Give Justice!

 

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the right of 

the oppressed and the destitute” (Psalm 82:3, NLT).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

During this season of spring, the season of hope, I mean, the season of Christ’s Resurrection, I was so caught up with the word “justice” because everyone was talking about it. “Justice!” Isn’t that wonderful if the justice will truly prevail? However, the more we talk about it, the more the world looks like moving backward with cruel wars among nations and sharp divisions among people in the nation. We are wondering why?

 

Now, we know that we are not the only one wondering about it because, several thousand years ago, Asaph wrote a song about justice like this… 

 

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the right of 

the oppressed and the destitute” (Psalm 82:3, NLT).

 

But, at the end of his song, he asked God to do something.

 

“Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you” 

(Psalm 82:8, NLT). 

 

In other words, he was looking for the day of judgement when he talked about justice which means the day of a very sharp division between the righteous and the wicked for reward and punishment. Sounds harsh though to certain degree… truly justice cannot happen without judgement. However, it is ironic. We tend to disdain judgement as we value justice. But, is that possible?

 

Anyway, a question comes: who is the judge? We know that, depending on whom the judge is, the world can find the true peace and joy or total chaos and destruction, I mean depending on what we are looking for: my will be done on earth or God’s will be done on earth. Is that true to you all?

 

About 600 years before Christ, Israel people were trying to bring “their will be done on earth” instead of “God’s will be done on earth.” They became stubborn refusing to listen to God but God continued to call them back sending prophets to save them. However, they did not listen. Then, Israel fell and people were deported to Babylon as captives. 

 

Prophet Ezekiel brought God’s message to them in Babylon. Ironically, people wanted justice for their nation, the message of hope and comfort; however, God’s message was about the judgement. People did not received it well at first but as they realized that “God is the true judge,” God’s message began to change from judgement to the message of comfort and hope, a message of spring, I mean people were able to see the message of hope in Babylon!

 

One day, Ezekiel was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with dry bones scattered everywhere across the ground. Then the spirit of the Lord asked him, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” What do you think? Could those dry bones become living people again? According to the book of Ezekiel, it did so.

 

“Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. 

The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons… 

Then skin formed to cover their bodies… and breath 

came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their 

feet-a great army!” (Ezekiel 37:7, 8 & 10, NLT).

 

It was like what happened on the day of Pentecost two thousand years ago in Jerusalem. And it was the beginning of God’s true justice prevailing starting from the church as the believers carried the word of God for eternal judgement and justice. 

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, do you feel like a dry bone in the valley? Then, would you be a part of this great army with the power of the Holy Spirit from this month so that God’s justice truly prevail among us beginning from me, from our family, from our church and from our community? 

 

So, in this month of May, a season of spring, I would like to invite you to join us for this very special journey of dry bones coming to alive for God’s justice. Join us! 

 

Grace and Peace,  

Pastor Kyochul

The Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings!

 

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing 

in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” 

(Malachi 4:2, NLT).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

Now, it is so obvious that the length of daylight is getting longer each day. Which means, spring is truly here! So, I feel much lighter, brighter, and cheerful. Over a month ago, we began our forty days of Lenten Journey, I mean our spiritual journey, with our neighboring Methodist churches gathering every Wednesday evening for worship and fellowship. It was a wonderful journey together; however, some of us had to drive around forty to fifty miles at night in darkness watching for deer on the country road. And sometimes, there was snow when we drove in darkness. We were very hesitant to go out at first. But now, it is much brighter and we feel much safer when we drive back home from worship in the evening. Wow! It is the power of daylight! Can you feel it?

 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, 

because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12b, NLT).

 

So through our Lenten journey last month in darkness, we truly experienced the power of light as we walked with Jesus because Jesus is the light of the world and we followed him as he led us! Is that true to you all? However, do you know that we are not the only one!

 

Many years ago, there was a young man named David. Later on, he became a king of Israel. However, before he became a king, there was a powerful king named Saul. But as David became more famous than the king Saul in the nation, he did not like it, I mean he hated David. So he tried to kill this young David with all his power.

 

Wow! For David, his life was like walking in darkness as he was chased by those powerful men in the nation. Every day was like standing in front “life or death.” However, one day, he was able to sing this song to the Lord when the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.

 

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength… You light a lamp for me. 

The Lord my God lights up my darkness” (Psalm 18:1 & 28, NLT).

 

Which means, he was not discouraged in darkness because God was always there like a lamp that lights up his darkness, I mean, every moment of his life. No wonder why God made him the most powerful king of Israel! Why? Because he was always walking with the light, I mean led by the light even in darkness so that he felt safe and secure in confidence! No fear! That is the life in the light!

