The Grace, Has Not Left You

Listening to: "Forever" by Hillsong.
So if you're reading this. You might say to yourself. I have heard or read about "Grace" before. Can we please talk about something else? Or maybe you would like to hear about "Grace" because you know that you desperately need it. Either way, please hang with me for the next few minutes. Let's have some coffee together. As I, am already partaking in this marvelous coffee beverage a dear friend from church gave me. Just in case, that I would have some sleepless nights as a new father. Hmm...maybe, just maybe it is fitting for me to drink the coffee as I write & talk about "Grace." :)


Let's pretend that one day, you are going about business doing what you normally do. And suddenly, you realize...something is missing? What has happened? You begin to question yourself, question your abilities, question many life choices that have led you to where you are now. And thus, say, "Where is the former glory? Where is the former grace?" Well my dear friend, glad you would dare to ask those questions as we all might one day do so. However, I want to say to you and encourage you...

The Grace, has not left you.

It is still the very thing that you need to carry through. All the chains. Grace has broken. Sometimes, all the trials & difficulties seem like too much. Grace is still the "POWER" that will carry you through. In fact, sometimes the work of Grace is a lot more evident when brokenness has taken effect in a person's life. The type of brokenness I am referring to is a brokenness of the soul...an invite to far more than just your very own self. Past the ego-maniac, self righteous, self-centered, individual that usually cries out, ME!

ME! ME! Me=Its all about MEEEEEEEEE

I heard someone talking about this the other day, that marriage was a journey to dying to all of our selfishness that exist deep within, and the truth is YES. From the very moment that we take our very first breath, to the very first hunger craving that we get as a new born. Saying...."it's all about me, feed me!" Hah it is quite the amazing journey that we get to take under GRACE.

Grace spells out: REACH OUT, GIVE, & BLESS

Reach out because we are enabled through Grace to think of others above ourselves! (Phil. 2:2-4)

Give because we can do so by Grace! (Luke 6:38)

Bless because you can make a bigger difference in Grace! (Rom. 12:6-16)

Grace is all that we need. A little while ago...I got to go to a special conference where they were honoring men & women of faith that had been in ministry for over 40 years. And I was taken back by the advice of this particular man of faith, He said...to advice us all, that are still babies in this; "All I can say, is that you need to pray, asking Him for His Grace & Mercy to carry you through." And well that stuck with me.

What we need is His Grace & Mercy. So yes friend, the GRACE that you & I so desperately need...has not left us at all. In fact, it has only just begun to manifest itself. In every area, in every detail, in every waking moment & in every place of our lives! Embrace the Grace. And allow Him to make the difference in the big battles or little battles. That way, the victory is always His, therefore always yours as his/her child. Grace matters. And yep, the Grace, has not left you yet. And it never will.


God bless you,

Daniel Castaneda

Every Victory Belongs To Christ

"To God be all the glory and honor."
"To God be all the praise."

These two phrases can be better said through out most of our lives rather than lived out. There are many times where our hearts can fail and our minds seem weak; flooded and inundated with stuff, heartache, and more stuff. I recall not too long ago, I seemed to have a lot on my plate and looked everywhere for relief. And little by little I noticed, that the victory that I would have would be sequenced in stages and in baby steps. It seemed as I took my 19 and a half hours of schooling in a Summer session, my head could of exploted, and I thought it would for a moment. But quickly found out, that I needed to depend on God to get me through this and succeed at it at the same time. Victory after victory, encouragement after encouragement would come. Through my buddy Abel, friends and family members as well. However, as hard as I thought this was; what would follow next would pale in comparison with it all.

Before going into the next beautiful challenge lets take a look at what Matt Redman says, in his recent song "Never Once" about the battles we face and the victories we gain.


Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us

What I believe Redman is saying to us here is that if we want to win, we will have fights, and as we win; we know that it is Him and His power that works in us. My blessing that would await me in the later years after my graduation is the joy of receiving a wife. The reason why I say, receiving a wife is because after I finally prayed with boldness; and asked the Lord in faith for my wife (hoping all along it would be my sweet Steph). I felt I literally received her in the spirit realm. The reason why I am sharing this as a victory is because this great change has really impacted my life for the better. My wife to me, is God's greatest blessing to my life apart from His dear Son's life for mine! She has been and I know, will continue to be that vessel of honor that God has set apart for Himself to bring Him glory.

Now, the next chapter for me is not just as a husband, but also as a father. My heart is overjoyed and filled with great excitement and anticipation. The lesson I take from this is that God also has a way for giving us the victory before we even face and encounter any challenge in our lives. He is faithful and He is just. Especially, when we may not feel like we have all the weapons we need for the battle ahead. As few years back, I recorded a CD. Well, better said; I attempted a acoustic recording that I never really did much with it. Not too long ago, I talked with my wife and we were sharing how everyone has greatness on the inside and giftings to be used. But many fail to see that and simply don't go after what God has put in their hearts. I don't discount what God has done through that recording. And take it as an opportunity for growth and the chance that I had to do something. And as time goes by; more opportunities will come that allow me to shine from the gifts that are on the inside of me. And as a father, I look forward to the best example I have in God as my Heavenly Father in what I need to know and also to the things that will be developed from within me to have another victory in life.

Victory after victory, we must know that every last one of them. Belong to Christ. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. If you prayed, and had the faith to belive that God would do it; and He did. Then its important to see that He gave you that faith. Other wise you wouldn't of had the faith it took to stand and believe the victory would come. It's never to late to believe for greater things, the greater victory to come. Of course that will only come, after a greater challenged that you face. But never lose heart; the victory of Christ is always there. At arms length. For us to reach out and grab it. Every victory belongs to Christ. We must go, and live out the victory He gave to us, the Church. He is the voice; and we are the willing vessels. Victory after victory, yes! It all belongs to Christ.

Take a look at what Peter says to us as The Church in 1 Peter 2:9-10

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."


I share this because once we can see what God has done for us, then we can live out what He has given to us. And part of that is the daily victory of His joy in us. The daily victory that He is with us. The daily victory that He will never leave us or forsake us. I would imagine that I have much to learn. And well; I look forward to learning what is up ahead, and seeing all of what God has in store for not just me. But all of us who are called by Him and have set our heart to love Him. Victory is a great thing to have, but even greater is knowing where and who it comes from.
Jesus, God's one and only Son.


Blessings to you all,

Daniel Castaneda

"Lord, Reign In Me"

So as I was sitting trying to get some paperwork done for work earlier today. I was listening to the song "Lord, Reign in Me" by Brenton Brown. And felt like there was something to say about it so I wanted to share it on here. It all started earlier this morning as I woke up, I felt an impression upon my heart to read Genesis 1-5. Why 1-5? Not sure exactly, but what I saw next through out those pages was rather shocking.

Reading the accounts of our ancestors from the beginning of creation, I saw a God who if anyone would have been busy it would of been Him, creating and orchestrating, structuring and putting in order a huge mess, such as the entire universe. But then, leading by example shows us how much of a priority it is to rest, and not just to stop. What He is showing us here is, to take time to rest in Him, to seek His face and marvel at who He is and how amazingly good and kind this awesome God is. Also, as I read a bit of commentary in my Study Bible, I also noticed how there can be two types of people. Those who are faithful to God and those who are not. It's simple, we get to choose what & where we set our hearts on.

Lyrics: 

"Over every thought, over every word

May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord

Cause you mean more to me than any earthly thing

So won't you reign in me again" Brenton Brown

What our hearts are set on matters, because this is the basis of having a single minded heart towards God. To walk uprightly before Him. (see Ps. 86:11 & Ps. 84:11) All of our affection and all of our attention should be held in highest regard towards God. He is supreme. He is absolute. He is power. He is Love. He is everything and all we need. He is our sufficiency. He is majesty. He is our God. Our Creator and we the created. We must wor-ship Him, ascribing our full adoration to Him first and foremost. In spirit and truth. This is more than just a nice gesture out of gratitude, but a calling for His creation. In order for us, as human beings who were made in His image to thrive; living life not just passing it by. Having that full and abundant life that Jesus calls us to, yes...it must be lived in Him. Not out of sync with Him, but in sync. Led by Him, by His Spirit (meaning His breath, His essence, the core of who He is, the Spirit of God in us, His Ruwach).

