Tag Archives: Life

Restored to life again

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by DP

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. Psalms 71:20-21

The psalmist, aware that he was aging and his strength was failing, called on to God to walk with him as he entered this period of his life. His prior experiences told him that God would continue to be faithful. The psalmist’s is acknowledging the place and circumstances he’s currentlyin. He is not reproaching or reclaiming anything from God, but even in this moment of despair and of apparent solitude, he says that he will praise God more and more (v14) in spite of his predicament. His statement is profound since he remembers what God has done for him in the past, and affirms that he will do the same today and in the future. In spite of all, his strength moves him to say that no matter the hardship, he looks for the restoration from its present state of humiliation and will continue to speak of the righteousness of the Lord, His saving power, His mighty deeds and tell everyone, that only God is just. Wow, what a strong statement!

You might be in a dire predicament today. It may have come unexpected or maybe it was created by your own deeds. All of the circumstances around you are shaking, tumbling and unstable. You have been questioning everything that you believe, even your faith. The moment is so hard that your vision is blurry. Your faith, your marriage, your health, your job, your friends, your country; it has all been shaken and rattled. What to do? What to believe? Who to believe? The writer being in a vulnerable place recalled the greatness of the power of the Lord, his deeds and his righteousness. But he did something else, something unconventional to the human mind. He praised God.

There is something special when you praise God, specially in the trying times. It brings back to heart everything He has done in your life. It will spark a flame that will rekindle your hope and will comfort your soul. God is working on your behalf, never doubt that. Hardship is part of life, but it can be used to prepare you for a greater assignment. More often than not, God uses our brokenness to show his glory and for you to become what you where meant to be.

Who can compare to God? He has done such wonderful things. Trust him, he has never lost a battle, he has never stopped loving you. The honer you will see will be greater, you will reach a new level and you will see that He will restore you to life, again.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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”

The coat of many colors

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by DP

But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. Genesis 37:18

Joseph was on his way to see his brothers. It turned out to be the last day he would see them for many more years to come. They sold him to the Ishmaelites and in turn he was sold to the egyptians. He was sold because he had been favored by their father, and they became jealous of him. His father had made him a coat of many colors; he had been favored by the father and it showed.

When you are favored by God, it will be shown. When you wear the coat of many colors, God’s favor, you will stand out from the crowd. When you dream big dreams, you stand out from everybody else. Dreamers are ultimately defined by what they stand for and are known more by what they dream than from who they are. Dreamers can be seen from a distance. Dreamers are feared. Safe people are intimidated by dreamers. Joseph’s brothers saw him from a distance and plotted against him. Be certain that because of what you stand for, by what you represent, you might be plotted against, shunned and attacked. But dreamers don’t back down and certainly dreamers don’t quit.

Dreamers are a special kind of people. They see opportunities where everybody else sees facts. They see cities when everybody else sees empty land. They see what can be, instead of what currently is. They are dangerous, because limitations are not a threat to them. Limitations become not an obstacle or a stumbling block to their progress, but a fuel that makes the winning even sweeter.

When God favors you, you will stand out and probably will not fit in. Congratulations you have the coat of many colors. When God favors you, you will make people around you uncomfortable because they cannot understand why you and not them. When God favors you, their mind cannot fathom the ideas that come out from your mouth. When they hear them they just benchmark them to their own experiences, and mock them. They size them up against to what, in their mindset, is possible to accomplish. When you are a dreamer, you are not afraid to try. Because even if you try and fail, you learn a new way that will not achieve the dream, a path that will not be used again, so you still come closer to your destiny. Dreamers are the head and not the tail.

The world we live in, is formulated by dreams of men and women that dared to think different. To think possible what to them was new and probably impossible in the eyes of other people. When you dream God’s dream for your life and walk in it, you will wear God’s favor; and it will be apparent. People might plot to kill your dream, but it won’t be possible, you have been favored.

It might not be absent of difficulties, but always remember that you are wearing the coat of many colors.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

From the desert to the summit

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by DP

…while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4

The prophet Elijah had just witnessed one of the most recognized miracles and victories in biblical history. He demonstrated to all the people of Israel that Baal was a false god and at the Lord’s command defeated the 450 false prophets with the sword. Ahab king of Israel, had a wife named Jezebel, which he told of this event. Enraged, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to tell him that she would kill him the next day as he had done to the prophets, and if she didn’t that her gods would punished her without mercy. Elijah heard this, was afraid and fled. The story goes on to say that he sat under a bush and protested.

