It’s Always Worth the Struggle…                                                                                   

One of the most difficult things for the youngest kids at the children’s home to understand is when momentary pain is necessary.  Whenever doctors come to give the kids shots the little kids will scatter as if monsters had invaded.  In their young minds they can’t comprehend that the shots they will receive will protect them from far worse diseases and actually strengthen their bodies.  These kids are too young and immature to be able to value the future enough to choose to endure the momentary pain.  It’s only through the comfort and authority of the staff that they are able to go through with it. 

If we were confronted with either enduring momentary sharp pain (some shots) or enduring some nasty diseases for a prolonged amount of time, we would choose the momentary sharp pain.  But when the diseases aren’t in front of us, like the young, immature children it can be easy for us to “delay” the sharp pain and eventually try to avoid it altogether. 

Now make the same comparison between our lifetime and eternity: our lifetime is actually MUCH SHORTER in comparison to eternity than enduring a shot compared to a lifetime with a disease.  So if we are really wise and mature, then wouldn’t we choose to “eat our vegetables” and “take our shots” so that we can have an eternity of health and joy? 

Christian life isn’t meant to be continually painful or discouraging or miserable.  Not at all!  BUT, there are definitely struggles we are meant to endure to make us stronger and to bless us with treasures in heaven.  When God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land they rebelled in the desert against him and wanted to return.  They complained that the food in Egypt was better than what they were getting in the desert, DESPITE being promised that they were being led to a land of milk and honey.  Even though their past life was a life of slavery and difficulty, they longed for the “comfort” of having their own meals each day… rather than having to learn patience and learn how to rely on God for their provision.  They wanted to give up on their momentary struggles despite knowing the struggles would lead to enormous blessings.

In so many areas of our lives God is wanting to bring us out of the world’s ways and into His “Promised Land” for us, but for each area that we need deliverance we need to understand there is a wilderness attached to it.  Some of the wilderness periods are short and not that painful (a simple shot) while others are longer and really go deep (surgery)… but in the end we are always SO MUCH better than we were before.  We just need to know that it is always worth the struggle.  

2Corinthians 4:17-18 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

God bless!

Contending Versus Straining                                                                                                                   

Learning the difference between “contending” and “straining” is very important. A core value of the church I attend (New Philadelphia) is “Contend For the Kingdom.” What that means is when we intercede for different topics we stand on God’s promises and the leadings of His Spirit and pray in faith. For some prayer requests we have to cover them for a long time. But never are we straining or begging in prayer, because straining always demonstrates a lack of faith/knowledge in God’s goodness and His promises. The only time Jesus “strained” in prayer was when He sweat drops of blood from the stress of the Cross, but even then I don’t think He was straining because Scripture says He only prayed for God to spare Him three times, and then He moved forward. Jesus was about to face the greatest task in all of humanity, so it was understandable for Him to be pressed.

Something you can do to help is listen to mature leaders when they pray, especially leaders of high authority. Listen to how they pray standing on God’s promises and on God’s goodness… even when they raise their voices and cry out, it is never out of doubt or fear but rather out of being stirred up for what they are praying for.

Know your authority. Know you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Know you are seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6) and that your prayers have power (James 5:16, Luke 10:18-19). And most of all, know God’s goodness. A good father never forces his children to beg or to strain for him to listen to them. Our God is truly a good Father who listens to us when we pray (Deuteronomy 4:7). Study the Scripture so that as you learn of His goodness and learn of your powerful identity in Christ, your authority can grow and you can pray prayers that move mountains.

God bless!

Stop Being So Defensive                                                                                                               

Nobody learns from someone who is being defensive.  It’s impossible to never make mistakes in life, so what is important after making a mistake isn’t hiding it or explaining it away, but rather admitting it and learning from it. 

