What Believing in God Means

Reading Scripture: Hebrews 11:3 

Verse to Memorize: Hebrews 11:3 

Reference: Mark 9:23 Goal: To help believers understand what believing in God truly means and let them experience God's powerful works in their lives One day, a man came to Jesus with his son who was possessed by an evil spirit which had made him mute. 

He asked Jesus 'if He can' do anything to help him. Then, Jesus answered, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). By saying this, He taught the man what true faith is. If we have true faith, all things are possible and we can receive answers to whatever we pray for.  

• 1. Who Is God?

First of all, God is the Author of the sixty-six books of the Bible. The first part of 2 Timothy 3:16 reads, "All Scripture is inspired by God." The Bible with its sixty-six books had been recorded throughout a period of around 1,600 years. There is an amazing fact, regardless of this. Every Scripture is paired one to another from cover to cover as if it had been written by one person although it was actually written by tens of persons over such a long period of time.

 It is because God inspired proper people each in his generation to let Him known to people. The Scripture is God-inspired and God-revealed, so those who believe and obey it can experience the blessings and grace that He promised. Next, God is "I AM WHO I AM". Everything on this earth appeared with a certain starting point and history itself also has its beginning and has an end. Because of this thinking, some people also think God too has a beginning, that is, they think God began to exist at a certain point in time. However, it sounds odd to say God the Creator has a beginning. In contrast to idols carved by human imagination, God existed from before eternity and He is "I AM WHO I AM" as written in Exodus 3:14. If someone or something had given birth to or created God, then God could never have been a perfect Being. Also, God is the Creator who made the heavens and the earth and all things in them. God had existed in the form of the Word in the beginning (John 1:1), and at a point time He planned human cultivation and created the heavens and earth and all things in them (Genesis 1:1). 

He created all things by His Word, even from nothingness. Man was also created by His power and formed in His image. Men have been receiving 'human cultivation' on this earth. Lastly, God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. God the Almighty has performed His power through His chosen people at the appropriate point in time. This is because people will not believe unless they see signs and wonders. God showed many concrete proofs that should allow for people to believe, but there are those who still doubt God, despite the countless evidences. The evidences and proofs are the powerful works of God the Almighty.

• 2. The Biblical Works of God's Power Are Still Unfolding

The Bible tells us of countless amazing works of power. By the power of God the Red Sea was parted, the sun stood still, and the sun even 'moved backward'. Fire was brought down from heaven, bitter water was changed into drinkable sweet water, and water gushed forth from a rock when it was struck. The dead were revived, many different kinds of diseases were healed, and victory was achieved in the war where there seemed no possibility of victory by human power. 

Such powerful works are not only the things we can see in the Bible. God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has performed countless signs, wonders, and powerful works through those who have faith the measure of which is appropriate in accordance with His justice. Since the opening of Manmin Central Church in 1982, God's powerful works have been manifested without measure. The members were healed of incurable and terminal diseases in faith such as cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, herniated discs, AIDS, leprosy, and leukemia. Additionally, the demon-possessed were set free from their suffering, and many people, who had been crippled due to polio, car accidents, or other kinds of accidents, came to walk and jump after receiving prayer. 

Some who had been suffering from terrible burns could experience the heat disappearing from their bodies immediately they received prayer, and their burned parts were cleansed and they were healed after a short time through prayer. There were members who fell into unconsciousness due to acute indigestion or carbon monoxide poisoning, but they came round and fully recovered through prayer. There were others who had taken their last breath, but they were revived. Many who couldn't have babies received the blessing of conception and gave birth to healthy children through prayer. In addition to all this, the blind came to see, the mute to speak, and the lame to jump and walk. They greatly glorified God. Also, torrential downpours stopped after prayer, and prayer also allowed for clouds to form and cover the intense sunlight. Even typhoons and hurricanes changed their courses and died out. 

Manmin members have experienced such wonders that control the weather since the opening of the church. It was generally sunny without rain in the church's summer retreat venues even though July and August are usually rainy seasons in Korea when monsoonal rains dominate the weather. Countless swarms of dragonflies came down from the sky and ate up mosquitoes and other harmful insects. We have seen an innumerable number of rainbows in the clear sky although most people think they can see rainbows only after it rains. There have been many kinds of rainbows that have appeared including circular rainbows and other extraordinary rainbows and other phenomena. Above all, God has worked on the members with the original light that changes the hearts of men. By doing so, He has brought a quick change to the members who long to become sanctified.

 He also allows the members to take pictures of various shaped aurora-like lights with their cell phone cameras, which creates more hope for Heaven. Just as people carried handkerchiefs or aprons from the apostle Paul's body to the sick and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out, countless divine healing works have been unfolded through the handkerchief which Dr. Jaerock Lee has prayed on. Additionally, the powerful works took place in healing and answers when Dr. Lee laid his hand just on the pictures or the names of people who requested the prayer transcending space and time.

