Shalom! Dear NCTC partners,

October has arrived, signaling the start of the fourth quarter of 2024. The fourth quarter is a season for reaping and giving thanks for what we have sown throughout the year, finishing the year well and preparing for the new year (2025). As I pray about October, I would like to share the message the Lord has given me.

"Do not make a plan out of fear. Stay in My presence until you are overwhelmed with My peace. I will show you the things to do."

1. Is it from Trust or Anxiety?

(Hebrews 4:3) “For we who have believed do enter that rest”

In many cases, we unknowingly make plans and push forward out of anxiety (fear). However, God wants us to move in trust and not out of fear towards Him. The same action can stem from either trust or fear. If those actions arise from current instability or anxiety stemming from past experiences, we will never find rest, and it will be hard to expect the results of faith. God wants us to enjoy rest, and true rest can only be found in complete trust in Him.

So how can we discover and remove hidden unbelief or fear in our hearts that is not trust towards Him? Verses 12-13 of the same chapter provide a solution to this.

(Hebrews 4:12-13) “12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Have you ever experienced this? Suddenly the Word of God illuminates truth in your heart. At that moment, the hidden intentions of your heart, which you were not aware of, come to light, and you discover that the fundamental root of your actions comes from these hidden motivations. The hidden motivations of your heart are then operated on by the truth of the Word, a spiritual surgery if you will, resulting in freedom, wholeness, and subsequent changes in behavior.

I often experience this. If I am pushing something forward unknowingly due to anxiety or uncertainty, the Word of God comes into my heart to discern and operate on my thoughts and intentions. The result of this heart surgery is a more complete “trust” towards Him, which removes unnecessary actions or efforts stemming from a lack of trust in His plans and provides rest. Hallelujah!

2. Trust is Born from a Relationship with Him.

(Hebrews 4:11) “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest...”

Therefore, if there is something we should strive for more, it is to enter His rest before pushing forward with many plans and actions. (It is not wrong to push forward with many tasks, but if they arise from fear, the Lord wants to adjust those.) True rest comes from faith (trust). We have just confirmed that God's Word is sharper than any double-edged sword that can expose hidden intentions and motives of the heart and operate on them. So how can we trust His Word? In order to trust someone's words, we must first trust the character and personality of the one who spoke them. And trust is formed based on a relationship with that person. This relationship is influenced by how much time we spend with that person.

(Hebrews 4:14-16) “14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Therefore, the most important thing we can do is to go before the throne of Jesus Christ, who can sympathize with our weaknesses, and spend time with Him! He wants us to dwell deeply in His presence. We are coming not to the throne of judgment but to the throne of grace. As we remain in His presence and contemplate His faithful, merciful, and good nature, we can come to trust in His plans. Our trust in Him is strengthened when His character is revealed to us. His character is made known when we stay in His presence.

3. Listen to the Voice He Speaks in His Presence.

No matter what storm we are in, if we remain in His presence, His peace that calms the storm will fill us from the spirit. When His peace fills our entire being, only our trust in Him remains as truth, and all other remnants become lies. We are then in a position to hear from the Lord.

(1 Kings 19:11-12) “11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

Still Small Voice! This still small voice will definitely be heard when we remain in His presence. When we receive directions from this still small voice, we also receive the ability (grace) to carry out those directions. This still small voice sometimes causes us to stop many things we are trying to do. It can also command us to step out and do what we haven't done before, rather than staying in our comfort zone. This still small voice confirms what we are already doing and gives us strength to ignore doubts and continue moving forward.

One thing is certain: if we listen to and act on this still small voice, there is rest, because we can now trust His plans! Even if we cannot see it and the circumstances have not changed, we can fully trust His will and plans. Therefore, with divine courage and assurance in His rest, we can do whatever He is directing us to do!

So, I encourage you to set aside time throughout the month of October to remain deeply in the Lord's presence. Go before the throne of grace with an open heart and take time to examine our lives and the motivations in our hearts.

"Do not make a plan out of fear. Stay in My presence until you are overwhelmed with My peace. I will show you the things to do."

When our trust in Him becomes complete, we will surely reap the fruits of our harvest!

At the end of October, we will hold the NCTC Conference in Dallas for the first time. So far, more than 60% of those who have registered are from other states. I believe that all those who come will have their desires fulfilled in the Lord and will return to their own worlds with the fire of the Gospel. We ask for your prayers, partners.

I pray for you all.

This powerful message of the revelation of new creation, sown by your partnership in love, is being proclaimed among people around the world and transforming lives and families. I proclaim in faith that all the seeds sown by our ministry partners will prosper and that the fruits of righteousness will abundantly increase. Thank you for partnering in this soul-winning adventure!

This is how Paula and I will pray for you.

Pastor John Kyusong Cho and Paula Kim

on October 5, 2024