The sad thing is that in many societies there is fear of rejection or shame from failure, so people are taught out of fear to hide their problems or explain them away.  But Scripture says that there is “no fear in love” (1John 4:18).  A truly secure person would know that the love they receive is not based on their works, because if it was then it wouldn’t be love at all.  True love is unconditional.  So even after mistakes, the truly secure person would not have any fear of losing the love they had before the mistakes.  Love is constant… it never fails (1Corinthians 13:8). 

When my kids mess up the last thing I want to hear is their 100 excuses for why they messed up.  What I really want to hear is, “I did this and I am sorry.  I realize now it was wrong and I won’t do it again.”  When they genuinely respond in this way (and I’ve had to teach them and train them in it) I am really blessed.  Their response shows me that not only have they learned what they did was wrong and they don’t want to repeat it, but also that they are secure enough in my love to admit their wrongs.  They no longer fear shame or rejection because of their mistakes. 

So many adults need this lesson too though.  Defensiveness is rooted in fear and pride and needs to be done away with.  A truly secure person isn’t afraid of mistakes.  And the most successful people are those who choose to never slow down from their mistakes but rather to learn from them and become better and better at what they do. 

God bless!

Overcoming Addiction

Over the years I have counseled so many different people that have struggled with addictions, particularly regarding their purity.  Addiction makes you feel like a slave to what you can’t stop doing.  It can also make you feel like an animal, living for your urges and unable to think rationally about them.  And Satan loves to lie to people under addiction by telling them they are too dirty/unclean to approach God, and that they must overcome their addictions on their own first before they can return to the Lord.  That lie contradicts the Gospel completely.  It was BECAUSE OF our sinful nature that God came to us.  We can NEVER approach Him apart from acknowledging His grace. 

Here are some simple steps for overcoming addictions…

1.  The first step is to confess your addiction to someone with spiritual maturity and anointing (small group leader, pastor, someone not weak in their faith).  James 5:16 says if we confess our sins to each other and pray for each other that we will be healed.  Confession is powerful!

2.  Whoever you are confessing to MUST see you for the future and not for present or the past.  In the past you were a sinful person, lost apart from God.  In the present you are struggling with sin and feel addicted.  But the truth is you are an eternal being and 1Peter 2:9 says you have been called out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light.  God doesn’t see you for your past or present, He sees you for your future… who you are in heaven and who you truly were made to be.  Jesus called His disciples “clean” in John 15:3, despite knowing Peter would betray Him that night and that they would all abandon Him.  Jesus called them clean because He saw them through faith, knowing they were on the right path.  Your future is your true identity, and the person you confess to must see you in this way (the eyes of faith). 

3.  Whoever you have confessed to should become your accountability partner (if they are willing) and be God’s audible voice to you along the way.  The Bible is clear that if you read it and know it that it will set you free (John 8:32, John 8:36, Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:105).  To not only read the Bible but to have someone with spiritual authority declaring the truth in the Bible over you will bring extra strength and power.  Your accountability partner must know how to yield the Word of God like a sword and bring conviction through Scripture whenever you begin to falter (there are clear verses about every sin/addiction, with 1Corinthians 6:12 being the most obvious about addictions in general).  If there are any false identities you are carrying (“addict,” “dirty,” “failure”) then you need to renounce them in front of your accountability partner and claim your true identity in Christ.  Your partner should then follow you in prayer and declare the truth again, coming in agreement with what you prayed.  An example of your prayers can be, “I renounce that I am an addict, I declare that I am more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:28).  I renounce that I am dirty, I declare I am pure by the blood of Jesus (Isaiah 1:18).  I renounce that I am a failure, I declare I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).  Your identity in Christ is critical.  Any false identity must be renounced and the Truth must be put in its place. 

