Newsletters

Horrible to Beautiful

 (The Forge Newsletter_February & March_2013)

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." (Genesis 3:9-10)

What is the most beautiful thing? The most beautiful thing is for everything to be where it should be. On the other hand, the most horrible thing is for everything not to be where it should be. If we don't listen to God, we are likely to be found in the wrong place or position doing horrible things. Jesus spent time with Father and listened to Father's heartbeat, so he left heaven to come down to the earth. Also he took off his God-likeness and put on man-likeness. The cross was the most horrible thing in history but Jesus turned it into the most beautiful thing in history.

1 God asks questions in order to reveal something to us

When we do not know, we ask questions in order to find out things. But God, who is omniscient, knows everything, which means he doesn't need to ask any question. Didn't God know where they were? Surely he did. So why did he ask the question? God wanted to reveal where he was, instead of finding where they were. They covered themselves with leaves and hid themselves among the trees. But the Lamb of God was completely naked and nailed to a tree.(John 19:23-24) Adam and Eve were driven by shame and fear but the Lamb has driven away that shame and fear with unfailing love.

2 Where we are is more important than what we have done

Often God's first question is where we are rather than what we have done. Likewise God asked Adam and Eve, and after Cain killed his brother Abel, God asked, “Where is your brother Abel?” It means, “Where are you?” Because if we are not there where we suppose to be, we cannot live meaningfully and purposefully as God has planned, and it will be disastrous. For example, a boat should be in the water instead of being on the ground and a car should be on the ground rather than being in the water. Sometimes we are tempted to leave the place where we should be, so that we may show off. If we are not there where we suppose to be, we may be found with shame, fear and disaster.

3 The voice of God brings intimacy or intimidation

We are too busy to spend time with God in stillness and darkness in order to listen to his heartbeat, although we do spend a lot of time with computing, smart-phoning, watching, shopping, ministering, etc.. Mary sat at Jesus' feet in order to listen to his heartbeat, but Martha was busy doing for Jesus; perhaps she heard Jesus' stomach gurgling. If we listen to his heartbeat, we can do anything for him like Mary who broke her alabaster jar; her whole life. When Adam and Eve heard God's voice, they were afraid of him and hid themselves. His voice is supposed to be intimate, but it can be intimidating if we don't spend time with God.

4 We try to create the absence of God because of the shame and the fear

Adam and Eve tried to create the absence of God. They covered themselves with leaves and hid themselves among trees from His presence. Nowadays we are using mass-media, politics, and even Christian theology like leaves or trees to cover our shame and to hide us from the fear of God. We need to know where the Lamb is. (There is no past, present, or future in eternity.) The Lamb was naked completely and nailed on the tree in order to take away not only our sin and death but also the shame and the fear.

5 If we don't keep our place, the beautiful turned into the horrible

Every body who believes and follows Jesus should go to deliver the Gospel whether long-term or short-term, whether near or far But a few of us are specially called not to go in order to keep house. If we don't go, make disciples of all nations, baptise them and teach them to obey what Jesus has commanded, we may be found ourselves in a horrible place with shame and fear. If, however, we go like Jesus came down and took the cross, the horrible may be turned into the beautiful through our obedience.

When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will receive power; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (Revelation 6:16)

[ Intercession & Prayer ]

Israel & Egypt & Iran & North Korea & Venezuela

Last January a video made in 2010 surfaced in which the current President of Egypt referred to Jews as “Descendants of Apes and Pigs” and “Bloodsuckers.” On the same tape, he called President Obama a liar, and made a variety of anti-American comments. However, the Obama Administration rewarded Morsi by going ahead with plans to deliver 213 million dollars worth of high tech weapons to an avowed racist. Four F-16 fighter jets left the US on 22^nd January. Sixteen F-16s and 200 Abrams tanks are to be given to the Egyptian government before the end of the year under a foreign aid deal signed in 2010 with then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a longtime US Ally. (Read more.... about Morsi's talk.....  /  about F16s......)

Why is the Obama Administration re-enforcing the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood? Why couldn't he wipe it out, as he has walked away in many ways from American's longtime ally Israel. Why is Obama visiting Israel in this time although he didn't visit during his first term? He is not going to help Israel but Palestine. He might try to divide Jerusalem as Palestine's capital city(?). Egypt might be much more hostile than Iran towards Israel, unless God does miracles in Egypt. It means that Egypt might break the Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt, was signed in 1979.

For years, North Korea has quietly influenced in the Middle East and Africa with military advisors and weaponry, although the country itself has been suffering from starvation. Recently they have been developing ICBM(Inter Continental Ballistic Missile) with nuclear warhead. Iran is very much interested in it. So they are standing together.

Nonetheless, inside Iran and North Korea, God is working amazingly for salvation and equipping people for his Kingdom. The truth of God and the purpose of God are different from what the news tells us. His Kingdom is forcefully advancing regardless of this world's political and economical situation. By faith, only forceful people take hold of it. Daniel's intercession wasn't in vain. Esther's fasting wasn't in vain. Moses' intercession and obedience were not in vain.

