Setting up the Altar

44 Pages·2007·1.56 MB·English

M ANNA
Family Focus
ISSUE 51 APR-JUN 2007
The Lord Set My Heart Free
Establishing a Spiritual Altar in the Family
Congo Report
MANNA
Apr-Jun 2007
ISSUE 51 Vol 31 No. 1
Family Focus
“
The goal of Manna is to inspire believers
to live an active faith through mutual ”
Dear Reader, encouragement and the study of biblical truths.
I
nthis issue, we bring you a range of topics
as shared by writers approaching lives of
faith from different angles. As we read
EDITOR IN CHIEF
about how others are inspired by God’s
Stephen Ku
power, may we be assured that He who
hasdone great works for others will surely EDITORIAL STAFF
do the same for us when we trust in Him. Joanne Lee
Shuhong Lin
As children of God, we should aim to lead Wenni Su
our lives with God’skingdom in mind. That Esther Yang
is really the most valuable purpose of our
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
existence. Whether it is the betterment of
Daisy Khoo (Singapore)
our spiritual state or in contributing to the
Victor Look (Canada)
work of the gospel, may God guide our Vincent Yeung (UK)
directions, that each day of our lives is Daniel Lee (New Zealand)
purposeful and well-spent.
REVIEW BOARD
THE EDITOR Michael Chan (UK) HH Ko (GER)
Fritz Chen (Canada) Stephen Ku (US)
G.H. Chen (US) C.Y. Kuo (US)
Joseph Chen (US) Apollos Lee (Canada)
James Chiang(Taiwan) John Lin (US)
Chung Ling Chin (Singapore) Daniel Pang (US)
Simon Chin (Singapore) Tse-Loong Shee (Singapore)
Thien-Kiew Chin (UK) Eng Guan Tay (Singapore)
Fook-Fah Chong (UK) KC Tsai (Canada)
Shawn Chou (US) James Wu (US)
Simon Hsu (UK) Yuh-Ming Yang (FR)
Steve Hwang (US) Jonah Yapp (Malaysia)
Thomas Kam (Malaysia) W.C. Yeh (US)
Manna (ISSN1528-8617) is published quarterly by the True Jesus Church, IA
Department of Literary Ministry, 314 S. Brookhurst St.,#104, Anaheim,
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All Scripturequotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the New King
James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
MANNA
CONTENTS
Apr-Jun 2007
Family Focus
TESTIMONY REFLECTION THEME SECTION DEPARTMENTS
The Lord Set My Heart Free 2 AJoyful Heart—Reflections on the Setting up the Altar 17 Creative Writing 30
When one sister put aside her past AMCTC 2006 14 Maintaining regular family worship Songs of Homecoming, Part 3
ideologies and humbled herself to The diligence and fervor of those who sessions consistently over a long
apply Christian principles in her gathered to train for African period of time is not easy. Many Call For Articles 40
marriage, she experienced the beauty missionary work encouraged one factors can diminish the initial zeal.
of love in marriage that previously sister in her zeal for this area of service However, the benefits that come with TJC Information 41
eluded her to God family worship time are unsurpass-
byCrystal Jing by Chuny Chin able. One should strive to keep the
practice of having the family worship
Transcendental Peace from God 5 and fellowship even in the face of
Faith is true and living only if we allow difficulties
God to work when crises arise. Torn translated from Holy Spirit Monthly
between a medical condition and
commitments in God’s work, one sister Establishing a Spiritual Altar in
decided to put God’s work first and the Family 20
entrusted her condition to God. She Biblical history has a list of workers
learned once again that God is all who failed to train up their children in
faithful and powerful the way of the Lord. It is important that
by Patricia Chen we do not neglect the religious educa-
tion of our children, even as we juggle
Heaven and Hell Are Real 7 between the demands of our careers
Through a vision, God showed a and service in church
young sister the reality of the many translated from Holy Spirit Monthly
truths in the Bible, including the
judgment day where one will be cast E X H O R TAT I O N
into hell or be saved into eternal joy of
salvation
by Isaac Chen
AHug from God 10
Transgressions and feelings of guilt SPECIAL FEATURE
often hinder our relationship with
God. Yet, we must come before God in As Fiery Red as Molten Lava—4th
sincere repentance. God will show His
Missionary Trip to Congo 24
mercy and assurance of forgiveness,
God’s power is evident in the progress
through the movement of His Holy
of our churches in Congo. In spite of
Spirit and encouragement from good
life’s hardships, believers there
spiritual companions
manifested inspiring zeal and faithful-
by Chuny Chin
ness that beckon us to give thanks and
continue to support the missionary
work in that region
by YM Yang
TESTIMONY
The Lord Set My Heart Free
Crystal Jing—Canoga Park, California, USA
A Hard Time Letting Go of Past Praise God, He gave me the Holy there should be no talk of submission in
Beliefs Spirit just three weeks after I began going marriage. Women should have their own
Idid not believe in God’sexistence before to church. That was my first personal careers and be on par with men.
