Faith & Life

With the Heart of Love and Mercy

I would like to share my realization that I had while leading two souls to Zion. My younger sister and I received the truth around the same time, and the first person we wanted to share God’s blessings with was our mother. As she had been faithfully attending a Protestant church for decades, I assumed she would immediately realize the truth once I preached the truth to her. Contrary to my expectation, however, she said she never wanted to move to another church, though she acknowledged our faith; she did not even let us say a word about church. However, we could not give up on her—our loving mother. Whenever we met her, we made every effort to preach even…

Jeong Gyeong-hui from Uijeongbu, Korea

Walking Together

Whenever I encounter an issue that is too difficult to solve alone on my journey of faith, there is a verse that I always keep in mind. “Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecc 4:11–12 As the Bible says, “One may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” When I look around, I can see helpful brothers and sisters whom I am grateful for. They are precious companions whom God granted me to keep my faith without getting weary, and they are like Mother’s hand who lifts me up when I am…

Baek Seung-hye from Yongin, Korea

We Are the Happy Ones

The more I read this verse, the happier I become. “Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.” Dt 33:29 I am very happy that God saved me and is my shield to help me. There may be times when I am tired and exhausted while living the life of faith, but I should strengthen myself, thinking of Heavenly Father and Mother who are always on my side to help me. Since I was called to be the happiest person in the world, I will boldly preach the gospel…

Kim Hye-in from Puebla, Mexico

Love Is Not Easily Angered

You may get angry when the situation does not work out the way you want: if you get stuck in traffic when your appointment time is near, or if it rains when you put on new shoes. However, anger is mostly caused from human relationships. When you get angry, your blood vessels swell, your face turns purple with rage, your eyes are opened wide, your breathing becomes faster, and your blood pressure increases. You may easily spit out remarks that hurt or ignore the other person you want to attack. Obsessed with your prejudice, you cannot figure out the situation and even your ability to solve problems declines. Anger is not only harmful to your health physically and mentally, but…

House Money Effect

In 2002, an American businessman won the lottery, claiming a massive sum of over 10 million dollars, marking the largest individual win in lottery history. Despite already being a millionaire as the CEO of a construction company, he chose to use his winnings for charitable donations and rehiring workers who had been laid off during the economic recession. While many lottery winners face bankruptcy, he appeared to manage his fortune responsibly, diligently maintaining his work. However, he, too, was human. Following his lottery win, he became entangled in over 400 lawsuits related to incidents like drunk driving, assault, and attempted theft of his money. Additionally, he experienced divorce and tragically lost his granddaughter to drug addiction. Despite once being hailed…

Meaning of a Good Deed

We were worried as the day of our volunteer work was approaching; because we could have a slight problem due to a lack of volunteers. However, on the appointed day, more brothers and sisters gathered than we had expected. Despite the hot weather, we carried out the cleanup with enthusiasm. While cleaning every corner of the park in Harare, many people came and went. We briefly introduced our Church of God to those who walked up to us and asked us where we were from and why we were picking up trash with such bright faces under the burning sun. A member from the city council, who assigned the area to us to clean, was amazed and said, “I’ve never…

The Harare Church in Zimbabwe

Live Without TV for a Week!

Today’s family life is getting desolate due to the development of digital gadgets such as TVs, computers, cellphones, and game consoles. It is because the demerits of lack of conversation among family members tag along behind the merits of the devices that make our lives convenient and comfortable. Among the gadgets, TV is very familiar to us and it has been in our lives longer than any others. Do you spend more time watching TV than having a conversation with your family? This month, be free from TV for a week at least. And find what can benefit you or what you can do with your family during the time instead. Then, you will spend your time much more profitably…

Treasure Hunt

Our Zion had a street cleanup on Yulha Café Street, the main street in Jangyu, Gimhae. It is an area where a continuous cleanup is required, as there are many stores including restaurants. Soon after we started the cleanup, the bags we had in our hands were filled with trash. It was because whenever we found some trash, we all got excited and picked it up and put it in the trash bags as if we had found some treasure. “Here! Over here!” Hearing the excited voices from here and there, I laughed for quite a while with a sister who was next to me, saying, “Our church members must be the only ones in the world who get excited…

Lee Ji-won from Gimhae, Korea

I’m Ready

As I started working at a new company with a new heart, I earnestly prayed that God would allow me to meet a soul longing for the truth. It was a small company with only three female employees, including me. One of them was around my age, and we undertook similar tasks, so we soon became dependent on each other. As we got closer to each other, it was natural that I wished her to be part of our heavenly family. At first, all I did was just tell her briefly about the Church of God and the Bible, saying, “I go to church,” and, “The biblical day of worship is the seventh day, which is Saturday.” One day, I…

Jo Eun-bi from Siheung, Korea

Heart-Warming Memories

In summer, we use the heat index, and in winter, we refer to the perceived temperature. Perceived temperature reflects the temperature felt on the skin, influenced by factors like humidity, solar radiation, and notably, wind. Wind has the most significant effect on perceived temperature, typically causing it to decrease by approximately 1–1.5°C for every 1 m/s increase in wind speed. For instance, if the temperature is 0°C [32°F] and the wind speed is 10 m/s, the perceived temperature would drop to -15°C [5°F]. To raise the perceived temperature, it’s crucial to dress warmly with items like scarves, hats, and gloves to cover any exposed skin. Another method involves recalling happy memories. Researchers at the University of Southampton Psychology Department in…

