Newsletters

Discouragement to Encouragement

(The Forge Newsletter_December_2025)

The Philistine (Goliath) said, "I have defied the ranks of Israel today. Now send a man to me, so that we may meet in battle!" When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine had said, they were terrified and very afraid. (1 Samuel 17:10-11) 

The giant Goliath appeared and taunted the Israelite army and God for 40 days, but no one responded, leaving the Israelite army paralysed with fear. While Goliath can torment us and end our lives, for some, it can also be a wonderful opportunity, bringing new life. 

1. The troublesome Goliath brings both despair and hope
If Goliath hadn't been there, the morale of the Israelite army wouldn't have collapsed so abruptly, and the Israelites wouldn't have experienced such a resounding victory. In other words, the appearance of the troublesome Goliath brought deep fear and despair to Israel, but David's arrival culminated in a resounding victory.
 

2. A wall can become a door, and a door can become a wall
Goliath's cry becomes the prelude to Saul's departure from the stage and David's emergence. In other words, Goliath became a wall blocking King Saul's life, and a door opening it for David. What now appears like a wall in my life could be a door opening a new life. And what now appears like a splendid door could become a subtle wall, blocking and cutting off my life.
 

3. The presence of a man can shake the earth, but not the heavens
When Israel was facing the Philistines (1Samuel 4), the Israelites brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle. This gave the Israelites tremendous courage, and their shouts shook the earth. However, the appearance of the Ark of the Covenant struck the Philistine camp with great fear. Despite this, the Philistine leaders encouraged soldiers and they fought courageously against Israel. With the Ark captured, Israel's morale plummeted, and they suffered a crushing defeat.
 

4. God begins where I end
The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's presence, but God is not amused by our war games. In other words, if I exploit God, His absence ultimately leads to my destruction. However, with catching no fish created the absence of fish brought about the presence of Jesus, and it became the turning point for Peter's life. Only when my life hits rock bottom does God's work truly begin.

5. The wall of financial concern becomes a door of faith
About a year ago, our family faced financial difficulties, and the prayer meetings we held with our children continue to this day. For our children, who experienced the answers to those prayers firsthand, these prayers have become a tangible testimony of their experience with God. When God is with us, walls become doors. Without Him, doors become walls, blocking and imprisoning us.
 

[ Prayer & Intercession]
 

1. World history is a history of war
Historic wars, of course, have included World War I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and more recently, the Russian-Ukrainian War, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Gaza War in 2023, which began with Hamas's attack on Israel, and the spiritual war that persecutes Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere. It is no exaggeration to say that human history is a story of war. Therefore, it would be strange to think that there were periods of peace without war. Satan continues to incite war by inciting people with jealousy, hatred, misunderstanding, and conflict, but when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes, all will ultimately end. 

And depending on our perspective and our position in war, enemies can become friends, and friends can become enemies. During the Korean War, Ukraine participated in the war as part of the Soviet Union's Air Force, flying MiG fighters. Even today, the Kyiv War Museum in Ukraine displays plaques of appreciation and photographs sent by North Korea for its participation in the Korean War. If we do not stand on Jesus' side and look at things, we will treat our friends as enemies and our enemies as friends. 

2. War is not about the sword, but about praying arms
War includes visible physical warfare and cyberwarfare, but it also includes invisible psychological and spiritual warfare. No matter how much we win the physical war, if we lose the spiritual war, it's over. When Joshua fought the Amalekites, Moses stood on the hill, holding his staff in his hand, interceding. However, the outcome of that battle depended not on Joshua's sword, but on Moses' arm. 

3. God allowed His enemies to remain so that we could taste that victory
Jesus crushed Satan's head on the cross and has already won every battle. Nevertheless, the enemy continues to deceive and frighten people with his squirming body. God's allowing enemies and problems is not a mistake, but rather to train us and help us taste that ultimate victory. 

“The Lord left these nations to test all the Israelites, who had never known the wars of Canaan, but to teach them war, since they had never known it before.” (Judges 3:1-2) 

4. Meeting with neighbourhood friends

(1) Meeting with neighbourhood women
Bridget and Seungae have been meeting with two neighbourhood friends once a week for about two years, sharing meals, fellowship, and biblical truths. We have been studying the Alpha Course together, and spent 2 days away at an air B&B near Tenby to learn about the Holy Spirit and get to know each other more deeply. One lady was very open to receive the Holy Spirit, the other struggles with scepticism and doubts. We keep praying that they and their families will receive everything the Lord has for them. 

(2) Meeting with neighbourhood young men
Owen has been meeting people and developing friendships through play and work over the past several years. Among them, he says, is a Muslim friend who is trying to convert him. ^^

“I have at least a couple of friends that have begun to show a stronger reverence and faith in God and want a deeper relationship with God from a place where they did not really seek God before. One has started to follow christian teaching and has started to apply it in his life. I learn more and encourage my friends through spending time, messaging and doing activities together. My friends are my true treasure and they mean a lot to me. They come from very different backgrounds including different religious backgrounds and we enjoy spending time together usually through the medium of games and sports. When they do well they update me and I enjoy hearing their progress. Some have a faith in a God that is not Jesus but strive to be honourable and good. I pray that God catches their heart before the end but I will keep giving my testimony of my life in friendship with them.” 

(3) Meeting with neighbourhood men
Qday has been praying with three neighbourhood friends every Wednesday morning for over 15 years. He also meets with three other neighbourhood friends he's known for a while, once a week, to share their lives, read the Bible, and discuss (study) it. While they vary in age and background, they share a common thread: a need for friends and a desire to grow in the truth. 