• 3. To Experience Power We Need to Please God with Faith

Many people believe in God, but not all of them can experience His power. It is possible only when we show deeds of true faith. In the fifth chapter of 2 Kings appears Naaman who was the commander of the army of Aram. He heard about God's man Elisha who could manifest God's power. He went to Israel to be healed of leprosy, and eventually experienced God's powerful work. Naaman was an influential man trusted by the king of Aram. He brought many precious offerings to Elisha to be healed of his disease. 

However, without formally welcoming him, Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean." At the moment, Naaman felt resentful and he was about to return home. But one of his servants persuaded him and he finally dipped himself into Jordan seven times. After he had done it his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was cleansed. Here, 'water' spiritually symbolizes the Word of God. Dipping himself into the Jordan spiritually signifies that his sins were washed away by the Word of God. 'Seven' is the number of 'perfection', so it indicates that he was forgiven of his sins completely. Therefore, we need to thoroughly repent of our sin and evil to receive answers from God just as Namaan washed himself seven times in the Jordan. We cannot just say with our lips "Forgive me." We must rend our hearts and thoroughly repent (Joel 2:13). 

Then, joy springs out from our hearts and we can experience God's work in which diseases are healed and problems are solved. Also, we must show our faith until the end to get healing or answers just as Namaan did. Moreover, we need to come forth before God ourselves if we are to have faith worthy to receive answers. This is because we can experience the power when we listen to God's Word and have faith. For the cases of those who have mental disorders or are demon-possessed, if their parents or other family members come to God with love and faith on behalf of them, they also can experience the power. Evidences of faith are revealed in those who have the faith that qualifies to receive answers. Their faith pleases God. For instance, their faces are full of joy and thanks no matter how difficult and hard the situations might be that they are faced with. 

They do not lose heart in seeing the reality of the condition but they can still make a positive confession with faith. Therefore, I urge you to rejoice and give thanks with belief that you have already received the answers just it is recorded in Mark 11:24 that says, "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." When one has faith worthy to receive answers, he believes God and lives by His Word. He tries to dwell in the Light since God is Light and tries to change himself. God is delighted with the deeds of faith and then fulfills one's heart's desires. I hope you will check if you have faith that can be recognized by God.  

Maana ya Kumwamini Mungu

Usomaji wa Maandiko: Waebrania 11:3

Mstari wa Kukariri: Waebrania 11:3

Rejea: Marko 9:23. Lengo: kuwasaidia waumini kuelewa maana halisi ya kumwamini Mungu na kuona matendo Yake yenye nguvu katika maisha yao. Siku moja mtu alimwendea Yesu akiwa na mwanawe, aliyekuwa bubu kwa sababu ya pepo mchafu.

Alimwuliza Yesu kama angeweza kumsaidia. Yesu akamjibu, “Kama ukiweza! Yote yawezekana kwake aaminiye” (Marko 9:23). Kwa maneno hayo alimfundisha mtu huyo maana ya imani ya kweli. Tukiwa na imani ya kweli, yote yanawezekana na tunaweza kupokea majibu ya maombi yetu yote.

• 1. Mungu ni nani?

Kwanza, Mungu ndiye mwandishi wa vitabu 66 vya Biblia. Sehemu ya kwanza ya 2 Timotheo 3:16 yasema, “Kila andiko, lenye pumzi ya Mungu.” Biblia yenye vitabu 66 iliandikwa kwa kipindi cha karibu miaka 1,600. Jambo la kushangaza ni kwamba Maandiko yote yanaungana kutoka mwanzo hadi mwisho kana kwamba yaliandikwa na mtu mmoja, ingawa kwa kweli yaliandikwa na watu wengi katika kipindi kirefu hivyo.

Hii ni kwa sababu Mungu aliwaongoza watu wanaofaa katika kila kizazi ili wamfunue kwa wanadamu. Maandiko yamepuliziwa na Mungu na kufunuliwa Naye; kwa hiyo, wanaoyaamini na kuyatii wanaweza kupata baraka na neema alizoahidi. Pili, Mungu ni “MIMI NIKO AMBAYE NIKO.” Kila kitu duniani kina wakati kilipoanza, na historia yenyewe ina mwanzo na mwisho. Kwa sababu hiyo, wengine hudhani kwamba Mungu pia ana mwanzo, kwamba alianza kuwapo wakati fulani. Lakini ni jambo lisilo na maana kusema kwamba Mungu Muumba ana mwanzo. Tofauti na sanamu zilizochongwa kwa mawazo ya wanadamu, Mungu alikuwapo tangu milele na Yeye ni “MIMI NIKO AMBAYE NIKO,” kama Kutoka 3:14 inavyoandika. Ikiwa mtu au kitu kingine kingemzaa au kumuumba Mungu, basi Mungu asingekuwa Kiumbe mkamilifu.

