Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Christmas giving and gifts
In this season of Christmas, the world and even many Christians worry and scramble buying each other gifts over the sake of tradition. Buying gifts for one another is not a bad thing in itself. Giving gifts to the poor and needy is not a bad thing in itself. But as usual, we forget the order of how things are to be and we tend to lose the importance of what Christmas really means. For our God is a God of order and we are to learn His order even for this season. With all the commercial secular advertisements of holiday food and special shopping sales, we can lose focus of the real meaning of this season. Christmas is not a season to buy each other gifts per se. It is not a season per se for family to get together just because they have not seen each other for a long time. It is a season to honor the King of Kings and this is the first order.
Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh.12 And [j]receiving an answer to their asking, they were divinely instructed and warned in a dream not to go back to Herod; so they departed to their own country by a different way.
Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh.12 And [j]receiving an answer to their asking, they were divinely instructed and warned in a dream not to go back to Herod; so they departed to their own country by a different way.
The wise men traveled a great distance to find the new born King of Kings. When they had entered into the house and when they had saw the Child, they fell down and worshiped HIM. Christmas is a season in which we should be preparing to worship HIM. It is a season to reflect HIS birth which brought salvation unto the world. It is a season to honor HIM. It is a season to thank HIM as we fall down and worship HIM. The wise men showed their worship and gratitude by then offering HIM gifts. They were expensive gifts. Where is our offering unto HIM as we worship HIM? The world and many Christians spend so much money on this season for themselves. But where is their offering to HIM? Yes, we can say as we give gifts to each other or to the poor, we are giving gifts to HIM. But unless HE tells you otherwise, you must bring your tithes/offering to the designated place of worship.
Deuteronomy 14:23-25 (AMP)And
you shall eat before the Lord your God in the place in which He will
cause His Name [and Presence] to dwell the tithe (tenth) of your grain,
your new wine, your oil, and the firstlings of your herd and your flock,
that you may learn [reverently] to fear the Lord your God always.24 And
if the distance is too long for you to carry your tithe, or the place
where the Lord your God chooses to set His Name [and Presence] is too
far away for you, when the Lord your God has blessed you,25 Then
you shall turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and
shall go to the place [of worship] which the Lord your God has chosen.
If we are willing to spend and buy a loved one or friend with so much money, is our God not worth that much and/or even more? Should our offering not equal or be greater than what we spend for one particular person? Jesus should always be on the top of the list as we make a list to purchase gifts. Some say we are poor so we cannot make an offering? Jesus said that the old lady with the two coins gave more than the rich. If we have little, HE is testing you to see if you will be faithful even with the little.
Let us not forget the reason for this season. This season is about the birth of our Savior and we must utilize our resource and time to first come and worship HIM and make HIM an offering. Therefore, brethren, wherever you are, make sure you make an offering to your home church or to the place you are being spiritually fed. HE must be first in all your decisions. Then as you can see in verse 12 of Matthew 2, the wise men received their answer to their prayer. Even if you cannot afford to buy people gifts, make sure you first make your gift to God even though it may be small. Our prayers are answered when we always put God first.
Let us not forget the reason for this season. This season is about the birth of our Savior and we must utilize our resource and time to first come and worship HIM and make HIM an offering. Therefore, brethren, wherever you are, make sure you make an offering to your home church or to the place you are being spiritually fed. HE must be first in all your decisions. Then as you can see in verse 12 of Matthew 2, the wise men received their answer to their prayer. Even if you cannot afford to buy people gifts, make sure you first make your gift to God even though it may be small. Our prayers are answered when we always put God first.
We must return as the people of God who knows how to make a proper offering to HIM. For too long have we sought for our own selfish ways. Lord, we repent of this and may we return to our First Love.
Merry Christmas and Glory to HIM!
Fire of God Church
Merry Christmas and Glory to HIM!
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Becoming a people of offering and giving again
Deut 16:16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him. 17 All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.
The secular world and commerce has taught the people of the world to try to always get something for free. If not free, then they are always looking for a discount. The days to just pay a fair amount or give the ability for one to make a decent profit is but disappearing. Discounts are not a bad thing but to demand it when we feel we have been wronged is another matter and the world's way.
In the bible, as Christians, when a Roman soldier asked one of God's people to carry his back pack for one mile, Jesus said to carry it for two miles. If a person sued you for your shirt, Jesus said to give him your coat. The bible says, it you have been wronged, be wronged to keep the peace.
Christians should be known for giving grace and we should be a people of giving and offering rather than taking and sucking life from others. If you feel you have been wronged in a business transaction or a sale, then if you can give grace, give grace. If you demand a discount or if you demand it for free then you may just be like the world. What difference are we? Who's light are we shining?
I know many people who work hard and many business owners who work hard. If they make a mistake and it does not cost me anything, then I give them grace. I have learned as I give them grace and show respect, God will move their hearts to make things right. And even if they do not give me anything or a discount, let us reflect as God's salt and light in us by accepting what God allows. We are called to be peacemakers.
With that said, many Christians treat the House of God the same way. Many of us have become like the world and we are always expecting things for free from God. Many Christians come to HIM empty handed. In the bible, HE says that we must not appear before HIM without a gift (offering). We expect HIM to heal and deliver us but we would make the large offering to the hospitals and doctors instead and we have stopped putting HIM first. And this is why many of our prayers do not get answered as we have not put HIM first.
If we really knew how Grace has saved us, we would have such a joyful heart always willing to offer to God because we love HIM. Many work for themselves because they love themselves so they can buy the iphone or ipad for themselves. But how many work and save for God to make HIS House have something special or to make sure the barn house is full so God's people are taken care of first. Sadly, only a very few.
As verse 17 states, give according to the blessings given to you by the Lord your God. But many do not and so they themselves have stopped their own blessings.
We must return as a people who gives with a joyful heart to make tithes and offering to God and to stop expecting everything for free from HIM. Yes, HE has paid the full price but where is your appreciation and gesture? We need to stop coming to HIM empty handed and expecting HIM to keep blessing us when we have yet to bless HIM.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry |
Fremont, CA
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
The secular world and commerce has taught the people of the world to try to always get something for free. If not free, then they are always looking for a discount. The days to just pay a fair amount or give the ability for one to make a decent profit is but disappearing. Discounts are not a bad thing but to demand it when we feel we have been wronged is another matter and the world's way.
In the bible, as Christians, when a Roman soldier asked one of God's people to carry his back pack for one mile, Jesus said to carry it for two miles. If a person sued you for your shirt, Jesus said to give him your coat. The bible says, it you have been wronged, be wronged to keep the peace.
Christians should be known for giving grace and we should be a people of giving and offering rather than taking and sucking life from others. If you feel you have been wronged in a business transaction or a sale, then if you can give grace, give grace. If you demand a discount or if you demand it for free then you may just be like the world. What difference are we? Who's light are we shining?
I know many people who work hard and many business owners who work hard. If they make a mistake and it does not cost me anything, then I give them grace. I have learned as I give them grace and show respect, God will move their hearts to make things right. And even if they do not give me anything or a discount, let us reflect as God's salt and light in us by accepting what God allows. We are called to be peacemakers.
With that said, many Christians treat the House of God the same way. Many of us have become like the world and we are always expecting things for free from God. Many Christians come to HIM empty handed. In the bible, HE says that we must not appear before HIM without a gift (offering). We expect HIM to heal and deliver us but we would make the large offering to the hospitals and doctors instead and we have stopped putting HIM first. And this is why many of our prayers do not get answered as we have not put HIM first.
If we really knew how Grace has saved us, we would have such a joyful heart always willing to offer to God because we love HIM. Many work for themselves because they love themselves so they can buy the iphone or ipad for themselves. But how many work and save for God to make HIS House have something special or to make sure the barn house is full so God's people are taken care of first. Sadly, only a very few.
As verse 17 states, give according to the blessings given to you by the Lord your God. But many do not and so they themselves have stopped their own blessings.
We must return as a people who gives with a joyful heart to make tithes and offering to God and to stop expecting everything for free from HIM. Yes, HE has paid the full price but where is your appreciation and gesture? We need to stop coming to HIM empty handed and expecting HIM to keep blessing us when we have yet to bless HIM.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry |
Fremont, CA
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Friday, December 6, 2013
The Temptation of Jesus
What was the purpose for the Holy Spirit to lead Jesus into the Wilderness?
- To be tempted and tested
Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry.3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made loaves of bread.4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary.6 And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.7 Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them.9 And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.10 Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. 11 Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
In the time of our personal wilderness, the devil will come with things we desperately need. In verses 2-4, Jesus was tempted to make the stones into loaves of bread. When our economy and finances are hit, the devil will come with money/material things to draw us to him for he knows we in need of it. He will make us calculate our ability to tithe and offer. Of course, God allowed the devil to test us to determine whether we will continue to trust God depending on His economy or the world's.
When the devil tempted Jesus, He replied, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ “.
In the days of poverty, we need to read (spiritual food) the scriptures to fill our spiritual stomachs and by doing so, it will grow our faith and we will be reminded that He is faithful even in difficult days. When our spiritual stomachs are filled, we will not be so hungry for money/material things. We will not worry for what we will eat for tomorrow.
In the time of our wilderness, the devil knows what will draw our attention. In verses 5 to 7 speaks about the devil telling Jesus to jump off the cliff and telling Him that God will send angels to save Him. But Jesus replied him by saying, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.”
When many Christians are in their wilderness, they become so apprehensive and afraid worrying of their situation. How will we pay our bills? How will we buy food? Many Christians make a great mistake by getting ahead of God and thinking, “I did it with faith, so God will protect and save me!” Rather than waiting for God to deliver them from their situation, many make decisions and choices to force God to act. Thus they are simply testing God attempting HIM to be their servants. If you jumped off a cliff intentionally asking God to save you, wouldn't that be testing HIM to see if HE will deliver?
