Loud Thinking: Do not be Anxious

Do not be anxious for anything, for the Lord hasn’t denied anything good to you, for His word says that everybody who trusts Him wont be disappointed and everything works together for the good of those who belong to Him.

May the wait, may the struggle, may the circumstances be hard to endure but hasn’t He empower you with the promise Holy Spirit to seal His salvation? I am so helpless when I trust my own device, when I often I look back  and regret of no getting what I want the easy way. what I need to understand is that the Sovereign God has allowed that to gives us time to appreciate the greatest gift we have which is to have Him.

Do not be anxious precious child for everything for eternal life can only be given to you through Christ and if you posses it, thats more than enough. Do not give room to the devil to make you think that Christ is not enough, do not let him twist your worldview to low your standards in order to do it the cheap way. 

Do not envy the unsaved, for yourself underestimate your position in Christ if you happen to have the same worldly standards, you have been made for more. You have been made for the Glory of God, then live in light of such truth. 

1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Self support or supported missionaries? A realistic view of financing missions

This is a very important topic in which I've heard a lot of opinions from people who have spent more than 3 months in the mission field. This being said, there are very unrealistic goals that people set for missionary standards. But to explain further, let me define what I mean with self-supported and supported missionaries.

Self-supported missionaries are those who have a full time job in order to sustain themselves and do ministry at the same time. Most self supported missionaries go to certain countries to do professional work because proselytism of the Gospel is not legally allowed. Other self supported missionaries work part time because the church is not able to fully finance them, so they have to work as well.

Supported missionaries are those fully financed by churches or individuals. The majority of missionaries are supported directly or through mission agencies. They mostly live in places where it would be hard to make an income, even having a profession. 

Should missionaries be self supported or supported?

Depending on where they are, there are places where missionaries could never be fully supported by full time work, or by the local church. Even though the whole church could tithe, it would be impossible since in some countries, people make minimum wage or less. If there is a chance for a missionary to enter a country by using their profession or some form of business investment, that would be great; but this is not the case for every missionary. Let me give you an example, I've heard people say, "If ten people give ten percent, the missionary would make the average income."  If the ten people who give ten percent make minimum wage or less than minimum wage, they would be tithing between ten to thirty dollars a month, which means that the missionary would make one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars a month. 

With people earning that amount, how would they survive?

Normally in countries where people earn minimum wage, they survive because they are part of a family team, which helps financially, or they have already inherited a house or apartment.

Why do missionaries ask for financial help? Why don't they work to save money for the church?

They ask for financial help because that's how most of the New Testament missionaries were sustained (Luke 8:1-3, 1 Cor 9:1-23, 2 Cor 9). They're not just asking for money, but giving the opportunity to participate in the mission work of the Gospel. I've heard people say that missionaries should work in their furlough to earn their wages. Most missionaries who come for furlough endure intense work, spiritual warfare, and are drained by being in difficult places without the comfort of fellowship.

Although some missionaries willingly work because they enjoy laboring for the gospel, much of the work they do is under-appreciated. If you think missionaries do nothing, you should read the book of Acts and potentially repent.

How long should I support a missionary? 

Supporting a missionary until they can establish a church to support them can potentially be dangerous. People may not have bad intentions by thinking this, but the following should be considered:

1. Missionaries can become mentally clouded when they're concerned with raising funds for expenses along with evangelizing.

2. It's uncertain how long a missionary will need to have a self- sustaining church and there's question as to whether it's possible.

3. You can unconsciously pressure a missionary to water down the Gospel in order to bring people to church at the expense of true converts.

4. You should think outside your bubble.

In conclusion, it doesn't matter what you think, research is needed. Missionaries often have to prove the legitimacy of their needs. It's easy read a book about missions but do we really think that missionaries who take the word to other nations deserve to be judged this way? Do you feel you're wasting your money by investing it in the expansion of the Gospel?

Take a look, pray, read your bible and pray again. There is a need for the Gospel and we participate by going ourselves or by supporting the robe of those who go. Is the kingdom of God not ours also?

               

                     We may think differently about how ministry should work without having to share the Gospel with our neighbor or we can talk about the experience of battle without ever having scars but I hope the Lord gives us a sense of living in the reality of the Gospel which we profess and to honor those who spread the good news.

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Loud thinking: if the church had barriers

If the church had barriers all the walls of divisiveness would segregate to form groups of selective worshippers according to their race, social status, culture and language. If the church had barriers gatherings would have sections of worship where the rich would worship separately from the poor, where the white would worship separately from the African American and Latinos. If the church had barriers people would worship according to their countries, first world, deloped and third world countries in different assemblies.

But the church doesn't have barriers, for the rich and the poor have been bought by the same blood. For He has saved people from every ethnicity and every culture. For within the church there is not class of saints, as if one sinner could be better than the other; for the blood of Christ has made us new. We don't have different kind of believers, but believers on different kind of contexts where their context doesn't make their worth but their worth is in Christ. For in eternity the differences won't make any difference for the Lord will call all His saints MINE. 