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, spring is here and the length of daylight is longer than darkness now. We feel much lighter, we feel much safer, and we feel much cheerful. However, in some part of our life, are we still experiencing some deep darkness in fear or some discouragements? 

 

In this season, God truly touches us with the Sun of righteousness and brings us the life of healing and encouragement through our risen Lord Jesus Christ. So now in this new month of April, we will confidently walk in the light and sing like a king David as we follow Jesus who overcame even the darkness of death for us as our light. I would like to invite you to join our new journey with this light. Join us! 

 

Grace and Peace,  

Pastor Kyochul

Purify me!

 

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow”(Psalm 51:7, NLT)

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

One day, very early in the morning, as I dreamed of preparing for the month of March, I heard the sound of spring, I mean the raindrops tapping on the window right above my head. So, what did I do? I woke up and took my car out of the garage. Do you know why? Because, in my dream, I heard the prayer of my dirty car covered with salty and muddy marks, “Wash me! Wash me! Wash me! I am too dirty!” And it worked! In a couple of hours, this thirteen year old car looked very clean like a brand new, believe it or not. However, did spring come? Oh no! Not yet! 

 

Anyway, it is very important to clean before we eat, before we go to bed, before we wear a new cloth. Why? Because it keeps us from all harmful bacteria and viruses, in other words, it is the most important way to keep our body healthy. Also it looks good when we are clean!

 

Some years ago, I happened to live around old mine towns. Can you guess what the most famous food around that town was? It was a pasty. It is made by placing an uncooked filling, typically meat and vegetables, onions and for some tradition, Rutabaga, on one half of a flat shortcrust pastry circle, folding the pastry in half to wrap the filling in a semicircle and crimping the curved edge to form a seal before baking, then, over an hour baking in the oven until the crust is golden brown. Sounds yummy!

 

It was a portable lunch for the miners some years ago. However, when the meal time came in the mine, deep under the ground, they were not able to clean their hands before eating. So, they hold the pasty and eat it… actually, they throw away the thick wide pastry edges after eating the rest of their meal… to avoid being poisoned by the mine dust from their fingers.

 

They were not able to clean their hands; however, they were able to eat clean food! What smart eating! How about our hearts? We are not able to clean our hearts by ourselves in our spiritual journey to the kingdom eternal, are we? So no wonder why the psalmist continually prayed like this because he was not able to do that by himself.

 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” 

(Psalm 51:10, NLT).

 

It was a prayer that David had after he realized how sinful and dirty he was in front of God. So what happened? God heard his prayer and forgave his sin and renewed his life so he is still considered as a great king in the history of Israel or in the Bible despite his sinfulness or dirtiness.

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have now entered into the season of Lent, forty days of preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago. During those days, we spend our time for praying, fasting, studying and almsgiving, letting God clean our heart and renew our spirit because it is the only God can do! No wonder why the end of the whole book of Psalm is filled with the word “Hallelujah” with thanksgiving!

 

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. 

Give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4, NLT).

 

This is our vision of this season going through forty days of Lent as we let God clean our heart so that we can fully celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with that song of Hallelujahs! Join us!

 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor Kyochul

Rise Up My Darling! Come Away with Me, My Fair One!"

 

“Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” 

(Song of Songs 2:10, NLT).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

It is still all white outside, I mean snow covered! Is that strange? No! Because it is still winter season! However, wherever I go now, it is all about pink and red covered inside, I mean stores and TV, internet commercials all over the places! Why? Because it is a Valentine season, a season of candies and chocolates. No wonder why the Valentine season is in winter because it is so sweet that melt easily in warm weather? It only works for Wisconsin though, not in Florida. Anyway, do you have your valentine this season? I feel like I become a 21st century romanticist in February.

 

Some years ago, I happened to hear a Neapolitan song, “O Sole Mio” from the radio. I think it was in my middle school years. And I fell in love with it. So I sang it all the time, “Che bella cosa na jurnata ‘e sole…” without knowing what it meant because it was all Italian. Then, later on, I learned that the song was talking about love: It is a beautiful thing when the sun is there; however, it is even more beautiful when the true love is also present!” something like that. True love! It make sense. So I decided to sing this song if I found my true love in the future. Then what happened? I forgot. Why? Because I found more love songs, I mean more beautiful and amazing love songs! This is one of them.

 

“Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. 

My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, 

looking through the window, peering into the room” (Song of Songs 2:8-9, NLT).

 

Peering into the room? Believe it or not, this is a part of the bible, in the Old Testament. We call it Song of Songs or Song of Solomon. This is truly a love song and very romantic which means that God values romantic love and the union between a committed husband and wife for a fruitful life, I mean having children out of that love. This book actually expresses the beauty of this love as God intended it. 

 

So, love does not end there coming from a far and watching behind the window, but inviting to join!

 

“Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” (Song of Songs 2:13b, NLT).

