Dear Friend, How are you? Hope you are well. Here today is the Lunar New Year day, and we have 4 public holidays in a row for it. I’m enjoying quiet Seoul, yet I went to a traditional market on Eve yesterday to feel festivity. It’s always joyful to see people sell and buy foods for this big holiday and be part of it. On January 25th, I read Proverbs 25 and meditated verses 6 ~ 7: Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. I used to think that we would need to humble ourselves no matter where. Then, last year or so, these verses came to me in a very different way. I used to think these words are for wisdom here on earth. But for the first time in my life, I came to think they are not only for here on earth, but King Solomon probably talked about what it would look like when we are in Heaven. In King Solomon’s times, king and prince might be president, vice president, head of administration, judge, and so forth in our times. But, seriously, chances would be very low for you and me to be with them in reality. Bible is a very practical book, but why would God say this to us through King Solomon, if chances are remote? One day, it came to me as if it talked about our standing in front of Judgement seat. Imagine that I lived with spiritual pride and self-righteousness here on earth and thought I would be in higher rank and sit on the throne on that Day. There was a time when I was proud of my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and of good works that I thought would please God. And I would think I would sit on the throne where the 24 elders in the book of Revelation would sit. But I could be put lower in the presence of many other wonderful and humble saints of God that I’ve seen on earth. I have thought I was better than them. I was more righteous than them. I was closer to the Father than them. I knew more than them. But, God said, “Do not exalt yourself. It’s better that the King say to you, ‘Come up here.’” I do not know whether I would correctly interpret these verses, but that’s how I read recently. Earlier this month, I watched American President Donald Trump’s inauguration on the news. I learned that the inauguration ceremony was moved indoors due to extremely cold temperatures hitting the region. And I watched part of the ceremony where President Trump was surrounded by many well-known figures including ex-Presidents, billionaires, Presidents’ family and so forth. But, there was other room where crowds joined the ceremony live by screen. That inauguration ceremony came into my mind, when I read this Proverbs 25. I do believe that there would be some kind of ranks and different positions in heaven. Heaven would be absolutely massive, yet I believe not all saints would sit or stand in the place of the great. In all honesty, I would like to be nearer to our Father on that Day, and I would press forward to the upward calling and reward in heaven like Paul said. But, in my heart, I had pride. Being ordinary and obscure doesn’t mean that I am humble. I can be still prideful in heart, and God sees our heart. And I thought of cloak of humility in a Rick Joyner’s book, “The Final Quest.” How desperately would I need it? Indeed, I had self-righteousness and pride. But, these days, I often think of Psalms 131 and talk about it to the Father: Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Verse 1~2) Friend, we have righteous Judge Who knows everything. We wouldn’t need others’ approval. We don’t have to blow our horn, but we only need to humble ourselves and long to be Christ-like. Friend, I still think that our Lord’s living as a human for 33 years is far more humbling and greater than His sacrificial and excruciating death on the cross. I do not demean His death at all, but I think His birth in a human baby and living as a human is incredibly humbling, as if we had to be born in the form of a goldfish or a bug with our human spirit and mind. Our God humbled Himself for 33 years, but His heart was not haughty nor lofty. Friend, I pray that you and I may be like Him and like a weaned child with his mother. Have a bliss! Julie So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7~11) Dear Friend, How are you? Hope you’re well. Today, I’d like to write more from Frank Laubach’s book, “The Game with Minutes” that I recently re-read. “Men at Work Countless thousands of men keep God in mind while engaged in all types of work, mental or manual, and find that they are happier and get better results. Those who endure the most intolerable ordeals gain new strength when they realize that their Unseen Comrade is by their sides. … The carpenter can do better work if he talks quietly to God about each task, as Jesus certainly did when He was a carpenter. Many of us found that we can compose a letter or write a book better when we say “God, think Thy thoughts in my mind. What dost Thou desire written? Here is my hand; use it. Pour Thy wisdom through my