Encounter God, connect with Christ, and have a fruitful life

"In the past, I was afraid of failing at something I cared about; now I'm even more afraid of succeeding at something that doesn't matter."
—Bob Goff

A life connected to Christ profoundly affects life

Bob Goff is a well-known American speaker and New York Times best-selling author. His organizations "Love Does" and "Restore International" are dedicated to fighting for human rights and freedom, fighting human trafficking, building schools and education systems, and winning the United States Recognition and appreciation from many countries have influenced and changed the lives of millions of people. In his best-selling book Love Does, he mentioned the important person who influenced his life, Randy. Randy was a young man at the time. He often hung out on the high school campus where Bob was studying, hanging out with them. He owned a motorcycle and a beautiful girlfriend, which made Bob extremely envious. Bob was very confused at the time and felt at a loss about life. Randy always stayed with him patiently. Later I learned that Randy was a Christian campus worker whose purpose was to spread the gospel. Bob thought that he didn't have many friends, but Randy always seemed to be happy to get along with him, so he didn't mind associating with this Christian.

▲Bob Goff’s best-selling book Love Does Picture source: amazon.com

When he was in high school, Bob felt that his future was bleak and he had no future, so he decided to run away from home, drop out of school and work, with the goal of becoming a park ranger in Yosemite National Park. He had an old car and seventy-five dollars in his pocket. Before leaving, he went to Randy's cabin to say goodbye. Randy was sleepy-eyed. When he heard that Bob was about to drop out of school and leave home, he immediately invited him into the house and asked him to wait. Soon, Randy reappeared with a backpack and said to him, "Let's go together!" So they drove off together. During the day, Randy accompanied him around, asking about job opportunities, but encountered obstacles everywhere; at night, they slept on piles in the camping ground, and when he woke up from the cold in the middle of the night, Randy chatted with him without giving any advice or lectures. A few days passed like this, all the money was spent, and no job was found. Bob gave up and returned home to continue his studies. At the same time, he met Jesus because of Randy, and his life was different from then on. Today his books and lectures influence many people.

During the summer vacation of my freshman year in high school, on a whim, I went to the south alone to visit my grandmother. My grandmother lived in a Japanese-style building. She was very happy to see me and invited me to sit across from each other on a wicker chair in the entrance hall of the courtyard. On the coffee table in the middle was a large bunch of bright purple grapes and a large-print Bible. My grandmother and I were nearly seventy years apart, and we couldn't seem to find a topic to talk about. But I suddenly asked my grandmother without thinking, "What is your favorite scripture?" Unexpectedly, her answer became the greatest blessing in my life. .

My grandmother said without thinking, "Yes! Open your Bible to John Chapter 15." Then I began to read: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. Every branch that belongs to me and does not bear fruit, he will prune." Go; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ...Abide in me, and I in you... He will bear much fruit; for apart from me you shall bear no more fruit. What cannot be done... If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, and my Father will be glorified by it, that you bear much fruit... I love you, Just as the Father has loved me, abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love...and your joy may be full, as I have loved you. ; This is my command. No man has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. If you do what I command you, you are my friends... and you are appointed to bear fruit, that your fruit may abide. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. This is what I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15:1-17)

▲In 1955, Li Li’s father and grandmother.

ah! It turns out that the Lord who created us expects us to have a fruitful life, not a "successful" life! Bearing fruit is because life is like a branch connected to the vine, enjoying the nutrients of the vine—God’s love and presence, so fruit will naturally bear fruit!

My grandmother, who was connected to Christ, had a profound influence on me. Since the age of sixteen, I have been pursuing a fruitful life throughout my life!

Connect with Christ, cherish the time, and bear fruit

My good friend Jiemei (see issue 43, "Outstanding Beauty Is Not an Accident") passed away a few days before I wrote this, which caused me great sadness. We have common friends, common memories, similar sorrows, worries, challenges and difficulties. We laughed together, cried together, prayed together, dreamed together, planned new ministries together...but she couldn't wait and left first...

▲Li Li and her friend Jie Mei in the summer of 2015.

My father was an understanding, gentle, humble, and respectable pastor. He was my inspiration and role model for how to behave, love God and people, live and serve. The scope of our discussions ranged from ordinary household matters to social politics and theology. However, after he suffered a stroke seven years ago, except for the fact that he could still pray calmly, fluently and sonorously, he gradually lost his memory and could not keep up with other people's conversations. I'm losing him.

I, like many others who live from day to day, have to work full-time in order to live and to keep the ministry going. Seeing that my mental and physical strength is declining day by day, time is precious, and various restrictions in the workplace have made my service very restricted. I have so many helplessness! I spent more time in the air and in hotels than at home. I couldn’t even accept invitations to serve. Sometimes I felt abandoned. I asked the Lord many times why He didn’t make a way for me to serve Him freely. Sometimes I even doubted my ability to serve. value.

