2023.09.17 District Message
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:10
The greatest blessing you possess is communication with God. Unbelievers do not know this. At this time we come to enjoy the 25 answer.
▣ Introduction. The flow
When we actually go into the field, it is hard to say we will change the flow. Yet in the Bible and history, one woman in Egypt changed the entire flow—Jochebed. She did not do something “big,” but she was enjoying this part (communication with God). She changed it. And when the Philistine era opened, as you know, one woman—Hannah—changed the flow. Then you must become the protagonists who enjoy this blessing.
The world (the flesh)
When you mainly look, what flow is this world following? It is almost entirely following the flesh. We also go along like this, but this (the world/the flesh) is not us. However, if we have no power, we end up having to follow this (the world/the flesh).
The church (the law)
Even many churches keep fighting because they keep following the flow of the law. So “you are right, I am right, wrong, right”—they continue this fight, and even though the purpose of the law is actually love, right? they end up losing this (the law).
Self (Genesis 3, 6, 11)
Even we, if we are not careful, because we try to live by our own thoughts, we end up following the flow of Genesis 3, 6, and 11.
Therefore, if you know just this (Introduction) part, in fact you can change the flow easily.
▣ Main. The flow of God
We do not fight saying, “We must change the world,” but we follow the flow of God. There are nine things that change the flow; in today’s Lesson 38, three were presented.
1. Width
2. Height
3. Depth
If you combine these three (width, height, depth), that is information. We must not do anything without information. If you do business without any information, you will fail. If you go somewhere without any information, you will suffer. Likewise, it is the same with our spiritual matters.
1. Width [ Transcending time and space ]
What width do we follow? We possess the width that transcends time and space through communication with God, which no one knows. Do not be discouraged; you must pray. Do not be discouraged while praying for your family. Do not be discouraged because an answer does not come quickly as you pray over something. The answer that transcends time and space will surely come—an answer that no person can block.
2. Height [ What is most excellent ]
What is height? We look to and walk toward what is most excellent.
(1) Below common sense
If we are below common sense, things become difficult.
(2) Common sense
Many people live at the level of common sense. We cannot remain with only this.
(3) Beyond common sense
When you see beyond common sense—of course you keep common sense—you begin to see what belongs to God. What does this mean? If you suffer an injustice, what will you do? Suppose Joseph simply committed suicide—that is below common sense, right? “I will surely survive and return and avenge myself on my brothers”—that is common sense. “Ah, this is not that my brothers sold me; God is sending me to fulfill His plan for world evangelization”—that is beyond common sense. It is simple, isn’t it? Keep discovering like this. Then the answer that changes every flow will surely come to you. Think about it: one person like us with no power—that you would change the flow is tremendous. And it changes by this (Main 2).
An elder I know said of himself—didn’t I tell you before—that he could only finish elementary school. It was such a grief to him that he studied hard and sent all his younger siblings to Seoul National University. He went to work; everyone used a pair of gloves once and threw them away. He picked them up, washed them all, and put them back. “Oh?” People used them again. He did not do it to show anyone—he just thought it was a waste. He washed them and brought them back. Later people found out. Those above also found out. Over such a small thing—God seated him in a high position. Though he lacked schooling, he had that kind of faith. He had only finished elementary school, yet later—during President Park Chung-hee’s era—he was appointed professor at the Saemaeul Training Institute. That is height.
What is width? Your prayer transcends time and space. You must surely remember this.
3. Depth [ God’s plan ]
What is depth? We see the plan of God. No matter what anyone says, our lives are governed by God, so we look at God’s plan.
(1) Absolute plan
Even when it is very difficult, and even when prayer does not go well, think, “What is God’s absolute plan?” These people all saw this.
(2) Absolute timetable
Then God’s absolute timetable comes. It comes when you are fixed on that plan.
(3) Timetable to save
At that time, just as with the Remnants, the timetable to save others comes. From then on, you become witnesses and works arise.
