To do nothing? To be paralyzed by the looming fear of a threat that might not be even real? There is no guarantee of what you might confront, and you might be walking into a greater challenge, but for an even greater reward. No more straw nor bricks, but a promise of a new life. A land that flows with milk and honey. A plentiful place.

Keep walking, step by step.

“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.

Manna

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by DP

When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. – Exodus 16:14-15

Manna, it is a well know word. We all have heard the term in many contexts. We have often used it to scold someone into working harder, or to do more, because “the money will not come as manna from the skies”, we say. It brings a mental picture of a flaky substance that is bread-like, which was provided to the children of Israel in the dessert. God had provided it so they could be sustained every day, outside their tents. This event was completely new to them. There was no point of reference that could help them compare what they were experiencing in that moment. They where accustomed to the delicacies of Egypt, not what they had found on the ground. And so the most natural expression was, “Manna”, which means “What is it?”.

Along with this new and unknown substance, came a new set of instructions that needed to be followed. A new substance and new instructions; Manna. And without watering down the incredible lessons intertwined in this text, consider “manna” as everything in your life that is new and represent the possibilities for your life. The crossroads that we all face and that challenge our intellect, our emotions and way of life.

We often find ourselves in the same situation. New events, new set of rules, new ways of doing and interpreting things, and we catch ourselves saying more often than we would admit; Manna, what is it? You are pulled between choices. You are puzzled as to what to do, and the only thing that mutters from your lips is, Manna, what is it?

Decide today to step outside the tent of your current situation. Walk towards the provision and the supply of the present to enjoy the blessings of the future. It might seem unknown to you, a way that could even be unorthodox, but in the end it will be amazing and fulfilling. Manna is not a myth, it’s not an empty expression. It represents new things, possibilities. Don’t be afraid of stepping into the unknown. You might still say, what is it? And it will be ok. If you pick up the manna that is before you, the experience and the transformation you will have, will be worth it. Manna will no longer be the unknown, it will be the embodiment of BREATHING expectantly, LIVING confidently and MOVING Boldly, Manna.

“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

The miracle is alive

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When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus. – John 12:9-11

This was a very dangerous time in the life of Jesus. He had performed one of the most visible and undeniable miracles of his ministry. One that caught the attention of his enemies and made him a bigger threat to their livelihood. Lazarus was alive because of Jesus. Lazarus was living proof of who Jesus was. Undeniable proof.

The priests decided to take care of the problem and the easiest way to do it was to plot to kill Lazarus. They wanted to silence and bury the shouting evidence of truth; Jesus was the son of God. However, there is no evidence or recording in the bible that they succeeded. The miracle was still alive.

When you are the recipient of God’s favor in your life, be prepared to be threatened for it, to be shunned because of it. When your life exudes greatness, favor and uncommon blessings, know that not everyone will be happy for you. But that is ok, because you can be assured that, “…If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”.

Don’t fret about the naysayers in your life. Those that will never be happy with you blessing, your advancement or your promotion. In many ways be thankful, because if it had not been for your miracle, you would have never known who was for you and against you. Your blessing reveals your friends and your enemies.

So think about it. You might be feeling the pressure and questioning, why? It is quite simple. Greatness is always a threat to mediocrity. Greatness is always a threat to the status quo. Lift your spirit today and set your heart to higher things. Don’t let the pressure fill your heart with fear and walk firmly to your destiny. Proclaim with your life that greatness has been thrust upon you and that you have been made the steward of it. You have been gifted with a miracle. And the greater the miracle, the greater the threat.

No matter what anyone says, how big the threat seems, or how high the noise is, you know deep inside that the miracle in your life, is still alive.

“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.

Highest destiny

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“The highest destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.” – Albert Einstein

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:43-45

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Sometimes it takes a fight

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by DP

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. – Joshua 6:20

We are often faced every day with many challenges in or work, our relationships and our dreams. We have this idea that if something is meant to be, it will just happen. I could agree in part with that assumption, without ruling out that there could be always some resistance.

The children of Israel knew that very well. They were promised the land of Canaan which flowed with milk and honey. A land that was the representation of a better life and a brighter future. One would think that after being in the desert for forty years that a respite would come. But upon entering the land, they were confronted with their first challenge, Jericho. They might of thought that as it happened to Jericho, where they just had to march to bring down the walls, every other encounter would be the same. But no, they fought thirty-nine battles in order to conquer their promised land. A new land, a foreign land in which they encountered giants, crossed rivers, and many obstacles they had to overcome.

Such is our life. We might have this preconceived idea that everything will be smooth, and that there will be no disturbance in our path if something is meant to be. And it is true, sometimes it happens that way, and it feels good. But the reality is that sometimes it takes a fight to get your promise. Some of them will be more easily won, but others will be fierce and difficult battles. Encounters that will leave scars and marks in the heart and in the soul. We have to understand that there is a part that must be done by us, as the preacher in Ecclesiastes wrote, ”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom…”. Things might not come down as you envisioned or thought they would, but we learn, we grow and we obtain experience that will prepare us for our next assignment.