God’s Gift

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Ro 10:14 In the pursuit of saving souls, the presence of an evangelist is undeniably crucial. I fervently prayed for the opportunity to fulfill this sacred role and to encounter a soul yearning for God's guidance. Finally, my prayers were answered, and I met someone who fit this description perfectly. To my surprise, she expressed a deep thirst for spiritual nourishment upon hearing the word church. Despite her efforts to find solace in various congregations, she had become disheartened by the lack of…

Kim Mi-hee from Geoje, Korea

Work Done by God’s Power

Recently, I was worried about participating in the short-term mission to Congo. It’s because I never used French spoken by the Congolese people. Even though I am not fluent in the language, God gave me courage and strength. “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zec 4:6 Thanks to these words that I engraved on my mind throughout the mission, I was able to bear good fruit. Truly, a man’s ability does not matter as long as everything is done by the Holy Spirit of God. I no longer depend on my weak abilities. I only pray earnestly for…

Tapiwa Toruvanda from Harare, Zimbabwe

Love Is Patience

I’ve been preaching to my family and friends for years, but they didn’t respond. As I had no fruit for a long time, though being a young adult like the dew of the dawn as prophesied in the Bible, I worried that I might become like a fruitless autumn tree. Then one day, I came to realize what’s the most important element in saving a soul. When a preaching festival was in full swing, I met a woman who was taking a walk with her dog. The sister who was with me and I said hello to her, and when we asked her if she had time to listen to our preaching through the Bible, she readily said yes. After…

Noh Min-ah from Anyang, Korea

Serving With the Strength God Provides

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Pe 4:11 Thanks to God’s grace, I’ve received much blessing by serving in Zion. However, I sometimes felt a little burdened with the duties. One day, I asked myself a question after reading this verse. ‘Did I serve in Zion with the strength God provides?’ If I did with the strength God provides, I would not feel tired but rather be joyful. How much more thanks I…

Kang Seon-yeong from Jinju, Korea

Revering God the Mother

Since receiving the truth, I have often seen and heard Heavenly Mother through church meetings. I always took this blessing for granted. However, a sermon I heard at the worship service gave me a sudden realization about what a great blessing it was. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Rev 21:2 The New Jerusalem, who came down from heaven, is Heavenly Mother. God the Mother, who is almighty, has come down to this earth to be with Her children. Hearing Heavenly Mother’s voice directly and seeing Her, our holy Mother, with our own eyes! How can this be regarded as a small…

Mi-ju Seo from Incheon, Korea

In the Love of Mother

My dad was the oldest son. After my mom got married to my dad, she looked after her parents-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and her five children, and also did the farming work. I think she was destined to work a lot in life. To make matters worse, my family got in difficulty in living; my older sister got a big operation and my dad became sick, and so my mom had to even work in a factory. Whenever she came back home late at night, she couldn’t rest, doing house chores. Back in those days, we didn’t have a washing machine. So the biggest problem was doing laundry in winter. Whenever the water pipe froze due to cold weather, she…

Kim Sun-ho from Incheon, Korea

Father’s Hometown

“When we get a chance, I want to go visit my hometown with you all.” My father used to say this all the time. Whenever he said that, my sister and I would always answer indifferently, “Okay. Let’s go some day.” It took a long time for “that some day” to come. After getting married, I visited my father regularly, but I couldn’t afford to take him to his hometown. My father’s physical disability also played a part. As each year went by, he missed his hometown more and more. “I need to go there before I die. I miss my sister . . .” My father’s sad eyes seemed to be telling me that I shouldn’t delay any longer.…

Seo Jin-hee from Busan, Korea

God Is Patient With Us, Wanting Everyone to Be Saved

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pe 3:9 This is a scripture that made me cry during the second study after receiving the truth. The sister who was teaching me the Bible thought I was crying because I got scared of disasters, and she tried to comfort me, but that’s not why I was crying. Tears welled up in my eyes, because I felt so thankful to realize that God had been patiently waiting for me in order to save me. God’s patient love, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance! I,…

Kim Ok-gyeong from Uijeongbu, Korea

Whether They Listen or Fail to Listen

I flew to Europe to fulfill God’s word to preach the gospel to the whole world. Whenever I ask people here, “Have you heard of God the Mother?” many of them walk away, waving their hands as if they don’t care. I sometimes feel discouraged, but I have a source of energy that wells up. “Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” Eze 3:11 Every single word in the Bible is fulfilled without fail. It is the same with preaching the news of salvation to all the peoples of the world. That’s why I boldly preach Heavenly Mother today,…

Jeong Hye-in from Guri, Korea

One Shot

There was once an exceptionally talented archery athlete who, despite his skill, found himself faltering in competitions after a single mistake. Frustrated by his inability to showcase his full potential, he sought guidance from his coach. In response, the coach offered a seemingly perplexing instruction: “Henceforth, you shall shoot only one arrow each day.” Though initially bewildered by the directive, the athlete complied, trusting in his coach’s wisdom. Day after day, he honed his craft with just a single shot at the target. In due course, the athlete emerged victorious in a crucial competition, finally breaking free from his string of setbacks. Grateful for his success, he approached his coach, seeking an explanation for the unorthodox training regimen. The coach,…