Christ is in us, and we in Him. I want to focus on the part that says, 'we in Him'. Surely we know the difference of being showered with water versus being submerged under water. Big difference here, and really that is the reality of when we are walking uprightly in Christ, dead to self. And alive in Him. No longer tossed to and fro, but with a single mindedness of heart, set on Christ. Set on His Word. Set on who God really is, led by His Spirit, when we confessed and believed that Jesus Christ, His Son, died as ransom for our sins and was raised to life on the third day, and is coming back for us; this faith in Christ has made us His Children and heirs to the Kingdom by His grace. Such blessedness, such joy. Man, I tell ya, there is nothing more exciting than a God who is coming back for what is His. Us. We His children. So, let us let God be God in us. The creator, ruling over us the created; and we loving Him all the more for it.

"Lord reign in me, reign in your power 
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour 
You are the Lord of all I am 
So won't you reign in me again"


Blessings,
Daniel Castañeda

The New Year...After a Run

So it seems to take me about a year to write a blog, ha. Hopefully, that will change from this point on!

So I just got back from a run, and well got a chance to think freely and meditate on some words a friend wrote on facebook, it went something like this:

All successes and failures in life are temporary. Don’t think of every failure as a loss. If we succeeded in everything we pursued, how would we ever grow to be something greater? You must look a little deeper to realize what you’ve gained when you feel you’ve lost it all. It is in the times of desperation and despair that we find ourselves again and realize our dire need of Him. Denise Carter

When I read this it put something in me. I mean, a seed that will not go with out bearing fruit. The point that I am wanting to share and make is this, that as I've been going and going about life. I have come to one conclusion- We need God!

That's really all there is to say about that. God is so so merciful that He would allow us to go through trials and tribulations, run into walls, etc. For us to realize that we need Him. With out Him, we are nothing. What I mean when I say that we need Him, is to be in love with Him, not only because He commands it, but because He knows - loving Him- wholeheartedly is the very best thing we could do in all of life. Loving God, is different from just knowing Him, because when you love Him, then you can actually be known by Him. That's a different story.

That in the end. He says, "Well done good and faithful servant." And we enter into His eternal rest and joy!!

Tonight, as I was running. I saw two things about my heart- the first is, the weakness of it, in my desire for Him. As the great writer of old, C.S. Lewis puts it, "Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak." And two- how if I'm not careful, if we're not careful, with our desires in our hearts, we can go astray so that our focus is not on Him, as our first love. But in His mercy -- He draws us and He woos us in, back to Himself.

The most important thing we need to do is - to love Him with all we have - heart, mind, soul & strength. Not just get through life - and be moral, be a good servant/good Christian, but to be empowered to truly love Him and to truly be loved by Him. That is what marked David's life, and one of the reason's why he was called, "A man after God's own heart." God will always be there to carry us through, by faith in His Son and by the Grace that has already been given to those that believe in Christ and Him crucified. We ought to have this mindset, that my life is no longer my own, but Christ's.

Really-- what are my light afflictions compared to the very weight of glory that awaits us!?

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV

Yeah, I also learned another thing that may be old knowledge per say- but truly what we think on or what we let our thoughts be, on a constant basis is what we will end up living out in the end. If thoughts of self piety, and defeat or even the "I am the victim" type of thought pattern- then that is what we will live out. Instead, we ought to have thoughts of victory and of a blessed mindset. This way, as a child of God and of His Kingdom- we will see that, God is in control - He holds it all together and will certainly perfect His work in us. Faith will again fill our hearts, so that they would not be troubled anymore - but be full of peace and we would enjoy Him forever!!

Grace and peace to ya!

Daniel Castaneda

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Gifts By Grace - With Joel & Victoria Osteen

So as I read this, it ministered to me- hope it does the same to you!