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Loud Thinking: Secure in Christ

“…… If God is for us, who can be against us?”   Romans 8:31b. Who can present any charge against God’s children in order to steal that confidence which is in Jesus? May the devil try to use our past sin to attack our conscience, may he whisper about our insufficiency to obey God in the past. Also he may use present struggles to saturate your mind of how miserable your carnal body is, better is for you to quit than to keep fighting he says. For it is easy to forget who is our captain when the storm comes through, as if we're holding the wheels. Dear children doesn't matter who is around you if you are holding your Heavenly Father’s hand. His direction is his protection, although the path is narrow, it is safe.

Saints are untouchable, not by their spirituality or their efforts but because they belong to God in Jesus. God goes on their defense when the enemy tries to bully on one of His children, for they are under His care. He is our anchor, He is our rock, He is our shield, He is our castle, He is our Salvation, He is our Lord, He is our Father, He is our Mighty Fortress, how could we be stolen if such a great God hold us unto His hand for His Glory? For God is with you, nothing will shaken you, just never grow weary or get tired of knowing who is the God holding you.

Thinking out-loud: “Christian” is a cheap label

A sophisticated society can't rest until their morality is justified by some sort of creed.  The label:             “Christian”seems to be the cheapest of all of them. You can add theword "Christian” to music, books, ideologies and philosophies, which do not find any agreement with the Scriptures. It will be sold, it will be popular, it will be highly emotional, but it will lack of the divine certification since it evidently contradicts the Word which God inspired. A “Christian” song can have an angelical melody but its lyrics will exalt the supposed spirituality of men through humanism. A “Christian” book may have eloquent and fancy writing but be in clear contradictions to the Scriptures. We may “Christianize” a tradition but it may be full of humanism. 

Things that may be labeled as “Christian” can push morals and standards in order to fit into the pseudo       “Christian”category but never be a Christ centered object or practice. It may be introduced into a political system but not into the hearts of man, it may be a push into a reformation but with no conversion. In actuality it denigrates God and exalts men, the majority may agree with it but if God doesn't, it is not worthy of our time. 

The Christian label in people is the most deadly of all.  It can have its assurance in outward expression without ever entering the heart; it can be eloquently superficial but never truly appreciated.  It means to fake conversion without regeneration, you may pretend to be a new creature and still be an old one. 

We should be ashamed of our self preservation, because of it we don't call things by their name, and we would rather have people like us than please God. We participate in the demeaning of our Savior as we share approval of that incomplete philosophy of miss-labeling things as “Christian”that are not. By acting as if His life was not worthy enough, as if His blood were not sufficient, and as if His love wasn't great enough, we insult our Savior by making Him something common or cultural. The label is cheap but the life is costly, it demands our death in order to live in Him. True Christianity is not a label.  It is Christ-centered living and if the Gospel or the glory of God is not the main priority in one of the“Christian” systems then it's not Christian, it is religious self-deception.

Self-Righteous Missionary Mindset

The gospel is our banner, our identification as ambassadors of Christ. Clearly we are called to proclaim it through all the world. It's a message worthy of our lives, because it demonstrates the glory and wisdom of God through it. Could there possibly be wrong or self righteous reasons for us to proclaim it? Why should we preach the Gospel? Why should we do missions? What should be the motivation behind our actions?

Before I keep going, let me define the word self-righteous: it is to pretend to have a moral superiority in contrast to others; a higher status not justly gained, but acquired by pretense.

With this definition of self-righteousness, here are some of the ways we can be self-righteous about our missionary efforts:

1. Ethnic distinctions: although it is true that a lot of indigenous people who live in remote areas haven't been reached with the Gospel, it is not their ethnicity that makes them a target for evangelism. They are men; that's what makes them a mission field. There is no one ethnicity better than another, for all have been damaged and cursed under the same malady.                

This applies as well to people who look at skin color and say that "those" people groups need the Gospel. There is no racial distinction of sinners before the eyes of the Lord; ethnic features are never the problem, but our silly mindsets of inherent racial superiority in who we are, can be an issue. 

2.  First world - third world mindset: some people do missions based on the fact that there are third world countries--as if the country's status made sin any better. This mindset can make people fall into the danger of making communities in third world countries more like first world ones, instead of simply preaching the Gospel. Let it be said that at the final Day, there won't be those distinctions of first world or third world countries, but simply the reign of our sovereign King. To think that men are a mission field just because they live in a third world country is to not see the implication of the missionary calling at all. It's not their sophistication that is at risk, but their spirituality.

3. Rich - poor mindset: this one can go both ways. Sometimes, rich or more wealthy people think that the poor need the Gospel simply because they are poor and they don't have a lot of the privileges the wealthier people have. Yes, there is a call in the Bible to help the poor; indeed, the Bible says that some in the early church would sell what they owned in order to help each other within the church with their financial needs (Acts 2:45). But again, being poor is not the real problem; a person's sin nature is the issue. It is equally wrong for the poor to think that rich people are in need of the gospel simply because they have more; the rich are men and they need the Gospel as well. No financial status makes a person better than another. Although one can harden your heart more, the need for Jesus is an equal reality for both societal classes.

