Newsletters
Wrestling to Resting 
(The Forge Newsletter_July & August_2015)
(The Forge Newsletter_July & August_2015)
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. (Genesis 32:24-25)
Since Jacob had arrived at his uncle's house, he had been working hard for seven years in order to get Rachel, whom he loved so much. However, the day after his marriage, he found Leah in his bed instead of Rachel. Likewise we could get what we did not want, or could be found in an unexpected place after all our hard work. I know your work but I don't know you
Some people came to Jesus and said that they cast out demons in his name, prophesied in his name, did wonderful things. But Jesus said, "I never knew you. You evil doers. Depart from me!" They might have made known their works to Jesus but they didn't make themselves known. They might have known about Jesus but Jesus didn't know them, because they had no time to sit at His feet to get to know each other because they were busy working. (Matthew 7:21-23)
Although Jacob loved Rachel, so much that he felt the seven years was like a day, he must not have spent time with her to get to know each other. So he didn't recognise Leah on the wedding night and slept with her. If he really knew Rachel, he would know she wasn't Rachel through her voice or even her breath although it was dark.
Our second son often wakes up very early morning and calls his mum. Sometimes I disguise my voice and respond to him, but he recognises my voice straight away although he isn't wide awake. Because he has spent time with mum and dad.
If we meet God truly, our bones are dislocated
Jacob worked hard for 20 years but his bones had never been dislocated. However, Jacob was desperate when he heard his brother was coming with 400 men. He wrestled with God all through the night and his hip-bone was dislocated by God (or the angel of God). In contrast Adam's rib was dislocated while he was sleeping. God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and he took his rib away. God made a woman out of the rib and brought him a beautiful and perfect woman. Jacob worked very hard to get his wife but in the end he got the wrong one and became disabled. Whereas Adam didn't need to work hard to get his wife but God worked while he was sleeping. And God brought the right woman who was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones.
We need to learn how to rest truly
We are living in the culture of working hard in order to promote ourselves and to be accepted by men. So we have a lot of excellent hard-working models. But there are very few models of resting. Therefore we do know how to work hard but don't know how to take rest. So many people are suffering from physical sickness and broken relationships.
God introduced and presented 'rest' when he created the world. The Biblical rest is not just lying down and doing nothing, but stop working in order to enjoy relationships with himself and with family, with neighbours and with nature.
"There was evening and there was morning...."
The Almighty God could have created everything in a day, but he created day by day; stopping and resting. In other words, God showed us how to take rest daily and he has given us the Sabbath after he finished the work of creation: he clearly showed us that we have to take rest first before working. Therefore if we don't take rest, it shows that we don't know God's heart and are destroying his order in nature.
If we stop and take rest when we are supposed to, it shows we are humble and trusting in God because we agree and accept our limits and his omnipotence. Therefore if we don't take rest when God has allocated for us to take rest, it shows that we don't trust in God. If we really trust in God, we can take rest even in the middle of a storm.
"If we don't trust in God, we cannot take rest."
"When I work, I work, but when I rest, God works."
"Restlessness causes every problem, but rest resolves the problem."
"If I work without resting, often I limit God, but if I work with resting, God works boundlessly."
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:3)
“Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.†(Leviticus 25:3-4)
1. The Sabbath Year(Shemitah): Failed Babylon but Redeemed BrideThe world drives us ceaselessly to attempt to break God's order of rest and sabbath in order to enslave us and to build new Babylon with restless works. However, His Bride who trusts in Him, is not compromising with the system of Babylon and preparing herself for the great invasion of the Kingdom of God.
The Sabbath year (Shemitah Hebrew: שמיטה, literally "release") is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel. During Shemitah, the land is left to lie fallow and all agricultural activity, including ploughing, planting, pruning and harvesting, is forbidden.
Rabbi Jonathan Cahn issued a warning to prepare for economic calamity, war in the Middle East or even worse during the Shemitah year. The last day of the Shemitah, Elul 29, is considered the "wipeout day" when all debts were "wiped clean." The Shemitah is meant to be a blessing, but when Israel turned away from God it became "a sign of judgment on a nation that has driven God out of its life."
In The Mystery of the Shemitah, Cahn described how this biblical pattern is connected to numerous events in modern history, including the rise of America to superpower status, World Wars I and II, the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, the Six-Day War and even the rising of the World Trade Center.
He also noted a pattern of judgments at seven-year intervals in September 2001 and 2008 marked by the greatest crashes in Wall Street history, up to that time. The first occurred on Sept. 17, 2001, just a few days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the second occurred on Sept. 29, 2008. Both occurred on the biblical day of Elul 29, the very day appointed to wipe out the financial accounts of a nation. The next one occurs on 13th September 2015. (source from Wikipedia and www.charismanews.com)
Likewise, we are living in such a chaotic, disturbed world because of financial instability, religious conflict, military disturbance, immoral disruption, etc.. So although many people are living in hopelessness and in darkness aimlessly, we have hope, light, life and purpose in Him because he has already paid, finished and completed through the Cross.