In the time of our wilderness, many Christians tend to seek the help from the world and her ways when things do not go as they desire or had expected. Then Christians begin to compromise. Worldly ways begin to look better and they begin to seek counsel from the worldly people. They resort to humanism. They do not realize that they are now kneeling down and worshiping the devil.
When the devil came to Jesus and told Him to ‘kneel down and worship me’, out of the three situations, this is the only situation Jesus said, “Get out of here, Satan”
As you can see, resorting after worldly things and ways are idolatry and it directly comes against the first commandment of God, ‘you should have no other gods’. Many Christians serve ‘other gods’ in their wilderness by seeking the other ways to get out of it. If the ways are not given by God, they are from devil. Jesus replied and fought the devil by saying, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him”
Even with Moses and the wilderness, God's people had carried and sought their idols. Many Christians are doing exactly what they did even today.
Acts 7:42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods—
the shrine of Molech,
the star of your god Rephan,
and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
as far away as Babylon.’[h]
Only after Jesus had passed all three types of tests, the devil went away and the angels came and ministered to Jesus. In the bible, the angels always brought answers and messages. When we pass our tests in our wilderness, the answers to our prayers will come. God will open up the doors of the spiritual and physical blessings. He will lead us to do His work/ministry to lead many souls into His kingdom. Only when we pass the tests and trials in our wilderness, God will use us to glorify Him like Jesus glorified the Father.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Yoojin Kim (Pastor Steve Yong Kim's wife)
- To be tempted and tested
Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry.3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made loaves of bread.4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary.6 And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.7 Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them.9 And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.10 Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. 11 Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
In the time of our personal wilderness, the devil will come with things we desperately need. In verses 2-4, Jesus was tempted to make the stones into loaves of bread. When our economy and finances are hit, the devil will come with money/material things to draw us to him for he knows we in need of it. He will make us calculate our ability to tithe and offer. Of course, God allowed the devil to test us to determine whether we will continue to trust God depending on His economy or the world's.
When the devil tempted Jesus, He replied, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ “.
In the days of poverty, we need to read (spiritual food) the scriptures to fill our spiritual stomachs and by doing so, it will grow our faith and we will be reminded that He is faithful even in difficult days. When our spiritual stomachs are filled, we will not be so hungry for money/material things. We will not worry for what we will eat for tomorrow.
In the time of our wilderness, the devil knows what will draw our attention. In verses 5 to 7 speaks about the devil telling Jesus to jump off the cliff and telling Him that God will send angels to save Him. But Jesus replied him by saying, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.”
When many Christians are in their wilderness, they become so apprehensive and afraid worrying of their situation. How will we pay our bills? How will we buy food? Many Christians make a great mistake by getting ahead of God and thinking, “I did it with faith, so God will protect and save me!” Rather than waiting for God to deliver them from their situation, many make decisions and choices to force God to act. Thus they are simply testing God attempting HIM to be their servants. If you jumped off a cliff intentionally asking God to save you, wouldn't that be testing HIM to see if HE will deliver?
In the time of our wilderness, many Christians tend to seek the help from the world and her ways when things do not go as they desire or had expected. Then Christians begin to compromise. Worldly ways begin to look better and they begin to seek counsel from the worldly people. They resort to humanism. They do not realize that they are now kneeling down and worshiping the devil.
When the devil came to Jesus and told Him to ‘kneel down and worship me’, out of the three situations, this is the only situation Jesus said, “Get out of here, Satan”
As you can see, resorting after worldly things and ways are idolatry and it directly comes against the first commandment of God, ‘you should have no other gods’. Many Christians serve ‘other gods’ in their wilderness by seeking the other ways to get out of it. If the ways are not given by God, they are from devil. Jesus replied and fought the devil by saying, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him”
Even with Moses and the wilderness, God's people had carried and sought their idols. Many Christians are doing exactly what they did even today.
Acts 7:42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods—
the shrine of Molech,
the star of your god Rephan,
and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
as far away as Babylon.’[h]
Only after Jesus had passed all three types of tests, the devil went away and the angels came and ministered to Jesus. In the bible, the angels always brought answers and messages. When we pass our tests in our wilderness, the answers to our prayers will come. God will open up the doors of the spiritual and physical blessings. He will lead us to do His work/ministry to lead many souls into His kingdom. Only when we pass the tests and trials in our wilderness, God will use us to glorify Him like Jesus glorified the Father.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Yoojin Kim (Pastor Steve Yong Kim's wife)
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Breakthrough comes as you know Him more - Nov 17, 2011
When God gives us a word or promise whether that be for spiritual, financial, or physical breakthrough, many of us may end up focusing too much on the end result of the promise. This is even the case with the rapture. However, many do not realize the significance of "time" which is generally in the middle between that promise. This "time" is used by God to test us. This "time" is used by Him so that we may grow in Him. While we are waiting for our breakthroughs or promise, the definition of our wait is to do His Will and Work in the meantime. As we grow in HIM, we are inching closer to that promise and growing to maturity.
John 4:34 (AMP) Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.
Our spiritual, financial, and healing breakthroughs come as we know more of HIM. The promise is given so we may come to know the giver of Life and not necessary the end result of the promise. But people generally focus too much on the end result not realizing that the focus must be on HIM regardless of our situation.
Many wait for their breakthrough first rather than doing His Will and Work regardless of their circumstances. They believe they need the spiritual, financial, or physical breakthrough first. As they wait to do His Will, they do not realize they are prolonging their breakthrough or promise. Please do not misunderstand this message. If God has called one to missions for example, it does not mean one should go have a car wash and start a fund raising to help God give that person the financial breakthrough. The work He has for that person in the meantime are the baby steps within our lives for the greater things. He may also bring other lives into our surrounding to either minister or to learn from. He will even bring the tares around to teach us something. It is a molding and conditioning of our obedience unto Him.
The time between His promise and to the end result of that promise is a test in our lives. The test will even continue after the promise or breakthrough. I have come to realize our whole life is a test. Even after Abraham had his son, God had still tested him again.
Genesis 22:1-2 (AMP) AFTER THESE events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. 2[God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
When people generally receive a promise, they usually expect it within a short time. Many of God's people have not learned God's time and because of this many become offended by Him. Even those who have labored for Him for many years become weary. We have to perceive time through God's eyes and not man's. Some of you say you have patience? Some may have waited 10, 15, 20 years for a breakthrough. Does this give one the privilege to say they now have learned patience? Man seem to always define eternal things within the scope of their finite minds and lives. Man will generally receive God's word and attempt to discern it with their finite minds. If we are to look at the average life of say 70 years and if we have waited for something for 10 years, are we able to say we have patience? But what if the bar or measurement is to say we have patience if can wait for something in the context of eternal time? When God speaks, does He not speak eternally?
For example, God told Abraham that He would make Abraham a great nation and will multiple his descendants like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore. In Genesis chapter 18, they were already old and it was then God told them they would have a son.
Genesis 12:2 (AMP) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].
Genesis 18:10-11 (AMP)10[The Lord] said, I will surely return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah was listening and heard it at the tent door which was behind Him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; it had ceased to be with Sarah as with [young] women. [She was past the age of childbearing].
Genesis 22:16-18 (AMP) And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, 17In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, 18And in your Seed [[a]Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice.
If that word was given to some of us today, many of us would begin to calculate how many children we need to have and then how many children they need to have to achieve such a goal within our time frame. Yet, even at his aging year, Abraham did not have a heir until he was 100 years old. Many would have thought God's promise was not coming. Many at the age of 100 years old would have thought at that age it would be impossible to be the forefather of multiple descendants like the sand on the seashore. Many may have lost their faith and quit. So what do many do? Many will do what Abraham and Sarah did. Since they did not know how God was going to fulfill HIS promise, they stepped ahead of God on their own in attempt to help God by having a son through their servant. When Abraham and Sarah went ahead of God, His people even today suffer the consequences of their mistake through the descendants of Ishmael.
Today, many of God's people are always trying to give God a jump start instead of waiting for His appointed time. There is always an appointed time with HIM.
Genesis 18:14 (AMP) Is anything too hard or too wonderful [a]for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son.
If we perceive eternal promises earthly, then our faith may not hold. We must change the way we perceive time. We must stop looking at it finitely but eternally. God may give you the breakthrough when you are 100 years old and perhaps even fulfill the promise after you are gone. So do we really have the patience to wait in eternal time?
Colossians 3:2 (AMP) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
God has taught me something very important. The Lord has taught me that I must get to know Him more and as I know Him more, His Glory will cover me as it will bring forth His promises in my life. What is the original purpose of man calling or seeking God for help? Many people call out God for help because of their own personal need and comfort. God will use this opportunity to turn people toward Him. But the question is will we turn to Him or will we continue to look for our personal comfort instead.
When we get into trouble, we may start to call on God for help but many do not realize in such a situation, help and our breakthrough comes when we draw closer to HIM. God allows the trials and tribulation in our lives to draw us closer to HIM. If we only look for the end result, we are only looking for our comfort and not HIM. As a result, your breakthrough will delay and may not even come. His promises and Word are conditional to your CONTINUED obedience and faith.
A few years ago, a sister asked us to pray and deliver her husband from smoking and pornography. We told her we will go ask the Lord. The Lord replied and said, "Not yet." She got offended because she saw God give grace to another in which she thought that person didn't deserve. The message God told us to give her and her family was the following. "What will change if I deliver him of his smoking and pornography? Will he read more of My Word? Will he pray more? Will he worship Me more? Go tell him to do it now then!" For some who are being newly saved, God will give grace to free them immediately but not for those who have been a "Christian" a long time, it will not come so easy.
