I learned that it is important to love God and be thankful for his love. I learned that true love is unconditional. And that humans struggle with love because they do not love unconditionally. I also learned that everyone’s purpose in life is to love God and love one another.

This message helped me realize that our purpose on the value of our life is not dependent upon accomplishments but upon strengthening our relationship with God and spreading love. Additionally, I gained a new perspective on the meaning of being fruitful and multiplying.

Instead of focusing on reproducing, we should focus on growing from within with the love of God and multiplying that love by teaching others about God.

I hope I can have the strength the midwives have so that I can be wise in God’s word. I know that whatever plan God has for me cannot be stopped by Satan and will come true.
In Exodus 2, I learned about the life of Moses and how he grew up in the house of Pharaoh. I learned a lot of new things in this message, specifically how Moses was the prophet of water, Elijah was the prophet of fire, the basket resembled Noah’s ark, being drawn out of the water is a method of salvation etc. I enjoyed the relation of how we are just like Moses, when we were raised in Satan’s realm. This allows us to understand this world but be distorted and lessened in purity, which we should not.

Also I learned that Moses had a passionate heart like Jesus, however Moses was filled with violence where as Jesus had anger against evil. Anger against evil is good but violence is not good. Lastly, I learned that Moses lived to be 120 years old and his life was separated in three parts; Pharaoh’s kingdom, Median, wondering with Israelites. In the time after being educated of the world, Moses had a simple shepherd life in Median. I must remember that I must have a point in my life when I slow down and focus on God and gain the purity that was lost in learning of the world.

In Exodus 3, I learned about Moses and the burning bush. What stood out to me is how God comes to Moses in a common bush. This shows that we should not expect God to come in most majestic way but in a simple way. This is how we should come holy and simple. Also I learned special and material revelation, and God came to us in special revelation through Jesus. This is the most important revelation and in this since the word became flesh; Jesus. We can treat the word as a recorded revelation. More so, the bush shows a flame, depicting how quality is more important than the appearance.

Even though God knows where we always are, he calls us to give us a commission. Everyone receives a commission and in order to focus on this commission I must grow stronger in my faith, specifically by distinguishing time, place, things and humans. These are all done in church. Therefore I must remember how holy church truly is and the importance of distinguishing holiness and bringing an innocent heart to God in order to gain the fullest grace and strength in faith God wants me to have.

On ‘The Original Sin’; I learnt that a Christian should know about sin, how to avoid it and know about the original of it. Satan tempts Christians well because he knows God’s word and he uses it against us. He tempts us physically and spiritually. As Christians, we can overcome his deceit through true worships and the wisdom of God. It is important that we stick to our faith in God and not become like Satan who was once an angel and changed to become a devil.

Our lives on earth are in preparation for life in eternity. It is important that we do not live our lives just for our flesh, but for our spirit. God is a forgiving God that erases all our transgressions once we repent to him.

As children of God, we need to use our tongues to share God’s word to others while we are still alive and not keep it to ourselves.

Sometimes people get greedy and begin to ask God for things we don’t really need. Once our needs are fulfilled it’s time to ask God for needs that others need. I also learned that we should be patient and wait on our needs and still be faithful to God. And not to make other idols in the meantime. I really received a lot of grace and wisdom from this exodus bible study and I will use this in my life to better my relationship with God.

Genesis 40-50 After Joseph was put in prison, the grace of God was still upon his life no matter what kind of situation he was in because he was righteous in the eyes of God. I understand now that all dreams and not just dreams we get when we are asleep but even our dreams and aspirations all come from God and as we see in Joseph’s life God gives interpretation of dreams to his children. This world is full of darkness and confusion and as children of the light, it is our job to interpret God’s words and the dreams he gives to those who do not have understanding.

Through Joseph’s life we see that God is always faithful and no matter what situation we find ourselves in, if we just trust in him he will rescue us. Also Joseph went from being a prisoner to a ruler in just one day, this is truly a great miracle and it shows just how quickly God can turn a bad situation into good if we keep our faith and remain righteous and stay in the word. Even in the brother’s heart we see how God touched their hearts and made them realize their mistake in hating Joseph.

This reminds me of how God can touch a sinners heart and if they truly open up to him, they can become devoted followers of Christ. I find this truly amazing how God can change people and I pray that God will continue to change me for the better. I find it truly wonderful that despite all that his brothers had done to him, Joseph could still find it in his heart to forgive them unconditionally, it reminds me of how God will forgive us if we truly repent no matter what sin we may have committed and no matter how much we may have hurt him, it just makes me realize and appreciate his unconditional love and I pray that we do not take that love for granted.