4. Cultural mindset: although some cultures are more open in their paganism than others, it doesn't mean that those cultures where Christianity has been more influential aren't a mission field. There is one thing you need to know about culture: there are men in them, and they are sinners. So sin can spring from open paganism to a false sense of security in performance(??????????????????????????????????????idk what you're trying to say). Yes, there are men who need the Gospel in countries where they physically bow to idols, but there is also a need for the Gospel in countries where going to church is so common that it can give a false assurance. It's not just about going to church, it's about being the church. History tells us that there is no assurance for us that a society where Christianity has been highly relevant will not turn into a mission field later. Therefore, in all cultures we must preach the Gospel, for in all of them there are men in need of a Savior.

So in conclusion, the reason to evangelize, to do missions, is because men are sinners--men from every part of the world. There are unconverted people in the church, in third world and first world countries, among the rich and the poor, among every culture. Therefore, let's preach Christ to all the nations! There is not one human thing that makes one person better than another in our basic need for the Gospel. We all need it.

Without Christ:

The police man is going to be in the same place as the criminal.

The good father is going to be in the same place as the bad father.

The church attendant will be in the same place as the unchurched.

The soldier is going to be in the same place as the terrorist.

The conservative is going to be in the same place as the liberal.

The obedient son is going to be in the same place as the rebellious son.

Before God, we are all the same, which is why Paul says: “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;” Romans 3:9

Loud thinking: Modern Christianity

Christianity, to be a follower of Christ, to imitate Christ in such way where dying for Him wouldn't be a concern but a privilege. Oh Christianity, too  modern now, how much you've have changed, you've changed dignity for reputation, aligning yourself with the trends of the world and the culture to make yourself so relevant. You long to be the cool kid that gets along with everybody but instead have become the obnoxious kid that everyone avoids because you are pretending to be someone else in order to get along with everyone. What God commanded became an option for you, and only you seem to aim to moral changes, your singing is so loud but empty, you can play good melodies with no significant content. Your expositors and preachers can be eloquent, sofisticated and charismatic but so many times they forget that they work for God not for the people. Palatable sermons with too much sugar but no nutrients, too exciting but not instructive.

Your demands must be met because to agree or disagree is more important for you than to recognize Authority of God's word, you stone sincere and true prophets for the sake of just listening to a message of peace. You sell sheep clothing to wolves instead of giving the true Gospel that can turn wolves into sheeps. You claim to believe in fellowship but you don't realize that it just seems to be a mechanic activism of group of people with superficial struggles. You claim to go to heaven, and to be heavenly minded but your judgement is so earthly minded that it makes other religions sound more spiritual. You are willing to fight till the end over things that don't matter and you avoid the battles that will define eternity for many. Easily offended, you think that you are so worthy of respect that no one can confront you. You praise earthly titles and ignore great faith, you use the Bible for prejudices and not to set others free. You trust the arm of your efforts as if the Holy Spirit wasn't a helper but an expectator of your devices.

Oh please repent, that God is not done with you, despite of your silliness and naiveness He still loves you, that if in any form you find conviction of sins He still calling you. Oh can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior's blood? No I can't, but He is interested in us. A love that wasn't born in us doesn't die in us, a love that dwells in the eternity of who God is remains forever.

Planing and praying

Hello

Thanks for all the time you been praying for me while I was in the mission field. Back in the states things has been chaotic but good over all. This is an update of what is going on and what is my long term plan and also explaining what am I doing here in the states. I came thinking that I would go to a seminary but that didn't work out plus I didn't think that it would be wise to pour more years of theological training. I don't want to sound proud and pretend that I know everything, I don't mean that, I firmly believe that in the Christian life, you never stop learning, just not this time seminary wise.

Instead God has open the door to a pastoral internship program in Alexandria, Virginia. This is a training for those who want to be long term ministers and is a great opportunity to learn more about ministry living. Although, I ha some experience with it in the jungle I was struggling with it a lot, so praise the Lord for that. This internship doesn't start until August so meanwhile I'm working in Tennessee, saving some money to buy a car so I drive up to Virginia in August.

Also, 10 days ago I decided that I want to go back to Puerto Maldonado as a full time missionary, I don't think many people knew but I was a transitional Pastor. Which means that I was there provisionally not permanently, thankfully the church still having gatherings every Sunday. So even tho I decided to go back to Puerto, the Lord is going to confirm that by opening the doors necessary for it, and this is the main purpose of this update that you pray along with me for this. Probably this will be the last update on my life which I will post so I will mainly use my website to write articles, so if you have any further question feel free to text me.

In light of this I would appreciate your prayer regarding the following points:

1. Puerto Maldonado: so if I go back, it will be by a minimum commitment of 5 years to start off and for that I would need people to be on board with me as to pray for me and support me so be praying for me. I want to go back but only God can make this possible if it is His good will.