You see, that person was asking God for help for the sake of his marriage and his personal interest and not for getting to know God more or for His Glory. This is why God will not always answer immediately. He wants you to draw closer to HIM first. He will allow the situation taking such opportunity to train us to pray, read, and worship HIM. How many of us really seek Him when things are going so well? We but get busy with the distractions of life and eventually fade away from HIM giving Him but crumbs on some occassional Sundays or perhaps holidays.
Our spiritual, financial, physical breakthroughs come as you get to know HIM MORE. God at the end is trying to teach us that the end result is not as important as learning to know Him more. As we grow in Grace moving from Glory to Glory, we achieve our breakthroughs so we may do More of His Work and His Will for His Glory and not so we may be comfortable or go back to where we had come from.
May you all persevere and endure in all things for His Glory. May you all find the freedom and Peace in HIM. May you all walk in the authority and power to overcome the gates of hell. May you all be lead to His uncompromised Truth.
God bless
Fire of God!
Steve Yong Kim
November 17, 2011
John 4:34 (AMP) Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.
Our spiritual, financial, and healing breakthroughs come as we know more of HIM. The promise is given so we may come to know the giver of Life and not necessary the end result of the promise. But people generally focus too much on the end result not realizing that the focus must be on HIM regardless of our situation.
Many wait for their breakthrough first rather than doing His Will and Work regardless of their circumstances. They believe they need the spiritual, financial, or physical breakthrough first. As they wait to do His Will, they do not realize they are prolonging their breakthrough or promise. Please do not misunderstand this message. If God has called one to missions for example, it does not mean one should go have a car wash and start a fund raising to help God give that person the financial breakthrough. The work He has for that person in the meantime are the baby steps within our lives for the greater things. He may also bring other lives into our surrounding to either minister or to learn from. He will even bring the tares around to teach us something. It is a molding and conditioning of our obedience unto Him.
The time between His promise and to the end result of that promise is a test in our lives. The test will even continue after the promise or breakthrough. I have come to realize our whole life is a test. Even after Abraham had his son, God had still tested him again.
Genesis 22:1-2 (AMP) AFTER THESE events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. 2[God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
When people generally receive a promise, they usually expect it within a short time. Many of God's people have not learned God's time and because of this many become offended by Him. Even those who have labored for Him for many years become weary. We have to perceive time through God's eyes and not man's. Some of you say you have patience? Some may have waited 10, 15, 20 years for a breakthrough. Does this give one the privilege to say they now have learned patience? Man seem to always define eternal things within the scope of their finite minds and lives. Man will generally receive God's word and attempt to discern it with their finite minds. If we are to look at the average life of say 70 years and if we have waited for something for 10 years, are we able to say we have patience? But what if the bar or measurement is to say we have patience if can wait for something in the context of eternal time? When God speaks, does He not speak eternally?
For example, God told Abraham that He would make Abraham a great nation and will multiple his descendants like the stars of heaven and like the sand on the seashore. In Genesis chapter 18, they were already old and it was then God told them they would have a son.
Genesis 12:2 (AMP) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].
Genesis 18:10-11 (AMP)10[The Lord] said, I will surely return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah was listening and heard it at the tent door which was behind Him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; it had ceased to be with Sarah as with [young] women. [She was past the age of childbearing].
Genesis 22:16-18 (AMP) And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, 17In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, 18And in your Seed [[a]Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice.
If that word was given to some of us today, many of us would begin to calculate how many children we need to have and then how many children they need to have to achieve such a goal within our time frame. Yet, even at his aging year, Abraham did not have a heir until he was 100 years old. Many would have thought God's promise was not coming. Many at the age of 100 years old would have thought at that age it would be impossible to be the forefather of multiple descendants like the sand on the seashore. Many may have lost their faith and quit. So what do many do? Many will do what Abraham and Sarah did. Since they did not know how God was going to fulfill HIS promise, they stepped ahead of God on their own in attempt to help God by having a son through their servant. When Abraham and Sarah went ahead of God, His people even today suffer the consequences of their mistake through the descendants of Ishmael.
Today, many of God's people are always trying to give God a jump start instead of waiting for His appointed time. There is always an appointed time with HIM.
Genesis 18:14 (AMP) Is anything too hard or too wonderful [a]for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son.
If we perceive eternal promises earthly, then our faith may not hold. We must change the way we perceive time. We must stop looking at it finitely but eternally. God may give you the breakthrough when you are 100 years old and perhaps even fulfill the promise after you are gone. So do we really have the patience to wait in eternal time?
Colossians 3:2 (AMP) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
God has taught me something very important. The Lord has taught me that I must get to know Him more and as I know Him more, His Glory will cover me as it will bring forth His promises in my life. What is the original purpose of man calling or seeking God for help? Many people call out God for help because of their own personal need and comfort. God will use this opportunity to turn people toward Him. But the question is will we turn to Him or will we continue to look for our personal comfort instead.
When we get into trouble, we may start to call on God for help but many do not realize in such a situation, help and our breakthrough comes when we draw closer to HIM. God allows the trials and tribulation in our lives to draw us closer to HIM. If we only look for the end result, we are only looking for our comfort and not HIM. As a result, your breakthrough will delay and may not even come. His promises and Word are conditional to your CONTINUED obedience and faith.
A few years ago, a sister asked us to pray and deliver her husband from smoking and pornography. We told her we will go ask the Lord. The Lord replied and said, "Not yet." She got offended because she saw God give grace to another in which she thought that person didn't deserve. The message God told us to give her and her family was the following. "What will change if I deliver him of his smoking and pornography? Will he read more of My Word? Will he pray more? Will he worship Me more? Go tell him to do it now then!" For some who are being newly saved, God will give grace to free them immediately but not for those who have been a "Christian" a long time, it will not come so easy.
You see, that person was asking God for help for the sake of his marriage and his personal interest and not for getting to know God more or for His Glory. This is why God will not always answer immediately. He wants you to draw closer to HIM first. He will allow the situation taking such opportunity to train us to pray, read, and worship HIM. How many of us really seek Him when things are going so well? We but get busy with the distractions of life and eventually fade away from HIM giving Him but crumbs on some occassional Sundays or perhaps holidays.
Our spiritual, financial, physical breakthroughs come as you get to know HIM MORE. God at the end is trying to teach us that the end result is not as important as learning to know Him more. As we grow in Grace moving from Glory to Glory, we achieve our breakthroughs so we may do More of His Work and His Will for His Glory and not so we may be comfortable or go back to where we had come from.
May you all persevere and endure in all things for His Glory. May you all find the freedom and Peace in HIM. May you all walk in the authority and power to overcome the gates of hell. May you all be lead to His uncompromised Truth.
God bless
Fire of God!
Steve Yong Kim
November 17, 2011
Monday, December 2, 2013
The harlot
(Pro 7:11) She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
"The harlot of Proverb 7 is not able to endure the burden of staying at home.
It's much easier to wander around rather than been faithfully given to the service of one single house. Many believers do not want to be engaged to the church of Christ. They don't attend church.
The body of Christ is a place of true self denial, where you learn how to grow beyond offenses and emotions. You bear your brethren and they bear you. You serve them even, especially when they least deserve it. You love them even if they are not the way you would like them to be. So it's of no wonder that so many believers do not want to attend church.
Taking it a little further, I would say that those same people are generally unstable. They look like an untamed cow which won't carry its master's yoke.
Jesus has called us to carry our cross and follow Him. One of the greatest challenges of Christian life is being faithful to the church we belong. Sometimes we are tired, busy, we live too far etc and we choose to not go to church. When this becomes a habit there is a great danger for our soul. Jesus asked his disciples to wait all together in Jerusalem for the infusion of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father. He was where they were, the Bible says, assembled together with them.
The church is the body of Christ, where the Holy Spirit will manifest those last days. The danger is that this day many will be found outside THE HOUSE OF GOD as the harlot."
Author
KCK
"The harlot of Proverb 7 is not able to endure the burden of staying at home.
It's much easier to wander around rather than been faithfully given to the service of one single house. Many believers do not want to be engaged to the church of Christ. They don't attend church.
The body of Christ is a place of true self denial, where you learn how to grow beyond offenses and emotions. You bear your brethren and they bear you. You serve them even, especially when they least deserve it. You love them even if they are not the way you would like them to be. So it's of no wonder that so many believers do not want to attend church.
Taking it a little further, I would say that those same people are generally unstable. They look like an untamed cow which won't carry its master's yoke.
Jesus has called us to carry our cross and follow Him. One of the greatest challenges of Christian life is being faithful to the church we belong. Sometimes we are tired, busy, we live too far etc and we choose to not go to church. When this becomes a habit there is a great danger for our soul. Jesus asked his disciples to wait all together in Jerusalem for the infusion of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father. He was where they were, the Bible says, assembled together with them.
The church is the body of Christ, where the Holy Spirit will manifest those last days. The danger is that this day many will be found outside THE HOUSE OF GOD as the harlot."
Author
KCK
Thursday, November 28, 2013
According to your faith be it done to you by Diane Solver
“And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30 And their eyes were opened.” Matthew 9:27-30
Jesus said, “According to your faith be it done to you.” He spoke these words to two blind men who came to Him for healing. The faith of the blind men played a role on how the Lord responded to their request. What are you expecting God to do in your life? According to your faith be it done to you. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our faith must be deeply-rooted in Christ.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:3
Though our flesh and heart may fail, the Lord will be our strength. Jesus said that He will be with us always until the end. He will never leave nor forsake us. We must be faithful until death and He will give us the crown of life. We must not give up. Many Christians are giving up because of the trials and difficulties. It is not what the Lord wants for us. He wants us to be victorious Christians. He wants us to be conquerors. He wants us to keep moving forward courageously. We must repent of our cowardice. Fearful and coward people have no part in God’s Kingdom. Daddy God cannot use us if we lose heart and get discouraged. He will set us aside because He doesn’t want other Christians to be affected by our unbelief. We must overcome our fears. The only fear that we must have is the fear of the Lord.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18
“So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Hebrew 13:6
“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:31
In the Old Testament, only those people who follow, obey and trusted the Lord were able to enter the Promise Land. Those who were driven by fear and unbelief died in the wilderness. When Moses sent twelve people to spy the Promise Land, only two (Joshua and Caleb) believed that they can possess the land. The other ten were fearful and they discouraged the people from moving forward. They saw themselves as grasshoppers who would be crushed by big giants. And according to their faith, it was done unto them. They were not able to enter the Promise Land. But the two, Joshua and Caleb, were different. They trusted Daddy God and they see the giants of the land as their breads to be eaten. According to their faith, it was done unto them. They were able to enter the land. God always delights to honor faith. Do we have the same faith? The faith that we will able to go up and possess the land for Christ? If we “wholly follow the Lord,” we will reach the promise land. Only few were able to enter the Promise Land. Jesus said that only few will enter and walk the strait and narrow way leading to life. Will we be one of those few?