I married my husband in 2002. But since experience of His wonderful grace. A Even one year after my baptism, many
my mother-in-law was a Christian, we week after that, my husband and I were unresolved biblical issues still remained in
started to go to church. My initial feelings baptized in the name of the Lord. my heart.
toward Christians were that everyone was Knowing that my sins were washed
very loving. Nevertheless, I couldn’t feel away, I sought to begin a new life. Graduate School and My
the presence of God. However, some of the ideas that stuck Ambitions
One month after we weremarried, my with me through ten-some years of BeforeIcame to the US, I was a graduate
husband left China to start a Ph.D. program education in China did not allow me to student in China. I had two more years
at the University of California, Los Angeles transition into a new life that easily. left of a five-year program. Not wanting
(UCLA). At UCLA, he met a member from For example, the Bible teaches that to be separated from my husband for too
the True Jesus Church in Canoga Park who wives ought to submit to their husbands. long, I quit the program and came to the
brought him to seek the truth. I joined him To me, that was a concept applicable only US on a spousal visa.
in the United States a year later and started in the days before the Chinese Revolution. Although it was a real pity to quit
to attend service too. Iwas a strong proponent of the idea that graduate school, I actually had my hopes
Manna 2
TESTIMONY
up because I had been accepted by another California was very small. If I got accepted exam. I tried to behave more maturely
graduate program at UCLA. I believed I byaschool in the East Coast, we would be and to tone down my temper.
could obtain a degree very quickly. forced to separate again, and he didn’t Every Sabbath I would go to church
It was not until I arrived in the US that want this to happen. He told me the Bible with my husband but I was still very
Ifound out my professor had very limited taught that the husband and wife were troubled. I felt no tinge of joy in my heart.
funding and couldn’t give me a scholar- Itried to pray and read the Bible, only to
ship. That meant I would be unable to end up helplessly frustrated. By May 2004,
I began to doubt God. My
start my studies right away because I my temper had become out of control.
friends were not even
would be incapable of paying the tuition. There was bitterness pent up inside me.
believers but they had the
That came as a big blow to me. A lot of my college friends had
success that eluded me. I
My education was my career. If I received scholarships to come to the US to
thought that surely God did
didn’t have a career, then I had nothing. I study, but I had nothing. When I
not love me.
couldn’t even work because I was on a compared myself with them, I felt small
spousal visa. and started to regret not applying to other
I began to volunteer in the lab of a one body, and it would be best if we did schools the previous year. Had I applied
renowned professor at UCLA. I would not separate. then, I could have been attending school
help him in doing some research while I He continued to encourage me not to with a full fellowship!
waited for the chance to be readmitted. lose faith, for the Lordwould listen to our I began to doubt God. My friends
Since we believed in God, my husband prayers. But, having waited so long, I werenot even believers but they had the
would put this matter into his prayers. could no longer hold on to my faith in success that eluded me. I thought that
At first, we had a lot of faith in God God. I decided that I had to use my own surely God did not love me.
because many brothers and sisters told me might to fight for myself. Confused and uncertain about the
that the Lordmust love me greatly to have Not surprisingly, my husband and I future, I became moodier. I quarreled with
given me the Holy Spirit so quickly.They quarreled a lot. my husband over many trivial matters. It
encouraged me by telling me that our God Around that time, my husband had to was not as if I didn’t want to control
is a merciful God and that He would surely prepare for his Ph.D. qualifying exam. I myself. I did wonder what had become of
listen to our prayers and requests. didn’twant to stir up too much trouble so me, but that failed to help me change.
