Day 11: Through the Valley (Part 1)
Today’s Message
“Through the Valley (Part 1)”
Psalm 23
We would like to thank Pastor Daniel Kwon (KCPC-DC Campus) for his message today and tomorrow.
Yesterday’s Sermon
“In the School of Suffering”
James 1:2-4
Prof. Eddie Byun, Biola University
Suffering is connected to pain. Suffering is painful, and no one likes pain! But suffering is also connected to a process. All suffering is a test of our faith. How much do we trust Him? How deep is the foundation of your faith? When we experience muscle pain, it shows us that those muscles are weak and need to be strengthened. Likewise, suffering reveals the quality of our faith and allows us to grow our “faith muscle”.
Suffering purifies our faith. Something happens to our faith in suffering – James 1:3 says that God uses it to form steadfastness in us. Suffering makes us more like Christ in hope, in love, and in character. Suffering brings us closer to Him, as we lean into Him and depend on Him. Suffering is a gift that God gives us for us to magnify Christ. It’s in times of pain that our love for God shines the brightest!
Finally, suffering is connected to a present. Blessings await the one who has passed the test! We pass the test when we choose to love Him even though we suffer, and we will receive our ultimate reward on the day of judgment.
One of the greatest gifts of suffering is that it loosens our grip on things and idols that we love. Suffering gives us the proper eyesight to see that this world is temporary and that heaven is our true home. It helps us realize that only the kingdom of God is worth living for.
Satan’s goal in suffering is for us to detach from God and to be weakened in our faith. But God’s aim for us is to detach from this world and to draw nearer to Him as we hope and hold onto Christ above all things. So, in this season of suffering and uncertainty, put your hope in Him! Trust Him – He is at work in ways we may not see or understand, and He is working for our good.
Community Stories
Celebrating Everyday Heroes
The pandemic has changed the world. But one thing that remains unchanged is the love of Jesus Christ. We celebrate those who continue to share the hope and love Christ with those who are hurting and broken especially during this time.
Josh K, HolyWave
8th Grade Teacher, Washington Middle School
I’ve been a teacher here in California since 2009 and of all the years I’ve been teaching, this pandemic season is the most challenging and humbling year yet. As a teacher, I pride myself on the fact that I can connect with my students on a daily basis. Having a successful emotional connection enables me to be the example that I need to be, to reflect what Christ has done for me on the cross. The reason why I became a teacher was to do that exactly: be the example students can turn to, when they need someone to learn about the Truth in Christ.
However, Distance Learning put an enormous roadblock in front of me. I was no longer able to make connections with students as freely since the entirety of our relationship was built on short, two-hour classes over Zoom. I felt completely helpless as their screens turned off one by one. Going through a once vibrant class in silence the entire time no longer allowed me to read students’ emotions. They were constantly muted physically, and students understood that as being muted emotionally as well. Losing the openness to communicate emotions freely felt crippling and I thought the enemy was attacking me at my workplace since I wasn’t able to fulfill my calling in my class. This was when God reminded me that it wasn’t actually me doing the work, but it was Christ in me that did the work.
I was listening to praise music one day and when I was listening to “I am Free,” God spoke to me clearly, that I am not limited by my current circumstances to do what I was called to do. Although students may have lost a safe classroom to openly express themselves, they still have a safe space to learn, and I can still provide a comfortable space for the students to share online safely. I’m still struggling through the changes we are facing. Our district recently opened in person, only to close back up in a week. My prayer request is that I can continue to stay still so that the Holy Spirit may continue His work as our students go through confusing and hectic changes.
“Where is God in This Pandemic?”
Skyla K, e-Jr. High (7th)
My name is Skyla Kim and I am currently a seventh grader in E-Jr.High. I have been going to Teuksae for my entire life. I never really paid attention to the sermons but I started to listen in the past few years. I understood that God was speaking to me through these pastors. This pandemic has led me to wonder “Where is God in all this?” All these things are happening in the world right now which makes everyone feel insecure. As I prayed and read the bible every day, my relationship with God has become stronger. I realized that God is in control and is with us all the time even when we may feel that God is absent. Although this year we are doing Teuksae online, I am thankful that we are still able to worship God together. This year has really helped me understand that God truly is the Way Maker as He is helping us get through this pandemic. A couple prayer requests I have is for everyone to stay safe and healthy during this time of quarantine. I also pray that no matter what situation we are in we can seek God for guidance.
Rebecca Oh, NEXT
12th Grade Teacher, Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy
I felt like a first year teacher once again as the district geared up for online learning. Clicking “mute,” then “unmute,” fumbling through a myriad of tabs, and talking in front of a camera to what felt like a dark empty chamber with no echoes certainly were not what I had signed up for as an educator. Along with other veteran teachers who also complained that they felt like a first-year teacher again, I grumbled at the new crisis we all – teacher or not – faced. In the midst of uncertainty and certainly many “firsts,” God humbled my heart.
I was not the one at the front lines risking my life with little to no proper protective equipment. My job didn’t require me to choose between my safety and provision/sustenance. In fact, I should be thankful to have a job at this time! After all, I did not have to drive two hours through traffic every day among many angry drivers. I was not constantly gripped with fear that I had work yet to complete by the deadline. I was no longer fatigued by the busyness of everyday life. It was during this time that God invited me to have quiet time with Him. It was during this time that God placed people in my life who nudged me to be closer to Him. It was during this uncertainty that I had no choice but to desperately grasp onto His promises of security, peace, and everlasting joy.
I am thankful that He has invited me, and many of us, to the secret place. In the quiet, God is waiting to speak to us, and I pray that as we wrap up year 2020 and look forward to 2021, that we all will be reminded again that He is good, and He is Lord of all.