4.  Find some people who have already overcome your addiction and listen to their testimonies.  Testimonies release faith in the atmosphere!  The worst thing you can do when addicted to something is find other people who are also addicted and have a pity party together.  That only releases doubt, fear, and depression.  Finding people who have overcome is what releases hope, strength, and vision.  Eccelesiastes 1:9 says there is nothing new under the sun.  What has been done will done again.  There is no addiction that is new, not even the strange ones.  If you’re having trouble finding people who have overcome the same addictions, tune in to New Philadephia Church in Seoul, Korea (www.newphilly.cc).  Various core leaders/pastors of the church have struggled with drug addictions, alcohol/cigarette addictions, sex addictions, abortion, rape, abuse, eating disorders… you name it, there are plenty of leaders who have been in the sin/trauma and have been healed and delivered and are walking in true freedom.  God is good!!!

5.  Set goals and keep accountable.  Sometimes short term goals can help estabish momentum for the future.  In the past I’ve led accountability groups with a challenge that if a guy gives in to impurity during the week then he will fast for one day.  This can help create momentum, because as a person is able to overcome something for longer and longer the power of the addiction fades.  While goals can help, in the end you have to know that God is better and that life without the addiction is better than life with the addiction.  As this truth consumes you there is true victory. 

If you mess up don’t throw a pity party.  Confess your sin, repent, and move on.  If a lie lingers on you, renounce it and declare the truth, with your accountability member/spiritual authority also coming in agreement with the truth.  God has no desire for you to dwell on your mistakes.  He would much rather you be running into His marvelous light and enjoying His amazing love. 

Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 63:3 – Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

God bless!

The Favor to Get Stoned and the Blessing to Be Crucified

In a lot of Christian circles there is talk that we have the favor of God upon us and that because we are the light of the world we should be bringing a shift in the atmostphere wherever we are.  My heart resonates with these words because they are very much true Scripturally.  If you are a Christian and you don’t believe you are the light of the world and that the Spirit of God is upon you, then I imagine you have a very hopeless outlook on the world and your purpose in life.  The problem is, though, when we place the expectation of change on ourselves rather than on God working through us. 

Paul was one of the most anointed followers of God in the history of Christianity.  He brought changes in cities and countries all throughout Southern Europe and West Asia.  He indeed was blessed, changed atmospheres, and had the favor of God to speak before many kings and governors.  But at the same time Paul was stoned, was whipped many times, and was imprisoned many times.  Despite all the favor and blessing and light upon him, many people still hated him and mistreated him. 

Many Christians have found themselves working for a difficult boss or having a difficult relative who just won’t seem to change or respond in any positive way.  Sometimes doubt can creep in for such people that maybe their prayers aren’t that powerful or maybe they just don’t have the favor of God on their lives, like the other “prosperous” Christians they see.  The irony though, is that the most favored man of all, Jesus, was hated by many who never changed despite His preaching and His works and who eventually crucified Him.  I realize that might not be too encouraging for those of you who are continuing to pray for those difficult people in your lives, but what I want to point out is that Jesus was resurrected and overcame all their attacks against Him.  Nothing they did was able to stop Him. 

Don’t be discouraged if you are in an environment that is difficult.  It was the Spirit of God that led Jesus to Jerusalem to be crucified.  It was the Spirit of God that led Paul to cities where he was imprisoned and mistreated.  As long as you are walking with the Spirit you can trust that despite any struggle or difficulty, the Lord is working all things for your good and will bless you.  His Spirit will never leave you.  Even in the toughest places, you are indeed being a light and changing the atmosphere, whether you can tangibly see it or not.  Continue to pray for those difficult people in your life, but know that in the end God is the author and the perfector and their salvation is His responsibility.  If His Spirit leads you elsewhere, entrust them to the Lord and continue on.  God’s favor is with you!

God bless!

Tyranny of the Urgent…

Is a great mini book about stewarding time (by Charles Hummel).  Here is an excerpt from the book…

“For me hardware stores have a strong attraction.  I am fascinated by the variety of tools and gadgets.  Suppose that today I need a new electric drill for an important home project and remember a special cash-and-carry price of $17.90.  I put $20 in my wallet and head for the hardware store.  But just inside the door I spot a set of five unusual screwdrivers on sale for $3.95 and purchase them.  Several counters farther on a new kind of wrench catches my eye, and I spend another $6.90.  When at last I reach the electric drills, I discover that I no longer have enough money to buy what I came for.