According to your faith be it done to you. What is your faith telling you? Is your faith telling you to move on and to keep pressing to the Lord? Or is your faith shrinking within you that you cannot move forward? Jesus said that “if only we have faith like a grain of a mustard seed”. What is a mustard seed? “It is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (Mark 4:31-32) Our faith must be like that. It must keep on growing. It must bear fruits. It must not become stunted. It must not wither.
May our faith become stronger amidst trials and difficulties. May we continue moving forward for there is a crown awaiting for each of us if only we do not give up.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelations 2:10
“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelations 3:21
All Glory to God!
-Daddy’s girl
Nov 20, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thanksgiving Offering
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, many have made their offerings to the turkey industries by buying much food and turkey. But have you made or prepared your special offering of Thanksgiving to God in HIS House? The modern Western Church has lost much of its way in knowing how to make offerings to HIM. Yes, there is much abuse but the mistakes of men should not stop you from doing what is right with God. Do not end up a turkey yourself.
You must always put God first. HE is to receive your first fruits, the first tenth or tithes, and FIRST CONSIDERATION before anything else. May your hearts always be in order and give HIM your best. A joyful giver is one who has realized how he/she has been saved by HIS Grace.
Nehemiah 10:35-39 (NLT) “We promise to bring the first part of every harvest to the Lord’s Temple year after year—whether it be a crop from the soil or from our fruit trees. 36 We agree to give God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our herds and flocks, as prescribed in the Law. We will present them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God. 37 We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil. And we promise to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns.
38 “A priest—a descendant of Aaron—will be with the Levites as they receive these tithes. And a tenth of all that is collected as tithes will be delivered by the Levites to the Temple of our God and placed in the storerooms. 39 The people and the Levites must bring these offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the storerooms and place them in the sacred containers near the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers.
“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”
You must always put God first. HE is to receive your first fruits, the first tenth or tithes, and FIRST CONSIDERATION before anything else. May your hearts always be in order and give HIM your best. A joyful giver is one who has realized how he/she has been saved by HIS Grace.
Nehemiah 10:35-39 (NLT) “We promise to bring the first part of every harvest to the Lord’s Temple year after year—whether it be a crop from the soil or from our fruit trees. 36 We agree to give God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our herds and flocks, as prescribed in the Law. We will present them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God. 37 We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil. And we promise to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns.
38 “A priest—a descendant of Aaron—will be with the Levites as they receive these tithes. And a tenth of all that is collected as tithes will be delivered by the Levites to the Temple of our God and placed in the storerooms. 39 The people and the Levites must bring these offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the storerooms and place them in the sacred containers near the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers.
“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Sanctify yourselves!
Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves [that is, separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
Joshua 7:13 Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel. You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].
One thing many Christians have failed to do is to sanctify themselves. Sanctification is part of our salvation process. The bible commands us to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. Yet, so many professing Christians have yet to set themselves apart from the world and of their old life. Many Christians are led into deception.
We expect God to perform wonders and miracles in our lives. After all, this is what is told to us by most religious establishments and other Christians. Many cry out to God for help but are they really crying out to God of the bible or their own golden calf? Remember, the molded golden calf represents our own image of who God should be to us.
But why are there very few wondrous works from the Lord? The problem is not God but HIS people. HE is faithful. HE has always been faithful. Many of God's people have yet to sanctify themselves before the Lord so that HE may do wonders among us. We must be cleansed from our idols, sin, and flesh.
Does God not desire to heal HIS people? When HIS people are healed, they will give HIM thanksgiving and praise. When HIS people give HIM thanksgiving, it gives HIM glory. But many of us are defeated because we have accursed things in our midst. This is why we can not stand before our enemies. Satan is to be our footstool but many Christians are his footstool. We must destroy and put down our idols and sin. Grace was never meant to allow us to continue in our sin or shortcomings. Grace is there to empower us and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us to overcome and be victorious. Nothing is impossible with God. Yes, we may go through a season of suffering or pain but at the end we are to have victory having learned obedience.
When we feel like we are in the belly of the whale as Jonah was, we must know what is required to get out and achieve victory. Jonah was running from God. Many Christians are running from God as they are not doing what HE desires. They are not in HIS Will. In order to get out of the dark defeated situation, Jonah had to give sacrifices of thanksgiving and fulfill his vow. These are the requirements for God to rescue us.
Psalms 50:14-15 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
We ask ourselves, "what vow have I made to God?" Yes, some have made personal vows to God. But this week God gave me the revelation to this meaning. When we first believed and are saved, we enter into a covenant with God. A covenant is a contract or agreement. A covenant is a promise but it requires two sides to fulfill their requirements. When people enter into contract, they are required to read the terms and conditions of the contract and what is required so there is no breach of contract. The bible or God's Word is our covenant agreement or contract. Many Christians have yet to know what they are believing in. They have yet to read the vow they have committed too. When Christians first believed and are saved, we are in a sense vowing to fulfill our part of what is in the bible. This is to believe. But if we do not know what is written in the bible, then we may be breaching the covenant thus allowing the enemy to overcome us when we are to overcome the enemy and the world.
You are called to fulfill your vow. You are a people to be a people of prayer. You are a people called to always give HIM thanksgiving. You are a people who is to know HIS Word so you may share the gospel so more may be saved and HE may receive more the glory. You are a people who are worshipers. You are a people to be set apart from the world. You are to be a people sanctified before HIM having sin and idols removed. You must be cleansed! Pray to have the unforgivness, the hurt, the abuse, the lust, the coveting, the selfishness, rebellion, and other idols removed!
There is no such thing as a two minute praying Christians. Most are just Sunday Christians. We are to grow in HIS Grace moving from Glory to Glory daily. Your life must be God. Everyday must be God. You must spend time with HIM each day. Otherwise, there will be no victory. You must know what this means. Repent and return to your First Love.
Acts 14:22 Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
In order to receive a harvest so that we may eat and survive is to take the steps to till the harden soil, sow the seeds, and watch and protect the harvest as it grows to the end of the season. We must wait out seasons for the harvest. You are the harvest. Jesus came for the lost sheep of Israel. HE still comes for the lost sheep of HIS people as many are wandering lost and confused. You will find HIM as you spend real time with HIM.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
Joshua 7:13 Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel. You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].
One thing many Christians have failed to do is to sanctify themselves. Sanctification is part of our salvation process. The bible commands us to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. Yet, so many professing Christians have yet to set themselves apart from the world and of their old life. Many Christians are led into deception.
We expect God to perform wonders and miracles in our lives. After all, this is what is told to us by most religious establishments and other Christians. Many cry out to God for help but are they really crying out to God of the bible or their own golden calf? Remember, the molded golden calf represents our own image of who God should be to us.
But why are there very few wondrous works from the Lord? The problem is not God but HIS people. HE is faithful. HE has always been faithful. Many of God's people have yet to sanctify themselves before the Lord so that HE may do wonders among us. We must be cleansed from our idols, sin, and flesh.
Does God not desire to heal HIS people? When HIS people are healed, they will give HIM thanksgiving and praise. When HIS people give HIM thanksgiving, it gives HIM glory. But many of us are defeated because we have accursed things in our midst. This is why we can not stand before our enemies. Satan is to be our footstool but many Christians are his footstool. We must destroy and put down our idols and sin. Grace was never meant to allow us to continue in our sin or shortcomings. Grace is there to empower us and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us to overcome and be victorious. Nothing is impossible with God. Yes, we may go through a season of suffering or pain but at the end we are to have victory having learned obedience.
When we feel like we are in the belly of the whale as Jonah was, we must know what is required to get out and achieve victory. Jonah was running from God. Many Christians are running from God as they are not doing what HE desires. They are not in HIS Will. In order to get out of the dark defeated situation, Jonah had to give sacrifices of thanksgiving and fulfill his vow. These are the requirements for God to rescue us.
Psalms 50:14-15 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
We ask ourselves, "what vow have I made to God?" Yes, some have made personal vows to God. But this week God gave me the revelation to this meaning. When we first believed and are saved, we enter into a covenant with God. A covenant is a contract or agreement. A covenant is a promise but it requires two sides to fulfill their requirements. When people enter into contract, they are required to read the terms and conditions of the contract and what is required so there is no breach of contract. The bible or God's Word is our covenant agreement or contract. Many Christians have yet to know what they are believing in. They have yet to read the vow they have committed too. When Christians first believed and are saved, we are in a sense vowing to fulfill our part of what is in the bible. This is to believe. But if we do not know what is written in the bible, then we may be breaching the covenant thus allowing the enemy to overcome us when we are to overcome the enemy and the world.
You are called to fulfill your vow. You are a people to be a people of prayer. You are a people called to always give HIM thanksgiving. You are a people who is to know HIS Word so you may share the gospel so more may be saved and HE may receive more the glory. You are a people who are worshipers. You are a people to be set apart from the world. You are to be a people sanctified before HIM having sin and idols removed. You must be cleansed! Pray to have the unforgivness, the hurt, the abuse, the lust, the coveting, the selfishness, rebellion, and other idols removed!