2. Character: Pray that I can find my sufficiency in the Lord, and to grow in holiness, wisdom, prudence and humility. And that even tho I'm reasoning a lot with truth lately because of different circumstances, I can trust God's Sovereignty.

3. Find a reliable car: I'm working and saving money to find a reliable car that I can drive up to Virginia, so pray that I can find the right one that doesn't break down and that my driving doesn't be too sanctifying to the people around me.

4. So the man who lived next to the church Gerardo had a conversation with my friend Dan two weeks ago and they talked about how Gerardo believes firmly he is saved and that he is ready for baptism. So that's an answer to a prayer, so at some point this year I want to travel back just to baptize him so pray that this be possible and also as Gerardo bears fruit of repentance as it seemingly been doing it.

5. There is a lot of paper work that needs to be done for my internship, so pray for it that it be smooth and fast. Like seriously, like press click and it's done, ok that's unrealistic, but you get the point.

6. Ministry opportunities: while I am in the states, I want to help other to grow in Christ and to be active as to reach others so pray for opportunities and as just live life, i share the Gospel with others. And there be opportunities to minister to others.

Feel free to ask any question that you may have.

Love 

Edher

An Exposition on Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NKJV

God only work good things for His people, and sometimes those good things doesn't always come in the way that we want them to come. But if you are a child of God you can have confidence that the Lord is working for the best in your life.

1. And we know that all things work together for good: there is an irony in this verse which the carnal mind can't comprehend but there is such a deep treasure in it. All things, not just somethings, not that which seems palatable to the vital senses of expectations but all things. God is not limited to move at the play of a dramatic piano tune or on the excitement of a Christian concert. Could you believe that your sorrows and troubles are being used by God to work things for your good? All things those sad, happy, weird, troubled, joyful and desperate moments in our life, in its whole God is using them to work things for your good.

But the question can come: what is that good which Paul is talking about? Romans 8 speaks of the final redemption in which the glory of God will be shown through His people and His Creation. In Romans 8:29-30 he says: 

                For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

The good is that we are being conformed to Jesus so we set our hope in that which we have in Him, the glory that will be shown through you on that day just by the fact that you are a child of God. In Christ there is an unshakable position which belong to us not by our effort but by trusting in Him, it's unshakable not because of our endurance but because of the nature and the character of the Giver of it.

All things, our earthly sorrows are temporary my friend. Could we abide in our sorrows on earth and ignore such glory to come? Could we still abide on the pain of being humiliated and rejected by our human limitations or imperfections and ignore that eternal gift of Glory? Could you abide on the disappointment of not following your friends agenda and lose fellowship but being satisfied with only having God as your friend? Could you abide on the penitentiary of your guilt when God has offered you forgiveness? Oh, what a Great God is calling us into fellowship with Himself and we just ignore it because things doesn't go our way. He is doing it for your good, but don't complain instead listen.

2. To those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose: there is an exclusivity in this promise, is not for everybody. It's for those who love Him, who are called to His purpose. For those who have been bought by the price of the blood of His son, such precious blood has bought your soul for redemption that you can't mess. Such a great purpose God has given us in saving us and calling us to Himself not only in this life but eternity.

Oh my soul, what could be more precious for self than the person who set us free for Himself, could our feeling of deception and disappointment drive us away from the one who gave us life? Oh my soul, be careful to not love things more than your Creator, Savior and Father, what can worth so much more than to be loved and personally cared by Him? Oh my soul, do not remain in sorrow and tears for He has give you a reason to rejoice, an eternal reason, such a worthy reason. To love Him, to belong to Him and to abide in Him secures your eternity, what else could you ask to Him who has given you all in Himself?

But the promise is to those who love Him, do you love Him? Do you consider Him the most precious thing you have in life? Do not let the rhythm of this world take away your relationship with God. But can you truly see Him in you? Do you love Him or do you share your love with other idols which take most of your time, thoughts and energy? 

There is an eternal rest and glory for the believer, meanwhile we await for it, we will have pain. Cry as much as you need but do not dwell in the ache of adversity, God is making all things for your good. Arise, beloved one; God hasn't forgotten you, be satisfied in the privilege that you have to come and to know Him deeply. But be careful, untroubled soul, that if you consider Him just an accessory to your life and not the whole of it, you may not love Him at all. Maybe not good thing is being work on you who set your mind on earthly affairs, but if there is such conviction of this, do not be discouraged because it may be the mercy and grace of God calling you to come to Him in His son Jesus.

He works all things together for our good, our good is to know Him deeply, to be like His son, to behold the Glory to come in Jesus. Cheer up, that your battles are not in vain but is giving that beautiful form of holiness which the world despise but is such a precious inheritance for the eternity.

Doctrinal Humility in a Postmodern World

Doctrine is so important that the Bible tell us of those who don't teach according to sound doctrine will be punished in eternal damnation. But also Humility is important because the Bible says in Psalm 138:6 “Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.” We live in an age where you cannot be humble and believe in sound doctrine at the same time, or if you are doctrinally outspoken, you are not humble or if you are humble, you won't be that vocal about your beliefs.