If I had the honesty to return home and tell the family my sad story, how much sympathy would I get?  What would they think of my excuse ‘I didn’t have enough money for the drill’?  At the moment the screwdrivers and wrench seemed important, but in the end they robbed me of the drill I really needed. 

Many of us who resist spending our money this way are not equally careful with our time.  We spend hours on the impulse of an unexpected opportunity or demand.  Then we complain that our time flies away, leaving some important tasks unfinished.  What is the remedy?”…

He then leaves four steps and explains them in detail, but I’m going to briefly summarize them here…

1.  Decide What’s Important:  When I say, “I don’t have time for this project,” I really mean, “I don’t consider it as important as something else I want or need to do.”  The first step is to decide what activities are most important so that we can plan and give them the most priority.  We should take time to write down a goal for each important activity, and estimate the time it will take during the next several months.  But do not make a schedule yet…

2.  Discover Where Your Time Goes:  Before you can effectively budget your money, you first need to know how much money you have and where you have been spending it.  So it is with time.  It is critical before scheduling changes to first take a time inventory of your life.  For one week make a chart for each half hour of the day and list how you spent the time, “At work, sleep, eating, leisure, time with God, etc.”  At the end of the week count the hours spent in each activity and compare the totals with the list of priorities you made in the first step.  And brace yourself for shock.  There is a strong tendency to neglect the important tasks that do not have to be done today–or even this week.

3.  Budget the Hours:  The author writes strongly about our need to not make sudden changes in our time schedule, but to first plan only a few changes as they become possible for you (suddenly turning a cruise ship 90 degrees will cause it to fall apart).  Consider one high priority being implemented… and once it is set in your schedule and become routine, then consider adding another. 

4.  Follow Through:  Often times as we seek to follow through, sudden “urgent” matters will come up (phone call from someone in need, an e-mail that catches your eye that you feel you need to respond to, an invitation to a party or gathering that seems important).  It’s important not to respond to these things right away.  As you withstand the urgency of the moment, you can weigh the cost and discern whether the task is God’s will for you. 

This blessed me!  Hope it blessed you as well.  =)

Testimony of the girl who inspired Oak Tree Project (our new scholarship/mentoring program for orphans who desire to attend college)…

My earliest childhood memory is when I was around five years old living at a home for babies. At the age of six, I was moved to an all-girls children’s home and grew up there until I graduated from high school. I have no memories of my parents or relatives. I only know that my mom was an unmarried single mother, which I learned from the director of my children’s home.

Before I entered into school, I spent most of my days with the other girls from the children’s home. I remember struggling with then ew environment and being fearful of the older girls at the home. When I entered into elementary school, my classmates started to make fun of me for being an orphan. It was then, for the first time in my life, that I realized I was an orphan. I was always a target for ridicule and I often was beaten by other kids both at school and at the children’s home. When I look back, the most difficult thing was the thought that there was no one to protect me and that I was always alone. In middle and high school, I tried my best to make friends and to fit in with everyone. I also tried to avoid being bullied. I disguised myself perfectly so that no one would ever find out about my background. I always struggled with the fact that I was all alone in this world and with the stigma of being an orphan.   

But then in high school I met a volunteer teacher named Mijeong Song. I was immediately comforted to have someone to whom I could be honest about my background and share openly about the things in my heart. Mijeong taught me for about a year and then we continued our relationship even after I entered college.