Blessings!!

Today's Scripture:

" We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us..." (Romans 12:6, NIV).

Today's Word:

God has given each of us gifts, and He’s given us the grace, the supernatural power to operate in those gifts. In other words, if God has called you to do something, He has equipped you by His grace.

Scripture says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That means when we are doing what we are called to do, when we are operating in our gift, there will be an “easiness” about it. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any opposition. It doesn’t mean there won’t be obstacles or that it won’t take effort on your part. But what it does mean is that you will have a supernatural empowerment to do it. It will just come naturally and flow out of you.

If you are doing something that always seems hard, always seems heavy and drains the energy out of you, you might want to spend some time in prayer before God and see if that’s really what He has for you. Just because it’s a “good” thing doesn’t mean it’s a “God” thing. But when it is God, you’ll know it. You’ll feel His supernatural grace empowering you and refreshing you every step of the way.

Prayer for Today:

Father God, thank You for empowering me to live by Your grace. Help me to discern what You have for me and let go of anything that isn’t Your best for my life. I love You and honor You in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel & Victoria Osteen

Write Everyday Down - Birthday Blog

I'm happy to tell you that God is still the same yesterday, today, and forever! He has never changed-- and never will. Part of me wanting to write this down is to simply put my heart in here.

As I was cleaning up after a nice festive evening with family and friends. The melody for this song came to my head- "Write Everyday Down" by Jason Upton. Its a special song-- in many ways, but especially because it causes a reminder to live everyday for what it is-- today, one day at a time. :) Work was great today, but coming home to see people who got together and took some time-- to write a little piece of their time- into mine. Thank God.

My heart always seems to be stirred a lot particularly every September on the fourth day! I always have a very close and personal reflection with God-- and always seem to get a bit more perspective and insight from the LORD at this time every year. I don't know why, but it seems like my heart looks back at the years-- and I always have a spirit of gratitude that begins to stir.

What I am truly excited about is, His love. It never fails nor does it faint. And as I do get older every year--thankfully, I realize more so that He is truly God. His sovereignty is absolute.

Psalm 135:6

"The LORD does whatever pleases him,

in the heavens and on the earth,

in the seas and all their depths."

So I thank God for all that He has done--and all that He will do. It also feels great to have little reminders of how His love continues to reach to me-- daily. That being said, I am glad and grateful for all those who reached out to say Happy Birthday today! Thank you. Whether many people do or not, the point is that it counts every bit. Even earlier--as I read some of the facebook posts. I was in awe and felt blessed.:)

And I'm also happy to tell ya, I did have a nice cup of coffee and cake ealrier!! Sweetness baby!!!

Much Love people,

Write Every Day Down.

Blessings,

Daniel C.

AKA "Black Hawk" at work. Ha.

THE PROBLEM-SOLVER--Morris & Theresa Cerullo

This is a devo with Morris & Theresa Cerullo. I kinda happened to stumble into this and thought it was very good. So here it is. Also meditate on Isaiah 26:3

"You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you."

THE PROBLEM-SOLVER

Do you have a problem on your mind tonight? Is it weighing so heavily that you cannot relax enough to sleep? Has the enemy convinced you that there is no solution? Nonsense! There is no problem made by man or devil that God cannot solve on your behalf.

Get your eyes off the bigness of your problem and focus them on the bigness of your God!

If you keep your eyes on your problem, the devil will use your circumstances to defeat you. Determine that this problem will be a doorway to new growth in your life, that somehow God will turn the situation around to glorify Himself. Determine that not only will your needs be met, but that you will find the character of God blossoming forth in you because this difficult experience has driven you closer to Him.

Remember that when you give your problem to the Lord, just because you don’t see an immediate change it doesn’t mean that God is not in control. There may be people He is dealing with and situations that must transpire before you see His behind-the-scenes handiwork revealed.

God has an answer to every problem, no matter how great the struggle or how deep the pain. Cry out to Him in your need and know that His help is on the way even this very night.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17)..

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