"God remembered my small good deeds and blessed me"
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April 27, 2014 |
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Seminary Student Hyejin Kim (aged 20, Young Adults' Mission in South Korea) and her family
Early childhood education is very important and as an old saying goes, 'Old habits die hard'. My parents knew this well and allowed for me to be educated in Manmin Kindergarten. Manmin Kindergarten is affiliated with Manmin Central Church and specializes in early childhood education. This institute teaches Biblical truth to children and raises them so that they can grow well and act wisely in faith.
While attending Manmin Kindergarten for four years, I naturally grew up as a child who enjoyed worshiping God in services, praying, and praising.
The love in my heart for the Lord increases through the shepherd's love
I got along with my friends well in elementary school and led an exemplary life, so I received a lot of love from my teachers. But after entering middle school, I spent more time on hanging out with friends and less time in prayer. I preferred singing pop songs to praising and enjoyed surfing the Internet and watching soap operas.
But when I was a ninth grader, I started to be renewed in faith by attending Mini Crusade led by Dr. Jaerock Lee. Since students lived in such a sin-filled world, in the crusade held after Sunday Evening Service each week, he showed special interest in students so that they could love God foremost of all and live with hope for Heaven.
He preached from a viewpoint of students and listened to our problems and concerns. He even offered us things that were necessary for our study such as writing supplies and he helped students financially who were in difficult situations. Above all, with tears he earnestly asked us not to sin because Heaven and Hell definitely exist and urged us to go to New Jerusalem in Heaven together.
The shepherd's fervent love enabled us to cast off our attachment to the world and fill our hearts with the love of the Lord. We came to lead diligent Christian lives and studied hard. I was also deeply touched by the love of the shepherd who loves his flock with his life and I came to love the Lord all the more.
My righteous deed to tell the truth boldly was remembered by God
It happened a few days before summer vacation when I was a tenth grader. My homeroom teacher asked those who attended church to raise their hands in class. I raised my hand. Then, she said to me, "Hyejin, what church do you go to?"
I said, "I attend Manmin Central Church." Then, she said, "There are strange rumors about the church, so you'd better not go to the church. My heart ached because of the teacher who misunderstood my church and my shepherd. I couldn't stand it since Senior Pastor Dr. Lee had dedicated himself to good deeds, helping the poor, and saving souls. After the class I went to the teacher's office with Sister Jooyeon Choi who attends the same church and belonged to the next class.
"Ma'am, have you been to my church? Have you seen our Senior Pastor? Does he have grey hair or black hair? Does he wear glasses or not? Is his hair short or long?"
I asked these questions, crying a lot. She gave no answer and seemed embarrassed. I continued to say, "You know nothing about him, but how could you pass judgment and condemnation? You are also a Christian. Are there any words in the Bible that say that it is ok to judge and condemn others? No! There are none, are there? Then, how could you say such a thing?" I kept crying.
She said, "No, that's not what I meant… well… I heard that…" and she didn't know what to do and she was about to say something.
Because I didn't want to hear anything unjust, I just said, "Bye!" and left. I went back to class. A few days later, I received my report card in school and there was the teacher's written comment. It said, 'She is bold and can express her opinion well.' She might have felt sorry to me because I, who had usually listened to her well, cried for the first time on the day. This occasion served as a good opportunity to increase my love for God, the Lord, and the shepherd.
God has guided me to become a pastor
By the grace of God, I was called as a pastor in the first semester of the twelfth grade and started to prepare myself to become a pastor. I tried to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything.
I cried out in prayer earnestly to throw away sinful natures God hates such as anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, hard feelings, discomfort and frustration, lying, deceitfulness, judgment, changing mind, adulterous mind, selfish motives, greed, and betrayal. It resulted in me standing on the rock of faith.
"God! Please help me! I desire to achieve the good heart of God and the Lord. Help me."
I hated evil that remained in me and I was eager to repay the love of God, the Lord, and the shepherd. So, I prayed more fervently. If fleshly thoughts came into me I tried to change them into thoughts of goodness.
I practiced goodness fervently, and above all I wanted to practice it with the deep aroma of my heart being offered up to God. Then God blessed me to grow up very fast for three months and accomplish the heart of spirit in March 2014.
I am running to become a pastor who has profound goodness and love of the Lord and can lead countless souls to the arms of the Lord. I give all thanks and glory to God who has been leading my way into the most blessed way.
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Manmin News 
