Prayer Journal: October 28, 2025
26. Jan. 2025 Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service
Scripture Reading: Genesis 39:1-6
▣ Introduction: Question of God’s Absolute Plan
I once saw something that had actually happened in our country on TV. For decades, someone had taken a person with a slight intellectual disability and forced him to work. They locked him up and made him work. If he tried to escape and was caught, they beat him half to death. They made him sleep in strange places. They fed him discarded food. And because this person was in such a difficult situation, the abuser even applied for and collected government welfare payments meant for him. When someone found out and went to question him, the victim was so terrified he didn’t want to go anywhere. He lived that way for decades. It was a real case. Hard to comprehend, isn’t it?
That alone was shocking, but in some less developed foreign countries, even more horrifying incidents occur. A young woman once went traveling abroad and was kidnapped right at the airport. You can’t just get in any car—she was abducted by someone who offered her a ride. And then she disappeared. If you go on a trip, people expect you to be at your destination, but she couldn’t be reached. Her family, thinking something was wrong, reported it—but who can easily find someone like that? Even if the police try, they can’t search everywhere without clues. So her father took matters into his own hands, abandoning everything to search for her. “I must find my daughter.” When he arrived at the scene, the reality was revealed. He found the place. When he brought the police there, they discovered many people being held captive. The kidnappers didn’t kill them immediately; they locked them up and killed them one by one to sell their organs. Terrible, evil people. They killed children and sold their living organs at a high price. The place was full of such captives. The girl was waiting her turn to die. Watching that, I thought, “Wow… such a world exists.” In the past, such things were common.
Likewise, Joseph’s brothers actually planned to kill him. When death stands right before you, everything changes—brothers, parents, it doesn’t matter. Death is terrifying. They were going to kill Joseph, but one brother said, “Let’s not do this. Let’s sell him instead. We can tell Father he’s dead and make some money.” So they sold him easily, for profit. There were people who bought and sold others as slaves. That’s how Joseph was taken away. He didn’t go by airplane or car—he was dragged. It wasn’t a journey of days, but months, dragged endlessly. He had to sleep on the ground, not in hotels. Historical records say it was so harsh they couldn’t even wash or bathe. Imagine how they looked—their faces completely changed, their age indistinguishable. Sometimes they sold captives along the way to other traders. How painful that must have been. And those traders weren’t ordinary people—they were human traffickers, murderers. Today such crimes are exposed, but back then, if they buried you, no one would ever know. Even in my childhood, we sometimes found bodies buried in the hills near our village—it was that kind of time. When trading slaves, they’d even check their teeth—if teeth were missing, “This one’s old.” If full set, “This one’s young.” If perfect like mine—expensive! That’s how they calculated. Joseph had no say in any of it. He was sold and dragged away. Eventually he arrived in Egypt. The merchants sold him to a man named Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard—the king’s chief security officer, like the head of a presidential guard. A powerful man. Joseph became a slave in his house. That’s where Joseph’s important life began.
1. Recreate the field.
Today’s title is “Recreate the Field.” This is the covenant you must absolutely hold to.
- Without the answer of re-creation, there is no way to survive.
Joseph was dragged away like a slave—without the answer of re-creation, there was no way to live. - If you don’t know the answer of re-creation, you’ll serve unbelievers all your life and die.
If you don’t know the answer of re-creation, you’ll spend your whole life doing errands for unbelievers and die in hardship. This is something important you must understand today. - 90% of people don’t know though great blessings are before them; 10% keep doing what cannot be done.
The world is one of competition, fighting, and killing. What you choose in such times is important. Most people—90%—don’t receive answers. Why? Because they say, “It can’t be done,” when it can. Many treat non-problems as problems. They worry when they don’t need to, fear when they shouldn’t. Ninety percent are like that—blessings surround them, but they don’t see them. Many live complaining and grumbling while losing hold of blessings and answers already given. The other 10%? They try to do what cannot be done—Joseph’s brothers were such people. They shouldn’t have killed or sold their brother, yet they did. Those who insist on doing the impossible cause problems—the world’s troubles often come from that 10%, the elites. They push what cannot be done—wars break out that way. Others deny what can be done.
2. What is God’s absolute plan? Always ask. This is the prayer of prayers.
In the midst of all this, one day a sudden event happened—that was Joseph. He didn’t foresee it. His brothers, who planned to kill him, sold him to violent traders instead. Joseph had no plan, no way out. At that time, he prayed an important prayer. What was it? It’s the covenant you must hold today: “What is God’s absolute plan?” Not just “God’s plan,” but “God’s absolute plan.” We do not know, but even asking this question brings history to life. It is vital. This is the prayer of prayers. Keep asking, “What is God’s absolute plan?” Just by asking, history moves.