hand.” Our thoughts flow faster, and what we write is better. God loves to be a coauthor!” In last November, my sister and brother-in-law in California visited Seoul and stayed with mom & me for 40 days. They came for the wedding of brother-in-law’s niece and for extended family time. We had a great time, and I had to prepare for something before their arrival. First, I wanted to write my blogs to post during their stay, well in advance. From the experience in the past, I found it very hard to have a quiet time to write blogs, with an additional family member in my place. I didn’t want to neglect posting blogs after + a year of negligence last year. :) So, I wrote about 8 weeks of blogs in last October and November to post at a later point in time. It really was a lot of work for me, yet I found the Father’s grace was with me. Often times, I felt He gave me thoughts on the Bible verses I would quote. I’m not saying that I’m an excellent writer, but I know I indeed have a Coauthor Who helps me and enjoys partnering with me. Though I wrote the blogs for you, I found myself comforted and encouraged during proof-reading before posting or reading after posting. It had nothing to do with my talent or ability, as you know I most of the time quoted excerpts of others’ articles and books. :) Yet, whenever I read my own blogs, I was refreshed, assured and comforted. And I know the Father spoke to me again through them timely. Well, now, I don’t have any stock of blog draft left in my file, and my mind was kind of blank. Actually, my mind has been busy with something that I have to do on next Monday. Yet, I’m trying to write this, talking to the Father, “Father, can I keep it short this week? I can’t write any more for now.” :) “It Is for Anybody Humble folk often believe that walking with God is above their heads, or that they may “lose a good time” if they share all their joys with God. What tragic misunderstanding, to regard Him as a killer of happiness! A growing chorus of joyous voices round the world fairly sing that spending their hours with God is the most thrilling joy ever known, and that beside it a baseball game or a horse race is stupid. (From The Game with Minutes)” Last week, I wrote about yearning for eternal things. Fellowship with the Father. Despite my heart’s yearning, I found myself talking to someone in my imagination about something on my way back home from errands a few days back. Only when I passed by one of my favorite cafes on the street, did I realize I wasted part of my eternity, forgetting about His presence in me. I wished I could have talked to Him sooner. I missed the joy I could have had with Him, and I made Him keep waiting for me. Friend, One of Frank Laubach’s advices I like is to read a book to Him, not just reading it alone. Isn’t it marvelous? Whether you read my blog, news, the Bible or any other book, you might want to read them to Him. :) You and I would have endless joy with Him, only if we would think of Him and talk to Him in our hearts every minute. Have a bliss! Julie O God, You are my God; Dear Friend, How are you? Hope you had or are having a good day, today? Since last September, I’ve been going to an oriental medicine clinic. The reason being I went there first was due to digestion problems over the past few weeks. My hairdresser introduced the doctor, as she and her son were healed after acupuncture treatment and right diet about a year ago. My digestion problem was also healed after acupuncture treatment, right diet and some changes in my habit such as not too many thoughts, etc. As I found the acupuncture treatment helped my overall health, including cholesterol, I continue to have the treatment regularly till now. The clinic is always jam-packed, and I should wait long despite reservation. Sometimes I read books from the bookshelf in the clinic, while waiting. Other times, I brought my own book to read. I chose to bring Frank Laubach’s “Letters by a Modern Mystic” and “The Game with Minutes,” as the two titles are in one small and light hardcover. And I also felt that I must recall the contents and practice the game with minutes, especially when my mind was so busy and distracted easily last year. Soon enough, I came to read what I really needed the most, the one thing: “I seem to have to make sure of only one thing now, and every other thing “takes care of itself,” or I prefer to say what is more true, God takes care of all the rest. My part is to live this hour in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will, to make this hour gloriously rich. … I do not claim success even for a day yet, in my mind, not complete success all day, but some days are close to success, and every day is tingling with the joy of a glorious discovery. That thing is eternal. That thing is undefeatable. You and I shall soon blow away from our bodies. Money, praise, poverty, opposition, these make no difference, for they will all alike be forgotten