God-pleasing Faith
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July 30, 2017 |
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 Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
On July 25, 1982, nine adults and four children offered up Manmin Church's opening service in the 356ft2 sanctuary. Since the opening, we have walked only by faith. We have hoped for everything with faith and pleased God with works of faith. And now, this church has become a mega-sized church that has approximately 11,000 branch and associative churches. With what kinds of faith have we pleased God?
1. Faith of Abraham the Forefather of Faith
In the providence of human cultivation, God intended to set Abraham as the forefather of faith. One day, He said to Abraham, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you." And He gave him a promise, saying, "I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing." When God gave this command, Abraham was seventy-five years old and had no child to carry on his family name. But without any hesitation, He left for the strange land (Genesis 12).
When it comes to the promise of a son, he believed it, not in his own thoughts, plan, and way. But he just hoped for it with faith and rejoiced with thanks. When he was in trials, he did not doubt the promise nor became impatient. He unchangingly believed it and joyfully waited. At the age of 100, he finally gained Isaac, the son of the promise (Genesis 21).
Meantime, God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Even at this command, Abraham's faith did not shake whatsoever because he considered that God would be able to raise people even from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Because he believed the faithful and almighty God, he could see everything with eyes of faith.
When I prayed to open the church, I obeyed the Word of God and received the blessing of Jehovahjireh as Abraham did. He guided me to rely only on Him, not receiving any help from anybody, including relatives. After the opening, I underwent many trials but I have never said, "It's impossible" and never doubted God's promise given to us. We have unchangingly walked by faith, which enabled this church to be set high above all nations.
2. Faith of Moses the Leader of Exodus
God called Moses as the leader of Exodus in order to deliver the Israelites from afflictions in Egypt and lead them to Canaan the land flowing with milk and honey. When they stayed in the rough wilderness after the Exodus, they complained and grudged against Moses. They complained when there was no food and when there was no water, and even they grudged saying Moses lifted himself up. In these situations, Moses only prayed to God with faith.
Well before the Exodus the Israelites experienced many incidents to increase their faith. Through the Ten Plagues that hit Egypt, they were given faith and the living God was shown to Egyptians. After the Exodus, the Red Sea was parted. When there was no water, they complained again. But water came out of the rock when Moses struck it as God told him to. And a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire protected and guided them in the wilderness by day and night. However, they praised God only when they saw His works and they soon forgot and continued complaining and grumbling.
Nevertheless, Moses had unchanging faith in the faithful God who would lead them to the land of Canaan. That is why he could intercede for the people even putting his life at risk when God said He would destroy the Israelites and make of Moses a great nation (Exodus 32:32). He prayed every moment so that the people could enter Canaan with faith, and in the answers God showed amazingly powerful works to them as evidence of God so that they could believe.
Similar trials were also given to me. There have been many good and faithful members, but some members forsook the grace of God and left church. Some of them even disturbed the kingdom of God and stood against me. I spent many days and nights with tears and in groaning repenting on their behalf because they were going to Hell.
Every single one of the souls is more precious than my life, and I wanted to lead all of them to New Jerusalem the best dwelling place in Heaven. I prayed to God to give them faith and strength to act upon the Word. Then, God gave me greater and greater power and blessed the church with revival and many other blessings.
3. Faith of the Shepherd and the Church
When the church opened, God promised to let us accomplish the world mission and build the Grand Sanctuary, and He said that He would set this church high above all nations. In fact, it sometimes seemed impossible in some incidents, but we did not doubt it and our faith did not change.
As the church grew, we sometimes met with difficulties because some workers and members failed to show faith and used human thoughts or ways. Although we did not have anything prepared for the world mission, I believed and trained workers.
Even when the church was in unjust sufferings and hardship, I believed that countless people would come to this church. I hoped that they would become God's true children and fulfill the qualification of entering New Jerusalem. I believed the Word of God and tried my best every moment to find the good will of God and follow it.
As a result, God blessed us to conduct overseas crusades and to awaken people in the spiritually strategic points of the world with the holiness gospel and His mighty power. Even until now God has provided them with the Word and power through the handkerchief healing meetings and guided many people to salvation (Acts 19:11-12).
GCN and the literary media ministry in multiple languages cover every area including 'blind areas' around the world without failure. World Christian Doctors Network proves the power of God manifested in healing cases based on medical data. Manmin International Seminary awakens pastors and leaders all around the world and renews many churches. Meantime, Manmin members increased their faith and have been changed into people who completely believe God.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 'believing' indicates that you build trust relationship with God as His children. I pray in the name of the Lord that you will have God-pleasing faith and accomplish the good will of God through your life.
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