▣ Conclusion
What is the conclusion?
[ 12 strategies of Satan ]
When spiritual communication with God takes place, you are completely set free from the twelve strategies of Satan.
[ Plan ]
Even if it seems a bit difficult, when things are hard and you pray, you come to see God’s plan. You will see it like this.
[ WIO ]
Then at last, among the important answers you receive, what answer is it? You come to know that God is with me, that He is with us as Immanuel, and that He is with us in all things.
[ Only, Uniqueness, Re-creation ]
From then on, in your studies and work, what answer comes? The answer of Only comes. Then the timetable of Uniqueness is firmly established. Then comes Re-creation. No matter what anyone says, Immanuel Seoul, which is under construction—though the main part has been completed—is still continuing. In Busan, Ulsan, Changwon, and many places churches are arising, and no one will be able to block this evangelism movement, this movement of the age. From now on, begin your challenge.
1. [ Books ] – Editing
In my case, since I did not know how to do it, I checked many books on those matters. Studying is most important. There is no other way. There is a limit to asking people; when I looked up many books, something became visible—editing.
2. [ The Word ] – Design (blueprint)
But truly, as I prayed, it was not books I saw but the Word. In the past, when I read the Book of Acts, there was no enjoyment for me. “It’s all talk about houses—what is this, a real-estate office?” That is how I felt. Once evangelism was edited and I understood it, I began to see the Word of God exactly. This is called the blueprint that discerns God’s plan. You just need to challenge.
3. [ The field ] – Design (in practice)
Once this answer came, even if you are very dull, you begin to see the field. This is what we call design.
Books are not merely for “studying”—they let you meet many people without going to them. Right? Without going to Europe myself, there is only one way to meet it—by reading. To meet many national presidents? There is no time. So you read. Therefore, there is nothing difficult. I read over 100 books about evangelism. Then—oh?—your thinking begins to change. But it is not finished with that. As I enjoyed it in prayer, I saw the Word. The Word became alive and worked powerfully. Why must we build the sanctuary? The three courtyards. I began to see the Word. Why must we build the sanctuary? The 237 nations, healing, summit. I began to see the Word like this. Then you can see the field. Even if you do not hold high degrees, or many degrees, you can do it like this (Conclusion).
For over thirty years I have practiced the breathing that preserves health; I also read over 100 books on that. While doing it with prayer I have seen great effect. To the point that—without dye—my hair is fine, and my eyesight is not dim. Do I sleep much? I slept only two hours last night. I am fine—continually enjoying prayer like this. I have evidence. Therefore, do not be discouraged; from now on, challenge. God will surely fulfill His Word.
Even today, in your empty moments, you must enter into deep prayer. On the Lord’s Day that is most important. Do not think many thoughts. Enter deep prayer. An acquaintance of mine, a deacon, did nothing criminal, but because he could not pay another’s debt he went to prison. There he should have prayed much. But he thought much. Do you know what happens if you think much? You come out holding onto something else. He came to me and said he would go to seminary. I was truly frustrated. I could not tell him not to go. By what right could I say that? By what authority could I criticize him? He was a bit unusual—how could I criticize? Already, I myself, lacking as I am, became a pastor and feel sorry; how could I tell him not to? Why did it turn out that way? Because he thought too much. For unbelievers, thinking is important. Right? Though a reed, it is called “a thinking reed”—that is where the phrase came from. That is for unbelievers. If you think much, you fall into Genesis 3, 6, and 11. We are those who must pray much. It is surely different. At least on the Lord’s Day, do not entertain other thoughts. Do not think—begin prayer, holding onto the Word. Evidence will surely appear in your health, your work, and your studies. Therefore I bless you to become those witnesses in the name of Jesus Christ. Let me pray.
Prayer. Grant us communication with God today to gain spiritual strength. In deep prayer, let health be restored. In deep prayer, grant us power to solve many spiritual problems. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.