In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus declares a profound truth that resonates through the ages. He speaks to Peter, acknowledging him as the foundation upon which He will build His church. The gates of hell, the powers of death and darkness, will not prevail against it. This declaration is not merely a promise, but a powerful revelation of God’s divine strategy to combat the forces of evil.

The church, as ordained by God, is not a passive entity. It is not a fortress hiding from the world but a force advancing against the very gates of hell. God’s strategy to defeat the power of death and hell is encapsulated in the establishment and growth of His churches. As we plant new churches, we are actively participating in God’s divine plan to bring light into the darkest corners of the earth.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wisely stated, “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” This profound truth echoes the essence of Christ’s words in Matthew 16. The church exists not for self-preservation but for selfless service. It is a beacon of hope in a world bound by the chains of sin and despair. In planting new churches, we extend the reach of God’s love and grace, breaking the chains that bind hearts and minds.

The keys of the kingdom, bestowed upon the church, represent the authority and power given by Christ. This authority empowers us to bind the forces of evil and release the redemptive power of God into the world. Through the planting of churches, we exercise these keys, unlocking the doors of salvation, healing, and transformation for those who are bound by the grip of darkness.

The quote by Bonhoeffer emphasizes that the church’s purpose is not domination but service. It is a living testimony to what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others. In planting new churches, we embrace the call to be a helping hand and a source of healing. We become instruments of God’s love, extending His invitation to a broken world.

Today, let us reflect on the immense privilege and responsibility we have been given to participate in God’s strategy against the powers of death and hell. As we plant new churches, may we do so with a heart that beats for others-a heart that mirrors the sacrificial love of our Savior. In this, we fulfill the divine purpose of the church, standing boldly against the gates of hell and ushering in the kingdom of heaven.

Only with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our sinful habits and nail them to the cross. “By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:3) “The flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:17)

It is wisdom to seek the Holy Spirit always on the path of sanctification. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we will definitely fail. The Holy Spirit comes to us when we read the Word of God, study it, pray, especially when we gather together to give service and pray together. So this is wisdom.

May all the ministers seek the Holy Spirit daily to overcome their sinful habits and become “more than conquerors” in their daily walk with God!

It is great wisdom to know these two aspects of God well. The New Testament teaches us, “God is love”, and this love is perfectly revealed through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament is a perfect textbook about the love of God. Yet before this perfect revelation of His love came, God trained his people on his holiness for thousands of years.

If a person knows the love of God without knowing holiness, this person may not cherish and respect that love. Instead of holding on to God’s love as a precious gift, this person may trample over it by taking it for granted.

An interesting observation in the Christian life is that, some Christians respect people very much, they would not be late when they go to meet with their bosses or their customers, but they would be late when they go to meet with God at the church service time. If this person meets with a government officer, they dress well and prepare in advance, but when they go and meet with God who is much more noble and important, they don’t prepare and just go and just meet.

Christians who have knowledge in God’s love and are ignorant of His holiness lose greatly in their faith. In Exodus chapter 3, God teaches this lesson to Moses.

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

God tells Moses not to come closer. He commands separation. He told Moses to distinguish the place as a holy place.

There are a few things we can do to train ourselves in fearing God and distinguish God as God.

First, to distinguish time. The time to worship God is the most important time in our lives. We should set aside the time of worship as holy, cherish it, strive to keep it and offer it to God as the most important time.

Second, to distinguish spaces. The place to worship God – the church- is the most holy place, the place for bible study is also precious. We should revere the places dedicated to God in reverence of God Himself.

Third, to distinguish objects. Even the items we use to serve God, such as the Bible, the pulpit, even the chairs inside the church, should be valued and kept holy.

Fourth, to distinguish people. Even though all people should be respected, we should give special respect to the ones who preach the Word of God, respect the pastors and spiritual leaders as those sent by God and retreat them as holy, for God’s sake.

