Tag Archives: Restoration

The old story is the only story

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by DP

We all like and want new and improved, of everything. The freshness of something different always catches our attention, but I would submit to you this thought: The old story is the only story. Salomon said it in the book of Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. But as we continue to pursue the next best thing, or keep up with the latest trend, we find ourselves in an endless race of nothingness.

We believe that if we create a trend, a movement or even a brand we are redefining how things are done. And I have to concede that things today are done different and that we have been able to create many improvements. The way we approach business, the way we raise our family, the way we even do church has changed and in many ways and in doing so, we have found many new ways of doing practically everything. But when we go deep, there is really nothing new.

That brings me to the central theme of this conversation: The old story is still, the only story. The story of forgiveness, sacrifice and empowerment that was performed at Calvary, is the only story. Today we live in an extremely visual generation, in all that we talk, express and share. There are so many choices that we can literally be overwhelmed. And what about our choices of churches, we can sit everyday and even depending on our mood, we could choose what church to watch over the internet, or even go to. But the story is still the same; He loved us in such a way, that he gave his only son for our sins, no matter what they are. And to accept this sacrifice and surrender our lives to him, is the point of the story.

You see, it really doesn’t matter the form, the style, the mood or the place, Jesus sacrifice can clean you of your sins today, if you surrender. You will be made new. He is able, He is waiting and He has done all that is necessary so you could have life, and life abundantly. The form you might be hearing the story could be different, but the essence of the story is the same. You could go around and around trying many other “stories” and still continue to feel empty and lost. This is the story: He loved you so much, that he gave it all and that is why the old story is still the only story.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

I will restore the years

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by DP

And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten–the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25 AMP

What a breathtaking thought! The mere possibility inspires me. The possibility to restore what has already been! You mean that I will make up, relive those years? You mean that there is a way to redo my life? A way to amend those relationships, those moments that marked my life in a way I did not desire?

Years that were taken by the ignorance, the unawareness of the times that were being lived. The time that was supposed to propel you into new heights, new levels, and now you feel stuck in the midst of your life. The most persisting thought that comes to heart is the sense of the years. That feeling that nothing can be done, because your time has passed. That paralyzing thought that controls you. The feeling of powerlessness, the silent voice saying, “I cant do anything, the years have passed and I have made many, many mistakes. Mistakes that have affected not only me, but those that are close to me too”.

But then, I read this verse in the book of Joel. “I will restore the years…” Wow!. What an amazing God we serve, that knows how we will be accusing ourselves. Not seeing how He sees us. We stop at the thought that “If I did it, I cant do anything about it” and we don’t give the fight. But you can. I am not ignoring the fact that consequences will follow our actions, be good or bad, but what I am saying is that in spite of those consequences, God can restore your years, He can restore your relationships, he can restore your marriage, he can restore your dignity, he can restore your family, and make up for the mistakes and decisions your have made, if you truly follow and obey him.

What a wonderful thought, and more importantly what a wonderful promise!, I will restore for you the years…

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2010

This could be your story

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by DP

How hopeful to know that Jacob from being a cheater and a liar, became part of the genealogy of Jesus! The Bible does not hide the fact that he had to toil much more in his life to attain the blessings that God gave him. He worked hard to get his promised wife and the fought with the Angel of God for a blessing, and won. He also created lifelong enemies with his brother until he was forgiven. For his ways he had also fallen into the trap of deceit, when Laban his father in law, cheated him giving him his other daughter and having to work more for the one he really loved. Hard days and hard situations which he had brought upon himself.

But this story instead of being sad, gives hope to all of us that have had a less than perfect past. You know, the moments in life when you have not been specially truthful, or when you have wronged someone knowingly and had fled leaving that person hurting. And what about deceit? We can go on and on with many of the mistakes and mishaps, be it small, medium, large or extra large ones, that have already passed but continue to accuse you today. It might have been years ago, and you still walk today having that mistake hanging around your neck like a sign that says, “I can’t, I did this or that in the past”. You are not perfect and you may have done many wrong deeds in your past. But there is hope, and there is a future. As Jacob went to know very well, redemption is something a man cannot do by himself, it has to come from God, and He is willing.