 

He sang! Because it was the reason why he came! Then, how did she respond? 

 

“My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. 

Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is 

pleasant, and your face is lovely” (Song of Songs 2:14, NLT).

 

He smiled of course! So, did she join him? I think you know the answer if you know what that love is.

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, have you ever had that kind of love in your life? Or dreamed of that kind of love? Of course we have! But how come?

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever 

believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).

 

Sounds very familiar. Isn’t it? God always sings his love songs for us like that. God is watching us every moment of our life coming from a far because He cares and because He loves us. However, he also invites us to join Him in this romantic month of February. 

 

“Come, Follow me!” (Matthew 4:19b, NLT).

 

No wonder why those fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James and John two thousand years ago followed him dropping everything that they had because they found the true love, I mean for the eternal one. In this month of February, Jesus also invites us to join him. So what is your answer?

 

“Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song!” (Psalm 108:2, NLT).

 

See you all on Sunday in the romantic month of February!

 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor Kyochul

Heralds of Light, Speed Away!

“To the millions that are lying in darkness, Heralds of light, speed away, 

to the souls that long to hear of the Savior, carry the bright gospel ray. 

Heralds of light, speed away, carry the bright gospel ray, dark the night of sin, 

let the sunlight in, Heralds of light, speed away! (Lewis Edgar Jones, 1865-1936)

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

It is quite a new feeling we have as we step into the New Year 2023. I feel like I am a whole new person! Is that true to you all? No?

 

One day, I strangely awoke with a song that I used to sing when I was in Korea some years ago. Then, for a certain reason, that song just stayed in my head all day long, “To the millions that are lying in darkness, Heralds of light, speed away, Heralds of light, speed away!” I did not know why and I did not know how it happened. And I could not get rid of it from my brain all day long. It was like what God was speaking to me on that day for this New Year reminding me “You are the herald of light, wake up!” Who am I? I am a good Methodist. “Amen!” So, I responded. However, not just me, but we are the Heralds of light, aren’t we?

 

Anyway, not long ago, someone shared a story about how she overcame the whole darkness and heaviness in her and upon her after she lost her job, a very high paying position. Then, she lost her appetite and even her motivation to do anything. So she didn’t do anything for several months just lying in her bed and watching TV all day. It was like she was in a deep dark pit. 

 

Of course, she did not like what she was doing all day long and she wanted to get out of that; however, “I could not,” she said. Then, one day, on the TV screen, there was a historic rocket launching, I mean, a space shuttle counting down. The main engines started and…  “Five, four, three, two, one and lift up.” 

 

The space shuttle left with a roaring sound from the platform to the space. So powerful! It impressed her deeply. So in a moment, she decided to count down to launch from her bed. And guess what? It worked. So she became a motivational speaker sharing how she got out of her bed of depression and despair and fear. By just counting down for five seconds! Very interesting story, isn’t it?  

 

We know how joyfully we celebrated Christmas or New Year’s Day or any special day in our life that makes us super exciting, it does not always stay long. And there is always a time of deep sorrow and depression and despair losing any appetite or motivation of our life like her. If it is our case, we need to get out of it right away because we have a place to go, don’t we?

 

Somewhat, it led me to touch the deep inside of my spiritual journey with God. I am called to live truthfully, faithful, purposefully, and fruitfully for the kingdom of God eternal as a child of God because of the image that we have in us, the image of God. Am I in deep sleep or dormant spiritually from there due the busyness of this season? I mean, physically busy but spiritually dormant. It is also possible, isn’t? Or maybe from the hardship of my life or from the fear of unknown?

 

About twenty seven hundred years ago, Israel was in deep depression, hopelessly, because they went through the dark days of the civil war between Israel and Judah, north and south, then the destruction of Israel by Assyria and more. A prophet Isaiah delivered God’s message of judgement in the near future. However, God also woke them up through him,

 

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. 

For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you” (Isiah 60:1, NLT).

 

It sounds like a spiritual countdown to launch a space shuttle to reach the space, doesn’t it?

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, where are you now as we enter into the New Year 2023? And, do you know where to go, I mean, our spiritual destination for this year? And are we awake now or still in bed spiritually? It is time to lift up! Let us countdown together with those words from Isaiah,

 

“Arise! Let your light shine for all to see!”

 

So now, I’d like to invite you to come and join us in this month of January to get out of where you are and experience the true joy of God as a church together! God will guide our ways as we arise and shine! Isn’t that exciting? So now, join us!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kyochul

For to Us a Child is born!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be 

upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!” (Isiah 9:6, ESV).

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

As we enter into the new Christian year through the Advent season, it seems like we have a huge competition going on in this world so called World Cup 2022. Quite an existing world event, isn’t it? So, many people around the world raising their voices of joy or vice versa as a result of each games. I am pretty sure that many people are praying for winning of their teams or countries. 

