When we Run Out Of SteamBy José Maldonado
Have you ever hit a wall? I mean the kind of exhaustion that goes beyond being physically tired—the kind where your soul feels drained, your motivation is gone, and you don’t even know if you have anything left to give. I think we all have been there. And when we read about Elijah in 1 Kings 19, we can relate. Elijah had just experienced one of the greatest victories of his life—calling down fire from heaven and proving that the Lord is God. But almost immediately after, fear took over, and he ran. He was exhausted, discouraged, and even told God he wanted to die. This was Elijah, a great prophet of God, yet here he was, completely spent and feeling like he had failed. But God didn’t rebuke Elijah for his weakness. He didn’t say, “Get up and stop complaining.” Instead, He met Elijah in his exhaustion and gave him exactly what he needed: rest, food, and time. The Lord allowed Elijah to reset, to refuel, and to gain perspective. And once Elijah had his strength back, God called him back into the work he was meant to do. I think about Elijah’s story when I read Paul’s words in Philippians. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose." (Philippians 1:21-22 NASB). Paul had every reason to want to leave this world and be with Christ. He had been beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted for his faith. And yet, he recognized something important—if he was still here, it meant God still had work for him to do. His labor was not just about survival; it was about producing fruit. That’s the lesson we can take from both Elijah and Paul: our work for God isn’t about just being busy—it’s about being fruitful. But here’s the hard part: we can’t produce fruit when we’re running on empty. Elijah had to stop and regain his strength before he could continue. Paul had to constantly draw from Christ as his source of endurance. And we have to do the same. When we’re either in a season where we feel burned out, discouraged, or just plain tired or we feel like we’re doing everything right but not seeing the results we hoped for, we have to remind ourselves of something extremely important—God sees us. He knows our exhaustion, our frustration, our fears. And just like He did with Elijah, He’s not asking us to push through on your own. He’s inviting us to rest in Him, to let Him refuel us, and then to step forward again when we’re ready. Paul reminds us that as long as we’re here, we have a purpose. Our labor isn’t just about checking off a to-do list—it’s about bringing Christ’s love into everything we do. But we can’t pour into others if we’re empty ourselves. So, if you’re in a season of weariness, take Elijah’s example: rest, refuel, and let God meet you where you are. If you’re in a season of strength, take Paul’s example: work with purpose, knowing that as long as you’re here, there’s still fruit to be produced. Either way, we don’t walk this road alone. This is a good way for us to start the day: Lord, You see when I am weary, discouraged, or just out of strength. Thank You for meeting me in those moments with Your grace. Help me to rest when I need to and to labor fruitfully when I am called to work. May everything I do be for Your glory, and may my life reflect You in all things. Amen. Pursuing Great Gain By José Maldonado
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." Have you ever felt like no matter what you do or achieve, there’s still something missing? Like you’re constantly chasing the next thing, hoping that will be the thing that finally brings peace or satisfaction? I’ve been there. It can be exhausting. But in moments like these, this verse from Paul is a guiding light: “Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6). I’ve come to realize that “godliness” isn’t just about going to church or looking like you’ve got it all together spiritually. It’s about the way we live—our thoughts, our actions, and our hearts being aligned with God. I think of it as walking closely with Him and trying, little by little, to live in a way that reflects His character. It’s not about perfection, but about genuine progress as He works in us. And then there’s “contentment.” Oh, contentment. It doesn’t come naturally for many of us. I tend to think, “If I just had this, or if that situation would just work out, then I’d be happy.” But that’s not contentment, is it? Real contentment is finding peace and joy right where you are, with what you have, trusting that God’s provision is enough. It’s not about giving up on your dreams or ambitions, but about not being consumed by the desire for more. What really strikes me about this verse is how Paul connects these two things—godliness and contentment—and calls them “great gain.” Not just gain, but great gain. It’s like he’s saying, “This is the real treasure. This is what makes life truly rich.” And I think he’s right. When I’m living in a way that pleases God and trusting Him with what I have (or don’t have), that’s when I feel the most at peace. I think about Paul’s life a lot. In Philippians 1:13, he talks about being in chains, yet he’s still full of joy and purpose. How is that even possible? Paul saw his circumstances through the lens of God’s bigger plan. Even when everything seemed to be going wrong, he trusted that God was doing something good. And that gave him hope and joy, even in the hardest moments. For me, that’s a huge perspective shift. When things don’t turn out the way we wanted, that’s when this verse becomes real. When we finally let go of the striving and choose to trust God—to focus on living for Him and being content with His plan—that’s when we can finally find peace. It doesn’t mean the