in a thousand years, but this spirit which comes to a mind set upon continuous surrender, this spirit is timeless life. … Clearly, clearly, my job here is not to go to the town plaza and make proselytes, it is to live wrapped in God, trembling to His thoughts, burning with His passion. And, my loved one, that is the best gift you can give to your own town. … The most wonderful discovery that has ever come to me is that I do not have to wait until some future time for the glorious hour. I need not sing, “Oh that will be glory for hour for me” - and wait for any grave. The hour can be heaven. … Every now is an eternity if it is full of God. (From Letters by a Modern Mystic)” I can’t recall when, but I started to yearn for something eternal from some time ago. I want to spend my time here on something eternal, not temporary. I do not mean that money is not important, as we need it to live here on earth. Also, health is important as long as we live in the earthly body. Yet, I found myself distracted by the news on politics, videos and articles on health, etc. so often. They may be important for a while, but they are temporary here on earth. So, I wanted to invest my time on something eternal that won’t fade away. My worship toward the Father and my Lord, Jesus is eternal. The time we spend together in the secret place, in His garden and everywhere I go is eternal. My relationship with Him. My love with Him. I recall Pastor John Fenn’s teaching that the relationships between saints are also eternal. We will remain friends and brothers & sisters in the Lord. The kindness, generosity, mercy, grace that we extend to one another will be eternal. Though I understood what would be eternal, my mind, however, was a battlefield very often. So, re-reading The Game with Minutes, I wanted to be reminded of the author’s advice. Then, I came to think of my yearning in my heart from a couple of years ago. If you and I were raptured tonight, we would be happy to meet our beloved families, friends, teachers, pastors or authors whom we wanted to meet in person. And whom do you want to head to and meet first? During my worship toward the Father in 2023, I would say to Him in tears, “Father, I look forward to seeing You face to face on that Day. I would run to You, when I get there.” He would be the first One I would like to meet. Even last week, I wanted to read the Scriptures that described the Father on the throne in the books of Daniel 7, Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4. I would imagine that I would finally see Him in person and be hugged by Him. Or I would prostrate in front of His feet, fearing His holiness and magnificence. Then, I came to say to myself, “Why on earth am I wasting my time, distracted by many, while I want to meet the Father first upon rapture? Every minute, I should turn my focus on Him. Every moment with Him is so precious and that’s eternal. I’m already in eternity!” Even if we don’t say anything to one another and our communion is in silence, our thoughts toward one another are precious and eternal. One night in 2023, I felt an impression in my heart that the Father wants me to come to Him, simply to worship and love Him, not for revelation. We often want to be so-called productive. And sometimes, our motives are not pure. We want our prayers to be answered, or we want revelation or gifts. “Of course we are not always sure whether we have guessed God’s answer right, but it is surprising how much of the time we are very certain. It really is not necessary to be sure that our answer is right, for the answer is not the great thing - He is! God is infinitely more important than His advice or His gifts; indeed, He, Himself, is the great gift. … The most precious privilege in talking with God is this intimacy which we can have with Him. We may have a glorious succession of heavenly minutes. How foolish people are to lose life’s most poignant joy, seeing it may be had while taking a walk alone! But the most wonderful discovery of all is, to use the words of St. Paul, “Christ liveth in me.” He dwells in us, walks in our mind, reaches out through our hands, speaks with our voices, IF we obey His every whisper. (From The Game with Minutes)” It’s ok, even if we would feel we heard nothing from the Father. No answered prayer nor revelation. No impression in our heart. He, Himself is the greatest gift to us. Friend, Prophecies will fail. Tongues will cease. Knowledge will vanish away. But love never fails. (1 Cor. 13:8) I pray that you and I yearn for something eternal and press forward to eternity in our hearts. Just like Mary, we choose one thing, the good part that will not be taken away from us. Amen! Have a bliss! Julie
