Abraham Lee, a Korean-American professor of Management teaching the boys a trick or two about how to make a killer smoothie on a hot late-May afternoon in front of the Student Union building. (Damin looks inspired!)

Nehemiah-Spiritual Revival

Our congregation finished a 6 sermon series on "The Lord's Prayer" found in Matthew chapter 6 a few weeks back. (It has been said that "The Lord's Prayer" is really found in John 17 and that Matthew 6 is best described as a "Model Prayer") Now, we are working our way through the book of Nehemiah. It is a great book to study for anyone seriously longing for revival in their life. The heart of today's sermon, on Nehemiah chapter 4, was in one statement Tim said which was, "The closer you get to the Lord-the bigger the work that God wants to do through you-the greater the resistance will be." Today (I should say Sunday), we looked at the following points:
1) We need to recognize the sources of discouragement.
A) From the enemy (v.1-3,7-8,11)
The enemy uses past failures (or successes!) BUT verse 6 says "the people had a heart to work"!
The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. This requires mental and spiritual endurance and preparation to run to the end.
B) From those close to us (v.12)
The people were influenced by the plans of the enemy rather than those of God
Our pastor gave a good example of how when the USSR crumbled the main opposition for evangelists were not from secular sources but from the Orthodox church who did not want to "give up power".
C) From our own disillusionment (v10)
If you give in, you will miss out on one of the biggest miracles of your life.
2)We need to overcome the temptation to surrender to discouragement
A) through prayer (v.4-5) (Matt. 5:44)
B) Watch and pray (v.13-14)
1) Remain vigilant against the enemy (v.9)
2) Renew the vision of your calling (v.13-14)
3) Remember the Lord of your calling (v.14)
C) Work, Watch and Pray (v.15-20)
Sadly, though, instead of fighting for and helping out our "weak areas" in the church (those who need prayer) we too often criticize and point fingers instead of aiding! We do it backwards and attack instead of help like we are commanded to do in Hebrews 10:24.

One of my favorite points of the sermon was a personal story of our pastor's grandmother, only 4 foot 9, walking up to a group of ladies gossiping and she said, "Any jackass can kick down a barn. It takes a master craftsman to build up a barn. Are you going to be jackass or a master craftsman?!" As Tim said, "There are people out there who need to hear that."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

Now that's what I call fellowship! A large group of SIBC members enjoying food and fun at an all-you-can-eat-for-9,000won/person-buffet!!! We should do that more often, guys!

Ken and Jeannie Danley. ("Spare the rod, spoil the child"...perhaps! But just look at the potential photo opportunities! ha!ha!)

Andy and Joo-Yeun. (Joo-Yeun was the most recent of the 3 "An sisters" to accept Christ as her Saviour.)

Andy and Joo-Yeun having a little "after-dinner fun". (That is our attempt to make a loveheart with our hands as Koreans like to do...)

The soon to be married Thomas and Jaime Blood!

Jennifer Bacherd, who works at Seoul International Highschool, taking a moment to strike a pose.

Just so you folks in Canada can remember the general area over here...(You know this MUST be a Korean map because they insist on labeling "The Sea of Japan" as "East Sea"...)

"They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-He is their help and shield." (Psalm 115:5-9)

"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (Mark 5:19)