Keep the Church Service well is the best way to train ourselves to fear God and regard everything belongs to God as holy. If we lose this holiness, we will become self-centered and treat God recklessly. Instead of keeping the service time, we will attend according to my convenience. We treat church space as we treat any other place, we recklessly use the items in church and lose respect to our spiritual leaders in church, which eventually leads to our downfall.

The annual Christmas season is there to remind us that Jesus Christ came into this world as the Word that became flesh (John 1:14), God who became man, so that He could redeem us from the bondage of sin and restore the broken relationship with the Father in Heaven.

Jesus’ life shows us perfectly who God is and how He is – as it says in Colossians 1:19: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” But even in the way how Jesus was born reveals God’s love and humility that is different from any worldly king or ruler.

Being born into a humble and poor family, in a manger, as a helpless child, who would ever expect that the God of Heaven, the Creator of all the world, would make such a choice.
A well-known contemporary Christmas song speaks about the coming of the Lord in a way that no one would have imagined, from the perspective of the Magi who came to honor Jesus as recorded in Matthew 2:1-12.

They lyrics begin by saying:

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we’ve projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

And the chorus then poses the question that could guide our reflection this Christmas season:

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

Is there anyone who has ever done anything comparable to what God has done by sending His Son into this world? May this Christmas give us hope and comfort as we reflect on the profound love that God has revealed to us and for us in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the most unexpected way.

Through this parable, Jesus explained his own life-giving death, but he also shows us that this is the same path we should walk. We are called to take up our own cross daily and follow him, which means that our live should reflect humility, self-lowering and sacrifice – which the world considers foolish! But it is this sacrificial lifestyle of Christ-followers that is the true wisdom as it will lead others to find hope and ultimately eternal life in him who gave his life for us all: Jesus Christ!

The story of Jesus walking on water is among the most famous scenes in the Gospels. Just imagine how you would feel being able to walk over the surface of a lake without even getting wet. What a supernatural experience! How could Jesus and then also Peter do what we know to be physically impossible? But only looking at the outward appearance of the story could make us miss the deeper meaning within.

The disciples were in the boat that was tossed back and forth by the wind and the waves when Jesus came to them walking on the lake. They were grown men – some of them experienced fishermen – but terrified at this sight. It says they “cried out in fear!” But when Peter realized it was Jesus he asked him to let him walk on water as well. Peter often stands out with his passionate and at times impulsive personality, but isn’t it admirable that he had the courage to step into the wavy sea by faith? He must have thought that if Jesus can walk on water, then he can give me the power to do it also!

Once Jesus calls him and Peter steps out of the boat, he miraculously walks on the water just as Jesus does. All goes well as long as he looks at Jesus. But then it says “he saw the wind” and Peter got scared. As soon as his attention turned to the storm and away from Jesus, he began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus immediately reached out and caught him by the hand. But he also scolded him: why don’t you believe that you can continue to walk on water by faith?

In our lives, we encounter many storms and challenges, but we can overcome and “walk on water” as long as we look at Jesus who calls us. The problem starts when we focus on our difficult situation and circumstances and forget about Christ who should be the center of our lives. We become overwhelmed with worries and doubts and begin to sink. Ideally, we should keep focusing on Jesus always, so we can walk straight through the storm by faith. But even if we struggle with doubts at times and may feel overwhelmed and even if it feels like we’re sinking, let us not forget to cry out to Jesus who is always faithful and will stretch out his hands and save us.

Especially during this time of the pandemic when uncertainty and fear abound, may we trust in the Lord who has overcome everything and calls us to walk on water in the middle of the storm, not by our own strength or ability but by faith in Him.

The story of Jesus walking on water is among the most famous scenes in the Gospels. Just imagine how you would feel being able to walk over the surface of a lake without even getting wet. What a supernatural experience! How could Jesus and then also Peter do what we know to be physically impossible? But only looking at the outward appearance of the story could make us miss the deeper meaning within.