I finally gave up on the application Sometimes, I would simmer down for a
A Dwindling Faith process. Nevertheless, in my heart, I was day or two but I eventually lost my temper
But as time passed, I heard no news of torn apart with worry. I figured that if I again.
any scholarship and my heart became didn’t receive this awaited scholarship Ifeared that if I continued like that, my
entrapped in doubt. Why doesn’t God from UCLA or receive other scholarship husband would fail his second attempt at
listen to my prayers? Is it because He does offers, I would have wasted a whole year the qualifying exam. Not only would I not be
not love me anymore? Maybe He only doing nothing. able to go to school, my husband wouldn’t
loves those whose faith is strong. Such vexations further aggravated my obtain a degree. Perhaps he would despise
Another three months passed and by existing bad temper. It affected my me and our marriage would disintegrate.
October 2003, I felt that my chance of husband so much that he couldn’tprepare
receiving the scholarship was probably for his exam. A month later, my husband The Turning Point at NYTS 2004
close to zero. At that point, I considered received notice that he failed his exam. Around that time, a sister spoke to me
applying to other schools. Because each Ph.D. student has two about the National Youth Theological
My friends back home encouraged me chances to pass the exam, he had only one Seminar (NYTS). She said many people
to go ahead but my husband strongly more chance. The pressure was intense. who went to NYTS changed a lot. So I
disagreed. He felt that the possibility of Ibegan to realize that I had been very registered for the seminar and asked the
me being accepted by other schools in selfish and had caused him to fail the Lord to take away the burden in my heart.
Manna 3
TESTIMONY
I was tired of being troubled; I wanted a
joyful and content heart. It dawned on me that it wasn’t that God didn’t love me or
At the NYTS, many brothers and didn’t hear my prayers. Actually, He loved me a lot and gave
me the most precious thing in this world—a wonderful
sisters showed their concern and prayed
husband and marriage.
for me, and I felt the warmth of the
brethren in the Lord. Through one sister’s
testimony, the Lord opened my heart and
Ifelt my prayers heard. I wouldn’t feel so bad. It dawned on me My husband and I also began
In that testimony, the sister testified that it wasn’t that God didn’t love me or attending services on Friday evenings. We
how she came to church with her husband didn’t hear my prayers. Actually, He loved never went before because I didn’t want to
after her son’s suicide. The rest of their me a lot and gave me the most precious go. Although we now get home late on
family blamed her husband for it. When thing in this world—a wonderful husband Fridays, I feel very joyful at heart. We also
something happens, it is so easy to put and marriage. feel moreinclined toward attending church
the blame on one person. When I heard If not for the Lord’s preservation that activities. The Lord truly is a very good
that, tears fell from my face, and I felt that my husband had a heart of compassion, Shepherd. Through NYTS, He brought me
it was the Lord moving me. I thought of my marriage would have been destroyed back as a lost sheep to His fold.
all the bitterness I had against my husband by my ambition and vexations. I began to Ialso began to see God’sblessings in
in my own situation. realize that putting one’s career before the my daily life. In January 2005, UCLA
family was a ridiculous concept. It is God’s awarded me a scholarship so I could begin
Looking Deep Within Myself true will to place Him first, our family my studies. My advising professor
Iwasn’t thrilled when he came to the US second, and our career last. happened to be a brother from church.
to study. And because I didn’t want to be This is the best way of life for us. The Lord also blessed my husband so
separated from him I had to withdraw I thank God for the prayer after the that he passed his second attempt at the
fromschool. It was stressful, as the school testimony. He took away all my troubles, Ph.D. qualifying exam. I know that I can
did not simply allow withdrawals. It took low self-esteem, and all the things I worried continue to trust in Him for what comes
me a year to complete the withdrawal about. What was left was a thankful heart, next in my life!