There is no such thing as a two minute praying Christians. Most are just Sunday Christians. We are to grow in HIS Grace moving from Glory to Glory daily. Your life must be God. Everyday must be God. You must spend time with HIM each day. Otherwise, there will be no victory. You must know what this means. Repent and return to your First Love.
Acts 14:22 Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
In order to receive a harvest so that we may eat and survive is to take the steps to till the harden soil, sow the seeds, and watch and protect the harvest as it grows to the end of the season. We must wait out seasons for the harvest. You are the harvest. Jesus came for the lost sheep of Israel. HE still comes for the lost sheep of HIS people as many are wandering lost and confused. You will find HIM as you spend real time with HIM.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Meekest person
Numbers 12:3 (AMP) Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) or above all the men on the face of the earth.
The bible says Moses was the most meekest person above all the men on the face of the earth. He was not an eloquent man. In fact, he talked God into making Aaron the spokesman. He almost got killed by God when he disobeyed HIM on his return to Egypt by not circumcising his second boy. Moses had many issues as a human. But God had placed him as the leader of God's people. Moses did not go to bible school. Moses did not go through any special training to lead a people who were mostly complainer and grumbler. God trained him by having him tend sheep for forty years.
Yes, he was an educated man. Yes, he had experienced a luxury up bringing. He grew up with the best. After all, he was raised as Pharaoh's own. But at the end, he laid it all down to serve God and he never complained how good it was when he was in Egypt growing up. He never looked back. Yes, he had moments when he had an out burst of anger but after all he was leading two million people. Most of us cannot hold our peace when we are leading two people. There is consequences to our anger. Moses could not enter the promise land. No one can possess righteous anger except God. We are called to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is sad and ironic how God's people were slaves but yet they looked back and wished they could return to Egypt. Today is no different, many of God's people slowly return to "Egypt" which represents their old life.
How much knowledge or of the Word you possess does not qualify you to lead God's people. In the physical sense, this is how we think. We think the more bible one knows, the more one is qualified. It is not how much spiritual gifts one possesses or one's ability to hear God's voice. It is not about one's ability to prophecy. In fact, some have more spiritual gifts because they really lack faith. God gives them spiritual gifts to help them believe. It is granted by His Grace and not because they are more spiritual people.
God will not raise a leader because he/she knows a lot of Word or because he/she possess a lot of spiritual gifts. Knowledge can make someone prideful and such a person can use the Word/letter to kill rather than bring life. Spiritual gifts can become corrupted as well when pride is at work. God will not raise a shepherd or a leader because of their speaking talents.
Moses qualified because he was the most meekest person above all the person on the earth. Moses was very gentle. He was very kind. We may not know much. We may not possess much. We may not even speak well. But God can use our weakness to lead HIS people if we possess HIS humility. God is looking for excellent shepherds who have been broken and humbled. HE is looking for people who can help seek the lost. HE is looking for people who can endure the difficult people. HE is looking for people who know HIS LOVE, Voice, and Ways. We must continue to be humbled becoming less and less so that we may not be deceived.
I am not fully there myself but that is my prayer that God makes me a very meek person. God bless you all.
Fire of God church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
The bible says Moses was the most meekest person above all the men on the face of the earth. He was not an eloquent man. In fact, he talked God into making Aaron the spokesman. He almost got killed by God when he disobeyed HIM on his return to Egypt by not circumcising his second boy. Moses had many issues as a human. But God had placed him as the leader of God's people. Moses did not go to bible school. Moses did not go through any special training to lead a people who were mostly complainer and grumbler. God trained him by having him tend sheep for forty years.
Yes, he was an educated man. Yes, he had experienced a luxury up bringing. He grew up with the best. After all, he was raised as Pharaoh's own. But at the end, he laid it all down to serve God and he never complained how good it was when he was in Egypt growing up. He never looked back. Yes, he had moments when he had an out burst of anger but after all he was leading two million people. Most of us cannot hold our peace when we are leading two people. There is consequences to our anger. Moses could not enter the promise land. No one can possess righteous anger except God. We are called to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is sad and ironic how God's people were slaves but yet they looked back and wished they could return to Egypt. Today is no different, many of God's people slowly return to "Egypt" which represents their old life.
How much knowledge or of the Word you possess does not qualify you to lead God's people. In the physical sense, this is how we think. We think the more bible one knows, the more one is qualified. It is not how much spiritual gifts one possesses or one's ability to hear God's voice. It is not about one's ability to prophecy. In fact, some have more spiritual gifts because they really lack faith. God gives them spiritual gifts to help them believe. It is granted by His Grace and not because they are more spiritual people.
God will not raise a leader because he/she knows a lot of Word or because he/she possess a lot of spiritual gifts. Knowledge can make someone prideful and such a person can use the Word/letter to kill rather than bring life. Spiritual gifts can become corrupted as well when pride is at work. God will not raise a shepherd or a leader because of their speaking talents.
Moses qualified because he was the most meekest person above all the person on the earth. Moses was very gentle. He was very kind. We may not know much. We may not possess much. We may not even speak well. But God can use our weakness to lead HIS people if we possess HIS humility. God is looking for excellent shepherds who have been broken and humbled. HE is looking for people who can help seek the lost. HE is looking for people who can endure the difficult people. HE is looking for people who know HIS LOVE, Voice, and Ways. We must continue to be humbled becoming less and less so that we may not be deceived.
I am not fully there myself but that is my prayer that God makes me a very meek person. God bless you all.
Fire of God church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Monday, November 18, 2013
Do you want judgment to come on the earth?
Back in the year 2011, there were many prophecy about judgment in general and about an earthquake and tsunami coming to California. There was a lot of talk about a particular comet, Elenine, that was to hit the earth. There was a lot of talk about judgment coming to the USA. Even today, many Christians continue to stock up physical food, emergency necessities, and hard money preparing for difficult days. Such talk can rally up many Christians and a large following. I have to admit, back in the year 2011, we had taken some small precautionary measures just in case. But we had come to realize, most of it all is bogus and nonsense. Most of it is but false prophecy and false prophets. However, sadly, many Christians continue to seek other prophecy extending their dates of judgment or rapture. They are being misled. They are misled as their focus is on judgment and rapture rather than on Jesus. Even the rapture event can become an idol to many Christians. We must come to know the Heart of God. What are His Ways? What are His Thoughts?
The human nature is not of God's way nor God's thoughts. We can look at the judgment of the Philippines and other nations and many Christians in their hearts may actually gloat over the situation. They may gloat with their words or in their hearts thinking they deserve it. However, judgment is God's last option. HE only judges because HE has too and because HE is a righteous God. But God's nature is that no one perishes. Therefore, should our hearts not be like God's and desire that no one perishes?
Even when it comes to our secular leaders, many Christians slander and within their hearts they have evil thoughts and intention for their leaders. Many slander and have evil thoughts because in their minds, such leaders or politicians are taking away their security and comfort. All thoughts are selfish. As Christians, our solutions are through prayer. Many western Christians do not pray. They just complain. They have complained to God in the wilderness and they continue to complain today. When we complain in any given situation, we are really complaining to God. Perhaps, God is allowing those politicians to make mistakes to show what is in our hearts.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (AMP) Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown,18 Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].
God set up our church in Fremont, California USA on October 17, 2012. Even this was a surprise to me. Fremont is forty minutes to San Francisco. Fire of God Church is located right in the middle of California. Many think San Francisco is about to receive judgment. Many think California is about to have an earthquake and tsunami. Some people are actually afraid to come visit or move here because they believe in such false prophecy. But actually, it is the bible belt of the USA that experience more natural calamities than California. Judgment starts in the household of God first. It is still nice and sunny as far as I can tell. But God had opened an Issac church right in enemy territory. Why? What is an Issac Church? It is a church birthed by the Spirit of God. We must know HIS Ways if we are to know HIS Voice.
San Francisco is known for the homosexual community throughout the world. Many Christians think of San Francisco as Sodom or Gomorrah. While many Christians are thinking of moving out of California and even the USA, God is setting up HIS church where most Christians would not expect it. God's ways are higher than ours. God's way is not to run but to take the land for HIS glory. God is not looking to bring judgment. Judgment is HIS last option. HE had come to bring life. And if HE can raise up a people/generation and a church within enemy Territory, it will bring HIM the more glory.
HE is not looking to judge HIS creation but to raise up a people of HIS own to shine His light and bring life. His ways is not to kill and destroy but HE looks for a reason to spare and give mercy. HE looks for a righteous son or daughter of HIS own that would intercede for their families, cities, and nation. His Way is to bring life. God is looking for a reason to save a family, a city, and a nation. God is looking for a reason to show Mercy.
While evil hearts look for reasons for God to judge a family, a city, or a nation, God looks for a righteous person to stand in the gap to spare a family, a city, or a nation. WE must know HIS ways so that we please HIM.
Jeremiah 5:1 AMP Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and take notice! Seek in her broad squares to see if you can find a man [as Abraham sought in Sodom], one who does justice, who seeks truth, sincerity, and faithfulness; and I will pardon [Jerusalem—for one uncompromisingly righteous person].
Jeremiah 5:1 NLT “Run up and down every street in Jerusalem,” says the Lord. “Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city.
If Abraham had asked God if HE would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if HE had found one righteous person, I believe God would have spared the cities. But Abraham had asked and stopped at 10 people. He did not go to one person. Yes, God may have spared if there was just one. Jesus would have still come to the earth and died for one person if HE had too. This is amazing Love and Grace.
It is God's Will that no one perishes. Is this within our hearts? If we say so that why are our actions not correlating with our words? Are we just giving lip service? Should we not be praying and interceding fervently and diligently for hours until God's Will is done within our lives, families, cities, and nation? Praying over a meal is not going to get HIS attention for HE is a Great King. A two minute prayer is not going to break into the spiritual realm and to HIS Throne. The bible says we are to pray always in the Spirit.