situation instantly gets better, but our heart condition changes for the better. I now know that contentment is something we have to practice. It doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s a daily choice to trust God’s provision and believe that He knows what’s best for us. And honestly, it’s not always easy. But when we look back on the times we’ve surrendered our plans to Him, we can see how He was working all along—even when we couldn’t see it at the time. We should ask ourselves: Am I focusing on the right things? Am I trusting God with what I have right now? And am I willing to let Him shape my desires and my plans? I’m not saying it’s easy. But I can tell you from my own experience, when we focus on godliness and contentment, we find something far greater than anything this world could offer. We find peace, purpose, and a joy that isn’t dependent on our circumstances. One of our times of prayer could go like this: Lord, thank You for reminding me that true joy and fulfillment come from You. Teach me to live a life that reflects Your goodness and to trust You with what I have. When I’m tempted to chase after things that don’t matter, help me to find my contentment in You alone. Thank You for walking with me, even when I struggle. Amen. Rejoicing in the RuinsBy José Maldonado
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, … I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Life has a way of bringing us to moments of ugly desperation—times when nothing we do seems to work, when every door we try to open stays closed, and when it feels like the harder we try, the worse things get. Maybe it’s a broken relationship that seems irreparable, a health issue that continues to worsen, or a job situation that feels unbearable. Whatever it is, there are seasons in life where everything we know, everything we’ve learned, and everything we’ve relied upon fails us. I think it’s in those moments when we run out of options, that the words of the prophet Habakkuk ring especially true. He paints a bleak picture: no fruit, no crops, no livestock—a complete loss of sustenance and stability. And yet, he declares, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). How could Habakkuk say that? Often, as we gain life experience and grow in faith, we start to believe that we can predict how things will turn out. We rely on our intelligence, our problem-solving abilities, or the advice of experts to navigate difficulties. And most of the time, those tools are helpful. But then come the moments when absolutely none of it works—when we realize we are completely out of answers. Others who are not going through our struggle will say to us that’s where true dependence on God begins. Likely, we don’t want to hear it though. But, the reality is that when things fall apart, we find ourselves in the place where God’s refining work takes place. The process of being refined by fire is not poetic or romantic when you’re in the middle of it—it’s painful, exhausting, and often feels unbearable. But it is in this fire that God shapes us, strengthens us, and prepares us for what’s next. The Apostle Peter talks about this fire refined faith in 1 Peter 1:6-7. This refining process leads us to a deeper, unshakable faith—a faith that can stand firm even when everything else crumbles. The challenge for us is that it is a painful refining process. The good thing about what the Apostle Peter tells us is learning that we are not the only ones who experience it. Habakkuk didn’t rejoice because of his circumstances—he rejoiced in the Lord. His joy wasn’t tied to what was happening around him; it was rooted in who God is. This is such a powerful message for us to remember. We must remind ourselves over and over that God is faithful. God is good. God is Savior. Even when we can’t see how things will improve, we can choose to rejoice in the truth of who God is and trust Him to work all things for our good. Let’s be careful that we do not confuse the message here though. I’m not talking about lying to ourselves. Rejoicing in the Lord isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about shifting our focus from our circumstances to God’s character. It’s an intentional action on our part. It’s about declaring, “Even if nothing changes, even if things get worse, I will still praise You, Lord.” Most of us don’t prepare for hardship until it’s already upon us. But what if we intentionally prepared our hearts now? What if we wrote ourselves a letter—a “Dear Me” letter—to remind us of what we know to be true when things are going well? This letter will make such a difference when everything feels like it’s falling apart. The more we read this letter in the good times, the more prepared we will be in the bad times. It might go something like this: “Dear Me, You’re going to face situations in life that you can’t fix. You’re going to feel like God isn’t listening and like evil is winning. When that happens, remember this: Rejoice in the Lord. Even when it hurts, even when you don’t understand, trust Him. Let Him bring about the best solution in His perfect timing. Be patient, pray, and wait on the Lord. He is faithful, and He will not fail you.” Habakkuk’s declaration of faith challenges us to trust God even when life feels hopeless. It reminds us that joy isn’t about our circumstances—it’s about the Savior. When everything else fails, God remains. So when we face the fire, we choose to rejoice in the Lord. We let Him refine us, strengthen us, and lead us to the amazing, life-changing answers He has in store. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Savior.” May that be the cry of our hearts, no matter what we face. Facing Our Dark SideBy José Maldonado