process. I blamed my husband for the diffi- for I know now how good it is to be in the
culties that I had encountered. I felt that I Lord.
sacrificed so much. I also blamed him for
not allowing me to apply to other schools A Renewed and Thankful Heart
where I could have received a scholarship. Upon returning home after NYTS, I felt
There was much resentment in me. I very blessed the moment I laid eyes on
said many things that hurt my husband my husband. My heart was filled with
and I became completely callous. When thankfulness. Of course, the problem with
he got sick, I didn’t take care of him but my school did not resolve itself right after
wondered why he always got sick. NYTS, but my troubled heart had been
Looking back, I realized I was always sour- replaced by feelings of peace and joy.
faced with him and my words were like My attitude towards church also
daggers waiting to pierce him. changed. I started enjoying services at
But my husband always had compas- church, whereas before I felt it a burden to
sion and embraced my shortcomings. spend a whole day on Saturday for
Even when he failed his qualifying exam, Sabbath. Thank the Lord for transforming
he didn’t say a single word of blame. On me so I could enjoy service.
the other hand, he kept comforting me so
Manna 4
TESTIMONY
Transcendental Peace from God
Patricia Chen—Irvine, California, USA
The Unsettling News that opportunity and made the necessary Istruggled greatly in my heart when I
arrangements in December 2002. heard the news. What about my plans for
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that That same month, I also went to see Australia next month? What was I going
appears for a little time and then vanishes my physician for a routine physical. Upon to do? If I went through with the surgery,
away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord examination, he found a small lump in my I would have to be confined to bed rest
wills, we shall live and do this or that.” left ovary, which prompted him to for at least a week, and I would have to
(Jas 4:14-15) schedule a second ultrasound in three cancel the church assignment.
months’ time. Dutifully, I returned for the
This passage resonates loudly for me, second ultrasound in March 2003. The Inner Struggle
and I am thankful for this opportunity to During the second round of check- Although it was not a matter of life or death,
sharean amazing blessing from God. ups, the physician informed me that the it was a tough dilemma for me. Should I rely
I have often thought that it is a lump had grown and was now the size of on God and ask Him to have mercy on me
wonderful grace to be able to do God’s a kiwi. That would explain the tingling so that I could have the faith to attend the
work, and I treasure every opportunity pain I had been feeling in my left seminar and undergo the surgery after I
that I am given. So when I was assigned abdomen those past few months. To be returned? Or should I heed the doctor’s
by the church to go to Australia to assist in on the safe side, the physician urged me advice and have the tumor removed?
the Religious Education Teachers’ Seminar to undergo surgery within the next few I have often told my religious educa-
to be held in April 2003, I took hold of weeks to remove the tumor. tion students that they should trust in God
Manna 5
TESTIMONY
and rely on Him. The question was how I, as a full-time worker of God, all the more following Monday. He reminded me that I
much? I felt myself challenged to face the fulfill the work He has entrusted to me? needed to arrange for post-surgery pick-
truth about my own level of faith. Was it up from the hospital.
just a theoretical understanding or did I, The Peace from Entrusting Him As the doctor was talking to me, a
with true conviction, believe that He could The inner turmoil slowly began to subside. small voice inside me urged me to request
help me? Iwas brought back to the memory of my another ultrasound and see how large the
Each trial we face could well be the mom when she had surgery years ago. tumor had become. Because this powerful
beginning of God’s renewing grace. But Coincidentally, at that time, I had also urge came over me, I boldly asked the
before we can learn this lesson, we first been sent away to do holy work. doctor to have another ultrasound done.
have to trust that God’s grace is sufficient. What God wanted me to learn was to Thank the grace of God, he agreed.
