The faith coming from living by truth is the secret to happiness
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Manmin News
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 12140 |
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September 06, 2005 |
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 Deacon Jaekwon Ha
(Chonju Manmin Branch Church, Representative of Tongpu Gas Station)
"Father, my life is like a dream!" Each midnight, we finish a day and receive a new day. At that time I kneel down and give thanks in prayer, for the grace and love of God is so great to me.
Though I enjoyed financial abundance after I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ
After I finished my military service, I attended Manmin Joong-ang Church, but my mother died suddenly and I had to serve my father who was left alone in a rural area. I worked in the petroleum business until the May of 2000, and I started a gas station on the advice of my friend. I got a big loan and opened the station, but I could not buy gas at all because I did not have enough money. The only one I could rely on was God the Father. One day two gentle men dropped at my gas station, and I served them politely. One of them was manager of branch bank.
He said to me, "Sir, call at my branch bank!" God moved his heart and I was able to get a special loan with his help and overcome my crisis. Many people came to my gas station to fill their cars with gas and I was very busy with my business because it was my first experience with it. That winter had gone and when next spring came, I paid off all my debts.
I failed to pray and felt exhausted
I moved my gas station into the Jungeup City and became busier. Because of a busy life, I could not attend the Manmin branch church but another church next to my house for about 3 years. Finally, I stopped praying and violated the holy Sabbath - In the morning I attended the service but in the afternoon I opened my station.
I looked back at my past life and missed the words of life. The pastor ministering Chonju Manmin Church and its workers did not forget my family but steadfastly cared for us. The pastor advised us to attend the 12th Two-week Special Revival Meeting. I thought that was the last chance that would be given to me, and I knew that I should return back to the Lord. I firmly made up my mind to turn from strayed life, thoroughly change my life, and live a steadfast life in faith.
Recovering the first love for the Lord at the Revival
In May, 2005, as soon as I stepped in the sanctuary of Chonju Manmin Church to attend the 12th revival, tears welled up and fell from my eyes. I felt as if God the Father said to me, "Son, Good job!" and embraced me like the father welcoming the prodigal son. My hungry soul became content with the spiritual messages preached by Rev. Dr. Lee. I thoroughly repented of my past life with the firm determination to change.
More thankfully, when I received Rev. Dr. Lee's prayer through satellite TV on the first day of the revival meeting, I experienced miraculous healing and God's answer. I was healed of troubles in ears and my second son of severe atopic dermatitis.
We met the living God again at the revival meeting and began to attend Chonju Manmin Church. From that time on my life turned brisk, my exhausted heart changed to become full of hope and happiness, and I finally recovered the first love for the Lord.
Experiencing the power of God through Muan's sweet water
I was interested in planting and taking care of trees, and one day I purchased pine trees at a lower price than ever due to the grace of God. Pine trees are easily subject to damages from insects, so they require spraying insecticides on a regular basis. But I did not spray insecticides but instead Muan sweet water on them. The pine trees were not harmed by any insects and grew up well.
While treating the pine trees at my farm, I tuned up the volume of Rev. Dr. Lee's sermon tapes or graceful praises tapes so that the trees could hear them. I hope that when we build the Grand Sanctuary, I will be able to landscape and design around the Grand Sanctuary with my pine trees.
God blessed my business, and my gas station kept prospering. At first, my family attended the church but I let my workers open the gas station on Sunday. It is not easy to close the gas station on Sundays.
However, through Exodus 20:8-11, I learned that I was supposed to let my workers rest on the Sabbath day to keep it holy, and acted on it with faith. I first fasted three days and explained to my regular guests. And since last March, none of us, including my employees, worked on Sunday and I kept the Lord's Day holy. God the Almighty blessed us and our profits did not diminish.
Many businessmen in the gas retailing business complained of the reduction in sales and diminished profit margins. But my gas station became prosperous, and gained many more clients. How thankful!
Giving the offerings for the sanctuary construction
These days I am very happy. I pick up many brothers and sisters living in the Jungeup City to attend Chonju Manmin Church on Sundays. Every time I feel thankful because I become the feet of those who long to hear the word of life of the Lord.
I had a dream of dedicating the temple of God to Him. I accomplished that dream through Chonju Manmin Church and was so happy. My wife, three children and I vowed to give the special offerings for sanctuary construction so that we could expand and move out of Chonju Manmin church to another place. That week God gave us special blessing and we could give the offerings to the Father.
"Our Father is faithful!" On the 12th of June, we celebrated the 11th anniversary of Chonju Manmin Church and conducted the entrance service at the new site. I am so grateful for dwelling in the love of God the Father and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through my senior pastor.
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