Open new horizons in the embrace of God

You have been embraced by me since you were born from your mother's womb; you have been carried by me since you were born from your mother's womb.
Until you are old, I will still be the same; until you are gray, I will still embrace you.
Since I have done this before, I will still support you in the future; I will embrace you and I will save you.
(Isaiah 46:3b-4, NLT)

I made a covenant with the Lord when I was 11 years old and dedicated my life to serving Him. The way to follow the Lord is not easy, and coupled with our dull qualifications, we sometimes dare not follow the Lord diligently because we are afraid of others, and therefore take unjust detours. Looking back on the past, most of it was bumpy and difficult, and I often didn’t know where to start.

I started writing camps when I was the editor of the Messenger Association, and later organized various workshops at the "Kingdom Resources for Christ Association". It has been 20 years now, and the "Kingdom of God" magazine has also entered its 15th year. I have also entered the stage of middle-aged and elderly people, and I have begun to feel powerless. My eyesight has deteriorated, my eyes are tired, and my reading speed has slowed down. I have an irregular heartbeat the next day after staying up late. I was used to traveling and traveling without a fixed diet, but now I can no longer bear it and I fall ill frequently. And whether it is the ministry of the "Kingdom of God", or other services that I participate in, or the work and career that I rely on to make a living, it has not become easier with age. It is still full of challenges and difficulties. I keep praying to the Father in my heart. Quickly call for those who will lead the inheritance. I must admit that I felt a little bit self-pitying and melancholy, and I wondered if the Lord thought I was old and no longer useful.

However, a few weeks ago, during an honest conversation with God, He used the above passage as a reminder. I suddenly understood that God had carried me through all the difficult roads from the beginning. He promises to still hold me, help me, and save me when I grow old.

So I began to examine my surroundings and saw that God the Father was not only present personally, but also placed many soldiers of Christ around me, becoming co-workers, close friends, and mentors. Father God has enriched my life through the lives of participants in ministries and activities every year. When I hold each issue of the magazine in my hands and feel proud that the team has released another masterpiece, I find that I am actually the biggest beneficiary.

Taking the content of this issue as an example, in the talent section, Professor Wen Yingqian wrote "The Impact of the Refugee Crisis on the World Economy", analyzing solutions to the refugee problem and how Christians can care for refugees, allowing me to face this most serious crisis in the century. There is new hope in times of crisis; "Self-discipline and Discipline - Application in Life" by Elder Lin Yuanshang, traditional and simple teachings, but bringing clear and profound reminders; "A Brief Discussion on the Board of Directors of Non-Profit Organizations" by Elder Lin Fengliang , was exactly the reference I sorely needed.

The outreach unit focuses on dual-vocational missions and points out important missionary directions in the 21st century. The experiences shared in the relationship unit help us learn to face life's crises with confidence and wisdom. The community unit took us to see directly the various needs of children's villages in rural areas of China. In the column of "Music and Practice of Righteousness" in the cultural section, Sister Wu Shuyi, as always, leads us back to the core of the "Kingdom of God" ministry - the Christian faith that conveys the culture of the Kingdom of God.

When you receive this magazine, I hope that you, like me, will gain knowledge and inspiration from it, gain new horizons; be challenged and moved, gain new understanding, and participate in it to take action.

Financial needs have always been a challenge for us, but for 20 years, Father God has always found a way for us to pay off all our bills at the end of the year. I hope Father God will use your support to make this ministry a blessing to the public. I believe God Father will personally repay your efforts.

Lily Yang

Lily is the founder and CEO of Kingdom Resources for Christ. After spending many years as an executive in large companies, she now serves in full-time ministry, often speaking, teaching, and leading retreats throughout North America and Asia. She also founded and runs the natural and ethical skincare and cosmetics company, LordnLily.com.