Dear Friend, How are you? Hope you’re well. Since 2023 when I spent some time with the Father in the secret place, I had an impression that He wants me to be hidden. I know there are many people who share their testimonies in public, having interviews or publishing books, and God used them tremendously for His purpose. Yet, for me, I felt Him want to hide me. One night, I felt Him asking me whether I want to publish a book of my testimony (His story) here on earth or in Millennium when Jesus reigns. I said to Him, “I want to wait till Millennium.” And I felt that’s what He wants, too. Then, last year, when I watched a few YouTubers’ vlogs and subscribed one of them, I thought to myself, “Hmm, what if I made vlogs and posted them in YouTube, without my face shown? I think I would enjoy making vlogs. Maybe it’s good for His Kingdom.” But I thought of the conversation that He and I shared. And I also realized that it was my hypocrisy to rationalize that I would make vlogs for Him. I knew it was from my ego. Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying YouTubers or vloggers make and post videos out of ego or they’re not in God’s will. God tailor-made each one of us, and He has different plans for every single person. And I’m one of the recipients of His blessings through His faithful servants and friends’ teachings online. But for me, I think He knows me so well that He doesn’t want me to be distracted. Not only by making vlogs, but by reading and replying to comments (sometimes or oftentimes getting hurt by negative comments). The Father knows the best. And I think He also knows that it’s not my priority for the rest of my life on earth. There is more important thing He planned for me. And He is a jealous God. He doesn’t want me to put anything between Him and me. I do not know whether it might be a good metaphor. Some people don’t like their spouses to be known in public or to actively meet friends in Facebook, etc. My brother-in-law once said to my sister that he would divorce her, if she started being a YouTuber or that sort of thing. Some husbands seem to enjoy showing off their wives as their trophy, though. They seem to enjoy their wives’ wearing revealing tops, dresses or even underwear only, in public. But others dislike it. And I felt the Father wants to hide me, because He is jealous and He hates my distraction, my thinking of how others would think of me and my vlogs and how I would make vlogs to please them. He wants me to minister to Him first, not to think of ministering to others. He wants to be pleased and He longs for intimacy in the secret place. You might have heard Jesus’ parables on hidden treasures many times: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matt. 13:44)” I do not know about you, but I’ve heard this verse interpreted by many that we, believers are the man in this parable and we sell all that we have, to buy that field for the hidden treasure, the kingdom of heaven. It sounds quite right, and I used to interpret it that way for many years. But, in early 2023, after listening to the Father’s Rhema words on treasure, I came to think of Isaiah 33:6, “The fear of the LORD is His treasure.” And it shed light on the meaning of this Jesus’ parable in Matthew in a new way. I came to think for the first time that the man to buy a field is Jesus and you and I are the hidden treasure. I searched Pastor David Guzik’s EnduringWord, online commentary. Interestingly enough, I found out he also interpreted it just like I newly viewed the scripture: a. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field: The field is the world, but the man does not represent the believer, because we have nothing to buy this treasure with. Instead, Jesus is the man who gave all that He had to buy the field. i. “Under rabbinic law if a workman came on a treasure in a field and lifted it out, it would belong to his master, the field’s owner; but here the man is careful not to lift the treasure out till he has bought the field.” (Carson) ii. This parable and the one following are different in character than the previous three. The previous three parables (the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, and the leaven) each spoke of corruption in the kingdom community. These two parables speak of how highly the King values the people of His kingdom. b. And for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field: The treasure so wonderful that Jesus would give all to purchase is the individual believer. This powerfully shows how Jesus gave everything to redeem the whole world to preserve a treasure in it, and the treasure is His people. i. “Finding the treasure appears to be by chance. In a land as frequently ravaged as Palestine, many people doubtless buried their treasures; but…to actually find a treasure would happen once in a thousand lifetimes. Thus the extravagance of the parable dramatizes the supreme importance of the kingdom.” (Carson) ii. “So did Jesus himself, at the utmost cost, buy the world to gain his church, which was the treasure which he desired.” (Spurgeon) Yet I also wanted to search more on others’ interpretation. I searched it in Pastor John Fenn’s