After giving offerings for charity and mission with faith
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Manmin News
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 12241 |
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March 01, 2005 |
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 Deacon Sungkyu Park
(Representative of Kangdong Real Estate Company, 5-20th Parish)
Indulgence, Wandering, Failure, and Loneliness
I failed in my attempt to enter Seoul National University. I felt very sorry for my family and relatives, and my disappointment finally drove me into indulgence in the world and wandering. I planned to satisfy their expectation with a prosperous business and abundant wealth.
But my businesses – restaurant, beerhouse, and several companies – continuously failed and debts had continuously increased. I suffered from my family's abandonment, too much drinking, and my intemperate life style. I also suffered from mental anguish and a loneliness that continually oppressed me. My life had come crashing down around me without knowing any end.
A glittering light and liberation from all pains
In December 1998, I was guided to Manmin Joong-ang Church by a friend of mine. I was moved by the message of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee and from that time I have felt a warm wind blowing into my body a few times and experienced all the fatigue departing when he prayed for the sick at the podium. Witnessing miraculous signs, wonders and healings of various diseases, I came to have big faith. Nonetheless, a part of my heart was being oppressed because of great debts that I had incurred during my period of wanderlust.
In 2001, when Rev. Dr. Lee went to a mountain for deep prayer three times, I prayed for him with two three-day periods of fasting and one seven-day fast. Meantime my faith grew and I received the blessing of entering into a real estate business with my elder brother. Through that business, I was able to pay all my debts back in just a few months. I then began to give mission offerings.
I enjoyed rest and peace in spirit and body. I was very happy. Senior pastor Rev. Dr. Lee had dedicated himself to accomplishing world evangelization mission without resting day and night. While praying about how I could repay the grace and love of God, I was determined to start my own business to serve him and help with my mission offerings
Trials for blessing and forgiveness
To pass the test for a licensed real estate agent, I received Rev. Dr. Lee's prayer and started to study for it. In 2002, I burst into the real estate agency business. It was prosperous for me and with most of income, I gave mission offerings. I even did give security money and a premium as offerings.
In March, 2003, I attended the 28-day Special Night Prayer Meeting and prayed to God that He might help me move my office into a better one. Until I attended the prayer meeting, it had seemed impossible for me to have a premium for the office returned. But, I could receive it by the grace of God. I was so thankful that I gave all the money I had received as a premium to God as an offering. After that God gave me a dream. In that dream Rev. Dr. Lee came to me and I asked him, "Senior Pastor, Where do you think I should move my office?" He clutched my hands with a smile and answered me, saying, "Kangdong!"
Immediately I obeyed and contracted on an office in Kangdong area. I hurriedly agreed on selling my office with a premium of 30 million Won (30 thousand US dollars) because I wanted to give more offerings. And I gave as offerings 20 million Won (20 thousand US dollars) that I received in advance.
However, unexpected trials began. The contracting party notified me of his cancellation in a one-sided way. He also accused me of cheating by deceiving the police, the Kangdong-gu office, and that building's owner. As a result, I had many difficulties in continuing my business and suffered from being severely pressed to pay back debts from a house mortgage, credit card loans and amortization on my car for more than nine months. In that situation I had to sleep at my office or in my car because I could not stay at home.
The contractor afflicted and harassed me that much in those ways, but I blessed him in prayer and treated him with as much goodness as I was able. Finally, through severe trials I was able to realize the cause for all my pains, and believed that through all these trials God would work for the good for me and lead me to bear beautiful fruits.
Overflowing blessings in spirit and finance
I came to realize through Rev. Lee's messages that I faced all this because I had committed acts of the sinful nature, and felt so sorry for it being reminded of Rev. Lee who had lamented for me with tears and prayed to God with heartbreaking pain. I thoroughly repented of all my sins before God, and then I received the prayer of blessing from Rev. Dr. Lee. I started a business at Chunho-dong. When I moved there, I was so poor that I had a trouble in paying for the moving expense of 40 thousand Won (40 US dollars). But God soon blessed me to give my tithe by two million Won (2 thousand US dollars).
In 2004, for two overseas crusades in Germany and Peru, I gave as many mission offerings as possible and then God gave me abundant blessings: six full-time staff members at the office and monthly tithes of five million Won (5 thousand US dollars). And later I could give the tithe of 10 million Won (10 thousand US dollars).
I cannot but confess that all of what I am and have was not from my goodness or efforts but by the grace of God the Father who listened to Rev. Dr. Lee's prayer for me and the love of my shepherd. Now I have the hope for New Jerusalem, the best dwelling place in heaven. I give all thanks and glory to God the Father and give limitless thanks to Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee who has prayed for me with loving tears to this day. Hallelujah!
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