Mungu pia ndiye Muumba aliyezifanya mbingu na dunia pamoja na vyote vilivyomo. Mwanzoni Mungu alikuwapo kama Neno (Yohana 1:1), kisha wakati ulipofika akapanga uumbaji wa wanadamu na kuziumba mbingu, dunia na vitu vyote vilivyomo (Mwanzo 1:1). Aliumba vitu vyote kwa Neno Lake, hata kutoka pasipo kitu. Mwanadamu naye aliumbwa kwa nguvu Zake na kufanywa kwa mfano Wake. Wanadamu wamekuwa wakipitia “malezi ya kibinadamu” duniani.

Mwisho, Mungu anaweza yote, anajua yote na yuko kila mahali. Mungu Mwenyezi ameonyesha nguvu Zake kupitia watu aliowachagua kwa wakati unaofaa. Hii ni kwa sababu watu hawaamini wasipoona ishara na maajabu. Mungu ametoa ushahidi mwingi unaopaswa kuwasaidia watu waamini, lakini bado kuna wanaomtilia shaka licha ya ushahidi huo mwingi. Ushahidi huo ni matendo makuu ya Mungu Mwenyezi.

• 2. Matendo ya nguvu za Mungu yaliyoandikwa katika Biblia yanaendelea kutokea

Biblia inasimulia matendo mengi ya ajabu yenye nguvu. Kwa nguvu za Mungu Bahari ya Shamu iligawanyika, jua lilisimama na hata “kurudi nyuma.” Moto ulishuka kutoka mbinguni, maji machungu yakawa matamu ya kunyweka, na maji yakatoka mwambani ulipopigwa. Wafu walifufuliwa, magonjwa mengi yakaponywa na ushindi ukapatikana katika vita ambavyo mwanadamu hangeweza kushinda.

Matendo hayo makuu si mambo tunayoona katika Biblia pekee. Mungu, ambaye ni yuleyule jana, leo na milele, ametenda ishara, maajabu na matendo ya nguvu yasiyohesabika kupitia watu wenye kipimo cha imani kinachofaa kulingana na haki Yake. Tangu Kanisa Kuu la Manmin lilipoanzishwa mwaka 1982, matendo makuu ya Mungu yamedhihirika kwa wingi. Washiriki wameponywa kwa imani magonjwa yasiyotibika na ya mwisho, yakiwemo saratani, kifua kikuu, kisukari, kupooza kwa ubongo, matatizo ya diski za uti wa mgongo, UKIMWI, ukoma na leukemia. Watu waliopagawa na pepo wamewekwa huru kutoka katika mateso yao, na wengi waliokuwa wamelemaa kwa sababu ya polio au ajali za magari na ajali nyingine wameweza kutembea na kuruka baada ya kuombewa.

Baadhi ya watu waliokuwa na majeraha makubwa ya kuungua walihisi joto likitoweka mwilini mara moja walipoombewa; sehemu zilizoungua zilitakaswa na kupona baada ya muda mfupi kwa maombi. Baadhi ya washiriki walipoteza fahamu kutokana na kutosagika kwa chakula au sumu ya kaboni monoksidi, lakini walipata fahamu na kupona kabisa kwa maombi. Wengine waliokuwa wamekufa walifufuka. Watu wengi wasioweza kupata watoto walipokea baraka ya kushika mimba na kuzaa watoto wenye afya njema kwa maombi. Vipofu waliona, bubu wakasema na vilema wakaruka na kutembea. Kwa hayo walimtukuza Mungu sana. Pia mvua kubwa ilisimama baada ya maombi, na maombi yalifanya mawingu yatokee na kufunika jua kali. Hata tufani na vimbunga vilibadili njia na kutoweka.

Tangu kanisa lilipoanzishwa, washiriki wa Manmin wamepitia maajabu yanayotawala hali ya hewa. Kwa kawaida palikuwa na jua na bila mvua katika maeneo ya mapumziko ya kiangazi ya kanisa, ingawa Julai na Agosti ni majira ya mvua nchini Korea. Makundi mengi sana ya kereng'ende yalishuka kutoka angani na kula mbu na wadudu wengine wenye madhara. Tumeona upinde wa mvua mwingi sana katika anga safi, ingawa watu wengi hudhani kwamba upinde wa mvua huonekana tu baada ya mvua. Aina nyingi za upinde wa mvua zimetokea, zikiwemo za duara na nyingine za ajabu. Zaidi ya yote, Mungu amewatendea washiriki kwa nuru ya asili inayobadili mioyo ya watu. Hivyo amewabadilisha haraka washiriki wanaotamani kutakaswa.