The Church without Walls International website, but I couldn’t find any. And I asked the Father to let me know what He meant by hidden treasure. A few days later, I had an impression in my heart, as if He were saying that it’s good that I would look up and search commentaries, etc. to understand the meaning of the Scriptures, but at the end of the day, He has the final say. And I felt Him saying He meant us by hidden treasure, and I don’t have to spend time to search others’ interpretation any longer. I do not mean that some preachers or teachers who interpret otherwise are all wrong. From Genesis to Revelation, I didn’t see 66 books interpreted all the same. 1 Corinthians 13 says, “For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. (Verse 9~10)” So, it’s quite biblical that we know in part and interpret His words differently. :) If it turned out that I might have heard Him wrong on the interpretation, I would acknowledge that I made a mistake. No shame, no pride when the perfect has come. Then, in about a year, 2024, I came to see a new video of Pastor John Fenn in his YouTube channel and it was titled “You are the pearl, the key to understanding.” The parable of the pearl is right after the parable of the hidden treasure. And I found out the Father confirmed His teaching to me through Pastor John Fenn in His time. I was grateful to Him for His kindness. (And John Fenn’s interpretation of the field is our heart.) One night in 2023, when I prayed for someone, I felt the Father saying she is His hidden treasure. She has been faithfully praying for North Korea for over 20 years in a missionary organization. And I think we will see myriads of hidden treasures on that Day when Jesus catches us away. Rick Joyner wrote what he saw in vision in his book, The Final Quest: At one point the Lord looked toward the galleries of thrones around Him. Many were occupied, but many were empty. He then said, “These thrones are for the overcomers who have served Me faithfully in every generation. My Father and I prepared them before the foundation of the world. Are you worthy to sit on one of these?” I remembered what a friend had once said, “When the omniscient God asks you a question, it is not because He is seeking information.” I looked at those who were now seated on the thrones. I could recognize some of the great heroes of the faith, but realized most of those seated had not even been well known on earth. Many of those on the thrones had been missionaries who expended their lives in obscurity. They had never cared to be remembered on earth, but wanted only to be remembered by Him. I was a bit surprised to see some who had been wealthy, and rulers who had been faithful with what they had been given. However, it seemed that faithful, praying women and mothers occupied more thrones than any other single group. There was no way I could answer “yes” to the Lord’s question regarding whether I considered myself worthy to sit here. I was not worthy to sit in the company of any who were there. I knew I had been given the opportunity to run for the greatest prize in heaven or earth, and I had failed. I was desperate, but there was still one hope. Even though most of my life had been a failure, I was very glad that I was here before finishing my life on earth. When I confessed that I was not worthy, the Lord asked, “But do you want this seat?” “I do with all of my heart,” I responded. The Lord then looked at the galleries and said, “Those empty seats could have been filled in any generation. I gave the invitation to sit here to everyone who has called upon My name. The seats are still available. Now the last battle has come, and many who are last shall be first. These seats will be filled before the battle is over. Those who will sit here will be known by two things: they will wear the mantle of humility, and they will have My likeness. “You now have the mantle. If you can keep it and do not lose it in the battle, when you return you will also have My likeness. Then you will be worthy to sit with these, because I will have made you worthy. All authority and power has been given to Me, and I alone can wield it. You will prevail, and you will be trusted with My authority only when you have come to fully abide in Me. Now turn and look at My household.” I’m grateful for his book. I believe that the Lord showed the thrones not only to encourage Rick Joyner, but you and me. God would certainly give some a public stage for His purpose, but He may want you and me to live a quiet life in our small circles of family, friends, neighbors and coworkers, representing our Lord, Jesus. He was not a superstar on the stage. I believe we will see many hidden and precious gems on that Day. I think many of them would be nameless, faceless fathers and mothers, neighbors and co-workers on earth. And I think I should press forward to be one of the gems. As all that glitters is not gold, all that is hidden is