It is interesting that after a big victory, this prophet who had proven that God of Israel was the only true god, and even had defeated 450 men, fled with a simple message. I am not minimizing the seriousness of the message, but the very context of the message and Elijah’s reaction to it. Elias came out of an unprecedented victory and showed that the gods which Jezebel referred to had no power or existed. In fact the very act of Jezebel showed that she feared the prophet, because she didn’t sent troops, but merely a messenger to bring a empty message and without substance. Notwithstanding this fact, Elijah was afraid and fled toward the desert complaining and wanting to die.

How often does this happen to us. Coming from a great victory, we are frightened by mere words that have no foundation. We began to flee to desert places, aimlessly, hoping that our life is other, sometimes wanting to die because we can’t understand why we are in the place or situation where are in. It seems to have no explanation. Instead of celebrating, we get depressed. And all because of a word without substance.

My intention is not to simplify the condition of depression, much less ignore that there are professionals who can help you, but make you understand that God is attentive to your life and wants to restore you. Don’t hear empty voices, don’t move by fear, those are words that have no foundation. Trust, the Almighty God is ready to help you. God never responded to the negative assertions of Elijah, never responded to those words that Elijah used to degrade himself, to make him be less than what he was. God does not validate our words of defeat, but he understands and loves us. Elijah received support through an angel who served in the difficult time and God’s instruction for him was, “Arise and eat, because the journey is great.” He was supported with the provision that God himself had sent and it gave him strength to walk 40 days to reach the top of mountain.

Close your ears to hollow, empty words of defeat. You have a long way to go ahead of you, this is not the end, much less your destination. Your circumstances do not define you. What others say about you, do not give you identity. The words of fear do not direct you. There are angels who serve you in the midst of your circumstances. You were created for greatness, for heights, and for a wonderful purpose. So sustain yourself with his Word, go on, walk and conquer.

Your life will give have new twist and you will go from the desert to the summit. See you at the top!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Untroubled

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by DP

But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

Today we hear we see and we are constantly surrounded by the fear of harm, unrest, financial uncertainty and emotional instability. Troubling times.

But here, God speaks directly and tells us, if you listen to me, to what I have said, you will live in peace. A peace that will not ignore the current events, but in spite of them, it will cover you and you will be untroubled.

Are you concerned by the fear of what your current situation represents? Does the possibility or the thought of harm unrest’s your soul? Is anxiety knocking at your door filling your heart and your mind? Take heart today, His word is true and palpable. He has promised that if you listen to Him, your heart will remain untroubled, unmoved and unshaken. The writer is declaring a seemingly contradictory statement. A bold statement.

How can I have peace in the middle of trouble? How could this even be possible? When God’s wisdom and his word permeates your heart, your soul and your most inner being, all what apparently could disturb and shake you, passes by and does not move you. It’s not saying that you will never experience trying times. What it says is that no matter if you are in the middle of the situation, peace will cover you and your life will be strengthen, affirmed and sustained. You will experience a peace that will amaze even those that surround you.

The secret relies in who you listen to, to whom you run to. In the middle of your life, run to the one that has promised to be our fortress, our hiding place in times of trouble and will surround you with sounds and cheers of victory. The same one that gives his people strength and is their fortress, and you will live untroubled because every word of God proves to be true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

So don’t be dismayed, lift your head and stand firm. No matter what comes your way and no matter where you are today, If you listen to Him, you will live in peace and you will be, untroubled.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Will He know you?

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by Daniel E. Maldonado

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; … Mathew 7:22-23

How would you feel if, after working your whole life in the same company and with the same people, one day you were asked, who are you? Or if your daughter or son called your name and you said, I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are? Is it possible? Furthermore, can someone live an entire life promoting, advancing, and even being an ambassador of the Good News and not be known by Him?

It is a provoking question. It also exposes what is implied in this verse;

 Do I really know Him? 

You see, we can champion a cause and be immersed in numerous 

activities, not realizing that a personal relationship with Him is what matters. It is not what great things I can do for Him but what great things He is doing in me. It shakes my understanding of my life and purpose to think not to be known by Him. And I ask myself the question, Will He know me? Do I understand His purpose in my life? Do I genuinely know Him as I claim that I do?

God certainly knows who we are. He knows us from the beginning of time, and He loves us. So much so that He orchestrated this plan of salvation so that we would know Him. (John 3:16) But most of us live like doing is more important than being. We engulf ourselves with the responsibilities of life, and we forget to pause, to get to know Him and be like Him. As the son says, “I am looking for the day when I bow before Him and lay my crown at His feet.” That day, that marvelous day, I long to hear His voice saying, ” …well done, good and faithful servant”… (Mathew 25:21). Seek Him in the morning, and get to know Him. He has a wonderful plan for your life.

So, Will, He know you?