Let me explain myself, we live in a postmodern world where something means anything to everybody and that in someone's worldview love can mean that you give a heavy metal serenata to someone who goes to an independent baptist church. So, part of the church is trying to be the cool kid before the world, and it has adopted some postures that has damaged the view of Doctrine and Humility. 

How so? Doctrine is undervalued as a the set of rules, or exclusive pastoral intellect and the only reason for studying it, is because you want to  be super spiritual/phariseic/legalistic. Humility is mistaken by the simple act of shut up, being laid back and accepting everybody opinions even  if they are wrong and heretical sometimes.

The problem is that this is not what the Bible says about it, and we are going to explain this in 3 parts:

1. Doctrine: Is our belief system, is what we believe, when we talk about doctrine it doesn't mean a big theological lecture but it comes down to what we think about God, what we think about Jesus and self. There is only two main doctrines in this world: Christianity and any other form of man made religions that can exist in this world. Our doctrine determines our view about God and also our practical devotion to Him. See, you can talk about your experiences but the question comes down to how much of what you've experienced is biblically grounded.

Being doctrinal is not just being intellectual but is studying the word of the God we love in order to worship Him. There is a lot of warning against those who preach and encourage bad doctrine because to twist the words of the scripture is to twist what God wants to tell us. So doctrine is important because it help us to understand who God is in His Majesty, who we are in light of that Majestic God, what we deserve in light of our sin and how we can come to have fellowship with this amazing God. 

2.    Humility: is our attitude on how we feel about ourselves. How much you think about yourself tells us how important you think you are. In Christianity, there is a great gain to not think about self at all, but to think to be like Jesus. Blessed are the poor in spirit because the absence of self importance is the catalyst to faith in Jesus, a spiritual person who is poor in spirit is filled with Christ. So humility speaks also about our view and our submission to the person of Jesus Christ, because if we are full of self then we won't see our need for Him unless our self dependence is tear down. 

 2.a. Humility  and the outgoing: so humility its reflected by how we treat others, so  sometimes the humble thing to do for the outgoing personality is not to hide his personality but  to renounce to self. Speaking out of humility and love for others and not just because you like to be the center of attention. The sound doctrinal person is called to humility in order to edify others.

2.b. Humility and the introvert: this is the other side, those who don't speak must be humble enough to be bold in order to speak when they ought to speak. For humility in them is not to be lay back since that's their comfort but to step out for the sake of others. They may seem humble if they say nothing at all but it actually may be their flesh finding comfort in their quietness.

3.        Doctrinal Humility: after defining what both of them mean, we can say that doctrinal humility is to see doctrine for the purpose God intended for it. I know that sometimes what we know can take us to think too much of ourselves but we need to be humble and that humility comes by understanding doctrine correctly. What we understand about God in our doctrine will lead us to have a certain way to look at self, so if you doctrine is leading you to pride then you are not understanding it correctly even though you read the right books and hold the right confessions. 

As we study who God let us not waste our time saving our knowledge for a debate battle but use it to worship Him for who He is. You don't put worms next to a big peace of the finest steak so don't put the worms of your pride next to the wisest and finest words of wisdom from God. Because what we learn is not about ourselves but about Him, your worship, your diligence to study the scriptures and prayer is the evidence of how much you believe what you know. 

Let us persevere in being faithful to hold the thoughts of who He say He is, even if we live in a post modern age where the majority of the church makes a big deal of things that don't matter and underestimate those which matter. That's why we will have people complaining about music style for worship but never questioning the soundness of the preaching or of the lyrics of the songs we sing at church.  We will have people counting and boasting on decisions but we won't give attention to how much of them have been truly saved. We carry a lot of fire but little light, a lot of excitement but not much instruction, let us be doctrinal but humble, read your word and pray, know God and worship Him, study Christ and submit to Him.

Disfrutando la diversidad Cristiana

Hola hermanos

Hace un tiempo estuve leyendo un libro llamado Fuego Extraño por John MacArthur (Conocido como Juanito Mac), el libro se dirige a denunciar el fuego extraño creado por iglesias pentecostales y carismaticas. Algo que note en el libro, lo cual no me pareció demasiado saludable is poner a todos los pentecostales y carismáticos en la misma bolsa. ¿Por que? quizás te preguntaras, bueno yo conozco personas dentro de esas denominaciones que se sienten avergonzados e indignados de las enseñanzas de estas personas quienes profesan ser Cristianos bajo la misma denominación.

