Day 5: Restoring the Lost Art of Gratitude
Today’s Message
“Restoring the Lost Art of Gratitude”
Isaiah 12:1-6
We would like to thank Pastor Han Hong (Saeroun Church) for his message today. Tomorrow’s speaker will be Pastor Byung Sam Kim (Manna Church).
Yesterday’s Sermon
“My Grace is Sufficient”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Missionary Kwan Tae Park, Agape Christian Hospital (Mongolia)
As I served in Mongolia taking care of patients and establishing hospitals, I’ve come to experience God’s sufficient grace. The Word tells us that God will show us signs and wonders of His sufficient grace and there is one specific moment when I experienced such wonder. We were praying to get a bus to perform surgeries when we visited rural areas of Mongolia. It would’ve cost $300,000. I personally stepped out in faith by getting a license to drive the bus while we waited. In due time, God brought people and the funds.
However, we continued to face many difficulties going out to the countryside. As I went to sleep after complaining about my circumstances after an especially difficult day on my birthday, I got a call from Korea. Staff informed me of another donation and I heard the Lord ask, “How’s that for a birthday present?” So now, we have a 2nd bus on its way to be a dental clinic and we’re looking to purchase another bus for optometry. We’re close to finishing construction for a new hospital. I believe that these are signs of God’s sufficient grace and my prayer is that you would get to receive the same.
But ending here would make this a self-edifying story; this is not how God’s story works. It says in 2 Cor. 12:7 that God gave a thorn to Paul to keep him from becoming conceited. While God’s miracles were coming through, I started to run into multiple issues that kept hindering the projects, and I was further diagnosed with a panic disorder. I found myself unable to eat even after taking medicine. I started drinking alcohol to fill my stomach and eventually became so dependent I couldn’t perform surgeries. I asked God to take this panic disorder away from me but instead, God helped me realize this disorder is the true meaning of His sufficient grace. So I am able to boast in my panic disorder because in my weakness, God’s glory is revealed. God achieves His desires despite my weakness. I pray that you will experience God’s sufficient grace in your weakness.
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.
Hanna J, HolyWave
Nurse, Glendale Memorial Hospital
Covid-19 outbreak has impacted all of our lives incredibly this year. My life as a nurse also was greatly disturbed by this virus when my unit became a designated Covid-19 unit back in March. I have held the hands of dying patients because their loved ones couldn’t be there, witnessed so many patients passing per shift, removed oxygen masks from dying patients while giving Morphine drips so they could die peacefully, grieved from losing my favorite patient who deeply I cared for, and experienced the panic attacks for the first time in my life while profusely sweating in PPE. It was the most difficult time of my nursing career and I cried every day for the loss of my patients. My heart was anxious due to the lack of PPE at work, however, I am forever grateful for Holywave family (Oikos, QT ministry ladies, Shalom IPM, Linda Lee, Anne Lee, Catherine Lim, and Pastor Jean) who literally carried me through the storm with their prayers and encouragement. The kids from SRCC made beautiful cards with encouraging bible verses in different languages for my Covid patients who are dying alone in the isolation rooms and goody bags were made for my coworkers. My patients were very touched and appreciated so much for their kindness and love. I felt very blessed to share the Gospel with my patients before they took their last breath. I want to ask you to remember the health care workers and pray for them especially those who are mentally and physically exhausted and burnt out from ongoing battles with COVID-19. Please pray for protection over me as I return to work next week after taking a break.
“A Change of Heart”
Caleb Y, k-High (10th)
Hello I am Caleb Yang and I am currently attending k-High. I have been going to Teuksae on my own will for two years, although the first time I remember going to Teuksae was when I was around 7-8 years old. I remember my family was all ready to go, and I was still in bed sleeping. I ended up not going that year. In 7th grade, I went to a retreat in the summer time, and that’s when I had a change of heart. I realized what having a relationship with God really meant and I felt God gave me the desire to go to Teuksae. All the sermons in the first week were in Korean so I didn’t understand much, but luckily the second week was in English. Through this experience, I found that starting my morning off with learning and praying to God was important and the sermons in the morning helped me at school and in my life. Getting up early every morning was definitely worth it. I haven’t done much to maintain my relationship with God during COVID quarantine, but this Teuksae is helping me get back to God and helping me learn to be a better disciple.