College days were different than I expected. I thought college would be filled with freedom but instead it was filled with struggles. After leaving the children’s home, for the first time in my life I had to take care of myself with everything including food and clothes. It was a very lonely time. The stipend money of 5,000,000 KRW (approximately a little less than $5,000 USD) that was given by the Korean government was not enough even to survive one semester after paying for college tuition, which was over 3,000,000KRW. Therefore, I had to get a job during the daytime and attend classes at night. Children, who have similar background stories as I do, usually begin a day at 6 o’clock in the morning and end it past midnight with no time to rest in between. Therefore, many children quit their studies in the middle and struggle through life. I had a difficult time as well, but because of my fear of the future I somehow persevered to finish college. During that time I had to keep up with the brutal schedule for three years without getting any rest. I couldn’t imagine having other things in my schedule other than school and work.

If I didn’t have Mijeong in my life, it would’ve been impossible for me to survive my adolescent days and those difficult times in college. Mijeong gave me strength and encouragement when I was going through my lonely days and when I was depressed from my busy schedule. She would meet up with me to treat me to delicious meals and she became joy and energy in my life. She also spoke dreams over me and told me about love that I never heard before. She always encouraged me that I was a loved person. She spoke over me that God is training me through my difficult life and He is dreaming a greater dream for my life. I found and experienced that God is always there for me and He is always protecting me. Mijeong cried with me when I was afraid of the fight against this world, and she also encouraged and poured out her wisdom upon me. I don’t remember when I started to believe this, but I know for sure that God is going to use me. God is going to encourage others through my life.

Although I finished school and have a regular job as an adult now, I still meet up with Mijeong often. I hope and dream of becoming someone like Mijeong to give inspiration, love, and strength to other children like me.  

Peace in Submission

In my Bible reading today I noticed an interesting verse in 1Peter 3…

1Peter 3:5-6 – For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord.  And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

This passage is about marriage and Peter speaks about how Sarah adorned herself (made herself beautiful) by the submission and the honor she showed to her husband Abraham.  While Sarah was a physically beautiful woman, her true beauty was in her honor to Abraham and her faithful submission to him.  So much is said about how faithful Abraham was to God by obeying God to leave his family, moving far away, and believing God for so much.  But at the same time much should be said about his other half Sarah who was with him during the entire journey and we read never objected once to Abraham’s faith and obedience.  And even in Sarah’s old age she was still considered beautiful by the world around her (Genesis 20). 

“Do not fear anything that is frightening.” I like how the Bible is real in saying that there are indeed things out there that are frightening to man, but at the same time if we are walking in submission then God’s protection and safety are promised to us.  This whole passage, in fact from 1Peter 2:12 - 1Peter 3:18, was all based on submission and trusting in the goodness and the faithfulness of God.  Peter exhorts us to submit to the leaders God has put over us and to trust that as we obey and show honor that God will in turn cover us and bless us.  The funny thing is, God doesn’t promise we will never “be hurt” by submitting, but God still promises that in the end we will be blessed and we will be able to live fearlessly…

1Peter 3:14 – But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 

God cannot bless rebellion!  He CANNOT bless rebellion!!!  This is why submission is so powerful and so important.  It becomes a true test of whether we believe in God’s goodness for our lives… that even when our spouse or our leader seems shaky, as long as we choose honor and not rebellion then God will bless us in the end.  It doesn’t mean blind and ignorant submission or not having a voice, but it does mean that when the leader (husband, person in authority) has made the decision then there will be full submission and honor.  And even if we may have to suffer for a moment, we will be blessed.  =) 

And as we grow in our trust in God’s goodness as we submit and do not rebel, then we are able to truly become fearless to the things of this world.  The things that once seemed frightening no longer have any power over us.  We know that even if it seems like we’ve fallen off of a cliff that God’s angels are catching us and God is going to turn it all for our good.  We are safe as we submit!

Our Fear of Loss Killing Our Hope for Increase 

I’ve recently been reading a book about the nation Israel and how, despite having a population of only 7 million people and being surrounded by enemy nations, they produce more start up companies than Japan, India, Korea, Canada, and the UK.  Israel is so succesful that there are more Israeli companies listed on NASDAQ than all companies from the ENTIRE European continent. 

