Enlightenment

Earnest Prayer

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Ps 145:18–19 Whenever I felt as if God didn’t answer my prayers immediately, I wondered, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” I should’ve checked if I had prayed earnestly to God. From now on, I will change the way I pray. Hoping that all my wishes will be granted, I put my hands together and pray earnestly with reverence for God today, too.

Gu Jeong-min from Durban, South Africa

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief!

There is a verse that breaks my heart whenever I read it because it describes me very well. “. . . But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mk 9:22–24 The boy’s father disappointed Jesus with his words of unbelief, but which were familiar to my ears. It’s because there were many times when I prayed to God without believing firmly that He would surely answer my prayer, although I acknowledged with my lips that God is the Almighty. Now, I reaffirm my faith and pray to God…

Gu So-hyeong from Anyang, South Korea

I’m Sorry, Sister

One morning, I was late while getting ready to go to my class and did not leave my house until the class started. I was rushing out and eventually tripped on the stairs. Fortunately, I was not seriously injured. Even the doctor said I would get well soon if I was careful and refrained from being active, so I didn’t think it would impact my daily activities. Contrary to what I thought, since I sprained my ankle, I felt uncomfortable in my daily life. It took me 20 to 30 minutes to get to school, which usually took 10 minutes, and it was difficult to use the stairs, which used to be very easy for me to go up and…

Song Ji-soo, Jeonju, South Korea

God Can Testify

“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” Php 1:8 Apostle Paul was very confident in his love for the church members in the gospel, and said that God could testify how he loved them. We can feel his heartfelt sincerity for his brothers, whom he loved with all his heart and soul. When you make efforts to help your brothers and sisters, crying in response to their suffering, nobody may know or acknowledge it. But it shouldn’t matter because God knows all your invisible behind-the-scenes efforts and your earnest love for them, as it is written: “God can testify.” I give thanks to God for being a witness to everything I…

Shin Yu-dong from Seoul, South Korea

I Will Obey It with All My Heart

Since I was little, I’ve been under God’s blessing with my family. However, I began to attend worship services just out of habit. I really hated myself for doing that, and I felt sorry to God. Out of frustration, I opened the Bible, where I found out what I had been missing out on. Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Ps 119:33–34 It is natural that we, God’s people, should keep the law of God with all our heart in any and every circumstance. How much more should we obey God’s law in peaceful,…

Kim Hye-been from Incheon, South Korea

Like David on That Day

David is described as a man after God’s own heart in the Bible. He is one of the ancestors of faith, whom I want to emulate the most. Whenever I consider his sincere love for God and firm faith in Him, I always think he was such an amazing person. One day, while I was reading the Bible, I opened my eyes wide in amazement at the following verse, which likens us to David. “On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them” Zec 12:8 I reminded myself again…

Hong Jeong-eun from Seongnam, South Korea

The Reason We Should Practice God’s Word

If you look at the records of Jesus’ work, you can see Jesus healing the sick suffering from incurable diseases. Why are there many miraculous works of Jesus recorded in the Bible? In fact, they are a copy and shadow, giving us a lesson. On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Mt 9:12 Jesus came to the earth as the spiritual Doctor. Just as we go to see a doctor when we are sick, we must go to God for the healing of our souls that are mortal as a result of sin. Two thousand years ago, tax collectors and sinners who were with Jesus were despised by people, but…

Fujikawa Moto from Kyoto, Japan

Mother’s Creation

One day when I was on a short term mission, preaching the gospel overseas, I came across a flower on a street, unwittingly picked it up, and brushed off the dust. The flower was very beautiful at a close distance. I gave the flower to one sister, saying, “Sister, this beautiful flower resembles you.” Then with a twinkle in her eyes she said what made a profound impression upon my soul, “Mother’s creation!” “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev 4:11 Her word totally changed my point of view of faith. It really touched my heart…

Park Min-ji from Seoul, Korea

The Voice of Father and Mother

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are still imposing travel restrictions. However, we also hear gracious fragrances of Zion that the pandemic has provided an opportunity for our members to study Heavenly Father’s Truth Books. In order to teach us the way of salvation, Heavenly Father came to this dark and gloomy world, which confuses the truth with falsehood. Every Truth Book that Father wrote for 37 years, staying up all night, contains His earnest love for His children; Father wanted all of us to correctly distinguish the truth from falsehood and receive salvation. There is a Bible verse I got reminded of while studying Heavenly Father’s Truth Books. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will…

Sushan Khati from Gokarneshwor, Nepal

Christian

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Pe 4:12–16 Sometimes, we look for a prestigious title in the…

Alisa Szewcik from Seattle, WA, U.S.