Para empezar, no soy carismatico o pentecostal, pero creo que lo que MacArthur ha escrito es parte de una tendencia que hay en el circulo evangélico. Esto es que no disfrutamos a nuestros hermanos y hermanas por quienes ellos son. A través de la historia de la iglesia las denominaciones han ayudado a caracterizar un sistema de creencias, lo cual hasta cierto punto creo que es saludable. El problema es la exclusividad que estamos adoptando nos lleva a rechazar personas que son de diferentes denominaciones. No me malinterpretes, tu y yo podremos compartir los mismos desacuerdos que tenemos con Pentecostales, Carismáticos, Luteranos, Presbiterianos, Bautistas y Anglicanos. Pero eso no me da el derecho a dar un juicio final de que tan genuina es la obra de regeneración en la vida de esa persona.

Déjame decirte que yo también siento indignación cuando escucho falsa doctrina, mas que nada en estos tiempos donde todos quieres ser escuchados pero ninguno quiere ser entendido. Muchos van a dar su mejor esfuerzo para escribir frases celebres para que sea citadas o publicadas, lo cual solo cosquillea el oido de muchos, pero solo pocos se tomaran el tiempo para definir lo que quieren decir. Asi que siento tu dolor.

Quizás te preguntaras ¿A que te refieres cuando hablas de disfrutar la diversidad Cristiana? bueno yo me refiero a esto, no todos tienen que estar de acuerdo contigo. Por supuesto que no estoy comprometiendo las doctrinas esenciales de la fe como la maldad del hombre, la salvación solamente por la fe, la naturaleza de Cristo y los atributos de Dios. Estas son doctrinas no negociables, no importa cual sea tu denominación (incluido Bautistas y Presbiterianos). Ahora quizás te preguntes: que hace diferente a una persona bajo cierta denominación (específicamente pentecostales y carismaticos, hay que ser honestos que somos duros con ellos y a veces eso equivocadamente nos gusta ¿no es asi?

Bueno lo que hace la diferencia en personas bajo cierta denominación es lo que la biblia dice acerca de los verdaderos creyentes, así que antes de que corras a dar un juicio final a personas cuales denominaciones se ve raras, hazte estas preguntas:

1. ¿Ha cambiado el corazón de esta persona? Las escrituras dicen que todos quienes están en Cristo son una nueva criatura, y una nueva criatura no solo suprime lo inmoral pero ama, desea y quiere a Dios. Asi que si una persona muestra un deseo de conocer a Dios, no solo de mantenerse moralmente correcto pero un deseo de conocer a Cristo de una manera intima, entonces déjame decirte que estas frente a un creyente. Y por supuesto que veras un comportamiento que evidencie ese deseo, pero lo harán por que ellos se deleitan en conocer a Dios, no porque solamente quieren mantenerse fuera de problemas.

2. Estudio diligente de las escrituras: un deseo por Dios nos llevara a conocer quien Dios es, y lo que El ha hecho y como debemos comportarnos delante de El y todo esto es revelado en las escrituras. Así que si ves una persona yendo a las escrituras regularmente para conocer mas de Dios as el o ella pueda disfrutarlo mas a El, tu deberías animar el deseo por ese conocimiento. Acuérdate que Jesús dijo, Esta es la vida eterna, que te conozcan a ti El Único Dios Verdadero, quizás ahorita tu no estés de acuerdo con ellos pero tomate el tiempo para que ellos puedan conocerte y compartir mas contigo. Yo se que tu estas en lo correcto y el esta equivocado y el mas bien es el que debería escucharte porque tu doctrina esta tan buena pero si tu quien cree esta en lo correcto, no busca conocer la cosmovisión teológica de la persona; entonces, se te hará difícil contextualizar lo que quieres decir. Y para ser sincero, escuchar a personas con diferente posiciones teológicas, reta mi mente  y a veces me hace pensar mas antes de hablar. Pero aun así dudo que cambies de pensar después de leer esto, asi que de todas maneras orare por ti.

3. Oración: por supuesto que toda religión pagana o pseudo cristianos pueden orar. a lo que me refiero es que esa persona ora regularmente y disfruta estar y pasar tiempo con Dios. El no solo usa el cliché de orare por ti pero ora porque ve su necesidad por Dios. Hay que tener cuidado de desanimar a nuestros hermanos a orar, y para ser honesto, los carismáticos son mas intencionales para esto mas que cualquier otra denominación. Si, a veces hay cosas que aprender de personas que regularmente juzgamos.

4.Disfruta la comunión: Quizás tu estés en desacuerdo con ellos pero tu puedes ver el gozo del Señor en ellos, y aun así tu los vuelvas locos, ellos disfrutan tener comunión con los santos. Cristo es aquel quien une a los que por El son redimidos, aun así estés en desacuerdo con un hermano, pasa tiempo con ellos. Porque si tu piensas que ellos son raros, ellos piensan lo mismo acerca de ti pero necesitas darte cuenta de que ustedes han sido comprados por la misma sangre.

5.Un deseo por evangelismo: la realidad de lo eterno es evidente en esta persona, mirando mas arriba que abajo. Un deseo de querer ver personas salvas y que vengan a Cristo, ministrando no sera un trabajo part time sino un estilo de vida. Esta persona disfrutara tu pasión por evangelizar y ver personas confesando a Cristo.