Even though IS(Islamic State) has brought terrible darkness, the Kingdom of God has been advancing forcefully since John the Baptist. There is no kingdom, no king, no power, no religion and nothing which has been able to stand before Him and His Kingdom. And our Bridegroom's arrival is nearer than before, so we need to prepare ourselves with trembling joy as the Bride on the Wedding Day.
2. Korea suffering from leprosy for restless lifestyle
I feel that Korea has been suffering deeply from leprosy. Korea is well known wonderfully as Samsung, LG, Hyundae, KIA, and K-pop, but inwardly many families are broken and churches are suffering from divisions, etc. as if they are suffering senseless leprosy. It may have been the result of a restless-lifestyle.
3. Alex's family visit to Wales
Last July a businessman's family visited the Forge House in Wales. The wife heard about the Forge and she wanted to come and spend time with us. She persuaded her husband who had just returned from his business trip. He was a bit reluctant but they all came stayed for 3 days and visited the Gower Peninsula, although he had intended to stay for only one night.
The second day, rain started from quite early morning. Although one of us prayed that the God of Elijah would give sunshine for a couple of hours, it was still raining after lunch when we were leaving for Gower and on the way to Gower. However, the rain stopped as soon as we parked car in the car-park in Gower and the sun started coming out. We had a nice walk and two of us swam in the sea. And as we were leaving, the rain started. The husband said, "God is making miracles even now, like in the Bible."
4. Our family's visit to Korea
We visited Korea last year and this summer by the grace of God. Bridget took a 3- week Korean language course in Yeonsei University, so I had to be responsible for my two sons. Although our sons were welcomed by Korean mosquitos on the day of arrival in Seoul, they really enjoyed swimming in my mum's place and playing in a theme-park in Seoul. Especially Noah took a Korean marshall-art course, Taekwondo, for three weeks and he has got a yellow-belt. They have good memories of Korea. Bridget has passed her Korean course and she really enjoyed it. Also I was offered to start record my songs in a studio. It's just beginning but I am so appreciative of it. (Click here to listen: "As a rock") 6. Flow of forgiveness in the Celebration for the Nations
This year Celebration for the Nations is very significant in Korean history because this year is the 70th anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese colonisation. It was the second Celebration in Korea as I shared last year that there would be two years in Korea. From the time Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was in prison for two years before he was taken to Rome. He wrote several letters to the believers from the prison. Joseph was in prison for two more years after he had interpreted the cupbearer's dream. He forgave his brothers, Potiphar's wife, and the cupbearer and forgot them.
A Japanese worship leader, sister Kaori knelt on the stage before the congregation after she finished her session and asked for forgiveness of their ancestor's sin towards Koreans in the past about 100 years ago. I felt God was saying that Koreans' role is not forgivers as victims but presenters of forgiveness of Jesus as the Body of Christ, which was already demonstrated 2000 years ago on the Cross.
Even though what Jesus has done on the Cross two thousand years ago is greater than what those Japanese ancestors did 100 years ago, we have considered the Japanese ancestor's work is greater that Jesus'. We Koreans have been condemning them and the Japanese have been living with guilt or in denial of their ancestor's sins. Now we have to declare what Jesus has done on the Cross and forgive them and forget them in our heart, although it may need to be written in history. I didn't plan to be born as a Korean and Japanese didn't plan to be born as Japanese either. This is all his control and his plan. I could have been born as Japanese and Japanese could have been born as Korean. If I were born as Japanese, I would live under the condemnation and guilt of ancestors' sin. This relationship also applies between Jews and Arabs, Jews and Germans.
God has given us the right to forgive others, but not the right to condemn. Therefore if we forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if we retain them, they are retained. Likewise, we Korean Christians have the right to forgive the sins of Japanese. However, they have been retained because we haven't forgiven them truly as the Body of Christ.
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:23)
5. The Forge Family Gathering
Those who have stayed at the Forge House or the Forge School gathered together for 2 days in Seoul. Our friend offered her apartment in Seoul. We cooked together, ate abundantly, went for a walk, and enjoyed fellowship including watching a film. I really am grateful for this new family in Christ. 7. Interceding for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Egyptian President
I have been carrying this prayer burden for El-Sisi for a couple of months. I sense that he is a very important person for the Middle East situation and Israel. He needs a lot of wisdom and courage to make decisions over the next few months. Also a couple of huge decisions are awaiting him internally and externally. I sense Egypt is going to be a key nation for Israel and the Middle East as she has been before.