We all have a dark side. It’s the part of us that wants to hide sinful desires and actions, the side that whispers lies and leads us astray. Some call it the “assassin” because it sneaks into our lives and tries to sabotage our walk with God. It’s not easy to admit that this dark side exists, but the truth is, we all wrestle with it. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away—it only allows it to grow. Here’s the key truth: whatever we feed will grow. If we feed the dark side, it gets stronger. But if we starve it and instead nourish our spirit with the good things of God, the darkness will weaken, and we can walk in freedom. So, how do we deal with the dark side? Let’s break it down step by step: 1. Awareness of the Dark Side The first step is recognizing that the dark side exists. Pretending it’s not there or thinking we’re above it only gives it more power. The Apostle Paul said, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). Even Paul acknowledged his internal struggle. Being honest about the presence of this struggle in our lives is where the journey begins. 2. Feeding on the Good Stuff Starving the dark side requires us to feed our spirit with the right things. This means spending time in Scripture, prayer, and worship. God’s Word is the nourishment our soul needs to thrive. Just as our bodies need food to survive, our spirit needs the truth of God to grow stronger. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The more we immerse ourselves in the Word, the less room for the dark side to thrive. 3. Recognizing the Promises of the Dark Side The dark side often disguises itself with empty promises. It tries to lure us in by making sin seem appealing or harmless. But those promises are lies. To recognize the counterfeit, we need to know the truth so well that the lies become obvious. This is how the Secret Service trains agents to detect counterfeit money—not by studying fakes, but by becoming intimately familiar with the real thing. In the same way, when we know God’s truth deeply, we can spot the lies of the dark side and resist them. Walk by the Spirit In Galatians 5:16, Paul gives us the ultimate solution: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Walking by the Spirit means surrendering to God daily, allowing Him to guide our steps, transform our thoughts, and shape our desires. It’s not something we do once—it’s a daily decision to choose God over the dark side. Dealing with our dark side isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about choosing to feed our spirit, starve the darkness, and walk by the Spirit, trusting that God is transforming us daily. So, we can take a moment to reflect. What are we feeding? Are we strengthening the dark side or nurturing the Spirit within you? We need to ask God to help us be aware, to give us a hunger for His Word, and to sharpen our ability to recognize truth from lies. We can starve the dark side and walk in the light of God’s truth. The Way of the MasterBy José Maldonado
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 ) Some people call it karma, and others chalk it up to luck, but as followers of Christ, we ought to recognize it as the way of the Master. Life is not a series of isolated events where one good deed automatically triggers a blessing. It's not like having a genie at our beck and call, where one wish equals one reward. The apostle Paul wants to clarify what the life of a Christ follower is to look like. In contrast, while genies may be suitable for fairy tales, real-life functions differently. We are called to live enthusiastic and honorable lives, continually extending kindness and joy to others, not as a one-time deal but as an ongoing practice. Some also argue that we'll only see rewards in heaven and ought to work without excitement and reward until we leave this earth. However, Paul also debunks this notion, assuring us that we will reap a harvest in due time and that we are to rejoice always. Jesus leaves us with no doubt about the subject when he says there will be rewards. He foretells blessings that will grace us here on earth. The strong-in-character and humble "will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). He makes it clear that there are rewards here on earth. That surely is a reason for celebration! The Bible contains several agricultural analogies, reminding us that God created the Earth. Plant and fruit growth is a perfect metaphor for our lives. Just as crops need time to grow and bear fruit, our good deeds need time to flourish and produce a harvest of blessings. Our Lord Jesus calls us to do good because it pleases Him. He is the perfect parent, knowing when to challenge and when to reward us. What a compelling way to live! Let's look for the challenges that will bring those rewards! And let's not tire of doing good, for in God's perfect timing, we'll reap the abundant harvest that awaits those who persevere. Let's start each day with the desire to sow seeds of love, kindness, and compassion and trust that God will ensure our harvest is plentiful. Cultivating Brotherly KindnessBy José Maldonado
