Hello Beloved Fire of God Family
Beloved Sr. Pastor Yoo-jin asked me
to share my experience with you all.❤️🙏🏾 I hope it will bless you
“Do not let praise and worship depart from your lips” – God
Pastor Sr. and I received this word from Sr. Pastor Yoo-jin when we were living in Fremont a few years ago. I found a scripture that reflects the word given to us. Psalm 149:6
“Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—”
Psalms 149:6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.149.6.NLT
The Lord was trying to prepare me for what I was about to go through. Now before I go any further, I must give you some background story(There is so much to talk about but I will not be able to cover it all in this post) Like many words my husband and I had recieved over the years, we sat and thought about it but because we were blind the meaning/answer would go over our heads. Different events and pivotal moments happened in our walk with the Lord during that time that challenged my faith. I didn’t notice this then, but I was drifting. My world was about to be rocked. It came out that I had no physical or spiritual foundation, which was another word and hint from God that I needed to start over.
Therefore, spiritual demolition was scheduled to hit my house(me). Was I ready? No! It was like the rug was pulled from under me. I was in shock and devastated. The Rock I was supposed to build upon became the Rock that made me stumble and crushed me, Matthew 21:44 ( This was the revelation my husband and I recently received). The Lord was trying to help me see my true spiritual condition(Pharisee). I was a Christian, a leader in the church, but operating under the Law. I needed to be reborn, but it took God humbling me for me to really receive that.
Like most Christians, I thought I was born again. I thought my relationship with God was fine. Spiritually, I was blind, deaf, and dumb. I realized I didn’t really know God, my relationship with Him wasn’t right, and I was in a dangerous place. My praise and worship became less and less, and my passion was holding on for dear life. I was so ashamed of my spiritual state and couldn’t build up the nerve to open my mouth. I thought my praise and worship were filthy rags to God. When I would try, nothing would come out. I’m a worshiper/songwriter, and I had no songs. I was blocked, stuck in a drought. I was literally stripped of everything, physically and spiritually, until I was naked and exposed. Fear(of judgement), Anxiety, Doubts, Lies, Pride…you name it, I was attacked with it and I even wore it as if it were clothing.
Going to exile and ending up in Leper City changed me and was the beginning of my breaking (more to come). God met me there with all my ugliness. Then I got reborn, and I experienced God’s goodness and mercy. But my house, which was destroyed, still needed to be rebuilt. God gave us another word during that time from Beloved Sr. Pastor Yoo-jin: ” Build your house.”-God. Glory to God that the Lord gave me an opportunity to rebuild with Him.
Now he is known as my Rock of Salvation, my foundation before my shabby house was built by my own hands and understanding. Psalm 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain”. So I’m in the process of rebuilding a House for the Lord to dwell in. The last two weeks, I’ve been seeking and crying out to God for restoration, mainly concerning my relationship with Him, and to restore my Worship/Passion.
This brings me to this weekend. Beloved Sr. Pastor Yoo-jin texted me Sunday morning asking me if I could Holy Dance on stage for Worship. I felt so grateful and honored to be able to dance for the Lord. Beloved Sr. Pastor Steve did the declaration, and I was intently listening to Him. As I was standing there listening, the fear of the Lord hit me, the reverent fear of the Lord! As I know, I am one who needs to be broken and surrender. In my heart, I asked the Lord to help me go before Him with a pure heart and clean hands. Help me to surrender. Before I stepped on the altar…I realized this time going up there was going to be different, I was trembling with reverence for the Lord. I knew I would be standing in the Presence of God. I had a plea in my heart, and I believe Jesus heard me.
I remember the word God gave me when I first came to the church: “As you worship and praise Me, I will deliver you” – God. That night on my way home I felt something, I felt Praise stirring in my belly and all I wanted to do was worship the Lord. I did that all the way home. After putting the children to bed and my husband went to sleep, I stayed up to talk to the Lord. I was playing some worship instrumentals I made, and all of a sudden, words came flooding out of my mouth, spontaneous worship. I was a leaky faucet turned full blast, and the rest of the night, I worshiped Jesus. It was like Heaven entered my home. I was able to worship the Lord wholeheartedly without any blockages, and the atmosphere was electric.
I felt a fog being lifted off of me and soon after I started to repent and cry out to God to forgive me. Forgive me for letting praise and worship leave my lips! Everything was crystal clear as I stayed in that atmosphere, and the Love of God, His Peace, and Joy flooded the room. I felt free. My spirit had been truly revived. My fire increased dramatically, and my heart has been overjoyed! I didn’t have any blockages between me and the Lord. It was like the windows of Heaven opened up over our home. As I praised Him, the attacks on my mind disappeared! Praise and worship confuse the enemy and bring deliverance, 2 Chronicles 20.
Gratefulness and Thanksgiving were pouring out of me. I say all this to tell you that the Lord restored my Praise, Worship, and my relationship with Him. My mind is being renewed. He is my exceeding great reward and the Love of my life. There is no God like Him anywhere, and His mercy endures forever! God is truly Gracious and Faithful! Our God is an awesome God! No matter what you are going through, do not let praise and worship leave your lips. Praise God! Love ya’ll!
Elder Janina Hopes
Comments from Senior Pastor Yoojin Kim:
Good job, Deacon Janina! Overcoming the season was not easy for you.
Sr Pastor Steve felt an anointing on you on the altar, and your dance for God touched my heart.
Holy dance is not about showing off and trying to look good in front of people.
This is a beautiful moment between you and God!! 💗💗💗
When your heart is right with Him, you will show it through the fruit in your life. Holy dance flows as you become more with Him 🙌☺️