Welcome to the new! Changes, motives and purpose for a worthwhile life

Welcome to the new! The end of a year is always the best time to prepare to the new one that is coming. Additionally, when transition moments are getting close nothing better than to rejoice in the hope of something greater and better than it is coming.

I heard this greeting clearly in my mind a few months ago when I was still working at Petrobras and I noticed God calling me to dive into a radical and totally different novelty for my life and family. Exactly one year ago, our family was moving to Dallas after we left behind stable jobs, a very comfortable lifestyle and the proximity to dear family and friends. Since Rapha and I got married, we lived for 10 years in São José dos Campos – São Paulo – where our children Micael and Sara were born.

We worked hard, we made new friends – the real ones last forever! – and we had the privilege of serving as cell leaders in the City Church (Igreja da Cidade de São José dos Campos) where we experienced growth like never before. What a beautiful period for our family. We are very grateful!

The Bible says we receive for free and we must give away for free. When I look at everything that my family has lived, starting with my parents, we are constrained by the love and generosity of our God. He changed our crying in dance, our sorrow in a garment of joy. My mother was the first to meet Jesus in the beginning of the 90’s. There began a revolution in our history. That happens whenever Jesus enters a house. It brings life in abundance, adjusts identities, broaden perspectives and brings prosperity. The promises of God that are found in the Bible immediately become a lawful property of that family. Time is only a factor working in our favor, so we can be better prepared and to enjoy to the fullest all that is God’s plan for our lives.

Changes are always the strategy by which God calls us to His wonderful news. In 1999, during my adolescence, we moved to the city of Pinheiral – Rio de Janeiro, contrary to the will of my mother. In those days our greatest desire and need was for my father to share the same faith as my mother, my sister and I were already living. Right after that change my father decided to give his heart to Jesus. He started walking in faith along with our family, and that was a milestone in our lives. Many friends and family celebrated this unique moment with us. I remember when I listened my father denying to his friends that one day, he would be a Christian. I heard them telling him that one day he would also go to church. And he promptly said no. That was strange and striking to me, because my father is the most convinced man of word that I know. But I also knew deep inside that we had a promise that our whole household would serve God. Really?

I will soon have the opportunity to provide more details about the reality in which we lived as a family, living in an apartment borrowed by my aunt, our financial difficulties despite my father always worked hard, my father’s alcohol dependence, and many fights at home.

However, suddenly Jesus enters our family and, as I have already said, Jesus brings life in abundance, adjusts identities, broadens perspectives and brings prosperity. Today my parents have been married for 34 years, together and happy. They lead and inspire dozens of families in the small town where they live. My sister also got married and lives good news since moving with her husband to a big city.

In this context, God showed me and Rapha that it was time to leave our comfort zone and move on to a new moment in our lives. We see the opportunity to live in the United States as a new step of faith toward God’s call to our family. We did not come for tourism or even because we liked the city as we had never been here before. We are studying and working at the Christ for the Nations Institute (CFNI), after receiving a clear direction from God while asking for His guidance and fear of the Lord to obey His call to this new moment.

Every time you ask the Holy Spirit, he will respond with clarity. He is a master per excellence and loves to guide us in all truth. God cares for His children and will never forsake them. Thus, we have lived many miracles since we arrived here. Please follow us here on the blog and we will gradually share them with you. 

The CFNI is known as a land of miracles both because of its story as well as for the audacious people who leave everything behind and come to prepare themselves to take the Gospel of Jesus to the nations. I have no doubt that America is today the best place in the world to prepare for the global Christian ministry. CFNI has a beautiful balance between commitment to the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We understand that this is the reason we came here.

Our vision is to bless families of all the nations with the Gospel of Jesus.

As God said to the patriarch Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3 – ESV)

Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 – ESV)

God’s purpose for your life is far greater than yourself and your own capabilities. You must decide to change, embrace the news that God has for you, if you really want a life full of meaning and success. What you are hearing that may be a greeting, an invitation from God to your life right now? Share with us. Let us pray together and you will live the good, perfect will of God for your life. Welcome to the new!

---

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
Leave your comment below

---

Give

---

“I will bless those people who bless you. But I will curse anyone who insults you.
Through you, I will bless all the families of people on the earth.” Genesis 12:3

*****