Anytime we immerse ourselves in the words of the apostle Peter in his second letter, it feels as if we're embarking on a quest, expecting that a treasure chest will be waiting at the end. Peter has a specific destination in mind as he guides us along this path. In his first letter, he began by helping us realize we already possess a precious gift. "... and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." 2 Peter 1:7 In his second letter, Peter directly urges us to be kind to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. While our spiritual journey might initially seem individualistic—focusing on adding knowledge, self-control, and godliness to our faith—Peter now redirects our stare outward, emphasizing the importance of looking to others. However, it's not merely a matter of looking; we find ourselves challenged to show kindness, specifically brotherly kindness. This distinction is crucial. It calls us to treat everyone as part of our spiritual family, regardless of our familiarity with them. No differences, no favoritism. When we discover we've progressed on this journey even while navigating life's complexities, we've reached a significant milestone. The apostle Peter doesn't leave us wondering about the treasure waiting at the end of our spiritual rainbow; he reveals it to us—it's love. Love, the most powerful commandment of all. Jesus Himself made this clear when asked about the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-38). Having walked this path before us, Peter is intimately familiar with its challenges and pitfalls. He understands that along the journey, we are to grow in knowledge and godliness and our love for one another. It's the culmination of our spiritual growth, the treasure we find at the end of the rainbow. As we reach this summit of love, we ought to remember that love knows no boundaries. It encompasses all! In extending brotherly kindness and love to those traveling with us on this spiritual journey, we mirror God's love and fulfill the greatest commandment. Guarding Against EnvyBy José Maldonado
"He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them." (Mark 6:5 NIV) Mark presents us with a dilemma and forces us to do some self-assessment. He makes sure that we can see the profound impact of faith and the destructive nature of envy and jealousy. This verse reminds us that faith is a crucial component in experiencing God's miracles and that it can be badly compromised when we envy what others have or jealously protect what we think we are entitled to have. Imagine the scene in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. He returned, teaching with wisdom and power and leaving the people in awe. However, something shifted in the minds of those people. Instead of focusing on Jesus and His teachings, the majority turned their gaze to themselves. I have to admit that I have been guilty of doing that. It was as if those people questioned, "Why did his family end up with such a remarkable teacher while our family did not?" Envy, that sickening emotion reared its ugly head. Envy is like a pandemic virus, starting with one individual and rapidly spreading. Left unchecked, it can overtake an entire family or community. Envy clouds our judgment and often leads us to forgo blessings and even miracles. Jealousy makes us hide, thinking that in that way, we can protect what we have. We foolishly trade the opportunity to witness God's extraordinary works for the fleeting satisfaction of putting others down or hiding what we have. We refuse to lift others up if it means they might shine brighter than us. Yet, consider the absurdity of this choice. We miss out on amazing divine surprises and miracles in our quest to diminish others or hide. While the rest of the world benefits from God's blessings, we are left empty-handed. We must learn to recognize and acknowledge envy the moment it rears its head and nip it in the bud. We must remind ourselves that receiving God's blessings and divine surprises far outweighs the poisonous attraction of envy. The moment we allow envy or jealousy to enter our lives, we risk our very own well-being. We need to quickly shift our focus to count our blessings and embrace an attitude that welcomes God's upcoming blessings. Instead of allowing envy to sow discord and hinder our faith, we ought to choose the path of gratitude, where miracles can unfold and God's abundant divine surprises can freely flow into our lives. A Transformation JourneyBy José Maldonado
Our spiritual journey begins with a pivotal moment—the decision to have Faith in Jesus Christ. It's the starting point of our eternal adventure, a journey we may not initially perceive as a journey. Without Faith, we possess only head knowledge, but actual life transformation begins when we believe. We've often been led to think that Faith is the end of our journey as Christians. Faith is not the end; it's the start. Once we embrace Faith, we step into a new dimension of existence. Life's challenges may not disappear, but now we have divine assistance and no longer confront difficulties alone. We are under a new level of protection, "so are you in My hand" (Jeremiah 18:6). Our spiritual exploration ends when we intentionally make Jesus Christ the master of our lives. "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge." (2 Peter 1:5). Faith becomes the foundation on which we can now start building our new lives. Our next step on the journey is to ask God to guide us towards moral excellence. We transition from passive observers of our Faith to active participants in a transformation journey by following Jesus' example in everything we do. The adventure continues, so we don't stop at moral excellence. At this point in our journey, we have momentum and need to keep going. Our journey continues, leading us toward knowledge that goes beyond mere intellectual understanding. We are now getting to the sweet spot! We now gain a profound awareness of God's ways, enabling us to understand how to please Him with our actions. I encourage you to reflect on your faith journey now; don't put it off. Take intentional steps to embrace moral excellence as a response to your Faith. Pursue a more profound knowledge of God. Remember, Faith is just the beginning, and our journey unfolds as we add moral excellence and knowledge of God to it. It's a path filled with growth, discovery, divine surprises, and a profound relationship with our Creator. Unveiling Our Divine Purpose