Asthese thoughts went through my mind, give all my burdens to Him. Through Miraculously, the doctor could not find the
my little faith soared. prayer, God will give us unexpected peace tumor. He searched for a long time, but he
In my heart a small voice was telling just as it says in Philippians 4:7, “and the just could not locate it. In my heart, I
me not to be afraid but to face my trial peace of God, which surpasses all under- knew what had happened and could not
with courage. God’s grace would be suffi- standing, will guard your hearts and minds stop repeating, “Hallelujah! Praise the
cient for me. After a few minutes of through Christ Jesus.” Lord!” The doctor was bewildered and
pondering, I told the doctor that because It was a hard lesson. But I knew I said that the tumor had disappeared
of my trip, I would not be able to do the needed to submit myself to God all the completely. In the end, he told me there
surgery until the beginning of May. He more, for that was the way to receive was no need for surgery.
asked me if that was my final decision. I strength from Him. God knew very well how terrified I
firmly replied, “Yes.” He scheduled With the prayers of my family and was of the surgery and mercifully spared
another check-up for April 28 and a colleagues behind me, I set off for me. The Americans have a saying that
surgery on May 1 at 8:30 in the morning. Australia. Thank God, I once again experi- goes, “No surgery is a good surgery.” As I
After I left his clinic, I sought the enced the joy and value of working for walked out of the hospital, I felt lightness
advice of another doctor and a medical Him. Throughout the seminar, I soaked in in my feet and I was overjoyed. I quickly
professional. They both warned me that if the words of God. His presence was told my husband and my family this great
my tumor enlarged over the next few greatly felt when I prayed together with piece of news. I also called my colleagues
weeks, there was a chance that it could the teachers at the seminar. One could not and shared with them my overflowing
rupture and I would bleed internally— reap such joy from any work in the secular happiness and peace.
causing major complications. world. Ithank God for guiding my path and
When I heard this, I felt a chill run Each day, I asked God to guide me and allowing me to experience His presence in
down my spine. What if I had made the to help me accept the trials He put in my my life. If it were not for the mercy and
wrong decision? My inner struggles way. However, a part of me did not dare to grace of God, the tumor could not have
returned once again. ask for Him to remove the tumor. I felt simply disappeared. I also thank God that
Should I go or should I stay? The small and insignificant and did not deserve He gave me the courage to ask for
church had already bought the plane ticket. God’sgrace and mercy. I only asked Him to another ultrasound so that I did not have
There were teachers from different guide me back to the US safely and that to undergo surgery.
churches in Australia who were eagerly the surgery would be successful. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with
awaiting this seminar.These wereteachers you, My peace I give to you; not as the
who worked tirelessly for God, never The Power of God world gives do I give to you. Let not your
expecting any compensation. Only the love I returned safely to the US on April 26. heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
of God could effect such dedication. On the 28th, I went to see the doctor as This verse speaks directly to this miracle. All
Compared to all these volunteers, shouldn’t scheduled. I remember the doctor asking the glory be unto God’s name. Amen.
me if I was ready for the surgery the
Manna 6
TESTIMONY
Heaven and Hell Are Real
Isaac Chen—Taichung, Taiwan
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I other areas of growth. I especially wished The Vision of Two Paths
will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your that she would receive the Holy Spirit. I
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, would be much more at ease if she had Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the
your old men shall dream dreams, your the Holy Spirit to help and to guide her gate and broad is the way that leads to
young men shall see visions. And also on into God’struth (Jn 16:13). destruction, and therearemany who go in
My menservants and on My maidservants I From my experience as a full time by it. Because narrow is the gate and diffi-
will pour out My Spirit in those days.” minister, I feared that, with my daughter’s cult is the way which leads to life, and there
(Joel 2:28-29) level of focus and zeal towards prayer, it are few who find it. (Mt 7:13-14)
could be years before she would receive the
Even a child is known by his deeds, whether Holy Spirit. But the love and the grace of On Friday, April 23, 2004, during a spiri-
what he does is pureand right. God extend beyond the imagination of man. tual convocation at our church in Northern
(Prov 20:11) During a prayer session for the Holy Taichung, Jia-Yin went to the front of the
Spirit, Jia-Yin saw a vision. A few days chapel to pray for the Holy Spirit.