The disciples were in the boat that was tossed back and forth by the wind and the waves when Jesus came to them walking on the lake. They were grown men – some of them experienced fishermen – but terrified at this sight. It says they “cried out in fear!” But when Peter realized it was Jesus he asked him to let him walk on water as well. Peter often stands out with his passionate and at times impulsive personality, but isn’t it admirable that he had the courage to step into the wavy sea by faith? He must have thought that if Jesus can walk on water, then he can give me the power to do it also!

Once Jesus calls him and Peter steps out of the boat, he miraculously walks on the water just as Jesus does. All goes well as long as he looks at Jesus. But then it says “he saw the wind” and Peter got scared. As soon as his attention turned to the storm and away from Jesus, he began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus immediately reached out and caught him by the hand. But he also scolded him: why don’t you believe that you can continue to walk on water by faith?

In our lives, we encounter many storms and challenges, but we can overcome and “walk on water” as long as we look at Jesus who calls us. The problem starts when we focus on our difficult situation and circumstances and forget about Christ who should be the center of our lives. We become overwhelmed with worries and doubts and begin to sink. Ideally, we should keep focusing on Jesus always, so we can walk straight through the storm by faith. But even if we struggle with doubts at times and may feel overwhelmed and even if it feels like we’re sinking, let us not forget to cry out to Jesus who is always faithful and will stretch out his hands and save us.

Especially during this time of the pandemic when uncertainty and fear abound, may we trust in the Lord who has overcome everything and calls us to walk on water in the middle of the storm, not by our own strength or ability but by faith in Him.

Jesus humbled Himself to become a man, setting aside His glory, to be one of us. Because He took the punishment of sin in our place, tasting death for everyone, God crowned Him with glory and honor. That should reveal to us the great heart of God who was willing to give His only Son, but also that He honors those who sacrifice for the good of others. Jesus sacrificed His life for the purpose of bringing many sons to glory. He left His glory so that He could bring you to glory.

The author of Hebrews often used nautical terms. There is an unusual one here in this passage. When a ship ran aground, the strongest, most capable swimmer was chosen to take a rope from the ship to the safety of the shore and secure it. The sailors could then cling to the rope and not be swept away by the current as they made their way to the safety of the shore. It is translated “author” here. You could also use the word “trailblazer”. Jesus secured a line of safety for us to reach God.

He is our perfect Savior because He suffered all the things we suffer. He got in the boat with us and endured the storms of life with us. None of us could ever hope to make it to the safety of shore. Knowing that the boat of humanity had run aground and was about to be beaten to pieces, He joined our boat and suffered with us. He dove in and braved the currents and secured the rope to within the Holy of Holies in heaven. As we escape this storm we are brought right into the very presence of God, accepted in Christ, who became one of us.
Consider: He is our perfect trailblazer. He can show us the Way because He walked (swam) it for us

5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Paul’s attitude and philosophy of his mission work are clearly stated in this verse; he served and worked as “a servant of Christ.” A servant, doulos in Greek, was a term Paul used to indicate his self-identity as he served the Lord.

A voluntary life of devotion and sacrifice for God’s Kingdom was a basis of every work he did. He confessed, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)

Paul’s portrait of his own identity is a mandate to everyone who follows the life of a believer. Once you are saved, you have absolute freedom to choose a way of life. With the new life born through Christ’s blood, Paul “made himself a slave to everyone” to preach the gospel and advance God’s Kingdom.

When this identity collapses, a crisis comes to the believers’ life, diverting them to demand God’s reward and blaming others for their own choice. Although dedication of one’s life to God’s Kingdom begins with one’s free will and voluntary devotion, loss of this mindset as “doulos” can quickly blind our heart and mislead us into a meaningless conflict with secular values such as money, fame, or vain ambitions.

Paul said, “We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” “I make myself a slave to everyone.”