Así que aquí hay unos pasos que quizá quieras considerar, yo se que tu puedes reconocer a un hereje y a alguien que esta en desacuerdo contigo en puntos menores. Antes de finalizar quiero hablar de un tema lo cual no importa tu denominación creo que sera útil.

No juzgues a las personas por tus preferencias personales: Se que hay cosas que algunas personas consideran pecado que necesariamente no sea pecado. Un Ejemplo: tomar un vaso de alcohol, escuchar música rítmica. Hermanos ¿en serio? No uses tus preferencias personales como un estándar de piedad, y por favor no uses la excusa del hermano débil si tu no lo eres, o al menos que veas que un hermano débil ha testificado la imprudencia. Déjame animarte a que examines tus motivaciones al juzgar a alguien quien no llena tus expectativas personales. Tu sabes como distinguir el pecado y los estándares personales, pero si por alguna razón no sabes, por favor usa la biblia, ayuda bastante.

Espero que este blog alimente tu deseo de querer tener comunión con personas de diferentes denominaciones, siempre discerniendo y pensando.

Que el vinculo de la salvación en Cristo sea mas fuerte que tu denominación

February Update

hello yall

The past month has been very refreshing/challenging, the situation at the church in pueblo viejo still almost the same. people are more active to do things collective as sharing meals, but you need to still push them a little bit to do things. even tho it is discouraging situation, im always looking into the Lord sufficiency to give me peace and joy. There has been a decent respond to english classes so thats good,  One things very encouraging has been our saturdays bible studies had been really consistent for the past 3 months and we are about to finish our second book this saturday. so YAY 

God has allowed me to earn the love of the few people who come to the church, they know that im leaving soon and they tell me that they are praying instead for me to not leave, i know thats kind of flattering honestly but cant avoid to aprecciate that because i love them. so transition to leave has begun in less than 60 days i will be leaving and the planing of the future of the church is stressful even tho i know God is in control i must believe it. 

I still trying to encourage men but it seems impossible but there is one man in PV that im begining to meet with, he is from another church but he has asked me to teach him theology, he gave a sermon this past sunday on his church and i helped him with the preparation and we are going to dive into theology pretty soon. pray for it please, his name is junior.

Pray Requests:

1. Character: Pray that i remain faithful to the Lord as i love others and walk in humility and wisdom.

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray that the people who already are there, be revived into affirming themselves into the word and this can overflow as to encourage others

3. Family: My mom, brother and sister Nicole are beginning again to go to church, pray that they be consistent with it and also pray for the salvation of my dad, his partner Elizabeth, my step brother Ricardo and my other sister Kyara.

4. Pray for other missionaries: Walter and Gabriela Isse, Bud and Laura Lenz, Buddy and Loren Fitzgerald, Dan and Ruthie Nagao, Daniel and Becky Nunez, Scott and Tracy Blackburn, Caleb and Anna Lenz, Jay and Kelly Cross.

5. Pastor for Pueblo Viejo: Pray that someone steps up to take the leadership of the church in pueblo viejo.

6. Canadian Visa: There is an opportunity to serve at a camp on Canada that works with kids from the reservoirs in Canada, so im praying that the Lord open the door begining by rhe visa process if this is His will. it only would for July and August if this door is openned.

7. USA Trip: pray that the Lord opens opotunities to minister as im going to be in the states soon.

8. Finances: The Lord ha provided for me so far for my expenses here in Puerto Maldonado, just pray that I always can be a good administrator for what I have.

Pueblo viejo is a poor neigborhood so school season is coming soon for them, and many families struggle to buy the tools that their kids need and im asking for people who prayerfully want to donate notebooks,pencils, pens, and color pencils so that may help them. if ytou are interested reply this email and i will tell you how you can do this.

thanks for your prayers and thanks for your encouragment, feel free to talk, text, skype or facetime if you have any question.

Edher

January Report

Hello Brothers and Sisters

Since the last report many things happened, I had two friends coming to visit and helping with the ministry which are Jonathan and Celia, and also I had a team from Cedar Lake Camp who did a 3 days bible school/games with the kids. It was epic to have them and to have a lot of the unnusual constantly fellowship with other believers and also seeing them to love and reach the people in pueblo viejo. 

The kids had a blast, such blast that after 2 weeks they still asking me when are we doing this again, meanwhile I have decided to play movies at the church spontaneously for the kids with permission of their parents since they are now on summer vacations. I am also trying to begin some english classes with the teenagers and adults and also re-start the bible studies on saturdays.

This past sunday evenign we had a meeting with some (the majority) of the people who has been  baptized and involved in the church somehow and we talked about the future of the church/programs and more. It was a very good meeting and a very fruitful one, they are committing to begin to discipline themselves in the involvement of the church and also to pray for more men to come to the church and for a person to lead the church, so thats great. 

Pray Requests:

1. Character: Keep praying for me to grow in humility, love, wisdom and faithfulness to the Lord, also im starting to disciplines myself to pray for others so I dont become self-focus in prayer with my needs. 

