NOVEMBER 02 Wed.

Pastoral Ministry and Disciples' Experiences

Acts 4:12 / "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Hymn #413 When Peace, like a River, Attendeth My Way (Unified Hymn 470)

You must have the important experience of meeting God and relaying answers to others. Because you've lost hold of the experience of meeting Him, you aren't able to enjoy blessings. However, this experience is on the opposite side. What does it mean to be "on the opposite side"? The Israelites were sent as slaves, but the answer existed within that. Although you think that you must be freed from slavery, there's no point in being freed as long as you're separated from God and your spirit is dead. Because the 7 Remnants knew this, they were chosen. Furthermore, Samuel and David realized that wars didn't continue because of Philistia; instead, they were caused by Israel's mistakes. Like this, both the experience of meeting God and answers are on the opposite side. Starting now, you must know and enjoy these facts.

1. The Disaster of Idols (1 Kings 19:1~21)
The age of the disaster of idols came. However, King Ahab; Jezebel; and the 850 false prophets weren't the problem. Rather, within that situation, Elijah made the 850 false prophets kneel down and gained important answers at Mt. Horeb.

2. The Age of Captivity (Isaiah 6:1~13)
Isaiah saw the God of the throne. He also saw angels and seraphs that moved with the Word. Within that, he held onto the covenant of the Remnant in advance. In the end, those who knew and held onto Isaiah's prophecy became witnesses even though they were taken as captives to Babylon.

3. The Age of Colonization (Persecution)
Israel became a colony of Rome, and the Early Church constantly received persecution. However, answers existed there. All the answers of the Early Church at that time of persecution. For example, through the people who were scattered because of Stephen's persecution, the Church at Antioch was established. Although you may be afraid of persecution and problems, within those, you must be able to enjoy the reality that God is with you.

In Matthew 16:20, why did Jesus warn the disciples, who confessed that He was Christ, not to tell anyone? Jesus did that because the blessings that would be gained after were even more tremendous.

[Covenantal Prayer] Dear God, please open my eyes to see Your great blessings and answers that are on the opposite side. Help me not to be afraid and or become deceived by persecutions or problems; instead, help me discover the things that belong to You and enjoy them. In doing so, may I stand as the witness before those who are in the midst of hardships and conflicts. In Jesus Christ's name, I pray.Amen.