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.