Pia huwawezesha washiriki kupiga kwa simu zao picha za nuru za namna mbalimbali zinazofanana na aurora, jambo linaloongeza tumaini lao la Mbinguni. Kama watu walivyobeba leso au vitambaa vya kujifunga mwilini kutoka kwa mtume Paulo na wagonjwa wakapona na pepo wabaya wakatoka, matendo mengi ya uponyaji wa Mungu yamefanyika kupitia leso ambayo Mchungaji Jaerock Lee ameiombea. Pia, nguvu za Mungu zilileta uponyaji na majibu wakati Mchungaji Lee alipoweka mkono wake juu ya picha au majina ya watu walioomba maombi, hata akiwa mbali nao.

• 3. Ili kuona nguvu za Mungu, tunapaswa kumpendeza kwa imani

Watu wengi humwamini Mungu, lakini si wote wanaoweza kuona nguvu Zake. Tunaweza kufanya hivyo tunapoonyesha matendo ya imani ya kweli. Katika 2 Wafalme sura ya 5 kuna habari za Naamani, jemadari wa jeshi la Aramu. Alisikia kuhusu Elisha, mtu wa Mungu aliyeweza kudhihirisha nguvu Zake. Akaenda Israeli kuponywa ukoma na hatimaye akapitia tendo kuu la Mungu. Naamani alikuwa mtu mashuhuri ambaye mfalme wa Aramu alimwamini. Alimpelekea Elisha zawadi nyingi za thamani ili apone ugonjwa wake.

Hata hivyo, Elisha hakumpokea rasmi, bali alimtuma mjumbe amwambie, “Nenda ukajioshe katika Yordani mara saba, na mwili wako utarudishwa hali yake nawe utakuwa safi.” Mara moja Naamani akakasirika na alikuwa karibu kurudi nyumbani. Lakini mtumishi wake mmoja akamshawishi, naye hatimaye akajizamisha katika Yordani mara saba. Baada ya kufanya hivyo, mwili wake ukawa safi kama wa mtoto mdogo na akaponywa. Hapa, “maji” huwakilisha Neno la Mungu kiroho. Kujizamisha ndani ya Yordani huashiria kwamba dhambi zake zilisafishwa kwa Neno la Mungu. “Saba” ni namba ya ukamilifu, kwa hiyo inaonyesha kwamba dhambi zake zilisamehewa kabisa. Vivyo hivyo, ili kupokea majibu kutoka kwa Mungu tunapaswa kutubu dhambi na uovu wetu kikamilifu, kama Naamani alivyojiosha Yordani mara saba. Hatuwezi kusema kwa midomo tu, “Nisamehe.” Tunapaswa kuuraruza mioyo yetu na kutubu kabisa (Yoeli 2:13).

Kisha furaha huchipuka mioyoni mwetu, nasi tunaweza kushuhudia kazi ya Mungu: magonjwa huponywa na matatizo hutatuliwa. Pia tunapaswa kuonyesha imani yetu hadi mwisho ili kuponywa na kupokea majibu, kama Naamani alivyofanya. Zaidi ya hayo, tunapaswa sisi wenyewe kumwendea Mungu ili tuwe na imani inayostahili kupokea majibu. Tunapoliskia Neno la Mungu na kuwa na imani ndipo tunaweza kuona nguvu Zake. Watu wenye matatizo ya akili au waliopagawa na pepo wanaweza pia kuona nguvu za Mungu ikiwa wazazi au watu wengine wa familia wanamwendea Mungu kwa niaba yao kwa upendo na imani. Ushahidi wa imani huonekana kwa wale walio na imani inayowastahilisha kupokea majibu, nayo humfurahisha Mungu. Kwa mfano, nyuso zao hujaa furaha na shukrani hata wanapokabili hali ngumu na zenye maumivu kiasi gani.

Hawakati tamaa wanapoona hali halisi ya tatizo, bali bado wanaweza kukiri kwa imani na kwa maneno mazuri. Kwa hiyo, nawasihi mfurahi na kushukuru mkiamini kwamba tayari mmepokea majibu, kama Marko 11:24 isemavyo: “Yote myaombayo mkisali, aminini ya kwamba mnayapokea, nayo yatakuwa yenu.” Mtu mwenye imani inayostahili kupokea majibu humwamini Mungu na kuishi kwa Neno Lake. Hujitahidi kutembea katika nuru kwa kuwa Mungu ni nuru, na kujibadilisha. Mungu hufurahishwa na matendo hayo ya imani na kutimiza matamanio ya moyo wa mtu. Jichunguzeni kuona kama mna imani inayokubaliwa na Mungu.