In Ezekiel 37, Israel, the dry bones, were restored as the army of God but there was no life until the wind of life blew. Egypt was the womb for Israel as a nation to grow and to be born physically. I sense that now Egypt should be the womb of intercession for Israel so that Israel may be born spiritually and fully for the nations of the world.
| The Next Forge School of Faith 17th - 31st October 2015 (Wales) / 2nd - 17th November 2015 (The Middle East) (Sorry, there is no space any more.) |
| 1 Pray for Longer-Term Visa and bigger property: People would like to come to know God and themselves in order to prepare themselves to serve here and to go wherever God sends them. At the moment there is no way to invite people from outside the EU longer-term. Also we feel already we need a much bigger property. Please pray for it. 2 Pray for Messianic Jewish young people into the Forge Fire: God is bringing a much bigger picture of this Forge vision. I cannot perceive right now but I can sense it. God has been preparing people as blacksmiths in the Forge for the next movement of God. God has been healing people physically, spiritually and emotionally and equipping people. Please pray that Messianic Jewish young people may be released into the Forge fire in Wales and beyond for the next movement of God. |
| [ Unfinished Race with Rees Howells ]
 Rees Howells purchased a fourth property, which is called Penllergaer, for Jewish children. He planned to bring at least 1000 Jewish children from Europe to the UK but he managed to bring only 12 children because the Second World War began. On Friday 21st September 2012, a Korean lady and Mathew Toller, a Messianic Jewish Rabbi wanted to visit the BCW sites. Three of us went and walked on Glenderwen, Derwen Fawr, Sketty Isaf and Penllergaer. As we got to Penllergaer waterfall, Mathew asked me about "The Forge" vision, which is raising up spiritual blacksmiths through setting up a centre for worship, intercession, mission and to raise up the next generation and to work for Jewish people. At that point Mathew told me that Jewish people need to come to 'The Forge' to be equipped as missionaries and should go out to the nations of the world again. I really felt and prayed that is what Rees Howells left and we need to pick up. The Jews who will come might be not only from the USA and Europe but also from Israel, etc. It is very interesting because we didn't plan to go there at all on that day and the Jewish connection reopened up in our prayers in that place where Rees Howells prayed and prepared. When I was in Israel in October 2012, God spoke to me again about Jewish missionary training in Wales. On 7th October, when I woke up at about 6 am, I felt God wanted me to go up to the Temple Mount. When I was in a queue and also on the Temple Mount, God spoke to me again about the Jewish missionary training. I came down to the Western Wall. As I touched the wall, he spoke to me again. So I told God, "I don't know what to do and how to do it although you are saying to me." Then he told me, "I have called you because you don't know and you cannot do it with your own ability." I wept! We went to Penllergaer this time during the Forge School on 22nd March 2014 and God impressed some of us strongly. This is the place where we need to create or bring down His story. It doesn't mean the physical land but spiritual ground where Rees Howells prayed and prepared for Jewish children. God doesn't want us to walk on the ruined places only but excavate to redeem and restore the longing of God. Still we don't know how to do it but we know that God wants to raise his army, Jews and Gentiles, in these last days for the harvest fields. God already has done it, is doing it, and is looking for someone who wants to do together with him. |
| [ Place All on the Altar! ] On Sunday 31st March 2013, I went to Penllergaer to walk with God. While I was walking, I heard, "Go back to the beginning!" This voice was lingering nearly all day. A few days previously, I had got a phone call from a friend of mine in Swansea. He was organising an Easter Egg Hunt for children on Monday 1st April and he wanted me to bring over my son Noah and family to Swansea on BCW(Bible College of Wales) site. I reluctantly went and found that Derwen Fawr house was opened. Later on I called my younger son Yohan to come to the Blue Room with me because his conception and birth are deeply related to our journey of faith. I took a couple of photos of him in the room and I saw a card on the top of fire place. As soon as I looked at it, God spoke to me loudly and firmly. "Place All on the Altar!" On that card there were a few Bible scriptures and this hand writing. Only this sentence jumped out to me and convicted me. Later on I found that a lady sent this card last November from Penllergaer area. Isn't it interesting? One day I heard "Go back to the Beginning!" and the next day "Place All on the Altar!" In January 2009, our family started going to the BCW sites every Sunday according to God's conviction, that he wanted us to redeem and restore the SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE of Rees Howells. Then the BCW sites were closed down and the college moved to England in July 2009. From that point I felt that God wanted us to redeem and restore the PHYSICAL PROPERTIES too, as part of the inheritance. Thankfully one of these has now been purchased and is being restored by Cornerstone Community Church, Singapore. So "Go back to the beginning" might mean that this journey is to redeem and restore the spiritual inheritance of Rees Howells only. Although I still don't know a lot of things, what I know is that I have to place all on the altar and I have placed BCW sites on the altar. Of course it was so hard for me but obedience is better than sacrifice. It looks like my 4 years and 4 months intercessory journey with BCW sites has come to an end, although we are still pursuing Rees Howells spiritual inheritance and the picking up the baton of equipping Jews and Gentiles for the last harvest fields. But we are pursuing the redeeming of his spiritual inheritance through the Forge vision. |
| Celebration for the Nations in Israel Gail Dixon received this vision in 2004; “If you sing, I will give you water!†I have been involved in this worship festival since 2006, standing with Gail. Next year 2016 it will be in Mt Carmel in Israel: 31st July - 7th Aug 2016. www.celebrationforthenations.org / https://www.facebook.com/celebrationkor |
Shalom Love!
Qday LEE
on behalf of the Forge family
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