The book states that one of the greatest hindrances to innovation and increase is the fear of loss companies might face if their innovation doesn’t work out.  This fear cripples most companies, but for the nation of Israel they can’t afford to allow fear to coerce them into a conservative, low-risk lifestyle.  Israel must survive, and so a culture has grown among the people that they must press forward and even if they fail at times they can still gain from the lessons they will learn from their failures.  Now more and more companies worldwide are looking to Israel for their research and development and for more amazing innovative ideas. 

Abraham knew he would be blessed wherever he would go because he knew God was with him.  Lot, on the other hand, looked more to the land and his surroundings for his provision.  Abraham was blessed wherever he went, even when he was in foreign lands that seemed unsafe.  Lot, on the other hand, gradually lost his resources and soon his wife and son-in-laws and all of his possessions.  Lot’s fear of loss ended up robbing him of everything he had.  He had chosen fear over faith, and how could God have blessed that? 

Blessed innovation and creativity and increase all require… faith.  God’s people must not allow fear of loss of provision or loss of security cripple them from increasing.  We must be like Abraham and move forward, knowing that God will indeed bless us, even if at times our surroundings don’t seem as fruitful as we would like them to be.  God rewards faith and He delights in people who put their hope and trust in His goodness. 

Bring Your increase, Lord!

Imprisoned for Quiet Time, Exiled for Sabbath… 

While rereading the book “The Heavenly Man” (highly recommend it!) about a Chinese evangelist named Brother Yun, what stood out to me most this time around was how Brother Yun’s admittedly greatest mistakes were choosing ministry and works over family and rest.  Brother Yun was imprisoned for extended time three times in his life, but only the first time was it clearly God’s will for him to go to prison where he was able to minister and grow with God powerfully.  The other two times though, Brother Yun had received warnings from his wife, from other leaders, and even in his dreams to slow down.  But because he had experienced so much success and because the harvest was so great, he chose to ignore the warnings and continued to move forward.  And both times he ended up being arrested and enduring harsh conditions in prison. 

Immediately upon being arrested he could feel conviction in his heart of his foolish actions.  While he had been doing great works for God, he had lost sight of his most important relationships… first with God, and then with his wife and kids.  So God had to put him in prison to get him to remember the true treasures in life and to get his relationship with God back in order.  God had to demonstrate that while Brother Yun’s responsibilities seemed urgent, God could remove him at any moment and the church and God’s movement could continue on.  God wasn’t worried about the works.  While works are important, relationship is far more important.  Brother Yun was imprisoned so he could have quality quiet time with God he had been missing.

The Israelites experienced similar things.  As the Israelites began to fall away from God under wicked kings, they gradually ignored God’s law and did as they pleased.  One of God’s 10 commandments was that the people take a sabbath every week to rest.  And their law also stipulated that they allow the land to rest every seven years.  If a farmer had a plot of land, he would work only 6/7 of the land and allow the 1/7 to rest, changing the land that would rest each year.  Nowadays this practice has proven to be good for the soil and allow for healthier crops.  But in those days the farmers didn’t know what was good for the soil and stopped practicing the sabbath, both for themselves and for their land.  And what happened?  After sending prophets to warn them for hundreds of years, God finally had enough and exiled all of Israel into foreign lands.  It had been about 490 years since King David, meaning the land should have rested for 70 years.  And so one of the specific reasons why God had them exiled was…

2Chronicles 36:21 – The land enjoyed its sabbath rests, all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed…

Brother Yun was imprisoned for some quiet time.  The Israelites were exiled for some sabbaths. 

Perhaps it might be good to reflect on your priorities?  Who/what is the source of your strength?  And who/what are you investing your most time in?

Isaiah 30:15 – In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…

God bless!