(4) Meeting with local youth
Lighthouse Church, which my family attends, and two other churches hold a joint youth meeting for 11 to 16s every Friday. In just 3 months the number of young people attending has steadily grown to over 30, and we have introduced a Youtube worship time which was very popular. God is moving among the young people and we want to help them understand who he really is and make deep commitments to follow him. 

5. A seemingly endless path to homeschooling opens up
Until July, our second son Yohan had been attending free classes for Home educating families at the Botanic Garden of Wales. The classes were popular the children made good friends and we enjoyed the fabulous environment. Then, suddenly, the funding from the local council was cut. These classes were too expensive and we were all devastated. We appealed to the council, our children wrote emails, we contacted a Welsh MP who wrote letters on our behalf, but we got nowhere. Some of the parents formed a group to try and find an alternative, but we could not see a way: the Gardens would not reduce prices and the council would not pay. 

Our family prayed that God would open a way for these families, and for increasing numbers of future Home Educating families to benefit from these classes. Then I asked if the council would fund just the room hire. If we could get 10 families together, between us we could pay tutors and we could use the room for other activities too. It was approved, we have started, and many families are coming forward wanting classes. We are now forming a charity to apply for more funding to increase the range of classes. Praise the Lord! 

6. Putting my plans aside and making a pulpit following God's plan
Last August, before I left for Korea, a local church leader asked me to build a pulpit. I told him I would do it when I had time and asked him to send me his preferred design. However, I did not hear any more from him. Then, during my recent visit to Korea, I saw two pulpits in a church, handcrafted by the pastor himself. I took a picture of them and sent them to this leader in the UK, asking which design he liked. He said he'd ask his spouse, but almost two weeks after I returned to the UK, I still hadn't heard back. 

Then one morning (October 20th), God told me to build a pulpit using one of the designs. I immediately went out into the backyard that day and began searching through the wood I had gathered, but I couldn't find anything that resonated with me. Then I remembered the 200-year-old timber I'd scavenged about five years ago to build a woodworking table. I brought the two pieces of wood that were propped up against the backyard wall to the woodworking shop, measured them, and started cutting them with a saw. 

If I had continued to think only of the woodworking table and not used the wood, it might have simply rotted away over time. In any case, the work I've created has turned out far better than I originally envisioned or designed. God wants me to listen to Him and boldly cut, even if it's completely different from my previous plans and expectations. If I simply wait and waste time, I might waste and let what God has given me rot. 

But what's even more surprising is that I recently shared this quietly with someone who attends this church, and at the very moment God spoke to me, he and his wife began praying for a Pulpit! God knows all our circumstances, and He calls some to prayer, while others roll up their sleeves and get to work. Faith without works is dead. 

[ News Update ] 

1. Noah is settling in well in Korea
Noah arrived in Korea on August 31st and visited his Grandmother in the countryside for two nights and three days. He began his homestay in Seoul on September 3rd. He then began his studies at Sogang University's Korean Language Institute on September 4th. Thanks to the wonderful hospitality of his homestay family, Noah is settling in well. He even chose a church of his own, and he attends Sunday services and prayer meetings. 

2. Owen and Seungae's home remodeling project
A few months ago, Owen and Seungae wanted to remodel their first-floor space to make it more spacious and efficient. With the landlord's permission, they began construction. While the project is turning out to be larger than expected, slowly progress is being made. When it is finished they will have a nice, self-contained kitchen/living room.

3. Missing my flight after attending a friend's wedding in India
Before visiting Korea, a German friend was getting married to an Indian woman and asked me to attend and offer my blessing at the wedding. I was concerned about the time and finances, but seeing God's amazing guidance in guiding the schedule, I felt it was the right thing to do. The journey to India went smoothly, and the rain stopped just before the outdoor ceremony, making it a truly beautiful and amazing wedding. 

However, on the day of my departure from India, my domestic flight to New Dehli was delayed, resulting in me missing my flight from New Delhi to Korea. Air India denied responsibility and shifted the blame to the domestic flight company. Later, Air India offered me a ticket without an additional fee, but two days later on the 7th, just before my departure from Seoul to England on the 8th. I had hoped to visit my mum again before returning to the UK. I was thinking of Paul and Silas, whipped and bound in stocks in the Philippian prison, praying and singing hymns, and I raised my hands in silence at the airport, praising God. 

A short while later, an employee came and handed me a Korean Air ticket, departing the next day (6th). Of course, I had to stay overnight at the airport and wait for 18 hours, but I was able to arrive in Korea a day earlier, on Chuseok morning, on a much better flight. I was able to fly down south and see my family. This journey, something I couldn't have imagined at the time I missed my flight at New Delhi Airport, was made possible by God's grace. 

4. My mother fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith
A week before I left for India, my mother suddenly became very weak, collapsed on the floor, and then struggled to speak properly. I even considered giving up on going to India. However, she stabilized somewhat while I was there, and I was so grateful that I was able to return to the UK after spending two days and one night in the countryside with her during Chuseok. About a month ago, my mother developed jaundice and is currently resting in the hospital. Since writing this newsletter, my mother passed away peacefully on 26^th November at my brothers’ house. God graciously gave me a strong urgency to return to Korea a few days prior to that, and I was able to be with her and the rest of my family.  

Accompanying my mother on her final journey of faith on this earth, I was reminded of how perfectly God knows His timing. On the evening she passed away, I wanted my siblings to gather together for worship, and God gave me a message. Thirty or forty minutes after I shared that message, my mother departed this world. My mother fought the good fight of faith admirably through prayer and the Word, persevered and finished the race, and served with love throughout her life, keeping her faith strong. Therefore, there is no doubt that the crown of righteousness has been laid up for her.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Shalom Shalom!

Qday LEE

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www.theforgewales.org.uk