Yes, judgment may come on the earth one day but may you all become HIS prayer warriors so that your families, cities, and nation will be saved.
We must repent and we must read HIS Word searching scripture daily to know HIS Ways and Thoughts and then we will know HIS Voice.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, California USA near San Francisco
The human nature is not of God's way nor God's thoughts. We can look at the judgment of the Philippines and other nations and many Christians in their hearts may actually gloat over the situation. They may gloat with their words or in their hearts thinking they deserve it. However, judgment is God's last option. HE only judges because HE has too and because HE is a righteous God. But God's nature is that no one perishes. Therefore, should our hearts not be like God's and desire that no one perishes?
Even when it comes to our secular leaders, many Christians slander and within their hearts they have evil thoughts and intention for their leaders. Many slander and have evil thoughts because in their minds, such leaders or politicians are taking away their security and comfort. All thoughts are selfish. As Christians, our solutions are through prayer. Many western Christians do not pray. They just complain. They have complained to God in the wilderness and they continue to complain today. When we complain in any given situation, we are really complaining to God. Perhaps, God is allowing those politicians to make mistakes to show what is in our hearts.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (AMP) Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown,18 Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].
God set up our church in Fremont, California USA on October 17, 2012. Even this was a surprise to me. Fremont is forty minutes to San Francisco. Fire of God Church is located right in the middle of California. Many think San Francisco is about to receive judgment. Many think California is about to have an earthquake and tsunami. Some people are actually afraid to come visit or move here because they believe in such false prophecy. But actually, it is the bible belt of the USA that experience more natural calamities than California. Judgment starts in the household of God first. It is still nice and sunny as far as I can tell. But God had opened an Issac church right in enemy territory. Why? What is an Issac Church? It is a church birthed by the Spirit of God. We must know HIS Ways if we are to know HIS Voice.
San Francisco is known for the homosexual community throughout the world. Many Christians think of San Francisco as Sodom or Gomorrah. While many Christians are thinking of moving out of California and even the USA, God is setting up HIS church where most Christians would not expect it. God's ways are higher than ours. God's way is not to run but to take the land for HIS glory. God is not looking to bring judgment. Judgment is HIS last option. HE had come to bring life. And if HE can raise up a people/generation and a church within enemy Territory, it will bring HIM the more glory.
HE is not looking to judge HIS creation but to raise up a people of HIS own to shine His light and bring life. His ways is not to kill and destroy but HE looks for a reason to spare and give mercy. HE looks for a righteous son or daughter of HIS own that would intercede for their families, cities, and nation. His Way is to bring life. God is looking for a reason to save a family, a city, and a nation. God is looking for a reason to show Mercy.
While evil hearts look for reasons for God to judge a family, a city, or a nation, God looks for a righteous person to stand in the gap to spare a family, a city, or a nation. WE must know HIS ways so that we please HIM.
Jeremiah 5:1 AMP Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and take notice! Seek in her broad squares to see if you can find a man [as Abraham sought in Sodom], one who does justice, who seeks truth, sincerity, and faithfulness; and I will pardon [Jerusalem—for one uncompromisingly righteous person].
If Abraham had asked God if HE would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if HE had found one righteous person, I believe God would have spared the cities. But Abraham had asked and stopped at 10 people. He did not go to one person. Yes, God may have spared if there was just one. Jesus would have still come to the earth and died for one person if HE had too. This is amazing Love and Grace.
It is God's Will that no one perishes. Is this within our hearts? If we say so that why are our actions not correlating with our words? Are we just giving lip service? Should we not be praying and interceding fervently and diligently for hours until God's Will is done within our lives, families, cities, and nation? Praying over a meal is not going to get HIS attention for HE is a Great King. A two minute prayer is not going to break into the spiritual realm and to HIS Throne. The bible says we are to pray always in the Spirit.
Yes, judgment may come on the earth one day but may you all become HIS prayer warriors so that your families, cities, and nation will be saved.
We must repent and we must read HIS Word searching scripture daily to know HIS Ways and Thoughts and then we will know HIS Voice.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, California USA near San Francisco
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Miriam was struck with leprosy
Numbers 12:1-12 While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. 2 They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. 3 (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)4 So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle,[a] all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. 5 Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle.[b] “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. 6 And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:
“If there were prophets among you,
I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions.
I would speak to them in dreams.
7 But not with my servant Moses.
Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
8 I speak to him face to face,
clearly, and not in riddles!
He sees the Lord as he is.
So why were you not afraid
to criticize my servant Moses?”
9 The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. 10 As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy.[c] When Aaron saw what had happened to her, 11 he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.
Miriam got struck with leprosy, a physical sickness representing sin. She was immediately struck as she and Aaron usurped God's authority. Aaron is Moses' older brother. Miriam is Moses' older sister. Both Aaron and Miriam must humble themselves and submit to the authority of Moses even though he is younger than both of them. The bible says Moses was more humble than any other person on the earth and so he is placed in higher authority.
However, both Aaron and Miriam criticizes and challenges Moses for marrying a Cushite woman. On the surface, this does not look right nor proper as God's people are to marry within their own people. But how can the leader of God's people set this bad example, they must have questioned one another?
Aaron and Miriam said in verse two that God speaks to them also and not only to Moses. Aaron and Miriam took upon themselves authority over Moses because of their ability to hear God. They took authority over Moses because of their spiritual gifts. One's spiritual gifts and ability to hear God's voice does not necessarily give one authority over those in which God has placed in authority. This is a big problem even in today's church as many have placed themselves in authority, have challenged and criticized their leadership because they are able to hear God's voice and may possess spiritual gifts. Moreover, many such people are sick and being judged as Miriam was judged and struck.
Although Miriam is the prophetess and Aaron is the high priest God is asking in verse six if there were prophets among them. God may speak to some of us in dreams and visions but when HE speaks to us face to face is when HE fully can trust us. Do not think of yourself so highly because one may have dreams and visions. It is by His Grace.
God was advising Aaron and Miriam that Moses possesses a higher authority and as God has placed Moses in such authority they do not have the right to criticize him. Even if Moses was wrong, they do not have the authority to criticize God's servant. How do they know if Moses did not get permission from God or if it was God's will?
Just because you may hear God's voice or possess spiritual gifts do not give you the authority to judge God's other servants or your secular leaders. Be careful that you are not judged. Moses had to intercede on behalf of Miriam. Repent and if necessary apologize to those you may have criticized who are in higher authority so they may forgive and intercede.
Aaron was the high priest and Miriam was the prophetess. Do not think such offices are exempt from judgment or discipline. In fact, judgment may come more quickly and swiftly.
Psalm 38:1-4 O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath, neither chasten me in Your hot displeasure.2 For Your arrows have sunk into me and stick fast, and Your hand has come down upon me and pressed me sorely.3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; neither is there any health or rest in my bones because of MY SIN.4 For my iniquities have gone over my head [like waves of a flood]; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
“If there were prophets among you,
I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions.
I would speak to them in dreams.
7 But not with my servant Moses.
Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
8 I speak to him face to face,
clearly, and not in riddles!
He sees the Lord as he is.
So why were you not afraid
to criticize my servant Moses?”
9 The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. 10 As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy.[c] When Aaron saw what had happened to her, 11 he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.
Miriam got struck with leprosy, a physical sickness representing sin. She was immediately struck as she and Aaron usurped God's authority. Aaron is Moses' older brother. Miriam is Moses' older sister. Both Aaron and Miriam must humble themselves and submit to the authority of Moses even though he is younger than both of them. The bible says Moses was more humble than any other person on the earth and so he is placed in higher authority.
However, both Aaron and Miriam criticizes and challenges Moses for marrying a Cushite woman. On the surface, this does not look right nor proper as God's people are to marry within their own people. But how can the leader of God's people set this bad example, they must have questioned one another?
Aaron and Miriam said in verse two that God speaks to them also and not only to Moses. Aaron and Miriam took upon themselves authority over Moses because of their ability to hear God. They took authority over Moses because of their spiritual gifts. One's spiritual gifts and ability to hear God's voice does not necessarily give one authority over those in which God has placed in authority. This is a big problem even in today's church as many have placed themselves in authority, have challenged and criticized their leadership because they are able to hear God's voice and may possess spiritual gifts. Moreover, many such people are sick and being judged as Miriam was judged and struck.
Although Miriam is the prophetess and Aaron is the high priest God is asking in verse six if there were prophets among them. God may speak to some of us in dreams and visions but when HE speaks to us face to face is when HE fully can trust us. Do not think of yourself so highly because one may have dreams and visions. It is by His Grace.
God was advising Aaron and Miriam that Moses possesses a higher authority and as God has placed Moses in such authority they do not have the right to criticize him. Even if Moses was wrong, they do not have the authority to criticize God's servant. How do they know if Moses did not get permission from God or if it was God's will?
Just because you may hear God's voice or possess spiritual gifts do not give you the authority to judge God's other servants or your secular leaders. Be careful that you are not judged. Moses had to intercede on behalf of Miriam. Repent and if necessary apologize to those you may have criticized who are in higher authority so they may forgive and intercede.
Aaron was the high priest and Miriam was the prophetess. Do not think such offices are exempt from judgment or discipline. In fact, judgment may come more quickly and swiftly.
Psalm 38:1-4 O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath, neither chasten me in Your hot displeasure.2 For Your arrows have sunk into me and stick fast, and Your hand has come down upon me and pressed me sorely.3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; neither is there any health or rest in my bones because of MY SIN.4 For my iniquities have gone over my head [like waves of a flood]; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
Attributes of God's people
"God also taught us that if we believe HE is GOD, then of course He has a kingdom. If He has a kingdom, there is rules. If we'd like to be part of His kingdom, we must submit to His rules, otherwise He will kick us out of His kingdom and will be called rebellious people. And you are right, His system is monarchy not democracy. HE told us that in His kingdom, submission, humility and obedience are the attributes of His people. If we do not possess them, then we do not belong to His kingdom."
