While we wait

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

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”

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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.

There is no plan B

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach – Mark 3:14

On any endeavor or task we set ourselves to do, we usually consider more than one option. We always see what the possible outcomes could be and we try to minimize the risk by having a “backup” plan so to say, just in case our first plan does not work as we thought. This is very practical advice and I usually follow this practice of having many options. But there are times I have been in that there is only one way and no other. My focus is razor sharp and usually stress levels are high, because in the end there is only one plan and it has to work. I know that when I am in a crossroad, the way I see things is completely different because there is much at stake. You might have felt the same way. It gets even riskier and more stressful when we have to rely on other people to execute part of the plan, and we feel that they are not as clear in the importance of the task as we are. Sometimes it creates an atmosphere of tension because in our minds, failure is not an option.

When I looked for inspiration or guidance of the how to plan, I looked at the facts of the ministry of Jesus. Have you ever noticed that the ministry of Jesus with his 12 disciples spanned for 18 months? We all know that he was widely visible for three years, but his actual ministry was for this short period of a year and a half. Did you also knew that Jesus never traveled more that 25 miles away from his home? And another fact was that the only recorded ways of transportation he ever employed was the usual boat ride, or the donkey used to enter Jerusalem before he was crucified. No chariots or fancy horses, that was it. Have you ever considered that he did not have any technology as we have today to spread his message? He had no loudspeakers to be heard, yet he was able to speak to thousands of followers at a time. In my mind it is very difficult to grasp, yet it happened. And let us consider the most unusual of the facts about his ministry, his disciples. Many had followed him everywhere, as much as 70 were recorded in the scriptures, but he chose only 12. Twelve ordinary men, with openly known flaws were recruited to carry on his message. Among them we find a tax collector, a doctor and a fisherman. These were his choices? This was his brilliant idea to bring a message of change? Yes, this was Jesus plan, and there was no plan B.

There is much to learned about this, but one refreshing thought comes alive when we consider these facts; we are his plan A and there is no Plan B. When we read the story of who he chosed, we know that they represent who we are. We understand that the story is not about plans or strategies, although they were many, but about his love for us. He purposefully chose those that had all the shortcomings that you and I have to make us understand that with Him all things are possible. When we consider plans, we look at what resources we have so our plan can succeed and we rely on the strength that we have to make things happen. But when God looks at us he sees the possibilities of what we can achieve, not by ourselves but through and with him.

Don’t look at what you have or who you think you are, we are his one and only plan. You and I will succeed, because Jesus has chosen you and me as his plan A. Be encouraged that with him all things are possible, there is no plan B.

“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, 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.

Faith is movement

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

In the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, we see a myriad of examples of faith that are set forth for our inspiration. Each and every one of them expressed their faith not only terms of an emotion or a philosophy, but it was also expressed by an action.

Abel by faith brought a more acceptable offering to God. Noah, built the ark to save his family from the flood, preaching about something that had never happened before. Abraham by faith left his land to a place he did not knew and it was also by faith that he offered his son as a sacrifice. By faith Isaac promised blessings to his sons. By faith Moses parents hid him for three months, and when he grew up he liberated the children of Israel from slavery. By faith the people of Israel marched across the Red Sea and also around Jericho until the walls came falling down. By faith, Rahab hid the spies so her life was spared and became part of the genealogy of Jesus.

On thing is certain, faith without works is dead, so action needs to happen. It is not enough to sit around and talk about what you would like to do. Unless you take action, it is just wishful thinking. You might be hiding behind the curtain of inaction, rationalizing that you are being careful and calculated. There is certainly a space and a time for that. But God did not send his only Son to this earth to be safe. He came to be dangerous and died on the cross for you and for me. He did this, knowing that by faith you and I would be saved, can you see it?, He had to act on our behalf.

Faith is action. Faith is becoming vulnerable. Faith is walking even when we don’t have it all figured out. Faith is moving ahead even when you can’t see a clear path. Faith is sometimes the opposite of reason. I agree, faith is dangerous. But we are called to walk where we have never walked before. To act in obedience even when everyone else thinks we are out of our minds. Faith is being bold and not holding anything back. Faith is moving to become all that God wants us to become. Faith is looking to the future even when our circumstances blur our vision, and believing that what He has promised will come to pass. Martin Luther King Jr. said it this way: “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase”.