By José Maldonado Engaging in the Lord's work is not a venture for the faint-hearted. It's a unique calling, intricately designed around the gifts and abilities the Lord has intertwined into the fabric of each of us. While perfectly suited for us, responding wholeheartedly to this divine calling and the divine surprises within is often challenging. If we view life's goals through a business lens, dedicating ourselves to the Lord's work might be considered one of the most challenging career paths. It begs the question: why choose a path that often feels like scary terrain? Why not opt for something more comfortable and less demanding? We can find the answer to those questions in the encounter between the risen Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. When Paul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" he received an answer that resounds through the ages. Jesus didn't merely answer the question to reveal His identity; He unveiled Paul's divine purpose. This answer likely shook Paul's worldview. His purpose was to become an instrument of transformation and lead souls to instead of away from Christ. But Paul's question didn't have to end there. It would have been perfectly understandable if he had asked, "What about the obstacles I'll face? I was one of those obstacles." Yet, the Lord preemptively responded to Paul, "I will rescue you." (Acts 26:17) This promise also extends to all of us when we choose to answer His call. Most of us have learned that choosing the path of the Lord's work isn't about opting for an easy journey. But, it gets a bit easier when we realize that it's rather about aligning with God's master plan. Why craft a life based on our limited understanding when we can step into a purpose designed by the Creator Himself? Once we get to the 'knowing' that the Almighty God, with power over the entire universe, pledges to rescue us when obstacles threaten us, what reason could we possibly come up with that would stand against the call? So, with a firm understanding of our divine purpose, we start looking for His divine surprises. Then, it is time to walk the path courageously and do what we know we are created to do but have been afraid to pursue. The Lord's certainty is our steady foundation. To accept or not to accept change By Jose Maldonado
Let's be clear about this: most of the time, change is no fun! It is frequently quite an unsettling pull in our lives. We often resist it, telling ourselves that the disruption of our comfortable routines needs to be avoided. Yet, change is part of our existence whether we like it or not. Sometimes, it may even be a tool in the hands of God, giving us what we didn't even know we needed. Other times, God allows change to accomplish His greater purposes. In the early days of Christianity, change was a driving force. Massive persecution forced Christ-followers to scatter, and in the process, they took the message of Christ to new places, “preaching the word.” Change became a conduit for spreading the gospel amid adversity. This is not what most strategists today would have come up with as a strategic plan for growth. Another example of change is the Bible's account of an abrupt and heart-wrenching change that took place for those who were following John the Baptizer. John's tragic death prompted Jesus to withdraw to a remote place. He needed time to process the grief caused by the pain and abuse that his cousin had suffered. However, in this season of solitude, something extraordinary began to happen. A multitude of John's followers sought Jesus out, drawn by their own grief and longing for someone who could give them hope. Here, we see change in its rawest form—a shift from mourning to seeking relief and hope. Jesus responded by moving compassionately among them, healing their sick, and ministering to their needs. That sad story teaches us that change doesn't always arrive with cheers and applause. Sometimes, it enters our lives as an outrageously heavy burden. I have experienced that kind of pain. I know that feeling sadness, confusion, and loss in the face of change is extremely difficult, but it is okay to feel that way. We ought to take time to process it healthily, just as Jesus did when He retreated to mourn. And during these times, we remind ourselves that God is still at work. We should look at change as a journey, and in our willingness to adapt and trust God's plan, we discover that there is beauty even in the midst of sadness. Some of the changes that come our way are easy to navigate, and other changes are almost unbearable. Regardless of the severity and significance of the change, we must seek God's guidance, ask for His compassion, and be open to the blessings that He may have in store. Change is not the end; it's often the beginning of something new and wonderful. "When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:13-14 NKJV) |
AuthorDr. Lori Maldonado works as a passionate keynote speaker, is the author of several books and is the co-creator of the Teach One to Lead One philosophy. She is an avid spokeswoman for the cause of transforming at-risk youth into responsible citizens. Dr. Lori balances her time between the management of her successful non-profit organization, invitations to speak to audiences throughout the world, and Biblical Coaching. Archives
February 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed
Dr. Lori Maldonado
|
© Copyright 2025 Wild Women of God LLC. All rights reserved.