Today we have many good elders, deaconesses, believers. But when I first came here, there were none. Only one elder who has since passed away, no doctors, no medical missions—nothing. Not even a proper church building! How can you worship without one? That was the situation. So I asked, “God, what is Your absolute plan?” That was my only question. And immediately, God began to work, pouring abundant grace. The building wasn’t the issue. Soon, the Word movement spread to nearly 300 places. I personally went to our deaconesses’ homes and began Word movements in about thirty of them. Then people in Seoul tempted me to come to their fine churches—but I couldn’t. Not because I was so faithful, but because I had made a promise—to this place. Inside I thought, “Why are they coming now, so late?” But I stayed. Here I asked many questions, and God answered just as in Scripture, sending people for evangelism.
You must ask. We don’t know—but this question itself is prayer. If you are in hardship, ask this deeply: “What is God’s absolute plan?” Because it’s urgent, God answers quickly. He answered Joseph quickly too. Joseph, dragged away, surely asked this question—only that way could he endure. And there, he found something important.
- If you find God’s plan, you can overcome and endure.
Even if you’re in deep despair, if you’ve found God’s plan, you can win. When hope is clear, you can endure—that’s what Joseph held. And history followed. - You will feel that God is alive and answering you.
Don’t be deceived—then you’ll sense, “God is alive and answering me.” - You become a witness.
Then his family would later see and know—he became a witness.
If Joseph had gone another way, he would have perished. If he had despaired, he’d have died on the road or as a slave. “Why did this happen? What did I do wrong? Why treat me so? I want to go home.” It would be useless. In despair, you can do nothing. Joseph didn’t just hold a general covenant—he held God’s absolute plan. This is crucial. In your hardships, ask this question. The answer that comes is unlike any other—it is the answer of re-creation. There’s no other way. In that desolate wasteland, with nothing left, only re-creation’s power could make a way. This is my testimony, your testimony, and that of many witnesses. In impossible situations, only the power of re-creation can work. Joseph held that.
▣ Main: The Answer of Re-creation
1. Re-creation where the prophesied Word is fulfilled (verses 1–2)
First, what kind of answer came? Re-creation where the prophesied Word was fulfilled. When Joseph was young, God had given him the sure covenant of world evangelization. Now it began. Verse 1 records Joseph arriving in Egypt at Potiphar’s house, captain of Pharaoh’s guard—an extraordinary opportunity from God. Had Joseph not asked about God’s absolute plan, he would’ve missed it all. But in verse 2 it says, “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered.” Very important. The prophesied Word began to be fulfilled.
- Abraham (Genesis 15:6, 18:17) – God first gives the Word that will be fulfilled. Holding it firmly, the Word was fulfilled.
God said to Abraham, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) And later, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” (Genesis 18:17).
(1) God’s absolute plan for the church leaders – world evangelization.
God gives the Word that will be fulfilled—so hold the absolute plan. Every church leader here is called for world evangelization. That is God’s absolute plan.
(2) God’s absolute plan for the remnants – to save the 237 nations.
God’s absolute plan for remnants is to save the 237 nations.
(3) God’s absolute plan for the multiethnic peoples here – to save the 5000 tribes.
The multiethnic believers here have God’s absolute plan to save the 5000 tribes. Holding this firmly, the Word is being fulfilled—now.
- When Joseph was suffering, he prayed and held to God’s Word—world evangelization—and this was the day of fulfillment (Genesis 37:1–11).
When his mother died, in deep sorrow, Joseph prayed and received God’s Word. For a child, losing a mother is the hardest thing. A baby can grow without a father, but not without a mother. Benjamin was fine because he never knew his mother—she died when he was born. But Joseph knew, and that pain could have ruined him. Many lose their mind, even take their life from such trauma. But Joseph was different. Through his parents’ prayers and the covenant, Joseph held God’s Word precisely: “The sun, moon, and stars bowed before me.” That was world evangelization. This was the day it began to be fulfilled. When you face hardships, recognize them rightly—it is the day God’s Word is fulfilled. - Holding the absolute plan, he rose above his brothers’ level and the slave market’s level.
He rose above his brothers’ level, above the slave market’s level—so he could overcome. Even as a slave in the captain’s house, he surpassed that level.
※ Rise above that level. Hold the covenant that will be fulfilled. It will surely be fulfilled.
Remnants, remember this—rise above your level and hold the covenant that will be fulfilled. It may look like nothing, but that’s everything. It surely fulfills.
I experienced it. My family was strange because we believed in Jesus. Relatives persecuted us, saying our father died because of our faith—that we were cursed. My mother stood firm: “I have raised four children by faith in God. You never helped me, but God did.” One older relative agreed, softening the atmosphere. I just watched as a child. Later, God truly worked—those idolatrous relatives fell into strange ruin, while our family alone was set apart for world evangelization. The covenant is fulfilled. For Joseph, that time had come—and it didn’t end there.