not treasure. :) May our heart be like our Lord’s and be known by Him as His precious and hidden gem, being of a gentle and quiet spirit. Have a bliss! Julie Listen, O daughter, Dear Friend, Happy New Year! In December 2023, my pastor in Singapore said in the monthly zoom meeting that 6 members of us including himself would have 21 day of fasting in January 2024. Whenever I hear the word, fasting, I always say to myself, “No!!!” I love eating foods, but now I can’t stomach as much as I did before, as aging. So, with fasting, I should eat even less! That’s a bad news. My pastor wouldn’t check whether each member did fast, nor did I want to pretend to fast, even if he would do. I used to read or listen to preachers’ sermons or teachings on fasting. And I myself used to experience God’s speaking to me during or after fasting & prayer, no matter whether it was an impression in my heart or His answering prayers. Yet, I wanted to listen to Pastor John Fenn’s teaching on fasting, as I recalled there were audio teaching series on that. And I learned from him (I paraphrase): Fasting is to take time to listen to God; It can be either delaying our meals by a couple of hours or skipping them to listen to God; Fasting is not to move God (like to make Him heal us, etc.); Be single-minded. (Have no ulterior motive. Some people fast to lose weight. Then, be honest to Him, saying “I want to fast to listen to You, but I also need to lose weight.” He already knows. Don’t be a hypocrite.); Fasting can be our lifestyle. His teaching encouraged me to start fasting in a new year, in order to listen to God. And I thought which meal of fasting out of three would be the least painful and I chose breakfast. I used to have an apple and a small bowl of corn cereal with almond milk at that time at about 7:30am, and my lunch was usually 11am. Rather than giving up or delaying the heaviest meal of the day, i.e. lunch, I thought I would give up small portion of breakfast and wait till 11am, to break fast. So, I expected to hear from Him, while I walked away from the dining table and looked at the sky, trees and so on through the windows in each morning. Then, on Jan. 20th, I opened my Bible and read Psalm 91:1~2, 14~16: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (V 1~2) After reading these verses, I started to read Psalm 95. Then, in my iPad, AppleMusic played out randomly, after a piano instrumental music was finished. And the new song was Julie True’s “He Who Dwells” and the lyric was Psalm 91:1~2 I just read a few minutes ago. I was surprised. At that time, the song was totally new to me, and it was never played out before. I simply felt it was the Father’s repeating it, after my reading Psalm 91:1~2. Then, Jan. 22nd, after 21 day of fasting was finally finished, I opened YouTube application and scrolled down to see what’s new, before going to bed. I came to see Pastor Francis Chan’s sermon, “The Power of a Quiet Life,” posted lately. I knew he is a good preacher and author, but I didn’t watch his videos often at all. But, the sermon title kept my eyes fixed. Quiet life. I recalled 1 Peter 3: 3~4 I had meditated on a while ago: Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. So, I began to listen to his sermon, closing my eyes on my bed. He quoted 1 Thes. 4:11: “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” And he talked about the current generation’s having no secret. So many Christians want to post their quiet time with the Lord over coffee and muffin in Instagram, etc. If there were miracles, they wanted to post all of them online. But Jesus used to say “Don’t tell anyone,” after He healed the sick. Then, he quoted John’s story in Revelation 10:1~4: I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” He said that when John was trying to write the revelation from the heaven, the seven thunders’ utterance, God said, “Don’t write it. Don’t post it. It’s just for you. Between you and me.” So, it was kept in secret for 2,000 years, and only John knew what the seven thunders said. Can we be like John? Stewardship. (I paraphrase.) When I listened to his stunning insight on Revelation 10, I began to weep. It simply hit me, and reminded me of an incident. A couple of months ago, I had a wonderful moment with the Father. It should have been kept as a pillow talk. I didn’t write it down to post it here, nor did I sign in Facebook, Instagram, etc. of which I didn’t even remember passwords. Yet, I had pride as I had such an intimate time with Him, as if I were a teacher’s pet. So out of pride, I shared the wonderful moment the Father wanted to keep between Him and me, with friends over chatting. I put my pride before friendship with Him and stewardship. It didn’t matter whether I publicized it online or whether I talked to only a few friends. I violated the secret place. I wept and wept, repenting. He made me realize how precious it is for me to steward something He and I only