As part of the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading, we are reading through the book of Numbers these days. In Chapter 31, God directs Moses to carry out the Lord’s vengeance on the Midianites because of their wickedness against the Israelites. The Midianite women had enticed the Israelites to indulge in sexual immorality and idol worship. The Lord’s anger burnt against the Israelites first, and many leaders as well as 24,000 men were killed that day. Then in Chapter 31 we see how severely God punishes the Midianites for causing the Israelites to sin against Him. God commands all men, including young boys, to be destroyed as well as every woman who has ever slept with a man. Whether it’s that of a young boy or of a grown man, life is precious. However, my mother’s heart aches a little more every time I read about young children getting killed in the Bible or in real life situations for that matter.
As I saw the devastation caused by the recent tornado in Oklahoma, once again my heart was broken over the seven children who died when their elementary school collapsed. “How terrified those kids must have been! I bet they cried for mommy or daddy. Did anybody get to say a prayer for them?” I cannot help but wonder how horrific it must have been like for those young children during the last few minutes. And it hasn’t been that long since 20 innocent children lost their lives in a Connecticut elementary school shooting incident. Of all the places, these children were killed while in school, the one place that’s supposed to be a safe haven for children!
Unfortunately however, natural disasters and gun violence are not the only life-threatening factors we face. You can be the safest driver in the world, but you cannot always avoid a drunken driver crossing the center line. You may eat healthy and exercise, but that doesn’t exempt you from illnesses. Parents can try very hard to protect their children from harm, but they cannot be with their children 24/7. Even if they could, that still would not guarantee their child’s safety and well-being. So what can parents do? Is there anything they can do to ensure their child’s safety?
There are things parents can do. Parents can pray for their child’s physical and spiritual well-being. They can also educate their child about safe habits and what to do in case of an emergency. That’s all good; however, it’s not enough! There is one thing that every loving parent must do for their child’s safety. What is it? They must make sure that their child is saved; that he/she has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and is heaven-bound. The child who lives with the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ is indeed the safest child! The Children’s Summer Retreat for 3rd – 5th graders is on 6/21 – 6/23. If you have not signed up your child, please do so today. Our own Pastor Keeyoung Kim at MD Campus was saved at a Promiseland Retreat. Additionally, starting in June, I will be conducting a one-on-one Gospel presentation with each child. Please pray for me and for the children so every child can be assured of their salvation through Jesus Christ and become eternally safe.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverb 22:6
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
May 26, 2013
My family had a very special day this past Wednesday because my parents became proud citizens of the United States of America. Our family emigrated from Korea in 1996 and it took about 17 years for my parents to finally to obtain their citizenship. I wish I could post a picture of them holding up their citizenship certificate to let you know how bright their faces were at their swearing-in ceremony. Many of our EC congregation members probably don't have this special experience of obtaining citizenship but all my siblings and I went through it and we know how difficult the process can be. My parents had to go through a special process of applying for a special exception to bring in an interpreter and have testing in Korean. With all the complications they had to go through even during their interview, including switching out my mom's translator, I was very proud of my parents for studying and prepping for the last six months and passing their interviews and tests on their first try.
I am thankful that my kids didn't have to go through any of what I had to go through to earn their citizenship. They just had to be born here in the U.S. Reina and Ryan will never be asked to bring copies of their citizenship certificates because they don't even own any. They both have a birth certificate to prove their genuine citizenship. In the same way, the citizenship of heaven is given to an individual who's born again in Christ. You don't have to take any tests or go through the long process of applying for an interview. How amazing is that?! Aren’t you thankful that God doesn’t make you work for your citizenship of heaven? You and I simply had to put our faith in Christ for the work HE has done for us.
However, we are also well aware of how much work it takes to lead someone to Christ. Some of you may know, my father-in-law is not a Christian. He hasn’t been to church for more than 10 years. It’s been one of our major prayer requests for many years. God impressed in my heart through this year’s lent season to start a family service at his house. Ever since we started it in April, we have not missed one Sunday evening thus far, praise God! We are praying and hoping that the family services will eventually lead my father-in-law to come out to the church and become a citizen of heaven. It will not be so easy but we trust in God that the good work HE has started in us, at the right time, HE will bring it to completion. We are waiting and praying for that day to come soon because that day is indeed a special day to celebrate. We are looking forward to that day when my father-in-law becomes a citizen of heaven. It will definitely be infinitely more special than my parents obtaining a citizenship of the U.S. Please remember to pray for us every Sunday at 6 pm.
From Pastor Brian’s Heart
May 19, 2013