The blessing that all believers must experience
Acts 1:1~8 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (3~4) Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #438 I’m Rejoicing Night and Day (#495 in previous version) A disciple that followed Jesus around saw the resurrected Jesus became afraid and ran away. However, after following the resurrected Jesus for the next 40 days, he wasn’t afraid of death anymore. Instead, he went around sharing about Jesus Christ and had victory without shaking in front of problems or hardships. What do you think happened in those 40 days?
1. A correct content of healing
During the 40 days after the resurrection of Jesus, healing of the scars that were channels for the forces of darkness took place. Scars and thoughts that are instilled in you while you are growing up stunts your spiritual growth. In order to overcome the forces of darkness and have spiritual growth, you must heal the scars that are instilled in you. Whenever you have negative thoughts or when your heart feels heavy because of a scar, change your thinking as you meditate on the Word of God. Old scars will heal when the kingdom of God comes upon you.
2. There is a content that changes hurt feelings
When you get scarred through your bad environment, unwanted happenings, meetings, and events, then your feelings are wounded, too. When your feelings are hurt, you become very negative. Negative thinking makes you act strangely and induces you to make mistakes. In order to see your reality correctly and make correct judgments, you must heal your wounded feelings. Just as your hunger goes away once you eat something, you must gain spiritual strength in order to heal your wounded feelings. There is strength to heal your hurt feelings inside of Jesus Christ.
3. There is a content that helps you discover the blessing of uniqueness
We continue to face conflicts and grumble because of people. Peter, who confessed that Jesus is the Christ, denied Christ three times, but when he held onto the mystery of the kingdom of God, he discovered the blessings of uniqueness. To a child of God who has the Gospel, problems are not sufferings but opportunities to discover God’s blessings. God said that He would give His blessings to His children when God’s kingdom comes upon them. When you enjoy the mystery of the kingdom of God then the answers of uniqueness will come.
- Are you suffering from your scars and tired of your hurt feelings? Write down in detail how you will enjoy God’s kingdom within your thoughts, your heart, your field, and everywhere you go. New Believer Retreat Lecture 1 / 2012. 8. 14