Faith is trusting that God has a better plan for us and moving in obedience. Faith is movement.

© 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.

Just a crumb

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

She was weary and desperate. But she would do anything for her daughter. She pressed on and walked with desperation and hope. “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon possessed and suffering terribly.” She cried out loud. She knew that she was not in her turf, and was expecting anything to happen, but no answer.

This silence was like a queue for those that walked with Him as they came and urged to send her away.This was supposed to be a meeting that no one knew about, and she was spoiling it. This was supposed to be an “inner circle” meeting and she kept crying after them. They wanted to be left alone with the Master, and this was a very familiar scene. So they stopped and she knelt, disregarding the obvious body language that the disciples were showing. And then it happened: Jesus spoke the words that challenged her “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

There and then the miracle happened. She knew who she was talking to, or maybe she was so desperate that she did not care how she was perceived. The love she felt inside was greater than the possible humiliation she could experience. She wanted just a crumb. Her faith was big enough to understand that only a crumb of the Masters words could be enough. Not the feast, not the entire bread, just a crumb, that’s all she needed, and she got it all in the end.

Some of the greatest breakthroughs in life came from small moments, just as it came for this woman. What do you need today? Do you find yourself glancing at the feast and ignoring the crumbs? We often do that and forget that our miracle can come from small things. Your breakthrough can come from that “crumb” meeting, from that “crumb” phone call, from that “crumb” presentation. But you need to want it bad. Bad enough to do whatever it takes to get to your “crumb”. His word is more than enough to change the direction of your life and make this moment a turning point.

Be alert because you might be looking for a feast, but God can use Just a crumb.

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by Biblica®. Used by permission of Biblica®. All rights reserved worldwide.

Look at the rainbow

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. – Genesis 9:13
The great flood. We have all heard the story one way or the other. We learned how Noah built the ark and preached to men about the flood that was coming and how he was ignored and even rejected. Then after many years the day came when clouds started to form and drops of rain began to fall. Soon those drops became streams and every living creature on earth, perished. Only those in the ark survived.

What was it like inside the ark all of those months? What were their reaction when the water receded and they were able to come out on the top of a mountain? What were the conversations? We just can make conjectures. But one thing is certain, God made a covenant with Noah that he would not destroy the world with water again. It was understandable, after all they had been through. I can imagine what they could have been thinking if it rained again. How vulnerable they must of felt. But God knew best. But why a rainbow? What was it so significant about it? Why would He used something that was never seen before and call it a rainbow?

The word used in the Hebrew in this portion for the word bow is “qesheth/keh·sheth/“ which translates as the bow used by a warrior. So what God was telling Noah was that He was hanging his “weapon” in the sky and would not destroy the earth anymore with it. But his covenant needed to be visible so you and I would be reminded not only of this covenant, but of the faithfulness of God. He knows our propensity for do wrong, but in spite of that, He has promised that as long as this earth remains, planting and harvest, cold an heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.

You might be going through a flood of trials. You look around and the only thing you see is waves of uncertainty. So if you are in the middle of a storm that feels is going on for days, months, and even years, remember that He has hanged his warrior’s bow in the sky and has decided to love you and not destroy you. The water will recede and your ark will be anchored on high ground, and that is an advantageous place to be, because you will see everything renewed.

His promises are true and will forever be present for you and for me. Need any proof? Just look at the rainbow.

The sum of our decisions

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

by DP

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance. Proverbs 1:3-5

It is undeniable, even when we fail to accept it: we are the sum of our decisions. Nothing more, nothing less. All we have and have not achieved, is a product of the decisions we have made. I will concede that for some, unique situations are not of their own making, but even when these exogenous situations have come to our lives, it is up to us to make the right decisions in the midst of them.