He is willing to make you new, to go deep in your heart and change everything. He is so willing that he already made a plan and executed it on your behalf. It is called Grace. It was performed by his son Jesus on the cross where He gave himself for you and for me so our sins would be forgiven and our lives would be redeemed. You have toiled enough to know that you have not gotten to far. It has been hard and every time you consider it, your past comes to haunt you again. But it doesn’t have to be that way, all the accusations, all the sins, all the mistakes, all the wrongs, and the past has been forgiven, by his Grace.

Jacob came to be part of the genealogy of Jesus, the Savior of the world. His name is forever branded in history, in spite of his past, as one of the great fathers of a nation, and his name was changed from Jacob, which means cheater, to Israel. All because he was redeemed and forgiven. This could also be your story if you choose to; to be forgiven, restored and redeemed. It is up to you, He has forgiven all our sins and restored all things by his sacrifice in the cross. He has plans for your life, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

One thing I know about you and that is, that your future is breathtaking, because Jacob’s story of redemption, could be your story.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

He will rebuild the walls…

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by DP

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” Nehemiah 2:17

Nehemiah, the king’s cup-bearer went to Jerusalem, to rebuild it. The city was in shambles. The story describes that he scouted the ruins at night. He even walked through them, alone. He assessed the condition of the city and it’s walls. Then comes this verse, where he acknowledges where they stand and what they were going to do, “let us build the wall”.

Today when you look at your situation, at your life, you might feel not like Nehemiah, but like the walls of Jerusalem; in ruins, destroyed, forgotten and with no apparent hope. You might even feel that the gates of your soul are burned down, and no further protection exists for you. That because of all that you have been through and all the hurt that you have experienced, the walls will remain in ruins. What you see tells you, there is nothing else to do.

But God is telling you today, I will rebuild your walls and I will rebuild your life. As Nehemiah did and told everyone that was with him; yes, their condition was critical and vulnerable, but they would rebuild the walls. You might be in a very difficult plight, and everyone has discounted you already. What they don’t know is that the Master Builder is here. As Nehemiah did with the walls, God is here today, right now, wanting to rebuild your life. He restores your gates, putting new doors. He restores your walls building your heart brick by brick, telling you that no longer you will be reproached, shunned or forgotten because He loves you.

You will stand tall, you will stand strong, you will be a testimony of the artisan ability of the Creative God. Take heart, take hope, the Master Builder is here, He will rebuild the walls!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2010

…for there is the sound of abundance of rain.

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by DP

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 1 Kings 18:41 NKJV

How is it that Elijah heard the sound of abundant rain? Clear skies, no clouds, no signs, no rain. Was he out of his mind? No, but Elijah had foresight of the rain to come.

Elijah knew the season he was in. When you are connected with God, you seek His presence and stay obedient, you will have the revelation of the seasons. Not the natural seasons, but the spiritual ones. You will know when to go out and when to stay in, when to talk and when to stay quiet, when to walk and when to stand still. Regardless of what everybody else sees, does and tells you, you will have a revelation of the season for your life and what to do. You will hear the voice that says, I hear the sound of rain!

Rain? We ask, in middle of this trial? Rain? When my spouse has left. Rain? When my finances are a mess. Rain? When I have come to the end of my resources? Rain? When I have no direction in life? Yes, the sound of abundance of rain. It will come without notice, and when it comes it will pour to overflow. There are seasons in our life that are characterized by the drought. The lack of meaning, the want of better and brighter days. We don’t see nothing happening. Our flesh starts to take over our spirit and begins to convince it that as dry as it seems, it will definitely get worse. It is a battle between what we can see and what we can’t. It is confusing, when our emotions take over and try to control our mindset.

But God will pour rain over your health, over your children, over your trial, over your relationships, over your work, over your finances, and when it happens it will be like a flood. You will have to run, so be prepared for His rain.

Therefore, go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2007

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

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”

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”