2. Re-creation where the Word transcending time and space is fulfilled (verse 2)
Second, the power of the Word transcending time and space began to be fulfilled. The first was the prophesied covenant. The Word you hold will be fulfilled—how? By the power that transcends time and space. Verse 2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph… and his master saw that the Lord was with him.” Potiphar saw it.
- The power to embrace and transcend the field appears.
A greater answer follows—you receive power to embrace and transcend your field. - The history where the throne, God’s kingdom, and the works of God’s kingdom are fulfilled begins.
Simply put, the works of the throne and the kingdom of God begin to be fulfilled. Believe it. - Do not be deceived.
Even in hardship, I refused to be deceived, even if some thought me arrogant. You must not be deceived or become like them. Even if you live among beggars, if you become like one, you are one. Remnants, remember this. Just because your family is poor doesn’t mean you must be poor. Don’t be deceived. Even if your environment is bad, don’t be deceived by it.
In America, I said, “Do not assimilate into America. Adapt, but do not assimilate—otherwise, you cannot evangelize America.” There are churches that worship with us because their pastors are absent. In Gwangyang, and others, even overseas, some who face hardship and have nowhere else to go join our services through video. That’s why we adjust our 1st and 2nd services to them. Across the nation, over a hundred places worship with us now. May this grace reach them—the time when God’s Word is fulfilled.
3. Re-creation where the Word showing a firm future is fulfilled (verses 3–5)
Third, even more important: re-creation where the Word revealing a sure future was fulfilled. Simply put, the prophesied Word was fulfilled; when it’s fulfilled, it transcends time and space; and now it was showing the future.
- The unbeliever Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph and made him prosper in everything (verse 3).
Verse 3 says, “His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” That is the third blessing you must receive. You may think you’re merely enduring suffering, but unbelievers will see that God is with you. There is no greater blessing than that. - Potiphar saw that the Lord protected Joseph and gave him grace to make him household manager (verse 4).
Verse 4 says, “Joseph found favor in his eyes.” God can grant grace even through unbelievers. Why? Because no one else could help Joseph. If he became sick, no one would care. If he fell into despair, no one would help. Only the Lord, invisibly by the Holy Spirit, protected him—and Potiphar saw it. Though an unbeliever, he showed favor. He made Joseph household manager, saying, “You are in charge of everything I own.” Joseph was no longer just a slave—the captain of the guard entrusted his entire estate to him. - The Lord blessed all that belonged to Potiphar for Joseph’s sake (verse 5).
Verse 5 says, “The Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.” “For Joseph’s sake.” Even one evangelist brings blessing. For Joseph’s sake—likewise, for your sake. It says God blessed even the fields. That means even the soil, the crops, were blessed. Everything—because of Joseph. Be assured of this.
Remnants, no matter how hard things get, it’s okay—just hold to God’s absolute plan. Then the prophesied Word will be fulfilled, transcending time and space. Even if you’re abroad and alone, it fulfills there. Parents may pray in Korea while the child is in America, yet God works there. Jacob prayed in Israel, but God’s Word worked in Joseph.
▣ Conclusion_ Potiphar entrusted all he owned to Joseph, seeing three things (verse 6)
In conclusion, verse 6 says, “He left everything he owned in Joseph’s care.” Everything—not some things. That means Potiphar saw three things in Joseph.
- God was with him – WITH.
He saw that God was with Joseph. - God was with him where he was – Immanuel.
He saw that wherever Joseph was, God was with him. - God was with him in everything he did – Oneness.
He saw that in all Joseph did, God was with him.
That’s what we call WITH, IMMANUEL, and ONENESS. Potiphar saw that power.
Soccer player Son Heung-min is a man of faith. His father taught him well: “Build a solid foundation.” After games, he greets the other players—few do that. Even opposing players ask to take pictures with him. He already has the strength to overcome the field.
※ You must recreate the field. When you hold God’s absolute plan, the Word works.
Remnants, remember—you must recreate the field. Don’t ask other questions. When you hold God’s absolute plan, the Word works.
I once told this story: In the village of Ungcheon, there was a man I knew well. He wasn’t educated, quite poor, and seemed simple. He had no clear job—he did errands for others, like a village servant. People called him for odd jobs, gave him food for payment. But though he didn’t say much, he had something—the strongest faith in the village. Others thought, “He’s weak, so he just relies on church.” No. Even the children knew his name. He had three sons, all with the covenant. They never felt ashamed of their father; they respected and honored him deeply. They said, “Our father made us children of God.” Among them, one became a general—the first from the village. Another became a doctor, the youngest a judge. All three had noble professions. Now, during village feasts, they seat that deacon at the head table, out of respect and fear of his sons! Before, people called him to sweep garbage; now they escort him to the best seat. And yet, he and his children remain faithful. Restore the blessing of re-creation.
Prayer. God, we thank You. Let us, like Joseph, enjoy the blessing of re-creation wherever we go. Let us see Your absolute plan in every crisis and become witnesses of the fulfillment of Your Word. Let this week’s Word bring works of life wherever we go. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.