God gave Joseph many dreams just like the way he gives his children many dreams and even when things got tough, Joseph kept believing, trusting and holding on to the promises of God for his life. If we can just have faith in God that he will do what he says he will do, we will see the word of God fulfilled in our lives. However we also have to do our part and remain righteous and pure before the Lord. Lastly, we see in Genesis 50, that after Jacob died Joseph’s brothers became afraid that he would start hating them and they begged for forgiveness. Joseph wept because he had truly forgiven his brothers and even though he was more spiritually mature than they were, he didn’t judge them because he wasn’t God.

The scene of Joseph’s brother reminds me of how we still feel the guilt and shame of our past sins even after the Lord had forgiven us. I wonder if God weeps when it seems like we do not understand his love and forgiveness? I really hope I can learn to apply this type of unconditional forgiveness to those who have wronged me because if God- who is above all man and is beyond righteous- can forgive us, then why can’t we forgive our fellow men who make mistakes just like we do? I pray that as I continue to meditate on this message, that God shall reveal his truth to me and give me a deeper understanding of this bible study.

I’m so thankful that I’ve finally finished with my schooling (for now, at least).

The whole reason why I moved to Atlanta and to the school I graduated from was because of the mission. When I was evangelized in Alabama I was going to a university there and was a Junior, but after my pastor there left, I still wanted to continue to learn and grow for the mission. So with the help and prayers of many people, I was able to move to where I am now.

But honestly if anyone were to look at my choice from a worldly standpoint, they would say that I acted very foolishly. If I stayed in Birmingham, I would’ve graduated much earlier, with a high GPA and great job opportunities. But I gave up that secure future. How foolish is that? And there were many times were I looked at that and felt ashamed.

Ashamed, because I didn’t go the way that my parents and many others thought I would go and wanted me to go. On the surface and the way my family looks at it, they think I’m settling for less. So I feel sad that they can only see it from this viewpoint. Even a day before my commencement, I felt this way. I had gone from a place where I was about to graduate with a high GPA to a place where it took me a longer time to finish school and my GPA suffered. I felt embarrassed and to be honest, there’s a part of me that still does feel this way.

However, does this mean I regret my decision? No, not at all. Not in a million years. The growth and opportunity God has given me during this time to far outgrows any embarrassment I may feel. And I have hope in the future and believe that God will reveal to me an even greater reward; better and more fulfilling than anything the world can give.

It’s through this time in school that I realized what Jesus means by this road being a narrow one. There was a lot of suffering. I didn’t do what normal college kids did. I didn’t have many friends at my school. I didn’t go to many school events. Even though it may not seem like much, when I looked around at the celebration of students during the graduation, hugging their friends, singing together and talking with one another; I really felt that. I felt a bit lonely.

But what is that compared to the growth I’ve seen in myself over the years and the future celebration spent with my heavenly family? I know what is priority in my life. I chose this path because I longed and prayed for God for a long time. Even if I had to give up the world, I would give it up, if it meant knowing Him and forever and always being in His presence. To obey and love; to cherish and give my all to: this is the meaning of my very existence, the meaning of my life.

I realize that and it was through my time at school that I was truly able to live out this statement. Not to say I was perfect, I’m long way from it. But, I feel so much pride in saying that, when the beauties of the world were put in front of me, I chose a life with Christ. I was given the strength and understanding to reject those things. It was in my freshman year college that I began this life of giving it to Christ. Six years ago, Pastor Suzy was sent by God to save my life. Through her prayers and the prayers of Pastor Anderson and Hyunhee and many many many pastors and ministers, I am where I am now.

So I want to thank them and thank God for this great life I now live. And I can’t wait to see what’s next in God’s plan for my life.

I’ve been trying to grow in spirit ever since and devote my prayer time in tongues and just focus on my spirit. During this retreat, I’ve gotten more in touch with the holy spirit and worship. I understand more clearly why the holy spirit is important and what a gift it is to us. My favorite verse that I’ve read at the retreat is Acts 2:17-21.I learned that we don’t need to speak in tongues all the time or when we pray for others; sometimes it’s best to pray without because it can be just as graceful.

At first, I felt insecure that I couldn’t speak in tongues and then that I wasn’t making much sense but now I know that it’s more for me and my heart. I hope to take this retreat and let it change my heart forever. Amen.