Hello friends. I was talking with a friend about the book of Revelation recently and the importance of teaching children about this book. Please read this brief article and I hope you will understand how learning this book can help your children tremendously.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/kids-revelation/
I also am forwarding an older email that I sent about Bible prophecy. Book of Revelation has so many. To be thorough and safe, I studied from about 5 or 6 different teachers when I finally studied the book of Revelation during the pandemic lockdown. I will find my recap on the resources and share them with you later. Please pray about studying the book of Revelation with your children during the summer. If they don’t want to learn it then you should do a deep dive into the book.
In my quiet time one morning, I was complaining to God about all the mayhem and growing chaos in the world and our country. Then the Holy Spirit convicted me in his firm and kind manner that I’ve enjoyed 52 years of peace and democracy in the two countries that I’ve lived in – South Korea and USA. I have been blessed and very privileged. Praise the Lord Jesus. 🙏❤️
In this devotional there are many good Bible verses and encouragements, and to keep our minds focused on eternal perspective and truths. I hope it helps you too.
https://mailchi.mp/beholdisrael/amirs-bible-bites-devotionals-11466719?e=15f99905ca
John Bevere did an excellent job of explaining the wedding ceremony and traditions during Jesus’ times. It’s very different from our modern times and even more from the tradition of my birth country, South Korea. Confucius-based culture like Korea and China have always placed women as third class citizens. Therefore birth of girls have always been seen as a burden and negative to the families. Dowry and gifts were paid to the groom and his family for the weddings. In the Jewish tradition and culture, that is not the case at all. Please hear this podcast as John Bevere and his son go deep into the wedding feast parable that Jesus Christ taught from and how it dovetails with the end times.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-john-bevere-podcast/id1744019971
FYI – John Bevere studied at Purdue University for engineering. He is a very thorough researcher. I have learned a lot from him. His wife, Lisa is a strong, beautiful, Sicilian woman and I respect her a lot too. As first generation believers, you could imagine how much they fought against each other once married. Please follow them on their podcasts because they are very open and honest about their struggles in the early years of their marriage.
Here is a good short blog post from John Bevere about how God pivoted him out of a successful career in engineering into full time ministry. As I see how happy and enthusiastic he is working with his wife and kids today, I am sure he is confident that God’s plan was far better than his own plans for his life.
Friends, please read this good article about the dangers of church hopping. I’ve been attending my church for over 14 years now and having been serving in there since the beginning. I’m limited in my freedom since my husband is not a believer but I see my limitation as an opportunity to delve deeper into my Bible studies, and to pray and intercede even more.
Please see your church as a place of refuge or your military base camp. If you don’t like what you see then you make it better; not by complaining or criticizing but by rolling up your sleeves and literally making it better by serving the church and its people. As you serve and work in the church, it’s an opportunity to learn “emotional intelligence” skills too. Many studies have shown that people with both high IQ and EQ have greater success in their careers and personal lives. Church community is a great place to make mistakes and learn from one another so that you can be a very successful and valuable person in your job and family.
Here’s an article from Uber’s CEO about learning EQ skills in college for career success.
Here is a survey by HR managers asking that Gen Z be taught “human skills” in colleges.
Before you think about leaving your church, please receive permission from God first. I see it as transferring to another military base camp. It’s a very serious transfer and so, you should carefully pray about this decision, and plan ahead by receiving wise counsel and prayers from good trusted friends and mentors before you move forward. Please don’t forfeit your EQ training by church hopping.
I like Corrie ten Boom’s advice here if you want to save it on your phone:
I’m learning and growing just like you. 🙂 Please be patient and pray for me too.
———- Forwarded message ———
Date: Tue, Apr 12, 2022 at 10:44 AM
Subject: Christian Conference on Bible Prophecy + Eternal Perspective
Hello ladies! I came across this recent leadership conference about bible prophecy. Please make the time to listen to their messages. I heard three so far and they are very current and relevant for today. I remember when I was doing an in-depth self-study on the book of Revelation during the lockdown, one teacher said this regarding the letters that Jesus wrote to the seven churches – “only those who were in the church heard the letters from Jesus”. That phrase really stood out to me. Please keep this thought always in mind and stay rooted in the church community. You must never be a lone ranger Christian. Always be in a church community group; there are so many available these days, virtually too. We must be hearing from Jesus more than ever and He still speaks to the church first and gives us the heads-up of things to come for the current generation.
https://www.calvarytucson.com/conference-handout
Currently, my Bible study group is studying the book of Hebrews together. I’ve read this book many times but it’s my first time doing an in-depth bible study. When we were discussing chapter 7, the part about Jesus Christ praying for us in Heaven really stood out to me. This TSC devotional is about Jesus praying for us, and also making us aware of Satan plotting against us. There is great safety in being in a church community. Satan goes after the lone ranger Christians since they are easy to lure away and grab. You are an easy prey if you are not in a church body.
FYI – there are different scholarly views on whether or not people who have passed away are praying for us in heaven. Since it’s only clearly documented in the scriptures that Jesus is interceding for us in heaven, I direct all my prayers and petitions towards him for maximum effect. Besides Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, so why should I go to someone else in heaven for my petitions? It feels like I’m going to a middle manager in heaven for my petitions. Why would I do that? Go straight to Jesus, the one sitting on the right hand of the Father.
Eternal Perspective Ministry has good information about these kinds of the theological subjects. The more worldwide news that I am aware of and praying about, the more I need to hear and learn about heaven so I don’t lose heart.
Eternal Perspective Ministry website by Randy Acorn.
https://www.epm.org/browse/heaven/
I generally don’t know what to do with prophetic words. I occasionally hear some famous ones and ponder their words. A well-known prophet said that this decade will be a decade of “intercession without intermission”. Since March 2020 when the pandemic lockdown started in our country, my community and prayer groups have been meeting and praying together nonstop. I haven’t even taken a break during my summers. I doubt I will take a break this summer too. Please look for and be rooted in a community group in a Bible-based and Jesus-seeking church body. Give and serve the church body where the Holy Spirit has you planted in. As you give and serve, Jesus Christ will provide and protect you and your family members too; even if they don’t want Jesus. Look at me – I give, serve and seek alone. It is not easy; it is actually very, very difficult. I’ve survived this long by filling my mind with God’s word, looking forward to heaven, and keeping an eternal perspective.
I’ve thrown a lot out there for you to listen and learn from. Please ponder and pray about all these things. Please pray for me to keep on serving my family, the church and community without losing hope, faith and love. Thank you!
Journal of Faith 