Once the year 2020 hit, God provided a clear and thought-provoking message that was drilled into my head. I remember the unforgettable sermon that Pastor Gus prepared for our first 2020 New Year’s service on a Sunday. I thought about the sermon over and over again, but God made the sermon even more clear as I was traveling to Europe, returning to NY and serving for the YG retreat. He is still speaking to me through it even to this day.
Read MoreAt the end of 2019, I experienced the most difficult storm and I was being tested left and right. I failed many times, and I distracted myself with good grades and indulged in worldly desires. I forgot the power of God’s Love. Here’s a visual description I like to share with my brothers and sisters: “God pulled me out of the pit countless times, but I am continuously digging myself back in and I don’t know how to let go of the shovel.” I distanced myself from God’s presence and lost true joy.
Read MoreI don’t really like to share my personal life too much. I bottle up my feelings and Problems, resulting in no one knowing what I was going through. I never wanted to burden others with my problems when they already had their plate full of their own problems. Most of the time, I didn’t even realize that I was going through something. Instead, I would tell myself that it’ll get better with time and dismiss it.
Read MoreIndependent, driven, efficient, and productive; these words describe some of the traits I value. I would say I’m that classic ‘New Yorker’ who gets anxious if I think I’m not being productive of my time and energy. So when I picked up this bible verse for 2020 from the basket, it immediately made me smile out of surrender -- ‘okay fine, God, I hear you.’
Read MoreGod has been incredibly faithful all my life. Looking back on all the times He has delivered me from some of the darkest moments of my life that felt eternal, I can confidently say that God has carried me through it all. However, even after committing myself to Jesus, I was quick to walk again in the flesh. Every time I reached a new milestone, I found myself hitting an internal reset button. When I was called to repent or forgive someone, waves of doubts and bitterness quickly consumed me and as a result, I was always left feeling incomplete in my repentance and partial in His forgiveness.
Read MoreMost people today consider illness and death as a normal part of life; however, this was never God’s original intention. When the world was first created, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” It was only when sin entered the world that illness and death followed along.
Read MoreI thank God for giving me the heart and courage to share my testimony with you. May God alone be glorified through my testimony. I pray that I would not take any of His glory for myself.
Read MoreAgain and again, my heavenly father reminds me of my incompleteness without Him. How gracious is the father, that in my weakness He strengthens and completes me through Christ Jesus?
Read MoreWe live in a world of sin. No matter how hard you try to avoid and escape sin, you fall right back into it. It’s like trying to escape nature’s violent storms such as a tornado. You can try to run from it but once you get sucked in, there’s no way for you to survive with your own strength. The only way to calm the storm is through the power of Jesus Christ. We all need a savior. We all need Jesus.
Read MoreEver since I was saved, my attitude toward the world and the people around me was to accept them. Who I am, who people are, my circumstances, and my situations are just what they are. All I had to do was learn to live with it. But I’ve come to realize that accepting is completely different than wishing. I’ve always accepted my life and the circumstances I am in, but, deep inside, I wish things were different. I wish things were better.
Read MoreI just came back from the youth group winter retreat and it changed my life… literally. Every retreat I’ve gone I’ve given a testimony. Last retreat I told the youth group, my brothers and sisters, that I would try my best to talk to all of them since our youth group has been struggling with unity. I did not do anything after making this promise. While preparing for our winter retreat, pastor John asked all of us what our expectations were for retreat. I told him I wanted revival. It wasn't an expectation, but it was what I wanted for myself. Standing up on that stage, praising God while feeling so dry, was like stepping on a Lego. I felt fake and guilty about it. Sure, having revivals with the entire youth group would be great, but I know these kids. I can’t imagine it.
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Read MoreWhen I look back in the past, I realized how I failed to appreciate and respect the meaning of lent. As a Christian, I am guilty of viewing lent as a way to maintain a temporary "healthy spiritual discipline" that, in time, would remain permanent as opposed to honoring God. When we attempt to run with this fleeting hope, which stems off from our own will…we find ourselves easily discouraged, burned out, or lose interest. In essence, this dissuades us from valuing the fullness of what Jesus Christ is capable of doing in our lives.
Read MoreI had always believed myself to be a faithful Christian ever since I first met Christ. Back in high school, I spent 3-4 days a week at church. Saturday was essentially an all-day affair with morning service, church cleaning, Korean school, praise team practice, worship, fellowship and finally going home at 10 pm. When I went to college, every single day was spent at church. I went to morning service every morning and every night, I always had some sort of meeting or worship. I held multiple positions at church, and I felt so blessed and happy to serve. And then one day, I hit a wall.
Read MoreHebrews 13:8 was the verse I randomly drew on New Year’s Eve. At first, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting a verse that I immediately resonated with and stirred my heart but it just confused me more than anything. I didn’t understand the significance of this verse so I simply tucked it away in the corner of my bag.
Read MoreI experienced my first Kingdom Series this last January. Anyone who has been to Kingdom Series knows how big a deal this is. At the time, I thought nothing of it. Even though I was hearing from so many that it would be such a life-changing experience and how much I would love it, I took it very casually and honestly did not have any expectations. Even signing up for it was a very passing moment for me. I casually mentioned to a friend that I had never been to Kingdom Series and he instantly signed me up. To make sure I would go, he even paid my fee so I could not back out. I laughed it off and went on with my week.
Read MoreGrowing up as an immigrant, I always told myself I could only gain happiness from working hard. I always struggled with a sense of belonging and I still struggle with it wherever I go. I always asked God why he has placed me here in New York. I blamed him and asked him why he gave me many hardships. I asked him every night, “God, why do you want me to suffer? Why do you keep making my family suffer?”. If good people went to heaven, I thought my family at least did not have to struggle so much day to day.
Read MoreThis verse is my ultimate life motto. It is what I tell myself every single time I feel tired or drained. Although it’s difficult to remind myself of this verse consistently, I try to always remind myself of the glory that is to come. It’s not easy to fight the good fight and rejoice amidst all of the suffering and trials we face. We’re human and full of weakness, and we’re doomed to fail. That’s why God has entered our lives and gave us hope, including myself.
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