Happy 31^st Birthday, VPC!!

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12).

Today, as we celebrate VPC 31^st birthday, I would like to make three confessions before God and before all of you”

            First, God has helped us thus far.

Please read 1 Samuel 7:12 - “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us.”  As I look at back, 31 years of VPC, I cannot but confess that God has helped us and led us thus far.  Especially, when our church was in great need of help, God helped us and delivered us from our crisis.  And this was God’s grace for sure.  For all along, God was looking at our church and watch over us through 31 years.  That’s why today we are able to worship God with thanksgiving in our hearts.  Let us hold unto the word of God Psalms 121:1-2 - I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Second, God is building us.

Please read Matthew 16:18 - “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”  This Word is the promise that the Lord gave us.  And that promise Word is that this church is the Lord’s church and He will build His church.  For 31 years, the Lord was building His church.  And even now, He is building VPC.  And guess what?  The Lord will continually build this church for His glory.  And as He builds His church, He does so on the rock.  As a result, the Lord’s church will not be shaken even in the midst of so many Satan’s attacks and temptations.  And the Lord is building our church to be a victorious church – fighting against our sinful nature, this world and Satan.  Our prayer to God is that the Lord to build His church, VPC, so that He may build His Kingdom through VPC.  May the Lord raise Christ-centered visionary leaders among us so that they may go out and expand the Kingdom of God.

Third, God will lead us to the Heaven.

Please read Revelation 7:17 - “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  When we look at the chapter of faith, that is Hebrews chapter 11, we see that all those ancestors of faith were longing for a better country (v.16).  In fact, they were longing for a heavenly one (v.16).  And they walked toward the heaven by faith.  We too should walk toward the heaven by faith.  Not only by faith, we also need to walk toward the heaven with hope in the Lord.  Our Shepherd Lord will lead us to Heaven.  And He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.  Although we are now living in this world where its boast is trouble and sorrow, the Heaven in where we are heading toward there is no more trouble and sorrow.  We will forever enjoy rest and the Lord will wipe away all our tears.  I hope an pray that all our of us can be able to participate in the wedding of the Lamb when He comes.

With thanksgiving in my heart,

James Kim

(July 5, 2011 -  “Lord, may You build VPC!”)