The fact that his life was driven by this belief was exposed in many parts of the New Testament. Rather than receiving, he considered giving as a greater blessing (Acts 20:35). Even in times of deficiency, he led his team to fundraise from churches in order to help and support the church in Jerusalem that was suffering from a severe famine.

Paul was strictly dogmatic, however, strategically practical and forward-looking. Not only teaching and preaching, Paul provided substantive money and funds for the poor, practicing the love of Christ voluntarily.

In Christ, there is nothing impossible for believers who desire to practice this love for others. We are in an era that even Christians are sold by money, being tested or discouraged in material temptations. Through the lips of the prophet Isaiah, God said, “To which of my creditors did I sell you?” (Isaiah 50:1) However, countless believers surrender to the force of money and discredit their conviction in Christ.

Paul’s courageous and daring model of self-support and self-reliance should speak strongly to modern churches to release many who are bound by a trap of fear in money or secular values. This Early Church method will revive when we inherit Paul’s spirit: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”

I would like to give thanks to the Lord for the unforgettable and precious stay in Lusaka, Zambia for the Last three months at Mission House. It is was one of the amazing privilege that God gave me to know more about His Love in my personal life. Youth retreat, Personal Bible study with Pastor James Lee ( WOA Missionary to Africa), Waking up very early everyday at 5:00am to commit myself to listen and learn diligently the Word of God lead by Pastor James Lee, combined with persistent prayer for World Mission and most especially for Africa Mission, Daily jogging and healthy food, going to evangelism to University of Zambia and having fellowship with university students, with brother Walter. Those are some beautiful memories that comes in my mind when I think of my stay in Lusaka, Zambia. My sincere gratitude to Pastor James Lee his wife Missionary Jade for everything, I am at loss of words. What more Could I want?

In the evening before I start off, 12th November ’19, we had a prayer meeting together with brother Walter and Missionary Jade, we shared some beautiful memories during my stay in Lusaka, Zambia, tears were full in my eyes…they blessed me with prayers and we went to sleep. Very early in the morning, 13th November ’19 around 3:40 am i had to leave Mission House heading to City Bus Station since my ticket was 4:30am. The rain was so heavy as it was the first time in around 7 months without rain in Lusaka, Zambia. Missionary Jade drove me to town but she could not speed up or see clearly the road due to heavy rains. In English they say it was raining cats and dogs ^^. I was deeply moved by the compassion and hard work of Missionary Jade to drive me in such terrible situation with heavy rains and low road visibility again in the night…deep thanks to Missionary Jade and may God bless her abundantly.

However I thank God for blessing Lusaka, Zambia with rain while i was still in Zambia. On my way to Kigali through Tanzania, the journey was very smooth that i was enjoying every single move throughout the journey, not even any single complication I encountered on my way, yet I received words of encouragement from Pastor James Lee, as he was communicating to me all along the way, with his busy schedule and big time difference he managed to have time for me. It meant a lot Pastor, I am grateful.

It was also a precious moment for me to pray to God to receive strengths and to light up my way and also to receive answers from God, for the Bible calls us to inquire from the Lord before any major decision. On the way again Missionary Jade connected me to Pastor Hyunhee YEF HQ ( Atlanta ) to assist me with 7 steps of 4 Spiritual laws and ancestors of Faith materials of which i received and i am using them to prepare myself as well.

On my arrival in Kigali on 16th, November ’19, I went to see my mother in country side where I am until now up to Sunday 23th November, 19. I shared with her about my Journey and that my life was committed to God’s Kingdom, she was very happy and she gave thanks to the Lord that it has been her prayer ever since I was born! She blessed me with prayers and shared with me how much she was worried about me in a foreign country!

I am going back to Kigali Sunday evening and will start mission work since then. My prayer request are: may God strengthen me and grow more in Word and remain in His Love, may God help me find a way for Rwanda Mission for we rely on God’s strength. I will share more plans and goals as i will discus with HQ and receive guidance!