KurtMinds Sumalabe - Philippines
KurtMinds Sumalabe - Philippines
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Fish, animals are dying and birds are falling dead from the sky
Although the following verses are for Israel, we can apply them to us today, especially America and the western church. In the OT, the temple is located in Jerusalem. Therefore, Jerusalem is consider home to the Jews and a place where God dwells. Today, where is the temple of God located? The Temple of God is located in His people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, Christians are spiritual Jerusalem. We are spiritual Israel. We are His Temple. When you read scripture/bible and as God refers to Jacob or Israel, you must consider God speaking directly to YOU. We have been taught as we have read the bible to refer Jacob and Israel as another people beside us. But we are Jacob. We are Israel. Have you noticed the letters USA in the middle of Jerusalem? Modern Christians are no different, we generally act stiffed neck and rebellious just as their Old Testament counterparts.
When Jesus came to Israel, the Jews at that time primarily consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten lost tribes were scattered and considered in most part lost. In the bible, God refers to the ten tribes as Israel and even Ephraim since that tribe was the largest. God's nation after King Solomon's reign was divided into two kingdoms. There was a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom. The southern kingdom primary consisted of Judah and Benjamin. The ten northern kingdom were judged and scattered into the heathen nations. The ten lost tribes have been mingling with the other nations through many generations. We may not know physically who has this DNA but God allowed the seed of Jacob to be scattered throughout the world. Joseph was given the coat of many colors. Out of Joseph would come his seed and from his seed would come a people of many color and races. The coat of many colors.
In the book of Revelation, to enter the Kingdom of God, one must go through the pearl gates. Each pearl gate has the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Unless you are a tribe of Israel, you cannot enter the pearl gate to enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we are spiritual Israel. You did not find HIM. He had found you and Father has been watching you. We have always been HIS people.
Hosea 4:1 NLT Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land.
2 You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery.
There is violence everywhere—one murder after another.
3 That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away.
EVEN THE WILD ANIMALS, THE BIRDS OF THE SKY, AND THE FISH OF THE SEA ARE DISAPPEARING.
4 “DON'T POINT YOUR FINGER AT SOMEONE ELSE AND TRY TO PASS THE BLAME!
My complaint, you priests, is with you.
5 So you will stumble in broad daylight, and your false prophets will fall with you in the night. And I will destroy Israel, your mother.
6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.
God's people were being destroyed during Hosea's time because they did not know HIM nor HIS ways. Do you know HIM and HIS ways? Most people around the world know the American president such as Obama or the previous Bush. They know about the president. They know who he is and what he is doing in regards to policy. For Christians, this is the same as many know about God but they do not know HIM on a personal intimate level and then we must beg the question. Does HE know you? If we knew HIM, then why are some of us being destroyed as verse six states? Why is there no victory nor are we overcoming? We must ask such difficult questions to ourselves if we are not progressing forward moving from Glory to Glory.
This is how most Christians view God as HE is more or less a symbol of authority to them. HE does not rule in their lives. They only go to HIM when they are in need of something.
We hear the news of the birds falling off from the sky and the fish kills. We view these signs and cry out the end time is here! Yes, the end time is here but the birds, animals, and the fish are not dying for that reason per se. They are dying because of the sin of God's people and HE is trying to get OUR attention to repent and return to HIM. The land is mourning because of our sin.
Jeremiah 2:7-9 (AMP) And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and good things. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination [detestable and loathsome]. 8[Even] the priests did not say, Where is the Lord? And those who handle the law [given by God to Moses] knew Me not. The rulers and secular shepherds also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by [the authority and in the name of] Baal and followed after things that do not profit.9Therefore I will still contend with you [by inflicting further judgments on you], says the Lord, and with your children's children will I contend.
James 5:5 [Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
For most Christians, our time and lives are consumed with this world and ourselves. In your comfort, you must repent accumulating your prayers, reading, and worship for difficult days are coming in the near future. You must be ready for spiritual war. Difficult days are coming to separate the wheat and chaff, from the sheep and goat. Which will you be?
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
When Jesus came to Israel, the Jews at that time primarily consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten lost tribes were scattered and considered in most part lost. In the bible, God refers to the ten tribes as Israel and even Ephraim since that tribe was the largest. God's nation after King Solomon's reign was divided into two kingdoms. There was a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom. The southern kingdom primary consisted of Judah and Benjamin. The ten northern kingdom were judged and scattered into the heathen nations. The ten lost tribes have been mingling with the other nations through many generations. We may not know physically who has this DNA but God allowed the seed of Jacob to be scattered throughout the world. Joseph was given the coat of many colors. Out of Joseph would come his seed and from his seed would come a people of many color and races. The coat of many colors.
In the book of Revelation, to enter the Kingdom of God, one must go through the pearl gates. Each pearl gate has the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Unless you are a tribe of Israel, you cannot enter the pearl gate to enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we are spiritual Israel. You did not find HIM. He had found you and Father has been watching you. We have always been HIS people.
Hosea 4:1 NLT Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land.
2 You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery.
There is violence everywhere—one murder after another.
3 That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away.
EVEN THE WILD ANIMALS, THE BIRDS OF THE SKY, AND THE FISH OF THE SEA ARE DISAPPEARING.
4 “DON'T POINT YOUR FINGER AT SOMEONE ELSE AND TRY TO PASS THE BLAME!
My complaint, you priests, is with you.
5 So you will stumble in broad daylight, and your false prophets will fall with you in the night. And I will destroy Israel, your mother.
6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.
God's people were being destroyed during Hosea's time because they did not know HIM nor HIS ways. Do you know HIM and HIS ways? Most people around the world know the American president such as Obama or the previous Bush. They know about the president. They know who he is and what he is doing in regards to policy. For Christians, this is the same as many know about God but they do not know HIM on a personal intimate level and then we must beg the question. Does HE know you? If we knew HIM, then why are some of us being destroyed as verse six states? Why is there no victory nor are we overcoming? We must ask such difficult questions to ourselves if we are not progressing forward moving from Glory to Glory.
This is how most Christians view God as HE is more or less a symbol of authority to them. HE does not rule in their lives. They only go to HIM when they are in need of something.
We hear the news of the birds falling off from the sky and the fish kills. We view these signs and cry out the end time is here! Yes, the end time is here but the birds, animals, and the fish are not dying for that reason per se. They are dying because of the sin of God's people and HE is trying to get OUR attention to repent and return to HIM. The land is mourning because of our sin.
Jeremiah 2:7-9 (AMP) And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and good things. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination [detestable and loathsome]. 8[Even] the priests did not say, Where is the Lord? And those who handle the law [given by God to Moses] knew Me not. The rulers and secular shepherds also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by [the authority and in the name of] Baal and followed after things that do not profit.9Therefore I will still contend with you [by inflicting further judgments on you], says the Lord, and with your children's children will I contend.
James 5:5 [Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
For most Christians, our time and lives are consumed with this world and ourselves. In your comfort, you must repent accumulating your prayers, reading, and worship for difficult days are coming in the near future. You must be ready for spiritual war. Difficult days are coming to separate the wheat and chaff, from the sheep and goat. Which will you be?
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
What's in our heart?
Your personalities, the way you talk, the way you treat someone, the way you view things, the way you do things, these are all influenced by what is in your heart. If you have the nature of Jesus, you will walk and conduct yourself as HE did. But within the hearts of God's people there is anger, lust, contempt, insecurity, jealousy, envy, murder, seducing, adultery, idolatery, and so on and on. This is why we cannot obtain spiritual breakthrough as the chains of such sin are still tangled within our hearts. We may have spiritual gifts but we have yet to behold His Glory. He wants us to go up to the mountain to meet HIM. He wants us to go talk to him as though talking to a friend. He wants us to behold His Glory. But just as the days of old, when His Glory appeared, His people ran from Mt Sinai. His Glory had exposed their sin.
Yes, you may have spiritual gifts. Moses and God's people also had spiritual experiences more than some of us today. They experienced His signs and wonders in Egypt and as they saw the Red Sea part. They received manna from heaven and water from the Rock. But when it was time to go up the mountain to meet their God, they ran because of the sin in their hearts.
We must come to a point to behold HIS GLORY. Otherwise, we are still serving our idols and we will create our own golden calf thinking it is God. Aaron had said after he had molded the golden calf that they would offer sacrifices unto the Lord! The golden calf to Aaron and God's people was God. But it was their own creation and image of God. The Lord told Moses, the people have corrupted themselves. Many of us are corrupted today and we do not even realize this deception within us. How do we know we are not deceived? Look at your fruit. What fruit are you bearing in your life?
Acts 7:39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’ 41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. 42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods—
the shrine of Molech,
the star of your god Rephan,
and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
as far away as Babylon.
During the forty years in the wilderness, God's people experienced His signs, wonders, and miracles. God fed them. God gave them drink. God took care of them. But His people even at that time were also serving two masters. They were carrying their foreign gods and shrines of Molech and Rephan.
Today, God may still be doing miracles and showing us signs and wonders. But HE still feeds and gives us drink out of Grace. However, many of us even today are serving two masters even though HE pours out HIS amazing Grace. Just as the Old Testament saints and as they were in their wilderness, many are in their wildernesses today with their idols. Today, their idols are anger, hate, lust, covet, money, power, greed, self righteousness, etc. Behind those works of flesh are the gods of Molech, Rephan, and Baal. We may be God's people but if we do not remove our idols, we will face judgment as our Old Testament counterparts. We will then experience our own type of spiritual exile.
In the wilderness, His people brought sacrifices and offerings but because they were serving two masters, God is asking in verse 42, "Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings?" God used the wilderness for forty years to strip away those idols. But there are two choices in the wilderness, either the promise land or death.