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray that God enables them to do what they are committing to do as to pray for more people to come, espeially men, and themselves to be more disciplined with their assitance. 

3. Family: My mom, brother and sister Nicole are beginning again to go to church, pray that they be consistent with it and also pray for the salvation of my dad, his partner Elizabeth, my step brother Ricardo and my other sister Kyara.

4. Pray for other missionaries: Walter Isse, Bud and Laura Lenz, Buddy and Loren Fitzgerald, Dan and Ruthie Nagao, Daniel and Becky Nunez, Scott and Tracy Blackburn, Caleb and Anna Lenz, Jay and Kelly Cross.

5. Pastor for Pueblo Viejo: pray that God raises someone to take the leadership of the church in Pueblo Viejo, the peruvian baptist convention is meeting soon also to decided if they are going to send someone.

6. Canadian Visa: There is an opportunity to serve at a camp on Canada that works with kids from the reservoirs in Canada, so im praying that the Lord open the door begining by rhe visa process if this is His will. it only would for July and August if this door is openned.

7. Finances: The Lord ha provided for me so far for my expenses here in Puerto Maldonado, just pray that I always can be a good administrator for what I have.

Thank you again for praying for me but also I want to know how can I pray for you? so i can put you on my prayer list. 

If you have any question please feel free to Message me, Text me, Skype me or even Facetime.

Blessings

Edher

But they are people, the worth of a soul.

But they are people, the worth of a soul.

For the Christmas celebration I went back to lima to see my family and to see some friends, I went there just for a week. While I was there I got to go to my church there where I saw many of my brothers and sisters in Christ. While I was talking with one of them, He asked me how was the mission work going and how I was doing. At some point the question of what's my responsibility in the mission field is, came and I answered that I was working as a temporary Pastor, and he seemed to be really excited. Right away I said yes but there is only around 10 people, right after he emphatically said: But they are people.

I was ashamed of the numbers I had at my church in the jungle and I was underestimating the mission work just because there wasn't many people. But my friend gave me a good reminder of what's the main reason of why I do missions, and why I'm there ministering to an small amount of people at the church I'm pastoring. My mindset at the moment was: yes I am a pastor in the jungle but it's not a big deal there is just few people there and I don't have a lot of people for you to be amazed of my ministry. But my friend said But they are people, there was something powerful when He said that which kept me thinking about it. So to explain it clearly I want to split what the Lord was showing me at that moment in 3 parts:

1. Anything done for God is a High Calling: so while my response gave evidence of my desire for a better reputation by increasing the number of my members, my friend reminded me  of the High calling I have in Christ. Not all have the opportunity and the privilege to minister to God's people and the fact the I can stand and preach to just few persons is a task that even angels desire. So if angels who are perfect beings, demonstrate the high view of just sharing the word of God, who I am as to look down on it just because I don't have more people. God was the one who called me, if the work I am doing is for Him, why does it matter if I'm known or my church is known by just having more people? Isn't God Worthy enough and Sufficient as to be content and satisfied by just working for Him? We need to be reminded that ministry is a always serious thing but more than that we need to be reminded that is a beautiful thing because is God who call us to preach and share HIS WORD for HIS GLORY.

2. Souls are important: while I was undermining the work, I also was undermining the value of the souls I'm shepherding. See, we tell people that God loves them but we don't unless there are a bunch of them, that's heartless. If we think that God's creation is amazing because He created the heavens and earth out of nothing, how much more we should be amazed on how He recreates a being out of a corrupt mass. The manifestation of power in salvation exceeds the one demonstrated through creation by the mere fact that a God hater will become His son through adoption because the one whom he hated changed his stony heart into a fleshy one. So even that one person is God's creation and if this person is a Christian, the Bible says that God cares of them and He knows everything about them because He is their Father. So if you happen to be a minister is because God is trusting you with His children and you have no right to look down on them because of how much of them there are.

3. You may become that which you hate: for those who know me, whether you've talked to me or read my posts on social media, you know that I despise the mindset of numbers in ministry. The numbers mindset that treats groups of people as a king size bag of M&M's and also makes evangelism more like a marketing strategy rather than the faithful preaching of the Word of God. So at the end of the day when I went back home, I did repented of my sin of underestimating my call and the people who have been entrusted to me.  But I also realized that I've have become that which I hated. Probably a hypocrite is a sincere way to put it, but as a child of God I understood that I must keep guard of myself for I'm also a sinner and if I don't keep my eyes on what God says about things and how He defines it, I can do this as many times and not even realize it. So I became what I hated but God in His grace and Mercy made come to the realization of it so I came before Him to see my weakness.

In conclusion, there is a high calling for every children of God because we are about soul business and the mere fact of just dealing with one soul, must be a reason for contentment and awe for the privilege God gives us through His son. Even tho there is just 1 person in your ministry, that one person is God's child and even if you have to prepare and study for a sermon to that one person is because God is worthy of our service.

I hope this has edifying you and keep praying for me and for those in ministry, feel free to ask any question.