Living Free: By Beth Moore
Lesson 6:Enjoying God's Presence

PRINTS OF HIS PRESENCE
Who (or what kind of person) do you enjoy spending time with? ______________
Do you consider the enjoyment of someone's presence a routine part of life? _________
When you pass through the waters. I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, our God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3)
What does this passage promise? What does it not promise? __________________
Because you are having struggles does not mean that you are not enjoying God's presence.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
We cannot escape God, but we do not always sense His presence.
How can the assurance of God's presence quiet our fears? ________________
God's presence is absolutely unchanging, but the evidence of His presence varies. Sometimes God may purposely alter the evidences of His presence to bring the most benefit from our experience. We may receive the most benefit from seeing many visible prints of His invisible hands during a difficult season. Other times we may profit most from seeing fewer evidences. God does not love us less when He gives us fewer evidences. He simply desires to grow us up and teach us to walk by faith.
The point is not that we have nothing to fear, but that His presence is the basis for our courage.
Christ does not always immediately calm the storm, but He is always willing to calm His child on the basis of His presence. "Don't worry! I know the winds are raging and the waves are high, but I am God over both. If I let them continue to swell, it's because I want you to see Me walk on the water." We may never enjoy the storms, but we can learn to enjoy God's presence in the storm.
THE JOY OF RELATIONSHIP
Do you enjoy God? If not, there are two possibilities:
1. You might still not believe that God really satisfies (benefits 1 and 3).
2. It could be Satan's efforts to keep you from being aware of God's presence.
Guilt experienced before we've repented on a specific sin is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Guilt experienced after repentance is the condemnation of the evil one...All feelings aside.
THE OBSTACLE OF LEGALISM
Is God hypercritical? Why might we want to spend time with someone who we think will pick us apart? ______________________________________________
The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. (Isaiah 29:13)
Does the word legalism appear in scripture? ___________________
List some illustrations of legalism from scripture. ______________________
Legalism makes love unconditional. Legalists have a list of requirements that must be met before God can approve of and love people.
What dilemna did the early church leaders face when they began sharing the Gospel with Gentiles? _______________________________
How do we see legalism in our own lives or in others' lives? Name some regulations your inner "legalist" wants to demand of others or yourself? ______________________
FAITH WORKS!
The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)
We cannot please God or find freedom in rule-keeping. Why does self-generated righteousness appeal to us? ___________________________
How do we avoid the trap of being legalistic? _______________________
LEGALISM RESULTS WHEN 3 CONDITIONS OCCUR:
1. REGULATIONS REPLACE RELATIONSHIP
How did the Pharisees react when Jesus healed on the Sabbath? ________________
Why was it okay for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath? _______________________
What was the greatest benefit Christ could bring to those He healed? _____________
The Pharisees had a superficial understanding of God and no enjoyment of His presence.
The other extreme is lax discipleship. Explain. ___________________________
2. WHEN MISCROSCOPES REPLACE MIRRORS
Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" (Matthew 12:10)
Modern-day Pharisees also look for reasons to accuse others. They look to the faults of others because their own relationship with God is lacking.
When we adopt the first tenet of legalism (righteousness through regulations) the second follows...we compare our walk with others.
a. We condemn others to make ourselves appear better
b. We condemn ourselves
We are wise to know ourselves. Which tendency do you have? ________________
Explain: Concentrating on sin can cheat a Christian of truly enjoying the presence of God.
3. PERFORMANCE REPLACES PASSION
If our motivation for obedience is anything other than love and devotion for God, we're probably up to our eyeballs in legalism and in for disaster. Obedience without love is nothing but law.
Faith works! Being a perfectionist or making lists of rules to obey cannot change a human heart. A passionate love relationship with God can transform any life. When we pray we build communication with the Father. We learn to think His thoughts.
A RADICAL WALK WITH GOD
Being assured of God's presence is your right as a child of God.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)
A genuine walk in truth is a walk of glorious liberty! As we walk with Him, we experience His peace, and the crowning gift of His presence.
Can we say with the author...I don't just love Him, I love loving Him.
Can we say with the author?..."Surrending my heart to Him has not been a sacrfice."

Good western breakfast in Itaewon just across from the Hamilton Hotel. (for those early church goers on Sunday....)

The Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. Dunkin Donuts , in front, has a good breakfast deal for 3,500 won for a cheese, ham bagel set (with coffee) yummy

Me, in my office. Working hard or hardly working?

A photo of my office door taken during the mission festival. (Decorated with "God Bless Andy" during last years Teacher's Day by my wonderful EC students!...Thanks Hannah and gang!)

Me and my good friend, Kumudu (from Sri Lanka), discussing things in God's Holy Word

"But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattles as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:11)

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