What’s New at The Ranch

The Newsletter of Eric Elder Ministries… with helpful ways to stay strong in your faith!

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  • Why do we… LIMIT GOD?!?
    by Eric Elder

    Last week, I interviewed my friend Andris from Latvia. This week, I interviewed my friend Andrés from Colombia!

    Andrés led worship for my men’s retreat last year in Illinois where he shared his heart’s desire to be in full-time ministry.

    When we asked what was keeping him from pursuing that dream, the answer turned out to be HIMSELF!

    Now he’s on staff at a wonderful church in Texas, where I’m visiting him and his family this week!

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re being limited in pursuing God’s dreams for your life, watch as Andrés and his sweet wife Jéssica share their hearts—and a beautiful song and a prayer—for you today!

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

    Here’s the link to watch, and below the link are highlights from our talk. Enjoy!
    https://youtu.be/EGPE8cavWJI

    🎙️ Episode Description

    What’s the biggest obstacle standing between you and God’s calling on your life? For many of us, the answer is ourselves. In this deeply personal conversation, Eric Elder sits down with his friends Andrés and Jéssica Moncada—a Colombian couple who made a series of bold, costly steps of faith to follow God’s call into full-time ministry. From self-doubt and hidden job applications to surrendered visas and a religious worker sponsorship, their story will challenge you to stop limiting God and start walking in faith.

    💬 Key Quotes

    Andrés

    • “I just limited God at that time, because I knew God maybe wanted to do it—and I just said no to it.”
    • “Lord, even when we are so unfaithful, You remain faithful—because that’s who You are.”

    Jéssica

    • “I feel that more than his abilities, or more than a title or role—God gave Andrés a special heart. A heart to love people, to give himself, and to understand them.”
    • “It’s not about if you’re prepared or capable. It’s what God can do in a heart that is willing to serve.”

    Eric

    • “Sometimes it’s ourselves—just ourselves. We limit ourselves when God is calling us to do something, and we think other things are limiting us, but really it’s just inside us.”
    • “God actually does orchestrate our lives, and if we open our hands and open our hearts and say, ‘God, where do You want me?’—He moves and He directs.”

    🎵 Featured Song

    “I Depend on You” performed by Andrés and Jéssica
    “You’re the way, the truth, and the life.
    You’re the well that never runs dry.
    I’m the branch and You are the vine.
    Draw me close and teach me to abide.”

    ⏱️ Watch Here!

    Here are the links to watch the whole podcast or specific sections:
    https://youtu.be/EGPE8cavWJI

    • 0:00 – Introduction: Why do we limit God?
    • 0:56 – Andrés shares his story: working where he was trained, but feeling unsatisfied
    • 1:47 – “I want to serve the Lord full-time”
    • 3:09 – “I didn’t feel prepared or qualified”—the inner voice that holds us back
    • 5:02 – Jéssica and Andrés: years of volunteer ministry in Colombia
    • 6:32 – Jéssica speaks: She always saw God’s special heart in Andrés
    • 7:31 – Andrés hid the job application from Jéssica
    • 8:17 – Zechariah said in Luke 1: “How can I be sure of this?”—responding in doubt vs. faith
    • 9:40 – Jéssica finds the job description: “That’s Andrés. That’s my husband.”
    • 11:49 – Mary’s response in Luke 1: “How will this be?”—a model of faith
    • 12:56 – The first step of faith: applying for the church position
    • 15:07 – Months of interviews, filters, and waiting
    • 16:49 – The visa challenge: surrendering the old visa and trusting God completely
    • 18:05 – Faith wavers but Jéssica holds strong
    • 20:38 – The church takes a step of faith, too
    • 22:26 – “I feel marveled at what God was doing”
    • 24:18 – This is bigger than a job: God answers a family prayer about where to settle
    • 26:05 – Eric shares: his own ministry began 30 years ago just miles from where Andrés now serves
    • 27:23 – Acts 17:26-27 God determines the exact locations where people will live
    • 28:01 – Jéssica on living in tension: trusting God through uncertainties
    • 29:32 – Proverbs 3:5-6—the verse that defines their family
    • 32:07 – Andrés has now bee on staff for one month
    • 32:41 – The moment it became real: praying with the staff
    • 35:40 – Jéssica’s final word to anyone watching who is limiting themselves
    • 37:25 – Andrés and Jéssica sing: “I Depend on You“
    • 39:43 – Jéssica prays for the viewers in Spanish
    • 41:16 – Closing

    With love,

    Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God's name so Christ may be seen! Learn more at https://ericelder.com

    Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God’s name so Christ may be seen! Reply to write to Eric. Use this link to subscribe or unsubscribe.

Previous Posts

  • Why do we… LIMIT GOD?!?

    Last week, I interviewed my friend Andris from Latvia. This week, I interviewed my friend Andrés from Colombia! Andrés led worship for my men’s retreat last year in Illinois where he shared his heart’s desire to be in full-time ministry. When we asked what was keeping him from pursuing that dream, the answer turned out to…

    Read more: Why do we… LIMIT GOD?!?

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