 

But I am just wondering if all Christians are praying for the victory of their own countries or teams, what is going to be God’s answer because no matter how hard people pray, there will be always winners or losers? Then, where is the living God when our team loses and do we still see hope when our team loses? But here is the truth.

 

“But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven” (Psalm 11:4, NLT).

 

The Lord still rules from heaven? What’s that mean? When there was a severe drought in Israel about twenty six hundred years ago, one day, a prophet Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Looks like a loser, wasn’t he! 

 

Then, he asked his servant, “Hey, do you see any sign of rain from the sea in the sky?” So his servant went out and looked. However, there’s nothing! Then Elijah prayed and asked him again and again and again because there was no sign of rain at all. Looks like a loser again! However, finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea!” What? The size of a man’s hand? Looks like a loser again! However, not long after that, the sky turned black with clouds and a heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm. Wow! Victory!

 

I am pretty sure that Elijah’s servant might not think that there would be rainstorm when he just saw a very tiny little cloud about the size of a man’s hand from afar. It was truly trivial, meaningless and ignorable; however, for Elijah, it was a sign of the end of the drought. Why? Because he prayed and he knew that God still rules from heaven!

 

So he told a king Ahab in faith, “Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you! (1 King 18:44b, NLT).

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, have we seen any signs of a tiny little cloud, the size of our hand in our life as we begin this special month of December, I mean, as we encounter with the time of many forms of drought from the hopelessness that we experience around the world; from the uncertainty that the world shows us right in front of us; or from the confusion that the kings and lords of the world brought us into our life? So what do we do? We will pray like a terrific winner, Elijah. Why? Because sooner or later, we will see a tiny little cloud in a manger, I mean, a powerless child in a lowly place who makes everything anew. His name is Immanuel, God with us! We will see tat this tiny baby will grow with us to fulfill the promise of God.

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes 

in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV).

 

So now, I’d like to invite you to come and join us in this month of December to see the little cloud in the sky, I mean, to meet with the tiny little baby Jesus in a manger, through our prayers. We will truly see how that tiny little baby grow in us to bring the newness of the whole world! Isn’t that exiting? So now, join us!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kyochul

Be Thankful in All Circumstances!

 

“Let everything that breathes sing praise to the Lord!” 

(Psalm 150:6, NLT)

 

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Now, we have only two months left for this year 2022, November and December. However, in the Christian Calendar, we are running toward the end of the year in this month of November. How come? It’s because the Christian new year begins with the preparation of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem through the Advent season right after Thanksgiving and it ends at Christ's return. It means, for us, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Christ the King Sunday, is the last week before the new beginning. 

 

Are we ready for that, the new beginning? However, before we ask that question, I want to ask this question first. “Are we ready to finish this year’s race well?” 

 

Some years ago, when I had Army training in my early twenties, we had to march for about 20 hours without sleeping with the full combat gear. There were lots of ups and downs during those hours, I mean uphills and downhills; however, the most hardest moment was the time when I saw the entrance of the basecamp from afar ahead of me. I remember that suddenly my two legs turned to be like a jellyfish as soon as I knew that I was almost there. I actually don’t remember how I finished that, especially for the last five minutes. I think I dragged my feet. And I finished it. Hallelujah!

 

Anyway, for the Christian soldiers who fought the good fight to bless the world, it is truly a waiting game because it was Jesus’ promise to come back and reign over us with his love and compassion, justice and peace. It has been over two thousand years so far after we heard from him like this.

 

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay 

all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12, NLT).

 

We endured the hot summer sun of hardships, we overcame the fear of darkness and uncertainty, and we broke through the mountains of challenges, fixing our eyes on this promise holding the power through him in faith.

 

As I finish the last month of this year’s Christian race, the Apostle Paul who stood boldly in front of the Roman Emperor two thousand years ago came to my mind. He truly wanted to bless those with the blessings that he received from Jesus. Even in his last moment in the prison before being persecuted, he wrote about how he ran the race.

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 

(2 Timothy 4:7, NRSV). 

 

First of all, he fought the GOOD fight, then he FINISHED it! And last of all, he KEPT his faith! But how can we fight the good fight like Paul?; How can we finish this year’s race like Paul?; And how can we keep the faith like Paul? 

 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is

God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT). 

 

That was how he ran the race because he belonged to Jesus!

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we belong to Jesus and we will finish our race this year through giving thanks to God with grateful hearts like Paul so that God can make our faith alive in our new beginning!

 

So now, I’d like to invite you to come and join us in this month of November to finish the race well, in the season of thanksgiving. We will fight the good fight, finish the race and keep our faith for our new beginning! So now, Join us!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kyochul