When we face the passage of life and the passage of time, we can't help but review and evaluate our lives. This world measures success by money, power, and fame, but the Lord Jesus tells us that life lies in bearing more fruit! And the secret is so simple and natural - "I am the vine and you are the branches...abide in me and I in you...he will bear much fruit..." I heard the Lord say to me The answer is: I want you, not service. Just be in me and let me be in you. that's enough.

▲Li Li (back) and her parents, taken at Li Li’s son’s wedding on 5/24/2015.

A book that had a profound impact on me was "The Chamber of Secrets" which I read in high school, written by the Dutch author Corrie Ten Boon. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, her family hid Jews. They were later discovered, and many family members died. She and her sister were sent to a concentration camp. In prison, they experienced inhuman abuse, but became a blessing to everyone in prison. Later, her sister died in prison. After she was miraculously released, she wrote a story that changed the lives of millions of people. One of her prayers is: "Lord, please remember not only those with good intentions, but also those with evil intentions. But do not remember the pain they inflict on us, but remember the fruits we bear because of our suffering, because it Make us more united, make us more loyal to each other, make us more humble and courageous, teach us to live in generosity, and grow great hearts out of this situation. Let us bear the fruit of your judgment on our persecutors. Be their forgiveness."

▲"Dark Room" by Peng Keli. Image source: amazon.com

What our Heavenly Father cares about is not how much we do, but whether we are in Him and bear fruit.

So, I began to learn to encounter God in my daily life, and I prayed many times a day in a way that I called “seeking His grace”: A new day (or a new moment) has come, Father God, help me to stop. Next, I realize that I am a part of Your control and understand that You want to bestow upon me Your abundant love.

Before I ask God to give me the grace I need today, I carefully consider three things: 1. What should I be thankful for in this moment? 2. What challenges may I face today? 3. What is lacking in my heart at this moment?

What is it that my heart really needs and desires? Is it compassion and acceptance for oneself and others, or a deep calling? Ask God for the grace I want right now.

Every time, I end with this prayer: "Lord, please take away from me all my freedom, memory, understanding, and will. Everything I call 'mine' is Yours. You gave it to me." I give it all back to you. Everything is yours. Please give me what you want according to your will. I only need your love and grace, and this is enough for me.”

I actually experienced deeply what it means to be "in Christ."

▲KRC core co-worker Sister Han Jiahua and her husband Elder Yang Jingya.

Experience God with KRC

As Bob Goff said, maybe what we care about is success in insignificant things, but we ignore what the Father values —connecting with Him and bearing fruit.
This issue is the annual themed special issue of Kingdom of God - Encountering God in every aspect of life. The vision and mission of KRC, simply put, is to live out the culture of the kingdom of heaven in life and make all decisions and judgments with the vision and values of the kingdom of heaven. Last summer, my best friend Jiemei, who was ill, said that what she cherished most was that we could always inspire each other, which was surprising. I hope this issue of the magazine can also touch your spirit and inspire you to experience God in every aspect of your life.

In this issue, as usual, I would like to introduce a soul figure of KRC, my beloved sister Han Jiahua. Sister Jia Hua majored in nursing and graduated from National Taiwan University. After coming to the United States to study, she worked as a professor at the School of Nursing. Later, she stayed at home to care for her husband and raise her children, becoming a full-time wife and mother. When she first came to participate in the literature camp, she described herself as "a housewife reduced to reading newspapers and only looking for discount coupons." It turned out that she was a priceless pearl, and her role in KRC was "obligatory" - the KRC family needs What, she could be instantly. When you needed an editor, she was the editor; when you needed a board member, she was a board member. And, no matter what she did, she became an example to us all. Over the years, she talked less and prayed more. Therefore, God used her to carry out different ministries in the church and community. She saw many Chinese brides coming to the town where she lived, so she started a cross-cultural marriage fellowship ministry, providing companionship and counseling, which influenced many marriages and individuals. She is the community planning editor of Kingdom magazine and a "prayer director" on the board of directors.

KRC has entered its eighteenth year. From the beginning, we have been committed to spending every penny wisely, so we are able to complete the work with 300% efficiency with mainly volunteers and only one full-time staff member. Over the years, there has never been an issue of the magazine or a camp has been held. This is an absolute miracle! Without your cooperation and God's presence, this would never be possible. Please continue to participate, pray and contribute in the Lord.
May you continue to experience God with KRC and in every aspect of your life!

Author profile Gao Lili is the founder and CEO of Kingdom of God Christian Association. He has served as a senior executive in large American companies for many years and is currently in full-time ministry. He often lectures and leads camps throughout North America and Asia, and is extremely responsible for training leadership and management models that are in line with God’s will.