Today, God is asking the same thing to His Church. Although, we bring sacrifices and offerings, who are we really bringing it for and for what purpose? Yes, on the surface, we may say it is for HIM but what is our heart really saying? Many are in their spiritual wildernesses today and God is seeking the same thing. Remove your idols!! In our wildernesses, God may manifest HIMSELF. We may experience signs and wonders. But unless you remove your idols, do not be so confident with your salvation. You must work out your salvation with trembling and fear.
Philippines 2:12-16 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Examine yourselves and be cleansed and pray to overcome all your tests, suffering, and tribulations. Spiritual maturity is not counted by the years you are a Christian or by the amount of knowledge you have. Spiritual maturity is counted by the spiritual marks of overcoming, persevering, and enduring your tests, trials, and tribulations. Your spiritual maturity is proven by the lasting fruit that is bore, the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Sept 6, 2013 Revised and extended
Fire of God International Church
A Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Yes, you may have spiritual gifts. Moses and God's people also had spiritual experiences more than some of us today. They experienced His signs and wonders in Egypt and as they saw the Red Sea part. They received manna from heaven and water from the Rock. But when it was time to go up the mountain to meet their God, they ran because of the sin in their hearts.
We must come to a point to behold HIS GLORY. Otherwise, we are still serving our idols and we will create our own golden calf thinking it is God. Aaron had said after he had molded the golden calf that they would offer sacrifices unto the Lord! The golden calf to Aaron and God's people was God. But it was their own creation and image of God. The Lord told Moses, the people have corrupted themselves. Many of us are corrupted today and we do not even realize this deception within us. How do we know we are not deceived? Look at your fruit. What fruit are you bearing in your life?
Acts 7:39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’ 41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. 42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods—
the shrine of Molech,
the star of your god Rephan,
and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
as far away as Babylon.
During the forty years in the wilderness, God's people experienced His signs, wonders, and miracles. God fed them. God gave them drink. God took care of them. But His people even at that time were also serving two masters. They were carrying their foreign gods and shrines of Molech and Rephan.
Today, God may still be doing miracles and showing us signs and wonders. But HE still feeds and gives us drink out of Grace. However, many of us even today are serving two masters even though HE pours out HIS amazing Grace. Just as the Old Testament saints and as they were in their wilderness, many are in their wildernesses today with their idols. Today, their idols are anger, hate, lust, covet, money, power, greed, self righteousness, etc. Behind those works of flesh are the gods of Molech, Rephan, and Baal. We may be God's people but if we do not remove our idols, we will face judgment as our Old Testament counterparts. We will then experience our own type of spiritual exile.
In the wilderness, His people brought sacrifices and offerings but because they were serving two masters, God is asking in verse 42, "Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings?" God used the wilderness for forty years to strip away those idols. But there are two choices in the wilderness, either the promise land or death.
Today, God is asking the same thing to His Church. Although, we bring sacrifices and offerings, who are we really bringing it for and for what purpose? Yes, on the surface, we may say it is for HIM but what is our heart really saying? Many are in their spiritual wildernesses today and God is seeking the same thing. Remove your idols!! In our wildernesses, God may manifest HIMSELF. We may experience signs and wonders. But unless you remove your idols, do not be so confident with your salvation. You must work out your salvation with trembling and fear.
Philippines 2:12-16 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Examine yourselves and be cleansed and pray to overcome all your tests, suffering, and tribulations. Spiritual maturity is not counted by the years you are a Christian or by the amount of knowledge you have. Spiritual maturity is counted by the spiritual marks of overcoming, persevering, and enduring your tests, trials, and tribulations. Your spiritual maturity is proven by the lasting fruit that is bore, the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Sept 6, 2013 Revised and extended
Fire of God International Church
A Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Monday, October 28, 2013
Amazing Love and Grace
Luke 15:11-22 11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
In this story, the Father is representing Father God and the prodigal or lost son represents you and I. The nature of the human flesh is to move away from Father God and spend our time and resources in the world. The human flesh does not want to go to church. It does not want to pray. It does not want to read the Word and it does not want to worship. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The human flesh wants to have the most fun and party it up before it decides to serve God. The human flesh puts God last.
This story illustrates God's amazing Grace. If we only knew the depth of His Grace and if we could truly understand the breath, width, height, and depth of His Love, we would know ourselves as true sinners who have fallen so short of His Glory and we would fall in love with HIM. But because of our limited mind and capacity, our flesh continues to resist the Holy Spirit's Love. But in order to grasp this amazing Grace and Love, we must come to brokenness and become nothing.
The flesh is always trying to live and survive. However, in order to find resurrected live and find life abundance, we must die to ourselves. We must put all the nature of the flesh to death. We must be crucified with Christ. We must die to anger, hate, impatience, lack of love, hurt, abuse, rejection, self preservation, lust, coveting, drunkenness, marriage to the world, and etc. For such things will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. This is not a theory or theology but a practice or exercise unto righteousness. We must draw on HIS Grace to walk in HIS righteousness.
How is this amazing Grace? The prodigal son repented in verse 18 stated how he had sinned against heaven and father. But the son did not come back because he knew he was a sinner. The son had come back because he was hungry. His flesh was hungry and he had come for the survival of his flesh. Many people come to find Jesus not because HE is God. They come to find him because their lives may be in chaos, distress, or bottomed out. Would such people have found Jesus if their outcome was the opposite? But yet, God does not reject us but HE uses even such situations to welcome us. In verse 20, Father saw him coming and filled with love and compassion ran to his son. Did we really run to HIM? No, HE ran to us.
The son did not come seeking to restore his relationship with his father but he had come because he was hungry. But yet, father saw and ran to him first. Father embraced him and kissed him. Our God had found you and I. You did not find HIM. HE had embraced and kissed you and I first. Father put His finest robe, His ring, and His sandals on our feet and we had not deserved any of it. We think we had found HIM. We had come for the wrong reasons. But HIS Love and Grace is so amazing. HE Loves us because we are HIS creation and HIS image.
But now that the son has returned, the son must do what the Father wills. The past and the things of the world must be left behind. We must not look behind anymore. Our life is now God. HE is our First Love. Our life should be consumed with HIM.
Sadly, today, the prodigal son is looking back to the world. Our churches are spending less time with HIM. We are worshiping HIM less. We are praying less. We are reading less. Our services are but crumbs to HIM. We are falling away and forsaking HIM again. We uses excuses saying that was then but this is now. We are too busy with the world once again and living loosely.
Does God send the famine because HE wants to starve us? We must understand HIS Love and we will understand HIS judgments. HE must send the famine once more so that HIS people may return to HIM. The famine will bring brokenness to a stubborn people.
May you all come to know this Amazing LOVE.
Mark 9:49-50 (AMP) For everyone shall be salted (tested) with fire. 50 Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, California USA
In this story, the Father is representing Father God and the prodigal or lost son represents you and I. The nature of the human flesh is to move away from Father God and spend our time and resources in the world. The human flesh does not want to go to church. It does not want to pray. It does not want to read the Word and it does not want to worship. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The human flesh wants to have the most fun and party it up before it decides to serve God. The human flesh puts God last.
This story illustrates God's amazing Grace. If we only knew the depth of His Grace and if we could truly understand the breath, width, height, and depth of His Love, we would know ourselves as true sinners who have fallen so short of His Glory and we would fall in love with HIM. But because of our limited mind and capacity, our flesh continues to resist the Holy Spirit's Love. But in order to grasp this amazing Grace and Love, we must come to brokenness and become nothing.
The flesh is always trying to live and survive. However, in order to find resurrected live and find life abundance, we must die to ourselves. We must put all the nature of the flesh to death. We must be crucified with Christ. We must die to anger, hate, impatience, lack of love, hurt, abuse, rejection, self preservation, lust, coveting, drunkenness, marriage to the world, and etc. For such things will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. This is not a theory or theology but a practice or exercise unto righteousness. We must draw on HIS Grace to walk in HIS righteousness.
How is this amazing Grace? The prodigal son repented in verse 18 stated how he had sinned against heaven and father. But the son did not come back because he knew he was a sinner. The son had come back because he was hungry. His flesh was hungry and he had come for the survival of his flesh. Many people come to find Jesus not because HE is God. They come to find him because their lives may be in chaos, distress, or bottomed out. Would such people have found Jesus if their outcome was the opposite? But yet, God does not reject us but HE uses even such situations to welcome us. In verse 20, Father saw him coming and filled with love and compassion ran to his son. Did we really run to HIM? No, HE ran to us.
The son did not come seeking to restore his relationship with his father but he had come because he was hungry. But yet, father saw and ran to him first. Father embraced him and kissed him. Our God had found you and I. You did not find HIM. HE had embraced and kissed you and I first. Father put His finest robe, His ring, and His sandals on our feet and we had not deserved any of it. We think we had found HIM. We had come for the wrong reasons. But HIS Love and Grace is so amazing. HE Loves us because we are HIS creation and HIS image.
But now that the son has returned, the son must do what the Father wills. The past and the things of the world must be left behind. We must not look behind anymore. Our life is now God. HE is our First Love. Our life should be consumed with HIM.
Sadly, today, the prodigal son is looking back to the world. Our churches are spending less time with HIM. We are worshiping HIM less. We are praying less. We are reading less. Our services are but crumbs to HIM. We are falling away and forsaking HIM again. We uses excuses saying that was then but this is now. We are too busy with the world once again and living loosely.
Does God send the famine because HE wants to starve us? We must understand HIS Love and we will understand HIS judgments. HE must send the famine once more so that HIS people may return to HIM. The famine will bring brokenness to a stubborn people.
May you all come to know this Amazing LOVE.
Mark 9:49-50 (AMP) For everyone shall be salted (tested) with fire. 50 Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, California USA
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