You might argue that your situation is different, or is it? Our nature always makes us make excuses that will try to put our conscience at ease. I know this firsthand, I have done it myself. But by doing that will not change the facts, we are just ignoring them and hurting ourselves and those close to us. As a father I have the responsibility to provide and guide my family. Providing, in the practical sense of the word, is the easy part because it can be measured instantly. To guide takes a whole lot of other skill sets. It is more difficult, because at the expense of being shunned or disliked by those you love, one has to make the right decisions and think about the end and not the moment. So making right decisions, for whatever situation we are, remains in my opinion, the top priority in life.

There are so many options today, so many voices that our sons, daughters and ourselves can lend our ears to; good and bad voices. And it is here where making good decisions is crucial. For many of them, the results cannot be measured immediately; time will prove them right or wrong. So decisions come to be basically a look at the end result. In thinking at this I could find myself at a loss. I want to end well, and I know for a fact that my inclination to get my way could hinder my chances to ending well.

What reference should I use? What guidance can I get that will help me make the right decisions along the way? How can I make my relationships, my finances and my health blossom? What is the standard to follow? There are many great individuals in that have exuded examples of making great decisions. Men and women that occupy positions of leadership and are very well known. There are others that their names are not that public but have made an impact in our everyday lives with their example; we could name many. But there is a reference that has proven, time and time again to be the undisputed standard of making right decisions. The Bible is a book of how to end well. In it we find the sum of the stories of men and women like you and me, that quite frankly were presented with options, seeked counsel and made decisions. Many followed the counsel given and ended well, and those that didn’t lent their ears to wise and Godly direction, did not.

What point of reference are you using? Could it be that you have relied on your own understanding and have not even considered to seek a different point of reference? Has your decisions taken you to a place you don’t want to be? Decide today to make the right choices and change your reference point. In the end, God wants your well being. His love for us is so big that he sent his Son to ensure a way for us to end well. His word is full of guidance and wise counsel. Give yourself a chance. In the end we are the sum of our decisions.

Warning signs

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

by DP

“I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria.” – Hosea 11:4-5

“Hey folks you might have realized that we have gone out of the line for takeoff. We have received a warning sign here on the cockpit and we need to check it out and be sure it is safe for us to continue.” – moments later – “Folks, thank again for your patience. We have a hydraulics problem that we cannot fix ourselves so we will need to head back to the gate so our mechanics can take a look at it and we will let you know how much time it will take to fix. Thanks for your patience.” These were the words from the captain on the flight I was on. Immediately the guy that was sitting on my side said audibly, “Nooo”, and I looked at him and said, “Hey man be cool, better late than dead”. And no, he did not say another word.

I’m grateful for the captain of the plane. He saw the warning sign and took action immediately. No second guessing it, no bargaining and no playing games. He alerted us and put our safety as his highest priority. He did what was needed to be done, even when we might not understand it, be inconvenienced by it or did not like it. He might as well saved all of our lives. I also realized something else: I had complete trust and confidence on the pilot, even when I had not seen him face to face. I did not had any concerns when I got on the plane nor did I ask for his credentials or license. I just trusted.

This made me think about lots of things and reflect in my own life. How many times have I received a warning sign in my emotions, my finances, my health, my relationships and have not paid attention, and received the consequences of it? How many times have I ignored those warnings because I thought I knew better? Furthermore how many times have I complained like the passenger I told before, ignoring that by doing so there was much more at stake?

What about you? Have you done the same? Have you complained by he “delays” and “detours” you are faced with every day, and you ignore that these might be warning signs that something is not right? These might be situations that are meant for your preservation and not your destruction.

I heard once from a doctor that said, “pain is good, it tells you that something in your body needs attention”. God has many ways to catch our attention, and he permits or does it, because he loves us. These might be issues you need to pay attention to. Tending to them might seem as a delay to your apparent progress, but it will ensure that you get to your destination as it was intended. Ignoring them, and not trusting, could be catastrophic for you and your loved ones. You are much important to Him, to be neglected. You are too important to him to ignore the warning signs along your path.

As I trusted the captain, (since I still don’t know how to fly an aircraft), so should you trust our Lord and Savior that knows what is best for our lives. He loves us so much that he will do whatever is necessary to draw us to himself. By doing so, His mercy is extended to us and His love sometimes is revealed, through warning signs.

Talent is overratted

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

“Talent is overrated when character is missing. Choose to nurture your character.” – DP

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

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