know. I said to the Father, “Father, even if I can’t share precious moments between You and me in eternity, I would be fine. If you want me to keep it to myself forever, I will.” I realized that having the Father and our Lord, Jesus, is enough. Nothing is more important. I don’t need anyone’s approval. Just being His friend and knowing Him and being known by Him is enough. And my repentance turned into a thankful heart. I was even more grateful for His timely teaching through Francis Chan’s message. And Psalm 91:1~2, the secret place, came into my mind. After Francis’ message was over in YouTube, the next video popped up, which was a piano instrumental music. To my amazement, the verses on the background was exactly Psalm 91:1~2. And I had an impression in my heart that the Father honored my 21 day of fasting to listen to Him, and this is the message He wanted to give me. Over the last year, He repeated this message, the secret place, over and over again through my pastor, friend and books. Not only keeping the secret place, but I also want to keep the secret between Him and me. Writing down the draft of this blog, I thought of the story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 39: At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.” And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.” Out of pride, Hezekiah showed every treasure he had to the enemy’s envoys. He wanted to impress them. But, we see God was displeased with his heart and action. Jesus also warned, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matt. 7:6)” In a series of weekly thoughts, Pastor John Fenn wrote about “Respect for Things of God.” Things of God, i.e. the gifts of the Spirit, angels, sex, and so forth: in your church are the things of God, angels, the gifts of the Spirit, treated with awe and respect and honor, or like play things given that we can share this new vision or that new experience that others may ooohhh and ahhhh? What is your church culture, the culture of your Christian friends? …The way Paul writes, it seems common knowledge that once they were reminded of the divine order of their marriages, including oversight by angels, it would change their behavior. Think about that. Respect for the divine. Respect for God’s order. Respect for angels in charge of your family. …I’ll talk about how familiarity with Jesus as a mere carpenter’s son prevented his hometown from respecting the larger truth about Him, and how today, many Christians are far too ‘familiar’ with the Father and Lord and have also lost sight of true revelation about the majesty and power of God. Lack of true revelation in church culture has led to much error. …Sex is the same way; to keep sex at the basic animal level is to defile ourselves who are made in the image of God. Sex is intended to be part of a holy and whole relationship with our spouse, including affection, tenderness, intimacy and more. It should involve our whole spirit and soul and body which is holy, not just our body which is merely animal. …That’s why the act of marriage on earth is a type and shadow of Christ and the church. A level of intimacy awaits us with our friends and relatives in heaven that is closer than any friendship or marriage on earth. True oneness in Christ. I used to be influenced by some church cultures online. Some Christians ooooh and ahhh angelic visitations, dreams and visions, signs and wonders and miracles. I do not mean that I don’t deny signs and wonders and miracles now. Our God is almighty and supernatural. And He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But, I saw pride in my heart and I repented. Now, I choose to be known by Him only. I don’t have to impress others, even if they are in a small circle of friends. I want to be His faithful friend, living a quiet life. Even if I had revelation or secret from Him that I should keep it to myself forever, I’d like to remain faithful. Spiritual pride do I choose to lay down. Friend, We call a place that’s not well known, but is very beautiful, a hidden gem. I like the words, hidden gem. And I think gem is supposed to be hidden. Being hidden. Secret. There is beauty to it. In all honesty, I don’t want hidden gems in Seoul to be known to many, as I don’t like them to be crowded. Once they are known to many and jam-packed, they are no more hidden gems. If you had treasures or gems in your house, you wouldn’t want to put them in your front yard at the door, to show them off, but would hide them. They are precious and priceless to you. God wants us to be in the secret place, and live a quiet life, stewarding the treasures He and we share in the secret place. Friend, I believe He wants you and me to live in the secret place of the Most High not only in 2025, but till He catches us away. May we live a quiet life and steward the treasures. Amen! Have a bliss! Julie My son, if you receive my words, |
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