On Tuesday 5th March, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died of cancer. He was a very strong ally of Iran and he hated Israel. Now Venezuela may have an amazing turn around, or even a crisis. Please, pray for them.

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4)

[ News Update ]

1. The FORGE School of Faith - 2

We sensed last June, 2012 that God wanted us to launch the first school, in order to lay a faith foundation and redeem and restore the inheritance of Rees Howells. We had a wonderful time for two weeks at The FORGE School in Wales. It was beyond our expectation. (4 attendees' testimony video clip) God brought everything into a beautiful and wonderful picture of a new movement of God. God has envisioned, encouraged, challenged, healed and united us as the family of God. We foretasted a little of his full picture of a movement with a lifestyle of community, worship and intercession. Thank you so much for your prayers, gifts and participation in various ways.

“A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.” (Genesis 2:10)  A few weeks ago, God really encouraged me through this scripture to extend this school to go out to the nations from Wales. Therefore we are going to hold 'The Forge School of Faith-2' for TWO WEEKS in Wales and for TWO WEEKS in the Middle East; an exciting opportunity!

. Sharing in community living
. A lifestyle of prayer and intercession
. Bible meditation and listening to God's heartbeat
. Exploring God's divine purpose for Israel and the nations

Faith & Finance for Others : In order to cover expenses, and give everyone an opportunity to exercise our faith and provide not only for our own needs but also for others! We are asking everyone who wants to come, including members of The Forge team, to contribute. (There may be fasting.)

[ VISITING KOREA ]

1. My niece passed away on 17th February 2013

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (Genesis 7:11) When I read this verse recently I thought it was amazing: the 17th day of the 2nd month, Noah was 600 and that's when the great flood started and the heaven's were opened. I wonder what will happen on our Noah's 6th birthday, the 17th day of the 2nd month!)
 - from December 2012 The Forge Newsletter -

My niece, 33 years old, had been suffering from a tumour behind her left eye. Medically it was impossible to cure it, so our family members prayed and decided to fast for a week cooperatively. The day after the week of our fast, on 17th February, she suddenly passed away. Although she was suffering from the cancer, it was really sudden. I still don't know a lot but one thing I know he is faithful and keeps his word. The rain and the fountains of the deep caused death, but it brought a new era.

2. A North Korean lady gave her life to the Lord
I was introduced to a North Korean escapee who has been suffering an illness with spiritual causes. She lives with her mum who recently escaped from North Korea. I listened to her and prayed for her healing. She started weeping and told us that she didn't know where the tears came from. Her dried eyes produced tears again. While I was praying for her, I saw a picture of muddy place and her mum struggling. And God said that he was with her and helped her get through. When I shared that, her daughter cried out and repented about her pride because she thought she helped her mum to escape from North Korea. In fact, the mother nearly died in the muddy place while she was travelling between Thailand and Laos. But now they both realised that God was with her and helped her. So her mum gave her life to the Lord Jesus.

3. A Korean lady met Mr. SWANSEA in her dream
A friend of mine introduced a Korean lady who is a well-experienced nutritionist. She told me a couple of years ago God put on her heart prayer burdens for the UK. She thought the UK was a Christian country and they have sent many missionaries. Then one day she heard about the spiritual situation in Wales and she started praying for Wales with unstoppable tears. The other day she was at a dinner table in her dream. One of them introduced himself to her as Mr. Swansea. She didn't know Swansea was a city name in Wales. Later on her friend who lived in London told her Swansea is a city in Wales. Now she is preparing to finish her job and to come to Swansea with intercessory mission heart. Also she donated £1,300 for The Forge.

4. Lost my paper Bible but got an electronic Bible
I lost my long-term friend NIV Bible in a church in my home town. I didn't know what to do for a couple of days because it has got personalised concordance, Hebrew and Greek dictionary, etc.. In the end I gave it up.

My wife and a few friends of mine prayed for iPhone 5, because I have been using my mobile phone for five years, so the battery runs out quickly and causes errors. One day a young Korean couple brought me a Samsung Galaxy S3. At first I was confused because I was expecting an iPhone 5. They prayed and they felt God wanted them to give it to me. I still wasn't sure of it, but later God spoke to me that it was from God for me. Now I am learning how to use it, as the Bible, camera, etc.. The thought of God is very different from the thought of man.

5. Celebration for the Nations in Korea
We have been celebrating Jesus' victory for 6 years in Wales, and this is 7th year and the last one in Wales. Our ultimate call is to worship, although our mission is to evangelise the world with the Gospel. It was an amazing time of worshipping with a such freedom. www.celebrationforthenations.org or watch a video clik here

Shalom Love!

Qday LEE
on behalf of the Forge team

12 Ropewalk Road, Llanelli, SA15 2AL, UK
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www.theforgewales.org.uk