My daughter Chen Jia-Yin was born in later,she received the precious Holy Spirit. As she continued saying “Hallelujah,
1996. To me, she is a special heritage given I felt very comforted knowing that she praise the Lord,” there appeared before
by our Lord Jesus. Her liveliness has been a would have the guidance and help of the her a sudden darkness. She felt her spirit
constant source of comfort and joy for me. Holy Spirit for her life. being lifted, and then floating in the air,
As a concerned father, I have often Inow recount the vision she saw and she saw a vision.
fretted over her faith, her studies and her experience of receiving the Holy Spirit.
Manna 7
TESTIMONY
Jia-Yin saw souls of the dead rising up Received the Holy Spirit
from their bodies and proceeding to walk Suddenly, Jia-Yin could see
onaroad. Not long after, they arrived at a what was in the book of life. ...having believed, you were sealed with the
junction where they had to choose It was filled with names. Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee
Next to each name was
between two paths. of our inheritance until the redemption of
recorded some fruit of the
There was a broad road that led the purchased possession . . . (Eph 1:13-14)
spirit: love, joy, peace, pat-
downhill, and it became narrower and
ience, kindness, goodness,
darker as they walked. The other was To those remaining at the glorious
faithfulness, gentleness and
narrow and full of stones, going uphill, but gate of heaven, the angel asked a second
self-control.
as they walked the road became brighter. question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit
when you believed?”
The Road to Destruction A force pushed back those who had
She saw that those who chose the broad At this moment, a bright and glorious not received the Holy Spirit, and they slid
road huddled together as the road became light surrounded the gate. backwards to the road of destruction. Two
smaller. At the end of the road was a other groups suffered the same fate: those
beautiful and magnificent bridge. Who Can Enter Through the without the Holy Spirit who refused to
Those who walked this road thought Gates of Heaven? leave, and those who mistakenly thought
that heaven lay beyond this bridge. Hence, Baptized in Accordance with the Bible that they had the Holy Spirit.
they chose this road. Shoving and pushing,
each blindly followed the person ahead. “Most assuredly,Isay to you, unless one is Named in the Book of Life
At one point, the bridge came to an born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
abrupt end and they fell, one by one, into enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:5) And it shall come to pass that he who is left
abottomless pit. No one had time to warn in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be
those behind them. The people trudging Three angels flew from behind the called holy—everyone who is recorded
behind thought that those ahead had gate. Two angels flanked each side of the among the living in Jerusalem. (Is 4:3)
crossed the bridge to paradise, having no gate as the third angel said in a loud voice,
inkling of the imminent bottomless pit. “Have you been baptized?” After the questioning, many still
The bottomless pit was filled with Some of the people looked shocked. remained by the gate of heaven and the
skeletons and corpses. There were also They did not know why they had to be bright gate of heaven slowly opened.
worms that would not die and fire that baptized in addition to believing in the Two angels guarded the gate and
could not be quenched. Lord Jesus. They did not believe in the another angel brought the book of life
efficacy of baptism and had not been and came before the people. The angel
The Road to Heaven baptized. These people were turned away then took the roll call. Those who were
As the vision continued, Jia-Yin looked to towards the road that led to destruction. called immediately passed through the
the other path. Although it was narrow There was another group of people gate of heaven.
and stony, the longer someone walked who received baptism that was not Suddenly, Jia-Yin could see what was
along it, the brighter it became. Those performed in accordance with the teach- in the book of life. It was filled with
who walked on it eventually arrived at a ings of the Bible. So, the heavenly gate names. Next to each name was recorded
large and magnificent golden gate. appeared to them as if it was the gate of some fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace,
Jia-Yin descended in front of the gate hell, and they angrily turned towards the patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
and stood among the crowd. Suddenly, broad road. gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).
from the top of the gate, a dove carrying They ended up falling into hell like God used many different symbols such
an olive branch in its beak appeared in the those who first chose the bridge. as to record each person’s daily
air, becoming larger as it approached. life, in terms of whether one had lived a
Manna 8