Jesus knew that all to well. He fought for you and me, to give the most high of the sacrifices, his life. It scarred his body, but he won. And because he won, we are victors and not victims. We should not feel sad or discouraged when we find resistance and trouble in our way. I can assure you that character and experience is building up in you. You are being prepared for a higher purpose. Maybe this present trouble, this problem, this resistance, is the event that will unlock the gifts and talents that have been hidden in you. This could be the moment you have been building up for in order to live in your promised land.

So shake off those defeat and demeaning thoughts, and press on. Be prepared, strategize and consult, it is not the time to sit down and wander and have a pity party, it is time of walking and fighting. There’s a reward waiting, there is a brighter and bigger future in sight. And as the children of Israel experienced, it will take a lot of effort, not to mention time, but it will be worth it.

Your blessing is coming, your promise is near, but sometimes it takes a fight.

“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 INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your staff and your sling

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by DP

David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. – 1 Samuel 17:39 NKJV

This is a very well known story. King David defeated Goliath and his way to greatness became the town’s headlines. We all center in to the part where he throws the stone that hits the giants forehead and makes him fall. An epic moment and a tipping point for David and the people of Israel.

But clearly in the story there is more metaphoric material that will enrich every reader and lover of life. The fact that David was at the right place and at the right time doesn’t underscore the preparation and the history that his life was bringing to the scene. He blurts it out to King Saul, of how he had been in fiery battles with animals when he was tending his fathers sheep, that made him more than capable to confront this mighty opponent.

David must have made quite a compelling argument to the king so he could authorize him to fight. It must have, because on this fight, everything else hanged. In the text we see that, upon agreeing, Saul tells David to put on his royal armor. David did so, but after trying to walk, he refused to wear it to the battle and geared up with all that he had known, his staff and his sling.

How many times have you dressed up to someone else’s expectations? Are you living another person’s dream? Have you spent your time indulging the acceptance of everybody else and neglecting your own life? It is time to dress up with our own gear, to dream your own dreams and to live your life on God’s terms.

We often neglect that God will use who we are and what we have, without the help of anyone else. When we understand that to be the man and the woman we have been called to be, we need not to please anyone, we will find our place and perform our destiny, as David did when he confronted this giant. The text says that he ran to him, something he would not had been able to do if he had Saul’s armor on. When you know who you are and what you are supposed to do, you will shine and excel at the most crucial moment of your life. And your life and those around you will be better for it.

Greatness will be exuded from you, because you dressed up with your staff and your sling.

“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 taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Process

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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 is a concept, that in itself sounds pretty dry to our ears. It actually feels sometimes like a car brake; we think it is slowing us down. Talking about process makes us feel pain even when we haven’t gone through it or even started.

We are inspired by the stories that evoke human achievement. The ones that portray an underdog that emerges triumphant. Or the ones where an immense injustice has been done, and that it is ultimately redeemed. We all have heard of them. Men and women like Rosa Parks that took a stand that started a civil rights movement. Eric Liddle, who won the Olympic Games in a race he had not trained for, after refusing to run on a day he regarded as sacred to his beliefs. Joseph, that was promoted to second in command right out from the dungeons. What about king David, that had to run for years after he was anointed as king, walking with a bunch of rejects as his army. We could mention hundreds of known and unknown stories that rekindle the spark of creativity, courage and tenacity in us. They have many things in common, but the one that we often oversee, is process.

To get to that tipping point, to be equipped with the necessary tools for the task at hand, they all underwent a process that gave them the capacity and the character to perform and transform the situation they were in. Creation itself, underwent a transformation that took time. Such is life, a process. The mere growth and transformation that takes place in the womb of a woman, and the time it takes for the child to develop to term and ultimate birth, is a process. When that stage ends, a new one starts. And what a wonderful metaphor to use for describing process.

It is also true for you. It could be that you’re in the early stages of your situation and see no reason why you are in the middle of an unending drama that consumes every single second of your thought life. An injustice is taking place and you cannot see the way out or the reasoning for it. It makes it hard to understand that great dreams are building up inside of you, but your reality is just so different and everything screams at you to kill those dreams. It might be so personal, that great pain is what you only know as a way of living. But would you consider a different stance? Would you give yourself a new opportunity? It might be the process that God is using to reshape your thinking, your character and your attitude, so when the time comes, it will exude the greatness for what you have been created.

So don’t reject process, embrace it, let it teach you. Look at it from another angle, because all things are meant for good for those who love God. And I grant you that I do not know what your situation is, how hard or complicated it is. But process is not our enemy, it might be our ally and maybe you can then see your current job, your family situation, a business deal, the place you live, your pain, from a different perspective and not be bitter, but grateful.

And always remember that God loves you and we should see our situation through God’s eyes, and not God through our situation. Because it could just be the one thing that will change your life; process.

“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 INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.